Curtin Primary School Newsletter

Week 1 Term 1 2019

We at Curtin Primary acknowledge the Ngunnawal people, past, present and future.

We would like to thank the traditional custodians for nurturing this precious land where we live, learn and play.

We promise to protect plants, animals, earth, water and sky and care for everyone in our community.


Principal - Merryn O'DeaOUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE
Deputy Principal - Maryanne HayesJuniors - 0476 846 570
Board Chair - Alastair James - 0428 776 626Seniors - 0472 820 865
P&C President - Megan Moore - megankm4@gmail.comBefore school - 0472 820 865
If your child is absent please notify the school via email - curtinps.absences@ed.act.edu.au - or via the Skoolbag appBookings - 02 6147 3318

Welcome to the 2020 school year!

I have had the pleasure this week of visiting all classrooms and sharing the energy your children have brought back to school. We understand this holiday has been an unusual one, and I am so proud of the commitment to creating a learning environment and joining in class activities that is evident across the school.

Personally, I am also thrilled to be back at school after so much time away last year. While I am physically much better, I will be at school for 4 days each week this term, just to ensure I build stamina to keep going all year.

To support your understanding of the start of year, please take some time to read the following information. The beginning of the year is a time filled with information. Please make sure you are accessing Skoolbag and the newsletter as your key sources of information. Effective communication with families is a staff priority this year and Skoolbag and the newsletter are our major communication tools.

Welcome BBQ

Thank you to our amazing P&C for organising this event, which has now been postponed from this Friday until Friday 21 February. Please take the time to meet other families and our staff.

Learning to Learn

In the next three weeks, all classes are engaging with mini unit, based around our 2020 inspiration word, Build. This involves building class communities, learning routines, class rules, learning skills and excitement for the year. Embedded through this unit is a focus on building friendships and personal safety through protective behaviours. All classes will build curiosity and imagination through the robotics incursion program described in Skoolbag. Each teaching team will also have a day out of the classroom to create the learning plan for the first conceptual inquiry. You will receive a unit overview with specific information related to this inquiry.  

Information Webinars

On Monday 17 February, you will receive a link to watch the information session for your year levels. The video will include information about organisation, curriculum and learning in your year level. Feedback from 2019 indicated that the online information night gave families the opportunity to prepare questions for teacher interviews, watch the information as a family and revisit several times.

Aspiration Interviews (formerly Goal Setting)

From week 3, you will be invited to attend an interview with your child’s teacher. In most cases, children will attend the interview. This is your chance to talk about the classroom, hear about your child’s progress in the early weeks of term and then to participate in establishing learning aspirations. The aspirations are long term goals that establish personal priorities for you child’s personalised learning at school. The aspirations will be used to set shorter, measurable goals in the classroom. Goals will constantly change as children work to achieve their aspirations. At the end of the semester you will see your child’s reflection on their progress towards their individual aspirations. These interviews are scheduled for 15 minute blocks. If you would like a longer meeting to discuss specific concerns, please email your child’s teacher to arrange a suitable time.

As always, we value your input to the learning partnership that occurs when families and school communicate effectively. We encourage you to offer expertise, volunteer or contact us at any time to ensure a strong partnership for each child.

Yours sincerely, Merryn.

SCHOOL EVENTS

Events may be viewed and added to your personal calendar on the Skoolbag app


Date
Whole School - Robotics Incursion7-18 February
Passion Projects commence21 February
P&C Welcome BBQ21 February
Australian Olympic Athlete visit26 February
Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival28 February
Assembly6 March
Canberra Day Public Holiday9 March

Notes to be returned

 Notes may be downloaded from links found below

Date Due
Years K-6 - Medical information and consent formASAP
Passion Project selectionASAP
Year 6 order form - polo shirt & hoodie - late orders cannot be accepted14 February
Whole school - Robotics Incursion18 February
Years 3-6 - Swimming Carnival21 February

Passion Projects Term 1, 2020

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Year 6 order form - polo shirt & hoodie

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Whole School - Robotics Incursion

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Years 3-6 - Swimming Carnival

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5 tips for back-to-school online safety

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SPORT NEWS

HOUSE CAPTAINS 2020

Curtin Primary School has a House system for sporting, citizenship and other events.  The four Houses each being led by 4 House Captains.  These students act as role models and leaders for the school.   The Houses are named after local mountains.

OAKEY           AINSLIE        TAYLOR       STROMLO

Year 6 children have the opportunity to run for House Captain.

Elections for House Captains will be this Friday 7 February.

12U ACT Open Trials

If your child is turning 10, 11 or 12 this year, they are eligible to trial for an ACT representative team.  

The sports available include:

AFL, Basketball, Cricket, Soccer, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Orienteering, Rugby League, Softball, Tennis, Touch, Triathlon, Track & Field, Swimming and Cross Country.

