Come along to our Forum and share your bright ideas for improving our schools in the future. We will hear from the Future of Education team about this Government consultation and then have plenty of time to listen to your views. Join us on September 7 at 7pm, 51 Fremantle Drive Stirling. Everyone welcome and no RSVP required.

Please help us spread the word about this important event by displaying the event poster at your school. It is available here for you to print, or find a hard copy hiding in this term's ParentACTion magazine (at schools now). The Directorate is supporting this, so schools should be happy to help with spreading the word too.

ACT schools have a strong history of parent support, but many P&Cs are now struggling for volunteers. To help, P&C Council, along with other parent organisations, is conducting an online survey to better understand the reasons why parents do - and don't - volunteer. We'd love to hear from all parents, whether you currently volunteer or not, and would love it if you could share the link with as many parents as possible.

The results will help shape new resources tailor-made for the school environment to help P&Cs attract new and valuable volunteers.

Everyone involved in school canteens is invited to 'Canteen Connect' on Tuesday September 19 from 3:30-5:45pm in Chifley where you can:

• Celebrate the success of canteens in moving towards - and meeting - the National guidelines
• Learn more about promoting your canteen and its healthy food, along with free resources
• Be inspired with ideas, displays and resources from a range of organisations. Free snacks available from a pop-up canteen!
• Connect with other canteen staff and volunteers in both facilitated sessions and informal opportunities.

Get in early and register your attendance!

Do you have an idea for a project to strengthen the engagement of parents with their child’s preschool education? For developing partnerships between preschool and families and communities? Applications for Preschool Matters Grants of up to $1000 are now open (closes Oct 13).
Contact the Directorate's Early Childhood Education section on 6205 9296 or email for more information.

A 'Lunchtime Learning' webinar on Tuesday September 19 will address how we, as parents, can inspire and support our children to achieve their best.
Where: Your computer.  When:12:00-1:00pm. Cost: $25 (free for ARACY members).

It will cover how to engage with your child by recognising learning opportunities at home, how to stay in tune with your children, and developing relationships with educators. The webinar will also include an interactive Q&A session.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has launched a new online tool - Young & eSafe - to help young people counter online hate and encourage positive values. The site features advice and resources developed by young people for young people, including real stories, a series of short films and expert advice. 

Australian Teacher Magazine is calling for nominations for their Unsung Heroes awards. You can nominate a member of your school community in the categories of teacher, music teacher, leader, technology, support (non-teaching). Online nominations close November 13.

The ACT Government is exploring options for establishing a bike share scheme in the ACT and they want to hear from you on where and when you might use the scheme. Such a scheme has been proposed for some time - it was even proposed by students at  the Parliament of Youth on Sustainability.