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Forrest Primary School
Newsletter
Term 1 Week 2 - 2015
Refer to last page for School and Community Contact Information
Date
Fri 13 February
Mon 16 February
Mon 16 – Fri 20 February
Item
Year 6 Assembly 2:00pm Senior Hall
Homework club begins
Parent/Teacher Interviews
MISSION STATEMENT
Forrest Primary School helps all of our students reach their full potential in a safe, loving, inspiring
and challenging learning environment.
We strive to develop confident, compassionate, responsible children who are lifelong learners and
can make the world a better place.
Our community is culturally diverse and we value and celebrate the perspectives, knowledge, skills
and abilities all bring to our school.
Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members,
Head Lice: Let’s work together to make Forrest Primary a ‘Nit Free School’
One of the things we see recurring in schools is head lice, commonly called nits! They are stubborn
little things; they love clean hair and love to stick to hair shafts.
You can pick them up from other people’s hats and they jump from one head to another, having a
great time while they drive parents mad with frustration!! They also send people broke!
If head lice are detected at school your child will be sent home and we ask you to start treatment as
soon as possible. If head lice are detected at home, please advise the school so that we can advise
other parents to check their child’s hair too.
To minimise the infection of head lice in our school please do the following:
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Check your child’s hair regularly for head lice and eggs
If your child has head lice please follow the instructions on the product carefully and make
sure the head lice and eggs have been killed and removed. You actually need to comb the
whole head while the treatment is still on.
Check everyone’s hair in the family.
Wash hats, pillow-cases, sheets, doona cover and sun the doona!
Make sure the child is no longer infected before you return your child to school.
Check your child’s hair one week after the first treatment as it is very easy to miss some of
the head lice in the initial treatment and they may have hatched in the meantime.
Fresh Tastes: healthy food at school
Fresh Tastes is a partnership between ACT Health, the ACT Education and Training Directorate and
the Catholic Education Office. We are proud to be a Fresh Tastes School! Fresh Tastes supports the
ACT Government's Towards Zero Growth: Healthy Weight Action Plan
http://www.health.act.gov.au/health-services/population-health/ which has set a target of 'zero
growth' for obesity in the ACT.
Fresh Tastes aims to make healthy food and drinks a part of everyday life at Forrest Primary School.
We support children and families through leadership, encouraging learning about nutrition, and by
providing healthy food and drink choices. Fresh Taste actions focus on:
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food for sale at school, including school canteens
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implementing healthy food and drink guidelines
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cooking and growing food
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classroom learning about good nutrition
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supporting healthy food from home.
Forrest Primary School looks forward to providing you with information about the Fresh Tastes
programme through the newsletter, whole school assemblies and more!
Circle Time
During the January holidays, teachers at Forrest Primary School were busy preparing for an
inspirational 2015. One of the developmental training courses that teachers were involved in was
Circle Time. Circle Time is part of an overall whole school strategy for improving communication
amongst teachers and students, managing behaviour and improving student well-being. Teachers
were thrilled with the training they received and as a result have embedded Circle Time into their
weekly programmes. Here is some feedback the teachers gave to the course coordinators:
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It was great to refresh our skills and ideas for Circle Time especially for starting a
new school year. Each of the Year Four classes has used Circle Time in Week 1 as
part of a morning routine.
Our team found the Circle Time PD really beneficial. We have used Circle Time in
our classroom a few times now to get to know the students, create an Essential
Agreement and discuss the Learner Profile.
The kindergarten students have all been very good at remembering the rules and
have all participated eagerly.
We all enjoyed the Circle Time PD and found it very useful. Using Circle Time so far
this year is enabling us to connect more quickly with our students as we are using
Circle Time as a way of getting to know them and of finding out interesting and
important information about each one.
Circle Time has been excellent as a start of the year introduction and refresher for
students about the PYP.
Circle Time has been beneficial for the following reasons:
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Getting to know students names, interests, and personalities
Establishing a predictable routine for students
To add a bit a fun and energy into the day
To assist in the implementation of lessons such as developing our Essential Agreement and
looking at Learner Profiles
To assist students in gaining the confidence to speak in front of a large group
To develop skills such as turn taking, listening, manners
Notes
In the next week families will be receiving a number of notes to update student information, for
example the Student Information Checklist. This is very important in the case we need to contact
you about your child. It would be very much appreciated if these can be completed and returned as
soon as you can. We thank you for your partnership with these.
Medical notes need to be completed annually. If your child has a condition such as asthma, diabetes
or anaphylaxis, you will also need to provide a management plan. This is so we can best address your
child’s needs.
The swimming carnival is fast approaching. A medical note will also be attached to the permission
note for your completion. This is because we take the notes to the pool with us.
Parent and teacher getting to know you interviews
Parent and teacher meetings are a valuable way of communicating your child’s strengths and needs.
Please use the SOBS booking system to book a time with your child’s teacher. Thank you to all those
families who have already done so. We look forward to chatting with you. Instructions for SOBS are
attached to this email.
Parent Information Night
Teaching teams were very excited to have families join us on Tuesday night for the Information
Evening. Lots of information specific to your year level was outlined at these sessions. Term
overviews were handed out and these are also available on line. We returned to a mid-evening
address from the Principal, Board Chair, P&C President and Deputy Principal. A particular thank you
to Sally Troy and Perdi Mitchell for their encouraging words and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see
so many people in classrooms; your support is very much appreciated. Thank you everyone for
attending and starting the year off with such commitment.
Other Reminders
Please make sure your child arrives between 8:45 and 9:00am. Teachers are on playground duty
from 8:45 in the mornings but there is no supervision before that time. At the end of the school day,
it is important that you supervise your child in the playground as there are not teachers on duty in
this area. Could you please remind your child that children are not allowed to climb on the roof of
the school as this is a safety hazard.
