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Primary Ethics
The current Primary Ethics team at Pennant Hills Public School are seeking new volunteers so we can provide ethics classes for all the families that have requested classes for their children in 2021. Volunteers are given full training and all lesson materials are carefully planned. Lessons include a script, scenarios to cover and questions to use, prompting students in engaging respectful discussion by using critical thinking. Primary Ethics Teachers remain impartial while guiding the students to discuss set topics in 3 age appropriate "stages". Topics that are covered are detailed here:
https://primaryethics.com.au/about-ethics-classes/our-curriculum/
We run 2 sessions every Wednesday morning during school terms, the first classes are for Years 3 - 6 from 9.20am to 10am at the Weemala St campus and then another class session for K - 2 from 10.10am to 10.50am at the Trebor Rd campus. The Volunteer Team is very supportive and friendly. Primary Ethics also has a classroom support team to check in with Volunteers. A supportive online forum and training is offered and is really informative as well! We would love to hear from you if you can commit to a 12 month basis. Just ONE hour a week is needed to run a class and help students become critical thinkers, enabling valuable skills for life. If you can help in 2021 - please email PHPSPrimaryEthics@gmail.com .
For Further information - please see the attached "Volunteers Letter", explore
https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ and/or hear from a Volunteer in this 90sec video https://videopress.com/v/SqoVTBpI
For further information, please see the flyers in the community news section.
2021 Student Leadership
Tomorrow our 21 student leaders will present their speeches to Years 3-6. These students will, then vote for the Top 10. I must congratulate all the students thus far on their efforts with this process. Over the next few weeks all the leadership positions will be filled and announced at the Year 5 Celebration of Learning. Good luck to everyone.
Opportunity Class (OC) Test
This year’s test is taking place tomorrow, Wednesday 18 November. All families that have registered should have received specific information about the plan for tomorrow. Please ensure your child arrives at the hall on the K-2 site just before 9am.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Principal Awards
K-2= Katherine W, Marlina T, Nathanael C, Sian Y, Abi W, Darcy W
3-6= Tahlia C
Around the School
Reading Data
As a school, we are looking at our processes in teaching and learning practices around the instruction of reading as a focus for 2021. We have had great success with staff engaging heavily in professional learning around mathematics this year, and next year we plan to have our professional learning focus on Reading as this is an aspect that has been identified as an area for improvement. A reading team has been established and our amazing teachers are welcoming us into their rooms for observations this week. This is a data gathering exercise to see what we do well as a school and areas that we need to identify as a focus for 2021. PHPS teachers have some amazing practices that they are putting in place and we are looking forward to supporting our staff on our Reading journey, whatever that may look like for 2021.
2M
I popped into 2M last week during a very engaging maths activity called ‘Tens ladders’. Students were excitedly rolling their dice and counting off the decade by tens (3, 13, 23, 33, 43 etc) and racing each other to climb the ladder to be first in their pair. This activity assists students to concrete their automatic recall of counting by tens off the decade and making connections with number patterns (they also referred to a hundreds chart). How fun 2M!
Meet the locals
We are so lucky to be in Pennant Hills and surrounded by bushland and all of the wonderful things that come along with it. We regularly spot native birds such as Galahs, Lorikeets and those pesky Cockatoos! Yesterday I popped into 4T and we spotted this beautiful Blue Tongue Lizard hanging out in the garden at the front of their room. The students seemed quite comfortable with this, a regular visitor I believe!
Smith Family Christmas Appeal
Thank you to Years K-4 who have generously donated toys and books to the Smith Family Toy and Book Appeal – you are fantastic! Below you can see a photo of what Year 3 and Year 4 donated over the past 2 days! Year 5, your day is tomorrow! I will meet you at the bottom of the library stairs to collect any donations. Year 6, your collection day is Monday next week. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!
NAIDOC Week
Last week, Koori Kinnections came and conducted incursions for every class – the paperbark boats were awesome! And our wonderful leaders ran a great assembly. As we are unable to sing at assemblies at the moment, students were encouraged to sign using Auslan during the national anthem. Below you can see the leaders signing during the assembly – well done!
