Parliament House Tour

Last Thursday I had the privilege of accompanying our four school leaders: Tahlia, Tom, Charlotte and Lachlan and their parents to Parliament House. This opportunity was presented to us by the Hon. Mr Matt Kean (Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Member for Hornsby) for local student leaders to come together and hear from amazing leaders in our community and to also see Parliament in action.

We visited both chambers and saw law making in action. This was very interesting as we were able to see actual potential laws being discussed and voted upon whilst we were sitting there. One of these new laws made the mass media that night.

The second part of the morning was listening to an array of leaders from different areas about the leadership journey. This was very interesting and inspiring for both students and adults.

Mr Nick Farr-Jones (Former Wallaby and Captain - World Cup winner 1991) spoke about persistence and working hard. He continually emphasised that he was never in the top Rugby team during high school, however, he did not let that stop him from seeing how good he could become by working hard and listening to as many people as he could along the way.

Miss Nicola Barr (AFLW Giants player and former Number 1 draft pick 2016) spoke about her dedication to her sport and that she in fact played a lot of sports growing up. She mentioned the importance of listening and learning from others and never assuming you know it all.

Mr Chris Green (Current Sydney Thunder BBL player) spoke about not letting setbacks stop you from working towards your goal. Chris currently plays Twenty20 around the world, however, cannot get a contract with Cricket NSW to play the longer formats of the game. He is still working on achieving that goal.

Mr Tim Mannah (Former Captain of the Parramatta Eels) spoke about the importance of family and making tough decisions and sacrifices at the age of 15 or so to allow you to achieve your dreams. He spoke of making good life decisions at this time to ensure he was the best footballer he could be even though his peers would often ridicule him about this. He felt that making those tough decisions as a 15 year old held him in good stead as an adult and when he became captain of his club. He felt he had the players’ respect as he lived what he stood for.

Miss Joany Badenhorst (2018 Co-Captain Australian Paralympic Team) spoke about her remarkable journey. For me personally this was the most inspirational speech of the day. Miss Badenhorst spoke of her personal trauma of losing her leg in a farming accident at age 10, the challenges she faced and how she overcame them, all with a sense of humour. Her story is amazing.

Hon. Mr Dominic Perrottet (Premier and Member for Epping) spoke of his role and journey in politics. He spoke of working for the public and how he hopes to make positive contributions for all of the people who live in NSW.

Our school leaders thoroughly enjoyed the day and got a lot out of it. Hopefully they can take some of the important messages they heard throughout the day and use this to continue to lead.

2023 Planning

The school has already begun planning for 2023. The process is quite lengthy and detailed to ensure that each student has their needs met. Teachers will spend hours deliberating over next year’s classes. To assist us with this if you have any requests can you please email me at school at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and attention it to Mr Pinchbeck 2023 Class Request. Please ensure your request is explained clearly. I can assure you that all requests are considered, however, I am unable to confidently state that all requests will be granted. Please chat with your child’s teacher should you have any questions about this matter. All requests to be made by Friday 4 November 2022.

If you are planning on leaving our school at the end of the year, can you please email the school at pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and attention it Leaving PHPS. This assists the school with its planning and also ensures that you meet your requirements regarding enrolment in school. Please contact the office on 9484 1134 if you have any questions about this.

Covid-19 Updates

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 when sick

Students, staff and visitors should only attend school when they are symptom free. We strongly encourage all students, staff and visitors to follow guidance issued by 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.

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.

In certain circumstances, NSW Health and the Department of Education may advise that additional COVID-smart measures be temporarily reintroduced at our school. We will provide further details of any changes to COVID-smart measures at our school, if/when required.

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

Kind Regards

Matt Pinchbeck

Principal

Wear Red Day

Thursday last week saw the SRC run a ‘Wear Red Day!’ to raise much needed funds for the Australian Red Cross. A total of $640 was raised! Well done everyone, an amazing contribution to a wonderful cause.

Kindergarten 2023

If you have a child starting with us in Kindergarten next year, please come along to our 2023 Kindergarten parent information session tonight in the school hall on the Trebor Rd site. You will hear from the Assistant Principal on Kindergarten this year; Mrs Melissa Coventry, our Principal; Mr Matt Pinchbeck, the P&C President; Luke Whenman, the Director of BASC (Before and After School Care); Erin Jeacle, just to name a few. We look forward to seeing you there!

