Important Dates
Wednesday 10th August
P-2 Assembly
Questacon Workshop for 5/6 and 7/8 STEM classes
Week 5 - 15th-19th August
School Review
Tuesday 16th August
P&C Coffee Van
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Thursday 18th August
Bookweek incursion performance
Friday 19th August
Kindergarten Kenny Koala visit
Wednesday 24th August
P-10 online assembly
for Wear It Purple day & Book Week Costume Parade
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 Principal's Message
Hello students, parents, and carers!
We have enjoyed a calm and refreshed start to term 3, with less disruption due to COVID and illness than previously. let's hope it continues! Thank you for your ongoing support for our pupil-free days and some of the other measures put in place to hopefully reduce disruption. I will keep you advised if our staffing situation changes, the ACT Chief Health Officer has predicted a spike in COVID cases in our community in the weeks ahead. The Education Directorate has also provided some advice to families about how schools in the ACT Education Directorate are responding to COVID impacts, please see the item below in this Newsletter.
School Review
In week 5 (15-19 August) we are undergoing School Review. This happens in every ACT school every five years and helps us evaluate our current efforts, and inform our planning for the next five years. An external team of experienced school leaders will be on site meeting with students, staff and parents on our P&C and School Board, and they will present us with a report of their findings. This report will be published on our website in due course. There will be minimal disruption to learning during their visit, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the team to our school.
School Satisfaction and Climate Survey
In the weeks ahead we will be inviting you to participate in our annual School Satisfaction and Climate Survey. This is an important tool used to underpin school improvement practices and inform government priorities, research projects and longitudinal studies aimed at improving the quality of education services in the ACT. Alongside the School Review Report, your input via this survey will help inform how we can improve here at Harrison School in support of learning and wellbeing progress for all of our students. The Survey opens on Friday 19th of September. It would help us to have as many parents complete the survey as possible. Stay tuned!
Curriculum & Principal Arrangements week 6-10 term 3.
This term we have welcomed Megan Altenburg to our school as Principal of Curriculum and Wellbeing. Megan is with us for 12 months on secondment to help lead the important work to review and re-design how we implement curriculum in our school. There is a new version of the Australian Curriculum launching next year, and a considerable body of work is required to ensure we have a coherent curriculum plan in place to maximise opportunities for all of our students to succeed. As part of this work, we are reviewing our curriculum offerings in year 7-10 for 2023. This means that we are postponing the process for choosing 2023 electives until term 4. This process will be communicated to students in a timely way.
On another note, our Principal of Operations Ben Davies is taking some well earned Long Service Leave for the last five weeks of this term, and Megan will step in to the Principal of Operations role in his absence.
Single Year Levels from 2023
In 2023 we will be moving from composite classes in years 1 - 6 to single year level classes. This brings these year levels in line with our Pre-School, Kindergarten and 7-10 cohorts, and will better support learning and wellbeing progress for all students. Though our teachers are very skilled at differentiating for a broad and diverse range of learning requirements, this measure will help reduce complexity and planning breadth. it will also give more time for teachers to work with their students; increase the capacity of our executive team to support their teams and students; and enable the school to better target our resources for student need. If you have any concerns please get in touch.
Uniform changes and shop
As communicated in previous newsletters, our uniform requirements have changed, phasing in by term 1 2024. The policy can be found here. All students are required to wear uniform every day, your assistance in reinforcing the policy is greatly appreciated. We will be undertaking a concerted campaign to ensure all students are in uniform every day in the months to come. The P&C uniform shop is now open more regularly in its new location in the breezeway between the primary school canteen and the school hall, and it has a range of new and second-hand uniform items available at low cost.
Electronic Devices
Phones and electronic devices are deeply integrated into our lives now. When not appropriately used however they are highly disruptive to learning and sometimes very damaging to the wellbeing of our young people. Our policy is that phones and devices are to be on silent and in bags by default before students enter any learning environment or begin a learning activity. Teachers may authorise their use, as learning aids or for a particular activity requiring such technology. Acceptable use does not include, texting, emailing, taking/receiving calls, or using social media. Making video or audio recordings without consent is not acceptable in our school at any time. You can greatly assist us by re-enforcing and supporting this message at home.
As always, please stay in touch with us via info@harrison.edu.act.au
best regards
Andy Mison
Executive Principal
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100 Days of Kindergarten
This term we were very excited to reach a huge milestone with our kindergarten students - 100 days of kindergarten!
We are so proud of our kindy students and can't wait to see more of their wonderful learning journeys.