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
Celebration of Learning 2020
Due to ongoing NSW Department of Education Covid-19 guidelines, this year’s Celebration of Learning will look very different. The Celebration of Learning will take place in our school hall on the K-2 site. To meet all guidelines the following strategies will be in place.
- K-5 – one family member for a student receiving an award will be able to attend – families will be notified via mail.
- Year 6 – one family member per student as these assemblies will be in class groups.
- Parents will be allocated seats and all parents must remain seated for the entirety of the assembly.
- There will be a Zoom link for each assembly to allow other family members to view from home.
The times are:
Thursday 03 December Friday 04 December
9:30am – Kindergarten 9:30am – Year 3
10:30am – Year1 10:30am – Year 4
12:00pm – Year 2 12:00pm – Year 5
Wednesday 16 December
9:30am – 6M
10:30am – 6P
12:00pm – 6B
Thank you for your ongoing support at this tricky time.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mrs Melissa Griffith
Relieving Deputy Principal
KD – Natasha D, Noa S, Jenna K, William A
KH – Nathanael M, Chloe H, Edwin R, Ruben B, Max F-S
KP – Nathanael C, Reeti G, Lily B, George Y
K/1R – Max C, Paul Z, Dash S, Frankie S
1D – Matilda S, Jacinta I, Audrey W, Sunnee G, Arya B, Luke Z, Jasper B
1E – Sam T, Emily H, Rina B, Moksha Y, Reyansh S, Jairus E
1S – Anamarie A, Letitia J, Spencer C, Parthiv V, Henry H, Norah HM
1/2H – Katherine W, Ella K, Alexia L, Madaleine W, Zoe C, Annabelle T
2C – Penelope K, Sotorios J, Alex Y, Josh F, Heart S, Audrey M
2M – Aryan D, Zainab D, Ezekiel M, Angela C, Hannah M, Yumo Z, Sophie S
2W – Stephen D, Stephanie L, Alex L, Darcy W, Christian S, Abi W
COMPUTERS – Sian Y - KP, Toby S - KH, Anton R - 1E, Theo B - 1S, Yumo Z - 2M, Abi W - 2W
Scholastic Book Club
Issue 8 catalogues will be distributed to the students this week. To order from the Book Club catalogue you will need to go to the Scholastic Book Club LOOP website page, register your details if you haven’t already done so and pay by credit card.
The catalogue can be viewed online at https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/.
How do I order?
- Go to the Scholastic Book Club LOOP website to register your details. You will need to enter your name, email address and a password. Click on “Add new child” and using the drop down menu locate our school and your child’s class. If you have children on both sites you may decide to register and place your entire order just with one child to save time.
- Enter your child’s first name and their surname initial. Please note that Scholastic does not share student details with third parties or use this information for marketing purposes. This information is for distribution when the order arrives at the school.
- Click on “ORDER” and enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue. Follow the prompts to finalise payment using a credit card.
- All orders are processed after the closing date and delivered to the school for distribution.
The closing date for online orders is Wednesday 25 November.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Ms Davis
Teacher librarian
FAIRY LIGHTS WANTED PLEASE!
We need lots of fairy lights to make a very special “Enchanted Evening” for the Year 6 Farewell 2020. If you can spare some for a few days, please label them clearly and drop them at 33 Ramsay Road, Pennant Hills (there will be a plastic tub outside the door). Lights will be returned to you after the farewell. Thank you!
JOIN OUR MUSIC PROGRAM IN 2021
Just a reminder to all families that applications to join the school bands are still open for all students going into years 3-6 next year. If anyone is interested please fill in the band web form, the link is available on the P&C Band website:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
There is a Zoom information session this Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Zoom meeting ID: 914 0755 3794
Passcode: phpsband
Our String Ensemble is also recruiting students from Kindy right through to Year 6 in 2021. Contact us at phpsstrings@gmail.com
GREEN TEAM TEACHER UPDATE - by Bridget Dwyer
Composting is Cool!
