Zone Cross Country 

Good luck to our forty competitors representing our school this Thursday at the Beecroft Zone PSSA Cross Country. Here, our students will be competing against students from twenty other schools with the opportunity to represent the Zone and the next level, being the Sydney North PSSA Cross Country. Spectators are welcome to attend. We thank Miss Steel for all her organisation. She will be attending the carnival with Mr Bryant to supervise the students and assist in the running of the carnival.  

Good luck boys and girls! 

Assessment and Reporting

Under the department’s curriculum planning and programming, assessing and reporting to parents K-12 policy, schools are required to provide parents/carers, throughout the school year, with formal and informal opportunities to receive information about, and discuss, their child's learning.

Student reports are delivered twice a year using the A to E overall grading for Years 1-6 and either a 'Working Towards' or 'Achieving' indicator for each aspect of the Key Learning Area that is being reported on. 

Level of Achievement

Outstanding: The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills, and can apply these skills to new situations.

High: The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.

Sound: The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.

Basic: The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.

Limited: The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.

You will note the 'sound' section is all in bold. Sound is the achievement level that you, as parents, should use as a guide to ascertain how your children are progressing. If they achieve 'sound', they are on-track according to outcomes designed for their stage of learning. If children are assessed above or below sound', their depth of understanding is either higher than what the syllabus expects students to know OR they are still learning skills and concepts associated with stage expectations.

Level of Effort

Apart from achievement levels, our reports also include effort ratings to allow you to see how hard and consistently your child has worked throughout the semester.

Assessment

Student assessment remains an important process in the teaching and learning cycle that enables teachers to:

• Monitor student progress
• Provide feedback to students on the learning that has taken place
• Guide teachers in their ongoing provision of appropriate learning opportunities
• Make adjustments for students whose learning is affected by the current context, including students with disability and students learning English as an additional language
• Report to parents/carers on student learning progress

Reporting

Our school will be able to:

• Provide a written report in an accessible form that is easy for parents/carers to understand
• Describe a summative account of student progress and achievement on the learning covered during Semester 1
• Teachers will also identify the next steps in learning
• Provide information about student attendance, extra-curricula activities, social development and commitment to learning

Supervision 

Supervision of the students begins at 8:45am on both sites. Over the last few weeks, we have noticed an increase in the number of students being dropped off to school prior to this time. If you require dropping your child at school before 8:45am please contact BASC on 9481 8696 to arrange a booking. I thank you for your support with this matter. 

Car Park 

To ensure the safety of our students and wider community the school has the following Work, Health and Safety plans in place to support you and your children.  

• During the hours of 8am – 4pm the car parks on both sites are for staff only.  

• Students and parents are asked to utilise the paths to access either site and not walk through the car parks.

If you have a Disability Pass from Service NSW and need to gain access to the car parks during these times, please contact the office at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au to apply for permission to do so. This must be sought in writing. 

Kind Regards

Matt Pinchbeck

Principal

Field Events Carnival Practice 

Our 3-6 students have been utilising the few sunny days that we’ve had to practice their athletic skills ready for the Field Events Carnival, scheduled to be held on Tuesday 7 June. We have some amazing high jumpers, shot putters and long jumpers as you’ll see in the photos below. 

 Year 2 Social Skills Program 

We have been implementing a social skills program during lunch aimed at our Year 2 students, to develop skills in cooperative play and it has turned out to be quite the draw card for many students. Thank you to Mrs Holdway for setting up some amazing collaborative challenges for the students. In the photos below, it looks like a mess, but you will see students working together to create a tall tower out of 6 pieces of newspaper. Some great STEM concepts, but most importantly, the opportunity to turn take, lead and follow instructions from their peers and create something together! 

Kindergarten Hatching Chicks Program 

The eggs have arrived! The arrival of the eggs in an incubator always brings such joy to the Kindergarten students. The Kindergarten students have developed some excellent oral language skills to discuss the program, such as; 

Student – What’s the wood for? 

Mrs Wasson – That’s sawdust 

Student – Sawdust to make their nest. 

Mrs Wasson – What’s going to happen to those eggs? 

Student – They will crack! They are going to hatch! 

