The Canberra Times is due to publish their annual NAPLAN league tables next month. Help us end this misleading and destructive practice. Ranking schools based on NAPLAN results is too simplistic. It only shows where a school's students are, not how far they have come, ignoring the good work of schools with disadvantaged students. ACARA, who release the NAPLAN data, call league tables 'misleading'. (See more on the problems with league tables.)

The Canberra Times have told us they don’t believe the community objects to league tables. We hope to show them we do! Please join in and write a short letter to the editor of the Canberra Times, calling on them to abandon their NAPLAN league table. This online tool makes it easy to compose and send your letter (includes points you can use in your letter).

Council's FREE workshops to help P&C office bearers are on again. Contact our office to RSVP for any of these. (More details here on all the workshops.)

Effective P&C workshop
Thursday March 31, 6:30 - 9pm (Centre for Teaching & Learning, Stirling)
Repeated Saturday April 2 - 4:30pm (100 Maitland St Hackett)
Covering ways to improve how your association works, recruiting volunteers, fundraising and the P&C as an employer, this workshop is for new P&C members and continuing officers alike. The workshop is divided into five 30-minute modules and you can attend for individual modules if you wish.

Treasurers' & Insurance workshop
Thursday April 7, 7:00 - 9:30pm (Centre for Teaching & Learning, Stirling).
Information on P&C finances, record keeping, reports & audits, taxation, staff employment and more, plus a detailed look at the insurance package available for P&C associations through Council and how to complete the paperwork.

If your role on the P&C is ending, it is important to equip your successor with the tools they need for the job. It will greatly improve the way your P&C runs if there are good handover notes. See our sample handover notes for Presidents and Secretaries. We also have an Information Sheet on handing over well.

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The Healthy Schools Network provides a 'one stop shop' for ACT school teachers wanting to tackle health and wellbeing issues. Council is a member of the network, comprising 15 respected local not-for-profit groups working on student health and wellbeing. The site has information about resources for parents and programs for schools covering asthma, sun smart, mental health, healthy eating and more.

Kids Pantry is now offering 'Pop-up' cooking classes for ACT schools (from Pre- to High-school). Their 'incursions' offer an interactive and fun cooking experience for students. They provide healthy food and clean up the mess! If kitchens are not accessible they focus on raw foods and their program accommodates all ages, levels of experience, allergies and children with special needs.