Forrest Newsletter 2025 Term 2 Week 6
Message from the principal
School Review
This week we had our ACT Education Directorate school review pre-visit where the 4-person panel met with the leadership team and visited some of our classrooms. They return in the last week of term for the review which is why we have moved the end of term parent-teacher interviews to week nine (just in case you are not aware, we are in week six currently!). We have asked them to assess us on three areas: leading effective teaching and learning, curriculum delivery and assessment practices. Our goal as a leadership team is to ensure the right balance between explicit teaching and guided inquiry, to have vertical and horizontal alignment throughout our PYP units of inquiry (vertically means that concepts and skills are covered equitably between each year level and horizontally is what we teach and learn at the beginning of the year supporting children’s learning at the end), and to develop critical and creative thinking skills in children. We do lots of other things too, but this is what we wanted the review team to evaluate us on. We are still finalising the schedule with them but there will be opportunities for parents to meet with the review team either in person at drop-off or pick-up but also with an online meeting for those who might find that more suitable.
IB Evaluation
In term three, we have two evaluators from the International Baccalaureate coming to Forrest to review our school through the IB parameters. Much of the review processes are the same as the Directorate’s though: the team will speak with children, staff and parents, look through our documentation and visit the classrooms before providing us with suggestions for improvement over the next cycle. We have a five-question survey for you about how well we are implementing the IB at Forrest Primary and would love your feedback. Staff and children have also answered questions on this as part of our self-study which we submit back to the IB. Since our last evaluation in 2020, the process has changed slightly, and we now rate ourselves on where we feel we sit on a continuum. The evaluation team then use this as a springboard for their review. If you have some time to complete this over the next fortnight, that would be greatly appreciated. Here is the link:
Staffing
Thank you for your understanding of the email I sent out on Thursday night. When we know in advance of upcoming disruptions due to a shortage of staff, we will let you know so you are aware. Sometimes we don’t know as people go to bed hopeful that they will be better in the morning. Today we had nine teaching staff sick, two more than were known on Thursday night. There are not enough relief teachers to cover this shortfall sadly. I’ll therefore take this opportunity to remind everyone that during winter sickness seems to spread fast so please keep your child at home if they are exhibiting signs of being unwell, please.
We hope you and your family have a lovely long weekend!
Chris
International Day of Play
Next week Forrest Primary and Forrest Out of School Hours Care (FOOSHC) will be uniting to celebrate International Day of Play on Friday 13th June. Together we will be extending play time from 1.25 pm to 2.45 pm and setting up some amazing play resources in the playground ranging from; board games on the library deck, loose parts borrowed from FOOSHC play pod, tennis game set up, tug of war, cricket, hopscotch, and parachute games just to name a few.
This celebrates United Nations recognised International Day of Play on June 11th. Play is a fundamental right of the child and is a biological necessity. In play, children explore their identity, find community, and process their world. Through play children develop critical thinking skills, explore their limitations, and develop new skills, build their confidence, learn resilience, and explore their creativity. Play is fundamental to the healthy development and wellbeing of individuals and communities regardless of age.
The establishment of a UN International Day of Play is an important step in advocating for the time, space, and freedom for all children to play and we are proud to advocate for PLAY in our programs.
Ali and Chris
ACT Swimming Championships
Congratulation to Chelsea, Archa, Archie and Hannah who all received ribbons from the ACT Swimming Championships.
Archa, Archie and Hannah will represent the ACT Team at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships to be held in Ballarat in October. An outstanding achievement. Best of luck!
ACT 12-and-Under Tennis Day
Congratulations to Ksenia in 5F who achieved 2nd place at the ACT 12 and Under Tennis Day on Friday 16 May. It was a day of high level, competitive tennis and formed part of the selection process for students to represent the ACT at the Bruce Cup later in the year. Well done, Ksenia!
Forrest School P&C News
A Parent’s Perspective:
I Finally Went to a P&C Meeting
And why I think you should too.
Last week I went to my very first P&C meeting at Forrest Primary, and honestly, I walked away wondering why I hadn’t gone sooner. After five years at the school, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how things worked but I had no idea just how much the P&C actually does. They don’t just support school events, they plan, organise, fundraise, and bring them to life from start to finish. Not just the big stuff, but the little comforts too. They’re not just helpers, they’re the engine room.
What really stood out to me at the meeting was how thoughtful and strategic they are. They spend time discussing, negotiating, and doing everything they can to stretch funds and create meaningful impact for our kids. They’re across it all. And right now, with the Colour Run coming up, one of the biggest fundraising events of the year and the team is about to pour a huge amount of time and energy into making it happen. These events don’t just appear, they’re built by hardworking, passionate parents doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
But I’ll admit, I was surprised at how few parents were in the room. So many of us are actively involved in our kids’ schooling in other ways, and yet we’re missing this big piece that often flies under the radar.
So this is just a little nudge to say: come along to the next meeting if you can. These are busy parents, just like all of us, doing incredibly important work. But they can’t do it alone and they really shouldn’t have to. Even just being there to listen makes a difference. Supporting them supports our kids (and our teachers), and it’s a wonderful way to feel more connected to the heart of our school community.
Sabrina Hartley