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Dear parents and carers,
IMPORTANT 3-6 Site Only Being Used
From tomorrow all students will be required to come to the 3-6 site. Any child that attends BASC will be walked to the site by BASC staff. Please ensure that you have signed their paperwork for this to occur. BASC will also collect your child in the afternoon and take to the K-2 if you have booked into this service. All other parents that need to bring their child to school for supervision are to bring them to the 3-6 site in the morning. A staff member will be at the gate on Weemala Road to meet them as parents will not be allowed on site. This will be the same place to wait at the end of the day if you are picking up your child.
Learning From Home & Survey Results
Thank you to everyone for their efforts with learning from home already this term. We are fully aware of the impact this is having on families. All the decisions we have made in regard to learning from home are trying to factor in as many things as possible for all families. Some of the factors considered are time in front of a device for students and staff, data usage at home, number of devices online at one time within the home with parents trying to work, access to learning for all and everyone’s wellbeing and health.
The survey results are in from yesterday’s survey about Learning From Home. Thank you to 137 people who have taken the time to share their views. We really appreciate it.
Please note that the Learning From Home packs have been created where you only need one version, as they are both the same. It is greatly appreciated if you are using the online version that is sent out via the SZ app. Those that are not able to use the online version we have the hard copy equivalent available at school. According to this data, some families are using both versions. My concern is that this is a waste of paper if you are able to use the online version, plus it means you are coming up to school unnecessarily. Please give some thought to solely using the online version.
For those families that have indicated that their child is not learning please contact your child’s teacher via the school’s email to discuss options to assist you. It is great to see so many children continuing to learn with the assistance of their parents. This data is not at all surprising as our community values the importance of education. Well done to all.
As we are aware Zoom sessions will never replace the face-to-face learning that all children find so effective. Each class will be holding a second 30-minute Zoom meeting from next week. This additional Zoom meeting will be for students to ask any questions to their teacher about the day’s learning. Please keep an eye on the Week 3 packs for the change to the Zoom roster for the school. It will remain staggered for all stages as much as possible, to limit families having two or three children on a Zoom at the same time. We are conscious of the fact that several people on Zooms at one time impacts the signal strength at home.
This is the reason we have increased the number of 30-minute Zoom sessions to two for the day. Please note that this may mean that the teachers are not responding as quickly to any email queries or providing feedback to student work submitted online.
From next week the Zoom sessions currently being offered by Mrs Krivohlavy and Miss Callegaro will not take place. Feedback from these specialist staff indicate that not that many people are accessing this option. However, Ms Dy’s Covid Learning Support Zoom sessions will continue for those students who have been already taking part in those meetings.
Learning from Home Packs
For those families that require the hard copies of the Learning From Home packs please note that for next week, and beyond if the lock down is extended, you will need to book in via the system we use for Parent Teacher interviews. This change is needed due to the limited numbers I am allowed to have on site each day. Please use the following link, School Interviews and enter the code werwm. Select your desired time to come to the 3-6 site. This booking site will be open from Thursday morning at 10am.
Postponements
As you can imagine everything normally offered through schools is on hold at the moment. The OC Test has been delayed. Parents have apparently been notified by the Unit conducting the assessment. As soon as I have more information I will let you know the new date and/or process.
The school’s Athletic Carnival has also been postponed. We are waiting on advice from the NSW PSSA to see what to do in this area. I think it will be determined by the guidelines applied to school when we eventually return to face-to-face learning.
The Arts program for the DoE which takes place in Term 3 has been impacted. Some events have been cancelled and others later in the term are a wait and see proposition. Ms Stephens will keep you informed as we hear more in this area.
No decision on the Art Show has been made. I am keen for it to take place. However, we need students at school to produce the artworks. I would suggest that it will be pushed back to Term 4, but I do not say that with any certainty.
The Term 4 Dance Recital is still planned to go ahead. Arnold is currently making video versions of his lessons for the students. These will be available in next week’s Learning From Home packs.
The Olympics
As most would know one of our staff members, Mr Dominic Clarke, is currently in Tokyo preparing to compete at the Olympics. We wish him the very best of luck. He has spoken with Mrs Griffith and he is having a great time and being treated like royalty (lucky man). If you or your child would like to send him a message, please send that message to your child’s teacher and we will forward it to him. Mr Clarke is competing at 2pm on Saturday 31 July. Hopefully it will be televised.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Wellbeing
The Department of Education has many resources on their website to support student wellbeing. Please find their website here.
I have created a 1 page document using some of the resources as a Wellbeing_guide_for_students.pdf. Feel free to print it out and pop it on the fridge.
It is very easy to get caught up in a negative spiral when we seem to be getting a lot of bad news. Everyone finds it difficult sometimes to see the silver linings. I wanted to share an exercise I do when I feel this way that helps readjust my perspective, a friend shared it with me a few years ago and I’ve used it since.
You will need some post it notes or smaller pieces of paper and blu-tack, a piece of paper and a marker. On each post-it note, list one thing that is on your mind. Then draw a venn diagram. Label one circle “Things that matter” and the other “Things you can control”. The outside space is for things that don’t really matter. An example is below.
