Specialist Classes for 2023

In last week’s newsletter I forgot to include the very important roles that many other teachers play at Pennant Hills Public School to support the educational journey of our students. These important roles cover the following areas;

Release From Face to Face (RFF):

• Library – Ms Gai Davis
• Music – Ms Julie-Anne Stevens
• Computers – Mrs Linda Acharrie (Term 1 only as this position will hopefully be filled via Open Merit Selection this term)

Learning and Support Teachers

• Ms Melissa Schmidt
• Mrs Kim Holdway (Mon-Thurs)

English Additional Languages/Dialects (EAL/D)

• Mrs Angela Krivohlavy (Mon-Wed)
• Mrs Amanda Callegaro (Mon-Wed)

Meet The Teacher Night

Last night saw the Meet the Teacher Night for parents of students in Kindergarten, Years 3 and 4. Tomorrow night will see Years 1 and 2 at 5pm and Years 5 and 6 at 6pm. The only exception is 6R that will hold their Meet the Teacher Night on Monday 20th February at 6pm.

Thank you to all the parents that were able to attend last night. It was great to be able to finally hold this night in person after a couple of years online. As always if you have any questions about your child’s academic performance, please make contact with their teacher to arrange a meeting.

BASC Building

For many years the BASC Management Committee has been planning to cater for the increasing enrolment numbers of BASC through focussed and strategic financial decision making. As a result, a partnership between the BASC Management Committee and the school has seen an agreement to add an additional building to the school to primarily be utilised by BASC to cater for the rapidly growing demand of the community. As a result, the project has gone out to tender. A new modular building will, hopefully, be installed across the path from the current BASC building. The location of this building has been discussed between BASC, the school, Asset Management Unit (AMU) and P&C. This location was selected based on many factors. As this project continues, I will continue to keep BASC, the P&C and wider community updated on its progress. Change is tricky sometimes, but these decisions have been made with everyone’s best interests in mind for the short and long term.

Home and School Communication Options

We are all extremely privileged to be part of the Pennant Hills PS community. Our primary goal is to present ourselves as an effective and cohesive school community which promotes our values of ‘be a learner; respectful; responsible; kind; and fair’. Home and school communication is essential in assisting our school’s children with the best possible academic and social development. Parents are always encouraged to support their child’s school life through making regular contact with the school.

It is also very important to communicate with the best person to help solve your questions. Teachers need to be informed of relevant information about the academic, social and developmental aspects of your child. This must work the other way too for teachers to inform parents. Often our teachers will not be available for a lengthy meeting without it being scheduled. When delivering your child to school in the morning is not always the best time to approach a teacher for an interview, unless it is a welfare issue. All parents are encouraged to negotiate an appointment time with your child’s teacher or through our administration office. Alternatively, you may use the school’s email address pennanthils-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au .

The following is our current school practice and will give you some direction.

Classroom Teacher: is always the first and best professional person with whom to speak regarding academic progress, social or behavioural concerns, class policy and procedures.

Assistant Principals: If the question relates to a specific issue that is outside of the classroom, any questions regarding specific grade programs, issues relating to discipline / bullying, concerns that have not been resolved by speaking with the classroom teacher.

Assistant Principal K-6, especially Kindergarten Mrs Melissa Coventry

Assistant Principal K-6, especially Years 1-2: Mrs Laura Buttrey (Mon-Wed)

Assistant Principal rel. K-6, especially Years 1-2: Mrs Patricia Parras (Thurs & Fri)

Assistant Principal K-6, especially Years 3-4: Mrs Melissa Griffith

Assistant Principal K-6, especially Years 5-6: Mrs Kristen Rawson (Mon & Tues)

Assistant Principal rel. K-6 especially Years 5-6: Mrs Anne McLaren (Wed-Fri)

Assistant Principal: Curriculum & Instruction: Ms Amanda Hobbs (Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri)

Administration and Finance:

School Administrative Manager: Mrs Joanne Klimoski

School Business Manager: Mrs Melanie McShane (Mon & Tues)

Principal & Deputy Principal: Issues that have not been resolved first through discussions with the classroom teacher and /or the Assistant Principal. Issues that relate to the whole school, child protection and student welfare, governance and management, financial and budgeting, community, concerns relating to teachers.

Kind Regards
Matt Pinchbeck
Principal

Meet the Teacher nights

Last night saw our first Meet the Teacher night with Kindergarten and Stage 2 teachers meeting the families of their students. Thank you to those who were able to attend. For those unable to attend, any information provided will be disseminated to you.

A big thank you to the parents/carers who have put their hand up to be class parents. The class parents are a great conduit between the teacher and the parent body and do a great job in creating community for our classes. Please refer to the P&C section of the newsletter for further information and if you would like to provide your contact details to be a part of the class contact list.

We have our second Meet the Teacher night on Wednesday for Stage One and Stage Three and look forward to seeing you then.