Mrs Wasson – What’s in there? Baby crocodiles? 

KC – NO! Chicks! And a duckling! 

Mrs Wasson – If the baby duck is called a duckling, what’s a baby goose? 

Multiple students – A gosling! 

Well done KC! They can NOT wait for the chicks and duckling to hatch! 

4F – Reflecting on their Writing 

4F were demonstrating some excellent skills at reflecting on their learning yesterday, when they used a rubric to reflect on a piece of their writing. Mrs Gardener then used the same rubric to provide feedback to individual students who compared it to how they had marked themselves. This task not only develops the English outcome of Reflecting on Learning but also encourages a growth mindset as students can see the next steps to improve their writing. 

4D Science - Foods and Fibres

Stage Two is learning about Foods and Fibres this term. We are discovering how certain products are made, produced and how they make it to our grocery stores. We have experimented with milk to make cheese, thickened cream to make butter and grains into flour. 

This week 4D had the opportunity to harvest grains from wheat heads. Then they were able to collect their grains and grind them to make flour. We conducted a few trial and error experiments. First, we tried grinding the grains in a bag to collect the flour but we found it  difficult to crush the grains with a rock as it was a bit too full. So we took out half the grains to make more room for the grains to spread out in the bag and crush the grains in smaller sections. We still found it hard to crush and the bags were ripping. Then, we decided to grind and crush the grains on the ground and this was much more effective. However, we couldn't collect the flour.
4D learnt that trial and error happens in experiments and had the best time learning about how flour is made!

                    

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

Movie Night Fundraiser - Thursday 16 June       

K - 2: 4pm - 5:30pm

3 -6: 6pm - 7:30pm

$5 donation at the door

• Students will receive a popper and a small bag of popcorn.
• If any student has allergies we ask that they bring their own drink and small snack.
• The theme of the night is 'Pyjama Party' - students are encouraged to come in their pyjamas or 'oodies.' They may also bring a blanket.
• Please return the permission note to your class teacher.
• $5 donation on the night.

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

KA - Eva M, Aiman A, Ollie D, Charlie G, Blake Z, Adriano D, Hannah D

KC - Eadie K, Emily M, Aahil P

1A - Hugo P, Jayden W, Elizaveta V, Phoenix G, Catherine L, Obadiah R, Jasper S, Ruby B

1E - Nicholas A, William H, Helia J, Abigail J, Emma K, Ishan S, Ciel Y, Gavin Z

1M - Coralie A, Tom N, Sophia G, Jordan S, Sophie L, Isabella M, Adam F, Oliver R

1P - Rachael S, Angus W, Angus C, Savannah C, Alex E, Viraj G, Shernelle L, Yuvini P

2A - Dash S, Jeremy D, Eloise K, Eric W, Sian Y, Stella B, Henry J, Isla A, Esther P

2B - Henley W, Frankie S, Abhaya S, Marlina T, Sarah-Lynn L, Ethan F

2M - Sidney M, Ruben B, Michelle A, Toby S, Reeti G, Vanya M

The Premier's Spelling Bee finals will be held in the school hall in Week 7, Monday 6 June. 

For students to better prepare and practice their spelling, they are welcome to access the 2022 junior and senior word lists via this link: https://artsunit.nsw.edu.au/program/nsw-premiers-spelling-bee

Remember to get the password from your class teacher.

Keep Practising!

Ms Schmidt

Premier's Spelling Bee Coordinator

The Dance Spectacular Team

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

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

Winter Uniforms 

All children should now be wearing full winter uniforms.  All winter uniform items are available for purchase and can be ordered through Flexischools using the following link https://flexischools.com.au.   Summer items are no longer available to purchase via Flexischools during Term 2 and will become available again towards the end of Term 3. 

Out of Stock Items

Items that are out of stock are still available to be purchased via Flexischools as a backorder.  Where possible these items are listed as backorder items with an estimated delivery date, and this will be visible on your order.  If you order something that is on backorder it will be delivered to your child as soon as it is available.   

