Student Achievement

Congratulations to Christian P in Year 5 who has been selected in the Beecroft Zone PSSA Soccer team. This team will compete against Ryde PSSA for a combined team to be selected to progress to the Sydney North PSSA trials. The combined trial takes place this Wednesday. We wish Christian all the very best of luck.

Year 5 2022 – Opportunity Class

Opportunity classes cater for academically gifted and high potential students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic and social level. Successful students will usually have to leave their current school to enrol in a school with an opportunity class for Years 5 and 6.

Testing and assessment

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered mainly on the combined results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test and school assessments. Students who wish to be considered for opportunity class placement will sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

How to apply

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2021, you need to apply between Tuesday 20 April 2021 and Friday 7 May 2021. You will need to access the online application at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5 . You must not use the child’s email address.

If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Team for assistance after Tuesday 20 April 2021 at ssu@det.nsw.edu.au or on 1300 880 367.

You must submit only ONE application for each student.

Important – the school cannot apply on your behalf.

Check-in Assessments

Over the last two weeks schools across NSW that have opted in to participate in the Check-in assessments have started to complete these. Like most schools we started last week and encountered several technical issues (along with a majority of schools). Yesterday Years 4 and 6 were able to complete the Reading assessment without any major hiccups. Today we were able to complete the Mathematics assessment. The results from these assessments are available for teachers within 48 hours of all assessments being completed. This gives the teachers fantastic insight into the student’s progress. Unlike NAPLAN, unfortunately there is no report for parents. Well done to all involved.

NAPLAN

Next week and the week after students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in NAPLAN. NAPLAN is a national assessment that all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 complete. Due to Covid-19 there was no NAPLAN last year. The primary goal of NAPLAN is to identify student’s strengths and weaknesses and allow the teachers to address these gaps within their teaching and learning programs. NAPLAN results are not the only factor in determining student achievement. Your child’s teacher is by far the best person to talk to about their academic achievement as they work with them day in and day out.

To assist your child in preparing for NAPLAN ensure that they get plenty of sleep the week of the assessments, they eat a balanced diet, arrive at school on time and most importantly they understand it is important to give their best effort, and the result will be what it will be.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN please make contact with your child’s teacher.

School Attendance

Recently we have noticed many students arriving at school after 9:15am or consistently leaving before 3:15pm. Every child is required to be at school during these hours unless they are sick or have permission to attend a specific program.

Please ensure that your child/ren arrive at school before 9:15am. This ensures that they do not suffer any anxiety from being late to school. It also ensures that it does not impact the learning that is taking place inside their class.

If your child is absent from school due to an illness please ensure that you provide the school with the reason for the absence on their return.

Local AECG

The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc (AECG) is a community-based organisation made of volunteers who are involved in Local and Regional AECGs throughout NSW. The NSW AECG Inc is recognised as the principal source of advice on behalf of Aboriginal communities on issues relating to education and training. At local levels it is vitally important that the school and AECG work together to provide appropriate lessons for all students. Last term saw the reformation of the local Hornsby AECG. Ms Stevens and Ms Schmidt will be attending these meetings to represent our school. I will be also attending when possible.

These meetings are open to any interested person, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who have a passion for Aboriginal education and training. The meetings take place at Asquith Public School in their library from 4pm - 5:30pm on the following days:

• Thursday 20 May
• Thursday 12 August
• Thursday 28Oct (includes AGM)        

Principal's Awards

K-2: Xavier D, Emma C

3-6: Akshaj J, Eddy C, Liam C

Kind Regards

Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal

Reading Information Session

Please join us this evening for an information session on reading. Our Reading team will demonstrate some of the activities that our students are involved in to develop their reading skills and provide some suggestions on how you can support your child to read at home. Our amazing P&C are providing a barbecue from 6pm, with the Reading session beginning at about 7pm. We welcome you to also stay for the P&C meeting that will follow at 7:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mother's Day Breakfast

Pennant Hills Public School will be hosting a Mother's Day breakfast on Friday 7 May in the School Hall from 7:30am. We hope to see you there.

Cross Country

Please find below some photos from the successful cross country carnival that ran last week. Congratulations to all of the students who tried their best and well done to Miss Steel for her organisation of the day. Thank you to the P&C for their barbecue and the ice blocks, to the teachers for their support and assistance on the day and to all of our families who were able to make it and share the day with us!

