Vale Jon Konrads

Jon Konrads and his family immigrated to Australia in 1949. During the early 1950s Jon and his sister, Ilsa attended Pennant Hills Public School as the family settled in the area. Jon had a decorated career. He set 26 individual world records between the 200m and 1500m events before he turned 15 years of age. John won the 1960 gold medal at the Rome Olympics for the 1500m.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

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.

School Cross Country

The school will be holding its annual Cross Country on Thursday 29 April. Parents are invited to attend on the day. It has been so long since we have been able to invite parents to an event to support their children and we are very excited for this to occur. Fingers crossed that all stays well in our Covid world.

We are looking at having a longer lunch to allow parents time with their children on the day. The Canteen is also going to provide catering on the day, so please stay tuned for further information around this. This will be a K-6 event with all students encouraged to participate.

ANZAC Day Service

Last Wednesday our school held an ANZAC Day service to commemorate and acknowledge the magnificent people who have served our country in times of war. The service was arranged by Mrs Donoghue and led by our school leaders. Our school leaders did an amazing job at running the service. During the service Charlie W and Campbell W played The Last Post and Rouse on the trumpet. The boys did an amazing job playing their instruments. As I found out later they did not use the trumpet’s valves, instead the notes were played using their mouth. Both were amazing performances. Thank you to Ms Stevens who organised some Year 6 students from the school’s choir to sing at the service. These students, Lizzie M, Sara C, Elijah L and Eden K all sung beautifully on the day. Thank you to the parents who were able to attend the service.

Principal’s Awards

K-2: Eleanor T, Ashley H, April F, Audrey W, Sanidhu H

3-6: Annabelle T, Xavier D, Ben A, Deanna S

Kind Regards

Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal

ANZAC day

Last Wednesday saw PHPS commemorate ANZAC day with a whole school assembly run by our school leaders. The students at PHPS demonstrated their respect during the entire assembly and followed the protocols of the event with ease, well done. We had four beautiful voices sing and two talented musicians play the last post and reveille. To commemorate the day, classes across the school had a focus on the importance of remembering the ANZACs and showing gratitude for the things they have done to provide the lifestyle that we have today. Thank you to our teachers for making our students aware of the importance of the day and a big thank you to Mrs Donoghue for organising the assembly. Below are photos of some of the work 6M undertook in relation to ANZAC day.

Next Tuesday evening at 7pm, we invite you to join us for a Reading Information session, where staff from PHPS will share some of the professional learning we have been undertaking and provide some strategies for effective reading at home. We look forward to seeing you there!

Check-in assessments

This week years 4 and 6 were planning on undertaking online check-in assessments. These assessments provide timely and valuable information to teachers to plan for student learning. They are approximately 40 minutes in length, one covering the aspect of reading and the other in numeracy. Unfortunately, yesterday morning when Year 4 logged onto the devices to begin their assessments, the check-in assessment platform experienced issues across the state. We aborted the assessment and are planning to re-sit the assessments next week. The students displayed excellent resilience during this time.

Around the school

4F were looking at the mathematical concept of chance yesterday and conducted their lesson outside – why not when the weather is so amazing!

Kind Regards

Mrs Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

3D - Arin S, Dakshita S, Megan N, Karina C, Alex Y, Lachlan P, Liam B

3H - Lara B, Eugene L, Lucas V, Ethan C, Zainab D, Josh F, Stephen D, Madeleine W, Annabelle T

3R - Akshay J, Ari K, Liam T, Elliot M, Stuart W

4B - Lithushan L, Indie M, Carlito P, Monica L, Ansh B, Cassius H

4F - Dana C, Kiric C, Kris G, Evie C, Anya H, Jake S, Ali P, Eddy C

5B - Andrei S, Leo J, Charlie T, John Y, Daniel L, Claire A, Sophie W

5M - Lilly M, Anaiah B, Shima A, Kai L, Lucas P, Deanna S, Mathieu C, Marni H

5W - Luke N, Quinn S, Poppy B, Amelia B

6R - Isabelle K, Eden K, Emily N, Ava N, Campbell C, Sophia K

6S - Declan W, Charlie W, Campbell W, Georgie D, Myrah C, Maysa G, Malavika P

Library - Rosi F (5B), Isaac L (3D), Nathan P (4F), Francesca I (4B), Lara B (3H), Julia V (4B), Leo J (5B), Alex B (6S), Kayla Y (6S)

Computers - Chloe H (3R), Karina C (3D), Jamie K (4F), Leo J (5B), Anaiah B (5M)

Music - Elijah L (6M), Lizzie M (6S), Eden K (6R), Sara C (6M)

Learning Support - Ryan P (4F), Isabella P (5W)

Last Wednesday 21 April, Pennant Hills Public School commemorated ANZAC Day as a whole school community. This ceremony was led by our school leaders. All students need to be commended on their respectful behaviour throughout this solemn service. Special thanks goes to Campbell and Charlie who played the Last Post and Rouse. Ms Stevens along with, Lizzie, Elijah, Eden and Sara, led the school in singing, Lest We Forget. A very moving moment.

In addition to our school service, the four captains, Georgie, Finn, Luke and Sophia attended the Beecroft Community ANZAC Commemoration on Sunday afternoon. Thank you to the P&C who kindly donated the wreath on the day. There were many members of our school community present at this event, including Mrs Griffith.

      

Mrs Rachel Donoghue

Class Teacher

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

Mrs Melissa Griffith

Assistant Principal and Relieving Deputy Principal

Scholastic Book Club – Issue 3

The Issue 3 catalogue can now be viewed on the Scholastic Australia website. 

