Covid -19 Update

I hope you and your child/children have settled into our final term of 2022. I want to provide you with an update on our COVID-smart settings, particularly with the latest change to isolation requirements and what this will mean for our school. Please review the following information and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have further questions.

On 30 September, National Cabinet announced that from Friday 14 October 2022, people who test positive to COVID-19 do not need to isolate. In line with this announcement, the NSW Department of Education have worked with NSW Health to support all schools to adapt to this change while continuing to prioritise student and staff wellbeing by minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmissions.

• Students and staff should continue to stay home if sick

On Friday 14 October, those currently in isolation were advised by NSW Health that they may exit isolation.

Students, staff and visitors should only attend school when they are symptom free. We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow the guidance of NSW Health. We will continue to send home students or staff displaying symptoms.

Anyone who believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 is strongly recommended to monitor for symptoms and test if they have any concerns, as well as wear a mask. We will continue to support our families to use rapid antigen tests (RATs) if symptomatic or if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. RAT testing may help identify the infection early and is important if you are in contact with people at greater risk of serious illness if exposed to COVID-19.

• We are continuing our COVID-smart measures

Our school will continue to operate with our baseline COVID-smart measures in place throughout Term 4 to minimise transmission and keep our school open. This includes a combination of layered safety measures such as maintaining hygiene and cleaning practices, using rapid antigen testing (RAT) when experiencing symptoms, maximising natural ventilation, strongly encouraged vaccinations and strongly encouraging mask-wearing particularly when indoors and/or physical distancing is not possible.

• Reporting requirements from 14 October

Please continue to notify your school if your child tests positive to COVID-19. We will continue to notify the school community of any known positive cases to prioritise student and staff safety and wellbeing.

For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term, refer to the department’s Advice for Families webpage.

Please note that all of our school’s changes to isolation requirements are based on the recommendations from NSW Health. Anyone who tests positive to COVID-19 or suspects that they have been in contact with a positive case should continue to follow the latest health advice.

• Non-COVID-19 Vaccinations reminder from NSW Health

Due to the ongoing pandemic and stay-at-home orders that were in place over the previous two years, NSW Health have noted that some children and young people have missed out on the non-COVID school-based vaccination programs that they would have taken part in. The department would like to remind parents and carers to make sure that all of their child’s vaccinations are up-to-date, including other non-COVID vaccinations. If you are unsure about whether your child has missed any vaccinations, speak to your GP or go to NSW Health’s Immunisation requirements in primary and secondary schools.

Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional. These symptoms may be related to other illnesses that require treatment and management by a doctor.

For more information on vaccinations refer to Vaccination requirements for school sites or the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccines.

On behalf of our school, I want to thank you again for your ongoing support in helping to keep our students, staff and community safe. I’d like to wish all our students and their families a great Term 4.

NAPLAN Presentation

Tonight from 5:30pm - 6:30pm the school will be presenting the data on this year’s NAPLAN results. The presentation will take place in the school hall located on the K-2 site. The data will focus on whole school data, trends and future professional learning for staff and whole school directions. We will not be discussing individual student data at this presentation. As always if you have a query about your individual child’s academic progress, please talk with their class teacher.

Selective High School Applications for 2024

Applications for Selective High schools for students currently in Year 5 close Wednesday 16 November. All students have received information about this previously. Please ensure you apply before the due date as late applications are not generally accepted. This process is not managed by the school. The following website has all the information that you require.

Selective high schools – Year 7 (nsw.gov.au)

Kinderlinks

Today was our last Kinderlinks session for 2022. It is amazing how far the students have come in four short visits. Their willingness and readiness to learn and grow never ceases to amaze me. Congratulations to everyone involved in this program for making it such a success. We are very much looking forward to working with these students and their families next year as they embark on their next educational journey.

Remembrance Day

Last Friday the school held a small service to commemorate Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is a day where we acknowledge and commemorate the many men and women who have served our country and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we experience today. Well done to our student leaders for running the service and to Mrs Donoghue for her organisation.