The following are an indication of known backorder times 

• Girls Winter Pants (sizes 8 and 12) - due to arrive by 30 May 
• Sports Polos (size 8, XS, S) - due to arrive Mid June 
• Sports Shorts (sizes 12, 14 and XS) - due to arrive Mid June 
• Long Sleeve Shirts (sizes 12 and 14) - due to arrive by 30 May 
• Zip Jackets - due to arrive July/August 

Flexischools Orders 

Flexischools orders can be placed at any time of the day, any day of the week.  When placing your order please select the most appropriate day for your order to be given to your child.   

• Currently orders are being delivered twice a week (Monday and Wednesday) 
• Flexischools cut off times are 5pm on Sunday and Tuesday for next day processing. 

• All orders will be processed and delivered to the office where they are then distributed by your classroom teachers. 
• Where possible, orders will be delivered to the office on the order date.  Please allow 2-3 days for the teachers to distribute orders to your children.  Please contact me if orders have not been received by Friday. 
• We will be contact you directly if there is any issue with your order 

Appointments 

The Uniform Shop will remain open by appointment only during Term 2.  Appointments can be made for returns and exchanges and for looking through the available preloved/second hand items available.  

• These can be booked on Eventbrite using the following link: https://phps-uniform-shop.eventbrite.com 
• Appointment times are in 15-minute increments and are open to 3 bookings per available timeslot.  As these are not individual appointments and you may need to wait until the person before you has been served. 
• If the available times are not suitable please contact us via email at phpsuniformshop@gmail.com to organise alternative arrangements. 

Preloved/Second Hand Items 

I am still in the process of working through the preloved/second hand items.  Over the next few weeks I will be transitioning some of these items onto Flexischools to allow everyone access to purchase.  In the meantime, please feel free to make an appointment to look through what is currently available.  

Janine Sherlock

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

Music Camp Volunteers Needed

The Music Camp Committee is looking for parent helpers for the Music Camp. If you're able to help during one of the sessions below please reply via email.

We really need a few more people for sessions 1, 3 & 4, times below:

• Penno High Instrument Collection: Friday morning, 17 June.
• Truck Packing: Sunday 12noon - 4pm (PHPS) 19 June.
• Session 1: Monday 8:30am - 2:30pm (Lunch provided), 20 June
• Session 2: Monday 2:30pm - 6pm, 20 June
• Session 3: Tuesday 8:30am - 12 noon, 21 June
• Session 4: Tuesday 12 noon - 2:30pm, 21 June
• Truck Unpacking: Tuesday 2:15pm (Penno High & PHPS), 21 June

In addition to the above we're looking for a couple of people to assist with video recording. If you have any skills with video recording, and are available on Tuesday for Session 4, we'd really love to hear from you. Please send an email to phpsmusiccamp@gmail.com

             

Band Events

Our performance calendar is starting to fill up for the year. Please keep your eye on this section of the newsletter for important dates to keep free.

• Kindergarten Open Day, Tuesday 31 May, 9 - 9:30am - SCB, JB
• Northern Beaches Festival, 4 June - SCB, ICB & TB
• PHHS Winter Carnival, Saturday 25 June - SCB
• Performance Assembly, 29 June - SCB, JB
• Post Music Camp Concert, evening 29 June - All Bands
• Ryde Eisteddfod, Thursday 4 August - JB
• ASBOF, Live (Venue TBC) 7 August - SCB, ICB, & TB  
• Performance Assembly, 7 September - TB, ICB
• NSSWE Spring Music Festival, 8 - 11 Sept - TBD

Keep your eye on the newsletter, WhatsApp and emails for more details.

             

Senior Concert Band

Please ensure you're practising the following pieces, the 1st 3 are the ones being performed at NBIF:

• Awake the Iron (https://youtu.be/4rCOuXIlVRY)
• Counting stars (https://youtu.be/GSox18xt6Aw)
• Count rockula (https://youtu.be/7eC2iMmWBp8)
• Clowning Around (next priority if the above are all good  https://youtu.be/_sGzwvfyhL8)
• Never gonna give you up
• The Avengers

           

Jazz Band

Please ensure you're practising the following:

• Havana (https://youtu.be/A9DnpdPEiRI)
• Hit the Road Jack (https://youtu.be/ia027MOA0qk)

        

Intermediate Band

Please ensure you're practising the following pieces as these will be the ones performed for NBIF:

• G-Force Five!  (https://youtu.be/nhXY1epByQc) 
• Lullaby for Band (https://youtu.be/VJyemwRXCd4)

      

Training Band

Please ensure you're practising the following pieces as these will be the ones performed for NBIF:

• Frère Jacques (Brother John)
• Rise of the Bladesmith (https://youtu.be/XJWfAE4b37g) - once they have it.