Good luck Mr Clarke!

Mr Clarke is one of our brilliant SLSO’s (Student Learning Support Officers) who does a wonderful job working with our teachers and students to support learning. He is also a soon to be Olympian! Mr Clarke is representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics in trampolining and is leaving us shortly to begin the process.

To show our support, all students and staff are asked to wear green and gold to this week’s K-6 assembly that will be held in the hall. Our first whole school assembly in over a year!

I asked Mr Clarke some questions, please see his responses in the staff profile below. If you would like to watch the routine that Mr Clarke undertook at the Worlds in Tokyo in 2019, please view it here - http://www.viewpure.com/pnEy1AulLyw?start=0&end=0

                     

Kind Regards

Mrs Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

KB - Dhruv C, Gavin Z, Will G, Joanna Y

KC -  Adriaen D, Shernelle L, Olivia T. Sophie L, Ishan S, Angus C

KD - Yuvini P, Elliott K, Felicity N

KL - Obadiah R, Emma L, Sophie H, Maya V, Blake W, Siara D

1A - Toby H, Sidney M, Noa S, Chelsea S, Dylan H, Anderson X

1E - Aadhya S, Shriya I, Luca H, Jordan H, Grace G, Marlina T

1M - Asher M, Molly M, Logan S, Max F

1/2P - Luc P, Esther P, Reuben L, Natasha D, Eleanor T, Jayden W

2A - Tommy J, Kira B, Theo B, Jacinta I, Lachlan H

2B - Emilija L, Amelie M, Max C, Olivia Y, Matilda S, Ewan T

2W - Audrey W, Jade T, Joshua A, Natalie S, Marcus T

Computers - Teddy W (KC), Blake W (KL), Matthew R (1A), Luca H (1E), Ezekiel S (1M), Isla B (1/2P), Amira R (2A), Olivia G (2A), Tommy J (2A), Luke Z (2B)

LaST - JP C (1M)

If a student is absent a make up test will be available at a suitable time over the two weeks.

Please remember to bring headphones and a mouse for each day of testing.

Mrs Melissa Griffith

Assistant Principal and Relieving Deputy Principal

Students are invited to come dressed in Australia’s Olympic Colours – Green and Gold for our assembly next Wednesday.

Mr Dominic Clarke our SLSO, has been selected as part of the Australian Olympic Team to represent Australia in Trampolining.

We are going to showcase Mr Clarke at our K-6 assembly and would love the students to show him their support by dressing in green and gold.

Students may wear mufti to school. Please ensure they have closed in shoes and a hat.

Well done to everyone who participated in our school cross country last Thursday. Students showed excellent strength and determination to complete the course around our K-2 site. We were very lucky to have beautiful weather that allowed for a lovely picnic lunch shared with friends and family. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who helped to make the carnival run smoothly and good luck to the students progressing to the Zone Cross Country Carnival. ​

On Wednesday 19 May ribbons will be handed out to the top 4 competitors of each event. This will be done at our 3-6 assembly in the Hall at 2:00 pm. Parents are welcome to attend the assembly and join us in celebrating their child's achievement.

Ms Shannon Steel

Cross Country Coordinator

How do I register and order?

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Click on “ORDER” and enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue and follow the prompts to make payment by credit card.
4. All orders are processed after the closing date and delivered to the school to be distributed.

Ms Davis

Teacher Librarian

PSSA teams played Normanhurst PS last Friday at Pennant Hills Park.

Soccer

Girls N defeated PH 3-2

Boys PH defeated N 5-0

Teeball

Girls PH defeated N 7-5

Boys PH defeated N 13-12 

​  

A great start to the competition! This week we play Epping Public School at Pennant Hills Park.

Miss Reishlyn Dy (Soccer) and Miss Courtney Hansell (Teeball)

Stage 2 PSSA Coaches

The Winter season of PSSA kicked off last Friday!

Stage 3 played Thornleigh West PS.

​Netball

A: TW defeated PH 18-11

B: PH defeated TW 5-4

Soccer

A: TW defeated PH 4-2

B TW defeated PH 1-0

Also, congratulations to Christian P on his selection in the Beecroft Zone soccer team. The next level of the trial will be against Ryde Zone. Good luck, Christian.

