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Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) 2021-2024
All schools across NSW have been completing a Situational Analysis of their school to identify areas to target improvement. As a result we have been analysing the improvements and growth in our current school plan, analysing student data from a range of sources, reading the latest research articles published by the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) and determining the priorities for the SIP.
As a result of this thorough process the school has identified three strategic directions.
- Student attainment and growth (This is set by the DoE)
- Wellbeing
- Parent and carer partnerships
Student Attainment and Growth
Under this Strategic Direction the school will undergo professional learning to improve student results in literacy and numeracy. The professional learning will be based on data and research to ensure it is meeting our identified targeted areas of student improvement.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is very topical at the moment due to Covid-19 and some of the school’s data shows that we have room for improvement in this area. As such we would be looking at working with the community to develop and implement a consistent school based approach to behaviour to ensure students feel connected to the school and its role in supporting them, assessing the current awards structure and implementing a wellbeing program to better support our students.
Parent and Carer Partnerships
We would like to build stronger partnerships with our parents and carers to benefit the students. This Strategic Direction would see the school provide information sessions on many areas of interest for parents and would be based on need. Prior to Covid-19 we had begun to share information about the Mathematics journey the school was undertaking. Sadly Covid-19 halted that initiative, but the school has continued to provide an update to the P&C on the school’s professional learning journey.
If you would like to share your thoughts on any of these Strategic Directions please send the school an email at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and attention it to Matt Pinchbeck – SIP 2021-2024.
Celebration of Learning
Congratulations to our award winners from Kindergarten to Year 5. Year 6 your Celebration of Learning is next Wednesday. Our assemblies have been well-received by those who have been able to attend and those who have attended online. We very much wish we could have held our normal Celebration of Learning, however, Covid-19 guidelines have not allowed us to do so. We do acknowledge that some people have not been able to attend as they would have wanted. Please know that we have done as much as possible to include parents in the celebration.
Year 6 Farewell
What a night! All the students had an amazing time. Jen Whalan and her team did an awesome job decorating the hall, providing the food and cake all while following the new guidelines. It was a brilliant night. Thanks also to Mrs Cox and Mrs Ford for their organisation and to the teachers who were able to attend and supervise during the night. Mr Scott, our General Assistant, is also a professional photographer and he took a huge amount of photos on the night. These photos will be placed on a USB for all the students before the end of the year to ensure they have memories of their farewell for many years to come.
Staffing Update
Congratulations Mr Thompson! Mr Thompson has been at our school for seven wonderful years as a temporary teacher. He is much loved and admired by the students and wider community. Next year Mr Thompson will be teaching at another school. He is very much looking forward to the next chapter in his career. We wish him the very best of luck for the future.
Retaining Wall
The retaining wall on Greycliffe Ave and Ramsay Road is now complete. The wall looks fabulous and provides more space for the students on the oval, opportunities to create some gardens and is now not a safety hazard for pedestrians. Many thanks to the P&C for their support with this project. In the New Year we will look to plant some gardens in that space to enhance the space.
Next week the electronic sign that the Year 6 groups from 2017 and 2018 raised money for will be installed in this space. I thank those year groups for their patience for this project to come to fruition. Their contribution will be acknowledged on the sign. Hopefully this will all be completed prior to the end of this year.
Covid-19 Student Summer Packs
As we come closer to the end of the school year, we’d like to extend our thanks to you, our parent community, for demonstrating so much resilience and patience towards the circumstances we faced together. We strived together to get the best outcomes for our students despite the pandemic and you have stayed by our side the entire time. Thank you again.
We will be sending a COVID-safe summer pack to each student before the year ends. The contents of the pack will help students maintain healthy hygiene practices and to stay COVID-safe during the school holidays.
Here are some quick tips to help you and your families stay COVID-safe during the school holidays:
- Encourage your children to use their packs whenever they leave the house
- Meet outdoors whenever possible and wear sunscreen
- Meet in small groups
- Encourage good hand hygiene practices and remind your children to cough and sneeze into their elbow
- Keep up-to-date with the latest health information by monitoring the NSW Government website External link
From all of us at Pennant Hills Public School, be safe and enjoy the school holidays.
