Pennant Hills Public School eNewsletter

World Teacher Day

On Friday we celebrated all of our amazing teaching staff here at Pennant Hills Public School for World Teacher Day. I can genuinely say that our teachers are some of the most hard-working, student-centred and supportive people I have ever met and I am grateful everyday for their tireless efforts to ensure the best for our students. Their care for the students and support for each other and the executive team makes Pennant Hills Public School such a wonderful place to be. Thank you teachers for all that you are and all that you do.

Thank you to the P&C and many of our parent community for the cards and kind words. The P&C have provided a gift card to the local IGA which will be used for tea and coffee supplies, of which staff normally pay for themselves. Thank you, it has been very well received!

On this note, I would also like to thank all staff, particularly Mrs Griffith who relieved as Principal and Mrs Coventry who relieved as Deputy Principal, for their support over the last 9 days while I was on leave. Everyone did an amazing job, thank you and well done!

Kindy 2024 Orientation

Our 2024 Kindergarten cohort have begun their second morning of orientation today and they are extremely settled and super happy to be here! We can’t wait to see them again next week and everyday next year! Thank you to our Kindergarten team and our specialist teachers for ensuring these sessions run smoothly and to our Year 6 leaders for proactively being a part of our pre-Kindy students’ school journey.

Year 5 Leadership Day

Our Year 5 students have officially begun their leadership journey at PHPS in preparation for becoming Year 6 of our school next year with the Year 5 Leadership Day occurring today. We have some amazing future leaders amongst our Year 5 cohort and whether they choose to partake in a formalised leadership journey at PHPS or not, they embody true leadership qualities and should embrace the experience of being leaders of our school. Thank you to Mrs Griffith for your organisation of the day and to the Year 5 teachers for their part in supporting this initiative.

Stage 3 Camp

Stage 3 returned from their Canberra camp excursion on Friday evening and from all accounts, they had a fabulous time, but were exhausted (as were the teachers!). Unfortunately, I was on leave while camp occurred but I have heard that highlights included the bus ride to Canberra, the slide at Questacon, visiting Old Parliament House, the toilet paper fashion parade and meeting athletes and using the facilities at the Australian Institute of Sport. What an amazing experience that will become lifelong memories for our students. Thank you to Mrs McLaren, Miss Griggs, Mrs Van Der Wal, Mr Bryant, Miss Ings, Mrs McLoghry and Miss Nelson for accompanying the students to Canberra.

School Community Charter

Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. The School Community Charter informs parents and carers on how to engage with NSW public schools. Read the School Community Charter (PDF 1.4 MB) to ensure you understand how important it is to create a positive learning environment for our students.

school_community_charter.pdf

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Relieving Principal

K-2 Interest Groups

Last Wednesday the K-2 students had their first interest groups. These was lots
of excitement as I visited the different classrooms. From craft to clay work and
even netball, all students were engaged and interacting with peers from
different classes and grades.

Year 4 Step up as leaders

While Stage 3 were away at camp, as Year 4 were the oldest students at school, they were given
opportuninities to step into being a leader.

3-4 Assembly

Stage 3 Camp

Thank you to our Stage 3 teachers for taking years 5 & 6 to Canberra last week. I saw many tired faces coming off the bus on Friday night. I’m sure there were many stories shared over the weekend, such happy memories to be made for our students.

Stage 2 Science

Stage 2 have been learning about States of Mater in Science. Yesterday they made pancakes. What a fun way to learn!

Hornsby North Band Festival

Well done to our bands who competed in the Sydney North Band Festival on Sunday.
All bands played extremely well.

Training Band – High Distinction
Intermediate Concert Band – Credit
Senior Concert Band – High Distinction.

Congratulations to all students.

Wet Weather Reminder

Just a reminder all students need to have appropriate rain attire in their school bag. All students do at least one walk to the other site each week. K-2 students need a raincoat that can go over their library bag and cover their uniform. Year 6 students may use an umbrella. We are seeing more and more students with no protection and with the changes in weather they will often get wet.

Year 5 Leadership Day

Today Year 5 started on the 2024 Leadership Journey. All year 5 students participated in a day of leadership and learning.
Tomorrow Year 5 will vote for the top 10 boys and top 10 girls who will create a poster about themselves to present to the 3-6 student before they make a speech, and we vote for the top 5 girls and top 5 boys. Thank you to the 2023 Leadership Team who ran the day.

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Deputy Principal

Stage 2 is diving into Poetry

This term grades 3 and 4 students have taken a deep dive into some interesting language devices.

We have been blown away by the KAPOW! in onomatopoeia, and, guided to soaring heights thanks to metaphor and personification, while similes have empowered us to construct phrases like a spider building a beautiful web.

