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Return to School
What a fabulous start to Week 3 seeing our Kindergarten and Year 1 students returning to school. It was great to see so many smiles on everyone’s face. All the students had a fantastic first day.
The support and commitment our community has shown throughout the last 16 weeks of lockdown has been nothing short of amazing. Thank you and well done to everyone.
Thank you to everyone who followed our guidelines to ensure we all play our part as we return to school. It was great to see. Our plans have factored in our unique set up to ensure we do all we can to keep everyone safe. A gentle reminder about the afternoon pick up; please do not come onsite until after 3:10pm, remain physically distant from other adults, wait in your child’s designated area, and leave straight away once you have all your children. Parents are not required to check-in using the QR code for pick up in the afternoon.
The school will continue to monitor the guidelines and our processes to ensure we are doing everything we possibly can to support our community.
Please ensure you are aware of the school’s processes for students in Years 2-6 returning next week. This was sent out on Monday 11 October and can be found in the ‘Feed’ section of the SZ app or click here.
Kindergarten 2022 Information Evening, Tuesday 19 October at 7pm
All parents/carers of students attending Pennant Hills Public School for Kindergarten in 2022 are welcome to attend this information session, to be held via Zoom.
- Topic: Kindy 2022 Information Evening
- Time: Oct 19, 2021 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/66427186989?pwd=eW5ubUNqcVFBMHQzeUJyQVF6TlgyUT09
- Meeting ID: 664 2718 6989
- Passcode: 799892
We look forward to seeing you then.
Opportunity Class Placement Test
The Opportunity Class Placement Test has been rescheduled to Wednesday 17 November 2021. The test will be computer-based test, 60 minutes in total, and sat in one single session.
Where possible the test will be conducted in the students' primary school, and to maintain community safety, the test will be administered by the school's teachers. Alternative testing arrangements will be made where the test cannot be held at the primary school.
Parents will receive 'Test authority' advice by email on Wednesday 3 November 2021 which will confirm where their children will sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Parents will also receive a test information bulletin at the same time which will provide further detail about the test including how students can familiarise themselves with a computer based sample test.
A new, modified timeline is being implemented to ensure students can be placed into Year 5 opportunity classes at the beginning of the 2022 school year. View the Fact sheet for parents and students which outlines the new dates for each remaining part of the placement process.
Please continue to check the NSW Department of Education website for current advice for families.
Please log in to your application dashboard and ensure that your contact details and child's current school are up to date. Send a message to the Team through the application dashboard if the school or any other details have changed.
Selective High School Application for 2023
Information is subject to change throughout 2022 because COVID-19 restrictions may affect timing and processes.
REVISIT THIS SITE REGULARLY TO SEE CHANGES THAT MAY OCCUR.
Applications for entry in 2023 will open on 19 October 2021 and close on 17 November 2021. The placement test will be held on 10 March 2022.
Download the printable information for applicants about placement in selective high schools for Year 7 entry (PDF 518KB) .
Late applications will be considered only where documentary evidence can be provided to show that families were affected by extraordinary circumstances which prevented them from applying on time.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, primary schools will not be required to provide school assessment scores for the 2022 selective high school placement process for Year 7 entry in 2023. Primary school principals will continue the usual process of confirming information entered by parents in their applications and by adding relevant information on student background, disability and reasonable adjustments.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Welcome back Kindergarten and Year One!
We could not be happier to have two cohorts of students on site this week. Walking through the Kindergarten and Year One classrooms first thing Monday morning brought such a familiar happiness. They were all reconnecting with their friends and settling back into life at school. I think there were more tears from the parents at the gate than the children walking through it! Well done everyone!
Around the School
Last week, students in KL were working really hard on their shape robots. How many two dimensional and three dimensional shapes can you recognise from the collection of robots below?
Students in 5W have continued to work hard on their projects, please see below for some highlights.
Emma –Created interesting mini books for each 7 New Wonders of the World for her project.
