Pennant Hills Public School eNewsletter

NAPLAN

Well done to all our Year 3 and 5 students who have completed all their NAPLAN assessments for 2021. All the students should feel very proud of their achievements and flexibility during these assessments. Whilst we did not have any major technical issues to deal with during an assessment there were some minor technical issues. All the students were extremely flexible, understanding and positive through this process. As soon as the results are available all families will receive a letter with their child’s results.

The Everyday Maths Hub

The NSW Department of Education has some wonderful resources for parents to assist you in supporting your children. The following link is to The Everyday Maths Hub,https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/learning/maths/the-everyday-maths-hub and here you can find many resources. I encourage you to take the time to have a look.

P&C’s Gardens and Grounds

On Sunday our wonderful Gardens and Grounds group began planting trees and shrubs within the retaining wall area on the 3-6 site. Already it has made a huge improvement to the area. There is more work to be done, so please keep your eye out for an update on when this will occur. A huge thank you to all involved, especially Kate Ashton for her designing skills and knowledge of plants and Dan Saunders for organising the entire working bee and ordering of all the plants.

Zone Cross Country

Next Wednesday will be the Beecroft Zone PSSA Cross Country. This year the event returns to Fagan Park after missing last year due to Covid-19. Our school will have 40 students representing our school, striving to progress to the next level. Miss Steel will be accompanying the students on the day. Parents are more than welcome to attend, but please ensure you follow all the Covid-19 protocols. A special thank you to Jen Whalan and Bec Collins for organising and managing the training for our Cross Country team. This can only assist our team and we wish them the very best of luck next Wednesday.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Christian P in Year 5 who has made the combined Beecroft/Ryde PSSA Soccer side to compete at the upcoming Sydney North PSSA trial. The soccer trials are always highly competitive, with a large number of entrants. Making this team in Year 5 is a huge achievement and we look forward to hearing from Christian on how he went after the trial.

Today marks the start of the NSW PSSA State Hockey Championships. We wish Georgie and Naomi all the very best of luck as they are representing Sydney North PSSA. The state carnival is being held in Unanderra until Thursday.

Principal’s Awards

K-2: Jenna K, Letitia J

3-6: Ezekial M, Charlie T, Campbell W, Eddy C

Kind Regards

Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday, thousands of people across Australia will be involved in National Simultaneous Storytime to promote the value of reading and literacy through an Australian children’s picture book. This year, Shannon Walker, who is an astronaut currently in the International Space Station, will be taking some time out to read; Give me some space! What an experience! Students are encouraged to wear a touch of space on Wednesday, some ideas are below. Please see the library section in the newsletter for more information.

Around the School

Quantifying numbers. This describes how a student becomes increasingly able to count, recognise, read and interpret numbers expressed in different ways. It is the key understanding needed to process, communicate and interpret numerical information in a variety of contexts. Below you will see students in Kindergarten and Year 4 approaching the same task. Students were given a pile of counters of a random amount. The task was to display the counters in a way that would enable someone to identify the amount of counters as they walk past. Sounds simple right? Many skills are involved in this task, including a student’s ability to; accurately distinguish between individual counters, recall the number names for the amount of counters, identify the amount of counters, subitise (instantly recognise small quantities, like dice patterns), match the count with the numeral name, produce the number name after another number – count forwards, identify that the last item counted is the amount, use one-to-one correspondence… and perhaps they can count items in groups, count forwards by a multiple, represent and flexibly rename two digit amounts as separate tens and ones, applies an understanding of place value… and also from the working mathematically section of our syllabus, students; develop the ability to use a variety of representations, in written, oral or graphical form, to formulate and express mathematical ideas (Communicate); develop the ability to make choices, interpret, formulate, model and investigate problem situations, and communicate solutions effectively (Problem Solve); develop an increasingly sophisticated capacity for logical thought and actions, such as analysing, proving, evaluating, explaining, inferring, justifying and generalising (Reason); build a strong foundation that enables them to adapt and transfer mathematical concepts (Understand); develop skills in choosing appropriate procedures, carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and appropriately, and recalling factual knowledge and concepts readily (Fluency).