Kind Regards

Matt Pinchbeck

Principal

2022 has been another difficult year for many families and this year we are supporting the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network by donating new toys to children of all ages in hospital during this holiday period. Your contribution will make an immediate impact on the lives of these children. The Children’s Hospitals (Westmead and Randwick) have patients who range from newborns to 18 year-olds and would appreciate any donations of new toys to cater for this age range. The majority of toys that they receive are for the 3-11 year age range, so if you could think outside of this age bracket, it would be very much appreciated.

A few things to consider when donating toys;

• Please only bring the toys to the school hall on the nominated days and times
• All toys must meet Australian Safety Standards
• For health and safety reasons, toys must be brand new, unopened and unwrapped (this allows them to decide who the toy should go to)
• Glue or paint in craft kits must be non-toxic and non-flammable
• All DVDs need to be G or PG Rated

The following won't be accepted:

• Toy guns, swords or war games
• Bikes, scooters, tricycles, roller skates etc

Gift cards are also highly recommended!

Drop off information

• K-2
  • Monday 5 December
  • 8:30 - 9:15am
  • School Hall

• 3-6
  • Tuesday 6 December
  • 8:30 - 9:15am
  • School Hall

Native Nibbles Garden

The Gardening team were hard at it again on the weekend, spreading 3 tipper loads of soil and a tipper load of mulch! An amazing feat. It’s all coming together! Thank you to our amazing parents who volunteer their time on the weekends to making our school a better place.

Top 21 Leaders

Today saw the top 21 Year 5 leaders present their speeches to all students and staff in 3-6. Voting will occur this afternoon. They did such a fantastic job, were well-versed and spoke clearly to their audience. Well done!

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

• Wednesday 23 November - Announce PA captains

Celebration of Learning

• Monday 12 December
• Pennant Hills High School – Hall
• K-2 - 9:45am
• 3-6 - 11:30am

Year 6 End of Year Dates

• Thursday 1 December: Year 6 Fun Day
• Monday 12 December: Celebration of Learning
• Monday 12 December: Year 6 Farewell
• Friday 16 December: Year 6 Graduation Assembly – 10:00am
• Friday 16 December: Year 6 clap out and bell ringing – 2:30pm

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

Lost Property

Our lost property collection has grown over the year and we know someone must be missing their belongings.  

Named lost property can be located at the

• K-2 Site: on the old verandah
• 3-6 Site: in the Year 5 corridor

Any items left uncollected on the last day of school, Friday 16 December, will be donated or disposed of.

If you recognise any of the items photographed below, please visit the respective office to collect them.       

K - 2 Office

3-6 Office

Mrs Klimoski

Student Administration Manager

3B -  William P, Lilijana M, Emma C, Hayden T, Esandu P, Sarina L

3D -  Matilda S, Selena R, Spencer C, Leonardo D, Isla B, Joshua A, Selena R, Yitian C

3H - Eleanor T, Arya B, Max C, Nathalie H, Johan A, Reyansh S

4B - Adam C, Zoe C, Sebastian H, Quintin L, Gabriela M, Audrey M

4D - Ezekiel M, Darcy W, Abi W, Daniel John R, Hannah M, Shahab A

4F - Angela C, Zayd M, Alexia L, Eugene L, Megan N, Amity G

5B - Priyani B, Josie T, Jake S, Robert H, Joshua N

5G - Dana C, Anya H, Kiric C, Hamish K, Nafi D, Dhruv T

5M - Isaac B, Charlotte J

6M - 

6R - Claire A, Anaiah B, Molly B, Joshua C, Tahlia C

6S - Spyridon J, Lilly M, Leo J

Miss Hansell and Miss Dy

Stage 2 Interschool Sport Coordinators

Mr Bryant and Miss Steel

Stage 3 PSSA Interschool Sport Coordinators

• Lenny F
• Andrei S
• Kai L
• Anthony T

Mr Bryant

President’s Message 

Hi All

Thank you again to our Garden team volunteers who continued to work over the weekend on the Native Nibbles project at the K-2 site. There’s still more work to do in the coming weeks, please email if you are interested and available to help.

Planning is underway for the final P&C activities for 2022, with the Ostacool Course www.obstacool.com.au pencilled in for Thursday, 8 December and a BBQ during the End of Year Concert on Thursday, 15 December. Details to be confirmed in the next few weeks.   

