Pennant Hills Public School eNewsletter

ANZAC Day and Service

Pennant Hills Public School commemorated ANZAC day on the last day of Term One. Thank you to Mrs Erdmanis for organising the event and for our community members who were able to come along. Our choir singers; Ginger, Roshini, Victoria and Olivia did a fabulous job in leading us through an ANZAC song and our bugle player, Ali P, was also fantastic at playing the Last Post and Rouse.

Our School Leaders also attended an ANZAC service and laid a wreath on ANZAC day with Mrs Donoghue. They did a fabulous job and represented Pennant Hills Public School with pride.

School Photos

Our school photos were completed today. Thank you to all of our students for their attentive ears and for being prompt to their photography times. A big thank you to Mrs Hobbs, Ms Schmidt, Ms Stevens, Mrs Bunn & Mrs Tucker for all of their work and assistance during the photo sessions in my absence.

Mothers Day Breakfast

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our student’s mothers, grandmothers and special women in their lives for our Mother’s Day breakfast next Friday 12 May. More details are further along in the newsletter.

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

If you would like to attend the Mother's Day Breakfast you can!!

The due date to return notes has been extended to tomorrow, WEDNESDAY 3 MAY.

All payments can be made on the website using the following link https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/payment.html#/student-details

If you have misplaced your note and require a new one, you can download a copy here.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Thank you

Mother's Day Committee

Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home

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

Reading Comprehension
Kindergarten	Year 1 and 2
Reading comprehension focuses on understanding the meaning of words and sentences that are read, while recalling information about characters, events and ideas.	Reading comprehension focuses on understanding the meaning of words and sentences within longer and more complex texts, while using background knowledge and personal experiences to increase comprehension.
You can help your Kindergarten child at home by: Talking about the front cover, title and illustrations before reading begins Asking questions about a story while you or your child are reading. For example, Why do you think that happened? or What might happen next? Drawing pictures together about the main events in a story in order Discussing the meaning of new words found in books and around your everyday life.	You can help your Year 1 and Year 2 child at home by: Giving them opportunities to read to themselves for enjoyment Encouraging them to ask you questions about the book if they are unsure about word meanings or the storyline Remembering and talking about your family’s experiences about a topic in a book you are reading such as moving house, welcoming a new baby, gardening or looking after a pet Asking them if their opinions may have changed about a character’s actions or personality as the book progresses. Was there a twist in the storyline that surprised them? Enjoying discussing idioms found in books you read together. Idioms are sayings or expressions that are not to be taken as they are written but have a hidden meaning. Some examples include It was raining cats and dogs (it was raining heavily) and It was like finding a needle in a haystack (it was hard to find).

Mrs Hobbs

Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction

3E - Richard M, Dash S, Max F, Abhaya S, Keyan P, Kay W, David H, Krisav P, Lachlan W

3M - Dylan H, Esther P, Edwin R, Luiz B, Zoe S, Vihaan K, Reuben L, Grace G, Aston A, Marlina T, Logan S, Alex W, Joanna A, Julie K, Joanna W, Noa S, Nathanael C, Chloe J, Oliver T, Aadhya S, Lachlan N, Paul Z

3/4S - Jeremy D, Chloe C, Tommy J, Lachlan H

4B - Nora Z, Marcus T, Natalie S, Aroon M, Sarina L, Rehan K

4P - Luc P, Dhruv P, Eleanor T, Millie V, Emma C, Parthiv V, Johan A, Emma C, Eleanor T, Henry H

4/5B - Lucas V, Katherine W, Blake K, Kieran P, Matilda S, Mia M, Jayden M

5T - Christian S, Alexia L, Quintin L, Gabi M, Megan N, Ginger M, Ava N, Penelope K, Chloe H, Stephen D, Dhaval G, Eugene L

5W - Ethan C, Audrey M, Lilly N, Liam T, Amelia K, Angus M, Darcy W

6G - Carlito D, Nafi D, Francesca I, Syeria A, Sidharth G

6R - Keiran P, Dhruv T, Julia V, Atticus P, Ruby T

6S - Nathan P, Katelyn G, Lewis W, Logan S, Abbie R, Ashlyn H, Josh N, Abbie R, Ryan P

Stage 2 have been busy experimenting and investigating during their science and maths lessons.

Stage 2 Teachers

School Student Travel Information For Parents and Students

School Travel Passes

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

New Student Opal cards (including new Term Bus Passes) will be sent to the student’s nominated postal address within two weeks of their application being approved.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms Of Use

Students using Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

Student Code of Conduct

All students are required to comply with the Student Code of Conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Mail sent from the Stakeholder Liaison Team, Customers Systems and Operations.