Lots of learning happening here! Well done KD and 4F! Due to the mastery of knowledge around the use of a tens frame, students are able to instantly recognise dot/counter patterns based on a tens frame, much the same way we recognise dot patterns when playing a game with dice.

This is what a quality open-ended question looks like.

Why don’t you try at home?

Task: Take a handful of counters / woodchips / pebbles / bottle caps / marbles / magnets / lego and display them in a way that I could easily recognise the amount you had when I walk past the window.

Send your photos to the school email and I will publish them in next week’s newsletter!

Community Information Sessions

Prior to the last P&C meeting, the Reading team held an information session that was well received by the parents and carers who attended. We will be continuing to update our community either during or prior to the P&C meetings. The next P&C meeting is due to be held on Tuesday 1 June, where the DigiTech/STEM leaders, Ms Stevens and Mrs Reid and the Wellbeing team leader, Mrs Buttrey, will be sharing some of focuses for 2021 for their respective teams. Further information about the P&C meeting is in the P&C section. We would love to see you during this Zoom meeting.

Digital Technologies / STEM Action Group

As part of the Digital Technologies (DT) /STEM action group, staff members have been sharing their DT learning activities with each other. The staff members are showing how they integrate specific DT into their classrooms. The staff are having collegial discussions about the benefits of using DT to engage their students and providing exciting learning opportunities for their students. The photos show the last two weeks' presentations - Ozobots and mice. Most importantly both of these DT resources have been used over the past week in classrooms across the school.

Kind Regards

Mrs Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

KB - Ella S, Eliana J, Isabelle S, Jordan S

KC - Phoenix G, Abigail J, Sophia G, Jonathan L, Julien T, Ruby B

KL - Ciel Y, Marc M, Finn R

1A - Toby H, Abhaya S, Vanya M, Isla A, Eva G, Morgan F

1E - Ruben B, Marnie H, Hannah C, Eloise K, Krisav P, David H

1M - George Y, Chloe H,, Kurtis M, Ezekiel S

1/2P - Grace A, Vihaan K, Sanidhu H, Henry J, Fred K

2B - Joey C, Reyash S, Jayden S, Yitian C, Rina B, Ella K

2W - Arya B, Parker P, Moksha Y, Parthiv V, Emily W, Dan H

COMPUTERS - Jonathon L (KC), Hugo P (KC), Nicholas A (KD), Isabelle S (KB), Chloe H (1M), Jenna K (1M), Natasha D (1/2P), Esandu P (1/2P), Matilda S (2B), Arya B (2W), Moksha Y (2W)

If you have a child that will be starting school with us next year, please register your interest to attend our Kindy Open Day on 25th May 2021 at 9.30am by calling the office on 9484 1134.

If you are unable to attend on the day, please visit our K-2 Office and collect an Enrolment Pack.

Mrs Melissa Coventry

Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

On Wednesday 19 May ribbons will be handed out at our 3-6 assembly in the Hall at 2:00pm.

Parents are welcome to attend the assembly and join us in celebrating their child's achievement.

We ask that upon entering the school you sign in using the schoo's QR code and follow social distancing guidelines.

Ms Shannon Steel

Cross Country Coordinator

The SRC will be having their first mufti day on Thursday 27 May.

Students are invited to dress in their house colour for a gold coin donation.

The donations will be used to sponsor a child in need.

3-6 SRC

Please read the below information, for students who are remaining at school during the duration of Music Camp.

Music Camp will be taking place from Sunday 30 May – Tuesday 1 June (Week 7).

While Music Camp is on we have arranged a number of meaningful lessons for the students who will be remaining at school. This will ensure that all students in Year 3 – Year 6 will be participating in hands-on, creative and meaningful learning activities over the Monday and Tuesday. Students will rotate through these lessons over the 2 days. All students are expected to attend school as usual. Please see below the activities that have been organised:

Visual Arts
Drama
Dance
Robotics
Science
Sport
Sustainability

We are looking forward to both Music Camp and the learning that will be taking place back at school in Week 7.Miss Maginnis and Mrs Ford

Stage 3 and Stage 2 Assistant Principals

Last Tuesday, 11 May, saw all of Stage 1 students attend an incursion in our school hall presented by Field of Mars staff. This was to complement our Science unit of work investigating mini-beasts.

