Our swimming carnival (3-6) and water fun day (P-2) was held on Tuesday 5th March.  A tremendous amount of work goes in behind the scenes to ensure that our students get the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful day.  Thank you to all the teachers who supported Chris Currie before the event and after, and to the parent volunteers on the day for both events.

Learning and Teaching

By sharing regular updates on our school improvement plan, we aim to strengthen the connection and between home and school, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes.

Priority 1:

Increase individual student growth in writing across all year levels.

Our teachers have worked with Writing Consultant, Catherine Nash on planning as well as viewing modelled lessons aimed at strengthening their practice around the teaching of writing. Some key tools we are using in our classrooms include writing partners, mentor texts and authors as well as writer’s notebook. Visual anchors in the classroom support our students understanding of the writing process as well as strategies to support their independent writing.  

Priority 2: 

Improve the percentage of students making expected growth in number.

Students from K- Year 6 participate in Daily Review in Numeracy at least 3 times per week.  The Daily Review consolidates students’ understanding and develops their fluency in essential understandings for numeracy sessions. It also ensures that students have the prerequisite skills for the day’s lesson. The Daily Review adds to students’ confidence by ensuring that previously taught skills and concepts are reviewed in a sequenced and planned way. Students use mini whiteboards for their Daily Review so that the teacher can frequently check for understanding.

Parent Engagement Session

It has been wonderful to see so many parents/ carers attend our Parent Engagement Session recently focused on Duffy’s approach to Literacy Learning in the early years (K-2). We also shared practical ways parents/carers can support your child/ren at home.

Please click presentation and handout

We hope you all enjoy the Canberra Day long weekend.

With every best wish for a wonderful week ahead with your beautiful families.

Regards,

Katie, Arilia, Sarah and Fiona

Year 3 and Year 5 students with be completing NAPLAN tests in Week 7 and 8. As a parent, you can become familiar with NAPLAN Online tests by visiting the public demonstration site, NAPLAN - Public Demonstration Site. The purpose of the site is to familiarise students with the type of items they will see on NAPLAN Online and related functionalities. This level of familiarisation is worthwhile to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the test. If you have any questions or wish to discuss your son or daughter’s participation in this event, please contact Sarah Moore, 3-6 Executive Teacher, sarah.moore@ed.act.edu.au.

Please see timetable below:

When paying money into the school bank account it is essential that you include the STUDENT NAME and the IDENTIFIER

in your transaction as receipting it to the correct family is not possible.

Thankyou to families who have paid for the 2024 stationery packs.

Payments can still be made; your children are using the resources in their classrooms.

Invoices for Year 6 band will be emailed to relevant families next week.

Voluntary Contribution letters will be sent out next week. Please remember to indicate if they are to be receipted to BTF (Building Trust Fund) or CRF (Classroom Resources Fund.

Alice Lollback – Business Manager

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

Phone: 6142 2513

Uniform Shop Update

After six years of unchanged prices we are reluctantly increasing the price of some uniform shop items in order to cover costs. A small increase ($1-$2) in price of some items will come into effect for orders made from the start of term 2 (29 April 2024). You can find the new price list here.

The uniform shop will be trialling new opening hours and is now open every Friday morning 8.30am to 9am except for the last Friday of each term when the shop will be closed to allow for stocktake. Placing orders via flexischools is still the best way to order however we understand coming into the shop allows customers to look, try on items and purchase items if in stock. You might also be able to save some money by finding what you're after in the second hand items. 

P&C AGM – Please consider joining the P&C! 

The P&C Annual General Meeting is being held next Tuesday 12 March, at 7pm at the school (you can also join online if you can’t make it in person).

Please consider coming along and putting your hand up to join the P&C. We'd love to see some new faces in 2024. 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.

If you want to know more, would like the online meeting details, or are interested in a role but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact either Kate (duffypandc@gmail.com) or Jen (secretary@duffypandc.org.au).

Week 3 - Merit Awards

Week 5 - Merit 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. 

Safe Parking

It is the responsibility of everyone in the community to drive and park safely, especially around schools. School environments can become congested during drop-off and pick-up times, please be sure to follow the road rules and pay extra care when dropping off or collecting students.

Please make sure you are parking where it is legal and safe, which could be a little further away from school if this will avoid safety and traffic problems.

More information is available on the Transport Canberra website.

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!

Monday Morning WOW

This coming Monday morning WOW will be held on Tuesday as Monday is a public holiday.

Assemblies

Wednesday assemblies will now commence from 2:30pm-3pm. 

The next assemblies for the term are: Week 8 - Year 3 and Week 10 - Year 4.

Please see our website for an assembly roster for the year.

Triple P Positive Parenting Program campaign on confidence

In 2024, the Triple P Positive Parenting Program is running a campaign focused on confidence. Confidence is beneficial for kids, as it helps them with enjoyment, trying new things, and doing well in school. It can also help lessen social anxiety and school refusal. Parents and carers play a key role in building confidence.

Further information on ‘supercharging self-esteem in children’ and access to free online parenting courses, can be found at Supercharging self-esteem - how to build confidence in children | Triple P Positive Parenting Program.

Contact Sally Johnson on sally.johnson@act.gov.au

Early Intervention team – Parent workshop series – Years 4 – 12

School Psychology Service (SPS) Early Intervention team is offering a series of 2-hr workshops in 2024. Schools are asked to place flyers in school newsletters so parents/carers of years 4-12 students can register their interest and attendance using the QR code directly.

The remaining ‘Responding to your child’s strong emotions’ workshop for term 1 is on Tuesday, 19 March 2024 at 9:30 am - 11:30 am at the Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning.

Attachments:

• Strong Emotions workshop flyer (1 MB PDF)

Contact Ava Trudinger on sps_earlyintervention@ed.act.edu.au

Chess Club

Learn to be a chess champion! Coaching for Duffy Students is available on Fridays from 8:30am to 9:15am in the library.

Learning and playing chess helps children develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills, improves their concentration and focus, while also being a great source of enjoyment. Activities include group lessons on a demonstration chess board or interactive whiteboard, puzzle solving and fun practice games.

If your child is interested in taking part, email enrol@sydneyacademyofchess.com.au for a copy of the enrolment form. For all enquiries, please contact Sydney Academy of Chess on (02) 9745 1170. 

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.

Home Learning Hub

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

Mindfulness Podcast Series - ACT Education Directorate