Mr Mark Bryant

PSSA Coordinator

President’s Message

Hi All 

I hope everyone enjoyed the Cross Country last Thursday, lots of great pictures of families back on the school grounds, sausage sandwiches (see below!) and zooper dooper to recover after the race. Well done to all of the kids who had the hardest job on the day and of course to the teachers for organisers and the extensive parent volunteer support for the canteen. 

This Tuesday we have our first P&C meeting back onsite since March 2020. There will be a free family BBQ outside the Hall at the K to 2 site from 6pm, followed by an information session on reading by the PHPS teachers at 7pm and then P&C meeting from 7.30pm. It’s a great opportunity to meet some of the other families at the school, have a sausage and get an update from the school and the P&C. 

Have a great week.

Luke

      

      

Cross Country Carnival Last Thursday!

A huge thank you to our school GA, Mark (whose birthday it was!) and one of our lovely Cross Country volunteers, Paul. Between them they cooked 600 sausages! They did all this while still smiling!

Mother’s Day stall - Thursday 6 May

Flexischools purchases for Mother’s Day gifts are now closed. Your child/ren will have an opportunity to select their gift at the Mother’s Day stall on Thursday 6 May during school hours. 

Volunteers are needed to operate the Mother’s Day stall from 9:30-11am at the 3-6 campus and/or 11:30-1pm at the K-2 campus.

Please text Alison Pride on 0402 301 815 if you can help for one or both sessions. Volunteers are asked to complete the covid check-in at the office on arrival.     

         

PHPS Planting day Sunday 16 May

The Gardens and Grounds team are excited to be able to welcome families back on site for the upcoming Planting Day on Sunday 16 May afternoon (time tbc).

The aim is to complete the planting around the new sandstone steps (cnr Ramsay and Greycliffe) near the electronic sign at the 3-6 site. 

Bring your gardening gear and remember to sign in on arrival.

         

This week a piece from an inspired Kindergarten Mum, Caroline

My son started Kindergarten and I was inspired by the article about nude food movers. Looking for an alternative for the yoghurt pouches in the lunchbox - as the huge plastic cap is so much waste - a friend of mine recommended Sistema containers as they are leak proof!

I am very happy with this solution. 

Talking to my son about why we changed from the yoghurt pouches to the reusable containers is a great way to involve him in sustainable practice and problem solving. 

Looking forward to other experiences and ideas to make our lunchboxes nude and really healthy as I am sure there is more to discover!

As always contact the Green Team with your questions, comments and ideas phpsgreenteam@gmail.com  

   

2021 Business Directory Listings for the next edition are welcome.

If you would like your business to be included in the next edition and aren’t already listed, 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

pandcpresident@gmail.com

The Cross Country Sausage Sizzle was a huge success!! It was a great day and I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to the many people who contributed in a myriad of ways to the sausage sizzle and stall running so smoothly. We had so many happy helpers on the BBQ, stall, and sandwich production line, as well as those picking up sausages and ferrying car loads between sites. The day would not have been such a success without you!!

A special thanks to Mark for cooking 600 sausages, on his birthday no less, and to Peta and Darcy Powrie for writing out hundreds of drink labels, labelling all of the lunch bags, and making 63 Apple Slinkies!!! 

      

In other news, we have had to increase the sale price of the Gluten Free Gingerbread Folk. For a long time, we have sold them with a very low profit margin. Recently the price we pay for them has gone up considerably so we need to charge more so that we do not lose money. 

     

Starting next Tuesday the 3-6 canteen will be open for recess as well as lunch for over the counter sales, on Tuesdays, and at lunch time on Fridays. Garlic bread will be available for recess as well as popcorn, chips, Anzac biscuits etc. Ice Blocks will only be available at lunch time.

         

This week’s roster

3-6 Site

Wednesday 5 May - Carol 

Thursday 6 May - Soo                                 

Friday 7 May - Narelle - Help needed please

K-2 site

Friday 7 May - Nicola and Soo.

     

If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

The uniform shop is open for all sales and service with the following procedures put in place during Term 2:

Covid-19 Operating Protocols

https://calendly.com/phpsuniformshop/15minutes?month=2021-02

Winter Uniforms

All students are required to wear winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Winter stock 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 - can be worn in place of the summer weight zip jacket 
• Navy track pant - can be worn instead of 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 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.

