Important Dates
Thursday 7 April
School Photo Catch Up Day
Friday 8 April
Whole School Pyjama Day
Last Day of Term 1
Monday 25 April
ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 26 April
First Day of Term 2
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 Principal's Message
Hello students, parents, and carers!
As we come to the end of term 1, I would like to publicly thank the staff at Harrison School for their dedication and commitment to our students in difficult working conditions due to COVID-19. With so many in our community impacted by the pandemic, either ill or in isolation, our teachers, learning support team and administrative staff continue to do their very best every day because they are passionate about supporting all of our kids to succeed. These difficult conditions may continue into next term, with some potential for further impacts through the flu season. I am grateful for the ongoing support and understanding of our families.
Though we have been constrained by COVID-19, some easing of restrictions has meant that some activities can proceed, such as our camps and some excursions next term. Our students have been out enjoying the Cross Country events this week in the beautiful Canberra Autumn weather. It was great to see so many students being active and having fun together.
Staffing changes
Thank you to Michelle Morthorpe, who has been acting 7-10 Principal this term. Michelle has been appointed Principal at Narrabundah College, we thank and wish her well for her leadership at Harrison. We will continue with two; myself as Executive Principal, and Ben Davies expanding his role as Principal of Operations for the P-10 school. Kate Cunningham our 7-10 Deputy Principal is taking leave in term 2, and Ryan Bissell, Executive Teacher Connections & Engagement has won a leadership role at the Flexible Education School. We are working through recruitment processes this week to fill both vacancies.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
As a priority this year Harrison School is implementing Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) in all classrooms and school settings. PBL is a behaviour and wellbeing initiative that employs a whole-school systems approach to promote and celebrate positive behaviours. PBL encourages positive behaviour from students, which has been shown to improve their self-esteem and motivation to learn. The framework targets students from preschool through to year 10 and will enable us to establish supports to meet the needs of every student. This term, all classes have been participating in PBL lessons to explain our school behaviour expectations using a consistent and common language. Keep an eye out for more PBL initiatives this year!
End of term
On Friday, to mark the end of term and a well earned break for students and staff, everyone is encouraged to come to school in their pyjamas and bring a gold coin donation. Sensible enclosed footwear is still required!!! This will hopefully be a fun and relaxing way to celebrate everybody's hard work and take us into the break in good spirits.
Ramadan Mubarak and Happy Easter to you all!
As always, please stay in touch with us via info@harrison.edu.act.au
Andy Mison
Executive Principal
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RAT Distribution
Since Monday 28 March, RATs have been provided on an as needed basis to assist with symptomatic testing and health management for all students in ACT schools, rather than systematically distributed to all students.
If you require RATs for your child please use THIS FORM. If you have more than 1 child, please submit a separate form for each child. A maximum of two (2) tests per child will be given per week.
If you have concerns or require further information please contact us at info@harrison.act.edu.au.
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School Photo Catch up Date 
On Thursday 7 April at 10:30am-11:30am there will be a photo catch-up opportunity for any students who were absent for their photos in Week 8.
It is the responsibility of parents and carers to remind their children of this information. Teachers will give a final reminder on the morning of 7 April, however they will not be chasing individual students on the day.
Schedule for catch-up day
10:30am: Kinder - Year 6 Students
10:50am: Preschool Students
11:00am: Sibling Photos
11:15am: Year 7 - 10 Students
Sibling Photos
Please note that any families with more than 3 children who require a sibling photo will have their sibling photo taken outside. All other families with 3 children or less will have their sibling photo taken inside. This is due to the availability of the background equipment that MSP can offer on this date.
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Pyjama Day
To celebrate Youth Week (4 April - 14 April), there will be a whole school pyjama day on Friday 8 April 2022. ALL staff and students are encouraged to wear their pyjamas to school for the duration of the day. please remember to wear comfortable, durable, enclosed shoes. Gold coin donations are welcomed to raise money for various school efforts. Students should give these to their teachers when they come to school.
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Harrison School Board
The Harrison School Board met for the first time this year on Wednesday 2 March 2022.