Firstly, students were introduced to the teachers and they revealed that our job was to collect mini-beasts from our playground. The teachers then showed us how to use all of the specialised equipment. Next came the fun part! Students were put into groups of 4 with the mission to collect as many mini-beasts as possible. We simply could not believe how many were living right under our noses! We found grass hoppers, centipedes, ants, leaf insects, snails and spiders just to name a few. After collection, we travelled back into the hall to investigate and classify everything we had found. We had the opportunity to look at these magnificent creatures up close through the use of magnifying glasses.

"We went into the Bicentennial Garden to search for mini-beasts. My group used the trowel to get dirt into our tub and we used paintbrushes to find animals in the tub." - Natalie 2W

Mrs Laura Buttrey

Stage 1 Assistant Principal

6R Students

National Simultaneous Storytime – Wednesday 19 May – 11 am

Live from the International Space Station!

National simultaneous storytime poster.jpg

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, National Simultaneous Storytime is taking place tomorrow at 11 am. Organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) it is one of its major events to celebrate “Library and Information Week” throughout Australia.

Now in its 21st successful year, it is a fun event that aims to promote the value of reading.

The book everyone will be viewing is “Give me some space!” by Philip Bunting. For the first time, this story will be read by the astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station.

Reading is definitely taking a giant leap into space!

Our school will be participating in this event so students may like to bring a “touch” of the universe e.g. sparkly scrunchie/ headband, alien mask, space item etc. that can be worn or displayed whilst viewing the story.

May the reading ‘force’ be with you!

Ms Davis

Teacher Librarian

Last Friday's Stage 3 scores in the match - Pennant Hills v West Pennant Hills

Soccer

A WPH defeated PH 3-0

B WPH defeated PH 5-0

Netball

A WPH defeated PH 33-18

B WPH defeated PH 10-3

Congratulations to Christian P on his selection in the Beecroft Ryde Boys Soccer team. Good luck at Sydney North next week!

Mr Mark Bryant

PSSA Coordinator

President’s Message

Hi All

The weeks are flying by and the weather is getting colder. This week is National Volunteer Week which recognises the broad impact volunteers have on our community. The 2021 theme is Recognise, Reconnect, Reimagine. We at PHPS, and the local community in general, are very fortunate to have a highly engaged volunteer network. For the PHPS P&C this means the small army of parents, grandparents and carers who regularly give their time for canteen, uniform shop, working bees, the music program, sustainability projects and P&C BBQs not to mention the one off events like Cross Country, Fete, Walkathons, Readathons and Dad’s Camps. Thank you from the P&C for your contribution as volunteers! Also a special mention to the P&C Exec team who give so much of their time in being involved in the activities.

Have a great week!

Luke

Planting Day Sunday 16 May

We had perfect conditions for the first Gardens and Grounds Day at the 3-6 site last Sunday and with the help of many families (including kids) completed plenty of mulching and planting around the tiered sandstone steps. A huge thanks to Kate Ashton for planning the gardens and passionately supporting the project, as well as to Dan Saunders who coordinated the deliveries and work for the day. Thanks to all the school community members who came along and put in a huge effort, the gardens are looking great!

PHPS Second Planting day Sunday 23 May, 1-4pm

The Gardens and Grounds team still have more planting to do at the 3 to 6 site and welcome help from families this coming Sunday from 1-4pm. 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 (gloves, clippers, rakes, wheelbarrow, shovels etc) and remember to sign in on arrival.

Solar update for our local government area

The Green Team actively follows solar uptake in the Hornsby Shire and the Pennant Hills 2120 area. The most recently released statistics are available on https://pv-map.apvi.org.au/

Some stats to share:

9586 houses in the Hornsby LGA have solar - that’s 20.8%
1247 houses in the 2120 area - 16.7% of all houses
Current solar panels in our area have the capacity to produce 7132kW of energy
If everyone who has a suitable roof installed solar that would produce 87458kW of energy.
Between Jan and March this year 60 panels were installed.

We are working with the school to hopefully get some panels on our school’s sun-filled rooftop.

