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Virtual Meet the Teacher Night
Last week’s Meet the Teacher Night for most classes was an outstanding success. Thank you to everyone who was able to join in and hear about the wonderful learning opportunities taking place in each classroom every single day. If you have any queries throughout the year about your child’s learning, please make contact with your child’s teacher first as they are the best person to respond to your query.
1P and 3B will hold their Meet the Teacher session tonight. The details to access these sessions are below.
Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2): 4:45 - 5:15pm
1P Meeting ID: 590 726 2896 Passcode: 1pandas
Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4): 5:30 - 6pm
3B Meeting ID: 693 1575 7964 Passcode: 652520
Please ensure you have a registered Zoom account and enter the meeting details for your child’s class this evening.
Covid 19 Update
Last week the premier made an announcement and eased some restrictions in the wider community relating to Covid-19. At this stage the guidelines for schools have not changed. We are expecting to receive updated advice from NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education soon. As we have done in the past as soon as we aware of the new guidelines we will make any necessary changes. I look forward to updating you as soon as possible.
Later this week I hope to be able to deliver to each child a supply of Rapid Antigen Test kits. Each child can expect to receive eight kits each over the course of the term. Some students may receive all eight this week, whilst others may need to wait for the balance of their eight to be supplied when the school receives an additional delivery in the near future.
These tests are to be administered after this week if your child is displaying any symptoms. If they test positive, please notify NSW Health through the Service NSW app or website and follow their advice. You must also notify the school.
If you would like to opt out of receiving the Rapid Antigen Test kits please click the link here to complete our small survey. If you wish to receive the kits you do not need to do anything.
I thank you in advance for your support.
Afternoon Pick Up
Over the last week it has been evident that many students are not being picked up at 3:15pm. This is especially the case on the K-2 site. A friendly reminder that school finishes at 3:15pm and parents are required to pick their child/ren up at this time. If on the odd occasion you are running late, please ensure you contact the school before 3:15pm so your child’s teacher can be informed. This ensures that your child knows what is happening and does not become upset or anxious.
Scripture & Primary Ethics
Scripture and Primary Ethics will begin next week. I firstly need to thank the organisers from each denomination for their patience and understanding as we work through the organisation of this.
We thank everyone for their patience and look forward to this program beginning next week. The volunteers that deliver these programs will be fully vaccinated, check in upon arrival and wear a mask when indoors, just like the teaching staff.
Zone Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to the students who will be representing the school next week at the annual Beecroft Zone PSSA carnival. It is a fabulous achievement to be representing your school and we wish you the very best of luck. Thank you to Mrs Ford for all her organisation. Next week Mr Bryant and Miss Steel will be attending the carnival with the students.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
PATCH
The PATCH program (Playground Activities That Creates Happiness) has started for 2022, commencing with Stage 2.
Students have enjoyed the variety of activities on offer - Lego, Cars, games, hoops, skipping, art and craft. The PATCH program runs during recess and lunch. Activities are designed to promote play, build self-confidence, and provide opportunities for students to practise their social skills through play. Stage 2 students also have leadership opportunites as PATCH leaders.
Spectra
SPECTRA Awards
Belated Congratulations to Annabelle R. who completed the SPECTRA program last year with a focus on Home Chemistry. Despite the challenges to learning in 2021, Annabelle carried out 7 research and observational tasks and maintained a high standard of scientific reporting throughout.
SPECTRA, or Science Program Exciting Children Through Research Activities, is a national science award program developed and administered by ASTA (Australian Science Teachers’ Association).
We are again offering this program to students in grades 5 and 6. Notes have gone home to students who have indicated an interest in completing the program.
Clean Up Australia Day
PHPS is dedicated to a cleaner, safer environment and we are continuing our focus on reducing waste in our community, starting with our own school grounds. On Friday March 4 our students and staff will be participating in Clean Up Australia Day, in a Covid-safe way! More information will be coming your way about the event.
Maths With 2B
2B have been learning about different ways to use a number line to help in solving addition and subtraction problems. They are counting on and using the jump strategy. Students move between the manipulation of concrete materials to more visual representations. “The Jump Strategy is when a number line is used to count forward or backwards first by tens then ones (the ones may be split to bridge to a decade)” – NSW Mathematics Syllabus.