We have been actively involved with composting for a few years now. You can compost any fruit or vegetable scraps, tissues, egg shells and other biodegradable matter. Here are the ‘Eco Warriors’ Xavier and Kurtis from KD putting the collected compost scraps from fruit break, recess and lunch into our compost bins on the K-2 site. Don’t forget to look out for the silver buckets!
Did you know that compost needs a ‘dry’ component to help it break down? Check out the helpful tips and tricks at the following link: https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/composting/
Do your kids have a question for the Green Team? Would you like to join our Green Team? Email us at phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
P&C BUSINESS DIRECTORY
FINAL WEEK! Submit your listing by Monday 23 November to be included in the first edition. We’re keen to receive ads from business owners and sole traders including plumbers, electricians, landscapers, designers, accountants, lawyers, consultants, home services and all other registered businesses as a reference for school parents.
Click here for Information and Guidelines and then here to apply or contact the team at phpsdirectory@gmail.com for details on how to list your business.
If you would like to subscribe to our P&C meeting emails (minutes and agendas),
please subscribe at the following link: http://eepurl.com/dlK3PD
Andrew Passé-de Silva
President, PHPS P&C
0410 653 878
2021 Band expression of interest: It's not too late to hand/fill in your Expression of interest form if you want to join band next year! Any child going into years 3-6 in 2021 are welcome.
We'd really like to get anyone who's interested in learning Percussion to contact us ASAP.
The more students we have in the band program the better the band will sound! You can print out the form here and hand it in to your teacher, or fill in our web form here.
If you did not get a copy of the Intro to Band handout, you can find it here.
If you would like more details please contact us at phpsband@gmail.com
We're starting to assign instruments to students, and want to make sure we have everything covered, so please fill in or return those forms ASAP.
Zoom Information Session: We're going to have a Zoom information session for parents this week on Wednesday night. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the band program please join us Wednesday 18 November at 7:30pm.
https://zoom.us/j/91407553794?pwd=UGx3SHB3VjFqejd3Q1JxZUNJMXFWdz09
Meeting ID: 914 0755 3794
Passcode: phpsband
Band Rehearsals:
SCB continue as normal in their groups on Monday afternoons and Thursday morning.
ICB also as normal with the entire band on Wednesday morning.
For Training Band if the weather is fine and sunny then everyone in TB should turn up to rehearsals. The rehearsal will be conducted outside on the grass which will permit us to have everyone and still adhere to the distancing rules. If it is wet (or the ground very wet) then only turn up to rehearsal on your groups week (Group 1, odd weeks. Group 2, even weeks) and rehearsal will be inside the band room.
The forecast is looking good for this to happen this week. Keep an eye on the WhatsApp group as Rose will be making the call if the weather is bad on Thursday evening.
Hornsby Busking: Registrations for busking have closed, please check your emails for details about time slots allocated.
Sunday 29 Nov, 10am-12noon, and Sunday 6 Dec, 11am-1pm.
If you've got any questions or concerns please let Claire know.
We will be raising money for the Australian Children’s Music Foundation. http://acmf.com.au/aboutus/
Christmas Carols Video Recording:
We're working toward being able to video some performances for Christmas and put together a Virtual Christmas concert. These recordings will take place during normal rehearsal times in Week 8, in the Hall. Please keep an eye on your email and the school newsletter for more details to come.
Parent Helpers:
Many thanks to Shireen Sahni, Dave Cartwright, Matt Whalan & EJ for being our parent helpers this week. It is very much appreciated.
Don't be afraid to speak up and help keep the students in line. The list of parent responsibilities is available here.
Many thanks,
The Band Committee
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
Interested in strings?
Thinking about learning a string instrument for 2021?
We keep a list of local tutors to help you on our website:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/string-teachers/
Or register your interest online: https://forms.gle/L2nrW66LkJTgEAsE6
If your child is in year 1 or 2 in 2021, our junior strings program is a great way to start learning, in a group setting.