Stage Planning Days

You may have noted that your child’s teacher may be at school but isn’t teaching you child for the day over this week and next. We have a new NSW K-2 English and mathematics curriculum rolling out in 2022 and teachers are collaborating in their stage teams to ensure that their programs are up-to-date with current pedagogical practices and align with the new syllabus implementation. This curriculum reform will affect K-6 with the 3-6 syllabus rolling out in 2023 and the K-2 syllabus laying the foundations and underpinning all learning in 3-6, so all staff have been involved in the implementation. Our teaching staff have undergone hours of Professional Learning in both English and mathematics to support them in this transition phase. So far, the feedback has been that the stage planning days are an invaluable time for the stage to reflect on current programs and practices, plan for future learning and collaborate to effectively cater for the needs of their students while addressing mandated outcomes.

World Teachers’ Day

Friday 28 October is World Teachers’ Day. We have such an amazing group of professionals at PHPS, they are truly dedicated to their students in every way. Please show them your support by writing a short sticky note on the below Jamboard, I will collate and present it to them and it will truly make their day! It can be anonymous if you so wish. Thank you!

Jamboard – World Teachers’ Day 2022

       

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

Intention to apply for Year 7 placement in a selective high school in 2024

Dear Parent/Carer

Selective high schools cater for academically gifted students with high potential who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic standard. Selective high schools help these students to learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, and by using specialised teaching methods.

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2024, you need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address).

Detailed instructions on how to apply and the link to the online form will be available in early-October 2022 at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7.

Applications open on 18 October 2022 and close on 16 November 2022. You must apply before the closing date.

You must submit only ONE application for each student.

The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

The tear-off slip below is NOT an application, it is advice to the school that you intend to apply. The school CANNOT apply on your behalf.

Cut along the dotted line and return the completed slip below to this school by Wednesday 16 November 2022.

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

3B - Esandu P, Myat T, Hayden T, Parthiv V, Dhruv P, Luc P

3D - Emily W, Nora Z, Olivia Y, Calvin S, Emmilija L, Rehan K

3H - Sanidhu H, Amelie M, Fred K

4B - Tanvi D, Ethan C, Arin S, Austin L

4D - Karina C, Zainab D, Mathias H

4F - Aryan D, Jayne K, Josh F, Liam T

5B - Indie M, Edmond L, Asa L, Mana A

5G - Keiran P, Katelyn G, Roshini K, Raiyan A

6R - Clancy T, Anthony T, Justin Y

6S - Meg G, Nathan C, Lenny F

Kindergarten 2023 Parent Information Evening 

All parents/carers of students attending Pennant Hills Public School for Kindergarten in 2023 are welcome to attend an information session in the School Hall. 

• Date: Tuesday 18 October
• Time: 7pm 

Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Sessions 

• Session 1 – Tuesday 25/10 9.30-11.00am 
• Session 2 – Tuesday 1/11 9.30-11.00am 
• Session 3 – Tuesday 8/11 9.30-11.00am 
• Session 4 – Tuesday 15/11 9.30-11.00am 

Children MUST be enrolled at our school before attending these sessions.  

Please see our office staff before the day of the first session if you need to enrol your child. 

Mrs Coventry 

Assistant Principal 

Please find below, a list of all the sports/special photographs available. 

These can be viewed and ordered online at www.theschoolphotographer.com.au using the Online Order Code below:

22S1644PRE45P

The photo prices are:

$18.00 each, 2 for $34.00, 3 for $46.00, 4 for $58.00 or 5 for $70.00 

Any additional photographs are $10.00 each. This discount is only available per family order.

The photos will be available to view and purchase ONLINE ONLY 

The School Photographer

9674 9824

enquiries@theschoolphotographer.com.au

The K-2 students had a fabulous day participating in our Sports Day. There were running races, hurdles and skipping events followed by a picnic lunch. After lunch the Sports Leaders ran activities which included the parachute, egg and spoon, sack races and quoits. Everyone had a fantastic time and the Sports Leaders should be commended as they did a brilliant job! Thank you to all the parents who were able to come and support the students. The smiles on the students throughout the day was just wonderful!

K-2 Teachers

President’s Message 

Hi All

Last Sunday the P&C hosted the first Bunnings BBQ since 2019. A big thank you to Alicia C and all the volunteers who assisted on the day, it went very smoothly and over $700 was raised for the school not including the raffle ticket sales. Also a special thanks to the talented kids who were selling raffle tickets and directing Bunnings customers to BBQ, I’m not sure how many tickets were sold but there were a lot of empty books!

As we continue to pre 2020 activities, Bec S has kindly organised the Interrelate Family Sessions.

Save the date - Thursday 3 November Interrelate Family Sessions via 2 Online sessions;

6-7pm - 'Where did I come from?' Aimed at Years 3 and 4, (or an intro to Yr 5 and 6 that have not attended in the past)

7:15-8:15pm - 'Preparing for Puberty' aimed at Yrs 5 and 6 (parent discretion for younger years).

