Issue 11 - 21/07/2023

Mark your calendar!

Week Two:


Week Five:


Week Six:


Week Seven:

EXECUTIVE NEWS
Michael Hatswell

Welcome Back


A big welcome back to term 3. We hope that our students and families managed some quality time together over the break. We have enjoyed hearing the stories from our students over the past few days about the holiday adventures and we look forward to a great term of learning ahead.

Dance Nation Gala Performance


Congratulations to the year 3/4 students who performed at the Dance Nation Gala Concert on the Thursday evening before the school holidays. 


The students rehearsed at B1 each Tuesday during term two all their hard work paid off. They made themselves and our school proud. Thanks to our super groovy dance teacher ‘James’ from Culture Break.

P&C Disco

A reminder that we are super excited about the free P&C Disco next Thursday night. Information was shared to families earlier this week via Seesaw. 

We hope to see all our students attend. If you would like to volunteer to assist the running of the disco please reach out to the P&C at evattpspc@gmail.com.

Imagination Library 

As you might have heard, Evatt Primary School is excited to bring the first-ever pilot of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to the ACT!

What is Imagination Library? Imagination Library is a free book gifting program. By signing up, your child will receive a brand new age-appropriate text every single month, delivered directly to your door. Your child keeps each book they receive.

Who can sign up? Currently, Imagination Library is available for ALL children under four and a half who live in Evatt or McKellar. All you need to do is sign up for Imagination Library through Family Connect. You do not need to have a child attend, or plan to attend Evatt Primary School in order to sign up - it's for the whole community!

Engaging in the Imagination Library improves shared reading behaviour and strengthens early literacy skills for children. Exposing young children to books and reading increases vocabulary, enhances relationships between parents and children, and makes it easier for children to learn to read when they commence school.

Sign up here, it only takes a few minutes.

https://forms.microsoft.com/r/x2gwCXbqWZ

Hats on Week 3


A timely reminder that it's hats back on Tuesday of Week 3 (1 August). Even though it's still on the chilly side, we are fast approaching Spring and 1 August is when our UV period increases to a high level. Please make sure your child has a sun safe hat with their name on their hat.

Student Learning Resources

A friendly reminder for families that have not yet paid their Voluntary Contributions or Bookpack funds that part payment options or payment plans are more than welcome. This can be arranged confidentially through the front office. 

Student Learning Resources payment information

Direct Debit payment:

Account Name: Evatt Primary School Management Account

BSB: 032777

Account number: 001244

Reference: <your child’s surname> <1510BP>


Please note the reference code is not the same for Student Learning Resources and Voluntary Contributions.

Voluntary Contributions payment information

Direct Debit payment:

Account Name: Evatt Primary School Management Account

BSB: 032777

Account number: 001244

Reference: <your child’s surname> <1410>


Please note the reference code is not the same for Student Learning Resources and Voluntary Contributions.

From the Education Directorate

COVID Smart reminder

As you may be aware, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases across ACT public schools in recent weeks.

To help stop the further spread of COVID-19 in our school, we are encouraging and implementing the following measures:

For the latest COVID-19 advice please visit the ACT’s COVID-19 website.

2024 school year enrolment reminder

Have you remembered to enrol for the 2024 school year? If you apply by midnight 2 June you will receive an offer from 24 July 2023. Applications received after 2 June may receive an offer later in the year. Enrolments are open for students from preschool through to year 6. Going local leads to great things – apply online at https://bit.ly/3Zqhoj9

Need help or have a question? Call the Enrolments Helpline on 6205 5429 or email education.enrolment@act.gov.au.

From our P&C

Volunteers needed!

The Evatt P&C desperately need volunteers. If you can help with fundraising activities or helping with the special lunches, please let us know. You don’t need any particular skills. Roles include buying food and delivering it to the school serving food on lunch days and tiding up afterwards. We also need people for other fundraising activities such as Father’s Day stall, school discos, second-hand uniform stalls and much more. 

Without the help of our community, these events cannot go ahead. So if you think you can spare an hour or two here in there, please reach out to the P&C as we are committed to supporting our kids as best we can. Thank you.

If you would like to volunteer or get more information on what is involved, please email Paula Parker at: ianparker21@hotmail.com

Banking:

Please note the P&C bank details have changed. If you have old bank details saved, please delete them. If you need to transfer money to the P&C directly, please contact evattpspc@gmail.com.