Swimming Carnival Presentation

Reading Information Session

Kind Regards
Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal

NSW K–2 English and Mathematics Syllabuses

The NSW school curriculum has undergone the first comprehensive reform in 30 years after an extensive curriculum review and consultation.

Further information about the curriculum reform can be found following this link https://nswcurriculumreform.nesa.nsw.edu.au/home/siteAreaContent/adbaffbc-6ac9-46fc-9b2d-65fcc8bc9064

Each week, some ways in which you can support your K-2 child’s learning in English and Mathematics will be shared in the school newsletter.

Oral Language and Communicating

Oral language and communicating focuses on developing speaking, listening and interacting skills.

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

• Modelling listening skills by taking turns when speaking with your child and waiting for them to respond
• Asking your child open-ended questions about their day or surroundings. For example, Tell me about a book you read today. Or How did you make that artwork?
• Gradually building the number of verbal instructions from 1 single direction to 2 directions then up to 3 directions for your child to follow. For example, pack your bag, brush your teeth and put on your shoes

You can help your Year 1 or Year 2 child at home by:

• Using and explaining language that describes position such as left/right, near/far, above/below. Play games such as ‘Simon Says’ or design a map to go on a treasure hunt
• Comparing and discussing different aspects of life around you. For example, what is the same or different about the seasons, movies, books, food, clothes, cars or weather
• Continuing to support your child to successfully complete 2- and 3-step instructions. For example, make your bed – put on your jacket – turn out the light
• Introducing more detailed texts to your child, such as beginning chapter books, so they can focus and listen to you read about one topic over a longer period of time. For example, reading one or two chapters per night.

Mrs Hobbs

Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction 

USEFUL BUS INFORMATION FROM TRANS DEV

• where to find your school timetable - http://www.transdev.com.au/sydney-school-bus-timetables/
• the Student Code of Conduct while travelling on bus services - Student Code of Conduct when travelling | transportnsw.info
• our 2023 School Bus Information Guide for Parents, Guardians and Students - school-bus-information-guide-2023-2.pdf (transdev.com.au)

Mrs Klimoski
Student Administration Manager

3M - Eamon W, Toby S, Maggie R

3/4S - Chloe C, Lachlan H, Tommy J

4B - Aiden T, Amelie M, Fredrerck K

4P - Theo B, Zane S, Emily H

4/5B - Emma K, Sean B, Georgia B

5T - Kaiden T, Stephen D, Darval G 

5W - Zoe C, Madeleine W, Ezekiel M

6G - Edmond L, Sidharth G, Tommty T

6R - Kelsey C, Atticus P, Ben A

6S - Josh N, Lewis W, Charlotte J

2023 Library Monitors – Semester 1

Many thanks to the Year 6 students who have volunteered to be library monitors this semester. They fulfil a vital role in keeping the library open before school and at lunch time for the benefit of all students on the 3-6 site. They undertake many duties such as: borrowing and returning books, presenting library reports at assemblies, assisting students with book selection and shelving.

At the moment they are in training and on a huge learning curve. It has been really pleasing to see how enthusiastically they have accepted their new responsibilities. 2023 is definitely going to be a great library year!

Semester 1 – Library monitors

Adelina – 6S, Amelia – 6G, Ansh – 6R, Anya – 6R, Arya – 6R, Ben – 6R, Dana – 6S, Elinore – 6R, Emily – 6R, Evie – 6R, Giselle – 6S, Josie – 6S, Katelyn – 6S, Kenzie – 6R, Nafi – 6G, Priyani – 6G, Sidharth – 6G, Syeira – 6G, Tommy – 6G, Tyesha – 6G, Victoria – 6G

Did you know that PHPS students can borrow eBooks and Audiobooks?

Our library subscribes to the Wheelers ePlatform which allows students to borrow eBooks and Audiobooks.

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 2000 books. eBooks and Audiobooks can be easily borrowed and are returned automatically. 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 Wheelers set these borrowing rules not the school.

Ms Davis
Teacher Librarian

Hi all, 

I hope you enjoyed your not-too-hot summer holidays. 

The Native Nibbles garden enjoyed the favourable conditions of sunny days interspersed with rainy ones. When the rain fell short, we had help from our volunteers to water it. Consequently most of our precious new plants survived the critical first 8 weeks in the ground and should put on some good growth before winter. 

We will have another planting day later this term so stay tuned for details about that…

Before that however we are looking for 3-5 new members to reinvigorate the Gardens and Grounds committee. We will have one meeting per term (if required) and be responsible for overseeing the health and tidiness of the school gardens. This will include: organising garden maintenance working bees; garden makeovers; and the implementation of any new garden spaces and succession plantings. All this will be done with support from volunteers. So if you have ideas or opinions about our lovely gardens, grounds and outdoor learning spaces then please consider joining the committee.

If the committee is not for you but you would like to be involved as a volunteer, please consider joining our Whatsapp Garden Group.

