Hughes Primary School, ACT

Today at Hughes, our Kindergarten students celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten! 🎉
Some students came dressed as 100 year old people, alongside our fabulous teachers, while others celebrated in their favourite party clothes. Throughout the day, students enthusiastically participated in a range of fun activities centred around the number 100 and proudly counted their first 100 days of learning on the calendar. We are so proud of how much our Kindergarten students have grown in confidence, skills and friendships over these first 100 days. We can't wait to see all they achieve in the next 100!

I am pleased to announce that Marilyn Smith has been appointed as principal at Hughes Primary School.

Marilyn is a passionate and highly regarded educator who has held leadership roles across the system, most recently acting as principal at Hughes Primary School. Marilyn has demonstrated a commitment to leading improvement, innovation, and change across operational, pedagogical and strategic initiatives. She consistently places student learning, wellbeing, and equity at the centre and is deeply dedicated to advancing student agency and voice, which positions students as active contributors to school improvement.

A highly relational leader, Marilyn is respected by colleagues, staff, students, and the broader community. Her collaborative approach balances a strong focus on both student and staff wellbeing while building capability to achieve high-quality outcomes within the ACT public education system; most notably in leadership of cross school professional learning in literacy. Through the professional networks she has cultivated, Marilyn actively fosters connection and belonging, creating opportunities for strong, inclusive school communities.

Please join me in extending our congratulations.

Jo Wood
Director-General

Hughes PS students certainly were VICTORIOUS in their Dance Nation performances! They demonstrated the learner profile attributes of risk-takers, principled and open minded throughout every aspect of the KultureBreak experience. Congratulations to everyone involved 🪩🎉

Our Student Advisory Group (SAG) has been busy developing their thinking through the Living Classroom Project as they build towards the design phase of this exciting school initiative. At the moment, students are strengthening their understanding of the IB concepts of Form and Function to ensure that when we move into design, we make thoughtful, considered decisions and avoid a “garden disaster”! Last week, students explored a range of natural and manmade features that could be included in the Living Classroom. They classified these features and discussed their purpose, identifying how each element might support learning, inclusion and international mindedness, three key principles agreed upon by the SAG. This week, students extended their thinking by focusing on form. Using playdough, they experimented with shape and structure to design different objects, then tested whether the form actually supported the intended function. It was fantastic to see older students working alongside younger students, refining and improving their designs through collaboration and shared problem solving. We are learning that form and function work hand in hand, and that strong design requires both creativity and critical thinking.
Next, students will begin their first collaborative design process, fully led by students. Mrs Smith is very excited to see the ideas they bring to life as the Living Classroom continues to evolve.

“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” — Helen Keller

On Friday 5th June, students from across the ACT PYP Network gathered at the Canberra Girls Grammar lake facility for the inaugural IB Festival of Hope. This landmark event was designed and led by students, for students, and brought together over 120 Year 5 students, supported by 10 Year 6 leaders. Together, they explored how hope can be transformed into meaningful action.

Hughes Primary was proudly represented on the planning committee, with Year 6 students Edward and Izzy collaborating with students from Radford College, Canberra Grammar School, Canberra Girls Grammar, and Holy Trinity to design, organise, and lead the event. The festival has been in development for approximately 12 months, reflecting a sustained commitment to student voice, agency, and action.

Throughout the day, students participated in collaborative design thinking workshops, working together to imagine solutions to real-world challenges. They also heard from inspiring changemakers from Canberra PYP schools and engaged in a student-led panel discussion, sharing ideas and perspectives on creating positive change. A highlight of the day was hearing from two former Hughes Primary students, Asher and Ellie, who delivered keynote speeches about their ongoing donation drive initiatives, which began in Year 3 and continue to make a meaningful impact in their community.

The festival concluded with a collective “Seeds of Hope” installation, serving as a powerful reminder that even the smallest ideas, intentions, and actions can grow into meaningful and lasting change over time.

The day was widely regarded as a resounding success, filled with inspiration, collaboration, and student-led action. It provided a powerful opportunity for students to connect, share ideas, and recognise the impact they can have when they work together to create positive change.

All ACT public schools CLOSED (full day) on Thursday 11 June 2026

In order to enable industrial action and keep students safe, all ACT public schools, including specialist schools and preschools, will be CLOSED on Thursday 11 June 2026 (full day).

There will be no onsite supervision on the day.

The Education Directorate has decided to close schools to students during this time, in the interest of student and staff safety.

The Australian Education Union has notified the Education Directorate that its members will take part in protected industrial action for a full day on that day.

We are again expecting a large proportion of ACT public school staff will participate in the work stoppage, meaning we are unable to confidently plan for safe and appropriate supervision for all students.

If you have any questions or concerns about how this closure will impact your school, please contact your school directly.

We acknowledge that school closures have significant impacts on families and these decisions are not taken lightly. We are letting families know about this change as early as possible to help with forward planning. The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our highest priority.

More information can be found online at https://www.act.gov.au/education-and-training/latest-articles/all-act-public-schools-closed-full-day-on-thursday-11-june-2026

The Tristan Bancks visit with Year 5 and 6 had students engaged in plots and what ifs. Students were hooked from the moment Tristan began reading his books and were all requesting copies at the end of the visit 📚