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Wild Weather
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many thousands of people affected by the current weather conditions. Across the state there are numerous disaster zones. We hope that everyone remains safe and follows the advice of the authorities during this time. On behalf of the school I would like to acknowledge the State Emergency Services (SES), a volunteer organisation, for the amazing work they are doing around the clock at this time. Thank you!
Beecroft Zone PSSA
Last week the Beecroft Zone held their trials for Girl’s Football (Soccer) at Cherrybrook Public School. This trial is always of a very high standard and extremely difficult to make the group that progresses to the next level. We had three girls attend the trials; Stella M, Lily M and Kate H. All the girls did very well, with Stella M being selected to progress to the combined trial that is coming up very soon. Well done to all that attended, especially to Stella for progressing to the next level.
Tell Them From Me
The Tell Them From Me survey for students in Years 4-6 is now open. The survey is an opportunity for students to have their say on their schooling and experiences. Their responses are factored into the Strategic Improvement Plan, along with parental and staff feedback. The survey will be completed in class time and I encourage all families to allow their child to participate as their responses are anonymous. Families of students in Years 4-6 would have received an information note last week. This note provides you with all the relevant information for the survey. If you do NOT wish for your child to participate please send the slip back to school. Most, if not all, schools across NSW will participate in these surveys.
Principal’s Pizza Lunch
Thank you to the many students who have already submitted their three Principal Awards to participate in the Pizza Lunch. If your child has three merit awards at home and would like to participate in the lunch their awards must be handed in to the school by Thursday 25 March, 12pm. Any awards received after this time will be held over until next term. Those eligible students who have handed their awards in will receive a note on Thursday providing information about the lunch. The Pizza Lunch will be Wednesday 31 March.
Principal’s Awards
K-2: Reeti G, Zane S, Lucy K, Lily B, Emma C
3-6: Aiden L, Rebecca L, Nekiah T, Luke M, Ryo J, Rushan K, Kate H, Ameya A, Jamie G
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Harmony Day
Yesterday PHPS celebrated Harmony Day and the cultural diversity of our wonderful school and nation. Students and staff wore a ‘touch of orange’ in recognition of the day. Thank you to the Harmony Day committee for organising the day and resources to go along with it. Below you will see some photos of the day.
Assessments
The word ‘assessment’ is often met with negativity, however teachers are constantly gathering information about their students (assessing them) to ensure their students are engaged, supported and challenged in their undertakings. Assessment can take many forms and as teachers, we talk about it in terms of formative and summative assessment.
Formative assessment is often done as lessons are occurring to gauge what the students already know, what skills and strategies they are applying and what we need to adapt moving forward. It forms the activities and teaching practices.
Summative assessment is often used to gauge the longevity of understanding, assessing whether students have retained information and what might need to be readdressed.
We use a variety of internal assessments and one of our goals is to ensure our internal assessment data matches our external assessment data. NAPLAN and the Check-in Assessments are forms of external assessment data that we use to compare our own internal measures. This week saw Year 3 and Year 5 students sit a practice assessment to ensure they are confident in accessing NAPLAN online in Term 2. Also at the beginning of Term 2, our Year 4 and Year 6 students will sit a check-in assessment, which was new for Departmental schools last year. The check-in assessment links with NAPLAN data and should show growth of individual students and the cohort.
The external assessments (NAPLAN, Check-in Assessments) that our students are involved in should not be a point of stress or worry. If you have a student in 3-6, please talk with them about the purpose of these assessments; as a school we use it to measure how we are going. Our students are more than numbers on a page, they are more than one assessment a year and at PHPS, we take pride in that we do not ‘teach to a test’.
Below is a photo of some of our students during a NAPLAN practice assessment.
Staff profile
The staff profile for this week is for Mrs Jo Turnbull who teaches 5M on Thursdays, Fridays and alternate Wednesdays, sharing this wonderful class with Mrs McLaren. Jo is a happy and enthusiastic teacher who brings a wealth of life experience to our school. We welcome you Mrs Turnbull, even if you do like cheese and peanut butter!
