Please join us for our General Meeting and Policy Conference on August 25 from 7-9:30pm at 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling. This is where we update our guiding document to reflect the collective view of parents so that we can continue to represent you effectively.

Council has finalised negotiations with ETD over canteen deeds for P&C-run canteens. These are now ready for P&Cs to sign - your school business manager will be approaching you about this. P&Cs are encouraged to specify site-specific rules in Attachment 2 if necessary. See our canteen deed FAQ  for more information.

Affiliation fees (your P&C's membership fees to Council) are now due. Invoices were emailed and posted to schools in May. Check out our FAQ for the benefits of membership!

Teachers, parents and members of the community are encouraged to nominate a student for this award, which recognises Year 6 students who show care and compassion for others. The award, now in its fourth year, is supported by the ACT Education and Training Directorate and The Canberra Times and is a fantastic opportunity to recognise students outside the academic and sporting realm. All nominees will be invited to a presentation ceremony to announce the ACT winner. Nominations close August 21. Learn more or nominate a student at the Fred Hollows Foundation.

A free online parenting program aims to help parents make sense of adolescence and parent their teenager with confidence - because parents can play an important role in protecting their teenagers from mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

Researchers from Monash University and the University of Melbourne are looking for parents of 12 to 15 year-olds to take part in a trial of the personalised online program. The program offers practical strategies you can use to support your teenager’s mental health. Participation will take a few hours of your and your child’s time, over 3 to 12 months. Both you and your child will be reimbursed for your time. Please note, as the program is designed to prevent depression and anxiety problems, researchers are looking for parents of teenagers who do not have any current mental health difficulties. Find out more or register here.

The 2015 Canberra CareersXpo is on July 29 and 30 at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Visitors can chat to more than 80 exhibitors from universities, TAFEs, employer groups, apprenticeship centres and government agencies. Students can also 'Try’aSkill' in a broad range of trade areas, see demonstrations and chat to skilled tradespeople - from florists to surveyors. The Planning Future Pathways Expo, for students with a disability, is on Wednesday July 29 from 9.30am to 2.30pm and 4.30-7.00pm.

Have you seen the Copyright Agency’s online resource 'Reading Australia'? They have put together an iconic list of Australian literature, paired with essays to get readers thinking about the texts and curriculum-linked teacher resources.