Principal’s Pizza Lunch
The last Principal’s Pizza lunch for this year will take place on Tuesday 15 December. All students able to have a Principal’s Pizza Lunch need to have their awards in to the school by Thursday 10 December. Any awards brought in after this day will have to wait until next year.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Principal Awards
K-2 = Chloe H, Nellie M, Keyan P, Olivia G
3-6 = Sophie W, Jasmitha K, Raagni K, Sophie M, Chloe X, Chloe K, Giselle H, Chloe L, Aimen B, Hannah Q, Isabelle K, Kaya G, Abbie R, Onadi P, Raiyan A
Smith Family Christmas Toy and Book Appeal
The bags are packed and we are off to the Smith Family drop off! Mr Scott, our General Assistant has packed his boot and trailer full of new toys and books for disadvantaged children across Australia – he said he felt like Santa himself with his sleigh!
The biggest thanks goes to YOU our amazing community for so generously donating so many items. The joy it will bring to young Australians on Christmas day, and no doubt their families, will be priceless. You are amazing – I can not thank you enough.
Year 6 Farewell
Last night was a bittersweet moment for our wonderful Year 6 students, where they thoroughly enjoyed each others company and reminisced about their time here at Pennant Hills Public School. Thank you to all of the parent helpers who spent hours (and hours) setting up and packing up our school hall, it was completely transformed into an enchanted forest and the attention to detail was superb – table settings of glass globes with leaves, fairy lights and flowers and wall decorations with webs and spooky eyes – really set the scene. Thank you to the food crew! Multiple students commented on how special it made them feel and how lucky they felt to have their own little box of goodies. The students were beautifully behaved and danced their hearts out! What a night! Congratulations Year 6 – you made it! We are so proud of this fine bunch of young Australians and look forward to hearing about their future endeavours.
Around the School
I popped into 4M this morning, knowing that during mathematics they have been focusing on creating a project plan for a covid-safe fete. I had an inkling they would be able to help me with my mission. I needed to know the measurements of the upper fenced area on the K-2 site and 4M did not disappoint! As soon as I explained what I required, multiple students pulled out their project plans and showed me their scaled map of the area with detailed measurements. We talked about how we could find the total meterage of the length I required and 2 students then promptly used their powers of addition and subtraction to provide me with a total. Great job 4M – you have applied your learning to a real life scenario.
1S were producing writing when I entered their room, explaining what the best gift would be. I loved the idea of going on a ‘two headed bus’ – to find that this was a double decker bus – great imaginations. They provided some excellent explanations as to why they would like their present, some of the examples are below – and they are in Year One! Wonderful work.
Celebration of Learning Award Recipients – Kindergarten – Year 5
Kindergarten
Andrew Richards Memorial Award - Lachlan W.
