Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to Term 3! This term is already flying by with a variety of exciting activities planned in addition to our usual learning and teaching. One of the highlights is our annual French Day, which we celebrated last week. A huge thank you to Ms. Sinclair for the many hours she dedicated to making this day such a memorable event. Please see the article below for more details. 

Merci pour cette excellente journée

Today, we had our P&C sponsored Author Visit from R.A. Spratt for Years 2-6. We are grateful to the P&C for their financial commitment to this event. It was an inspiring and engaging experience for our students, and we hope it has encouraged more writers and readers within our community. 

The fun continues here at our Winter Walk to School initiative, Bully No Way Week, Science Week, and Book Week all being celebrated this term. See the article below for more information. These events promise to be vibrant and enriching for our school community. Thank you to our fabulous staff who organise these wonderful activities! 

Stay Safe: Road Safety Around Our School 

As we continue to prioritise the safety of our students, it's crucial to focus on road safety both inside and around our school grounds. Ensuring a safe environment involves everyone—students, parents, and staff.

Here are a few key points to remember:

1. Be Alert: Always watch for pedestrians and cyclists when driving near the school. Our children are excited and might not always be paying attention.

2. Follow the Rules: Adhere to all traffic signs and signals, and always use designated drop-off and pick-up zones. This helps keep our school zone orderly and reduces the risk of accidents.

3. Safe Routes: Encourage students to use marked crosswalks and follow traffic signals. Parents can also teach their children about safe walking and biking practices.

4. Speed Limits: Observe posted speed limits around the school. Slowing down gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.

5. Parking: Do not park in no-parking zones or block driveways. Proper parking ensures that visibility is clear for everyone.

By working together, we can create a safer environment for our children and make our school community a model of road safety. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping everyone safe!

Warm Regards,

Katie, Arilia, Fiona and Sarah

In alignment with our School Improvement Priority for Writing, we have developed an Environmental Checklist. This tool will be used by classroom teachers to reflect on their practices, processes, and structures related to the Writer’s Workshop model. It supports our Duffy Agreed Practices for Writing and helps identify strengths and areas for focus.

This week, Catherine Nash, along with the leadership team, conducted Walkthroughs to assess our progress across the school in our Writer’s Workshop journey. They focused on classroom resources and the development of a growing culture of independent writers who write frequently and with stamina. There is much to celebrate as we strengthen our community of writers here at Duffy. 

This week we have been celebrating winter ride or walk to school week! On Wednesday morning, we had activities on the blacktop and an obstacle course for bikes and scooters. It was great to see so many students participating in physical activity even on a cold morning. On Friday we will be having a breakfast to mark the end of the week! We can't wait to announce the winners of the helmet or hat design competition. Listen out for the winners at the Wednesday assembly. 

On French Day the Year 6 leaders were in charge of a small group of people from Kinder to year 5.  Some of the activities we did were miming, creating an Eiffel Tower, designing a bike riding t-shirt for the Tour de France and making pipe cleaner bikes, we made a stained glass window to help repair the Notre Dame Cathedral and we made paintings like Claude Monet.  We made games and played French games on the oval.  (Year 6 student)

French Day 2024 was a very enjoyable experience.  We learned about French culture when we made the cup and ball games and also when we played Boules.  We talked about mimes and learned about the famous artists and tried to capture their remarkable artworks.  All in all, it was lovely.  - Maya (Year 5)

On French Day there were a lot of French activities.  My favourite was making the Eiffel Tower out of paddle pop sticks because I love arts and crafts.  - Thomas (Year 5)

On French Day I loved the activities and that we could dress up like French people. - Chloe (Year 3)

It was great to be with some Year 6's and go around the school in different classrooms and have my first lunch order! My favourite activity was getting to make stained glass windows because it was fun to tear the tissue paper up. - Eli (Year 1)

Friday I got my wristband and went to my group.  I went to Scrivener and I was a mime and I was acting like a mime.  Then I went to Year Four and helped Ethan make a tower and then it was lunch time.  - Alex (Year 2)

I liked when we did the painting of an artist.  It was a picture of his garden and it was really beautiful.  - Benji P (Kindergarten)

I liked when we made the game with the ball and cup and the game where you threw the ball to try and get the small ball.  - Zinnia (Kindergarten)

The French Day was really really fun.  All the activities I did were really amazing.  I think the stained glass window was the best out of all of them but that is my opinion.  I also loved all the outfits people had.  - Greta (Year 3)

On French Day I built lots of stuff.  I had a really fun time.  Some of the stuff I built was a cup and ball, a bike and coloured in a jersey.  - Maya (Year 2)

I liked the French ball game, making stained glass was fun.  Making a creation of the Eiffel Tower was a smash!  Making bicycles out of two pipe cleaners was the best!! - Jesse (Year 3)

 I enjoyed my French lunch order, I got a croissant and chocolate mousse and apple and blackcurrant juice. I loved when we did some painting. We painted a famous French Art in the Kindy classroom. I also loved when we went into Year 2 and made the cup and ball game. (Year 1 student) 

We would like to thank all of the year groups and teachers/staff for such an awesome french day with cool activities.  We really enjoyed the activities and hope we can have another amazing french day like this next year.  - Finnegan and Ivy (Year 4)

Week 4 is National Science Week!