We have created an online event page to assist parents in accessing the session. Below is the URL that will direct you to the registration page:

 

https://events.humanitix.com/pennant-hills-ps-family-evening-program-3-november-2022

  

Some important points to be aware of how to access the program:

• There is a maximum capacity of 120 people in each online session, and tickets will be allocated accordingly. 
• The above link directs the parents to a registration page. Each family will need to complete the registration process to access the session. On the day, Parents will need to click the link located on the e-ticket to open up our platform. No download is necessary.

     

Less than 2 weeks until the Dance Spectacular! The raffle will be drawn at 6.30pm outside the venue before the doors open, good luck!

     

Have a great week.

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

Luke Whenman

P&C President

pandcpresident@gmail.com

Bunnings BBQ a bonanza 

Thank you to all the families who helped out at the Bunnings BBQ on Sunday. The volunteers sizzled and served 28kg of sausages and sold plenty of raffle tickets to support our solar panel project. Special thanks to Alicia C for coordinating such a successful event!

Early bird prize winners  

Congratulations to the early bird prize winners Angus W from 6M and Angus W from 1P!   

Remember to return all your sold raffle ticket books to the office by Wednesday to go in the final early bird prize draw. All tickets must be sold and paid for to be eligible - and don’t forget to write your name and class on the front of the book.

Please pay for your raffle tickets through Flexischools. Look for the Payments section or tab in the app and follow the prompts to purchase your ticket books.       

Just over a week to go - let’s fund these solar panels

Thanks to your amazing efforts, we’ve raised $XXXX towards our solar panel project so far - our target is $15,000. There’s just over a week to go and the prizes are amazing so let’s get selling! 

You can come along and see the winning tickets drawn on Friday 28 October at 6:30pm at the Hillsong Convention Centre just before the doors open for the Dance Spectacular. 

If you don’t think you can sell all your tickets, please return any unsold ticket books to the school this week, as there are some very eager sellers who may be able to move them. Remember, there are prizes for the most ticket books sold!

Need more raffle ticket books to sell? Ask at the office on either site.   

A reminder about our incredible prizes

What does $2.50 buy you? The chance to win one a share in more than $4000 worth of prizes!

There are five major prizes up for grabs:

• $2000 VISA card voucher (donated by Saliba real estate)
• $1000 Westfield voucher (donated by Toyota)
• $500 JB HIFI voucher (donated by Saliba real estate)
• Bose Noise Canceling Quiet Comfort 45 Headphones (donated by Bose)
• Jazzy Photography 1 hour studio family photography session (Includes personal planning session, online viewing gallery to share with friends and family, 3 digital files and one 10x10 wood print - worth over $800. Generously donated by the Kooper family)

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors!

Appointments

The Uniform Shop will continue to be open by appointment only for the foreseeable future.  This will assist us in maintaining physical distancing and minimise waiting times for you to be served.   

• We are transitioning our appointments from Eventbrite to Square Appointments to help streamline the appointment process.  All current appointments made through Eventbrite are still valid. 
• 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 finished 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 will be available soon. 

• If the available times are not suitable, please contact us via email at phpsuniformshop@gmail.com to organise alternative arrangements. 

Janine Sherlock

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

Band Recruitment for 2023 - Calling all students in Year 2 to 5.

      

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL FOR TERM 4: IS THIS AFTERNOON 3:30pm-4:30pm in school hall K-2 site 

Main Ensemble Parent Helper today is Jasmin Kooper (Thankyou Jasmin)

!THE TERM 4 ROSTER IS OPEN String Ensemble Roster 2022

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 Owain Roberts (Thankyou Owain) & Monica Fu 

(Thankyou Monica)

!THE TERM 4 ROSTER IS OPEN Intro to Strings Roster 2022

If you require any further information, clarification regarding the ROSTER / PARENT HELPER

Please feel free to contact us.    

Intro to Music Night

Firstly, congratulations to the Band and the String Ensemble. It was fantastic to see all the talented young people play and showcase their chosen instruments. 

A special thanks to Mrs Giffiths, Ms Stevens, Mike and the P&C for organising a successful event. 

For those who complete the ‘Strings’ Expression of Interest spreadsheet, an email with further information and next steps will be sent shortly.  

STRING EVENTS FOR TERM 4, 2022  

WEEK 2 

• MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 18 September at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• INTRO TO STRINGS - Wednesday 19 September at 7:45am - 8:45am 

WEEK 3 

• MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 25 September at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• INTRO TO STRINGS - Wednesday 26 September at 7:45am - 8:45am

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

     

Erin Jeacle

Centre Director

9980 8950

www.pennanthillsbasc.com

      

            

The Australian Girls Choir (AGC) will be holding a free Open Day in November and we would love to invite all of the girls at Pennant Hills PS to come along! Our Open Day gives girls the opportunity to try a fun complimentary class and to attend an information session to find out more about the AGC.

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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