Filter Content
- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- A MESSAGE FROM THE RELIEVING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
- K-2 MERIT AWARDS
- THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
- PSSA SCOREBOARD - STAGE 3
- CHOIR NEWS
- RECYCLING SOFT PLASTICS
- KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION CLASSES
- HARMONY WEEK
- P & C NEWS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- UNIFORM SHOP NEWS
- BAND NEWS
- STRINGS NEWS
- COMMUNITY NEWS
Sydney North PSSA Swimming Carnival
Last week saw four of our students represent our school and Beecroft Zone PSSA at the Sydney North PSSA Swimming carnival. This carnival was held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
There were some great results on the day for our students.
- The Senior Boys’ relay team came 6th in the final. Well done, Sam, Mathieu, Christian and Hamish.
- Sam came 2nd in the final of the 12yr 50m Backstroke and will now participate at the NSW PSSA Swimming carnival. He came 7th in the 12yr 50m Freestyle final and 9th in the 50m Butterfly final. Fantastic results!
- Mathieu also came 3rd in the final of the 12yr 50m Backstroke. An awesome effort and is now off to the NSW PSSA Swimming carnival.
School Uniforms
Thank you to the vast majority of our students who wear the school uniform with pride every single day. You are a credit to yourselves, your family and the school. The school uniform includes the wearing of a hat when the students are outside. There are too many students who are not coming to school with their hat. Can I ask all families to ensure their children bring their hat to school every single day. Australia has a very high rate of skin cancer, and it is important that when outside all students take precautions, such as wearing their hat.
Parent Teacher Meetings
These begin next week for most classes. Please come to these meetings with any questions you may have about your child’s educational journey. The teachers certainly have information for you based upon their observations and interactions over the first eight or nine weeks. These meetings are a two-way street. It is also a great opportunity for the home and school to be on the same page to benefit the child’s learning journey for this year and beyond.
Flood Appeal
The NSW Primary Principals’ Association and the NSW Department of Education are working together to coordinate a ‘Flood Appeal’ for those schools impacted by the recent floods across NSW. After speaking with the P&C President I have registered our school to assist with this initiative. Later this week our school will be allocated a school or maybe schools to be partnered with to do some fundraising. Once the partnership has been decided I will speak with the Principal from the affected school or schools and work out exactly what they require. Once we have this information, we will begin to do what we can. The community’s generosity a couple of weeks ago was amazing and we hope that we can again support a community in need. At the moment there is nothing we can do, but as soon as we have the necessary information, we will begin the fundraising to assist these communities.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Check-in Assessments
Our Year 4 and Year 6 students will be participating in Check-in Assessments next week (Week 10) on Monday and Tuesday (28/29 March). The online assessments for Reading and Numeracy provide additional data for teachers and the school to make informed decisions about the learning journey of our students and they take approximately 40 minutes each. Please ensure that your child/ren bring the following on Monday or earlier;
- Headphones
- Computer mouse if preferred
- Pencil
- Please arrive at school on time
Thank you and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions; pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Around the school
Early Stage One
Kindergarten have been exploring the needs of living things, shelter being one of them. Last week the students were able to get outside during a sunny afternoon and build their own shelters. Here are some students in KA building their well thought out shelters. Nice one KA and Kindergarten!
Last week Stage 1 were super excited to venture out to Sydney Zoo! On all accounts they had a fabulous time and the weather held out for them. I spoke to a few students upon their return to school and many had never been to a zoo before, what an experience!
Stage Two
The below images show 4B conducting their sentence of the day activity and using formal measurement devices to find the length of objects. Go 4B!
Stage Three
5M were exploring the area model, which uses a visual representation of multiplication to deepen their understanding of multiplicative thinking. Nice work 5M!
6R have been looking at changing up their spelling this year and are focusing more on the etymology of words. Below you can see them exploring their word webs. Such vibrant vocabulary Year 6!
Eco Warriors
We are always striving to do our best for our environment and to support our focus on improving our school environment, the Eco Warriors have developed a series of posters. Each week we will present a new poster. Below is this weeks poster, which highlights our compost bins. Thanks Eco Warriors!
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
NAPLAN - 2022 ONLINE ASSESSMENT
Sydney Eisteddford 2021
Congratulations to our 20221 Senior Concert Band for receiving Highly Commended at the Sydney Eisteddfod in 2021.
Kind Regards
Mrs Melissa Griffith
Relieving Deputy Principal
KA - Aiman A, Charlotte Y, Darcie F, Agri A
KC - Archer B, Heidi R, Felix C, Evana A
KD - Grace D, Alice M, Claire L, Andy C
KR - Loya C, Malaki S, Noah A, Davina H, Charlie B, Alexis E, James N
1A - Phoenix G, Ruby B, Ashleigh D, Valentino D, Elizaveta V, Hugo P
1E - Daniel H, Abigail J, Isabelle S, Jonathan L, Emma L
1M - Coralie A, Madeleine B, Sophie L, Tom N, Jordan S, Adiaen D, Isabella M
1P - Dylan S, Sashenka F, Viraj G, Shernelle L
2A - Joanna A, Grace G, Keyan P, Lily B, Alexandra P, Morgan F
2B - Dylan H, Sarah-Lynn L, Abhaya S, Xavier D, Frankie S, Lachlan W
2M - Lexi M, Lachlan N, Hannah C, David H, Sidney M, Edwin R
- Cricket: Anthony L and Christian P
- Touch: Stella M
- Swimming: Matthieu C and Sam K
Well done!