Duffy Primary will be eagerly celebrating this year’s theme ‘Species Survival’. Throughout the week, students will participate in daily lessons linked to the theme. Junior school will be germinating seeds, classifying insects and leaves. Middle school will be collecting data and classifying bird species. Senior school will be focussed on water and invertebrates. On Thursday, Water Ways will be running an incursion to study the health of our local water ways. We are looking forward to a great week of Science! How will you science this National Science Week?

 Last Wednesday evening, Racquel Smith from Year 6 represented Duffy Primary School at the Rostrum Public Speaking Quarter Finals at Marist College. Racquel spoke beautifully and was awarded runner-up! We are incredibly proud of her outstanding achievement. Congratulations, Racquel!

This term year 4 have been conducting a series of investigations to answer the guiding question ‘How do I use maths everyday?’. We have loved that the investigations can connect to the Olympics! First, students began by naming and classifying angles in relation to right angles. Next, they used their knowledge of angles to improve how they perform a sports task. Some students chose to look at angles when goalkeeping, sprinting and performing cartwheels.

For writing, year 4 are diving deep into journalism. Students have been exploring different ways informative texts can be presented. We were lucky enough to have ABC journalist, Harry Frost, talk to us. Students asked Harry Frost questions that would help them improve as writers and journalists. We can’t wait to share our published journal articles with you later in the term!

2025 School Enrolments open now 

Enrolments for the 2025 school year are now open for students starting at a new school. Visit education.act.gov.au for the online application link and information about the school in your child’s Priority Enrolment Area. School information sessions for prospective students are being held throughout May. Alternately, visit school websites to find out more or contact the school directly. 

ACT Public Education Awards 2024

2024 Public Education Awards Nominations open now!

The ACT Public Education Awards celebrate excellence and recognise high performing school leaders, teachers, school support staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in our public schools and the Education Support Office.

We encourage all members of the school community to take the time to acknowledge the incredible work happening in our schools.

For more information and to nominate, visit ACT Public Education Awards - Education.  

Protecting ourselves from illness over winter

The cooler weather is well and truly here. We have already seen an increase in COVID-19 and other seasonal illness at school, and across the community. It is important we keep everyone healthy by making sure we take simple steps to protect one another. As parents and carers, one of the simplest ways to do this is to keep your child at home when they are unwell.

If your child has COVID-19 you must let us know by contacting the Front Office. Your child should only return to school once they are well, and their symptoms have cleared.

Get vaccinated

You are reminded that vaccination is one of the best ways to keep everyone safe. We encourage everyone who can, to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. To find out more visit the ACT Health website.

COVID Smart ACT public schools

ACT public schools have a range of strategies in place to keep everyone safe over winter. This includes cleaning of high touch points in schools, as well as strategies to ensure we balance ventilation and thermal comfort in classrooms to help prevent the spread of illness.

You can read more on the ACT Education Directorate website.

Parent Portal reminders

Parent Portal is now available. It is a secure online platform used to share student information between you and your child’s teachers.

Some reminders about Parent Portal:

• If you already have a Parent Portal account, use this Parent Portal access link to start using the great features.

• You can’t access Parent Portal directly through the ACT Digital Account website, you need to use the link above.

• When you are logged into Parent Portal, we recommend saving the browser as a favourite or to the homepage on your mobile phone for quick access in the future.

• The website can only be viewed using a web browser on your computer, mobile phone or tablet. An app is not available at this time.

• If you still need to register, you will need an access key and a Parent Portal registration link via email to link your existing account to your child’s records. If you haven’t received this, please contact the school’s front office team for assistance.

Head to our website for all the details: Parent Portal - Duffy Primary School (duffyps.act.edu.au) 

Mobile Phones

A new ACT Public Schools policy comes into effect this year. Our practice regarding phones already aligns with this policy. All students who bring a phone to school need to hand it in to the front office. Phones are collected from the same spot at the end of each day. This routine has worked well for our students and phones are stored securely during the day.  Please ask that any student who wears a smart watch that these are set to ‘school mode/ school time’ during the day.