Staff Profile - Mrs Gartrell
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
KA - Freya D, Zoe W, Blake Z, Naia R, Bea C, Declan D
KC - Kristian H, Oscar H, Maddy M, Hunter A, Eva K, Emily M
KD - Lewis F, Maxwell A, Jasmine C, Nathan Z, Caitlin R
KR - Audrey C, Zach D, Izna S, Hugo S
1A - Catherine L, Obadiah R, Oliver F, Angelisa J, Eliana J, Joel D
1E - Helia J, Ishan S, Teddy W
1M - Chloe N, Lucas K, Adam F
1P - Elliott K, Yuvini P
2A - Zoe S, Jeremy D, Stella B, Eric W, Esther P
2B - Max F, Eleanor P, JP C, Nathanael C, Chloe J, Marlina T
2M - Noa S, Jordan H, Chloe H, Reeti G, Grace A, Vihaan K
Clean Up Australia Day is back in full swing! Pennant Hills Public School students will be involved in a clean-up project on Friday 4 March (Week 6 Term 1) and aim to educate students not just about keeping our school environment clean, but the wider community too. We will be sure to wash hands thoroughly after the clean-up activity.
According to the 2019 NSW Rubbish survey, the biggest waste product in schools is plastic.
You can follow the movement on social media using #CleanUpAustralia #StepUpToCleanUp.
Check out the link below for an introduction to how others are stepping up, cleaning up and helping our environment.
Things your child will need to bring along on the day include:
- Gardening gloves
- Plastic bag
Thank you for your support.
Miss Dwyer
Coordinating teacher
Our library subscribes to the Wheelers ePlatform which allows students to borrow eBooks.
Using a device via the ePlatform app or through a web browser, students have access to a digital library which has a collection of over 1800 books. eBooks can be easily borrowed and are returned automatically. They can be read on a computer, laptop or mobile device.
This video explains how simple it is to download the ePlatform app. Alternatively, our school’s eLibrary can be accessed via this link http://pennanthil.eplatform.co/ or the Oliver school library website which is accessed via the DoE student portal.
The students use their school username and password to sign in to our school’s ePlatform. They can borrow up to two books at a time for a two week period. Please note that these borrowing rules are set by Wheelers not the school.
Hornsby Shire Library
It would be fabulous if all students could join the Hornsby Shire Library. You can join online and then have access to a wide range of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. The library website clearly outlines the apps you need to install on your mobile device to access these items. There are also many other resources you can access, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, and the library regularly holds a variety of fun activities and workshops for children.
Ms Davis
Teacher Librarian
President’s Message
Hi All
Next week, Tuesday 1 March, is the P&C General Meeting and AGM meeting. This is a great opportunity to come and learn a bit more about the P&C and be part of the Annual General Meeting. There’s no pressure to join a sub-committee group, but it’s a great way to get to know the school and meet other parents. Your kids would love to see you involved too!
In 2022 the P&C focus is on School Community, bringing together families after 2 years of minimal social activity. We have received a lot of interest from parent volunteers via the class details survey and members of the P&C committees will be in touch in the next few weeks to discuss the next steps.
As the canteen renovation continues for a few more weeks, Heather and Catherine are looking at options to provide a limited menu for a few days a week. Thank you to the canteen team and Mr Pinchbeck for finding a way to get this up and running,
Finally, I want to say thank you to Alison P on behalf of the P&C and current / past parents. Alison has run the PHPS uniform shop for the past 11 years and has made the decision to finish up at the end of February. Alison has worked closely with the teachers and uniform committee to implement many improvements to the uniform shop over the years, maintaining high quality and affordable items. The P&C and Uniform committee will complete a recruitment process to fill Alison’s role in the coming weeks.
Have a great week.
Luke Whenman
President, PHPS P&C
Communications Team Update
Thanks to everyone who completed the survey to add your details to the class list. These will be distributed by your class parents this week.
We will be providing updates to all families on P&C activities this year very soon, and look forward to bring parents together each term at various events.
If you have any questions please email the P&C Communications team on phppandc@gmail.com
PHPS Communications Group
#phpscommunity
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
Hello!!!
The new canteen is looking fabulous, but it will still be a few weeks at least until we can move in and start operating.
In the meantime, we will be offering a limited lunch menu on Wednesdays and Fridays as of tomorrow.
Sushi will be available on both days as well as some toasties and sandwiches etc, snack packs, fruit juice and water.
We will be using the small kitchen in the hall which has very limited storage space and just one fridge.
We are really looking forward to working in the shiny and spacious new canteen, as well as being open 5 days, and of course seeing all the children!!
As always, ordering is through Flexischools. Please call 1300 361 769 if you are having any difficulties with ordering.
Orders close at 9am.