Second Hand Stock

The Uniform Shop has sold out of most winter uniform components in large sizes, so if you have any uniforms in good condition in a size 10-16 that you no longer need, please consider donating them to the second hand clothing pool. Uniform donations can be handed in at the 3-6 office.

Year 5 and 6 PSSA Football socks

Navy PSSA football socks in sizes 2-7 and 7-11(adult shoe sizes) are available for sale at the Uniform Shop for $9.50. The socks can also be purchased online through Flexischools - prices include the Flexischools’ surcharge.

Please note: Years 3 and 4 students are not required to wear PSSA socks. 

Music Polos

The Uniform Shop sells the Music Polos required for Music Camp and various performances throughout the year for students participating in Band, Strings and Choir.

The music polos can be purchased for $19.50, and are also available online through Flexischools - online prices include the Flexischools’  surcharge. 

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 Uniform Shop page of the school website or by using the below link:

https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/p/pennanthil-p/uniform-shop/Term_2_Order_Form_and_Price_List_2021.pdf

Hours

Monday and Tuesday 8:45am – 10:45am

Thursday revised to 8:45am – 10:45am

Alison Parker

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

A few extra events being added to the list of this which are upcoming. Please make sure you're across what's happening by reading this newsletter and keeping an eye on your WhatsApp messages.

Events

SCB: Kindy Open - 25 May

All bands: Sydney Eisteddfod - Video submission early June

SCB: PHHS Music Festival – 9 June, 7pm. 

JB: Ryde Eisteddfod - 4 or 5 August.

All bands: ASBOF - Video submission early August.

We are also in the planning stage of a school concert night so keep your eyes open for more details.

NSW Wind Ensemble: 11 / 12 September

Award Worksheets
Can Term 1 worksheets these please be submitted as soon as possible through the new Worksheet Submission Web Form.

https://forms.gle/NpPEG9jk2FsYdmmq7

If you have issues with the web form you can still send through to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com

Once the Term 1 worksheets have been completed please go onto the Term 2 worksheet.

This can be found on the Band web pages here.

http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/forms/

Training Band

Kwanza celebration for practice homework with their tutor and at home. Ms Foster will also be sending them home with a folder and new music at this week's rehearsal.

Intermediate Band

ICB students to be practicing the following pieces for the Sydney Eisteddfod recording:

1. Tequila
2. Geronimo
3. Heavy Metal

Senior Band

Senior Band will be performing for the Kindergarten open day on Tuesday 25 May as parents are arriving, from 9 - 9.30am. We will require some parent helpers to assist with setting up and packing down.

Children should be working on the following repertoire in order of priority:

1. Bohemian Rhapsody
2. Stillmeadow Overture
3. Circus Marchimus
4. The Forgotten Village
5. El Toro

Jazz Band

Jazz Band has been entered into the Ryde Eisteddfod. This will be during the day on either Wednesday 4 or Thursday 5 August. Please put these dates in your diary. The school will not be providing transportation, so parents will need to organise the transportation for their children.

In 2019 we were fortunate enough to come away with a win in our category at this event. We're hoping to repeat this this year!

Parent Helpers

A big thank-you to this week's helpers: Carol H (TB), Lu L (ICB), Cindy J and Teresa H (SCB Thursday).

Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

Introduction to strings

Parents should have received an email yesterday inviting you to join the Intro to Strings Whatsapp group. Lorraine will be posting tips and ideas for your child’s home practice here. It is also a way for parents to communicate with each other which can be handy, so please jump on to keep up to date.

The Intro to Strings parent helper roster is full but all parents should feel free to attend as they wish - the more the merrier!

https://doodle.com/poll/g8nuskzfu76ddcxk#table (for your reference)

Next week's intro helpers are Tripti and Janice - Thank you both

Intro parent helper responsibilities can be found here

Main Ensemble 

K-2 Hall: Tuesday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

A big thanks to the ensemble parents who have put their hands up to help out this term. The roster is full

https://doodle.com/poll/5vf6xwukwcv99tpu?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link (for your reference)   

Our parent helper this week is Christine - Thanks Christine 

Parent helper duties can be found here

PHPS String Ensemble

Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/

Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/