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
KB - Catherine L, Nathaniel X, Chloe N, Valentino D, Isabelle S, Claire L
KC - Savannah C, Hugo P, Shernelle L, Ishan S, Alex E, Olivia T, Vasu P
KD - Zahara M, Zac P, Coralie A, Dylan S, Sydhen S, Felicity N, Yuvini P
KL - Ariana W, Daniel H, Elizaveta V, Rasidhu H, Navya D, Blake W
1A - Sidney M, Abhaya S, Dylan H, Xavier D, Matthew R, Noa S
1E - Krisav P, Eloise K, Grace G, Sian Y, Toby S, Hannah C
1M - Lachlan W, Logan S, Keyan P, Jenna K, Henley W, Lily B
1/2P - Grace A, Syd M, Isla B, Sam T
2A - Olivia G, Zane S, Sunnee G, Ashley H, Nathalie H, Emma C
2B - Max C, Matilda S, Ella K, Reyansh S, Amelie M, Olivia Y
2W - Arya B, Leonardo D, Audrey W, Sarina L, Parthiv V, Pippa C
Computers - Chloe N (KB), Ruby B (KC), Zahara M (KD), Kelvin Z (KL), Chelsea S (1A), Hannah C (1E), Lily B (1M), Alexandra M (1M), Spencer C (1/2P), Jack V (2A), Emily H (2B), Jade T (2W)
EAL/D - Vanya M (1A), Lucy K (2A)
LaST - Ruben B (1E)
With all that has happened in our world over the last year the message that “everyone belongs” is ever so important.
A variety of activities took place around the school highlighting our cultural diversity and the importance of being inclusive.
The Harmony Day Committee
Amanda Callegaro, Gai Davis, Angela Krivohlavy, Johanna Turnbull
The SRC students are running an Easter Egg Guessing Competition and will be taking guesses each morning during recess on both sites.
K-2: Outside the 2B classroom
3-6: Near the flagpole
1 guess: 50c
3 guesses: $1:00 
Guess how many eggs in the jar.
The lucky winner will take the jar full of Easter eggs home.
Good luck!
Student Respresentative Council
SRC
Hi All
I hope everyone managed to stay reasonably dry over the weekend, it looks like another wet week ahead as well. Let’s hope that the weather improves for the upcoming school holidays!
During the February and March P&C meetings it has been great to see lots of new faces on the Zoom meetings, some existing parents and many new families to the school. Over the next few newsletters I thought it would be helpful to share a bit more about the role the P&C plays in supporting PHPS, both the fundraising and the businesses it runs to support the school. This week I’ll start by introducing the canteen.
The canteen is run by our Canteen Manager Heather, supported by Catherine, providing meals and snacks for the students across both the K-2 and 3-6 sites. Heather and Catherine are also supported by a wide group of canteen volunteers who provide the extra hands to pack and deliver the orders. The canteen now operates 5 days per week with a rotating menu of healthy food and drink items, as well as special food days such as Harmony Day. The Whenman children are regular customers and are always very happy with their choices (and much better than the plain sandwiches I make them!). The P&C Canteen Committee, run by Peta Powrie as convener, oversees the financial, planning and resourcing required to operate the canteen as a business.
I hope everyone has a safe week.
Luke
For an easy, convenient, and Covid safe way for residents to dispose of their household problematic waste. The CRC provides a free service for households and is open
- Tuesday to Friday: 8:30am - 4pm
- Saturdays: 8:30am - 12pm
All you need to do is to self-unload your items and place thm in the relevant receptacles as directed by friendly Council staff. Together we can all do our bit, towards less waste and a more sustainable future.
Green Team contact phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
Business Directories
2021 Business Directory Listings for the next edition are welcome.
If you would like your business to be included in the next edition please contact phpsdirectory@gmail.com
Find the Business Directory on the P & C website or use this link: https://tinyurl.com/y3hsf7pp
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
Luke Whenman
President, PHPS P&C
Despite all the rain we had a wonderful day in the canteen yesterday preparing over 300 lunches for Harmony Day!!