ACT Public Schools policy 

DON’T FORGET

We are still accepting payment for you child/children’s 2024 Stationery Packs cost.

GRASS AND GARDENS

Just a reminder that the grass and garden beds at the front of the school are not designated traffic areas. We are endeavouring to regenerate this space to enable its use as an outdoor classroom, that is the reason for it being cordoned off. All concrete paths at the school have had trip hazards removed and are safe.

SECURITY 

To ensure the safety of all students and staff, it is mandatory for all parents, visitors, volunteers, and contractors to sign in and out at the front office before moving through the school. in the event of an emergency, it is essential that we have an accurate list of all onsite.

BIKE AND SCOOTER SAFETY 

It is important that bikes and scooters are not ridden inside the school fence by students or parents to ensure safety for all. 

Please get in touch with:

Alice Lollback – Business Manager

E: alice.lollback@ed.act.edu.au

Phone: 02 6142 2513

 2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey

 Each year, the Directorate surveys all parents and carers, school staff and students in Years 4 to 12 about their experience of public education. The 2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey will be available online from 16 August to 6 September. The survey results will help us to continue to make quality informed decisions about how to improve our school. No personal identifying information will be provided to any school or college. For each child in their family who attends an ACT public school, parents and carers will receive: ▪ A letter about the student survey outlining the reasons for collection and privacy provision for the data; and an email about the parent survey, including a unique link to access the survey. Genuine survey invitation emails will have the title "The 2024 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey is now open!" and will be sent from EDU Surveys & Evaluation with 'from' address EDUSurveys@act.gov.au.

If you do not receive the survey invitation, please check your Junk email folder; if it is not there, please contact your school. If you do not have an email listed with the school, please email Duffy Primary School Front Office duffyps@ed.act.edu.au

The Parents and Carers Survey will be available online in other languages: Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Spanish, Telugu, French and Italian. Respondents can select their preferred language when they start the survey. A shortened paper-version of the Parents and Carers Survey is also available in the following 5 languages: Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Karen and Mon. These surveys are available at the Front Office. For the results to reflect the opinions of our whole school community, we need as many parents and carers, staff and students as possible to complete the survey. Your feedback is important, and we hope you will take part.

For more information, visit: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/school-satisfaction-and[1]climate-survey

Lunch Orders

Woden Community Service Ltd (WCS) will be taking over operation of our school canteen/food delivery service commencing term 3, 2024.

The service is currently provided by Healthy Kids Association (HKA) as part of a wider ACT School Canteen service operation.

The intention is for a seamless transition, with all current staff members retained.

WCS will continue to deliver the canteen service as it is, including the menu options, ordering process, and payment methods.

If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to our front office by email: duffyps@ed.act.edu.au

Assemblies

Wednesday assemblies now commence from 2:30pm-3pm. Please check our website for an Assembly Roster for the year. 

Term 3, Week 3 - Merit Awards

Silver Spirit Awards

Bronze Spirit Awards

Requirements for daily sign-in/out and wearing of identification

Volunteers and visitors must sign-in/out for each visit, recording the date, start and finish times and the tasks undertaken.  

All Volunteers and Visitors at Duffy Primary School must enter and exit the school via the front office sign in on arrival prior to proceeding to their destination or activity (including accompanying students on excursions), identify themselves (present WWVP registration card or other identification if relevant) and report to front office staff to be signed out before leaving the school. You will be given a Visitors sticker each time you visit which must be displayed for the entirety or your visit.

This allows the school the opportunity to monitor compliance with the WWVP Act and Emergency Evacuation Procedures.

Duffy Preschool has a Visitors and Volunteers sign-in and sign-out register and you must report to preschool staff before proceeding to work with students. 

School Gates 

Thank you to parents/ carers in our community who have provided some feedback about the school gate situation. We are reviewing the plans we have in place and currently we will open access for students daily from 8.30 am and then again at 3pm.  

Could you please remind your child/children that they need to walk their bikes once on the school grounds.

Cyber Security Tips for Parents

Keeping our students safe online is a top priority. The Australian Cyber Security Centre provides resources to help parents protect their children from cyber threats. We encourage all parents to review the following guides:

Protect your children online: A guide to cyber security for parents and carers covers key tips including:

• Using antivirus software and backing up data regularly

• Staying informed on the latest cyber threats

• Teaching kids to recognise online scams and how to report them.

Security tips for online gaming has helpful tips to protect against security risks such as viruses and account takeovers:

• Importance of Multi Factor authentication

• Password protection

• Use of legitimate software.

Online shopping shows you and your children how to safely shop online.