KD Sidney M - Creative Thinking
Noa S - Critical Thinking
Henry J - Learning growth
Sarah-Lynn L- Consistent effort
KH Grace G - Learning Growth
Nathanael M - Citizenship
Reuben L - Collaboration and Leadership
Eric W - Consistent effort
KP Henley W - Collaboration and Leadership
Nathanael C- Critical Thinking
David H - Critical Thinking
Eloise K - Consistent effort
K/1R Nellie M - Learning Growth
Paul Z - Learning Growth
Year 1
K/1R Natalie S- Citizenship
Marcus T - Consistent effort
1D Sanidhu H - Citizenship
Sunnee G - Learning Growth
Emma K - Consistent effort
Esandu P - Consistent effort
1E Alexander A - Creative & Critical Thinking
April F - Learning Growth
Emily H - Citizenship
Olivia G - Consistent Effort
1S Norah H - Learning Growth
Christian Z - Citizenship
Jayden W - Citizenship
Olivia Y - Critical Thinking
1/2H Nathalie H - Learning Growth
Jade T - Critical Thinking
Year 2
1/2H Akshaj J Learning Growth
Madeleine W - Learning Growth
2C Penelope K - Learning Growth
Ben H - Learning Growth
Isabella N - Citizenship
Sotirios J - Learning Growth
Gemma D - Critical Thinking
2M Zainab D - Learning growth
Lilly N - Learning growth
Lucas V - Critical Thinking
Lara B - Learning Growth
2W Georgia B - Citizenship
Chloe H - Communication
Stuart W - Learning Growth
Blake W - Communication
Yuvraj L - Critical Thinking
Greta Russell Award - Charles D
Year 3
3B Evie C - Learning Growth
Indie M - Creativity
Reuben T - Critical Thinking
Kenzie W -Collaboration and Leadership
Finn K - Citizenship
3D Lithushan L - Learning Growth
Sabrina W - Creativity
Kiric C - Learning Growth
Elsie G - Creativity
Kaya G - Citizenship
3R Mana A - Learning Growth
Jamie K - Learning Growth
Ben A - Citizenship
Kiara D - Collaboration and Leadership
Ryan Z - Critical Thinking
Year 4
4G Angus W - Critical Thinking
Raymond W - Creativity
Lauren G - Communication
Sophie W - Learning Growth
Megan C - Citizenship
4M Tahlia C - Learning Growth
Callum D - Creativity
Liam C - Learning Growth
Seb J - Learning Growth
Preston G - Collaboration and Leadership
Sophie S - Learning Growth
4T Poppy B - Creativity
Anthony L - Citizenship
Nessa M - Critical Thinking
Annabelle R - Learning Growth
Charlie T - Learning Growth
Clancy T - Collaboration
Year 5
5F Darcy P - Creativity
Alanna K - Learning Growth
Rhia D - Critical Thinking
Campbell C - Critical and Creative Thinking
Callum H - Citizenship
5N Poppy S - Creativity
Jacqueline M - Learning Growth
Ayaana S - Critical Thinking
Kayla Y - Citizenship
Rushan K - Collaboration and Leadership
5P Matthew M - Learning Growth
Martha M - Citizenship
Sophia K - Collaboration
Vivaan M - Critical Thinking
Aidan L - Learning Growth
Swimming Awards
Sam K - Junior Boy Swimming Champion
Lennox S - 11yrs Boy Swimming Champion
Archie S - Snr Boy Swimming Champion
Hannah Q - Junior Girl Swimming Champion
Year 6 Celebration of Learning and Graduation Assembly
Following the recent updated guidelines form the Department of Education, the Year 6 Celebration of Learning and Graduation Assembly can be held as one assembly for all of year 6 not three separated assemblies.
Wednesday 16 December Year 6 Celebration of Learning and Graduation Assembly
10am – School Hall
Year 6
1 Adult per student may attend – a webinar link will be sent via SZapp the day before for those that can’t attend.
- All attendees, including students, staff and visitors, including parents and carers must be well and free of any flu-like symptoms.
- We are following the advice provided by the NSW Department of Education from Health NSW in regards to Graduation Assemblies.
- All visitors must sign the external visitors form on arrival.
- Visitors must remain seated throughout the assembly.
Families in their final year at PHPS will receive their spoon at this assembly. The Year 6 student will come onstage to receive the spoon on behalf of their family.
All students will have the opportunity to ring the school bell at the end of the day. Year 6 students will be in the playground from 2:45pm to ring the bell, Mark Scott our GA will be taking phots of those students who can be published and these photos will be available on the School Website. Due to COVID-19 restrictions parents will not be onsite for the ringing of the bell.