There will be no over the counter sales until further notice.
If you have any questions, or would like to be involved in the canteen, please contact me.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
Uniform Shop Appointments Suspended
Unfortunately, the extensive canteen renovations have severely impacted Uniform Shop operations, and as a result the P&C have decided to suspend all Uniform Shop appointments until the renovations have been completed in mid March.
Anyone wishing to return or exchange an item please contact the Uniform Shop on the email address below.
Uniform Shop Committee
We are currently seeking new members for the Uniform Shop Committee. The committee meets just once a term to discuss and monitor the supply, quality and price of the school uniform. The committee members also provide assistance to new families at the Kinderlinks program. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact me on the below email address.
PSSA Socks
The Uniform Shop has the navy PSSA socks for sale for Stage 2 and 3 students who are participating in the Interschool competitions. The socks sell for $9.50 and come in sizes 9-2 Youth, 2-8 Adult and 7-11 Adult. The socks can also be purchased through Flexischools, but prices will include the Flexischools surcharge.
Out of Stock Items
Please note the following items are out of stock:
- Size 14 girls’ summer dresses
- Size 12 girls’ culottes
- Size 12 boys' shorts
- Size 7-11 boys' socks
- Size 16 sports polo
Due to both supplier delivery issues and the lengthy manufacturing time, these items will not be available for the remainder of this term. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by these stock outages.
Ordering Uniforms
Uniforms can currently be ordered by completing an order form and together with payment of cash, cheque or card details handed in at either office. Orders will be filled and delivered to the children’s classes. A combined pricelist and order form can be downloaded from the school website by using the below link:
Uniforms can also be ordered online through Flexischools, however prices will include the Flexischools’ surcharge.
Please note that uniform orders cannot be paid via the school online payment service
HOURS
Monday and Tuesday: 8:45am – 10:45am
Thursday: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
We encourage everyone to come along to the AGM, especially if you're new to the band program. It gives you the opportunity to meet, virtually, some of the people involved, put faces to names, and ask any questions you may have around the program. It's also where we place people into respective positions within the Band Sub-committee and any volunteer positions we need to fill for 2022. We are still after a couple more volunteers!
Single click the URL to join Zoom:
https://oracle.zoom.us/j/4126500544?pwd=aWF2UjVPYUQvWVdaWWdMeWwyTDBsdz09
Meeting ID: 412 650 0544Password: moremusic
- 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's 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.
- For all brass instrument players, there is a strict "no towel, no play" policy. Ensure you have a water towel at every rehearsal.
- We'd like all parents to remind their children about cleanliness during band rehearsals and encourage mask wearing, and hand washing, before and after band rehearsals. Using instrument masks is required for indoor playing. If your child doesn't have an instrument mask please contact us or have them speak to their conductor to have one handed out. (Euphonium, Baritone, and Percussion not required)
- If your child has any 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.
- Reema & Julie (TB)
- Rosemary (ICB)
- TBA (SCB Monday)
- EJ (SCB Thursday)
PHPS Band Committee
Main Ensemble
Rehearsals: K-2 Hall, Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Some good news for school ensembles everywhere is that the Festival of Instrumental Music is set to run this year and PHPS will be taking part! This will provide a great performance opportunity for our more advanced players, something that we have sorely missed the past two years. We have received the repertoire and Sarah is looking forward to sharing it with the kids but will wait a few weeks till the ensemble is a bit more settled and she is more familiar with the kids and their individual skill levels. Something to look forward to!
Here are some highlights of last week's rehearsal in case you missed the fun:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qT1KzOUkazfA4BoAMj3_cUK99mHMidOI/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ddt4TvolKKTIl9Y8lOhYElW9VHtEANn-/view?usp=sharing
Any parents who haven’t yet registered their child for Main Ensemble please do so here:
It's not too late to join! If your child plays a string instrument already and wants to make it social (to make it more fun) please get in touch :)
Intro Course and Junior Ensemble
Never played strings before but want to try? While we were unable to run our Intro/Junior program this term, we hope to have it up and running again in Term 2. We’ve already had a few inquiries and are hoping for a few more soon.
For more information about the program please visit:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/introduction-to-strings-junior-strings/
Parent Helpers
The committee parents will be supervising the first few rehearsals but we would love for parents to start signing up to help out later in the term. The String Ensemble can't run without help from the parents so please click on the link below and sign up to be a parent helper this term. A big thanks to those who have already signed up :)
https://doodle.com/poll/5zawtsz3vqs7vyz3?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
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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