Dear Children and Families,

Welcome to our last newsletter for term one.  I'm not sure about you, but the the first term of 2023 seems to have passed by at lightning speed.  From all accounts, it has been a productive term of learning at IPECS and we have seen children's learning and development thrive.  I would like to thank our amazing team of educators for their hard work and commitment to the learning of each and every child.  I'm sure you will agree with me that both children and adults have all earnt a well deserved break.  Our last day of school for term one is next Thursday 6 April.  School resumes on Monday 24 April however Tuesday 25 April is the ANZAC Day Public Holiday.  Should you need it, our Communities@Work Holiday Care program still has vacancies and you can enrol by visiting https://www.commsatwork.org/services/children-school-holiday-programs/. 

How do I enrol at IPECS?

Enrolments for 2024 to any ACT Public School open on Wednesday 26 April, including for preschool children and children transitioning to year three.  To enrol, families are asked to complete an online enrolment form (https://forms.act.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=1087). Offers of enrolment will be made on or after Monday 24 July.

Unlike other ACT Public Schools, IPECS does not have what is referred to as a Priority Enrolment Area (PEA).  As an early childhood school, our enrolment criteria is a little different and we are able to accept enrolments from families that live outside of Isabella Plains.  While a percentage of our families live in the suburb, many of our families live across Tuggeranong, some even outside of Tuggeranong.  When moving from IPECS to new schools to begin year three, families that live in Isabella Plains have the option of enrolling at Monash Primary School, Bonython Primary School or Richardson Primary School.   In most cases, children residing in other suburbs are asked to enrol in their local school.  You can find more information regarding priority enrolment areas by clicking here.  

Next week, we are holding information sessions to for families seeking to enrol their child in preschool in 2024 as well as an session for our year two families who will be starting new schools in 2024.  Our Preschool 2024 Enrolment Information Session will be held on Tuesday 4 April at 12.30pm and repeated on Wednesday 5 April at 6.30pm.  Our Transition to Year 3 Information Session will be held on Wednesday 5 April at 5.30pm. 

Furhter, the Education Directroate will hold a number of sessions to support parents and carers of children with developmental delay, disability and diverse learning needs.  An online session on Wednesday 19 April from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm will provide parents and carers with information on the 2024 school year enrolment process and developing a relationship with their child’s next school. The session will be relevant for the enrolment of students from preschool through to college, including specialist school enrolments.  Sessions for parents and carers about supporting school transition will be held in term 3. Parents and carers can register by emailing EDUCommunityPartner@act.gov.au and they should include the school year their child will commence in 2024 

How do we communicate?

At IPECS, we use a range of different approaches to communicate with our school community.  It has been a number of years since we have reviewed our Communication Guidelines.  Our current Communication Guidelines document is available on our website (click here).  While outdated, it does include some of the existing practices we have embedded across our school.  Our staff have looked through this document and we have began to make some changes.    Early next term, we will be seeking input from our school community regarding our proposed changes.  In the meantime, if you happen to have time to read the existing guidelines, please share your thoughts with us. 

How did IPECS celebrate Harmony Week?

This year, the them e for Harmony Week was "Everyone Belongs".  As a place of learning where all young children thrive and belong, IPECS celebrated Harmony Week by inviting children to wear orange or come to school dressed in cultural clothes.  Children, families and staff were also encouraged to decorate a calico square to be combined as a large quilt. We will display the finished product in the hall.  Children choose to decorate their square writing a greeting in their home language, drawing a pictures of interest, pets or a self or family portrait or drawing their country's flag.  The quilt will look spectacular once it is hung up in the hall and be there to remind us that everyone belongs at IPECS.  Thank to you to Nira and Hanan for coordinating Harmony Week activities across our school.  

Do you have some spare time on Saturday?

On Saturday 1 April, we will be holding  a Working Bee from 10.00am - 2.00pm.  Families are invited to come to the school and lend a hand to give our preschool playground and Ash playground some TLC.   Even if you can only give an hour, we would love to see you there.  Please bring along your gardening gloves and weeding tools.  A free sausage sizzle will be provided for all helpers. 

Take care,

Simon Barker

Who is who in the GEMS P&C?

Did you know, being a parent, grandparent, carer or other super important person in the lives of our children automatically means you are part of the GEMS?!!! Did you know that includes families of the children at the IPECS Communities@Work program? We’d love you to be involved. It might be helping cook a BBQ, helping at a working bee, applying for a grant, running a stall or planning events. Every bit helps. You don’t have to come to the meetings to be involved, but we don’t know if you are willing if you don’t tell us!!! So come and see one of the elected members (pictured above) and introduce yourself!

Our aims?

Build connections, communicate with staff about learning and the school environment, and raise money (currently for improvements to the Olive play-space).

When are meetings? Think 3, 6 and 9!

Weeks 3 and 9 are Thursday evenings in the Family room and online at 5:30, the week 6 meeting is Friday morning. In fact most Friday mornings you will see members of the GEMS P&C near the coffee van (mainly socialising, but sometimes planning too!)!!! See you soon!

Join our Facebook Community Page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/IPECS.GEMS/

Website:

http://www.ipecs.act.edu.au/our_community/gems_parent_association

Every year, tens of thousands of students across the ACT participate in the Chief Minister’ Reading Challenge. The Challenge aspires to allow every young person in the ACT to discover the joy reading can bring. Isabella Plains Early Childhood School is proud to have 149 children registered in The Challenge.

The 2023 Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge ambassadors are local authors Jack Heath, Tracey Hawkins, Harry Laing, Stephanie Owen Reed and Tania McCartney, Emma Grey and Emma Batchelor. CMRC Ambassadors will share their experiences as writers, story tellers and readers. The Challenge is grateful for the support of the event sponsor, Paperchain Bookstore-Manuka.

Ask your teacher, CMRC Coordinators Emma Webb or Wendy Driver for more information, or go to: bit.ly/ChiefMinChallenge.