Dear families,

I hope you are all well and managing to settle into remote learning routines. I would like to commend the Ngunnawal Primary School community for their continued support of each other and of the school during this period. It has been wonderful to see the engagement in online learning, seeing students’ faces in Google Meets is certainly the highlight of our teachers’ week. Last week I met with the School Board and the P and C. This was a great opportunity to check in on how our families are travelling with home learning. Please remember that while we have home learning expectations, safety and wellbeing always come first and we encourage families to make decisions that work best for your individual circumstances.

If you are seeking alternative learning opportunities including some great ideas for outdoor education, the Education Directorate have collated the best home learning sources here: https://bit.ly/act-homelearning

ABC Canberra Community Spirit Awards: School Community Champions

We are incredibly proud of Nola Shoring (School Volunteer Program ACT and The Grove Retirement Village) and Natalie Munoz (Ngunnawal Primary School) who were named as the winners of the ABC Canberra Community Spirit Awards; School Community Champion. A great acknowledgement of the students and volunteers working together to bring smiles and improved outcomes for all those involved on both sides of the partnership. We look forward to continuing to work together and broadening the connections we have in other interest areas. If you didn't hear Nat and Nola speaking on the radio, the link is below.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/canberra/programs/afternoons/school-community-champion-winners-ngunnawal-primary/13534780

Positive Behaviours for Learning

Lots of students are reaching milestones during remote learning which is great, keep up the great work everyone. Gene recently created 3 new PBL trees for us and we have started transferring our bronze, silver and gold leaves to the new trees. Seeing the list in the newsletter we have a lot of leaves to create which is a good problem to have! I can't wait to see the gold tree filling up. Awards and arm bands for gold level will be given out when students return.

Staffing Adjustments for Term 4

We have 4 more babies on the way in Term 4. We will be farewelling Kristina Vizadis at the end of Term 3 and wish her all the best on maternity leave. We also farewell Sandra Kinnane in Week 2 of Term 4 as she commences maternity leave. We wish both ladies all the very best with their second babies.

We welcome Cassandra Adolfo-Kissi to LSUSG on Mondays and the specialist team throughout the week.

We congratulate Dan Tuddenham who will continue on in Term 4 as SLC with Year 2 and the Specialist team.

5/6DT - Erin Gale will be continuing for Monday to Wednesday and Dan Tuddenham will be teaching on Thursday to Friday.

Later in the term we will also farewell Kunjal Mehta who is also commencing maternity leave. Stef Gorter who is already working in our school will replace Kunjal mid Term 4.

5/6 Camp

Sadly we have had to make the decision to cancel 5/6 Camp which was scheduled for mid Term 4 for a second year in a row. We know there will be many disappointed students however we hope to be able to make some alternative plans for 5/6 to have some camp like experiences in Term 4 pending restrictions.

School Satisfaction Survey

As you may know, our annual School Satisfaction and Climate Survey was due to be distributed to our school community from 13 August 2021. Due to the ACT COVID-19 lockdown, the survey has been postponed. The survey is an important way for us to get feedback from our school community and provides valuable data to help us on our school improvement journey. The new date for the survey is currently under discussion but is likely to be early in Term 4. We will keep you updated on this matter. If you would like more information about the survey, you can find it on the Education Directorate’s website.

Rebecca Turner 

Principal

It is great to see so many students acheiving Bronze, Silver and Gold level awards. We look forward to celebrating everyone when we return to school.

Responsible Learner

Vivienne G	Mackenzie T	Makayla G
Claire C	Nyok A	Arzo K
Addison C	Ayaka S	Utho O
Aiden R	Ayaan F	Liam D
Anaya J	Lucas O	Ben W
Faye X	Isla E	Aiden B
Abbey F	Alfred K	Zoey T
Logan B	Parker HB	Evie M
Harper N	Aayan H	Abby P
Charlotte G	Lachlan H	Grace S
Cecilia A	Riley T	Shailee C
Stefan S	Hannah I	Affan U
Abigail L	Ayva B	Amelia S
Adie G	Piper C	Amalie M
Chloe M	Urvashi N	Aleena G
Lacey A	Sarah O	Harry L

