Important Dates
Wednesday 7 September
P-2 Assembly
Friday 9 September
Staff Planning Day
School Climate and Satisfaction Survey closes
Tuesday 13 September
7-10 Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 13 September - Thursday 15th September
P- 6 Learning Journeys
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Wednesday 14th September
Year 3/4 Electoral Education Office Excursion
8-10 Leaders Parliament House Excursion
Thursday 15 September
Year 3/4 Electoral Education Office Excursion
Monday 19 September - Tuesday 20 September
Year 10 Pre-Learning Course
Wednesday 21 September
P-2 Assembly
7-10 Mid-Semester reports Emailed Home
3-10 Business Studies Show
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 Principal's Message
Hello students, parents, and carers!
As we approach the end of term 3 we are still managing some staffing shortages due to illness, but thankfully not as severe as last term. Thank you in advance for supporting our pupil-free days, the next is this Friday the 9th of September. If you are unable to keep your child home, please remember to complete the form here so we can plan to support those students who are attending.
A-E reporting for Semester 2 2022
As part of the ongoing commitment to support schools to prioritise core learning, the ACT Education Directorate has again determined that A-E reporting provided to families this semester will exclude teacher commentary. in any case, we are confident that parents and teachers working together is a more effective way to progress learning, and we encourage you to attend the P-6 learning journeys to be held in week 9, and the 7-10 parent teacher interviews on Wednesday 12th October. The learning journeys and interviews are important opportunities for us to have conversations with you around student learning.
CYBER Safety
Following some reports of the inappropriate use of social media impacting Harrison School and our high school students, we have been working with the Cyber Safety Team at the Education Directorate to deactivate accounts that don't match our values. We are aware that the majority of online interactions and social media use occurs outside school hours, however we are committed to supporting families and students in this online environment.
We are seeking your support to speak with your young person at home. Suggested actions include:
- Opening a conversation about their online interactions and ask if they are aware or impacted by the social media posts
- Reporting the posts directly to the social media platform and screenshot/photograph any concerning content to send to the e-Safety Commissioner as evidence of inappropriate activity
- Block individuals who are engaging in any unsafe behaviour
- Consider deleting social media altogether (remember the minimum legal age for some platforms is 13 years)
- Hold regular conversations with your young person about their online interactions
- Consider what may need to be reported to the police.
We encourage families to speak up when they see an injustice or harassment occurring. Families are also able to access help and report concerns through:
Should your young person need support at any time please contact your child’s Home Room Teacher or Year Coordinator.
Pete Murray Choir Performance
Last week one of our teachers, Sarah Hughes, organised for the well known Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray to engage with our choir students performing one of his songs. What a fabulous treat for us and Pete too! You can watch the performance here:
https://watch.screencastify.com/v/71OkpEPNfz9gO9kgcVgF
Well done students, and thank you Sarah!
Girls in Construction
Thank you to our teachers Jess Shute and Kim Lum for supporting our girls to participate the new ACT public schools’ Understanding Building and Construction Pilot Program (UBCPP) which encourages female high school students to consider a career in construction.
A partnership between ACT Government and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the UBCPP is running in four ACT public high schools – Alfred Deakin, Calwell, Harrison and Mt Stromlo – working with more than 1100 students in years 7 to 10.
School Satisfaction and Climate Survey
Our annual School Satisfaction and Climate Survey closes this Friday the 9th of September. This is an important way you can assist us to improve our school, I encourage you to complete the survey before it closes. Families can complete the survey using this link, entering the school code: HARS
Phones and devices at school
We have a phones in class blitz on in the high school at the moment. 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. Our School Board officially endorsed this policy at our last meeting, and you can read it on our website here.
As always, please stay in touch with us via info@harrison.edu.act.au
best regards
Andy Mison
Executive Principal
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Science Week with Questacon!
Last week our students got the chance to delve into some fun science with the folks from Questacon!
Our STEM students from years 5-6 and year 8 explored solutions to challenges faced in the space industry. Combining everyday materials with Sphero technology, the students built prototype machines to clean up space debris. They tested their ideas, and spent a wonderful session learning from their successes and failures to improve on their designs.
