Pennant Hills Public School eNewsletter

Kinderlinks

Welcome to our new and returning families to Kinderlinks 2024. We saw many happy faces, with only a few anxious ones walking into class this morning. We look forward to seeing our new students over the next four weeks. Thank you to Mrs Coventry, Miss Lester and Mrs Donoghue for running this program. Also, thank you to Nicola Lee and her team from the uniform shop for helping our parents with all their uniform needs.

Thank you to Mia, Ava, Madeline, Charles and Sebastian. What great leaders to our new students. They had a very busy morning, congratulations.

The uniform shop was very busy. Thank you Nicola and Mrs Ctercteko for your help and support to our new and returning families.

Music with Ms Stevens

How lucky I was to pop into 3/4S while at music last week. I enjoyed playing along and learning different rhythms.

Congratulations Kay

Congratulations to Kay M in Year 5, who won 'The School Magazine Orbit 2023 Writing Competition.' Have a read of “The Wiffle Powder," I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Stage 3 Canberra Excursion

Tomorrow, we wave off our Stage 3 students who head off to Canberra. Thank you to Mrs McLaren, Mrs Van der wal, Mr Bryant, Miss Nelson, Miss Griggs, Miss Ings and Mrs McCloghry who have given up their family time to ensure our students have an educational 3 days. Stage 3 have three busy days, starting with an early start from school at 6:30am heading straight to Parliament House. They will also visit Questacon, Institute of Sport and Old Parliament House, just to name a few. Please ensure all students are well and ready for 3 days of fun.

A reminder that all devices, mobile phones and smart watches are to be left safely at home. Have a lovely time Stage 3, I look forward to hearing the lovely stories.

Kind Regards

Melissa Griffith

Relieving Principal

Kindy Orientation

Today was our first Kindergarten Orientation session. It was a great success with the students very excited to experience Pennant Hills Public School. They did some art and craft activities, played and made new friends, listened to stories and talked about what to expect when they come to ‘big school’.

We look forward to seeing them again, each Tuesday morning for the next 3 weeks!

Tell Them From Me Survey

Students in Years 4-6 will complete the Tell Them From Me survey early this week. The survey will be completed in class. Parents who do not wish their child to participate, should have returned their note last Friday.

Parents are also encouraged to complete the survey using the following link - http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/phps2120

Stage 3 Camp

Good luck to students and teachers heading off on Stage 3 Canberra camp tomorrow. I’m sure they will all have a wonderful time and learn a lot. Thanks to our Stage 3 teachers, for giving up time with their own families, to make the camp possible.

Police Liason Officer Visit

Yesterday, Monday 23 October, Stage 2 and 3 students were visited by our local Police Liaison Officer from Castle Hill Police Station, Constable Ethan. He spoke with all of the students about keeping themselves safe online and being respectful at school and in the community. Students were very engaged, answering and asking great questions. Dana C (6S) and Gwen E (4P) helped Constable Ethan demonstrate how to keep calm in a potentially heated argument with role plays on stage. Mr Bryant and Mrs B were apprehended as part of their respective role plays. Luckily, they were both completely innocent and soon released from the handcuffs (once Constable Ethan found the missing keys, of course).

Kind Regards

Melissa Coventry

Relieving Deputy Principal

Student Health Conditions

The Department of Education require new documentation to accompany Action Plans. As a result, we are updating our medical records.

For students with a diagnosed health condition, a note will be sent home with the new document attached for you to complete and return to the office.
If your child no longer requires an action plan or medication, please complete the slip at the bottom of the note and return it to the office.
If your child has a diagnosed health condition and you have not notified the school, please contact the office so we can provide you with the required documentation.
Medication provided must be in its original packaging with the chemist sticker on the packaging.

Thank you.

