Week 9 Term 3

Acknowledgement To Country

We wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land we work, learn and play on and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

Coming Up - Term 3 Week 10

Monday 23rd

• JC: Years 3/4 Bungee Program 

Tuesday 24th

• JC: 9am - 10:30am Stay and Play
• SC: ACT 13 & Over Track and Field 

Wednesday 25th

• JC: Flex Space Floriade Excursion 
  
• SC: 10am - 12:50pm Freakshakes Incursion 
• SC: 10:10am - 11.00am Assembly 

Thursday 26th

Friday 27th

• JC: 9:15am - 10am Assembly
• JC: 11:15am - 2pm Years 1/2 Bush Play 

Coming Up - Term 4 Week 1

Monday 14th 

• Pupil Free Day 

Tuesday 15th 

• JC: 9am - 10:30am Stay and Play
• SC: 9:15am - 10:05am Assembly 
  

Wednesday 16th 

• SC: Year 7 & 8 Girls Group Care Academy 

Thursday 17th 

Friday 18th

Principals Message

Strong Foundations for future success – Phase One Implementation Plan available

The ACT Government has shared the Strong Foundations Phase One Implementation plan that outlines how we will implement the Strong Foundations reform program in all ACT public schools.

Strong Foundations is focused on achieving a system-wide approach to curriculum delivery, teaching, assessment, tiered supports, and professional learning, with a focus on improving literacy and numeracy outcomes.

From 2025 there will be:

• new curriculum resources for schools with preschool to year 2 students
• universal Year 1 Phonics Checks for all schools with Year 1 students – with some schools already underway
• system-wide literacy and numeracy assessments.

We are also working with our school leaders to develop a system-wide approach to improve learning outcomes across all schools and ensure all staff are provided with the resources and professional learning they need.

You can read the Phase One Implementation Plan on the Education Website. The implementation of Strong Foundations is based on advice from the Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel’s Final Report. The Final report is also available from the Education Website.

Focus on Ability update

Recently I shared with you a short documentary that Jacob Reid, one of our co-educators in the senior campus flexible education team, had created with year 7 students outlining their experiences transitioning from primary school to high school. I am excited to announce that our team were awarded the Nova Employment Choice Award at the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival! 

This festival asks film makers to 'Focus on the Ability' of people with a disability and tell a story on film for the world to view. Films are judged by a professional judging panel and subject to an online voting process, with separate prizes for each category. We are so proud of Jacob and our year 7 flexible education students. Congratulations.

Mobile phone update

We are pleased to share that the vast majority of students have responded well to the transition to zero warnings regarding mobile phone use at school. As an ACT Public School, CCS must implement the Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools Policy. Our implementation plan is as follows:

• Junior Campus – Mobile phones handed in and stored securely at the front office during school hours.
• Senior Campus – Mobile phones must be turned off (powered down) and stored out of sight in the student’s school bag during school hours.  

Students on the senior campus are no longer given a warning each day, they have had three terms to familiarise themselves with the policy. If a student is seen with a mobile device on their person, they are directed to hand it in at the front office immediately. They can collect the phone at 3pm.

All classrooms have posters up informing students of their responsibilities surrounding mobile phone use at school. 

Communication

Being a parent or caregiver is hard work. It is your job to love your child/young person, provide for them, keep them safe, advocate for them, support them to make responsible choices and prepare them for independence. At times this can be challenging. Nothing can trigger a parent/caregiver more than hearing a story from their child/young person that appears unfair, unjust or means they may have experienced negative emotions or outcomes. For most of us this can result in an emotional response.

I strongly encourage families to always contact relevant school staff on such occasions. Young people often retell an incident from their perspective only, which is often age appropriate. However, we must remember there are always multiple sides to a story and in a school environment generally there are a range of people involved. It is often not as easy as someone was right, and someone was wrong.  School staff will never disclose to you confidential information pertaining to another student or their family as this could breach their privacy. We are always open to discussion and sharing information about school processes. Talking directly to school staff is the best way to receive accurate information. 

Please contact the school via email CarolineChisholmInfo@ed.act.edu.au if you would like to speak to a teacher, year coordinator or member of the leadership team.