          

Regarding Wet Weather

• The students can't all congregate around the door trying to get instruments out, or packed away, it ends up being a OHS nightmare with people tripping over each other.
• If it's raining the flutes, clarinets, & trumpet players can put their cases under their chairs inside and pack away in there. 
• Unfortunately the larger instruments are a little harder, ideally if it's only a little wet they will need to pack away outside on the ramped area. If it's bucketing down, then having them pack away inside may be necessary.
• Most instrument cases are pretty water resistant (maybe not "waterproof"), and will handle a rain shower just fine. Even some heavy rain should be OK as long as you dry out the inside of the case properly if the water gets inside. If you have a cloth-wrapped case, you can apply scotchguard to it which will also help repel water.
• Nearly all concert band instruments will cope with getting a little wet.

             

Parent Helpers Still Needed

TB - We need 1 more helper on 1st July

SCB - We need people for ALL rehearsals in June.

• Training Band Parent Roster - Term 2
• Senior Concert Band Parent Roster - Term 2

         

Award Worksheets

• Training and Intermediate bands should have completed their current Term 1 worksheets.
• Once complete these are to be submitted through the Worksheet Submission Web Form.
• If anyone needs a particular worksheet you can print them from the Band web pages here.

           

COVID Requirements

• Close contact restrictions have been relaxed. Please make sure you're familiar with Mr Pinchbeck's update on May 3.
• Volunteers who are a close contact are required to inform the school before attending and return a negative RAT test that morning. They must also wear a mask at all times.
• Parent volunteers must still meet mandatory Department of Education double vaccination requirements.
• All parent helpers must email through their COVID-19 vaccination certificate to the school with the Subject line “Attention Melissa Griffith” or "Attention Matt Pinchbeck" at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
• Masks are not required (unless you're a close contact).

       

Parent Helper Duties

A full list of parent helper duties is available here.

• Behavior: If children are misbehaving please help the conductors, call out bad behavior when you see it, and keep the children from talking when they shouldn't be. Just because they're not playing, doesn't mean they should be talking. If they have a question, classroom rules apply, they raise their hand and wait to be asked. There is a red "Student Behavior'' book which can be used to write children's names in, if a name is in there repeatedly then we will get in touch with their parents.
• Training Band: When walking the students 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 Lachie the 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.
• Packing up the room: The students are primarily responsible for packing up the music room after band rehearsal. Percussionists should be getting the percussion equipment back toward the wall and covered up, and the rest of the band packing up chairs and stands. There is masking tape on the floor showing where things need to be behind. For the chairs, there should be 4 stacks placed inside the masking tape area. The area between the chair stack and music stands must remain clear so the shelves can be accessed for school music lessons. There should be a small clear area between the timpanis and the drum kit for access to the windows.
  It is not to be left to the conductor, or the parent helpers. All students should be involved, and students should not leave until the room is in an acceptable condition.

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

Main Ensemble

Rehearsals: K-2 Hall, Tuesdays 3:30pm - 4:30pm

FOIM Rehearsal

• REHEARSAL FOR ALL FOIM STUDENTS IS THIS AFTERNOON.
• Pick up time for FOIM students will be 5:10pm.
• Students not doing FOIM should be picked up at the usual time of 4:30pm

Parent Helpers

• Parent Helper today is Carol Huang
• THE TERM 2 ROSTER IS FULL for Term 2. Thank you to the parents who have signed up; very much appreciated.  
• Gentle reminder.. 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

Music Camp

Music Camp will be held Sunday 19 June - Tuesday 21 June.

Keep an eye on the newsletter, WhatsApp and emails for further information.

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

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.

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