Read each of your post-it notes and decide where it fits. Remembering that what matters to someone else may not matter to you and vice versa. You should end up with 4 groups;
- Things that don’t really matter (on the outside)
- Things that matter but are out of your control (left circle)
- Things you can control (right circle)
- Things that matter and that you can control (where the circles overlap)
The magic happens where the circles overlap. These are your areas of focus, these things matter to you and you are able to change them or your perspective on them. Good luck!
Egg Carton Scavenger Hunt
For a fun outdoor activity, all you need is an egg carton and one of the attached print outs to go on an outdoor scavenger hunt! Simply cut out the hunt you would like to go on, there are 3 to choose from; natural items, colours or shapes and textures.pdf
When going on a bush walk or while in your garden, see if you can find an item that fits in the egg holder for each criteria. Enjoy!
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
1A - Xavier D
1M - Richard M
1/2P - Henry J
2A - Kayden C
2B - Amelie M
2W - Parker P
3D - Karina C, Dakshita S, Blake W
3H - Josh F
3R - Penelope K, Gabi M, Sean M
4F - Kiric C, Anya H, Josie T
5B - Rosi F, Tamati S
5M - Althea F, Marni H, Christian P, Charlotte P, Kanj P, Raymond W
5W - Sam K, Lachlan C, Amelia B, Aadya G
Library - Isaac L (3D), Amelia K (3H), Claire A (5B), Liam C (5M), Deanna S (5M), Molly B (5M), Annabelle R (5M)
Computers - Adam C (3D), Sotirios J (3H), Nevaan S (4B), Finn K (4M), Preston G (5M), Nathan C (5W), Sophia K (6R), Emily N (6R)
Due to the current Covid restrictions, the Walkathon has been postponed.
Thank you to those students who have started getting sponsors.
The Walkathon will hopefully occur sometime later this year.
We will advise you of the new date as soon as we can.
Kind regards
Walkathon Commitee
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
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 closed due to the current Covid-19 restrictions introduced during the school holidays. Once the lockdown restrictions have eased, we will advise you of the operating procedures that will be put in place for the remainder of Term 3.
Any outstanding Flexischools orders will be processed as soon as the shop re-opens.
Order forms are available on the Uniform Shop page of the school website or by using the link below
Opening hours are currently suspended
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
Term 3 - Band from Home
As you are all aware there is no on-site activities at present. The band program will be run via Google Classrooms and Zoom for the time being.
Messages
Both our conductors are sending out messages via the WhatsApp groups about Google Classrooms and the Zoom sessions they are going to be running. Please ensure you are keeping an eye on those groups so you have the most up to date information.
If you have any questions please post them in those groups or send us an email.
If you are not in these groups please send us an email and we will add you in.
Google Classrooms for Band
For those new to Google Classrooms for band please see the information below.
To use Google Classrooms for the PHPS Band program the student will need access to a standard free Gmail account. Their DET issued Google account will not work for the Band Classroom, nor will a Gsuite corporate email account.
If you do not have a Gmail account already, or wish them to have their own for this purpose please use the following steps to get online with band.
Go to the Google Account creation page at https://accounts.google.com/SignUp
Follow the steps on the screen to set up your account.
Use the account you created to sign in to Gmail.
Once signed into Gmail open a new tab and go to https://classroom.google.com
On the Google Classroom page toward the top right hand corner there will be a “+” icon, click this to “Create or Join a Class”
Enter the Band class code for your child's band
- Senior Band - x6zdsff
- Intermediate Band - qpukhri
- Training Band - nqr5i4s
- Jazz Band - ak4q7my
If they are logged into their DET Google account they can switch accounts by clicking on the small profile picture icon in the top right of a Google application screen, and select a different account.
If you are having trouble, please let us know. I am happy to set up a Zoom session for parents to go through the steps. We want the students to be in the best position possible for a return to rehearsals at school. The music which is being disseminated and worked on through Google Classrooms will likely be used for any performances which we may be able to take part in later in the year.
Future Events at a Glance
At present all events are on hold until the current COVID outbreaks are brought under control and the DoE and Department of Health have lifted restrictions to enable events to take place.
August
Thursday 5: 9:30am - JB. Ryde Eisteddfod - POSTPONED
Early August: All bands. ASBOF. Video submission. - TBA
Sunday 15: All bands. Ryde East Music Festival - TBA
4th week: All bands. School concert night. Exact date TBD
September
Saturday 12: SCB. Music By Moonlight NWPS
Wednesday 15: 2:15pm. TB & ICB. Performance Assembly
Award Worksheets
Please keep your children working on their worksheets with their tutors.
Can any completed 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
A Note from the Committee Convener
I'd like to preemptively thank everyone for their support during this time. Conducting a music program online is a difficult task. We're all trying our best, and will endeavour to keep it as interesting as possible for the students. But we'll need your help in encouraging your children to continue to take part in the band exercises. Additionally, if you're under any financial pressure due to the lockdown and are concerned about band fees, please reach out via email. Any correspondence will be treated under the strictest confidence.
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
Dear Strings parents
All communications regarding the String Ensembles will be via email until kids return to school.
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