In order to reduce unnecessary wastage only a limited number of catalogues are being delivered to the school. Catalogues will be available from the library or the K-2 office if you would prefer a hard copy.

      

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.

The closing date for Issue 3 online orders is Wednesday 5 May.

            

Ms Davis

Teacher Librarian

President’s Message

Hi All 

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, as the winter sport and all the Term 2 activities ramp up. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter we’re also ramping up the P&C activities over the next few weeks as the various Department of Education COVID restrictions ease. This week the canteen will provide sausage sizzle for the Cross Country, run by Heather and Catherine and supported by parent volunteers. The P&C will also provide Zooper Doopers for the kids when they finish the race (I have several hundred zooper doopers in our freezer at home!).

On Tuesday 4 May the P&C will hold the first monthly P&Cmeeting onsite since March 2020, as well as hosting a BBQ beforehand. It will be great to meet many of the new families who we’ve only seen on Zoom to date.

Sunday 16 May will be the first P&C Gardens & Grounds day for 2021. Led by Dan Saunders, the G&G team is one of the most enthusiastic committees in the PHPS P&C, with some legendary contributions to the school’s appearance over the past few years. Dan and the team support the school in additional gardening tasks such as hedge trimming, mulching, planting and other special projects. The 16 May will be a planting day and great opportunity to bring the whole family to help.

I hope everyone has a great week.

Luke

Cross Country Carnival - Thursday 29 April

This year the school’s cross country carnival will be open to parents and carers! You will need to check in on arrival using the Covid Safe QR code. 

We still need plenty of helpers to hand out Zooper Doopers or to set up/cook on the BBQ. Please add your name to the roster for an hour if you are attending on the day. 

The Volunteer roster is here.

Mother’s Day stall - Thursday 6 May

Purchase of Mother’s Day gifts can be done through Flexischools from this week until 3 May ($7 each). Parents will need to place an order for each child choosing a gift. 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 3-6 campus and/or 11:30-1pm at K-2 campus. Please text Alison Pride on 0402301815 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.

                         

Did you know that last Thursday April 22nd was Earth Day! 

The theme this year is Restore our Earth. It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.

 As an individual, you yield real power and influence as a consumer, a voter, and a member of a community that can unite for change. There are many ways we can get inspired to Restore Our Earth – organise a clean-up, switch to Green Power; eat less meat. There is much we can do.

Take action today https://www.earthday.org/take-action-now/

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 students of PHPS have spoken, and they want Avocado Sushi!!

On Friday I was presented with a petition with 51 signatures, asking for plain Avocado Sushi as an option on Fridays. I was very impressed, and I am happy to announce that it is now available for ordering.

Remember, the 3-6 canteen is now open for over the counter sales at lunchtime on Tuesdays.       

     

Cross Country

Orders for the Cross Country Sausage Sizzle have closed, however we will have some extra sausages for sale on Thursday after 1pm. We will also be selling drinks, watermelon, popcorn, chips, ham and cheese rolls and small finger buns.

These will be available from roughly 11am to 1.30pm.

Mark, our wonderful GA, has very kindly agreed to cook the sausages. There will be over 400 of them!!! He will need some help. Please contact me if you are able to assist.

          

This week’s roster

3-6 Site

Wednesday 28 April - Julianne

Thursday 29 April - Cross Country Sausage Sizzle. We need more helpers for running the stall and packing lunches please

Friday 30 April - Narelle and Bec C

K-2 site

Friday 30 April - Lara. One more helper needed please

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:

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 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.

Winter Uniform Items - Back in Stock

Girls Size 6 Winter Tunics

Unisex Size 4 Long Sleeve Shirts

These items are BACK IN STOCK and available for sale. 

Reversa Raincoats

Size 6 and size 10 raincoats have now both sold out. More stock has been ordered from the supplier, but is not due to arrive until the end of May.

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. Any uniform donation 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 wear the PSSA socks. 

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 huge thank you goes to Cambell and Charlie for their ANZAC ceremony performance last week. They did a wonderful job. We hope to have the recordings up on the band web pages soon.

Events

SCB - Kindy Open, May 25

All bands - Sydney Eisteddfod, video submission early June

JB - Ryde Eisteddfod, August 4 or 5

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.

Award Worksheets
Can Term 1 worksheets 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 practising the following pieces for the Sydney Eisteddfod recording

1. Tequila
2. Geronimo
3. Heavy Metal

Please note that all students in ICB should have completed their Bronze Award. If for some reason your child has not yet completed their Bronze award please speak to their tutor to enable this to happen.    

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

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 are hoping to repeat this this year!

Parent Helpers

A big thank you to this week's helpers:

Louise G (TB), Lu L (ICB), Tee (SCB Monday) and Mike S (SCB Thursday).

Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

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

Second week back and our first week of “Intro to Strings”

Introduction to strings

It was a great first lesson! The students learned how to handle their instruments carefully, read a few notes and then play them on their violins. Miss Chai (Lorraine) made it so much fun and there were lots of happy faces glowing with achievement by the end. It was a great first lesson for the parents who attended too… they learned a few things themselves and were able to enjoy their childrens’ success. 

The Intro to Strings parent helper roster is also now 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, Nicola and Claire - Thanks Ladies :)

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 now full- Amazing!!

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

Our parent helper this week is Lu - Thanks Lu!

Parent helper duties can be found here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1etyknYOjPSrHBQwmNWa2nJXIsw-yTYY3RIVoE4mO6ts/edit?usp=sharing

PHPS String Ensemble

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

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

Maryanne Simpson