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Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/school-travel

Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback

Following on from term one, most parents and carers will have settled into patterns for accessing the school zone. Traffic congestion will always be present during peak periods whilst parents and carers choose to drive. Encouraging active travel when possible is always recommended.

To assist you in educating and promoting safe walking, cycling, driving, and parking practises in your school zone I have attached the usual resources you can share with your school community.

These resources are:

Road Safety Help Sheet 2023: This is a three page “Help Sheet” to find the best organisation to help you with concerns relating to road safety within the school zone as well as the curriculum.

Parking Rules 2023: This double sided A4 sized flyer has rules in relation to parking near intersections, Bus Stops, driveways, and pedestrian kerb ramps as well as safe walking tips and the usual school zone parking rules (No Parking Zones, No Stopping Zones, Bus Zones and Double Parking). This resource is available in English, Simplified Chinese and Korean languages and can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Parking and Traffic Rules 2023: This double sided A4 sized flyer has a quick reference guide explaining what each parking zone means, why it is there, what the penalty and demerit points are if not adhered to. On the reverse side are safety tips for parents and carers driving or parking within the school zone, and safety tips for students being driven to or from school. This resource is available in English, Simplified Chinese and Korean languages and can be downloaded as a PDF here.

School Travel Ideas Guide: This guide is for schools to use and offers alternative, sustainable, and safe travel solutions for students and their parents / carers. Many of the ideas in this guide will assist in alleviating the congestions issues within your school zone and will also provide opportunities for learning, exercise and encouraging students to be independent and road safe. This resource is available in English only and can be downloaded as a PDF here.

Council’s website has additional information for schools and parents & carers in relation to school zone road safety. You can find it here.

Council’s aim is to educate the school community to encourage safe walking, cycling, driving, and parking, to keep everybody safe. Council rangers and the NSW Police Force regularly enforce safe driving and parking practices where possible, however, it is the responsibility of drivers and other road users to abide by and ensure they understand the road rules and the importance of safety around schools.

Schools have an obligation to provide reasonable care to keep students safe when they arrive and depart school. The Department of Education provides information in relation to the safe entry and exit of school grounds on their website. Read about it here.

You can make a difference to the traffic congestion created by your school community, by promoting active and alternative travel solutions.

Please support this campaign by including the road safety information in your school newsletters when possible, and by advising parents of regular ranger and police patrols in school zones.

I wish you a safe and happy term two.

Thank you!!

The G&G team achieved a lot over the recent holiday break. We pruned back much of the Privet overhanging the new Native Nibbles garden at K-2. Hopefully this will drastically reduce the amount of weeding we need to do in the future. Privet is considered a noxious weed in Australia. Its fruit either drops from the tree or is spread by birds which eat the fruit and deliver it far and wide in a little fertiliser filled poop packages. It grows quickly and outcompetes other plants by both shading them out and the allelopathic substances it puts into the soil. It infiltrates back yards, farms and bushland everywhere so keep an eye out for it and remove it wherever you can. Big thanks to James Tailby and Chris Laing for helping with the huge task of dropping, chopping and clearing our problem Privet from the neighbour’s boundary line.

The working bee was a big success. The relatively new garden on Greycliff had become overrun with weeds and several families pitched in to help clear it out… it was a big job!! Those who attended were able to taste the first of the bush tucker planted there in the form of Midyim berries which, we discovered, taste a bit like cinnamon flavoured blueberries- yum!!

Other pruning and weed removal was carried out sporadically over other days. In total we filled a 4 cubic meter skip at the 3-6 campus and a 7 cubic meter bin at K-2.

BIG thanks to all involved: Liam, Melina, Kat, Tom, Louisa, Brett, Caroline, Gareth & Pip, James and their families who came along to help. Also to cameo appearances from school neighbours whose kids have attended in past years and who still very much like to help out. It is a reminder that our school community extends beyond those who currently attend and that continuing goodwill is valuable and important to maintain.

Stay tuned for more garden news next week.

Cheers from the Gardens and Grounds Team

Join the Garden Gang Whatsapp group for quickest comms and updates. Use the link below (please don't spam us!!) https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kd8EPylqMzj6O7EhEcYgPx OR drop us a line at: phpsgardensgrounds@gmail.com

Welcome!

Thank you to the school community for your patience during this transition period, as I start in my new role as manager of the Uniform Shop. It was a whirlwind start, and I hope that everyone was able to receive their uniforms in time for school photos.

Apologies to those families who were missing some items which have been out of stock, we continue to receive new shipments and await delivers for orders that have already been placed. We hope to be able to fulfil backorders soon.

Appointments (Thursday - Limited Availability)

Due to the transitional period, we have limited availability for in-person appointments at the Uniform Shop.