Email phpsgardensgrounds@gmail.com for more info, or, to get the link to the whatsapp group

Use the subject line “Committee” OR “Garden Group” depending on your area of interest.

Look forward to hearing from you. 

Kindest regards,
Kate Ashton

Hi All

Great to see so many people at the P&C General Meeting last Tuesday, thanks to everyone who attended. Also a special thanks to Mrs Buttrey who presented an update on the PHPS Wellbeing program, as well as Mr Pinchbeck and Mrs Wasson for their updates to community.

With the ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions on this week, the P&C Comms team are helping to put together class contact lists and confirm Class Parent contacts. This is great way to ensure clear communication amongst parents during the year, thanks to Bec S for the prep work to get the survey sent out.

The P&C Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 7 March, in person at the PHPS Hall on the K-2 site (Trebor Rd). The AGM confirms the P&C committee and executive positions for year ahead. P&C financial members can vote, however, the meeting is open for anyone to attend. We’re currently finalising the nominations for committees, please email me pandcpresident@gmail.com if you are interested in joining. A summary of the committees can be found here.

Have a great week.

Luke Whenman
P&C President
pandcpresident@gmail.com

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

 The canteen is open for lunch orders through Flexischools every day. Cut off for placing orders is 9am.

Please note that Juicy Tubes are now 80 c each, and Frozen Juice Cups (3-6 only) are now $1.00 each.

 We are still trying very hard to find a new Sushi supplier. In the meantime, I'm afraid that Sushi will not be available to order.

The 3-6 Canteen is open for over the counter sales during lunch on Tuesdays, and Recess and Lunch on Fridays.

The K-2 Canteen will be open during Lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays, providing we have volunteers to facilitate this. 

Recess is from 11.15 - 11.35am, and Lunch is from 1-1.40pm. Please contact me if you are able to help at any of these times, or if you would like to know more.

 We rely on volunteers to be able to do counter sales. It’s a fun and easy way to get involved in your child’s school life and they just love you being there. 

We are also in need of volunteers to help in the canteen with things like: labelling of lunch bags and drinks, some basic food prep and packing of lunches. This help is especially needed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Whatever time you can stay and help will be much appreciated. I would love to hear from you!!

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

Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
canteenphps@gmail.com

Welcome back to the new school year!

I would like to thank everyone for your understanding and patience over the last two weeks while we adjusted to supply all your orders when I was unwell.

OPENING TIMES 2023 

We will be continuing to be opening by appointment only in 2023 and all available times will be available on our appointment booking site up to 3 weeks in advance.

Appointments will be available on Thursdays and Fridays during the school term.

APPOINTMENTS

• Please click or scan the QR Code below to make an appointment, you will be redirected to our square booking site.
• Pease select the appropriate appointment type for your visit:
  • Standard appointment times are in individual 5-minute increments.
  • Double appointment times are in individual 10-minute increments
• Appointments are at the uniform shop located on the 3-6 campus

UNIFORM SHOP APPOINTMENTS

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. To look through the other second hand items at the shop you will require an appointment

Janine Sherlock
Uniform Shop Manager
phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

2023 Training Band:

Worksheets:

Future Events:

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

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

FOIM REHEARSAL: IS THIS AFTERNOON 4:40pm - 5:30pm in school hall K-2 site 

Pick up time for FOIM students will be 5:30pm.

Students not doing FOIM should be picked up at the usual time of 4:30pm.

Main & FOIM Parent Helper today is Carole Huang (Thankyou Carole)

THE TERM 1 ROSTER IS OPEN 

string programs 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 reach out to the string committee team. Thanking you in advance. Click here to view a link to the roster.

BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS 

We're happy to announce that the string is now able to accept the $50 back to school vouchers.

The vouchers can be used to cover fees. If you would like to use your vouchers please email one through to phpsstrings@gmail.com   & phpsstrings.treasurer@gmail.com 

Include your child's name and school year & class please.. 

Kindly note, like any of the NSW Government vouchers you need to use it in its entirety at the time of use.

FOIM 2023

We are pleased to advise that PHPS has again been accepted for participation in the Department of Education’s Festival of Instrumental Music in 2023.  The concert will be in June 2023 at the Sydney Opera House.  Rehearsals for this will also start in February 2023 so that students have sufficient time to practice the music.  Students from Year 4 and above of appropriate standard are eligible to participate.  Our conductor will be selecting which students are at the appropriate standard. 

STRING EVENTS FOR TERM 1, 2023 

WEEK 4 

• MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 14th February 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• FIOM - Tuesday 14th February 4: 40pm - 5:20pm

WEEK 5 

• MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 21st February 3:30pm - 4:30pm
• FIOM - Tuesday 21st February 4: 40pm - 5:20pm

Families interested in enrolling children in a String Ensemble 2023 should contact the PHPS String Committee for further details: 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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