School Psychologist Corner

Balancing technology and well-being.

Welcome back to Term 3 – hoping that families enjoyed some positive moments amongst work, school holidays, and the flu season.  A common issue raised in the school psychology circle is how to balance the use of social media and digital devices whilst maintaining well-being for children and adolescents.  The reality of our modern world is that our children are often using phones, iPads and/or laptops in their everyday life. This use increases as they get older, and it can be difficult to know when and where to set the boundaries.  There are numerous websites and agencies with advice on this, but it can often be more difficult when we’re trying to set this up in our homes.  

Gaining an understanding of how the brain responds to technology can help us and our children better manage finding that optimal balance.  We know from neuroscience that we get a hit of dopamine (the neurotransmitter that spikes when we’re on social media or enjoying an ice cream or sweet).  These spikes in dopamine shape eating habits and how we spend our free time.  If we can lay healthy foundations for our children during their primary school years, we are setting them up with the best chance of success in the future, across mental and physical health.    A couple of tips from the experts in the field to manage the potential conflict when setting boundaries & establishing healthy habits: 

1. After setting aside the device, put it out of sight (you’re less likely to have/want the extra sweet if it’s at the back of the fridge, rather than in plain sight on the table).

2. Notice if your child feels worse or better after an activity like video gaming compared to listening to an audiobook or video calling family.  If your child is hooked on their video game, you’re more likely to have conflict when you ask them to stop.  It won’t matter how much time you’ve let them play – in fact, the more time, the more likely they feel (and behave) worse at the end of the activity.  Limit the frequency and duration and offer another preferred activity when the time is up (e.g., popcorn & a family movie). 

3. Create “microenvironments” – have only one place in your home where children use the phone or tablet – not the dining room table or bedroom.  Have a weekly connection time, where everyone takes a break from their device to enjoy being present with each other. 

4. Find an activity that is purposeful.  It’s unrealistic to expect a total digital ban without a substitute positive activity that gives them a healthy spike in dopamine.  Encourage something that the whole family can enjoy, or something that helps ‘exercise’ the brain with a game that requires exploration, planning, and strategy.  

Stay strong and calm and be the best model of healthy digital use as you build these healthy habits for your children.  Google ‘dopamine’ and ‘digital devices’ if you’re looking for an in-depth look at the brain science or for more helpful strategies. 

Wishing you many calm and positive moments in your family life 😊. 

Cheryl Edward
School Psychologist

STUDENT LEARNING RESOURCES

Thank you to all Parents/Carers who have already paid for their Student Learning Resources and donated a Voluntary Contribution.

Your continued support is essential in providing learning supplies to classrooms. Some of the supplies we have already sourced include: workbooks, pencils, pens, textas, glue sticks, scissors, rubbers, sharpeners, rulers, scissors, tissues, handwriting books (selected year levels) + a large number of specific resources required for Art, Science, Technology, Mathematics, Sustainability and Literacy.

Payment information below for those wishing to make payments/ contributions. 

Payment Information

Student Learning Resources payment information


The Student Learning Resources payment has been set at $70 per year. 


Direct Debit payment:

Account Name: Evatt Primary School Management Account

BSB: 032777

Account number: 001244

Reference: <your child’s surname> <1510BP>

Voluntary Contributions payment information


As we did last year in consultation with our School Board,  we are not going to put an expected dollar amount on the voluntary contributions. Previously the contribution was $120 for one child, $220 for two children or $290 for three or more children. 


Direct Debit payment:

Account Name: Evatt Primary School Management Account

BSB: 032777

Account number: 001244

Reference: <your child’s surname> <1410>


Please note the reference code is not the same for Student Learning Resources and Voluntary Contributions.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Code Camp at Evatt Primary

Woden Community Services Evatt Preschool - Now Enrolling

Woden Community Services Evatt Preschool program offers a safe, secure, and supportive environment for your child.  We have built a nurturing, child focused environment in which all children are welcomed and are supported to thrive. Our friendly and qualified educators guide the program with a focus on educational outcomes and school reediness in a small group environment with a high educator to child ratio.

 

We offer a range of programs at Evatt Preschool to suit your individual care needs,

All fees attract the child care subsidy

 

If you would like to enroll, know more about our program, or discuss your individual needs please get in contact with our friendly staff on 02 6147 3318 or email enrolments@wcs.org.au

Joey Scouts

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