Important Dates
Friday 3 June
Staff Planning Day
North Gungahlin Cross Country Carnival
Monday 6 June
Combined Secondary Regional Cross Country
Monday 13 June
Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Thursday 16 June
Year 7 Open Night
Wednesday 22 June
P-6 Reports Emailed to Families
Friday 24 June
Staff Planning Day
Monday 27 June
7-10 Reports Emailed to Families
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 Principal's Message
Hello students, parents, and carers!
Halfway through the school term we are still impacted by COVID-19 and now the flu season is upon us. Families are reminded to keep children and young people home if they are ill or showing symptoms.
Our Primary School Athletics Carnival was scheduled for tomorrow but we have decided to postpone it due to the cold and wet weather forecast for tomorrow. We expect to reschedule it for a date later this term, and advice will come out soon.
We are looking forward to our first Open Night for Year 7 families on June 16th. It will be the first time we have welcomed families on site for a school event in some time, and we are hoping it will be an enjoyable event. It is important that we have an idea of numbers, please complete this RSVP if you are attending.
Thank you for your support for our upcoming Staff Planning Days. I know there has been much disruption to school routines over the last two years, and I acknowledge the inconvenience these days may cause you. This year has been especially difficult for teachers to keep up with the assessment, reporting and planning requirements that support our students' learning, and these days will greatly help us catch up.
Last Wednesday we held our 2nd School Board meeting for the year, and we welcomed two new parent Board members, Rebecca Connolly and Naga Udayarka, joining our other parent member Bhaumik Bumia. Naga was elected unanimously as our new school board chair, and both Rebecca and Naga are on our P&C. We also welcomed a new staff board member Jatinda Sarowa, who is our 7-10 Maths & Science Executive Teacher. Matters discussed at the board were:
- the ongoing impacts of COVID-19
- the commencement of our efforts to improve the playground for students, including nature-play spaces in the P-6 school and shade structures in the 7-10 side, in partnership with the P&C and the Education Directorate
- our electronic devices policy currently in development together with a committee of staff, parents and students
- Improving our website to better inform and support families
- the board approved a new Uniform Policy, with some changes to the Harrison school uniform coming into effect by 2024 to comply with current Education Directorate uniform policy requirements. They have been developed in consultation with our P&C and students, and reflect our community's wishes for affordability, durability, practicality, comfort, and consistency. They are relatively minor, sensible changes, with a long phasing-in period so that families are not disadvantaged. I will update you thoroughly on these changes in coming weeks. I would like to particularly thank our P&C President Olivia Wenholz and the P&C team for their assistance in this regard.
After an excellent democratic process our student leadership group has elected two year 9 students to represent them on the School Board, Liam Cook and Phoenix Hartono (pictured).
 I look forward to working closely with our new Board to improve our school.
If you would like to raise a matter for consideration by the school board, please email info@harrison.edu.act.au and mark the subject line for the attention of the school board.
As always, please stay in touch with us via info@harrison.edu.act.au
Andy Mison
Executive Principal
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Staff Planning Days
All ACT Public Schools have been authorised to nominate two non-consecutive days as "face-to-face-teaching free."
Our Staff Planning Days are:
- Friday 3rd of June (week 6, term 2)
- Friday 24th of June (week 9, term 2)
Students will not attend school on these days. If students cannot be cared for at home, please complete this form to register your child for school attendance under minimum supervision.
These days are an opportunity for staff to complete student assessments, reporting, planning, and other tasks.
We realise this may be disruptive for many families, however, we are thankful for your support.
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Reconciliation Week
This week is Reconciliation Week across Australia. Last week our Deadly Mob students led a whole school assembly. Students sang the National Anthem in English and Ngunnawal and learned about what Reconciliation means for our country.
The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/
There are a range of activities taking place with students this week, including a 'Sea of Hands' art project, that you will be able to see on school grounds soon; there will be First-Nations storytelling in the library, and a visit from Wiradjuri man Larry Brandy for some storytelling with our younger students. On Thursday the whole school will celebrate with an Indigenous Games Gala Day and get a ‘taste of country’ by trying some kangaroo and bush tomato sausages.
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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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Youth Week
As a part of the Youth Week celebrations, we were lucky to have Adam Shipp come along and cook his famous johnny cakes with native bush herbs and spices.
Students and staff were able to try different types of native herbs such as strawberry gum, lemon myrtle, pepper berry, bush mint, sea celery, muntris, plum pine, river mint, wattle seed, currajong seeds, lemon gum and old man saltbush.
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Athletics Carnival Success!
Thanks everyone for making our 7-10 athletics carnival super fun!
Congratulations to the winners of the events, and a big thank you to our amazing PE team for organising the carnival.