Thank you for your ongoing support at this challenging time.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mrs Melissa Griffith
Relieving Deputy Principal
3B – Evie C, Ali P, Emily M,
3R – Giselle H, Mana A, Jake S,
4G – Claire A, Amy L, Christian P, Megan C, Deanna S, Sebastian C,
4M – Tom S, Andrei S,
5F – Sara C, Mathew M, Jordan M,
6P – Jess PDS, Sihyn Y, Aditya K,
COMPUTERS – Onadi P 3R, Monica L 3B, Deanna S 4G, Charlie T 4T, Eden K 5N, Jimmy W 5P, Mesa H 6B, Kairav K 6M,
A very big THANK YOU to all the amazing Year 5 parents who devoted their time and talents in organising last night’s wonderful “Enchanted Evening” Year 6 Farewell! Thank You to Jen W and in no particular order: Dan S, Damon M, Darryl Y, Matt W, Ben & Sarah R, Peter & Sonya D, Mel S, Jules W, Katie S, Cindy, Al Mc, Erika S, Kim D, Rohini M, Kate A, Emi G, Fatima, Susan G, Aparna M, Alicia C, Jin & Nara L, Kat I, Liz G and Peta P. Thank you for making this event really special for our outgoing Year 6 kids!
Thank you also to Nick A for donating his lighting equipment for the evening and a big shout out to Spring Colours Nursery in Dural for generously donating the use of several plants for the Farewell!
Thank You to a small team of Year 6 parents who worked tirelessly with the school to put together the Year 6 Yearbook! Thanks to Kim G, Kate K, Shaheen D and Ying D for all their efforts.
It’s a good time to thank Sean Robson. He does a great job maintaining the oval irrigation system. This weekend again, he uncovered the sprinklers covered by the new grass and ensured all the sprinklers were working well. Thanks for always taking the time to help out the school Sean.
GREEN TEAM UPDATE
Re-using bottle tops – By Zoe G – 6B
Did you know that over the last 30 years, more than 20 million plastic bottle caps and lids were found during beach cleaning activities around the world. You have probably thrown away thousands of bottle tops in your lifetime and guess where they end up – either in landfill or inside turtles, whales and fish. How can we stop this from happening?
Envision Hands had the idea of making prosthetics out of recycled bottle caps, aimed specifically for kids. They wanted the kids to feel strong and empowered so they based their prosthetics on the child’s favourite superhero! Envision was hoping for 1 million donated bottle tops and they ended up with 15 million! What a success! Unfortunately, the plastic in the bottle tops did not meet the standards to make prosthetics, so instead they’ve used the bottle tops for things like buddy benches and play equipment for schools.
It is amazing how much support Envision received but you know what else you can do with your bottle tops? You can make incredible pieces of art like these! Wouldn’t it be cool if our school made something like this?
Read about the Sandy Beach Public School mural (near Coffs Harbour) and the Bottle Cap mural project from Los Angeles shows you exactly how to do it!
The COMMUNICATIONS Team NEEDS YOU!
The P&C’s Communications Group is looking for interested parents who can assist with sharing information, networking, and event planning in 2021. The P&C is a volunteer organisation and our Comms Group would welcome anyone who can assist us in any capacity – whether it’s coordinating one of the many initiatives on our calendar, promoting the events or just assisting on the day. Please contact us now at phppandc@gmail.com if you can help!
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
Hornsby Busking
Our second busking session at Hornsby Westfields was a great day. We were able to raise some more money (still waiting to confirm numbers) for the Australian Children's Music Foundation (http://www.acmf.com.au).
2021 Training Band
A big thank you to all the students who have submitted their band forms and attended the blow test last week. We really appreciate you spending the time to come. It's good to see how many children are interested in learning an instrument. We still have a couple of outstanding offers we've yet to receive a response to. If you could respond to those ASAP we would really appreciate it
If your child is interested in learning an instrument we'd really like you to fill in the form here. Whilst we've already sent out offers, it's still not too late to fill in a form! Any children going into years 3-6 in 2021 are welcome.
The more students we have in the band program the better the band sounds!
Please note that whilst instrument offers have already been sent out there are limits on what we can offer to late applications. Brass and Woodwind are still available, unfortunately Bass Guitar and Percussion may not be available.
If you did not get a copy of the Intro to Band handout, you can find it here.