Dogs on School Grounds

Just a  reminder that under the Domestic Animals Act, dogs are not permitted on school grounds.

Section 42 of the Act defines places where dogs are prohibited. These include the grounds of a child care centre, preschool, primary school, high school or secondary college during school hours or when school sport including training is being conducted or a dog is taken into the grounds with the approval of the principal (e.g. service support dogs). Dogs are prohibited within 10 metres of anything designed for play by children in a public place if children are playing on it; a fireplace designed for cooking food; or a swimming area defined by a sign erected.

We understand that dogs are an important part of people's families, and for some the walk to school is a good opportunity to take the dog for a walk. However, as well as the legislation mentioned above, there are children and adults in every school that for whatever reason find it difficult to be around dogs. We ask that you keep this in mind when walking your dog, and please do not bring them onto the school grounds.  Thank you!

Get ready for MyWay+ 

MyWay+ is Transport Canberra’s next generation ticketing system that puts all public transport services in one place, MyWay+ will offer more ways to pay for public transport and introduce new digital platforms for journey planning and accessing real-time information. 

With more ways to pay, you can choose what works best for you and your family! 

The switchover to MyWay+ is expected later this year. Until then, students should continue to use their current MyWay card or a paper ticket from a ticket vending machine to pay for travel on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services. You can also: 

• Ensure your child’s MyWay card is registered to protect the balance. Transport Canberra can only process refunds and transfer credits for registered MyWay cards. 

• Sign up to Transport Canberra’s weekly e-news for regular updates. 

• Connect with Transport Canberra on social media. For more information on MyWay+ visit Transport Canberra – MyWay+. 

Help fight the spread of illness

With Winter around the corner, one of the best ways to help protect you and your family is to get the flu vaccine. It’s important to vaccinate your child as they’re at a higher risk of serious complications if they get sick and are more likely to spread it to others.

Help fight the spread of illness by staying home if you’re sick and wash your hands regularly. Please read the Winter Wellness flyer (465 kb PDF) from ACT Health or visit ACT Health Influenza (Flu) page for more information.

Woden Library temporary closure

The Woden Library will be closed to the public from Wednesday 8 May 2024 until mid-August 2024 for upgrade works. A temporary pop-up library will be operating from 26 Corinna Street, Phillip, between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm Monday to Friday.

Libraries ACT apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and they look forward to welcoming you back when they reopen mid-August 2024. For more information on the services available during the closure, visit www.library.act.gov.au.

REMINDER – Death cap mushrooms

Do not touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.

The ACT Health Directorate is reminding all school communities that death cap mushrooms are growing in the ACT. They are a deadly poisonous fungus. There have been multiple poisonings and deaths associated with death caps in Canberra.

Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms. They often grow near established oak trees, although they have also been found in other places. Death caps grow in the ACT at different times of the year, and autumn is usually the peak growing period.

All parts of the death cap mushroom are poisonous and eating just part of a mushroom can be fatal. Death caps cannot be made safe by cooking, soaking, peeling, freezing or drying.

If you suspect someone might have eaten a death cap mushroom, they must seek urgent medical attention at a hospital emergency department. Do not wait for symptoms to occur. The chances of survival increase when treatment is started early. If possible, take any remaining mushroom sample to hospital with the patient.

The key message is not to touch, pick or eat any wild mushrooms.

If you see death cap mushrooms growing on your property:

• keep children and animals away

• remove the whole mushroom using gloves or a tool, including any part under the ground

• secure it in a plastic bag

• place it into a rubbish bin that cannot be accessed by children, to go to landfill, and

• wash your hands

Also, monitor the site frequently for further growth, remove mushrooms before mowing to prevent spreading and do not compost them. Death cap mushrooms in public places can be reported at Fix My Street, or by calling Access Canberra on 13 22 81. 

More information is available at www.act.gov.au by searching death cap mushrooms, including some translated resources.

Upcoming online eSafety opportunities for schools

The Online Safety (eSafety) Education team is committed to working with school communities to create safer online environments for everyone and have curated resources that can be shared with parents and carers through your existing school networks. These include:

Upcoming Webinars from the eSafety Commissioner

• • These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences. The include eSafety 101, Wellbeing and digital technologies, consent and online boundaries, and setting your child up for success online.

Online Safety for every family

• • These short videos and easy-to-read advice sheets will give you the confidence to talk with your children about online safety. They include tips to help them stay safe, and important information about what to do if something bad does happen online.

The eSafety Guide

• • Find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety.

Home Learning Hub

Literacy People's Literacy Learning Modules - A guide for engaging parents and carers

Mindfulness Podcast Series - ACT Education Directorate