The Board discussed the voluntary contributions and ongoing expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was Andy Mison’s first board meeting as Executive Principal, and Andy praised the massive efforts of school staff starting the year in the pandemic conditions. The aim of the year is to prioritise learning and ensure well-being (of both students and staff). This includes implementing the Positive Behaviours for Learning program.
The school budget was as expected and the school remains in an appropriate financial position.
The P&C gave proposals regarding the uniform policy to the Executive Principal for consideration. Both the P&C, Executive Principal, and Board agreed that engaging with the multicultural and multilingual strengths in the school community is a positive step, made more challenging due to COVID-19. Consideration is been given to providing a translation into different languages for certain school documentation, although it was highlighted some electronic documents are automatically translated upon receipt.
We are happy to announce and congratulate our new Board composition from 1 April 2022 onwards.
- Naga Udayarka Pillutla - Parent Representative
- Rebecca Connolly - Parent Representative
- Bhaumik Bumia - Parent Representative
- Kelly Dunstan - Staff Representative
- Jatinder Sarowa - Staff Representative
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Una Colazione Italiana!
On Thursday 31 March, our Year 8 Italian students were hosted by their teachers Ms Clare Warwick and Ms Brooke Walsh for a traditional Italian breakfast (colazione). Students used their newly acquired Italian Language skills to greet people, order their breakfast and use manners.
Students chose from a selection of il pane tostato (toast), il formaggio (cheese), i pomodori (fresh tomatoes grown in our school garden), cornetti (croissants), la frutta (fruit), il succo (juice) and la cioccolata calda (hot chocolate). A special thanks to Ms Linda Kwong for her catering support and we are looking forward to more authentic learning experiences in Term 2!
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 Defence News
Last week we hosted a morning tea in Franklin Park. It was a great opportunity to meet with some of our defence families and introduce them to the Defence Member and Family Services. Special thanks to our EDLO Becky for attending.
Our Defence groups with the students have been popular so far this term and we are sure this will continue as the weather cools down. To our families that are leaving us we wish you all the best for your next adventure!
Education Assistance: Education Support is available to families in the first 18 months of their posting to a new locality. Students may be entitled to up to 14 weeks of tutoring in any subject that has been recommended by the school principal or the child’s teacher. This applies to primary and secondary students. In order to, receive further information about this process, please contact us or obtain the form from the Defence Intranet or by contacting DMFS as per below.
Sarah and Kelly
sarah.mcgavin@ed.act.edu.au
kelly.cvitanovic@ed.act.edu.au
Defence Kids: Activity Groups have recommenced on Mondays, further details will be displayed around the junior and senior schools
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OSHClub Update
Pick up and Drop off Arrangements
Our pickup/drop off procedure is still the same. Parents are requested to call OSHClub on 0418223198 during before school care and one of our team members will get your child.
After school care setup will allow parents to walk halfway through and then our educators will call your child for you from their respective rooms.
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Library News
Canberra Hospital Donation
Every year we ask students who visit the library during the month of December to design Get Well cards for the children in the hospital and our librarian, Ms Zorzi delivers these together with many books and treats to the Children’s ward at the Canberra Hospital.
The staff and children appreciated the gifts and messages. We are so proud of all the students for thinking of others and making a difference to someone with their kind words. We look forward to participating in this Harrison School Library tradition this year.
Van Gough Sunflowers
Kindergarten has enjoyed the story about Vincent Van Gogh Camille and The Sunflowers. A story about Vincent Van Gogh written by Laurence Anholt. 
Students looked at real Sunflowers and painted some beautiful artwork as a creative response to the story.
Author Book Signing
A local author Stephanie Owen Reeder, was delighted to sign a copy of her new book ‘Ghostie’ for our school during a visit to The Book Cow bookshop last week. Kindergarten has enjoyed the story during their library visits and enthusiastically shared their thoughts about imaginary friends.
https://stephanieowenreeder.com/
Please continue to use this wonderful resource with the same login details below. This is a wonderful online story resource which includes linked educational activities for the students.
USERNAME : Harrison
PASSWORD : storybox
Entertainment Books
A reminder that Entertainment Books are available for purchase through our school. School holidays are coming up and there are great deals offered for entertainment and dining. Follow the link to order your digital copy. https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/2d6190
Overdue Books
Overdue notes have been sent out this week. Could you kindly remind your child to return any books that are due to the library.