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 Harrison Students Visit India
This Monday, Nikhel Dinesh Babu (School captain) and Nakul Dinesh Babu (Wimmera House captain) returned from a 7-week overseas trip to India. They had a great trip and attended many cultural functions and ceremonies. Nikhel and Nakul shared Harrison school's values and mission with overseas students, friends and teachers, which were highly appreciated. They visited several farms, research stations, factories and institutions, and also tourist and cultural places such as Ooty, Kumbakonam, Pondicherry and Mahabalipuram.
They brought back small souvenirs as gifts to Harrison School. For example, the above picture shows Nikhel and Nakul presenting a colourful handicraft bag to Mr Mison. It depicts a folk dance by women performed during festivals that are displayed in Bollywood movies.
Following their trip, Nikhel and Nakul as multicultural ambassadors, wanted to convey best regards from Indian students to Harrison school counterparts.
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A message from the ACT Education Directorate
Keeping our students learning in Term 3
Every ACT public school is working hard to manage the impacts of COVID-19 and the flu in our schools to ensure minimal disruption for everyone and keep students learning.
Face-to-face learning in the classroom remains the core way students are learning this term; however, staff shortages may see them learning a little differently from time to time.
What can parents and students expect?
When schools do not have appropriate staffing levels to support students in their usual classrooms the following measures may be put in place:
- Older students may learn online in a supervised setting.
- Students may be engaged in a modified program of learning in their regular classroom with supervision from school staff.
- Students may participate in self-directed learning (supervised by other classroom teachers this may be via Google Classrooms or a pre-prepared activity).
- Students may be split into classes across the school, where children may engage in self-directed learning and/or the learning of their host class.
- Some activities may be put on hold (eg lunchtime clubs)
Where schools are no longer able to manage using the above strategies students may move to learning from home for short periods of time.
If this is the case your school will work with the Directorate ahead of time to make this decision and families will be provided with learning activities for use during this time.
Sometimes this decision will need to be made quickly. We appreciate that the short notice is difficult for families and, where we can, will ensure we give as much notice as we are able.
Non-essential events and excursions
There may also be the need to postpone/cancel planned activities and events offsite (eg camps, excursions, sporting days etc) from time to time, sometimes at short notice.
We appreciate any cancellation is disappointing and wherever possible schools will reschedule these missed opportunities.
Thank you once more to our parents, carers and staff for their ongoing support and commitment again this term.
ACT Education Directorate
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NAIDOC Week Celebrations
In week one of this term, Harrison School celebrated NAIDOC Week.
Sea of Hands
Last term, students wrote messages and drew pictures supporting this year’s Reconciliation theme ‘Be Brave, Make Change’. We displayed the hands by placing them in the promenade to symbolise our school community support for RECONCILIATION, RIGHTS and RESPECT. By planting the sea of hands we recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander identities, cultures and history.
Colouring Competition
To encourage students to engage with NAIDOC week, we held a colouring competition! Congratulations to the winners and their amazing colouring!
Left to right: Saryn S, Sarah K, Mikayla A, Sienna S
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Sports News
Athletics Carnivals
During Term 2, we held our 10-12 years Athletics Carnival. Thank you to everyone involved in the fun day. Congratulations to the winners of the events. Some of these students will be heading to the AIS in Week 6 to represent Harrison School in the North Gungahlin Track and Field Carnival. Good luck!
Our 8-9 year olds have been patiently waiting for their Athletics Carnival which is scheduled for Thursday August 4th. It will be great to see our staff and students wearing their house colours and cheering each other along!
AquaSafe
In Week 2 of this term our year 2 students participated in Royal Life Saving ACT's AquaSafe program. These lessons taught our students essential water safety skills, including how to swim in everyday clothes in case of an emergency. Our students had a wonderful time developing their swimming skills and can't wait for more time in the water!
North Region Futsal Competitions
This term Harrison students are participating in the North Region Futsal Competitions. So far this term both the 7-8 & 9-10 Boys teams have competed. Both teams had very successful days. The 7-8 boys team were undefeated during the group phase of the competition with the following results:
Harrison vs Stromlo: 3 -1 win
Harrison vs Covenant Christian School: 8 - 1 win
Harrison vs St Johns: 18 - 0 win
Harrison vs Queanbeyan: 5 - 2 win
They then had a tough loss in quarter final against Lyneham 3-1.
The 9-10 boys also went through the group phase undefeated with the following results.