There were some firsts - everyone was wearing FM receivers to hear the conductor’s instructions and the music. We also had to learn choralography and even a new song the day before! A huge thank you to Mrs Reid for coming with us and helping us. She is a whiz with batteries!!
A big thank you to all of the parents for their support of this concert. It has been a long time since we have done any concerts – now we can tackle anything this year!! We have been accepted into the Primary Proms and Festival of Choral Music later this year.
Interested In Joining The Choir This Year?
I have some vacancies for more students in both choirs.
Weemala Choir is for students in Years 3 and 4 and rehearse on Tuesday mornings in the Hall from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
Ramsay Choir is for students in Years 5 and 6 and rehearse on Wednesday mornings in the Hall from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
In weeks 9 and 10 this term, there will be “open rehearsals”. If your child is interested in joining the choir, they can come along to the rehearsal and join. I will also get you to fill in an expression of Interest form which students will receive at the rehearsal or from me during their Music lesson.
Students in year 3 will need to audition for me at some stage so that I can assess their voice type. The auditions will take place in week 11, details coming later.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me and ask.
See you at the rehearsal.
Ms Stevens
Choir Teacher
Did you know? That on average Australian’s use 130kg of plastic per person each year. Less than 12% of that plastic gets recycled.
At Pennant Hills, we are doing our part inside and outside the classroom to help recycle soft plastics. In each classroom we have a yellow, soft plastics bin and a black bin in the playground. The Eco Warriors are part of helping to make sure the soft plastics get recycled. Each week they collect the soft plastics from the classrooms and a teacher takes it to the correct recycle collection point.
Soft plastics, what are they? Soft plastics include biscuit wrappers, plastic bags, garbage bags, chip packets, toilet paper packaging and many more. Basically, anything that wraps around a product is soft plastic.
How do I recycle my soft plastics? You can take all your soft plastics to a Coles or Woolworths near you and put your soft plastics into a special bin. Some areas close to us are Woolworths at Thornleigh, Cherrybrook and Beecroft. Coles at West Pennants Hills, Turramurra and Epping.
If you’re not sure what can be recycled in soft plastics look for some of these labels on the packaging.
What happens to your soft plastics? Once you have dropped your soft plastics off, they are taken to a facility to be processed and then sent to Victoria where they undergo an incredible transformation. Soft plastics once recycled can be used to create a huge range of products including outdoor furniture, billboards and fitness circuits.
Next time you’re at the supermarket keep an eye out for the REDcycle bin and start recycling your soft plastics today.
For more information visit https://redcycle.net.au/what-to-redcycle/
Mrs Mortimer and the Environmental Committee
This week is Harmony Week
21-27 March
Harmony Week is all about celebrating the amazing cultures that make up our country. Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world – from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the 49% of Australians who were born overseas or have a parent who was.
Our cultural diversity is a great strength and brings with it a whole host of traditions, religions, languages, and of course, food! It helps us to do things in different ways, reduces discrimination and lets us accept difference.
Harmony Week always includes the 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The message of Harmony Week is “everyone belongs”. Orange is the colour chosen to represent this week as traditionally it signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 23 March, we are asking the students to wear a touch of orange e.g. orange t-shirt, orange socks, orange ribbons etc. to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.
We are looking forward to celebrating our multicultural society.
The Harmony Week Committee
Amanda Callegaro, Gai Davis and Angela Krivohlavy
President’s Message
Hi All
We now have all of our Class Parents confirmed, thank you to all the volunteers who are assisting. This role is an important connection between parents, the teachers and the P&C. As we move back to more fundraising and community activities we will be looking for more volunteers. Please see the survey link below to register your interest!
Just a reminder that the P&C AGM is next Tuesday 29 March at 7:30pm, followed immediately by the March General Meeting. The meeting will be held online and I’ve included the zoom details below.
We’re close to having the new canteen completed and handed over to Heather and Catherine. Stay tuned for updates over the next week.
Have a good week.
AGM Zoom details
Topic: P&C AGM and General Meeting
Time: Mar 29, 2022 07:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/65227701784?pwd=TVlXSEJCVmtDL043NVVwWXI3UHY2dz09
Meeting ID: 652 2770 1784
Passcode: 436020
Dial in: +61 2 8015 6011 Australia
Find your local number: https://nsweducation.zoom.us/u/etO1WUa2w
Luke Whenman
P&C President
***P&C Events and Fundraising in 2022***
We’re excited about the easing of restrictions this term and are now busy planning some P&C activities for the year to bring the school community together, as well as a bit of Fundraising.
Click here to view the P&C activities in 2022
Please select an activity that you can support us with, if you have any capacity during the year. We look forward to seeing you around the school soon!