Our year 10 students excursioned to Questacon to attended a premier for the movie ‘Jarli goes to space’. Several notable guests in the field of space science and exploration addressed the audience, including the Head of Defence Space Command Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, former NASA Astronaut Dr Andy Thomas, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, US Ambassador to Australia and Kirsten Banks, Astrophysicist and Science Communicator.
A huge thank you to Questacon for providing these wonderful opportunities
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Kickstart
This term Harrison School has been lucky to have students attend the Kick Start Cultural engagement Program with Robert Mann, Aaron Chatfield and Kie Barratt. Students have learnt how to find bushtucker and learn what is good tucker and what is not. One of our students used a digging stick to pull up a bush carrot.
We had a go at making traditional tools, clap sticks, digging stick and boomerangs. Using the red stringy bark from Black Mountain to make ropes and cordage. We did a traditional weaving workshop with Culture On The Move in the soon to-be-opened Wild Bark building, which is an extension to Mulligans flat in Throsby. It's been great to be out on Country, learning from County.
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Chromebook Testing and Tagging
Af ter the first year of use, families have the opportunity to have their child's Chromebook and charger cord tested and tagged annually. We are offering Year 7-10 families the option to get their child's Chromebook and charger cord tested and tagged during the upcoming school holiday period.
Students in Year 7-10 can drop their Chromebook and charger cord off at either front office on Friday 23 September (last day of Term 3) to get tested and tagged during the school holidays. Students will receive their Chromebook and charger cord back on the first day of Term 4.
Testing and tagging is just one of several ways in which to minimise health and safety risks from faulty electrical equipment.
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7/8 Soccer Team Update
The Year 7/8 boys soccer team have competed in two carnivals, and were very successful throughout both days. The team competed in the Boys ACT North Carnival first and played a strong game, only conceding one goal during a penalty shot. Harrison were up 1-0 in the final, and this goal levelled the score, bringing the match to a penalty shoot-out against Daramalan. We were unlucky in the penalty shoot-outs, but finished in the top two North-side teams and qualified for the ACT Soccer Carnival, which occurred in Week 6.
We had another successful day at the ACT carnival, finishing in the top two teams in the ACT. We had another close game with Daramalan first up, resulting in a 1-0 loss. We won the rest of our pool games, beating the south-side schools, and came against Telopea in the Semi-final. A very close and tough game ended in penalty shoot-outs. Learning from our previous penalties loss, we came away with a win and were up against Daramalan in The Grand Final. Another close and competitive game, the score was levelled at 1-1 throughout the 2nd half. However, the other team crept away with two quick goals towards the end of the match, resulting in a 3-1 loss.
All the boys represented Harrison very well on both days and were very happy to be back out competing against other schools in a sport they love to play. A big shout out to Cosan for his organisation, planning and support for the carnivals, and the 9/10 sport leadership students for their help on the days.
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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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Wear It Purple Day
On Friday of week 6, our students and staff recognised Wear It Purple Day! Everyone dressed in purple clothes, and a BBQ lunch was held by students in the 8-10 Leadership class for the whole school to enjoy.
The BBQ was very popular, selling over 300 sausages! The funds raised will be put towards future inclusion programs here at the school.
A massive thank you to the local businesses who provided supplies for the event: Baker's Delight Gungahlin, Woolworths Franklin, and Country Pride Meats in Lyneham.
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Tournaments of Minds 2022
One of the enrichment opportunities offered at Harrison is the Tournament of Minds (TOM) program. TOM aims to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively within a competitive environment.
On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August, the two Secondary teams competed in the STEM and ARTS disciplines at this year's competition which was held at the ANU.
The teams were required to complete two challenges. The first was a long-term challenge that they had prepared for six weeks. Both teams prepared extremely well and performed wonderfully. The teams also had to compete in a short-term spontaneous challenge which involved being locked in a room for ten minutes and responding creatively as a team to a creative thinking challenge.
The students enjoyed working together as a team in preparing costumes and props. They demonstrated great organisational skills and teamwork. Congratulations to our TOM students, families, and teacher facilitators.