Library Bags
A reminder that students from Years P – 2 visiting the library need a labeled library bag to borrow books. Library bags are available from the front office, or an alternative is a labeled shopping bag.
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Harmony Day Celebrations 2022 
In Week 8, students participated in a variety of Harmony Day activities throughout the week. One of the highlights was teachers sharing stories in home languages each day for the students to enjoy and discuss.
Junior school students reflected on their learning with a collaborative community art display. Each year level identified the different languages spoken within each class and students were encouraged to share their home language and culture with their peers.
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 Paddock to Plate
Term One has been busy for Paddock to Plate. We have had a bumper crop of tomatoes which we have used in tarts, pizza and pasta dishes. We have also had some delicious plums and nectarines in crumbles and pies and for the first time had enough apples to use in an apple crostata, a delicious Italian dessert.
We have been trying our hand at preserving with semi dried tomatoes, tomato passata, poached plums and fruit leathers which will remind us of summer in the next couple of terms. We are currently working on getting garlic and brassicas in and thinking about what we are going to make with our potatoes next term.
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Science / Maths Update 
Our wonderful Science and Maths learning areas have been busy undertaking professional learning in using data loggers.
In science, Year 7 students are getting familiarised with lab equipment, lab safety and working hard to get their Bunsen burner licence. In maths, Year 7 are currently working through a unit on Fractions, Decimals and Percentages. They have been working on an in-class assignment: creating exactly fair (paper) pizzas! Watch out for upcoming photos! They will be having a unit test in Week 10.
Year 8 students have been exploring cell structure in science. In maths, They have also been learning about ratios and rates. They have completed clicking “competitions” to find their rate of speed using a mouse or on the trackpad. Some students had the opportunity to experience how ratio works with music using a guitar. The topic test is in Week 9/10.
Year 9 biology students have been learning about human body systems. They had fun dissecting sheep brains. In maths, Year 9 students are working on a Geometry unit about Similarity. They will be learning the rules to help prove or disprove similarity in shapes, and how to write a similarity statement.
Year 10s have been exploring Genetics and focussing on biotechnology. In maths, Year 10 are learning how algebra works with fractions. They are discovering that these work in a similar way to regular fractions but the algebraic “toolbox” needs to be used! There will be a test on this in Week 10.
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French Artwork Competition
 As a part of the annual Francophonie Week Celebration, the Alliance Francaise of Canberra puts on a contest for 7/8 French students called “Tell me ten words”. A list of ten French words from around the world is distributed, and students represent one of these words in a piece of artwork. The art is then displayed at a French Market event, where people from all over Canberra attend to taste free food from French-speaking countries around the world.
Emily Bryan and Evie Wright came in first place for year 8. Olivia Hughes came in first place for year 7 with Emily Street coming in second place for that year group. Harrison school was very proud.
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House Leaders
On Friday 18 March, the Harrison School students had the opportunity to elect our House Leaders for 2022.
Students from each of our houses: Mapleton, Wimmera, Nullarbor and Katoomba got together to listen to speeches and vote on who they wished to represent their house.
A big congratulations to all students who were nominated and gave speeches. The following students were elected as house leaders for 2022.
| Wimmera |
Mapleton |
Katoomba |
Nullarbor |
| Juan Kim |
Harry Hudson |
Will Cook |
Sofia Danilov |
| Antony Simovski |
Japneet Badwal |
Magdalena Donovan |
Tahmid Islan |
| Lauren Yeaman |
Rabgyel Tshering |
Antony Palm |
Chloe Penfold |
| Nakul Dinesh Babu |
Elliott Kable |
Hunter Waskiw |
Sahanaa Chandranddi |
| Lucy Dwyer |
Shrey Gurram |
Jasmin Perkins |
Asha Court |
| Gabby Haebich |
Arushi Gautam |
Manuka Withanage Done |
Aimee Floro |
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Awards: well done everyone!