If you'd like more details please contact us at phpsband@gmail.com
Christmas Carols Video Recordings:
A big thank you to all the bands for their participation in the video recordings last week. We'll be putting these together as soon as we can to give everyone a bit of virtual Christmas Carols & a performance event.
Solo Days this week:
This week we have our Solo Days performances!
Please encourage your child to play something. The piece may be something they've been working on with their tutor, a piece from an AMEB exam, a piece from the Red or Blue workbook, or something special they may have been practising themselves.
The idea behind this is to allow your children to show off to the rest of the band what they've learnt throughout the year by playing a solo and get them used to performing in front of an audience, something we've not really had the chance to do this year. However, this isn't something they should stress over. If they don't wish to participate, it's not something we will enforce.
Please send an email to Rose, Dave or myself if they wish to participate.
Worksheets:
We are very close to the end of the year and want to make sure we can get any Bronze, Silver or Gold awards handed out before school finishes. Please take photos of them and send through all completed worksheets (or AMEB results) to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
Parent Helpers:
Massive thanks to Lu L, Al M, Olivia F and Priya K for being our parent helpers this week. It is very much appreciated especially since we'll be doing the Solo Days performances.
Hired Instrument Returns:
All Hired Instruments need to be returned on Monday 14 December - Week 10 between 8am and 9am at the School Hall. Please make sure you have the instrument checked off by one of the band helpers there. Please do not drop the instrument and leave without speaking to someone.
Thank You
The Band Committee
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
Carols in the Park
Congratulations to our Strings Ensemble who spent Sunday morning caroling in Wahroonga Park. Despite a year with few performance opportunities and limited rehearsal time, our strings performed beautifully with many locals stopping to watch and listen.
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/RH1kQSCpCiMD6MkU9
Further details will be sent out via email through class parents or drop us a message: phpsstrings@gmail.com
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. The string program caters for absolute beginners with no prior experience as well as students that have already begun private tuition.
If you need any information you can reach us via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com
Junior Strings
Rehearsal each week is from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in classroom 2W.
Our parent helpers are:
- December 8 - Parent helper - Sashini
Rehearsals
Our string ensemble rehearsals for term 4 remain split by stage.
The schedule for term is as follows:
Stage 2
- December 15 - Parent helper – Ying
Stage 3
- December 8 - 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 please do at the links below.
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/
FROZEN TREATS are available to order again this Friday and also next Wednesday, the last day of school!
This week’s roster:
K-2 site:
Friday 11 December - Rebecca D. Need one more person please.
3-6 Site:
Wednesday 9 December - Claire P.
Thursday 10 December - Lisa S.
Friday 11 December - Narelle and Stefanie.
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
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.
The Uniform shop has reopened for appointments only to new families who require a fitting and for those parents wanting to purchase second hand uniforms or parents who have an item that needs to be exchanged for another size.
Please contact the Uniform Shop on the email address below to arrange an appointment on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning between 9am and 10.30am. All those attending an appointment will need to sign in at the 3-6 office prior to attending their appointment in the Uniform Shop.
Boys’ Summer Shirts
Size 4, 14 and 16 boys short sleeve shirts have sold out. New stock is expected to arrive by the end of this week. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by the shortage.
Year 6 Signature Bears and Balls
Signature bears and balls have arrived and the Year 6 teachers will hand them out to students next Monday.
Hours For 2021
The last day of trading for 2020 will be next Tuesday 15 December.
At this stage it is hoped that the Uniform Shop will be able to resume normal operating hours in 2021. In anticipation of the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions I wish to advise that the Uniform Shop will reopen on the following dates and times:
Week 1, Term 1, 2021
Thursday 28 January, Staff Development Day: 8.45am – 10.45am
Friday 29 January, Years 1-6 students return: 8.45am – 10.45am
Hours will revert to normal the following week.
Monday 1 February: 8.45am – 10.45am
Tuesday 2 February: 8.45am - 10.45am
Thursday 4 February: 3.00pm – 4.00pm
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