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
Hello everyone, this is Georgie and Flinn.
This week has been very exciting with the Kindy’s and Year one’s going back to school.
Next week the rest of the school will be back. Masks are not compulsory but you are welcome to wear them.
For the past few weeks the Year six students have been working on their yearbooks, everyone has written their own page and has included photos from Kindy all the way up to Year 6.
JOKES
Q: What did the fish say when he swam into a wall
A: Dam
Q: Want to hear a joke about construction
A: Oh, never mind I am still working on it
Q: Why did the gym close down
A: It just didn’t work out
If you are a security guard at a Samsung store... Does that make you the guardians of the galaxies??
We hope you have been staying safe and remember there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Georgie and Flinn
PHPS Leaders
KB - Gavin Z, Harriet E, Helia J
KC - Hugo P, Abigail J, Alex A
KL - Vayuna M, Will H, Obie R
1A - Eric W, Eva G, Kaleiya S
1M - Aliya A, Ezekiel S, George Y
1/2P - Vihaan K, Eleanor T
2A - Lachlan H, Lucy K, Zane S
2B - Joey C, Rina B, Ella K
2W - Parthiv V, Moksha Y, Natalie S
3D - Owen S, Daniel R, Liam B
3H - Austin L, Hannah M, Willow H
3R - Jayne K, Sean M, Zachary C, Jasper C
4B - Alex R, Ben A, Tyesha B
4F - Dana C, Raiyan A, Thenuk T
4M - Lewis W, Kenzie W, Edmond L
5B - James W, Nessa M, Sebastian C
5M - Ojas K, Kai L, Preston G
5W - Joshua C, Claire M, Amelia B
6M - Abigail N, River K, Flinn S
6R - Alma G, Rebecca L, Liam P
6S - Callum R, Aidan L, Darcy P
LaST - Owen S (3D), Vivian J (5M)
2022 School Travel Appications Are Now Open
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home.
Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
School Student Transport Scheme site change
On 1 October 2021 the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information and application portal was moved to transportnsw.info.
This will assist families to find all their travel information in the one place.
Travel from Term 1 2022
We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card (within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start of the school year.
Applications for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) open at the start of Term 4 2021 for travel in 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.
Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue travelling on their existing card each year.
The start of the year is a difficult period for local bus operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations increasingly difficult.
We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a School Opal card or Travel Pass for the start of term. In the Opal network, we strongly encourage these families to have their children travel on a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.
Please also remember that students using Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Student code of conduct and Opal terms of use.
The family history & profiles of the Guinea pigs coming to PHPS
Ms Schmidt’s original 3 Guinea Pigs, Tootsie, LoobyLoo & Opi were born to a family in Wauchope, on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
They joined Ms Schmidt & her daughter Marnie, in January 2021.
Tootsie- is a black and white guinea pig who was born in October 2020.
She takes on the status of ‘Mum’ as she looks out for all the others.
Tootsie will be your best friend if you offer her some curly parsley!
She gave birth to Vivyan in March 2021.
LoobyLoo- is a black, white and red guinea pig with a gorgeous and gentle nature.
Her birthday is November 2020.
She loves being tickled behind her ears and to eat kale & cucumber.
Opi- is chocolate brown with a white collar & a chestnut bottom.
He is the only male cavy in the herd & weighs the most at nearly 1kg.
Opi has been desexed.
His birthday is also November 2020.
Kartoffel- looks like a mini-me of her aunt, LoobyLoo.
Her full name is ‘Pelzig Kartoffeln’ or Furry Potato in German.
For now, she follows Vivyan around everywhere & loves watermelon.
Porcus- is the smallest of all the pigs but she is most definitely the fastest!
She eats everything but red capsicum is her favourite!
‘Porcus” is Latin for pig.
More information about what it will actually look like when the guinea pigs are at school, will be in future Newsletters & on the website, so please keep an eye out for more Guinea Pig News.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments about the guinea pigs being at school, please feel free to contact me via email or call the school on 9484 1134.