A huge thank you to Peta, Naomi, Nicola, Bec, Ji, Sanne and Michelle for their amazing help to bring it all together.
This week’s roster
K-2 Site
Friday26 March - Sanne and Rubi.
3-6 Site
Wednesday 24 March - Julianne
Thursday 25 March - Sally W
Friday 26 March - Narelle and Vicky
If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
The uniform shop is open for all sales and service with the following procedures put in place:
Covid-19 Operating Protocols
The Uniform Shop has reopened for over the counter sales and service.
However all parents are required to make an appointment before attending the Uniform Shop. This is to ensure that there is no overlapping of families or crowding and queuing at the shop.
All parents will be required to sign in and register at the 3-6 office before coming to the shop for their appointment. As a result of the sign in requirements, the Uniform Shop has had to adjust its operating hours and the shop will now open on Thursday mornings instead of Thursday afternoons.
To make an appointment at the Uniform Shop please use the following link:
https://calendly.com/phpsuniformshop/15minutes?month=2021-02
Term 2 Hours
The Uniform Shop will reopen after the school holidays on Monday 19 April, Staff Development Day.
To ensure we comply with social distancing requirements, the current booking tool for appointments will remain in place throughout Term 2. All parents wishing to attend the Uniform Shop on either a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday morning will need to make an appointment.
Summer Stock Going Into Storage
Please note that the girls’ summer uniforms have been packed away into storage to make way for the bulk order of winter stock. Summer uniforms will be unavailable for sale during the winter months.
Winter Uniforms
All students are required to wear winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. In readiness for next term, all winter stock has now arrived and is currently available for sale.
The boys’ winter uniform is a long grey trouser, a unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt and a unisex tie.
The girls’ winter uniform is a grey and blue tunic worn with navy tights and a unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt and unisex tie. Alternatively, the girls can wear a navy pant with the unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt and tie.
In addition to the compulsory winter uniform, the Uniform Shop sells optional winter uniform items. There is an optional winter weight polar fleece that can be worn in place of the summer weight zip jacket and there is a navy track pant that can be worn instead of the sports shorts in the colder months.
Orders can be placed for your winter uniforms by completing an order form on the school website through the below link or placing an order online through Flexischools. All orders will then be delivered to your child’s class.
Alternatively an appointment can be made at the uniform shop, however please note that appointments are limited and are strictly 15 minutes only.
Ordering Uniforms
Uniforms can be ordered by making an appointment at the Uniform Shop during opening hours, or alternatively an order form can be completed and together with payment of cash, cheque or card details handed in at either office. Orders will be filled and then delivered to the children’s classes. 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 the 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 to Our School.
Hours
Monday and Tuesday: 8:45am – 10:45am
Thursday revised: 8:45am – 10:45am
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
Rehearsals
Thankfully with this kind of weather we're still on our "normal" rehearsal schedules.
SCB: Monday, 3:30 - 4:30pm. Arrive ASAP after school
ICB: Wednesday, 7:30am - 9am. Arrive 7:20am
SCB: Thursday, 7:30am - 8:15am. Arrive 7:20am
Jazz Band: Thursday, 8:15am - 9am
TB: Friday, 8am - 9am. Arrive 7:50am
The following rules are still be in place for rehearsals:
- All windows and doors of the music room are to be open for rehearsals and closed after
- Students will be spread out as much as possible inside the room
- Brass players are still under the "no towel, no play"rule and I don't imagine this rule will ever be removed
- Outdoor rehearsals will still take place when practical.
If last minute changes need to be made they will be put into the band’s WhatsApp group.
If you are not part of your band’s WhatsApp group and would like to be, please let us know.
Future Events
We have paid the entry fee for the Sydney Eisteddfod. All TB, ICB and SCB will be taking part in this. The video recordings need to be in by 6th June.
We are still working on Ryde Eisteddfod and ASBOF.
Music Camp
Arrangements for the Music Camp are getting very close. This year music camp is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday 30 May to Tuesday 1 June. Please keep these dates free as it will be predominantly during normal school time. Further details to come in due course.
