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Covid 19 Update
Thank you to our wonderful community for their support over the last few days. We are very aware that it has been a stressful time for many. From Friday night and over the weekend the school executive worked with Incident Response from the NSW Department of Education and NSW Health to follow the protocols in place to ensure a safe return to school. The 3-6 site has undergone a deep clean and contact tracing has taken place to identify close and casual contacts. Everyone has been informed of their status. As I mentioned in my message on Sunday night we are following NSW Health guidelines. If you have any questions relating to this situation please contact NSW Health to discuss the situation.
A huge thanks to everyone involved over the weekend to ensure the school could return to operational status yesterday. It was certainly a team effort. A special thanks to Luke Whenman (P&C President), Amy Miszalski (BASC President), Mrs Kate Wasson (Deputy Principal), Mrs Melissa Griffith (Assistant Principal) and Mrs Joanne Klimoski (School Administration Manager). Mrs Klimoski worked tirelessly on Saturday to ensure we could inform the community as quickly as possible.
If you and your family need any additional support during this time please feel free to make contact with the school on 9484 1134 for a confidential chat. The P&C are very supportive in times like this and are willing to support anonyomously if I make a request. These are difficult and challenging times leading up to Christmas for many people, so please reach out. The school and P&C will assist where possible.
As always the wellbeing and safety of our students is paramount and we will always continue to follow the advice provided to us.
OC Test
We have notified the High Performance Unit of the school’s current situation with some Year 4 children being required to isolate. The High Performance Unit will contact each family directly once they have formulated a state-wide plan to capture those students unable to sit the test on Wednesday. Across the State there are many factors currently in-play such as Covid and potential floods. I ask for your patience during this time and as soon as there is any further correspondance we will be sure to inform those concerned.
Student Attendance at School
The following are the guidelines that have been provided to all government schools regarding student attendance. I thank you in advance for following these guidelines to ensure the health of everyone associated with our school community.
- All students are expected to be at school unless they are unwell. Do not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms. Get tested for COVID-19 and follow NSW Health directions.
- Any person with any COVID-19 symptoms must be sent home and not return to school unless:
- they have isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available.
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- they have a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free. Please note the test needs to be administered by a registered clinic.
- In circumstances where children have other medical reasons for recurrent symptoms, a letter from their GP is sufficient to negate the requirement for a negative test.
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
Kindergarten 2022 Orientation
We had a very successful Kindergarten 2022 Orientation session yesterday. Thank you to all of our parents/carers for following the NSW Health Guidelines, checking-in using our QR code, leaving site quickly and ensuring physical distancing. There were a few tears to begin with, but I assure you, once the students were in the classrooms they were happy and very settled – truly amazing. We had playdough, puzzles, colouring, games, construction and a variety of other activities. It was very heartening to witness some of the more confident children looking out for those who were a little unsure, well done everyone on your first taste of school!
Year 6 Farewell Fundraiser
Opportunity Class Test
Students in Year 4 whose parents/carers have elected that they sit the OC placement test, will be sitting the test on Wednesday in the morning session. We are still waiting for advice from NSW Health and the Department of Education in regards to students who are isolating. Thank you for your patience. Please ensure your child brings the following;
- 2 sharpened lead pencils, an eraser, a sharpener – all in a clear snap lock bag. No pencil cases.
- Glasses, asthma inhaler if they carry it with them
- Water bottle with nothing written on it – must be kept on the floor next to the table
If you have any questions regarding the OC placement test, this link has general information or you can contact the High performing Students Team - ssu@det.nsw.edu.au , 1300 880 367
Around the school – 3D
Last week 3D seemed to have a wonderful time dressing up, experimenting with the concepts of volume and capacity in mathematics and learning about symbols and techniques used in art in different parts of Asia. These included cherry blossoms, dragons and bamboo. The students created a design for their own parasol. Wonderful work 3D!
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
Updated Leadership Voting Timeline
Thursday 25 November: Top 10 speeches and voting – (3-6)
Friday 26 November: Top ten announced
Monday 29 November: House Captain speeches and voting - (3-6)
Tuesday 30 November: House Captains and Performing Arts Captains announced.
Tuesday 7 December: Leadership Induction 10am – via zoom webinar - no parents onsite
Celebration of Learning
Kindergarten: Monday 29 November – 9:30am (zoom webinar – no parents onsite)
Year 1: Monday 29 November – 10:30am (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 2: Monday 29 November – 12:00pm (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 3: Tuesday 30 November – 9:30am (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 4: Tuesday 30 November – 10:30am (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 5: Tuesday 30 November – 12:00pm (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 5 Leadership Induction
Tuesday 7 December: 10am (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)
Year 6 – Celebration of Learning and Graduation
Wednesday 15 December: 10:00am – Onsite – K-2 COLA area outside. 1 person per student able to attend (As per NSW Health orders, this may be subject to change.)
We are following different guidelines for end of year assemblies and year 6 graduations, hence why most are zoom assemblies. Thank you for your understanding.
All activities will be run in a Covid safe way, following the advice at the time of the event.
