Issue 12 - 26/07/2024

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.

Christie Dawes - Paralympian Visit

We are very excited to have Christie Dawes, a 4 x Paralympian, coming to Evatt Primary School next Friday to speak to our students. This visit fits in perfectly with the Olympics starting today, followed by the Paralympics in a few weeks time.

Our students will be able to hear her story plus ask some questions of interest.

Christie will also be heading up the Channel 9 Paralympic coverage when it begins.

Learn to Ride Bike Path

We are also super excited to share that a 300m purpose built ‘Learn to Ride’ path will be installed on the community park space next to Evatt Primary School. This will be a community asset that can be enjoyed by everyone. It's the second instalment of the Community Bike Precinct vision we have been progressing with a range of stakeholders to enhance the recreational opportunities for our families and the community.

Please be mindful that there will be a considerable amount of construction happening to build this over the coming months.

We look forward to being able to use this soon!

Family Connect - Board Games

Following on from the highly successful Family Connect - Lego Masters last term, we are running Family Connect - Board Games starting next Thursday afternoon.

This will be an opportunity where families will be provided board games to play together. Staff will be present to help facilitate the experience.

When: Term 3, Weeks 2-5 Thursday 3-4pm

Who is this for: Parents and children aged 4-12 years. Parents can join up with multiple children (please fill out the form multiple times if attending with multiple children)

Where: School Library

There is no cost to this program for families. Please note families must be registered for Family Connect to participate.

Click the link below and sign up:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspxid=MqjU8SFsdUSb9IzH6QRKKRnnjrI4SSVFpv2yAU1bSxxUMjIwRjhMWVU4NFZSWVBRMVlPM1lRUlI1Ty4u

Hats on Next Week

A timely reminder that it's hats back on Thursday of Week 2 (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.

School hats are available from the P&C uniform shop.

Parent Portal & Sentral Pay Guide

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.
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.

Sentral Pay Guide:

https://www.evattps.act.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/580753/Sentral_Pay_for_families.pdf

From the Minister for Communications - Sage

Pyjama Day

WELCOME BACK! We hope you all had a wonderful school holiday. This week was very exciting for the Kindergarten kids. On Wednesday, it was their 100th day of primary school! Over the first 2 terms, they learnt all 5 senses: smell, touch, hear, taste and sight. They also learnt how to count to 100. The paper crowns that they made looked great on their heads with all of the dress ups. The Kindergarteners played with the preschool kids in the courtyard.

As a celebration, the kindies all read 100 small reading books, all reading 4 each. They played fruit salad after playing at the nature playground. The amazing teachers decorated the rooms with streamers and everyone got party blowers. There was a big exclusive disco for all kindy students. In the time that they have been at Evatt Primary School, everyone has enjoyed making friends and getting to know their teachers, which they now love.

Looking forward into next week, Friday, we have a guest speaker, 4 times Paralympian, Christie Dawes coming to Evatt to do a presentation. More information coming next week.

COMMUNITY CONNECT - Felicity Toohey

Good Omen Goodeze Craft Group

Join us for a delightful journey into the world of stitching at our FREE, beginner-friendly workshops! Whether you're eager to craft a whimsical sensory toy for your little one or create something for yourself, our sessions offer the perfect blend of guidance and camaraderie in a child friendly environment. Dive into the colorful yarns and learn the art of stitches in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

No prior experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm, and we'll provide all the materials you need. Discover the joy of crafting alongside fellow enthusiasts in a fun and supportive environment. Let your creativity flourish as you embark on this rewarding and fulfilling adventure!

Many thanks,

Mary

From the Education Directorate

2025 school year enrolments are open

Enrolments for the 2025 school year are now open for students starting at a new school. Visit www.education.act.gov.au for the online application link and information about the school in your child’s Priority Enrolment Area. Apply by 7 June to receive an offer from 29 July 2024.

Parent and Carer Online Safety (eSafety) Webinars – for Preschool-Year 12 Families

The Online Safety Education team are committed to supporting school communities to develop their online safety skills and knowledge. The team aim to increase the number of safe and positive online experiences students have and reduce the number of online safety incidents that impact on learning environments.

There are multiple webinars running each term with both afternoon and evening times available that will help your family be more confident and safer online by:

· understanding online safety and risks young people face

· learning strategies to prevent and respond to online issues

· supporting your child to be safe online

· knowing where to go for further support.

2024 student-free days

From 2024, there will be 4 student-free days for ACT public schools. These are the first day of each school term:

Term 1, Monday 29 January 2024

Term 2, Monday 29 April 2024

Term 3, Monday 22 July 2024

Term 4, Monday 14 October 2024.

We use student-free days for staff development, enabling us to plan in a student-free environment. Student-free planning days have been expanded from 1 to 4 days from 2024 as part of our new Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement which prioritises better teacher workloads for educational leadership, teaching and learning. F

or all school term dates, visit the Term Dates page: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/term_dates_and_public_holidays

National Office of Child Safety – ‘One Talk at a Time’

The National Office of Child Safety has launched the ‘One Talk at a Time’ Campaign that aims to help prevent child sexual abuse by encouraging adults to learn about the issue and have ongoing, proactive, preventative conversations with children, young people and other adults. The campaign is aimed at adults with children and young people in their lives. For more information about the campaign, visit One talk at a time. Let’s end child sexual abuse ‘One Talk at a Time’.

Australian Government School Student Broadband Initiative

The Australian Government has established the School Student Broadband Initiative to provide free home Internet for one year for up to 244 unconnected families with school students in the ACT.

To be eligible, families must:

have a school student at home;
not have an NBN connection and
live at an address with access to a standard NBN connection.

For more information see www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI

To nominate, please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/r/kHUg92YZaR

Evatt School P&C

Contacting the P&C

Messages for the Evatt School P&C can be sent to evattpspc@gmail.com or connect on Facebook.

Evatt School Board

Contacting the School Board

Messages for the Evatt School Board can be sent to info@evattps.act.edu.au.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Woden Community Services

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,

Before school care: 7am to 9am – from $25.40 per session
Whole day preschool: 7am to 6pm - $124.60 per session
School hours preschool: 9am to 3pm - $83.00 per session
After school care: 3pm to 6pm – from $35.20 per session

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

Addressing your Child's anxious avoidance - parenting program

Koala Playschool

Koala Playschool is a play-based educational program that meets the developmental needs and interests of three- and four-year-olds. Sessions are conducted by our Early Childhood Teacher and Teaching Assistant with the help of parents and carers. Koala Playschool is the ideal setting to provide opportunities for young children to gain independence and develop social skills is a safe, supportive and stimulating environment. With the focus on warm reciprocal relationships, children are given the opportunity to play and learn in a rich, vibrant learning community. Our learning spaces are welcoming and well-resourced with a bright airy classroom and a beautiful natural garden.