Training Band
Term 1 worksheets should be nearly complete. Please ensure these are being worked on with your child’s tutor.
Intermediate Band
Term 1 worksheets should be nearly complete. Please ensure these are being worked on with your child’s tutor.
Senior Band
We still need a parent helper for this Thursday’s rehearsal, 25 March. Please add your name to the Doodle poll ASAP. If we do not have a parent helper, the rehearsal will be cancelled.
Ideally we would like to have 2 parent helpers on Thursday mornings, especially now that Jazz band will be starting up.
Jazz Band
Most invitations have been returned, but if you have not, can you please fill these in and return it to Mr Odams at the next possible opportunity.
If your child no longer wishes to be in Jazz band please let Mr Odams know.
Piano Players – We are still on the lookout for any enthusiastic and talented piano players. Jazz band is open to piano players who are not currently in the band program. Playing standard needs to be around AMEB grade 5-6. Please contact us ASAP if interested.
Worksheets
Please make sure your child is working through their term worksheets with their tutor. Since we are getting close to the end of the term we should be seeing some of the Term 1 sheets for TB & ICB being submitted in the next week or 2. If you have not got a copy of these they can be found on the Band web pages here.
We are very close to unveiling the new way to submit worksheets so keep an eye on your email inbox for the details when we have it finalised. In the meantime, if you have one ready to submit, please take a photo and send through all completed worksheets (or AMEB results) to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
Parent Helpers
Just a reminder that if we do not have a parent helper for a rehearsal it will be cancelled.
A big thank you to this week's helpers: Robyn P (TB), Greg W (ICB), Jo C (SCB Monday) and TBA (SCB Thursday).
Future Committee Members
We have a number of people in key positions who will be leaving the school at the end of the year. If you think your child will be in band next year, or if you are keen to help out with the band program, we would love to hear from you!
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
Music Camp is Coming!
Save the date, if you haven’t already - Sunday May 30 - Tuesday June 1
Intro to Strings
We are very happy to announce our Intro to Strings course is on offer again!
*Correction - Intro to strings will run on Monday mornings 8-9am NOT Tuesday as appeared in last week’s newsletter.
Hi, my name is Lorraine Chai and I am the new strings conductor of PHPS. I am very excited to run the "Intro to Strings" program where students will get to try a string instrument. In our sessions, we will be learning the basics of music and the instrument. We will also be learning how to play together as a group. I am looking forward to meeting your child in this program.
Course Info
The PHPS Intro to Strings course has been developed for those wanting to try a string instrument without too much upfront commitment. It is run twice per year before school on Monday mornings. No prior experience is required and the ensemble has some violins available for hire on a first come first served basis. Please email enquiries to phpsstrings@gmail.com
This is a great way to let your child try out an instrument in a fun, informal environment.
T2 & T4 - Intro to Strings
- An introductory course for brand new strings players or anyone wanting to try strings
- It is available to students of any age wanting to try violin / viola
- It is run on Monday mornings from 8am - 9am in the K-2 Hall (7:50am arrival for setup)
- Instruments available for hire through the ensemble
- Maximum 10 students so get in early!
T1 & T3 - Junior Strings
- This is a continuation of the Intro to Strings course however to be eligible, students need to have taken up formal lessons with a strings teacher
- Students who have not completed the Intro to Strings course but have received formal lessons for at least 1 term are also eligible
- It is available to students of any age who play violin, viola, cello or double bass
- This course prepares students to enter the main ensemble
Register your interest for Intro to Strings here
For more information, get in touch via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com
We keep a list of local tutors to help you on our website:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/string-teachers/
Main Ensemble Rehearsals
K-2 Hall: Tuesday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Just a reminder that the String Ensemble can't run without help from the parents. Please click on the link below and sign up to be a parent helper - we are now doing the roster for Term 2
https://doodle.com/poll/m6xqssp8wnpu8yp7?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Our parent helper this week is Jade. Thank you Jade!
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
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