Mrs Melissa Griffith
Relieving Deputy Principal
KB - Chloe N, Benji H, Fynn T, Eliana J
KC - Rachael S, Janu P, Ruby B, Savannah C, Olivia T, Phoenix G
1A - Frankie S, Eleanor P
1E - Aadhya S, Krisav P
1M - Dash S, Logan S, Lachlan W, Henley W
1/2P - Sanidhu H, Syd M
2A - Amira R, Jack V
2B - Selena R, Matilda S
2W - Audrey W, Henry H
3R - Penelope K, Elliot M, Abi W, Ari K, Mia M
4B - Indie M, Reyansh C, Logan S
5W -Asha B, Hamish C, Megan C
Statement of Accounts
Please note that a Statement of Account were sent home with the eldest child in your family at our school. This includes the Term 4 fees which are attached to the Statement of Account.
Student Emergency Contact Detail Report
The office is sending home the Student Emergency Contact Detail Report. It is vital that student information is up to date for communication purposes as well as for your child’s wellbeing.
Please review and update any information on the report and return to your class teacher by Friday 3 December 2021.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Mrs Klimoski
School Administrative Manager
The Guinea Pigs are finally here!!
Tootsie, LoobyLoo, Opi, Porcas and Kartoffel, our new enrolments at PHPS, are here!
Each & every day, 2 of the pigs will come to school. They will be transported in a carrier & will be taken home every afternoon. There will be 2 different pigs each day so that they can rest and relax at home when they are not ‘working’ & when at school, they will stay in The Green Room in a cage built just for them.
When at school, the guinea pigs will follow a flexible timetable- some days, Ms Schmidt will bring them onto the playground where they might meet you at the school gate, other times they will be brought out at lunchtimes to read a book while you eat your lunch & at other times, the pigs will be in The Green Room ready to listen to you read to them..! Your teacher may want to schedule the pigs to make a visit to your classroom- there are lots of possibilities.
Please remember, guinea pigs are naturally wary of people & need to be handled calmly and with care to prevent distress and injury to both animal and handler. They have a strong flight response and will freeze or attempt to escape if they feel threatened, so only 1 person can handle a guinea pig at a time. If you are not so sure how to handle the guinea pig, please always ask Ms Schmidt or your teacher.
I hope you are as excited about meeting the pigs as I am having them at school- please come & meet them!
Just see how clever these Guinea Pigs are - they are helping students with their literacy!
Hamish C and Porcas doing their spelling in 5W literacy groups
Owen S from 3D and Opi doing MacqLit in The Green Room
If you have any questions or concerns 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
President’s Message
Hi All
Two steps forward, one step backwards at the moment with the return to ‘normal’ P&C activities at PHPS. We’re pleased to confirm that the Canteen and the Uniform Shop remain open this week - thanks to Heather, Catherine, Narelle and Alison for keeping the shops going.
This weekend the 2022 Kindergarten families have the opportunity to book 1:1 uniform shop appointments. A note with a booking form has gone out to these families. We have a number of parents volunteering to assist with these appointments - thank you in advance for your help given the disruption to family life over the past week.
At this stage we still plan to have the 7 December P&C General Meeting onsite at the hall, I’ll confirm closer to date.
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
I hope everyone stays safe and has a great week.
Luke Whenman
President, PHPS P&C
It’s business as usual in the canteen, though we will be very happy when everyone is together again!!
Flexischools
Don’t forget the new cut-off time for ordering is 9am.
There are no over the counter sales. All ordering must be done through Flexischools. If you haven’t yet updated your Flexischools App, you will need to update it before ordering.
We will be running without the help of volunteers for the remainder of the year, so we may need to make some changes to the menu to be able to manage this.
Frozen items are available for ordering at both sites, on Fridays only at this stage.
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 but is currently closed for over the counter sales and service.
Kindergarten Uniform Orders 2022
Information will be provided this week to all Kindergarten families regarding the procedures being put in place for ordering uniforms.
Term 4 Operating Protocols
With the easing of restrictions on 8 November the Uniform Shop is now able to operate during school hours.
At this stage the Uniform Shop is only able to operate to process orders so parents remain unable to visit the shop during school hours.
If your child is at school, your Flexischools order will be delivered to the classroom.
If your child is currently learning from home your Flexischools order will be delivered to the 3-6 office and can be collected from there.
Uniforms can be ordered online through Flexischools or alternatively download an order form from the school website.
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: https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/p/pennanthil-p/about-our-school/uniform-shop/Order_Form_and_Price_List_Term_3_2021.pdf
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
Our wonderful band students have been working hard throughout the last 2 terms with Google classrooms, online band rehearsals, virtual performances and AMEB exams. As part of this they've all been asked to record a Solo. These have been compiled by our talented Music Director Dave Odams, into a Virtual Concert which we'll be showing live via a Zoom session.
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/
Hello again after a long Covid hiatus.
As communicated to all ensemble members via email we are still not able to rehearse together due to Covid restrictions but we are gearing up to launch Strings again in 2022.
If you were enrolled in the Strings program this year please see the email sent Wednesday 3 November for some important information.
The committee need to start gauging numbers for next year so we can plan effectively.
If you were in the Main Ensemble this year please register your interest for 2022 here
If you were in the Intro course this year and want to progress to the Junior Ensemble in 2022 please register your interest here
As Covid kiboshed our annual Introduction to Music night this year we have not been able to engage with students or parents and demonstrate the instruments so we would love some help from existing members with recruitment. If you know someone, or your child has a friend that may be interested in learning strings or joining either the Main or Junior Ensemble, please forward them these links or our email address. When it comes to ensembles, the more the merrier!
If you want to show your kids what each instrument looks and sounds like please see this video or this one
Any questions? Please feel free to contact us here:
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
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