Ms Schmidt
Learning & Support Teacher
Hi, I’m Lizzie and I am one of the 2021 library monitors.
A book I have loved reading over lockdown and recommend is “Smile” written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier.
It is a great graphic novel about a girl called Raina and her dental journey after a severe accident. Along with that, she has to deal with friends, an earthquake and much more. I recommend this book to people in Year 4 and up. I give it a five out of five star rating since it is such an amazing book.
Lizzie
Library Monitor
The canteen reopens Monday 25 October!!!!
We are so excited to be back and can’t wait to start preparing lots of yummy lunches.
There will be no over the counter sales. All ordering must be done through Flexischools, who launched a new App on the weekend. You will need to update your Flexischools App before ordering.
The cut off time for all orders is 9am. Please ensure your order is submitted on time to avoid missing out on your order.
We will be running without the help of volunteers for the remainder of the year. We may need to make some changes to the menu to be able to manage this.
Frozen items will be available for ordering at both sites on Fridays only at this stage.
I have ordered plenty of Butter Chicken and we will be trialling a Vegetarian Pasta Bake. It has pasta and roasted root vegetables in a cheesy tomato sauce. Yum!!
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 has resumed operations this week, but is currently closed for over the counter sales and service.
Year 6 Signature Bears and Balls
Year 6 parents please note that orders for the signature bears and balls are being finalised this week.
Kindergarten T-Towels
Kindergarten parents please note that orders for the commemorative t-towels are due this Friday 22 October.
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions we are encouraging families to place their orders for the t-towels online via Flexischools.
Year 6 Shirts
Year 5 parents please note that orders for the 2022 Year 6 shirts are due by Monday 1 November.
Orders cannot be placed on Flexischools as the signed note authorising printing of students’ names together with size details must be returned.
Term 4 Operating Protocols
The Uniform Shop resumed operations on Monday 18 October, however the Uniform Shop can only operate outside of school hours to process orders.
Any outstanding Flexischools orders that have been placed in the last three months will be processed this week as soon as winter stock has been put away into storage and all deliveries of the summer uniforms have been unpacked and checked. Parents will be notified when their orders have been processed.
At this stage the uniform shop will not open for over the counter sales and service as visitors are not allowed on site. The situation may change later in the term, with restrictions easing, and any updates will be advertised in the newsletter.
From Monday 18 October, uniforms can be ordered online through Flexischools or alternatively download an order form from the school website.
Once all students have returned to school, uniform orders will be delivered to the students’ classroom.
If you have an item that you wish to return or exchange for another size or you require second hand uniforms, please contact the Uniform Shop on the email address below.
Order forms are available on the school website by following the link:
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
Please keep your children working on their worksheets with their tutors. Term 3 worksheets for Training and INtermediate bands should be complete, or nearly complete.
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/
It has been a long, lockdown winter but Spring is definitely here. Scouts NSW knows how important it is now to work with young people, helping them to re-engage with their peers and take part in outdoor activity through to the summer break.
Scouts have reopened their State Activity Centres, and groups from your school have stayed with us in the past. We have launched a new Day Activity Program for the coming months which combines outdoor physical activities with team work and bonding challenges.
Our new programs offer a wide choice of activities, including the more challenging mega-adventure options that Scouts are known for. Both Centres are in beautiful bush surroundings, with good meeting and break areas. Baden-Powell Activity Centre is in northern Sydney, whilst Cataract is in the south-west of Sydney.
Why not lock in a date now before Christmas? Please share this information with your team.
See more here and enquire via the Centres’ websites:
The Centres will also be re-opening for overnight camps – call or email them to discuss your options. We are also taking bookings for 2022 now.
We look forward to welcoming your school back soon.
Lisa Penson
Manager
DISCLAIMER
Advertisements placed in the School’s Newsletter do not reflect an endorsement or otherwise by Pennant Hills Public School of the product or service.