2026-2030 Term dates

The ACT public school term dates for 2026-2030, including student-free days, are now available on the Education Directorate’s website.

Each year, the first day of every term is a student-free day. We use student-free days for staff development, enabling us to plan in a student-free environment.

Use these dates when planning your future holidays.

We wish all students a safe school holiday period. The first day of term 4 for students is Tuesday 15 October. We look forward to reconnecting with students and families then.

Warm Regards,

Julie

Junior Campus PE News

Well done to all CCS JC students for participating in another great term of PE. It was wonderful to see so many students modelling the values of respect, responsibility, and perseverance. 

This term we covered a large variety of activities. In preparation for the athletics carnival, we fine-tuned shot put and discus skills. After the carnival, students were introduced to Tunnel Ball and Captain Ball which were highlights of athletics carnivals when I was in primary school. Students enjoyed the games and achieved great results. 3-6 finally had an opportunity to do Tug of War, this showed great teamwork and perseverance amongst the teams.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

For the past three weeks students have participated in dance lessons. K-2 covered line, circle and partner dances across the three weeks. 3-6 had a week of line, circle and partner dances and then spent two weeks working in groups to choreograph their own dances for a dance assessment. Congratulations to everyone for enthusiastically participating in the lessons and having a good giggle at us and also feeling proud of what was achieved during the lessons. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces during the lessons.

Once again gross motor was a highlight of the week for students in P-2. Students in Years 3-6 have set me the challenge of allowing them to participate in gross motor and parachute activities in Term 4, challenge accepted!

Sustainable Steps Poster Competition

The Sustainable Steps Poster Competition invites Canberra school students to create a poster that will inspire Canberrans to take a simple action for sustainability. The competition is open to school students from preschool to Year 8. Entries close on Friday 11 October 2024.

Finalists’ posters will be displayed, and winners will be announced at the Sustainable Schools Awards in early December 2024. Winners will receive a book prize. Find out more and download the entry form

Spotlight on Staff - Courtney Long, Year 1/2 Teacher

How long have you worked at CCS? 

Since semester 2 2022

Describe your role at CCS.

I am a classroom teacher who has worked in kindergarten and, now years 1 and 2!

What do you enjoy about working with children/young people? 

I enjoy the relationships I build with all children and watching them develop as learners throughout the years.

Describe your work in education in three words.

Rewarding, busy, fun!

What are your strengths? What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about and have strength in working with children in the early years. I am patient, can make children laugh, and am always eager to learn and improve as an educator.

What is something people don’t know about you?  

Every day at 5am you will find me in the gym, as I am very passionate about bodybuilding (the children and I always talk about my muscular biceps😉)

SC Flex Space News

News From the Flex Space

Many will be aware that recent staffing changes have resulted in some class changes in our Flex Space English and Maths groups. Students have been very understanding, and the transition process has been smoother than many expected.

Ms Danielle Van Kemenade’s Year 7 and 8 English and Maths classes are now being taken by Livia Tigwell, and Ms Livia’s year 9 English and Maths classes have continued their programs with mainstream classes.

Below are some quotes from staff and students to give you the flavour of progress so far.

Year 7 English are currently working on a piece of creative writing to conclude the Hero’s Journey unit this term. They have been working hard over three weeks planning, editing and redrafting.

• Claire: “I’m actually getting it done! 😊”
• Ryan Chmiel: “I’m writing about my pussy cat!”
• Nathan: “My hero went from a kid watching telly to being a world class driver!”
• Noah is writing about someone overcoming a bully.

Nick Tugwell, a recent Year 10 Flex Maths teacher, pictured left, has worked well with the class helping them to gain mathematical skills and confidence: ”It’s been a pleasure working with Year 10 Maths. I’m really excited to see their progress in mainstream.”

• Kaelan Smith: “It was easy to switch over.”
• Nicholas Kesina: “The best thing about the move to mainstream is that it wasn’t much of a change.”

Over the past 12 months Nicholas has completed five work experience placements. When asked about his experience he said, “It’s been beneficial to put on my resume and will help me get work in the future.”

