ACT Parents

25/08/2026

🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award

Some volunteers leave a legacy that lasts long after their children have left school.

Years of dedication can shape a school community, inspire others to get involved and create opportunities that benefit generations of students and families.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises volunteers whose long-term commitment has made a lasting difference.

If someone has given years of service to your P&C, now is the perfect time to say thank you.

🏆 Nominate them today:
https://www.actparents.org.au/index.php/news1/item/589-2026-act-public-school-p-c-awards

23/08/2026

Is your school fete or fair on our 2026 list?

Fete season is almost here, and we know there are plenty of public school P&Cs across Canberra getting ready for fetes, fairs, market days and other community events.

But we can only promote the events we know about!

ACT Parents is getting ready to share our 2026 Fetes and Fairs List with the Canberra community and local media. In previous years, events on the list have gained coverage on TV, radio, in newspapers and online.

If your school has an event coming up, now is the time to send us the details.

Add your event: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VsadWGhxY4

Know of a public school event that should be on the list? Tag them or send this post their way.

21/08/2026

A great initiative from Kingsford Smith School helping make school formals more accessible for students across Canberra. 👗👔

With formalwear available for just $3–$5, the Formal Op Shop is open to Year 10, 11 and 12 students from all Canberra schools - and proceeds will support Roundabout Canberra.

Know a student who might be interested? Please share this with them. 💙

Everyone deserves to feel their best at their school formal. 👗

Kingsford Smith School is helping make sure all students can find something special to wear by running their annual Formal Op Shop.

The sale is about giving new life to pre-loved clothing while making formals more accessible for local students. Funds made will go to support Roundabout Canberra.

This year's sale is set to be bigger and better than ever. Items range from $3-$5 and include dresses, suits and shirts as well as ties, shoes and bags.

Year 10, 11 and 12 students from all Canberra schools are welcome.

If you have formalwear you would like to donate, you can drop it to the school's reception on weekdays between 9am-3pm.

Kingsford Smith School Formal Op Shop
⏰When: Friday 28 August, 3-6pm and Saturday 29 August, 9am-1pm
📍Where: Kingsford Smith School Senior Gym - 100 Starke Street, Holt

19/08/2026

📣 What did parents ask our new Education Minister?

At our August member meeting, parents, carers and P&C representatives had the opportunity to put their questions directly to Education Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith.

The conversation covered school funding and resourcing, teacher shortages, disability inclusion, flexible education and school refusal, equity between schools, infrastructure, parent advocacy and more.

We’ve now published a summary of the questions and the Minister’s responses on our website.

👉 Read the Q&A:
https://www.actparents.org.au/index.php/item/590-questions-and-answers-with-education-minister-rachel-stephen-smith

A big thank you again to Minister Stephen-Smith for taking the time to join us and hear directly from ACT public school families.

18/08/2026

⚡ Endless Energy Award

Every P&C has that person who never seems to stop.

They're the first to put their hand up, the last to leave and somehow always have the energy to encourage everyone else along the way.

The Endless Energy Award celebrates volunteers whose enthusiasm and positivity help make their school community stronger.

If you're smiling because someone immediately came to mind, now's the time to recognise them.

🏆 Nominate them today:
https://www.actparents.org.au/index.php/news1/item/589-2026-act-public-school-p-c-awards

17/08/2026

Canberra’s school fete and fair season is coming!

ACT Parents is putting together our 2026 Fetes and Fairs List, showcasing public school fetes, fairs, market days and community events across Canberra.

If your school P&C has an event coming up, add it to our list and we’ll help spread the word to the Canberra community and local media.

Register your event: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VsadWGhxY4

Know a school with something exciting planned? Share this post with them.

14/08/2026

Have you applied for an out-of-area ACT public school enrolment for 2027 on student wellbeing grounds?

We want to hear how the process has worked for families — including the time, effort and cost involved, and whether your application was successful.

If this applies to your family, please take 10–20 minutes to share your experience. Your feedback will help ACT Parents advocate for an enrolment process that better supports student wellbeing and school attendance.

If you would like support with your individual situation, you can also let us know through the survey that you would like ACT Parents to contact you about advocating for your student.

🔗 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/yxuh94HnbS

Please share with other ACT public school families who may have been through the process.

14/08/2026

Free webinar: System Transformation is Possible – Lessons from Québec

How can we build a fairer, higher-performing school system while retaining parental choice?

Schools for All Australia is hosting a free public webinar exploring lessons from Québec, Canada, and what its experience with education reform could offer Australia.

Keynote speaker Stéphane Vigneault will be joined by panellists Jane Caro AM, Pasi Sahlberg and Adrian Piccoli for a discussion about equitable education, school segregation and system reform.

📅 Thursday 27 August 2026
⏰ 8:00–9:30pm AEST
💻 Online and free to attend

Find out more and register:
https://www.schoolsforall.au/school-system-transformation-is-possible-lessons-from-quebec-1

13/08/2026

⚙️ Behind the Scenes Hero Award

Some of the biggest contributions happen out of sight.

Every P&C relies on people who quietly keep things moving, balancing the books, organising rosters, answering emails, coordinating events or solving problems before anyone else notices.

The Behind the Scenes Hero Award celebrates the volunteers whose dedication keeps school communities running.

Know someone who deserves the spotlight?

🏆 Nominate them today:
https://www.actparents.org.au/index.php/news1/item/589-2026-act-public-school-p-c-awards

12/08/2026

A big thank you to our new Minister for Education, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA , for joining ACT Parents and our members last night.

There’s a lot happening in ACT public education right now, and parents, carers and P&Cs understandably have plenty of questions about what it all means for students, families and schools.

The Minister generously stayed longer than planned and engaged openly with questions across a broad range of issues, including school funding, workforce pressures, equity, inclusion and the One Public Education System reforms.

Thank you also to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a thoughtful discussion. Hearing what is happening in school communities helps ACT Parents bring parent and carer experiences into the bigger, system-level conversations about the future of public education.

We look forward to continuing the conversation with the Minister and ensuring parent, carer and P&C perspectives are part of the design and implementation of public education reform.

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