Duffy Primary School

The Deadly Mob group and teachers went on a guided walk on country to the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve led by Gamileroi man Aaron Chatfield.

Aaron shared his extensive knowledge of bush plants as medicine, food and for functional tool making. He also shared the inter-connected ecological systems between plants, animals and people and some of the ways we can read the weather and health of country with this knowledge.

The children, parents and teachers had a great day of learning, fun and activity.

Walking together on country was a great celebration for Reconciliation Week.

Today, our students participated in the Just Like You workshops, a powerful program promoting inclusion, empathy and understanding of people with disabilities. 🩷

Through engaging and interactive sessions led by Emma, a facilitator with lived experience, students explored both visible and hidden disabilities and reflected on how they can help create a more inclusive school community. The day encouraged meaningful conversations about kindness, respect and understanding across all year levels. 🏫🚲

A huge thank you to the team from Just Like You for delivering such valuable learning experiences for our students. 🙏🏼🙏🏽

At Duffy Primary School, we remain committed to building a culture where every student feels valued, respected and included 💚🏫

Reconciliation Week at Duffy Primary School 🪃
 
“ALL IN” for reconciliation at Duffy Primary School! Let’s have a listen to what our Aboriginal staff, students and parents say about Reconciliation.
🖤💛❤️

Australia is a beautiful place, we are so fortunate that we have the country we have! This is a chance to value the ongoing culture and presence of Aboriginal Australia. This culture is still here and thriving today. The impact of colonization and the stolen generation have left an ongoing effect on Aboriginal people even today. It is a time to recognise this and realise what happened, but what the future holds matters more than anything else
- Sophia (Indigenous Education Officer)

 Duffy Primary is on the front foot in being active to improve relationships and the overall well-being for our children and families. At Duffy, Aboriginal staff and children are in an environment where their voice is heard
- Noah Saddler (Youth Worker)
 

Reconciliation is about reflecting on what has happened in the past to our people and ancestors. This is an opportunity to share part of our culture and be able to include all people from all backgrounds to be a part of sharing what our rich cultural history has to offer
- Chace (LSA)
 
In the indigenous world when we go to the beach, we have sunsets and it matches the aboriginal flag. I feel strong inside and I feel proud to be aboriginal
- Year 3 Student Curtley
 
Reconciliation is always a place for growing together. And it is a way for us to share our knowledge and come together as one. By looking at the next generation of leaders who are our Deadly Mob here at Duffy they can extend their knowledge to other young people and bring them along on the journey. By sharing their knowledge and past they will uplift all Australians
- Parent Josh Kelly
 
Let’s break stereotypes and help everyone to have positive relationships and be “all in” with Reconciliation

This week, our amazing Learning Support Team came together with our Leadership Team to celebrate the incredible impact they’ve made so far this term. 💚

It was a valuable opportunity to share strategies, celebrate highlights, and reflect together on the important role Learning Support plays within the ecosystem of our school. 🏫

The collaboration and shared conversations strengthened our collective commitment to supporting every student to thrive. ✨✨

Thank you to our dedicated Learning Support Staff for the care, expertise, and encouragement you bring to our school community each and every day. 💚🏫💪🏽

The pump track is open every day for our students to ride on before school and at lunch breaks. 🚲 🚲

Remember to bring in your bike and helmet to take part! 💪🏽💪🏽

Permission slips are available from the front office.💚

What an incredible day of adventure, teamwork and learning at camp! 🌿🔥🏕️

On Monday 18th May, our Year 3 and 4 students visited Birrigai Outdoor School for a long day camp excursion filled with exciting challenges and hands-on experiences.

Year 3 students collected materials to build and light their own fires before cooking damper, explored the bush on a nature walk, and worked together to build shelters.

Meanwhile, Year 4 students strengthened their teamwork and problem-solving skills through the crate climb, team initiative challenges and the “Web of Life” activity.

We are so proud of the resilience, cooperation and enthusiasm shown by all students throughout the day! 👏✨

📢 REMINDER - All ACT public schools CLOSED this Friday 22 May 2026, 8.30am – 10.30am 📢

In order to enable industrial action and keep students safe all ACT public schools, including specialist schools and preschools, will be CLOSED this Friday from 8.30am to 10.30am.

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 from 8.30am to 10.30am this Friday. We expect a majority 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.

Be aware there will be no onsite supervision available for students during this time. The school day will begin at 10.30am.

Your school will be in contact about any changes to timetabling or start of day activities. 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://bit.ly/3PB9wMS.

The children at Duffy enjoyed a dynamic performance learning language, dance and knowledge systems of Aboriginal culture with Ryka Ali. The event concluded with children experiencing a boomerang throw!

8 students represented Duffy Primary at the da Vinci Decathlon held at Canberra Grammar School. They have worked hard all term practising across the 10 subjects: English, Maths, Science, Code Breaking, Art and Poetry, Legacy, Creative Producers, Engineering, Cartography, and Ideation.

Out of 23 Year 6 teams from across Canberra, Duffy received First Place in Ideation and Art and Poetry! An amazing result for a hard-working team. Congratulations! 👏🏆