Pennant Hills Public School eNewsletter

Student Leadership 2022

Over the last week we have held the elections for the school’s Student Leadership Team for 2022. There were many great students nominated for the school’s Top 10 Leaders. As is always the case there are many more students who would make excellent leaders that miss out on one of these positions. Over the next few days we will complete the election process for the school’s Sports and CAPA Captains for next year.

I can announce the school’s Top 10 Leaders for 2022:

Tahlia C
Lily M
Samara M
Charlotte P
Annabelle R
Archie B
Lachlan C
Sam K
Lucas P
Tom S

The school Captains and Vice-Captains will be announced at the Leadership Induction Ceremony on Tuesday 7 December. Unfortunately due to Covid guidelines we are unable to have parents in attendance but we will be Zooming the ceremony for parents to watch.

Mr Bryant – Life Membership Beecroft Zone

A couple of weeks ago Mr Bryant was awarded Life Membership of the Beecroft Zone PSSA. Having been involved in the Zone for many years myself, I was not fully aware of the important role Mr Bryant had played for so many years. It is truly amazing his commitment over many years.

Mr Bryant started the Zone in 2001 with several other like-minded teachers who shared a passion for sport and wanted to provide students with an opportunity. Mr Bryant was integral in the starting of Friday PSSA sport, as before 2001 it was just carnivals.

These are some of the positions Mr Bryant has held:

Vice President: 2013, 2014
Treasurer: 2014 – current
Rugby League Convenor: 2003-2014
Touch Football: 2003
Hockey: 2010, 2011, 2020
Golf: 2015, 2016 & 2018
Water Polo: 2016 & 2017
Pennant Hills PS Zone representative from 2003
Held a position on the Beecroft Zone council since 2001

Mr Bryant is a worthy recipient of this acknowledgement. Congratulations and thank you Mr Bryant for your passion for providing all students an opportunity to participate in a range of sporting opportunities.

Celebration of Learning

The last two days has seen the school hold its annual Celebration of Learning (COL). Sadly, due to Covid-19, this year’s COL looked very different from our past ones. This year each grade had their own assembly following Covid guidelines. Sadly, we were unable to invite parents to these assemblies. It was great to see so many people joining us via Zoom to acknowledge all the students.

I congratulate all the award recipients for your efforts this year. Well done! However, I do believe that every child should be acknowledged for their extraordinary efforts this year in difficult circumstances, and parents too! 2021 has thrown us many challenges and everyone has risen to the task and succeeded.

Thank you to all the staff who were involved in organising our COL this year, especially Mrs Griffith and Ms Stevens.

Staffing Update

This year we will farewell two long time staff members. Mrs Maddison and Mrs Haselden will retiring at the year’s end. Both ladies have worked in our school community for many years and have given so much to all the students. Their retirement will leave a large void in our school community. Next year, when the restrictions ease we will hold an assembly to formally and appropraitely acknowledge their contribution to the school community.

On behalf of the community I thank both of them very much for their many years of service to Pennant Hills Public School and the NSW Department of Education.

Ms Newman who has worked at our school for the last several years is relocating north early next year. As such she will not be taking up a classroom teaching position at the beginning of 2022. Ms Newman will be another great loss to our school and we wish her the very best of luck in the future.

Year 6 Graduation Assembly and Farewell

This year we will be holding the Year 6 Celebration of Learning and Graduation Assembly as one event. In doing so we will be able to follow the guidelines for this type of event set out by the NSW Department of Education and this will enable the school to invite one adult per child to attend, due to the size of the space for the Graduation Assembly. All adults must be double vaccinated and will be required to show proof on entry to the school. All visitors will need to sign in using the school app, wear a mask if indoors and follow all directions from the school regarding the organisation of this event. This event will also be Zoomed for other family members to watch. We are aware that this is not ideal for families, however, we are unable to make exceptions to our plan in order to be Covid safe.

Covid-19 Update

The processes around a confirmed case of Covid-19 in schools has changed as of yesterday. The new guidelines will hopefully alleviate the need for students to isolate from face-to-face learning. The excerpt is from the advice to family’s webpage from the NSW Department of Education. I have included this in this week’s newsletter to keep the community informed.

"NSW Health has approved the use of rapid antigen home test (RAHT) kits as an option to get school students back to face-to-face learning earlier if they are identified as a close contact from an exposure at school.