Mrs Klimoski

Student Administration Manager

Burumin Award Winners

1. Lydia C (KL) - Responsible

2. Zoe W (1/2C) - Respect

3. Alice M (1P) - Aspire

Respect

Responsibility

Aspire

KE

Narvin P

Elena E

Lachlan W

Maneli G

Amelia L

Stella P

KK

Tilly D

George P

Zayne G

Catherine F

Milena C

Anaiyah D

KL

Isla F

Moale S

Kimmy L

Lucy C

Chloe T

Madeleine H

KW

Ali Z

Ellie H

Elodie W

Aidan K

Raiel T

Evie S

1K

Emily M

Tanvesh A

Audrey L

Ollie D

Loya C

Stephanie X

1P

Jasmine C

Daniel S

Dahlia W

Stuart G

Zachary D

Zahra T-E

1Q

Aurelia T

Heidi R

Keshav S

Nathan C

Jono H

1/2C

Ciel Y

Shernelle L

2B

Ariana W

Madeleine B

Ella S

Jayden W

2G

Zahara M

Eliana J

Marc M

Ashleigh D

Wali A

Gavin Z

2T

Chloe N

Sophie L

Sashenka F

Jonathan L

Leroy I

Blake W

STAGE 2

Last Friday, Stage 2 played Thornleigh West PS.

Tee Ball

Boys: TW defeated PH 21 - 12

Girls: PH defeated TW 20 - 9

League Tag

Girls: PH defeated TW 8 - 5

Boys: TW defeated PH 9 - 6

Mr Bryant and Mrs Buchberger

Stage 2 Interschool Sport Coordinators

STAGE 3

Last Friday, Stage 3 played against Dural PS.

Softball

Boys: DPS defeated PH 15 - 5

Girls: PH defeated DPS 12-0

League tag

Boys: PH defeated DPS 13-3

Girls: PH defeated DPS 6-5

Miss Griggs and Miss Ings
Stage 3 Interschool Sport Coordinators

For more information on zone sport click here or scan the QR code 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

Working Bee This Saturday 28 October

Dear PHPS community,

You are cordially invited to the unveiling of our new shredder this Saturday, 28 October from 2pm. The shredder will help us turn garden trash into garden treasure!!

It's a Masport with a Honda engine and can take branches up to about 50mm diameter … Can you tell I’m excited?!? Any adult will be permitted to use the shredder after a brief safety induction.

On the program for this Saturday’s working bee is:

Distributing the remaining mulch pile at K-2 onto the garden bed near the new BASC building.
Cutting back the scraggly shrubs and weeds behind the toilet block and shredding them (huzzah!!) then using that mulch directly on the garden
Spreading some paper daisy seeds in the native nibbles garden

If gardening isn't your thing but you wish to contribute to keeping our school looking lovely there are other ways to help. Take Emma’s lead from the last working bee and bring a bucket/bag and some gloves or tongs and collect some of the rubbish from around the playground. As was pointed out last time, being surrounded by rubbish should not be normalised for our kids- it's just not healthy. It seems an annual Clean up Australia Day effort is not quite enough to keep our school looking tidy. So come and help keep our little patch of Australia beautiful???

Sand from the sandpit mysteriously migrates out of the pit and onto the surrounding ground. I’m sure much fun is had in the process though! Raking/sweeping and scooping that back in would be super helpful too (bring a rake or broom please)

Useful tools to bring would be:

Shovel
Wheelbarrow or bucket
Heavy duty long handled pruners
Secateurs
Bush saw
and the usual PPE (hat, gloves, sunscreen, water)

The GG team are looking forward to seeing lots of friendly faces this Saturday. RSVP on the Whatsapp if you can so we have some idea of numbers. Thanks!!

Cheers from the Gardens and Grounds Team?

Join the Garden Gang Whatsapp group for quickest comms and updates

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

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.

End of Year Special Orders

Please refer to the special-order items below as this is the LAST WEEK to place orders. All orders must be placed through Flexischools by the specified cut-off dates, no additional orders will be accepted after this. If you have misplaced the notes, please refer to the school website.

Year 6 Graduation Signature Bears & Balls – Last week for ordering!

Year 6 students will have received a note on how to pre-purchase their Signature Bears and Balls, online through Flexischools. These are soft items which come with a permanent marker for signatures, as an end of year celebration, and to keep forever. Please note the cut-off date for ordering these are 5pm Sunday 29 October.

Year 6 2024 Sports Polos – Last week for ordering!

Year 5 students will have received a note on how to pre-purchase their Year 6 sports polo to be worn next year (image shows this year’s 2023 polo – the same design will used for 2024). As these are custom orders and a timely process the cut-off date for ordering these are 5pm Sunday 29 October. Please make sure all orders are placed through Flexischools before this date as there will be no additional orders in the new year. These shirts will be expected to arrive in early Term 1 next year for your child to wear as part of their sports uniform.

