Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back for Term 3!

Year 6 – How We Express Ourselves Fair

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful efforts of our Year 6 community in planning and delivering the Fun Fair last week. It was clear how much work staff and students had put into the event. Our students were supported and engaged throughout. It was a fantastic experience, and we are very grateful for the leadership, creativity, and energy of all involved.

2025 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey 

Each year, the Directorate surveys all parents and carers, school staff and students in years 4 to 12 about their experience of public education. The 2025 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey will be available online from 15 August to 5 September. The survey results will help us to continue to make quality informed decisions about how to improve our school. No personal identifying information will be provided to any school or college. 

For each child in their family who attends an ACT public school, parents and carers will receive: 

• A letter about the student survey outlining the reasons for collection and privacy provision for the data; and 
• An email about the parent survey, including a unique link to access the survey. 

Genuine survey invitation emails will have the title "The 2025 School Satisfaction & Climate Survey is now open!" and will be sent from EDU Surveys with a 'from' address EDUSurveys@act.gov.au. If you do not receive the survey invitation, please check your Junk email folder first then contact your school. If you do not have an email listed with the school, please contact our school Front Office on 6142 0404.

The Parents and Carers Survey is available online in 13 languages including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Spanish, Telugu, French and Italian. Respondents can select their preferred language when they start the survey. A shortened paper-version of the Parents and Carers Survey is also available in the following 5 languages: Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Karen and Mon. These surveys are available at the Front Office. 

For the results to reflect the opinions of our whole school community, we need as many parents and carers, staff and students as possible to complete the survey. Your feedback is important, and we hope you will take part. 

For more information, visit: https://www.act.gov.au/open/school-satisfaction-and-climate-survey-results

Carpark Reminders – Let’s Keep Our Kids Safe

As we begin Term 3, please take care when driving and parking around the school. We all have a role to play in road safety.

Please:

• Obey the speed limit
  
  
• Avoid parking across pedestrian crossings, in no-stopping zones, on corners or verges, or double parking

Unsafe or illegal parking reduces visibility and creates significant hazards for students crossing the road.

A friendly reminder:

• Do not park in the school pick-up/drop-off zone at any time.
  
  
• Do not stop in the middle of the carpark to collect children – it’s dangerous and blocks traffic flow.
  
  

Your cooperation in keeping all children safe is greatly appreciated.

‘No hat, play in the shade’ from August

New sun protection guidelines for all ACT public schools will begin from 1 August 2025.

ACT public schools will move from a ‘no hat, no play’ to a ‘no hat, play in the shade’ approach from August through May in a move to encourage year-round sun/UV protection whilst continuing to promote active play and physical activity. Hat wearing is encouraged during the months of June and July.

The change brings the ACT in line with other schools across Australia and follows consultation with the Canberra Council ACT. The approach balances students’ risk of UV exposure without hats with the need for physical activity.

Our school will continue to have SPF50 or 50+ Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreen available.

The sun protection guidelines apply to our students, staff and volunteers.

The policy was updated in consultation with the Cancer Council ACT.

Read the Sun (UV) Protection policy. Please contact the front office if you have any questions.

Back to school – term 3 travel tips

With the start of term 3 comes the return of regular bus services and dedicated school routes, including ‘S’ trips that conveniently divert directly into schools.

To ensure a smooth start, here’s a quick checklist for students and families:

• Have your MyWay+ travel card or other tap on/off method ready.
• Make sure there is sufficient balance in your account.
• Remember to tap on and off for the cheapest fare.
• Check your school’s bus routes and timetable to avoid any surprises.
• Don’t forget to carry your student ID while travelling on public transport.

Primary school parents can refer to their school’s information pack for additional travel guidance.

A reminder for all drivers, please slow down and stay alert in school zones to help keep our students safe.

For more information, please visit Transport Canberra website.

Kind Regards

Laurel