There will be circumstances where it will not be possible for schools to implement the department's RAHT test-to-stay program - where the nature of the school means this is not possible, or the timing of the exposure does not align.

RAHT is not an option where a student is identified as a close contact from a community exposure and not at school. In these circumstances, the full isolation period is required. For more information, refer to NSW Health's advice for close contacts.

When RAHT is considered a suitable option, the department will work closely with the school. In these circumstances, parents and carers will be able to decide whether RAHT is the right option for their child.

If RAHT is a suitable option, students identified as close contacts, can return to school after receiving a negative standard PCR (nose and throat swab) test result and started using the daily RAHT kits. The use of daily RAHT is optional and will need to be conducted at home under adult supervision. Students participating will still need to follow NSW Health advice on isolation requirements outside of school.

Students using the RAHT test-to-stay program may be able to attend outside of school hours care facilities depending on NSW Health advice. Parents and carers of students who are close contacts will need to check with the service provider before attending.

Free RAHT kits will be supplied by the department to schools and will be distributed when there are identified close contacts due to a positive COVID-19 case at the school.

Using RAHT means:

Your child needs to isolate at home from the last date of their exposure to the confirmed case (this is the date on the close contact letter you will receive if your child is identified as a close contact).

As part of the NSW Health directions, your child should have had their standard PCR test from a testing clinic as soon as they were identified as a close contact and start their isolation.
Notify the school of the standard PCR test result.
If the standard PCR test result is negative, collect the RAHT kits from the school and use them from the following morning.
You will be provided a bundle of 7 RAHT kits to use every day for 7 consecutive days including on weekends and non-school days. You must use all 7 RAHT kits on your child.
If the daily RAHT is negative, your child can go to school and continue to use the RAHT test each morning before school.

Outside of school, your child needs to remain in isolation and stay home. This means they cannot go to parks, shops or other activities outside of the school.
If the daily RAHT result is positive, your child cannot attend school and they must have a standard PCR test from a testing clinic and isolate while waiting for the result.
If the standard PCR test is positive, follow advice from NSW Health.
If the standard PCR test result is negative, your child may resume attending school after sending a copy of the results to the school and keep using RAHT daily.
You need to send the result of the daily RAHT test to the school using the CareStart app or on the website – this will be provided to you when it’s needed.

If you do not provide the result of a negative test each day, the student must revert to isolation for the 14-day period following their last contact with the positive case and undertake learning from home, supported by the school. 
Once all 7 RAHT kits are used, your child will no longer be in isolation and can attend school and other outside-of-school activities.
Always monitor for symptoms and get a standard PCR (nose and throat swab) test if symptoms develop.

If you choose not to use RAHT, your child will need to isolate for the full 14 days as per the current NSW Health requirements, and get a standard PCR test from a testing clinic as soon as you’re aware that they are a close contact, and follow NSW Health advice. Please let the school know of the result before sending them back to school after the 14 day isolation period. The school will continue to provide learning from home materials during this time.

Kind Regards

Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal

Around the School – Focus on Stage One

1M having a wonderful time playing boxes and testing out their strategic mathematical thinking.

Aston and Marlina from 1E showing what 57 could look like, excellent mathematical communication!

Grace, Eloise, Shriya and Ethan in 1E demonstrating her understanding of grouping using lego, then formulating addition and multiplication equations using this knowledge in written form – a wonderful demonstration of mathematical fluency, well done!

In Science, 1A are looking at materials and their purposes. Here students are working collaboratively to build their designed product (styled from a puffer jacket). The purpose of their design is to keep water warm in plastic bottles. Once built, the products will be tested, students will then see how well their design has worked and think of ways that they could make their product more effective next time. 

2W have been doing spelling relays!

Johan has demonstrated some excellent editing skills in his persuasive letter.

Millie and Audrey from 2W using playing cards to find their friends of 10.

Maths games in 2W

1P read 'Hey Little Ant' then created playdough sculptures to represent the ants.

Check-in Assessments for Years 3-6

Years 3-6 students will participate in a reading and numeracy Check-in assessment.

The Check-in assessment is a NSW Department of Education online reading and numeracy assessment available to support schools to assess and monitor student learning.

The assessments can supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs.

The assessment will be scheduled for our Year 3-6 students later this week.

Students with disability may receive the same level of support during the assessment that they would normally receive in the classroom.