Harrison vs Stromlo – 6 – 2 win
Harrison vs Lyneham – 6 – 4 win
Harrison vs Queanbeyan 2 – 18 – 0 win
Harrison vs Queanbeyan 3 – 14 – 0 win
The boys then lost in the quarter final to Queanbeyan 1 on penalties. A fantastic result for the students and Harrison!
We also have Netball, Soccer and Athletics carnivals coming up this term, so stay tuned for more sports news!
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Defence News
We are currently in the process of appointing a new Defence School Mentor to Harrison School. This new position will cover P-10 and we are expecting them to start in the very near future. Kelly Cvitanovic is remaining at Harrison and is moving into a Student Well-being role and will do a hand over once the new Mentor begins.
Any changes? Eg. postings, deployments? Please advise us as we can support your children transition through this time.
Defence club is currently running for high school (Years 7 & 8 Wednesdays and Years 9 & 10 Thursdays). We will have the primary school club back up and running soon. We will let you know as soon as it recommences!
Please continue to contact Kelly if you have any questions.
Kelly.Cvitanovic@ed.act.edu.au
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.
Defence Kids: Activity Groups have recommenced on Mondays, further details will be displayed around the junior and senior schools
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5/6 Camp
Some of our Year 5/6 students had a fantastic time at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation camp in Week 2 of this term. The weather was gorgeous for the students to go kayaking on the Narrabeen river, make billy carts, play archery tag, cook damper on homemade fires, do some orienteering and explore the beautiful surrounds of the camp. 
At night students engaged in lots of fun, interactive, team-building activities and ran off lots of energy. The accommodation was lovely, where students got to have a sleepover with their friends in cabins with views of the water. A very successful camp with lots of fun laughs and new memories made.
The student who did not attend camp also participated in lots of fun, team-bonding activities at school. They got to bake some delicious choc-chip cookies, and participated in egg-drop activities and plenty more exciting activities.
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Learning for Life Scholarships
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French Film Festival 
The French Film Festival was a huge success again this year, with 55 students attending on the 19th of May for almost a full day at the cinema. Laughing, eating popcorn, drinking soda, and watching a classic French movie with friends, students got to have a taste of real French culture here in Canberra.
Later in the term, they also had the opportunity to do some French cooking. We got the opportunity to make crepes with different toppings such as pure Canadian maple syrup, strawberry jam, or Nutella. We've thoroughly enjoyed semester one 2022.
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Coffee Van 
On Tuesday 16th of August our P&C is organising a free coffee van for parents/carers and staff. The coffee van will be located in the front carpark of the school, to the right of the main administration building. It will be serving hot beverages from 8:15am-11:15am. The P&C is keen to share information with you about several important initiatives. Pop in and say a hello and thank you to our P&C members!
Save the Date – Father’s Day Stall 2022
The P&C are running a Father’s day stall on Wednesday 31 August and Thursday 1 September 2022 (week 7). P-6 classes will visit the stall with their classroom teacher, and students have the option to purchase a small gift for their father/special person at home up to the amount of $5 – cash only. The P&C will supply all the gifts – we just ask that you send coins to school with your child on the day so they can purchase a gift. Year 7-10 students will have the opportunity to visit the stall during recess or lunch on both days.
Once the roster is finalised, a copy will be provided to families so you know what day and time your child’s class is attending the stall.
Thank you to our P&C for donating all of the gifts, and running this event for our students.
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Awards: well done everyone!
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Harrison Awards P-6 students
- Dominic H
- Felicity R
- Jhae Y
- Joshua T
- Archer P
- Ryan M
- Asher C
- Ella G
- Zavier P
- Thomas O
- Arya J (x3)
- Isobel M
- Ryan T
- Yasin Y
- Sreeja M
- Maaseiah T
- Israel D (x2)
- Karhtikeya J
- Mihir K
- Leo S
- Evaan R
- Kyle S
- Grace S
- Brayden L
- Aria N
- Ari B
- Alexia N
- Annabel B
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- Ariyana C
- Francis B
- Roman A
- Aasiya Y
- Zara J
- Elliot R
- Ethan S
- Archie R
- Thiago M
- Anca N
- Tyson E
- Cadie E
- Jennifer N
- Taein K (x2)
- Ben L
- Maddison D
- Aakriti A
- Cara F
- Caprice M
- Shreeya R
- Taiki K
- Elizabeth W
- Victor Z
- George Z
- Eshan A
- Aariz N
- Candice N
- Emma L
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Book Week Parade
BOOKMARK COMPETITION
