DUFFY PRIMARY SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER 3 - WEEK 6 TERM 1
UP & COMING EVENTS
Christian Education in Schools Term 1 Session (15th March)
NAPLAN Year 3-6 (15th-27th March)
Year 6 Camp (20th-22nd March)
Harmony Day (21st March)
National Ride to School Day (24th March)
EXEC TEAM'S MESSAGE
Dear Duffy Primary School Community
Welcome to March and the midpoint of a highly productive Term 1. Last week we gathered as a community for our annual Swimming Carnival (Years 3-6) and Water Fun Day (P-2). It was a wonderful day for all, and I thank our parents/ carers who were volunteers for the day and those who were able to come along and see their child/ren participate in the activities. We will share the awards as a community at our Week 9 Monday morning WOW.
As you may be aware this year, we celebrate our 50th anniversary here at Duffy Primary School.
We are keen to involve the community in celebrating the rich history and achievements of Duffy Primary School. As part of our celebrations, we want to hear from any school staff, students, and community members to capture your stories of your time here at Duffy.
Share your photos and memories to help us document the last 50 years by sending us an email at duffyps@ed.act.edu.au
Some ideas about what you might like to share:
Photos of:
your first day at school
end of year celebrations.
Stories about your experience:
your favourite teacher (you know, the one who changed your life trajectory)
share a memory that has stuck with you all this time.
Ministers and Members for 2023 Parliament
We are very excited to announce the following:
Member for Preschool - Beatrice
Member for Kindy - Zack
Member for year 1 - Lilah
Member for year 2 - Sammi
Member for year 3 - Hannah
Member for year 4 - Sarah
Member for year 5 - Annie
Members for Griffin - Naveen and Saxon
Clerk - Cailin
Minister for Environment - Evie
Minister for Library - Skye
Minister for Public Relations - Valeria
Minister for Media - Alex
Minister for Health - Athena
Minister for Fundraising - Nikita
Sergeant of Arms - Will
Just a quick reminder to ensure the safety of your child/children, it is very important that they do not arrive at school before 8:30am, teacher supervision begins at 8:30am. From this week, playground gates and external doors will remain locked until 8:30am.
With every best wish for a wonderful long weekend with your beautiful families.
Regards,
Katie, Arilia, Sarah and Katie
SWIMMING CARNIVAL & WATER FUN DAY
On Wednesday of Week 5 we had our first school sporting carnival for the year – our swimming carnival.
The students had a great day in the water at Stromlo Leisure Centre, participating in a mix of formal races and novelty events, as well as some time on the slides and splash park.
A big thank you to all our community members who supported the day. Special mentions to the Wuth family and other parent helpers who volunteered to do a job as well as students from Mount Stromlo High School who helped with timekeeping on the day.
Official results will be published in our next newsletter, with ribbon presentations scheduled for Monday WOW in Week 9.
On Wednesday the junior school enjoyed water fun day. We rotated through a series of water based activities inlcuding rob the nest, water relays, sponge throwing and water exploration. Everyone had a lot of fun!
SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING - YEAR 5
Reader's Workshop
In Reader's workshop Year 5 have been practising their reading fluency as well as comprehension strategies. This week they have been working on the strategy questioning, to help monitor meaning and develop understanding of what they are reading. During Reader's workshop Year 5 have opportunity to read to self, read to a partner, read with the teacher and record themselves reading..
Writer's Workshop
Year 5 have begun the writing process to create an informative text about the geography of their selected country. The writing skills we have been focusing are paragraph structure and using a variety of sentence types in our writing to develop description and cohesion. We have explored the difference between facts and opinions and the features of informative texts.
Through the writing process, Year 5 have been gathering information about their country from a variety of sources and have been practising their note taking skills.
Geography
We have begun our Geography inquiry, Year 5 have selected countries to research to create an informative text about the Geography of that country. The informative texts are being constructed following the writing process. We are at the pre write and drafting stage.
The students will then be going further and exploring the connection between humans and the environment, and what impacts humans and the environment have on one another. We will be investigating the impacts on Australia and around the world. The students will develop a response to a geographical challenge. We can't wait to share our actions with you!
SCHOOL LEADERS
Prime Minister
Barney Mungoven
Deputy Prime Minister
Kleio Slater
Speaker
Nina Aubrey
AWARDS
These will be presented at Tuesday morning WOW - due to Canberra Day long weekend (14th March)
Merit Awards
Brindi B - KBS
Blake W - KBS
Imogen H - KDL
Theo A - KDL
Sabahat K - KRP
Mihaan M - KRP
Jack B - 1ET
Lexi W - 1ET
Maya R - 1PC
Alex H - 1SF
Talia A - 1SF
Connor B - 2KJ
Alice M - 2KJ
Chase S - 2RW
Zoey K - 2RW
Finnegan D - 3MS
Ivy S - 3MS
Lilla K - 3SZ
Tai S - 3SZ
Eve H - 3VS
Amelia C - 3VS
Elsa B - 4BH
Hewy S - 4BH
Lucy G - 4RP
Sienna P - 4RP
Daniel B - 5CM
Poppy T - 5CM
Sasha V - 5GA
Ronan K - 5GA
Marcellous S - 6LK
William M - 6LK
Nikita S - 6ZG
Henry B - 6ZG
P & C NEWS
P&C AGM is fast approaching – 21st March – and we need EVERYONE to help us help the Duffy Primary School Community.