If you need any information, you can reach out via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com
Junior Strings
Rehearsal each week is from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, in classroom 2W.
Our parent helpers are:
- November 17 - Parent helper - Mansi
- November 24 - Parent helper - Jing
- December 01 - Parent helper - Mansi
Rehearsals
Our string ensemble rehearsals for term 4 remain split by stage.
The schedule for term is as follows:
Stage 2
- November 17 – Parent helper - Paul
- December 01 – Parent helper - Joel
- December 15 – Parent helper - Ying
Stage 3:
- November 24 – Parent helper - Kim
- December 08 – Parent helper - Jade
Parent Helpers
Parent helpers are essential to running our rehearsals. If you haven't already signed up for a spot this term.
Junior Strings Sign Up:
https://doodle.com/poll/tkesrb9rd8gizec9
Full Ensemble Sign Up:
https://doodle.com/poll/cy68d5dkuw3bvufm
The parent helper responsibilities are detailed here:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/parent-helpers/
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
GREAT NEWS!!!
Starting this Friday FROZEN TREATS will be available to order for lunchtime at both sites.
They will be available every Friday for the rest of the year.
They must be ordered through Flexischools as we are still not doing cash sales.
Next week Tuesday's special will be Good Food Hero’s delicious Thai Chicken Curry
with Rice.
This week’s roster:
K-2 site:
Friday 20 November - Claire P and Sameer.
3-6 Site:
Wednesday 18 November - Claire S.
Thursday 19 November - Alicia.
Friday 20 November - Narelle and Kate K.
If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.
Thank You
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
New Operating Protocols
At this stage the Uniform Shop will remain closed for over the counter sales during Term 4. Uniform orders can be placed online through Flexischools or alternatively download an order form from the school website.
Please note that all orders will be delivered to the students’ classroom.
If you have an item that you need to exchange for another size please contact the Uniform Shop on the email address below.
Please note that all items to be exchanged must be unworn, in original condition with packaging and tags intact. There is no exchange on socks, tights or briefs.
Second Hand Uniforms
If you require second hand uniforms, please contact me on the email address below, so that I can check what stock is on hand in the second hand clothing pool.
Boys’ Socks
Size 9-12 and 13-3 boys’ socks have sold out. Our boys’ socks are Australian made and manufactured in Melbourne. Due to the extended lockdown in Victoria our bulk order which was due to arrive at the end of October has been delayed, and will not arrive until the beginning of December. I apologise for the delay.
Boys’ Summer Shirts
Size 4, 14 and 16 boys short sleeve shirts have sold out. Midford is still experiencing delays out of China, and is not expecting new stock to arrive until December. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this stock shortage.
Kinderlinks
I would like to thank the Uniform Committee for giving up their time to attend the Kinderlinks Tuesday evening and Sunday afternoon sessions over the last fortnight. Their invaluable assistance at the appointments for our new families is very much appreciated.
Much to the delight of our prospective and enthusiastic 2021 Kindergarten students, all orders from the Kinderlinks uniform appointments have been distributed.
We encourage the families who have not yet placed an order to do so before the end of the year to avoid the rush at the beginning of Term 1 2021. The Kinderlinks order form that you were sent can be emailed to the Uniform Shop or handed in at the school office. Once your order has been processed you will be notified when it is available for collection from the 3-6 office. Alternatively you may place an order through Flexischools by selecting ‘New Student 2021’.
Dr Shoe
Max can be contacted direct on 0414 912 838 to arrange a home fitting.
Ordering Uniforms
Uniform shop opening hours have been suspended. Uniforms can be ordered by completing an order form and together with payment of cash, cheque or card details handed in at either office. Orders will be filled and delivered to the students’ classrooms. A combined pricelist and order form can be downloaded from the school website by following the links to ‘Our School’ and ‘What We Offer.’ Uniforms can also be ordered online through Flexischools, however prices will include a Flexischools surcharge.
Please note that uniform orders cannot be paid via the school online payment service.
Order forms are available on the school website by following the link:
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
