Issue 7 - 03/05/2024

Welcome back for Term 2. We hope our students and families managed to have a nice break. We are looking forward to an exciting term ahead. A big reminder that if your child or children have any flu like symptoms to keep them at home until they are well.

Reminder - Early Birds

As you are probably aware, we launched Early Birds at Evatt Primary School at the end of last term in our fabulous school library. We have seen a high number of students and families attend.

At Early Birds students have been reading to themselves and have also had the opportunity to read to an adult (teacher, support staff or adult volunteer).

When students arrive at Early Birds, they have their visit marked on their Early Birds card. After completing each card, they will earn a special bird badge.

Early Birds is open to all students in K-6 and runs from 8:30-9:00am each morning in the library.

Literacy and Numeracy Inquiry Final Report available

The Final Report from the ACT Government’s independent inquiry into literacy and numeracy performance in ACT public schools is now available.

The report contains 8 future-focused recommendations to strengthen literacy and numeracy outcomes for all ACT public school students.

The ACT public school system is strong, and this report provides the ACT Government with practical recommendations to build on its current successes. All ACT public schools are committed to ensuring every student is provided with a great education and the foundations for a good life.

To read the Full Report visit the ACT Education website.

Suspension, Transfer or Exclusion of a Student in ACT Public Schools Policy

The Education Directorate has released its updated Suspension, Transfer or Exclusion of a Student in ACT Public Schools Policy.

ACT public schools work hard to support every student to achieve their best and meet their individual learning needs.

Schools use a range of prevention and early support approaches to manage student behaviours when they may impact on a student’s ability to be positively engaged at school or impacts other students.

We recognise the importance of every child’s right to a quality education. Suspension, transfer or exclusion from school is not a punitive measure and will only be used for the purpose of providing the time necessary to ensure a safe and effective learning environment at school.

When this need arises, our schools work closely with students and their families to support them through this process and to support the continuity of learning for the student.

You can read the full policy on the ACT Education website.

Parent Portal

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

Student Learning Resources (previously known as bookpacks)

During the school holidays we have sourced all of the stationary, supplies and resources required to support your child's learning for 2024. With a goal of keeping costs to a minimum + saving parents and carers time sourcing themselves, we have purchased the supplies in bulk and will provide them to the students as required throughout the year. We have ensured the purchase of high quality resources. Some of these supplies include: workbooks, pencils, pens, textas, glue sticks, scissors, rubbers, sharpeners, rulers, scissors, tissues + a large amount of specific resources required for Art, Science, Technology, Mathematics, Sustainability and Literacy.

We encourage all parents/carers to pay for the learning resource requirements for their child(ren). An amount of $70 per student will cover these costs for the year.

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

All ACT Government Schools ask families for the payment of voluntary contributions. These funds are extremely valuable for ensuring that the school can provide an enhanced learning experience for all students. We will continue to prioritise our voluntary contributions to a new PA system for our school hall.

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.

If you nominate your voluntary contribution to the library fund this amount is tax deductible.

Payments can be made by cash, Eftpos at the Front Office, or by Direct Deposit.

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.

Hats On

Our whole school day is generally within the hours that sun protection is recommended for UV safety.

Please make sure your child has a sun safe hat with their name on their hat.

https://www.sunsmart.com.au/

From the Minister for Communications - Sage

Week 1, Term 2: Parliament

This year, year 5/6 has started Parliament. In Parliament, we create bills and decide whether to pass them or not. If the bill is passed in our House of Representatives, it is then sent to the Senate (staff), and then the Governor General (Mr Hatswell and Mr See).

If the bill is successful in this process, the school will provide what we need to make it happen.

Here are our Ministers:

Minister for Cultural Integrity: Pisila
Minister for Technology: Addison
Ministers for Sports and Community: Will R. (Copland), Nyx (Dixon), Jemimah (Webb), and Lina (Clancy).
Minister for Library: Lyn
Minister for Building and Infrastructure: Emna
Minister for Fundraising: Alana
Minister for Communications: Sage
Minister for Environment: Hibiscus

In Parliament, we have an Executive Team this team consists of 5 people:

Liam E. (Prime Minister)
Stefan (Deputy)
Angela (Speaker)
Felix (Clerk)
and Will H. (Sergeant-at-arms)

In Week 10, Term 1, Hibiscus, the Minister for Enviroment, presented the first bill EVER in Parliament. The bill was to re-plant the veggie patch. Unfortunately, it was not passed, due to many questions not having answers. Once these have been revised in their bill, we hope this bill can be passed in our next Parliament sitting.

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.

Reconciliation Day poster competition

Do you want to be part of reconciliation in the ACT and have a chance to win $1000 for your school? The Reconciliation Day Council invites you to design a poster that represents this year’s theme ‘Now More Than Ever’.

Get creative and show us what reconciliation means to you. Posters will be displayed at the Reconciliation Day event at Commonwealth Park on Monday 27 May 2024. Submit your entries to reconciliation@act.gov.au. Entries close 10 May 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

Mother's Day Stall

Evatt P&C are running our annual Mother's Day Stall

When: Tuesday the 7th of May for start of the week preschool and junior and senior school and Wednesday the 8th for preschool blue and any students who could not attend on Tuesday.

Where: Evatt primary school, students will be able to attend with their class during the school day.

Cost: Gifts from $2 - $10 will be available

Vouchers can be purchased with the below link or scanning the QR code

https://square.link/u/liOg8NQ6

Cash will also be accepted on the day.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, If you can help at all on Tuesday or Wednesday please get in touch below or email evattpspc@gmail.com

Pre-purchase vouchers need to be ordered by Monday 6PM.

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

Melba Copland Information Night

Code Camp

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