Thank you for your continued support,
Michelle Bourdet on behalf of the Executive Team.
YEAR 6 NEWS
We would like to congratulate all our Year 6 students for settling in so well to our new school year.
It has been wonderful to see so many smiling faces and willingness to engage in our learning
programme. Over the past week Essential Agreements for Quality Work and the Learning
Environment have been formulated by students. These agreements will ensure that students will be
able to maximize all learning opportunities.
Thank you to all parents who have ordered Year 6 t-shirts. Having a special uniform allows our Year
6 students to be easily recognisable as leaders of the school. Orders need to be in as soon as
possible.
We are looking forward to Camp Jindabyne in Week 8 (18-20 March). If you have any questions or
concerns please do not hesitate to contact us. Notes have been sent home today. It is important to
return notes, including the special medical note, by the required date to assist in planning the camp.
Weekly homework will begin in Week 3 and we encourage all students to complete these tasks as
they provide the opportunity to revise and practise taught concepts.
As part of our first Unit of Inquiry - People Shape National Identity. Students have written poems
that reflect their connection to our PYP Attitudes. We hope that you have the opportunity to read
your child's poem.
Thank you to the parents who attended our Information Evening and we look forward to a
wonderful year.
Year 6 Team
Curiosity
I am curious when I do something incredibly interesting and I want to know more
Curiosity is the colour of the bright, vivid green leaves blowing as they rustle in the tall trees
Curiosity sounds like the colossal, blue waves crashing as they reach the burning yellow sand on the deserted
beach
Curiosity looks like the cheerful, energetic children playing in the soft meadow as the calm orange sunset sets
peacefully
Curiosity feels like you’re digging through the dry rough ground trying to get to the spectacular world around
you
Curious people in society are finding out exciting and innovative things that help people live a better life
I am curious when I do something incredibly interesting and I want to know more
I feel curious when I want to find out about the unique questions I have asked
I worry when people don’t feel curious about all the important, adventurous things at Forrest Primary School
I cry when people are not curious enough to learn from their mistakes
I want curiosity to be at Forrest Primary School so that we can discover new exciting things
I am curious when I do something incredibly interesting and I want to know more
By Audrey 6DR
P&C COMMUNITY BBQ
Please join us for first social occasion of the year on Thursday 26 February
Meet families from your child’s class groups, our wonderful staff, P&C and Principal.
Complimentary food (including vegetarian, halal & gluten free), water and cordial are available.
Feel free to also bring your own picnic.
Commencing at 6pm
In the event of bad weather, the BBQ will still be held in the senior hall.
Tickets at the door.
Children $2 Adults $4 Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2
Children) $10.
Come and see the LEGO Expo and competition
displays.
Enjoy LEGO play for children under age 12. Heaps
of LEGO for ‘My Own Creation’s’ (MOC’s)!!
Under age 12 MOC competition judged Sat and Sun
10:00am – 12:00pm. Small prizes for 1st and 2nd
place.
Lots of food, coffee, and soft drinks available.
Parking in front of and behind the school.
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AFTERNOON TRAFFIC DUTY – HELP NEEDED
Volunteer parents are needed for the afternoon traffic line duty from 2.55 – 3.20pm every school
day. The task requires one parent and one teacher to assist at both the junior and senior traffic
pick-up lines, helping children into their cars and ensuring that all cars progress through the line in
an orderly fashion. Two days are already taken but we still need a number of parents to
assist. Please see the table below for available days and if you can help on one or several days, email Cate Clunies-Ross at [email protected] and specify the day you can assist and whether
you wish to work at the junior or the senior end.
Day
Junior - afternoon
Senior - afternoon
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Ali K
Friday
Cate CR
All Parents should remember
Other than cars joining the traffic line to pick up children, there is no parking in the school driveway
area between 2.55pm and 3.15pm.
BOARD ELECTION
Nominations are still open for the position of P&C Representative and Staff member on the School Board.
Closing date for nominations is Monday 16 March at 11:00am. Nominations will not be accepted after this
time.
Enquiries can be made to Vikki Southwell in the Front Office. Nomination forms are also available from Vikki.
TREES AT FORREST
Each January a tree audit is undertaken. We have recently had an urgent tree audit done due to
storm damage and the loss of a large limb from one of our Pin Oaks on the edge of the oval on
the senior bitumen side. This area has been fenced since mid January.
The tree audit report has highlighted the need for extensive work including the need to remove
two large Pin Oaks and other smaller trees.
Work will begin immediately and continue over the next few weeks.
Term 1
Date
Fri 13 February
Mon 16 February
Mon 16 – Fri 20 February
Mon 23 – Fri 27 February
Thu 26 February
Thu 12 March
Wed 25 March
Fri 27 March
Fri 10 April
Fri 29 May
Item
Assembly 2:00pm Senior Hall
Homework club begins
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Community BBQ 6:00pm
Swimming Carnival
P&C Annual General Meeting 7:30pm
Harmony Day
Cross Country
P&C Trivia Night
Important Dates to remember
PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT CHANGES MAY OCCUR TO THESE DATES THROUGHOUT THE
TERM.
Calendar Events can also be found on the school website –www.forrestps.act.edu.au
Principal:
School & Community Contact Information
Chris Pilgrim
School:
6205 5644
Deputy
Principals:
Michelle Bourdet
Hayley Singh
Fax:
6205 5615
Business
Manager:
Pam Edwards
Email:
[email protected]
Webpage:
www.forrestps.act.edu.au
Deakin
Preschool:
6205 6288
Board Chair:
Sally Troy
After School
Care:
6295 8985
P&C President:
Perdi Mitchell
Email:
[email protected]