We are currently studying Diamante Poems.
Check out some of our work below:

K-2 Teachers

Week 4

Tuesday 31 October – Leadership Day with Jamie Davidson

Week 5

Monday 6 November – Leadership Poster due

Week 6

Monday 13 November – Year 5 Leadership Speeches followed by voting
Wednesday 15 November – Top 10 2024 Leaders announced

Week 7

Monday 20 November – House Captains Vote
Tuesday 21 November – House Captains Announced in the morning
Tuesday 21 November – CAPA Captains Vote
Wednesday 22 November – CAPA Captains announced

Mrs McLaren

Stage 3 Relieving Assistant Principal

Year 6 parents / carers and family are cordially invited to attend the following events:

Year 6 Graduation Assembly

15 December 2023, 9:30am in the School Hall, Trebor Road, Pennant Hills

Year 6 Clap Out

15 December 2023, from 2:30 on the 3-6 site, Weemala Road, Pennant Hills

Mrs McLaren
Stage 3 Relieving Assistant Principal

Gardens and Grounds

There was a small turnout for our working bee last weekend. We focused on the BASC Malahide garden bed, first giving it a weed and then spreading a thick layer of fresh mulch.

Thanks to: Linda & Marc; Louisa, Eric & Angus; Tom & Will; Emma and Dahlia; and as always our committee members Melina and Chris.

We also put our new chipper/shredder to work which was very gratifying indeed. BIG thanks to GG committee member Tom for making that happen.

This was our final working bee for the year however Chris is often in our lovely school community garden on weekends so if you ever want to lend a hand please contact her via the Gardens and Grounds Whatsapp group.

Cheers from the Gardens and Grounds Team?

Join the Garden Gang Whatsapp group for quickest comms and updates

https://chat.whatsapp.com/IsRzRCTVf8976QPJekoC62

Drop us a line at: phpsgardensgrounds@gmail.com for info and details

Luke Whenman

P&C President

pandcpresident@gmail.com

Summer Uniforms

Summer Uniforms are available for purchase through Flexischools or at the Uniform Shop. There are only a handful of second-hand summer items left in the store or online, so if you have any preloved uniforms which your child has outgrown, the Uniform Shop will kindly accept your donations.

Backorders

Some items shown as backorder are currently out of stock in our uniform shop. Sports uniforms should be arriving mid-November, while girls and boys short sleeve summer shirts due in 1-2 weeks' time. You can still order these items through Flexischools, and they will be packed and delivered to your child’s classroom as soon as stock arrives.

Kindy 2024

You can now order Uniforms for Kindergarten students who are starting in 2024! We have prepared Kindy 2024 Uniform packages – which have been designed to include all the essential items to make purchasing a little bit easier. You will need to create a new Flexischools profile for your child to start pre-ordering uniforms, Kindy 2024 packages and preloved items.

Cut-Off date for online Flexischools orders -

5pm Wednesday 1 November

Kindy Orientation Session 4 –

Tuesday 14 November, 10:30-11:30am (COLLECTION OF ORDERS)

If you prefer to come into the Uniform Shop, please make an appointment under “Kindy Appointment” for sizing and purchases on the day, we would be happy to help!

Pre-loved and Second-hand

The Uniform Shop gratefully accepts donations of second-hand items as all profits go towards supporting the school. We kindly request items are pre-washed and in good resale condition. Donations can be given to the 3-6 office or directly to the Uniform Shop if open.

• Preloved – are items in very good condition and will only be available via online Flexischools.

• Second-hand – if you cannot find what you are looking for in Flexischools, you can book an appointment to inspect unsorted/unlisted items at the Uniform Shop.

Appointments (Tuesdays & Thursdays)

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

Currently, all uniform orders will need to be placed by 5pm on Sundays prior to the delivery date.
Your order will be delivered on Tuesdays to your child’s classroom. Please allow 3-5 days from delivery date for your child to receive their order from their teacher.

If you have any queries regarding Uniforms, the school website or Uniform Brochure will be the best place to look, and if you can’t find the information you need, please do not hesitate to e-mail the Uniform Shop at phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

Please see the link here for PHPS Uniform Shop Guide / brochure.

uniform.PNG

uniform _PNG 1.03 MB

Nicola Lee

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

If your child does Stage 3 PSSA Netball or Soccer PLEASE remember to click on the Alert when ordering lunch on a Friday. These lunches need to be ready 30 minutes earlier than all other lunches. We cannot guarantee that they will be ready on time if we do not know in advance.

We will be making Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks again this Friday. You are able to order them now. There will be a limited number available, including some that are Gluten Free.