In the meantime check our SolarChoice to get some solar on your house - it will reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint https://www.solarchoice.net.au/

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

It's Volunteers Week!!!

THANK YOU to all of the wonderful volunteers who keep our canteen running. You are truly appreciated.

We are down to only one volunteer who can help at the 3-6 site on Thursdays!! If you are available at all between 9:30am and 1pm on Thursdays and would like to be of help, I would love to hear from you!

We are open for counter sales on Tuesdays for recess and lunch, and on Fridays for lunch.Garlic Bread and other snacks will be available at recess. Ice Blocks will only be available at lunch.

If your child is in stage 3 and does PSSA sport, please remember to click on the 'STAGE 3 PSSA Alert' when placing a lunch order for them on a Friday. These lunches need to be ready early for the children to be able to eat them before they leave for their sport.

This Week’s Roster

3-6 Site

Wednesday 19 May - Claire S. Help needed from 11am - 1pm please

Thursday 20 May - Help needed please

Friday 21 May - Narelle and Kate K.

Tuesday 25 May - Kate K.

K-2 site

Friday 21 May - Kate A and Bec D.

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

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

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.

We are also looking for any second hand music polos, so if you have a music polo that you no longer need please consider donating it to the second hand clothing pool.

Uniform donations can be handed in at the 3-6 office.

Year 5 and 6 PSSA Football socks

The 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, but prices will include the Flexischools’ surcharge.

Please note Year 3 and 4 students are not required to have the 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, but please note that online prices will 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

Lots of things are starting to get close, so please make sure you're across what's happening by reading this newsletter and keeping an eye on your WhatsApp messages.

Events at a glance

SCB: Kindy Open - 25 May, 9:00 - 9:30am.

SCB: Sydney Eisteddfod - Video recording afternoon rehearsal, Monday 7 June

Sydney Eisteddfod - Video recording, Monday afternoon 7 June, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

ICB: Sydney Eisteddfod - Video recording Monday evening 7 June, 5:30pm - 6:30pm

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 any completed 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

Training Band

Sydney Eisteddfod: Video recording, Monday afternoon 7 June, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

TB students to be practising the following pieces:

Magpie Mayhem
Kwanzaa Celebration

Intermediate Band

Sydney Eisteddfod: Video recording Monday evening 7 June, 5:30pm - 6:30pm

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

Classic Bits and Pieces
Black Snake and Kookaburra
Tequila
Heavy Metal

Senior Band

There are still some Thursdays with only one parent helper. It would be great to get the second spot filled in for those days.

Kindy Open: 25 May, 9:00 - 9:30am

Sydney Eisteddfod: Video recording afternoon rehearsal, Monday 7 June, 3:30-4:30pm

PHHS Music Festival: Wednesday 9 June, 7pm.

The repertoire for the Sydney Eisteddfod recording is as follows. These pieces need to be VERY well known as we will also use them for the PHHS Music Evening on Wednesday 9 June:

The Forgotten Village (Priority for PERCUSSION practice)
Stillmeadow Overture
Circus Marchimus

The remaining repertoire for the Kindy Open Day, Tuesday 25 May is as follows:

Bohemian Rhapsody
Rolling In The Deep
Cool Blues For Trumpets (Priority for TRUMPET practice**)
El Toro

Jazz Band

The 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 transportation for their children.

Practice should be focussed on the following:

Basie-cally the blues (Priority)
Eye of the tiger
The funky monkey
Domino

Parent Helpers

A big thank you to this week's helpers: EJ (TB), Samantha (ICB), Jo C (SCB Monday) and Cindy & Olivia (SCB Thursday).

Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

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

Introduction to strings

K-2 hall: Monday, 7:50am

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

FOIM group are you ready?

We are happy to announce that rehearsals for the Festival of Instrumental Music are starting today! Rehearsals will be led by James Gastineau-Hills after main ensemble rehearsal in the K-2 Hall from 4:30 - 5:30pm. Please remember to bring your FOIM music…and a snack. The Festival is held in September and important dates will be released soon, so stay tuned....

Big thanks to the ensemble parents who have put their hands up to help out this term.

The parent roster is full

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

Our parent helper this week is Louise - Thanks Louise

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/