Respectful

Kahlia B

Shantel S

Amalie M

Reponsible Learner

Shailee C	Aayan H	Ajang A
Harper N	Abby P	Affan U
Lachlan H	Evie M	Zoey T
Isla E	Lacey A	Ben W
Ruby B	Ezana A	Summer M
Kenley M	Adie G	Faye X
Charlotte G	Luke R	Aiden R
Alexander O	Richardson D	Oliver M
Shantel S	Austin M	Aleena G
James G	Jordan L	Sophie F
Lucas C	Senadi P	Hailey B
Amelia C	Rjay K	Nyok A
Evie G	Jonty A.R	Ashlie M
Zayan C	Shaniya K	Leila S
Lincoln D	Charlotte D	Aiden G
Kayleigh L	Claudia W	Alex N
Hugo T	Sebastian O	Lucy L
Anaya J	Klara B	Phoebe D
Jennifer A	Dhruv S	Ada M
Etuate T	Eva CC	Issy E
Cobi JY	Calvin L	Thurstan N
Sahibjot S	Stefan S	Alaxandra P
Logan HB	Harry L	Arlo B
Chloe F	Edward F	Liam M
Luca V	Lola G	Gabriel R
Huzaifa K	Roy K	Milani W
Avelina V	Ava T	Priyanka D
Sam Q	Emily C	Marc C
Krish P	Ronan N	Jasper A
Piper C	Urvashi N	Chloe M
Sarah O	Amalie M	Lanna N
Alannah E	Ella mc	Bella B
Milli R	Pippa K	Lachlan L
Piper M	Elvana I	Samar D
Riyon W	Emilia L	Georgie H
Noah N	Francesca K	Lucas B
Annabelle HB	Jason M	Violet G
Felix S	Amber B	Jason P
Yvette G	Hayden T	Benjamin S
Jesse N	James H	Owen T
Emily D	Hayley C	Mysie C
Khoi H	Taskeen S

Safe

Makayla G	Addison C	Austin M
Chloe M	Piper C	Ella Mc
Amalie M

Respectful 

Ayaan F	Jacob B	Krish K
Annie R	Desiree A	Charlotte B
Hailey B	Utho O	Arzo K
Lola	Anaya J	Addison C
Beatrix H	Ava M	Liam D
Millie H	Makayla G	Viv G
Ayaka S	Amalie M	Piper C
Urvashi N	Ella Mc	Aiden R
Chloe M	Lanna N	Sarah O
Violet G	Alannah E	Bella B
James G	Ayaan F	Kahlia B
Ella H	Jessica T

Responsible Learners

Ruby C	Bree F	Cruz P
Pheonix S	Ayden L-W	Liam M
Levi B	Xavier B	Haitham E
Hugo S	Anthony L	Safa I
Zoe D	Ayden WL	Luis S
Arlo B	Hayley C	Tomi W
Scarlett L	Luka V	Ryan T
Santa N	Izzan H	James H
Macy W	Immy G	Krish P
Rhylan C	Marc s	Mabior A
Ronan N	Emma L	Ivy M
Reuben C	Charley N	Quaid L
Matariki A	Dexter F	Jenesis M
Daniel X	Baylee M	Annie R
Hayden T	Benjamin S	Anureet K
Elijah C	Charlotte W	Deliliah K
Jayden C	Temperence T	Angus C
Avika V	Adam M	James M
Joel S	Sebastian M	Marquis G
Harsahib S	Anton K	Ruben W
Madi I	Siena MM	Eliott S
Oliver B	Marcher M	Kai L
Ana F	Walter R	Kanika B
Oliver F	Austin V	Annabella K
Slater W	Jasmine T	Valentina R
Jazeylia M	Dev R	Tayte K
Harry M	Zach L	Levi S
Shahan K	Patrick W	Marco G
Anthony F	Issy S	Archer K
Adam S	Aubree K	Lacey H
Eli B	Evan F	Jonah H
Azka N	Chayse C	Jazeylia M
Jaelyn P	Alex M	Makyla B
Chelsea C	Jaida F	Nina K
Addison N	Finlay M	Kai G
Fletcher C	Tia N	Hayley G
Scarlett L	Declan C	Hudson A
Xander M	Thomas P	Richard M
Trishaan S	Jaime H	Chloe J
Abel MM	Cailyn M	Jack O
Aarika H	Odon B	Christal D
Udaibar D	Mason D	Nathan G
William R	Jacoby W	Bianca A
Alexander H	Jessie L	Israella M
Arianna P	Tenzin D	Ella H
Jessica T	Charley CS	Olivia B
Riordan C	Prajwol D	Carson L
Riley M	Ethan N	Clarissa W
Lilith R	Elliot M	William M
Aiden M	Ryan G	Reis A
Jaskeen J	Felix K	Ary D
Ellaha M	Max C	Vanya S
Holly S	Georgia E	Janvi S
Ashton L	Billie M	Alannah F
Harlow H