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Principal's Awards P-6 students
- Noah K H
- Yassin Y
- Emma C
- Emma H
- Yared B
- Alexia N
- Aakriti A
- Taik K
- Cassendra F
- Archer P
- Caprice M
- Maya P
- Ayanna T
- Benjamin T
- Ethan S
- Kaitlyn H
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- Ari B
- Aria N
- Sofia S
- Ralph P-G
- John K
- Chloe H
- Shahmeer T
- Zayaan K
- Mysha S
- Cara F
- Shrey G
- Raj P
- Anya J
- Calix C
- Mikayala A
- Livia L
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Mountains - a poem by Kalana
I see blooming flowers in the summer grass.
I hear the flowers shaking in the wind.
I smell fresh new grass growing in the soil.
The people are eating doughnuts with marshmallows and sprinkles on top.
I feel the sun shining on me.
I am the mountain.
Kalana Serour
1/2 JB!
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Waste Free Wednesdays! 
Did you know the average Australian throws away 540kg of rubbish every year? That’s quite a load of rubbish!
The Year 1-2 Student Representative Council, William the Waste Free Warrior (that’s the short fluffy one in the picture) and Mr Newman want to live the Positive Behaviours for Learning expectation of Responsible. So, we’re taking charge of our waste and encouraging others to do the same.
We’ll be running a friendly competition twice a term! The winning class will have the least amount of rubbish and will get to look after William until the next winner is announced! We’ll start in Year 1-2 and expand our operation as Covid contracts and cohort boarders are dropped. In the meantime, we encourage you to think of ways to reduce lunch box waste. For example, buying tubs of yoghurt instead of many small packets.
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Sound of Music!
Hugo Walker, one of our staff members here (aka His Excellency the Baron Elberfeld) was in this show last year. The Queanbeyan Players were due to perform Oklahoma this year but, for various reasons, it has had to be postponed until 2023.
Thanks in advance for supporting the show and for helping community theatre get back on its feet – literally and figuratively. The last two years have been a real crunch time for the performing arts industry in Australia.
A number of folks missed The Sound of Music last year because they waited too long to book tickets – we sold out a few weeks before Opening Night. Use the link below to avoid that disappointment in 2022!
I look forward to seeing plenty of Harrison folk at one of the ten performances. Thanks, Hugo!
https://qprc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/40503
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MensLink
If your young guy is having a hard time and could really use someone to talk to, get in touch - our wait times are currently low so we're ready to help when your young guy needs it. We provide a welcoming and supportive environment for young guys to share their concerns and worries and we provide tips and strategies to get them through those tough times that many of them are facing right now.
Menslink Counselling sessions are completely confidential and are available to any young guy aged 10-25. There are no fees or charges or limits to the number of sessions. You don't need a mental health plan and we are available during school terms and school holidays.
Do you think your young guy would really benefit from a counselling session? If so, have a chat with them and head to www.menslink.org.au hit the 'Get Help' button, fill in the form and we'll get back to you, generally the same or next business day.
If you need more info on how to have that chat with them, just email admin@menslink.org.au or call 6287 2226 and we will send you some information.
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Thank you Woolworths
Harrison School would like to thank Woolworths Franklin for their continuous support and generous contributions to our school community.
Woolworths help the school run successful initiatives such as the breakfast club by donating fresh produce to our students on a fortnightly basis. We feel lucky to have partnered with such a community spirited organisation.
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 School Crossing Program!
HOBAN is hiring new School Crossing Supervisors for Canberra ACT!
This is a great opportunity to be an important part of your local community, meet new people and keep them safe! If you enjoy the outdoors and want short working hours, then this is the perfect job for you! We have multiple positions available in your local area. Take pride in ensuring the safety of children and pedestrians crossing the road and be the friendly face who children will remember and trust.
We are currently looking for casual School Crossing Supervisors in a number of locations across Canberra for Term 2.
Successful candidates will have:
- Strong communication skills
- Experience in customer service or working directly with children
- Currently hold, or be willing to obtain, a Working with Vulnerable People Check
- Drivers Licence and have access to a reliable vehicle
- Availability Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
- Be willing to commute around Canberra as needed
Benefits to you:
- You'll be a part of an important community program
- Start in Term 2 – 26th April 2022
- Full training and uniform will be provided
- Max Hire Contract available!
If it sounds like you, please reach out to Daisy from HOBAN Recruitment - daisyb@hoban.com.au 02 9978 1700
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