Students are asked to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into a computer to enable them to hear audio during the assessment. Earbuds used for mobile phones or other portable devices may be suitable for use during the assessment. The type of computer connection needed is a jack or USB.

Supplementary OC Test

The supplementary OC test for students who were unable to sit the test recently, is scheduled for tomorrow. These Year 4 students are required to come to school as usual. We will be conducting the test in the computer lab in the morning session. Please ensure your child brings:

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

Kind Regards

Mrs Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

Wednesday 1 December 2021

Class photos and Year 6 graduation photos will be taken on Wednesday 1 December. Due to Covid restrictions we are unable to take sibling and group photos this year.

To view prices and pay online visit the following website.

Use the code – X1463PRE43P

Year 5 Leadership Induction

Tuesday 7 December: 10am (zoom webinar - no parents onsite)

Webinar ID: 671 8282 9679
Passcode:  year5

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.

Police Band Workshop

The Senior band had a zoom workshop with The Police Band last week. They had a great session playing alongside some very experienced players. Thank you, Mike Stalenberg and the band committee, for organising such a worthwhile session.

Mrs Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

KB - Claire L

KC - Emily P, Angus C

KD - Emma K, Oliver F, Zac P

KL - Kelvin Z, Siara D, Emma L, Isabella M, Ciel Y, Marc M

1E - Aston A, Jordan H, Reeti G

1M - Chloe H, Richard M, Keyan P

1/2P - Sarah-Lynn L

2A - Hayden Y, Jacinta I

3D - Hannah R, Arin S, Megan N, Ethan S, Lachlan P, Karina C

3H - Zainab D, Josh F, Stephen D, Lara B

4B - Abbie R, Katelyn G, Indie M

4F - Nathan P, Eddy C, Liviru L, Ali P

4M - Reuben T, Nathan Y, Kelsey C

5W - Mariane O, Eddie P, Sofia E

6M - Koby C, Shwe M, Callum H, Sara C, Akhash K, Martha M

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

Date: 7 December 2021

Times: 9:15am - 11:00am

Venue: Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC)

Purpose: To assisting students in familiarising themselves with their new school and making the important first connections, as they commence building positive relationships.

Outline of morning: Students will be introduced to key personnel including the Deputy Principals Mrs Fiona Payne and Mr Roger Niccol (Relieving), Head Teacher Student Wellbeing (Relieving) Mrs Kylie Blarasin, Year Adviser Ms Eleanor Carless and members of our Student Leadership Council (SLC).

Covid guidelines: Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to host parents/caregivers onsite. Parent and caregivers are asked to drop off and pick up their child outside the school gates. All students are required to wear a mask during the information session.

PHPS Contact: Please contact the Enrolment Officer, Mrs Claudia Antoon on 9473 5000 or via email pennathil-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.

Mrs Reid

Stage 3 Relieving Assistant Principal

Kate C and Lucy C both have very firm favourites - Porcas for Kate and King Opi the First, for Lucy

They only whisper about having favourites as they don’t want to upset the rest of our PHPS family of pigs!! ?

Both girls have made their dedication to the Guinea Pigs quite apparent by helping out whenever they can and by becoming Guinea Pig Monitors. They follow the timetable to ensure classes do not mix, the girls assist with guiding other students how to handle the pigs, discussing the Pigs’ likes and what the sounds they make could mean. They also tidy up the cage and change the notice board on a daily basis- I am lucky and appreciative to have their help!!

Charlie T doing a phonics assessment with King Opi the First

Ms Schmidt

Learning and Support Teacher

Mrs Macnaughtan

Classroom Teacher

The Great Library Book Hunt

It is now time for all library books to be returned. Many thanks to all those students who have searched far and wide for their library books that were borrowed in Term 2.

Reminder notices have been distributed and many books have been returned. School library books can be easily identified by the school barcode that is on the front cover.

If a student can’t find their books the reminder notice needs to be returned with a brief message explaining that the book cannot be found.

Ms Davis

Teacher Librarian

The final canteen day for this year will be Friday December 10.

The canteen is undergoing a major renovation and upgrade over the holidays. We need to clear everything out before work starts December 16.

We will be unable to store any food over the holidays, so we need to run all of our stock down completely. Unfortunately this means that some items will start to become unavailable. They will be back next year in our shiny new canteen!