We will be selling Hot Chocolates at 3-6 this Friday during Recessz

Lunch orders will be available as usual this Thursday for the Walkathon.

The K-2 Canteen cannot run without volunteers. We need at least one helper for Wednesday and two for Friday this week please. If you are available from 1pm-1.45pm on either day, please consider coming to help.

*** REMINDER - Cut-off time for placing orders is 8.45am ***

Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
canteenphps@gmail.com

Join Band in 2024!

If your child wants to join band there is still time to fill in the Expression of Interest form before the blow test. If you've already done this great, if not please do so as soon as you can. This gives us a list of all the students and their instrument preferences. If your child is still "on-the-fence" about joining the band, please still fill in the form as it allows them to participate in a tutor & conductor-led 'blow test' to help us best match your child to an instrument. Then you can make a decision about whether they join or not later on.

The link to the Expression of Interest for is here: https://forms.gle/WEcp17zii8GP5p2D9

We've had lots of information on the various instruments in the school newsletters over the last few weeks. You can revisit these in previous newsletters:

Percussion, Euphonium/Tuba, Trombone, Trumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, and the Flute.

If the Expression of Interest form is not filled in your child cannot participate in the blow test.

We hope to conduct the blow test in week 5, and have instrument offers out shortly after that.

Want Smarter Kids? Learn Music, Not Coding.

According to MIT the latest neuroscience shows that learning a musical instrument increases brain power. Their studies have shown that there's not much, if any, connection between coding and today's point-and-click environment. By contrast, what actually does increase other skills and brain power is teaching kids to play a musical instrument.

This increase in brain power and functionality remains even if the child does not continue to play the instrument. "The earlier the musicians had started with musical practice, the stronger these connectivities," says professor Simon Leipold, a co-author of the study.

Hornsby North Band Festival - Report

On Sunday all our bands participated in the Hornsby North Band Festival. This is a friendly competition where bands are officially adjudicated and receive certificates based on their performance on the day.

All our bands played extremely well.

The Training Band received top marks with a High Distinction

Our Intermediate Concert Band did very well playing a new piece which they'd only had a couple of weeks, and came away with a Credit.Finally our Senior Concert Band also received top marks with a High Distinction.

Some of their performances will soon be available to see on the band's YouTube page. (https://www.youtube.com/@phpsband/)

We're extremely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to having them all perform for you at the End of Year concert at school.

Parent Rosters for Term 4

WE URGENTLY NEED TO FILL PLACES IN THE ROSTER FOR THIS TERM.TB - 1 extra parent for weeks 4, 5, 6 & 7. 2 parents for weeks 8 & 9ICB - 1 parent for weeks 7 & 9SCB - Lots of spaces, especially on Monday afternoons.

Link to the rosters is here:http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/band-roster/

What To Be Practising

There might be some new music coming for Christmas or the End of Year Concert,

so make sure your child is practising whatever the conductors are giving them.

Award Worksheets

We're already getting to the middle of Term 4, so Training and Intermediate bands really should have turned in their Term 1, 2 & 3 worksheets. If your tutor has not been signing off on their exercises please work with them to ensure they do so. If you're working on AMEB examinations instead please let us know so we can make note of it.

Year 6 students should be working toward having their GOLD worksheet signed off and handed in.

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.

EVENTS

Only a couple more things for the year!

Term 4

All Bands	Thurs 7th Dec	Carols/End of Year Concert
SCB, JB	Mon 11th Dec	*CoL@PHHS

Parent Helpers

A full list of parent helper duties is available here.

When walking the students, especially Training Band, 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 Rose head count. Tell the students to walk nicely and stick together on the walk & 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.

Big thank you to this weeks helpers:

TB Friday - Kunah J & TBA

ICB Wednesday - Vely S

SCB Monday - Robyn

SCB Thursday - Rujun Q & EJ K.

Many thanks,

PHPS Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

www.phpspandc.org.au/band/

Tim Love

Centre Director

9481 8696

www.pennanthillsbasc.com

Hornsby Shire Libraries will be running an after-school Junior Science Club during Term 4, 2023. Junior Science Club is presented by the Children’s Discovery Museum and allows participants to learn and explore themes from different branches of science through numerous practical experiments.

Further booking information can be found on our website at https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/lifestyle/events/library-events/the-junior-science-club-at-hornsby-library or please find attached a copy of our promotional flyer. Hard copies can be provided on request. We would appreciate it if the details of these sessions could be brought to the attention of the parents of the children who attend your school.

For further enquiries, the Children’s and Youth Services library staff can be contacted on 9847 6107 during business hours or at cyslibrary@hornsby.nsw.gov.au.

Kind regards,

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