Kindergarten 2023 Commemorative Tea Towels – Last week for ordering!

Creating Lasting Memories! Kindy students will have received a note on how to order our limited-edition Tea Towel design. It features all the self-portraits drawn by our 2023 Kindy children and their teachers and screen printed onto premium white 100% cotton tea towels. There is a sample tea towel at the K-2 office to view. Don’t forget to order a few extras for family members and your keepsake box. As these are custom artworks for production the cut-off date for ordering these are 5pm Friday 27 October. Please make sure all orders are placed on Flexischools before this date as no additional orders will be accepted. The tea towels will be delivered to your child’s classroom when they arrive sometime in Term 4.

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. Please CLICK HERE to read our information brochure which runs through how to set up a new Flexischools profile. Once you have everything set-up you can purchase Kindy 2024 packages, summer uniform items and preloved items (only available through Flexischools). If you prefer to come into the Uniform Shop, please make an appointment under “Kindy Appointment” for sizing and purchases, we would be happy to help!

Kindy Uniform Open Days – an information stall will be set up for sizing and enquiries at the first two Kindy Orientation sessions. Please note purchases will NOT be available at the stall, you will need to purchase online through Flexischools (which will be packed and ready for collection at the last Orientation session) or via appointment at the Uniform Shop.

Session 1 – Tuesday 24 October, 10.30-11.30am (info stall only)
Session 2 – Tuesday 31 October, 10:30-11:30am (info stall only)
Cut-Off date for online Flexischools orders - 5pm Wednesday 1 November
Session 4 – Tuesday 14 November, 10:30-11:30am (COLLECTION OF ORDERS)

Pre-Loved & 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 (NEW - Tuesday & Thursday)

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

Nicola Lee

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com

Join Band in 2024!

For those of you who came along to the Intro To Music night we hope you found it informative, and your child had a great time and got to try lots of instruments.

From here if your child wants to join band we need you to fill in the Expression of Interest form. 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, and provides your permission (or not) for them to participate in a tutor & conductor-led 'blow test' to help us best match your child to an instrument.

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

If you didn't attend the night but your child would still like to join the band program next year that's completely OK. Just fill in the form, and your child will still get to have a go on the instruments at the blow test.

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 your child is still "on-the-fence" about joining the band, please still fill in the form as it allows them to participate in the blow test, then you can make a decision about whether they join or not later on.

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 will have instrument offers out shortly after that.

Playing Music is a full brain workout

Did you know when you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.

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, & 7. 2 parents for weeks 6, 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

The following pieces should be worked on for the Hornsby North Band Festival this coming weekend

TB

Dimensions (https://youtu.be/Tq1q_HY2vL0?si=5dmjBfeHdREk0tJD)

Creatures in the Attic (https://youtu.be/2YAD2TEfZpg?si=J4bIwq0yvMb6Kagn)

ICB

The Simpsons (https://youtu.be/1AkVKYLVkFY?si=jCJQ698rdUMKVHHq)

Sugar Creek Overture (https://youtu.be/dy8thiALKAg?si=UsCUJ8b9vi_3MjES)

SCB

Tumba Rumba (https://youtu.be/cfY5FFgrKiI?si=60-_JPfUF-O2VshO)

Where Stand the Dauntless (https://youtu.be/ALQ4PR0pdy4?si=ryGd6UfSumPNUm-h)

Award Worksheets

This is the 3rd week 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

This weekend all our bands are playing at the Hornsby North Band Festival. If you happen to be out that way come have a listen. TB are on early at 8:24am, ICB a little later at 11:24am, and finally SCB in the afternoon at 4:45pm.

Note for band members: these are the performance times, please check you email for arrival and warm up times, approx 40 minutes prior to performance)

Term 4
All Bands	Sunday 29 October	Hornsby North Band Festival
All Bands	Thursday 7 December	Carols/End of Year Concert
SCB, JB	Monday 11 December	*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 Week's Helpers

TB Friday - Ji J & Kunah J

ICB Wednesday - Liam C

SCB Monday - Ying M

SCB Thursday - CANCELLED for Stage 3 camp

PHPS Band Committee