Check out some of the great photos from the day!
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Defence News
Earlier this term we farewelled Sarah McGavin as she started her new role as the Defence School Mentor at Throsby School. Sarah was at Harrison School for nearly 7 years helping support countless defence students and families transition into our school community as well as provide ongoing support during their time with us. We wish her all the best in her new role.
We will be advertising for a new DSM shortly.
If your child is in primary school and you need assistance or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Kelly (DSM in high school) on Kelly.cvitanovic@ed.act.edu.au 
Postings
As posting orders are starting to come out, please advise us of new movement for the future so we may be able to help with the transition. Please remember if your situation changes, (e.g. MWDU/Deployments) to let us know, as it is important that we have accurate information.
Defence Member & Family Support: defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au or 1800 624 608.
Defence Kids: Activity Groups have recommenced on Mondays, further details will be displayed around the junior and senior schools
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Australian Sports Camps
Australian Sports Camps runs 3-day sports camps for primary aged children in the school holidays. The camps welcome children aged 5 to 15 of all skill levels to join them for fun, skill-building sports programs over the holidays. Find more information on their website at https://australiansportscamps.com |
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Library News
 Book Fair
This term we are holding a Book Fair in the library during Week 5 and Week 6, starting on Tuesday 24th May.
Each class will visit during their library time to browse the books and make a wish list. Students will be able to purchase items using cash. Families can also purchase books online using this link and return their child’s wish list with a paid receipt number as proof of purchase.
Storybox
Please continue to use this wonderful resource with the 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
Please 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 labelled library bag to borrow books. Library bags are available from the front office, or an alternative is a labelled shopping bag.
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SSACT Trials are Open!
The School Sport State Program is up and running! Selection trials to be part of state teams are now open for the following events. If you have a student who is interested in participating in a trial to be on a state team, follow the links below to register your interest.
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ACT Champion! 
Harrison School wishes to congratulate Riley Roberts on being selected as the 2021 / 2022 ACT Junior Cricketer of the Year Award.
Riley is a member of the Harrison School Sports Development Academy and has had a fantastic year both on and off the field. Congratulations Riley!
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Awards: well done everyone!
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Harrison Awards P-6 students
- Mihir K
- Meghana S
- Lachlan C
- Sanjana K
- Aniv C
- Zali M
- Dahlia N
- Brock S
- Annalisa M
- Jessica T (x2)
- Benjamin T
- Bethany P
- Aria N
- Jaini P
- Alexandra D
- Evie D
- Norakvitou K
- Daniel B
- Juliet J
- Taiki K
- Jeremy W
- Chloe H (x2)
- Kaine S
- Jaden C
- Tanvi K
- Riley B (x2)
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- Ayanna T
- Jaikrish DV
- Kaitlyn H
- Lazar T
- Shahmeer T (x2)
- Hugh R (x2)
- James C
- Izaac G
- Rishi N
- Georgina W
- Ruah H
- Kane D
- Ethan C
- Avani P
- Chloe C
- Sia P
- Adam S
- Liam C
- Arivini T (x3)
- Kevin S
- Andy V
- Beth P
- Cassie F
- Sofia S
- Lucas L
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Remember to STOP for our supervisor!
A school crossing supervisor is supporting our school each morning and afternoon to increase safety for children. Please support this initiative by driving safely near the school and encouraging children to use the supervised crossing.
The school community is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the basic crossing supervisor procedures:
- The supervisor will ask pedestrians to wait in a safe location by the side of the road
- When it is safe, the supervisor will stop traffic
- The supervisor will blow their whistle twice to indicate it is safe to cross.
Please be patient and allow the crossing supervisor and other pedestrians to safely clear the road prior to proceeding
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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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Expression of Interest for School Board
The Education Directorate is seeking expressions of interest to fill the position of "Appointed Member" on ACT public school boards
Do you know someone that would be a suitable addition to our school board or another school board in the ACT?
School boards are responsible for a school’s strategic direction, budget, policy implementation and related issues. Generally, school boards consist of:
- the school’s principal;
- three parents and citizens members;
- two staff members;
- two student members (at high schools and colleges);
- one Appointed Member; and
- up to two Board Appointed Members (if any).
Appointed members are usually from outside the school community and serve to bring an independent voice to board decisions. Appointments extend for periods up to two years and an appointed member may also be re-appointed after the conclusion of their term.
People interested in becoming an appointed member on a school board, should complete the expression of interest form and return it to the school boards team in the Education Directorate Email: EDUSchoolBoards@act.gov.au
Expressions of interest for this recruitment round will be open until COB Monday 20 June 2022 (week 9, term 2).
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