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Go Foundation Scholarships 
The GO Foundation Scholarships for 2023 are now open for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students! If you are a students currently in Year Kinder, 2, 4, 8 or 10 that meet the criteria, they are encouraged to apply.
2023 is expected to be the biggest and most competitive year yet for the scholarships. For more information and to view the selection criteria please see this link https://www.gofoundation.org.au/scholarships/
If you require more information or would like some assistance with the application process feel free to contact the school and have a yarn with Anita Sutherland.
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 Father's Day Breakfast
On Friday morning the Harrison School community came together to hold a special Father's Day breakfast for our students and their parents. Our hard-working staff and student leaders volunteered their time to put on a wonderful celebration, with tasty food and good company enjoyed by all.
We want to extend a special thanks to the volunteers from Rotary for joining us to man the barbeques, and to all the companies below for their generous donations. Without you all, we wouldn't have been able to hold such a fantastic event - OSHClub, Costco, Bidfoods and Supabarn.
With everyone's generous support, we were able to raise $1700, which will be donated to Menslink to support men's mental health.
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Reminder: Disabled Parking Spots
We'd like to remind everyone that the designated disabled parking spaces in our school carpark (identified by the painted yellow logo) can only be used by those with a disability permit displayed in their vehicle, including for brief drop-offs. It is vital that these spots be kept clear for the people who need them, as many of our parents, carers, and students require the additional space and ease of access.
Our school community is respectful and responsible, and we expect everyone to uphold these values in all areas of our school. Please park responsibly and respect the needs of those around you.
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EACH for Preschool
 Early Support and Intervention
EACH is the Early Childhood Partner in the ACT delivering the NDIS Early Childhood Approach. For families with children aged under 7 with a developmental delay or disability, they can contact EACH and submit a referral. EACH can then connect them with appropriate services, provide early support, and assist family with NDIS application (if eligible). There is no need for a referral or diagnosis from medical professional to access these early supports.
Further information, resources, and referral form available at: https://www.each.com.au/service/early-childhood-early-intervention/
Specialist Preschool Enrolment
Children with a diagnosis of Global Developmental Delay or Intellectual Disability may access preschool at their local school or a specialist school. Families interested in a specialist preschool for their child must first enrol in their local preschool through the online enrolment form. Families can then complete the Expression of Interest form.
For further information and to download the Expression of Interest for Specialist Preschool Form go tohttps://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/enrolling-in-a-public-school/enrolling-in-preschool
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Awards: well done everyone!
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Harrison Awards P-6 students
- Mia J
- Fara N (x2)
- Brayden L
- Tilly T
- Jhaedon Y
- Michelle H
- Joshua T
- Axel L
- Liam C
- Kirtan B
- Charlotte C
- Stellan H
- Matthew H
- Amelia W
- Evie K
- Adam S
- Shahmeer T
- Lucas L
- Leanne M
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- Mohammed B
- Dominic H
- Paarasdeep H
- Alexia N
- Miller D
- Taiki K
- Yousif A
- Beth P
- Isaac S
- Mia W
- Lazar T
- Meghana R
- Kelvin H
- Aryan S
- Charlie B
- Muhammad K
- Tahfeez K
- Hamish B
- Archie R
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Robocup 2022
Our Robotics students had a big weekend. Harrison’s team participated in the Robocup ACT regionals, on 3rd September. RoboCup Junior is able to extend skills learnt from the classroom with a comprehensive, relevant curriculum that equips students for a future in our technology-driven world.
Harrison’s Robocup team attended the Friday night workshop at Gungahlin college. They participated in the Rescue competition and came third in the ACT regionals. Congratulations to our champions!
A big thank you to Ms. Beyroutieh for developing the teams, leading them and supporting them in the late evening workshop and on the day in their competition.
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The Team at Pro Performance Cricket are excited to announce our upcoming Holiday Cricket Camps! They offer intensive individual and group skill development for our players across all facets of the game. With an excellent coach to player ratio, and a focus on a positive and fun environment it’s a perfect opportunity for the kids to enhance and develop their games while having heaps of fun, making new friends and taking their game to a new level.
Book here: https://properformancecricket.com/act-cricket-camps/
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