Work Experience

Increasingly, Flex students have been having success outside school and following their passions completing work experience.  Most recently Olivia Carter spent a week at the ANU’s Research School of Biology, Chloe Ryan has been at Teddybears Childcare Centre since term 1, Riley Volke regularly at Signlime and both Caelen Byrnes and Gwen Nery at Limelight Cinemas. Over the past 12 months other Flex students have successfully completed work placements in childcare, animal care, painting and hospitality/kitchen. It has been wonderful to see their confidence and ability to plan for the future increase.

Scooters wanted!

We have a student who would like to repair scooters for work experience. If any family is able to donate a preloved scooter it can be brought to the senior campus office for Livia Tigwell.

Vaulting to Success

Recently Keyara Msosi, Year 7, travelled to Hobart, Tasmania as part of the ACT Level 6 Gymnastics team to compete in the Bigham Cup. This is an interstate competition that includes ACT, WA, SA, NT and Tasmania and prepares gymnasts for competitions at the National level.

Keyara competed in the Level 6 team event on Friday where the ACT achieved an impressive 2nd place overall.

On Saturday, Keyara competed in the individual event and for the prestigious Bigham Cup. Keyara placed 2nd overall on vault with an amazing 9.6 and the ACT Level 6 and Level 7 team tied with South Australia to win the Bigham Cup.

Keyara and her teammates represented the ACT with pride, demonstrating great sportsmanship, team spirit, and beautifully executed routines throughout the competition.

Year 10 News

Teaching science to the Year 5/6 Students

Have you ever played PacMan using a banana or kiwifruit as your controller? Using the power of science, and the leadership of our Year 10s, this is exactly what Year 5 and 6 students did! Year 10 students, with the support of some budding Year 9 leaders, lead a science lesson for Year 5 and 6 earlier this term as a part of the Peer Support Program.

Before the Year 10s could conduct the lesson, they attended a workshop with Ms Insia to learn how to teach it. They were introduced to “Makey Makey” kits which connect everyday objects to computer keys. The Year 10s refreshed their knowledge about circuits, and they practiced different strategies to teach the students. The Year 10s decided what would be the best way to teach their small groups and made a list of all the equipment they would need to teach their lesson.

Armed with a “Makey Makey” kit and various everyday items, including foil, salt, bananas, and playdough, the Year 10 and 9 leaders headed over the road to run their special learning experience. Together they worked out how to make a complete circuit together and which game they wanted to test their circuits with. There was lots of laughing and creativity as students used their whole bodies, playdough shapes, kiwifruit, and foil as arrow keys. Everyone agreed that this hands-on session was the a fantastic way to learn. The Year 10s really shone this day as mentors and leaders. 

ACT Minister’s Student Congress:

Earlier this term, the ACT Minister’s Student Congress was held and we had multiple students represent CCS, including two of our House Captains from Year 10, Decklan and Samantha. The Congress brought ACT public school students together to discuss issues which matter to them and affect their education. Students participated in workshops and listened to panel discussions focussed on four topics:

• Artificial Intelligence in schools;
• Mental health;
• Strengthening school, community, and extra-curricular connections; and
• Individualised student-centred learning.

All students left with a new ideas to bring back to CCS to keep making positive changes to our school.

English short films:

Year 10 Students have been exploring the concept of ‘happiness’ this term. They have been exploring elements of how society has shaped concepts of happiness, how literature impacts our perception of happiness, and how we can shape our own thinking and actions for our futures. Their final assessment is to make a short film, telling the story of a character’s experiences with happiness. Armed with iPads or Chromebooks, students are acting their hearts out, making stop motions, or even making their own animations. They have had to work hard to think about shot types, angles, symbolism, and juxtaposition to tell their story. We hope your young person can share their progress with you. We can’t wait to see the final results!

Election BBQ – Volunteers needed:

We have been given the opportunity to hold a BBQ on the CCS Junior Campus on ACT Election Day, Saturday 19 October 2024. The funds raised will go toward reducing the cost of Year 10 Formal tickets, and in the past, BBQs have proven to be a fantastic opportunity to raise a significant amount of money. Year 10 parents and carers - please fill out the form sent to you earlier this week with times that your young person can help man the BBQ.