Menu

Sadly, the Gluten Free Gingerbread Folk no longer meet their requirements, so we have removed them from our menu. I am now making our own Gingerbread Biscuits which are proving very popular, though they are NOT Gluten Free sorry.
Ice Blocks and Ice Creams are now available to order with lunch on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays!!

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 have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

The Uniform Shop has resumed operations, but is currently closed for over-the-counter sales and service.

Kindergarten Uniform Orders 2022

Thank you to the 2022 Kindergarten families who attended the uniform fitting appointments that were held out of school hours over the last week.

Thank you to the committee members who volunteered to assist the new families at the appointments. Without your assistance these sessions would not have been able to occur.

Parents who have not attended these appointments can place an order for uniforms via Flexischools by

select ‘Add a New Student’
add your child’s details to Flexischools
select ‘New Students 2022’

Alternatively, parents can download the Kinderlinks order form from the school website and return it to the school office.

https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/p/pennanthil-p/about-our-school/starting-kindergarten/Kinderlinks_Order_Form_2022.pdf

Once your Kinderlinks and/or Flexischools order has been processed at the Uniform Shop, you will receive an email advising that your order is available for collection from the 3-6 office.

Hours For 2022

The last day of trading for 2021 will be Thursday 9 December.

At this stage it is hoped that the Uniform Shop will be able to resume over the counter sales and service by appointment in 2022. Please note the Department of Education rules stipulate that all parents attending a Uniform Shop appointment must be fully vaccinated. In anticipation of the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions I wish to advise that the Uniform Shop hopes to reopen for appointments on the following dates and times in Term 1, 2022:

Friday 28 January 2022 - Staff Development Day 1: 8:45am-10:45am
Monday 31 January 2022 - Staff Development Day 2: 8:45am-10:45am

Dr Shoe

Max can be contacted direct on 0414 912 838 to arrange a home fitting.

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.

Now that all students have returned to school, Flexischools orders will be delivered to the students’ classrooms.

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

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

Year 2 Families

We're still after a few more students who are interested in learning a musical instrument to fill in the interest form. We'd really like a few more brass players. This includes the Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn and Euphonium. (Did you know both our conductors play Trombone and specialise in low brass?!)

The low brass section of the band is probably the most important. They create the core of the band’s sound, and without them things would kind of epically fall apart. With that in mind we'd really like to attract people to this section of the band.

We're offering a "Low Brass Scholarship" to any student who would like to play a trombone, baritone horn, or euphonium.

This will include for the 12 months of 2022:

Free Instrument Hire
50% off Instrument Servicing Fee
50% off Band Fees

The band has 3 brand new Trombones, 1 brand new Euphonium and 2 nearly new Baritone Horns. So your child would have some of the best looking instruments the band has to offer. Plus High Schools are always looking for more of these players in their bands.

Please have a think and talk about it with your child. If you're interested please let us know. Our Expression Of Interest form, is live now. We really encourage all current year 2 students to fill it in. The bigger the band the better it will sound and the more fun the students will have!

PHPS's band program is open to any students from Year 3 upward, and we encourage all students who have an interest in music and learning to join. No prior musical instrument experience is necessary. Learning an instrument is a skill which can benefit students in so many ways.

Our wonderful conductor has put together this video to learn about the different instruments which are available for your children to learn! Listen to some demonstrations from our Senior Concert Band, Jazz Band and year 6 students from 2021 https://youtu.be/Yl2d2SgWtUE

Feel free to check out some of our other videos while you're there, or subscribe to our channel!

All Other Bands

Please work on the recordings your conductors are asking you to. Especially any of the Christmas Carols, which we'll be compiling into a Christmas Concert.

If anyone has siblings in Year 2 who are yet to voice their interest in joining the band, please get in touch.

Final rehearsal week will be Week 10.

Worksheets

Please try to get the worksheets for this year signed off by their tutors.

Any completed worksheets are to be submitted as soon as possible through the new Worksheet Submission Web Form. https://forms.gle/NpPEG9jk2FsYdmmq7

Hire Instrument Return

If you're currently hiring an instrument and want to continue hiring next year, please let us know via email, and also indicate if you'd like to keep the instrument over the school holidays.If you do not plan on hiring your instrument next year, they are to be returned on the afternoon of Monday the 13th December, 3:15-3:45pm at the HOLA on the K-2 site.

Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

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