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. (Choose this for returns, exchange is sizes and simple purchases).
- Double appointment times are in individual 10-minute increments. (Choose this for larger orders, second-hand purchases, new enrolments).
Appointments are at the uniform shop located on the 3-6 campus.

UNIFORM SHOP APPOINTMENTS

Flexischools Ordering

The clash of seasonal change to winter uniforms and early school photos saw an influx of urgent requests. Under these exceptional circumstances we pushed to process all orders, even those made after the cut-off times. With the amazing help from our volunteers Jocelyn, Alison & Siobhan we were able to get orders delivered in time for photos. However, moving forward, we will need to follow strict Flexischools ordering times and will not be able to process orders made after cut-off times.

Currently, all uniform orders will need to be placed by 5pm on Sundays prior to the Thursday delivery date.
Orders will be delivered on Thursdays to your child’s classroom.
Back To School Vouchers need to be applied on the same order when selecting your items. Please see additional details under “BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS” below.

Winter Uniforms

Some size of winter tunics and long sleeve shirts are currently out-of-stock and are due to arrive from our supplier soon. Orders for out-of-stock items will be placed on backorder and distributed as soon as stock arrives.

Nicola Lee

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

The CROSS COUNTRY is being held next Monday, 8 May.

We are holding a Sausage Sizzle for lunch. The sausages will be served on a long roll.

If your child would like one please place an order through Flexischools.

Orders close at 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday 3 May.

There are vegetarian and gluten free options, and Sushi is also available to order through Flexischools, as well as drinks and fruit.

We will also have a stall on the day with extra sausages for parents and guests.

The stall will also have juice poppers, watermelon, cocoa bean brownies, small finger buns, Chips and Popcorn, Grainwaves and Noodle Snacks. Chill Js must be ordered through Flexischools.

Please contact me if you are able to help with the stall on the day. Approx 1-1:50pm.

There will be no other lunch orders on this day.

Volunteers

We are still in need of some more helpers to run the K-2 canteen on both Wednesdays and Fridays. If you are available from 1-1.45pm on either of these days please consider coming to help. The children will love you for it, and so will I!!

REMINDERS - Cut-off time for placing orders through Flexischools is 8:45am.

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

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

FOIM REHEARSAL: IS THIS AFTERNOON 4:40pm - 5:20pm in school hall K-2 site.

Pick up time for FOIM students will be 5:20pm.

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

Main Parent Helper today: Claire Smith & FOIM Parent Helper today is Christine Lee. Thankyou

! THE TERM 2 ROSTER IS OPEN – Thankyou to those who have locked in a parent helper shift - much appreciated.

OPEN LINK: Main& FOIM Roster 2023 Term 2

FOIM 2023 - Please see below dates for FOIM that need to go in your diary.

We are in the ACACIA CONCERT:

Preliminary Rehearsal (strings) Monday 15 May 9:15am – 1:00pm – Meadowbank PS
Ticket Bookings Open Tuesday 16 May 9:00am
Concert Rehearsals: Tuesday 13 June 12:30pm – 3:15pm (recorders) 12:00pm – 4:00pm (strings)
Evening Concert: Tuesday 13 June 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Music Camp 2023

Music Camp will be held from Sunday 18th June to Tuesday 20th June. Crusaders Galston Gorge Conference & Recreation Centre. This two-night camp is a highlight of the year and an essential aspect of the program. It is a chance for the band, string and choir members to come together both musically and socially.

NOTE: Tuesday 20 June Main Ensemble will be CANCELLED.

Students will need a performance polo for the Camp concert. If they don't have one from last year (or it doesn't fit anymore), you can now buy them at the uniform shop through FlexiSchools.

STRING EVENTS FOR TERM 2, 2023

Week 3

MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 9 May, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
FOIM - Tuesday 9 May, 4:40pm - 5:20pm

Week 4

FOIM - Monday 15 May, 9:15am – 1:00pm Preliminary Rehearsal (strings) - Meadowbank PS
MAIN ENSEMBLE REHEARSAL - Tuesday 16 May, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
FOIM - Tuesday 15 May, 4:40pm - 5:20pm

Week 6 - Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival (NBIF) 2023 – Saturday 3 June

!! The String committee are finalising specifics and information with NBIF group and Sarah Qui. Watch this space - further developments are expected and more information will be given.

Week 8 – FOIM Tuesday 13 June, Concert Rehearsals

12:30pm – 3:15pm (recorders)
12:00pm – 4:00pm (strings)
Evening Concert 7:00pm – 9:30pm

Week 9 – MUSIC CAMP 2023

Families interested in enrolling children in a String Ensemble 2023 should contact the PHPS String Committee for further details: phpsstrings@gmail.com