The December P&C General meeting will be held in person on Tuesday, 6/12, at 7.30 pm in the hall on the K-2 site. This is a great chance to celebrate the end of the year and say thank you to our many volunteers from 2022. We’ll also farewell some families who are leaving PHPS in 2022.

Have a great week.

Luke Whenman

P&C President

pandcpresident@gmail.com

A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated in the Annual P&C Raffle including all the families who purchased tickets, who helped at the Dance Spectacular Dance Stall, Bunnings BBQ and behind the scenes with bundling raffle books and managing the payments and draws.

An extra big shout out to the raffle team and supporting parents who dedicated much of their time to make it a success including Linda M, Liz F, Alicia C, Bec S, Jasmin K, Rachel J, Jen S, and Chris K.

The raffle has raised over $14,000 in funds that will go towards the solar panel project! We are well on track to reach our goal of $35K to contribute to the school this year. Hooray!! 

Here are some messages from the lucky winners

First prize winner - $2000 Visa card- Lara H

“Thank you so much for our prize in the raffle, Pennant Hills  PS! We haven’t chosen something special we will use the Visa card for, but we will make sure it is a family treat. It’s a genuinely unexpected bonus from the simple act of taking part in fundraising for your school. Wishing you all the best, and thanks again. Lara”

Second prize winner - $1000 Westfield voucher -  Terry Tang

“Such a big surprise to get this prize. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the event. Our family felt great delight to be a part of our school community. Cheers, Terry Tang”

Third prize winner - $500 JB Hi-Fi vouchers - Khosrow

“We'd like to thank the P&C and the sponsors for organising the raffle. We bought the tickets to show our support to Pennant Hills Public School and Parent and Community's good cause, without expecting anything in return. We were both surprised to hear my name being called out for the 3rd prize (JB HI-FI gift cards). Cherryl is enjoying listening to her iPhone airpods, and they sound amazing. Khosrow and Cherryl”

Native Nibbles Garden

For the third week in a row the Native Nibbles team were up at the K-2 campus working on the new garden. This time distributing another 15 tonnes of soil AND 10 cubic meters of mulch over the garden bed. It was a hot day and our volunteer numbers were down so after getting through the soil in the morning we took a break in the middle of the day, returning in the cool of the afternoon for the final push to get it done. Between the soil and mulch layer we sprinkled with dynamic lifter and watered with worm wee to create the perfect environment for microbes and plant roots. We’ll let that marinate for a few weeks and return for planting before the festive season begins. 

BIG thanks to those who joined us in the morning, notably the Wasson family who got there bright and early to move some soil before taking off on their camping trip. And a HUGE thanks to those who returned in the afternoon to finish the job!! Families Israel, Brimble, Donovan, Rasulov, Ashton-Gottsche, Moore and Chris Laing, without whom we wouldn't be able to find the tools, taps and hoses to get it all done. 

Watch this space for opportunities to help green up the new garden in a few weeks time.

We would love to get the canteen back to being open for counter sales at least 3 days a week.

Covid 19 caused major changes to the way the canteen operated, but we would like to start moving back to more normal operations.

Although the canteen is staffed, we are generally flat out making all the lunches, and we have always relied on volunteers to help with over the counter sales, particularly at recess.

So… WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!! For both K-2 and 3-6 please.

• RECESS: 3-6 only, 11-11.45am
• LUNCH: Both sites, 1-1.45pm

Please contact me if you are able to help at either of these times or if you would like to know more. It’s a fun and easy way to get involved in your child’s school life and they just love you being there. 

All volunteers need a current “ Working With Children Check” which can be obtained through Service NSW. 

Friday Lunch Orders - PSSA Alert

Please remember to click on the PSSA Alert when placing a lunch order on a Friday if your child is in Stage 3 and plays PSSA sport.

K-2 Canteen

The K-2 Canteen will be open again this Friday, 18 November.