Maybe you are our next Secretary, Treasurer or Uniform Shop Co-ordinator; however, all positions will be vacated and a new committee will be voted in. You can commit as much or as little time as your schedule allows, so come along and tell us what you would like to contribute.
Would you like to know more? Please send us an email at duffypandc@gmail.com
Call out for... Uniform Shop volunteers
This year we are looking for a new Uniform Shop Coordinator. This has previously been managed by one person, but there is an opportunity for 2-3 parents to share the role. It involves managing stock levels in the uniform shop, ordering from the supplier, filling flexi-school orders, periodically opening the shop for face-to-face purchases and managing second hand uniform donations.
Support and assistance will be provided by the outgoing coordinator for the rest of 2023. We'd love to see some new faces in 2023. No previous experience or special skills necessary, just a willingness to assist and be part of a great team who share the load and have fun. Please note that you do not have to be on the Committee to attend P&C meetings or volunteer at events. Attending meetings is a fantastic way for parents and carers to find out about things happening in and around the school and get involved in their child’s school experience.
New website for P&C News
Our website has had a revamp and is now live, with lots of information to share. Please bookmark https://www.duffypandc.org.au/wp/ to stay up to date. You can connect with us on Facebook too, just search for Duffy Primary Parents and Citizens Association.
Don’t forget to connect with your Year level parent community on Facebook – this is a great way to stay connected, get year/school specific information and even organise gatherings.
Just search “DPS Year” on google and the groups will pop up, or head to the Duffy Primary Parents and Citizens Facebook page for more info.
Don’t forget that the lovely staff at Baker’s Delight Cooleman Court give the school store credits for every purchase made. These credits help us run events like school barbeques and other fundraising events.
Don’t forget to mention Duffy
Primary BEFORE your purchase.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
Organised by Staff
Organised by External Provider
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Safe parking around schools
The start of the school year is a particularly busy time in our school carparks and surrounding streets. It’s important that we park safely and legally to support the safety of students.
Parking on a footpath, nature strip or roadside verge can:
· Cause safety risks for pedestrians as they are less visible to oncoming cars
· Increase the risk for vulnerable members of our community like children, people who are visually impaired, and those using a wheelchair or pram
· Restrict the line of sight for other road users
· Restrict access for emergency services vehicles.
Parking on nature strips can also damage trees, footpaths, gutters and underground pipes and cables. Please also remember not to park across driveways or block neighbouring residents’ properties.
As students return to school remember to also slow down and stick to the 40km/h limit around our schools between 8am and 4pm.
Parking inspectors regularly patrol school zones to support safe parking and keep students safe.
If you cannot find a car park in our school car parks, we suggest parking a little further away and walking or riding the rest of the way – it’s a quick and easy way to get in some exercise too.
Let’s all work together to keep our kids and community safe!
More information about travelling safely to school is available on the Transport ACT website.
Future of Education Student Equity Fund 2023
Applications are now open for the 2023 Future of Education Equity Fund. The fund provides financial support to eligible families with students in preschool to year 12. The one-off annual payment helps cover costs of everyday basics to assist with educational and wellbeing needs. Students from preschool to year 12 attending ACT schools (including non-government schools) or other approved forms of education that meet the eligibility criteria can apply. Payments of $400 for preschool students, $500 for primary school students and $750 for high-school and college students are available.
Mountain Bike Schools Event - Rocky Trail Academy
How many of you have heard of the Rocky Trail Academy mountain bike events? These are becoming very popular with schools in NSW, ACT, QLD and now VIC. Some of you may have already attended the event at Mt Stromlo or other locations last year. The first Rocky Trail Academy race in NSW/ACT for 2023 is being held at Mt Stromlo on Friday 24th March.
Geared towards secondary school students (years 5 to 12). These school events not only engage youth in healthy social and active recreation but brings a heightened appreciation of nature, the environment, self-reliance, self-learning and independence, all as part of riding a bike in the outdoors.
It is all about encouraging students of all abilities to come and race with their mates in a safe and social environment. These events are sanctioned by AusCycling too.
3 Tracks have been selected to test a variety of skills, including endurance, speed and technical ability. Riders may ride each track up to 5 times with their fastest time from each track counting. Combined best times will be totalled for the overall result for each rider. Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 riders in each category, and Champions school.
Parents are welcome to enter their children directly to represent their school.
Details can be found on Rocky Trail Academy website: https://rockytrailacademy.com/event/canberra-schools-comp-stromlo-2023/
Learning For Life
The flyer below shares information about an opportunity that has been made available to families at our school called the Learning for Life Scholarship Program. It’s run by the Smith Family organisation. They provide financial support to families who are eligible to help with costs related to education, such as book packs, uniforms and excursions. They also provide access to education programs that can further support your child.
To be eligible, you must;
Have a child/children in Kindergarten to Year 8
Have a current Health Care or Pension Concession Card
Demonstrate a strong commitment to education through regular school attendance.
Please contact the front office if you are interested in receiving a referral form or would like to discuss your eligibility.
HELPFUL LINKS
Home Learning Hub
Home Learning - School Wide Subscriptions
Literacy People's Literacy Learning Modules - A guide for engaging parents and carers
Mindfulness Podcast Series - ACT Education Directorate
SEE
HEAR
SMELL
TOUCH
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