If you need any information regarding School Sport in the ACT, please visit their website:

https://www.schoolsportact.asn.au/

WEETBIX TRYathlon

Unfortunately, the Canberra Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon has been cancelled.

For more information please follow the link: https://tryathlon.com.au/locations/canberra/

SENIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Friday 28 February (Week 4)

BIG SPLASH,   Catchpole Street, Macquarie

Those children who wish to enter competitive races and/or be considered for selection in the school swim team, will be bussed out to Big Splash in the morning to compete (bus will leave shortly after 9am).

Those children who do not wish to enter competitive races, will be bussed to Big Splash at recess (11am) where they can watch and cheer the last few races, participate in mini races, novelties and slides under close supervision.

Swimming notes will be sent home this week for 3-6.

YEAR 2:  If your child is in Year 2 and born in 2012 (turning 8 this year) they may only attend the carnival if they compete in a 50m competitive race.

You can collect a permission note from the front office.

Swimming notes MUST BE RETURNED BY FRIDAY 21 February to ensure entry and to assist with booking transport.

HELPERS

We love family members coming along to help at the carnival.  We have 2 sessions:

1.     9.30-12pm        Place Judging and Timekeeping

2.     12pm-2pm         Supervising slides and assisting with novelties – You don’t have to go in the water!

I’d love to have as many helpers as possible, especially the afternoon session. 

If you are able to help for either session or both, please email me at the above address or click on the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OQOK9XUnux13NBsgRlO2oRbw513mLsz8yX39K9yq2is/edit?usp=sharing

PARENT V TEACHERS V STUDENT RELAY

On the day, we invite parents who are interested, to join us in a 50m relay event.

Traffic management system - afternoon pick up

Please see attached for the afternoon pick up traffic management system.

It would be appreciated if you could share with anyone who will be collecting your child.

Download

G.A.T.E.WAYS Eureka program Surrounded by Science

G.A.T.E.WAYS runs programs across the curriculum for gifted, talented and highly-able children.

Students will attend the host venue for one day and participate in three hands-on, engaging workshops created by the talented team of teachers and experts from G.A.T.E.WAYS.

The workshops will encourage students to question, experiment, make discoveries and explore some intriguing topics under the banner of Surrounded by Science.

This theme shines a light on the everyday science that transpires all around us. This is a program for students who would benefit from science extension.

Please follow the steps below and read more about the specific program your child has been nominated for by clicking on the brochure hyperlink.

Please note that nominations and enrolments are processed on a first-come, first-served basis so we recommend acting quickly to secure your child’s place.

For parents with more than one child, please only complete the expression of interest form for your nominated child.

G.A.T.E.WAYS is in its 25th year of creating programs to help teachers and parents cater for the needs of gifted, talented and highly-able children.

We are a team of teachers collaborating with schools to produce these unique opportunities for like-minded students.

 

Kirsty Warren Program Coordinator

Phone: +61 2 9940 0303

Email: kirsty@gateways.edu.au

Web: www.gateways.edu.au Twitter: @gatewaysedu Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gatewaysedu

A message from Transport Canberra

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Learn English at CIT

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) offers a range of English courses for people from non-English speaking backgrounds. 

Please see the attached letter for more information.

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CANTEEN NEWS

Ordering at the canteen

CANTEEN HOURS OF OPERATION

The canteen is open from 8.45am until 1.45pm. If you have any canteen queries, Lizzy can be contacted on 6142 2581 during these hours.

2019 Canteen Menu

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P&C NEWS

Sign up to be a class rep in 2020!

The P&C coordinates Class Parent Representatives across the preschool and school to provide a vital information and engagement link between the school, parents and the P&C. 

The key responsibilities for class parent reps are to:

  • pass on information from the class teacher;
  • gather email addresses of class parents (with help from the teacher) for a class contact list; 
  • pass on information from the P&C;
  • encourage interaction between parents by holding a class picnic/bbq, organising a trivia night table etc;
  • organise or find a delegate to run a stall at the Twilight Fair.

If you would be willing to take on the Class Parent Rep role for your child’s class in 2020, please contact your class teacher or P&C Parent Rep Coordinator Sally - sallyjoyhawkins@gmail.com.

Your help is very much appreciated.

Curtin Primary School P&C Welcome BBQ

NEW DATE!

Friday, Week 3 - 21st February 2020 from 5.30pm – 7pm

Come along to our Welcome BBQ for an opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with staff and other parents and carers in our wonderful Curtin school community.

Free sausage sandwiches, jumping castle and inflatable obstacle course and a performance by the Year 6 band! Kids get a free Zooper Dooper when they introduce a parent or carer to their teacher.

Feel free to bring your own drink, nibbles and picnic blanket or comfy chair. 

In the event of rain showers, we will action our wet weather plan and move the inflatables to the Hall - an update will be sent on Friday morning re: any other venue changes.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop is located opposite the canteen and is open from 8.30am until 9.30am each Wednesday. 

Uniform Shop order form

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COMMUNITY NEWS