Items we will be selling are: 

• Sea Salt Chips, Grain Waves, Popcorn  $1.50
• Noodle Snacks  $1.10
• Bluey Biscuits - Honey & Oat, Cocoa & Oat $1.00
• Breadsticks  20c
• Brownies  $1.30
• Juicy Tubes - apple/blackcurrant, tropical, apple  60c
• Moosies - chocolate, blue moon  $1.50
• Juicies - wildberry, lemonade  $1.50 
•  Ice Monies - Lemon Ice, Sour Strawberry $1.00
• Frozen Pineapple Ring  50c
• Frozen Grapes $1
• Frozen Watermelon Slice 50c

All of these items can be ordered through Flexischools as well. 

3-6 Canteen

The 3-6 Canteen will be open again at Recess as well as Lunch this Friday!!

Items we will be selling are our usual:

• Snacks
• Drinks
• Frozen Fruit
• Garlic Bread
• Custard Cups - available for $1.00

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

Appointments

• Please click or scan the QR Code below to make an appointment, you will be redirected to our square booking site.
• Standard appointment times are in individual 5-minute increments. You may still need to wait while the appointment before you is being served.
• If you require a longer appointment for purchases or need to try on items, please book a Double Appointment instead as these appointments will allow additional time.
• Appointments specifically for incoming 2023 Kindergarten students and New Students are now available.
• If the available times are not suitable, please contact us via email at phpsuniformshop@gmail.comto organise alternative arrangements. 

 CLICK HERE FOR UNIFORM SHOP APPOINTMENTS

Stock Updates

Apologies for anyone who is currently waiting on a summer shirt order to be delivered.  The expected shipment has been delayed and we are still waiting for our order to arrive from the supplier. We are expecting to receive this order this week and backorders will be sent out as a priority.

Second Hand

Second Hand / Preloved items will continue to be available online via Flexischools.  Only items in very good condition will be added for sales online, and these items currently will not be available for purchase directly from the shop.  If you don’t find what you are looking for on Flexischools then you can book an appointment to look through the unsorted/unlisted items at the shop. 

https://user.flexischools.com.au/login

Janine Sherlock

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

Main Ensemble Rehearsal For Term 4

• THIS AFTERNOON 3:30pm-4:30pm in school hall K-2 site 

Main Ensemble Parent Helper today is Louise Petrucci (Thankyou Louise)

TheTerm 4 Roster Is Open String Ensemble Roster 2022

! Thank you to all the parent helpers these past few weeks and in the next few weeks - your support is VERY much appreciated.

! We still require a parent helper; Week 9

If you require any further information, clarification regarding the ROSTER / PARENT HELPER. Please feel free to contact us. 

Intro To Strings 

INTRO TO STRING PROGRAM FOR TERM 4

• KC Classroom, WEDNESDAY morning, 7:45am - 8:45am 

! Intro To String Parent Helper’s tomorrow is TBC 

The Term 4 Roster Is Open Intro to Strings Roster 2022

! Thank you to all the parent helpers these past few weeks and in the next few weeks - your support is much appreciated.The Intro-to-Strings program can't run without help from the parents so please click on the roster  link and sign up to be a parent helper this term. If you require any further information, clarification regarding the ROSTER / PARENT HELPER. Please feel free to contact us. 

PHPS Intro to Music Night 2022  

String Group Expression of Interest email has been sent. For those unable to come to the Intro-to-Music night or register interest please email us: phpsstrings@gmail.com and we will forward you the communication email. 

Term 4 Invoices have been emailed. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the PHPS String Ensemble via email: phpsstrings@gmail.com

String Events For Term 4, 2022

Week 6 

• MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 15th November at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• INTRO TO STRINGS - Wednesday 16th November at 7:45am - 8:45am

Week 7 

• Main Ensemble Rehearsal - Tuesday 22 November, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• Intro To Strings - Wednesday 23 November, 7:45am - 8:45am 

! Week 10 .. Pencil this in your calendar …  
    

Details regarding the Celebration of Learning & Christmas Carols event will be sent at the end of this week.

• “K-2 Celebration of Learning” at Pennant Hills High School - Monday December 12 - The string Ensemble will be performing at the INFANTS assembly.  
• "End of Year Concert" Christmas Carols - Thursday 15th December - the bands and strings group to showcase what they've learned throughout the year. 

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

FREE dental services for children

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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