Join us in an ACT-wide celebration of the importance of parents and communities to our schools. It is a great excuse for a fun community-building event at your school. Find out more here. Please let us know what your school is planning so that Council can co-ordinate ACT-wide publicity and we can all celebrate together.

A revised version of Council’s Policy Document is now available from our website.

Our annual Policy Conference will be held at 7pm on Tuesday August 26 and this is an opportunity for you to have input. P&Cs are encouraged to propose any amendments or new policies for consideration at the conference. These must be submitted to Council by Monday June 30. An email with more information and submission templates will be sent out this week. 

Please contact Maclaren Wall (Council’s Policy Officer) if you have any questions. 

Nutrition Australia ACT invites all ACT school canteen managers, volunteers, principals, teachers and P&C members to attend their annual Canteen Fresh Expo. The afternoon includes the presentation of the Canteen Fresh Menu Awards, information on marketing your canteen, and services available to help school canteens succeed. The free event is on Tuesday May 20, from 3:30 to 6:30pm. See more information.

The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) is conducting a review into ACT Year 12 Certificates. The review will look at recognising vocational and extra-curricular learning and whether or not English and Maths should be compulsory. Hugh Boulter will be the Council's representative at the review. If you have views that you would like represented, please forward them to Council for inclusion.

Nutrition Australia is running its nationally recognised training for school canteens again this semester. The cost is $220 and it will run on Tuesday May 6. Contact Nutrition Australia for more information.

The Education Directorate is hosting a free parent workshop on how to support your child with learning difficulties at home and school, presented by international expert Karen Starkiss. It is on Wednesday May 14 at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive Stirling, from 4 to 6pm.  RSVP by  Monday May 5 or call  6207 2331 for more information.

The Education Directorate is holding an information session for parents of children with a disability or developmental delay who are starting primary school in 2015. The session will cover how to apply, the range of disability education programs available and tips for transitioning to primary school. RSVP to Jean Walker on 6205 7903 to attend on either Tuesday May 13 (10 - 11:30am) or Wednesday May 14 (6 - 7pm).

Beyondblue have launched a new guide for parents to anxiety and depression in young people. It includes professional advice on supporting your child through difficult times, getting support and looking after yourself. There are real-life stories from young people and the adults who care for them about what they have learnt through their experiences.

Chatterbox is an informal and interactive resource for parents about keeping kids safe on the internet. The cybersafety site, part of the Australian Government's CyberSmart initiative allows parents to share stories and submit questions.

The Safe Schools Hub provides information, advice and resources to empower schools to create safe learning environments for students. It includes resources that nurture student responsibility and resilience, build a positive school culture, and support students who are impacted by anti‐social behaviour, including bullying. 

Learn about child development, local community services that promote healthy living and get advice on what makes a good grant application (Health Promotion Innovation Fund and Preschool Matters Program) at this free forum from 9:30am to 1:30pm on Wednesday 14th May at Chapman Primary School. Please RSVP Monday 5 May to attend.