Reminders

Formal notes and payments: Don’t forget to hand in the note for the Year 10 Formal and to keep making the instalment payments.

Immunisation note: Please return the notes for the free meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which protects against four different strains of the meningococcal bacteria. Please return to the Front Office as soon as possible this term. If you need another copy of the note, you can download one here.

MyWay+ Transition

The next major phase for MyWay+ will start from Friday 20 September ahead of the next generation ticketing system going live this November. To get ready for the new ticketing system, the old equipment will need to be removed and new MyWay+ validators installed in both buses and along the light rail alignment.

As a result:

• travel will be free from 20 September
• NXTBUS will not be available during this transition period.

For more information on the MyWay+ transition, including what changes are taking place, visit the Transport Canberra website.

Spotlight on Staff - Serena Cramond, SC Dance Teacher

How long have you worked at CCS? 

I have worked at CCS for 6 months

Describe your role at CCS.

I am the dance teacher and am also super passionate about implementing Berry Street practices.

What do you enjoy about working with children/young people? 

I love relationship building and helping kids see their potential and how amazing they can be.

Describe your work in education in three words.

Kind. Empowering. Growth.

What are your strengths? What are you passionate about? 

My strengths are in my ability to build supportive relationships and remain non judgemental of others. I also think I bring a sense of calm and positive energy to the space. 

I am passionate about sharing my love of yoga, mindfulness and personal wellbeing with others.

What is something people don’t know about you?  

Something people don’t know about me is that I run yoga and outdoor adventure retreats for women and I’m a certified sound healer, meditation and breath work facilitator.

Community Notices

Calling Canberra's Teen Creatives aged 10-17

Unlock your entrepreneurial potential these school holidays with the Maker2Market Business Taster Experience! Dive into a hands-on, 3-day program where you'll transform your creative skills into a thriving hobby business. Learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and get the chance to sell your creations to real customers at the Old Bus Depot markets. We've seen over 650 creative teens through our program turn their passions into profit - be part of our next batch these school holidays and build your entrepreneurial mindset while starting to earn money doing what you love! BOOK NOW: www.edii.com.au.

OCTOBER PROGRAM:  

2-day workshop: Thursday 10th + Friday 11th October @ Building 7, University of Canberra, Faculty of Arts and Design, Bruce. 9.30am - 4pm ( both days) and Market Day:  Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston on Sunday, October 13th from 9.00 am (Set-up), 9.30 am - 2.30 pm ( trading).

Let Me Explain…

A Gone Buggo production

12:30pm & 3:30pm Tuesday 8 October 2024

The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre

Tickets: $35 Adult / $25 Concession and Children / $20 per person for groups of 10+

About the show

As a wildlife educator using macro photographs of live animals on LEGO dioramas, the work of Gone Buggo isn’t exactly intuitive to most people.

‘Let me explain…’ is a live performance; part science lesson, part comedy, part social revolution, passionately delivered in front of projections of colourful, exciting close-up photos of weird and wonderful critters. Over an hour and a half, we’ll explore where Gone Buggo came from, where it’s going, and why it matters to everyone, whether they like bugs or not.

About Gone Buggo

Steven Gill is a keen naturalist, educator and wildlife photographer. Having founded Gone Buggo; a social enterprise dedicated to increasing awareness and education around the importance of smaller, often less appreciated, forms of life, it seems fair to say that he is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. He has recently self-published a collection of children’s stories he wrote for, and about, his daughter, delivered a TEDx talk in Melbourne about his particularly unique approach to wildlife photography, and is actively engaged in sharing his thought-provoking environmental education through public speaking events and classroom incursions.

We are delighted to invite your school community to the Vikings Sunday Funday on Sunday 20 October 2024, at Viking Park.

This exciting and free annual event, organised in collaboration with the Vikings Affiliate Sports Club, offers a wide range of activities for all ages, with over 20 sporting clubs participating including rugby union, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, water polo, lawn bowls, and more. There will be something for everyone.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday 20 October 2024
• Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
• Location: Viking Park, 4 Amsinck Street, Wanniassa