Parents or carers who would like to be part of making our school more sustainable, please contact phpsgreenteam@gmail.com.
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
The canteen renovation is complete and it looks amazing!! This week we are moving in, getting organised and stocking up.
We are awaiting confirmation for when we can open and will send an SZapp notification when orders can recommence.
If you have any questoins, or would like to be involved in the canteen, please contact me.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
The Uniform Shop is currently closed for over the counter sales while I transition into this new role.
Uniforms can be ordered through Flexischools. These will be processed and delivered to your child's classroom.
The Uniform Shop operating hours are currently under review. Keep an eye on the newsletter for the updated opening hours once they have been confirmed.
For all enquiries, feel free to contact me on the email address below.
Janine Sherlock
Uniform Shop Manager
In the past we have started Jazz band at the beginning of Term 1, but this year we are trying a different approach. Tryouts will take place in the next couple of weeks and rehearsals will start in Term 2.
Please download your child's music from the following link, print it, and ask them to practice it before THURSDAY. On Thursday 24 April we will play through the piece with anyone that might be interested in joining the band. The students will then have one week to practice their part in more detail and we will have the official "audition" on Thursday 31 March.
Woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone):Brass* (trumpet, trombone, euphonium):Rhythm (drums, bass, piano):*please note that euphonium should play trombone part
A few things to note about Jazz Band
- Jazz Band rehearsals will be from 8:15am - 9:00am on Thursdays.
If your child is NOT in Jazz Band they will need to wait at the band room until 8:45am when they can then leave for the other site. (Alternatively we might arrange the parent helper to walk the "non-jazz" students over to the 3-6 site at 8:15am where they will then be supervised in one group until 8:45am. We're just checking with the school if this is plausible).
- All students in Jazz Band need to sign an agreement that they will practice their band music at least 4 times each week in order to ensure that they can comfortably play their parts.
- All students in Jazz Band MUST be able to play their Concert Band music as a priority. The Jazz Band music should be in addition to the concert band music, not instead of it.
- All students MUST be able to practice their jazz band music with their tutor on a regular basis. If you have any questions about this, please ask your child's tutor to see if they are ready for the additional challenge.
- PERCUSSION STUDENTS: The main part in jazz band is drum kit. We need at least 1 percussion student in the band. If we have more than 1 suitable student we can definitely use 2, but a maximum of 3. If we have 2 students, there will be a drum kit and mallet percussion part. If we have 3 students there will be drum kit, mallet percussion and auxilliary percussion (tambourine, bongos etc). All percussion students will need to be able to play the drum kit parts.
- PIANO PLAYERS: If anyone in the band (or even not currently in the band) plays PIANO to a good level (AMEB Grade 3 at least) then we can give them the option of playing piano in the band. We would love to have a piano as it is a very important part in a jazz band. We can only use 1 piano player though, so if your child is interested please let me know ASAP and we can discuss further.
- Monday 28 March
- Thursday 31 March
- Monday 4 April
- Thursday 7 April
- For all brass instrument players, there is a strict "no towel, no play" policy. So ensure you have a water towel at every rehearsal.
- If your child has any Covid-19 symptoms they are not to attend band rehearsals, and please let the conductor know via WhatsApp that they will not be there.
- If your child should happen to test positive to a COVID RAT or PCR, please inform the band committee via phpsband@gmail.com so we can inform the rest of their bands families.
- When walking the students, especially Training Band, back to the 3-6 site try to have them line up in pairs on the path to the side
- Count them twice, check with Rose head count.
- Tell the students to walk nicely and stick together on the walk up
- You should stop at the driveway, Weemala corner, school crossing at the 1st driveway at the big site to be recounted.
- If possible, have a parent front and end and discourage wandering.
- Once all accounted for you are free and thank you for helping.
- Julia A & Wade H (TB)
- June (ICB)
- Katina L (SCB Monday) & Bec S (SCB Thursday)
PHPS Band Committee
Rehearsals: K-2 Hall, Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Parent helper today is Carol - Thanks Carol :)
WE HAVE NO PARENT HELPER FOR NEXT WEEK - MARCH 29!!
The parent roster was previously full however someone has taken themselves off the roster. If you need to change dates PLEASE use the whatsapp group to let us know and find a replacement.
The String Ensemble can't run without help from the parents - we work together to spread the load and make it fair. Some parents have done multiple days this term while others have done none. Please click on the link below and sign up to be a parent helper this term. Big thanks to those who have already signed up :)
https://doodle.com/poll/5zawtsz3vqs7vyz3?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Could all parent helpers please email their proof of vaccination to the school- subject line: "Attn Mrs Griffith- strings vaccination"
Here is a LINK to the parent helper responsibilities
Save the Date!!
Music Camp is to be held Sunday June 19 - Tues June 21.
Kids love Music Camp so put it in your diaries now please. Years 3-6 students sleep over two nights and younger students can attend as day students with parents to drop off and pick up each day. There will be more information about it next term.
If you need any further information, you can reach out via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble
Feedback: www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us
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