Safe 

Ryan K	Seha A	Elias B
Kaylee K	Pippy C	Dakota C
Ruby C	Lily H	Ayden H
Lottie L	Kaitlyn T	Alex T
Bree F	Levi B	Marium G
Lily B	David R	Archie O
Imogen M	Aiden R	James G
Nyok A	Ayaan F	Jordan L
Alen S	Addison C	Richardson D
Arzo K	Sophie F	Shantel S
Kahlia B	Utho O	Evie G
Riley T	Bahar N	Jack O
Felix S	Amber B	Amelia S
Affan U	Abbey P	Riley T
Mia J	Bella R	Desiree A
Faye X	Declan C	Rory B
Hudson A	Olivia B	Ary D

Respectful

Levi B	Xavier B	Lily B
Mariam G	Atticus H	Muzna S
Zoe B	Evelyn B	Heidi G
Arzo K	Archie O	Aurora L
Dekoda S	Hugo S	Deng N
Adie G	Scarlett L	Aiden R
Amelia C	Maria R	Sayed-Ali H
Zayd A	Lucus O	Jayden A
Kahlia B	Charlotte G	James G
Aleena G	Ayaan F	Richardson D
Beatrix H	Luke R	Jacob B
Bahar N	Evie G	Jessica W
Amber B	Harsahib S	Madi I
Sabine R	Siena MM	Gerado R
Chloe J	Riley T	Marquis G
Anton K	Jack O	Abel MM
Liam Pr	Felix S	Ruben W
Annabel M	Immy G	Emily C
Marc S	Ana F	Jonty AR
Paige T	Ashlie M	Jasper A
Macy W	Krish P	Ronan N
Sam Q	Zayan C	Mabior A
Shaniya K	Archer K	Aubree K
Angok C	Anthony F	Leo T
Sophia M	Marco G	Patrick W
Rueben C	Eva CC	Evie N
Calvin L	Amarch  M	Harper N
Shailee C	Hannah I	Stefan S
Affan U	Abby P	Zoey T
Azka N	Jonah H	Ava M
Owen T	Maxwell T	Flynn W
Mysie C	Etuate T	Lola G
Benjamin H	Leila S	Ayva B
Baylee M	Aayan H	Sahibjot S
Lachlan H	Alexandra P	Thurstan N
Grace S	Charlotte W	Fletcher C
Delilah K	Anureet K	Yuika S
Charlotte W	Fletcher C	Elliot S
Rhylan C	Hayley G	Marchar M
Oliver B	Kai L	Mia GS
Hudson A	Luke R	Charlotte G
Jason P	Joel S	Sebastian M
Alijana B	Charlotte D	Oliver M
Kayleigh L	Mason D	Jessie L
Odon B	Ekan D	Ekan D
Huzaifa K	Olivia B	Charley CS
Riordan C	Prajwol D	Carson L
Roy K	Ary D	Billy M
Janvi S	Georgia E

Have you ever wondered what your teachers might be up to when they are not teaching you through the computer screen or prepping awesome lessons for you to engage in?

Well today is your lucky day as we peek inside the life of teachers in lockdown.

Dreaming of a time when I could teach face to face in a classroom and when hairdressers were open!  Until then, I will wear a hat, keep on teaching online, spend quality time with the family, read books, watch too much Netflix, eat too much food, and go on walks exploring a beautiful city!

– Steph

Helping my daughter Zoe with her schooling, checking my seesaw messages and looking at all the amazing work my students are submitting.

– Sharon

I have been getting back into my passion of photography, going for walks and snapping some great shots.

– Sean

I have been busy thinking up and writing a children’s book about lockdown and home-schooling and then creating illustrations with my dad online.

– Erin

I have been busy doing lots of different things but have loved the chance to finish my crochet blanket and start some new projects.

– Emma

I have been teaching our class mascot how to read.

– Catherine

I have been doing Jigsaw puzzles, diamond dots and walking my sister’s dogs to keep active!

– Sarah

I have been practicing shooting hoops. It’s fun and keeps me active. (Although I’m still not very good) 

– Aimie

I have been making sure I am filling my cup during lockdown. Early walks to watch the sunrise and observing flowers bloom have been my favourites. Teaching online and helping my own kids with home learning have kept me busy.

– Mary

I have been conducting science experiments to share with my class during home-schooling.

– Kumi

I have been doing lots of cooking and trying out new recipes.

– Sara

I have been doing arts and crafts with my three-year-old daughter and we made this shell mobile using all the shells we collected from our trip around Australia.

– Arianna

I have been busy exercising with my dog Halloumi and teaching him how to read.

– Rochelle

I had a lockdown birthday, but still had lots of fun and was very spoilt.

– Raina

I have been looking after my friend's Guinea Pigs which are very fun to play with.

– Fiona

I play footbag (tricks with hacky sack). Over the lockdown, we had the world championships online.

– Daniel

My family and I are enjoying finding new things and experiences on our walks.

– Belinda

I have been enjoying baking and trying new recipes during lockdown.

– Eliza

I have been creating fun activities to do on our preschool google chats with our class pet Bunji and going on walks with my furry friend.

– Katie

I have been keeping busy and having some me time by doing puzzles.

– Naomi

I have been doing some sewing, making a new bag and coming up with fun craft activities to do with my class online.

– Sheridan

I have been busy completing puzzles with my furry pal giving me tips.

– Gina

Year 3 have worked hard this term and engaged positively with Online learning.

Well done to all students. Here is some of the fantastic work that has been completed.

Students have been getting creative with their spelling words using items around the house. Hands on activities such as these allow students to practice spelling words in a way that helps them think about letter sounds and word formation. Here are some examples of the words created by Angus and Arianna.

Who knew you could make scales using these household items? This was created by Manaal as part of our exploration of measurement.

Year 3 have continued learning about living things and creating information reports.  Delilah completed a persuasive writing paragraph activity on a polar bear. She has included some very interesting facts.

Stay connected with friends

While restrictions are slowly being lifted, we are still spending a lot of time at home. That can mean feeling both crowded and lonely. It can also be a serious challenge if it’s not a safe space for everyone.

Some of us have also lost casual jobs that gave us important independence.

Although it’s a relief to be able to start seeing our friends again, many of us can only hang out in restricted numbers and we still can’t get too close to each other. So, it could still be a while before we can return to activities that usually break up the boredom, like hanging out with heaps of friends at parties, playing sport with mates and going on proper dates.

If you are trying to stay connected online until restrictions end, you may want to mix things up with one of these activities:

• Organise a virtual catchup. Seems like a no-brainer but this is the most important. Schedule time each week where you and your friends can all come together and video chat to catch up on what everyone’s been up to.
• Start a fitness or dance challenge with friends. Never thought you’d be up for learning a choreographed dance. Think again! Challenge your mates to learn the same dance or test another physical skill like doing push ups — against the clock in a group chat.
• Get creative and learn something new. Social distancing has definitely not been easy but it’s important to try turn it into a positive. Will you ever get this much time to yourself again? Maybe not. So, take the time to deep dive into something that really interests you and that you might not be able to learn at school. Hey, that’s what YouTube videos are actually for! Ever wanted to learn how make music? Cook? Maybe it’s learning another language. Whatever it is, now is the time.

As an initiative under the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy to better support the wellbeing, resilience and recovery of people with disability, their families, and carers, the ACT Government is providing an additional $40,000 to provide some relief to the  challenges people with disability and their family carers are facing during this lockdown. The funding is to assist with bills, meals, access to IT, respite, cleaning and connecting with the community.

Below is some further information regarding the Respite Effect and Recovery Grants that you might like to share.

Have you applied for a Respite Effect and Recovery Grant yet?

Are you a person with disability, or a family carer? Have you experienced increased financial pressures, a loss of regular activities, and/or increased social isolation as a result of COVID-19?

The ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy is offering an additional round of Respite Effect and Recovery Grants to provide financial support as a one-off payment, of up to $250, to adults and children with disability and their family carers. These Grants provide the opportunity for families of people with disability to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and to assist with community recovery.

Already under this program 368 applicants have been approved over $179,000 in supports. This funding has supported people with disability and their families to reduce the impact of COVID-19 by providing help for things like paying bills, or purchasing technology that increases their connection to friends and family. Please note, people who have received Respite Effect and Recovery Grant funding in previous rounds are ineligible to apply again.

We have a range of community partners (see list below) who can process your application and if you already know them you won’t need to reidentify your experience of disability or as a carer.  You can contact these agencies and they can assist you to complete the application form and ensure that it gets processed.

Each of these agencies also provides support to people through challenging times and may be able to assist you with other supports- so reach out.

Our community partners in this work are

• ADACAS
• Advocacy for Inclusion
• Women with Disability ACT
• Australian Red Cross
• Meridian
• Carers ACT
• Communities at Work
• The Multicultural Hub
• Woden Community Services
• Capital Region Community Services.

All contact details are on the application form and guidelines (attached).

Applications close when funding is exhausted, and funding will be provided using a non-competitive approach – so apply today!

For more information and to apply for assistance, visit a participating organisation, or see the Community Services Directorate website.