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Kindergarten Information Afternoon

Thank you to our lovely Kindergarten teachers, Mrs Coventry, Mrs Mackay and Miss Lester for hosting a Kindergarten Parent Information Afternoon last Tuesday. It was wonderful to see many parents in attendance. I hope that the session was helpful and gave you the opportunity to find out more about kindergarten routines, meet each other and connect as a group.

Learning Goal Meetings

We are in the swing of Learning Goal Meetings this week. I am hopeful that you have or will find these sessions beneficial. The aim of the meeting is for you to meet your child’s 2024 class teacher and for teachers to find out a little more about your child: their strengths and areas for development. When teachers know their students well, learning can be tailored to individual needs and outcomes are greatly increased.

I understand that 10 minutes per meeting is quite short. Some teachers have 30 meetings to fit into their day so having a longer time is a little difficult. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher though if you feel that you need to let them know more about your child. Now that teachers and parents have met face to face or via zoom, communication channels have opened. Positive, respectful two-way communication between teachers and parents can only benefit students. Class teachers look forward to working collaboratively with you throughout your child’s educational journey in 2024.

Warm Regards

Alison Filipic

Principal

NAPLAN

This term, students in Years 3 and 5 will undertake the NAPLAN assessment.

NAPLAN provides schools with valuable information about your child’s learning progress in literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN is only one way we assess student learning in years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March in 2024.

Your child's teacher is getting students ready for NAPLAN and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Students will become familiar with the types of questions in the tests and the online testing platform that we use. In addition to school preparation, I want to share with you some information on how you can further support your child for NAPLAN.

Preparation for NAPLAN 

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN and do not need excessive preparation or the use of services by coaching providers. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program. If you or your child/children would like to know more about the NAPLAN online platform you can go to the public demonstration site and do some practice tests and past NAPLAN papers are also available online. 

Participation in NAPLAN 

Adjustments are available for students who have diverse functional abilities and needs. On a case-by-case basis, reasonable adjustments for individual students can be made so they can complete NAPLAN. Speak to your child’s teacher to discuss the adjustments available. For more information read the Guide for schools to assist students with disability to access NAPLAN (PDF 96 KB). 

Assessment tips 

You can support your child by reminding them to simply do their best. You can also encourage: 

• a healthy diet 
• drinking lots of water 
• getting enough sleep 
• exercise and relaxation time

These along with arriving at school on time ready to sit the test will help prepare our school to bring their best on the day. 

Backflips Against Bullying 

Monday saw the team from Backflips Against Bullying engage our 3-6 students with parkour and acrobatics, aimed at demonstrating the impacts of bullying and providing strategies for bystanders and victims.

This complements our Personal Development and Health areas of the curriculum. The students were really engaged in their sessions! 

2R  

2R were exploring the concept of comparison during mathematics, where they used differing objects to measure the length, height and mass, comparing the amount to the total of another object. Some wonderful discussions were had and deep learning occurred!

Kind Regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

We hope you have a lovely week!

Burumin Award Winners

1.  Annie Z (2C) - Responsibility

2.  Audrey L (2R) - Respect

3.  Joanna R (1P) - Responsibility

       

The NSW Premier's Reading Challenge is now open and Pennant Hills Public School is excited to be participating!

What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The PRC is a statewide Challenge that encourages students to develop a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students and enables them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a challenge to encourage each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely.

All students who complete the challenge and have their reading record validated by the school’s PRC coordinators will receive a certificate signed by the Premier of NSW.

How many books do students need to read?

Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are challenged to read or experience 30 books. 20 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books. The K-2 PRC coordinator will keep a record of books read and register the challenge for your child.

Students in Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 20 books independently. At least 10 of these books must be from the relevant Challenge booklists, and up to 10 books can be personal choice books.

If a book is from an approved PRC series, students can enter up to 5 books as Challenge books and can read up to 10 other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. More information on the rules of the Challenge can be found on the PRC website.

Books must be added to a student’s online reading record by Friday 23 August 2024 for their reading record to be validated and receive a certificate.

How do students log their reading in Years 3 to 6?

Students can access the PRC’s Student Experience site using their DoE username and password, or can log into the site via the Student Portal. A video guide explaining how to use the Student Experience site can be found here.

Pennant Hills Public School Students may also record their reading on the Personal Reading Log and submit it to the 3-6 PRC Coordinator by 23 August 2024, who will complete the reading log on the students’ behalf.

Mrs Griffith, Ms Schmidt, Mrs Holdway

PRC Coordinators

Lucky Teddy got to read some of the 2R Echidnas books.

He read so many, he needed a little nap!                                                              

In a world where technology is often king, the simple

act of reading to a furry friend can have a profound impact on children.

Some of the benefits of reading to Teddy- or to your own dog-are:

• Enhance reading skills
• Build confidence
• Cultivate a love for reading
• Develop social skills
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Foster emotional connection

Reading to dogs is a valuable and rewarding experience for children. The benefits of reading to animals isn't just for the children. Animals are also helped from the attention they receive. It gives children a sense of purpose when they sense the animal is benefitting from their kindness and attention through the act of reading. Pet dogs can help kids become better readers and more confident people- what a win!

Ms Schmidt

Learning and Support Teacher

Clean up Australia Day is on Sunday 3rd March this year

It's hard to believe that what was started over thirty years ago, by Ian Kiernan, AO, an "average Australian" who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard has now become the nation's largest community-based environmental event, held annually on the first Sunday in March.

Over twenty million Aussies have stepped up over the years, donating their time to improve the environment.

This year, Pennant Hills Public School will be doing their part and taking to the school grounds on Monday 4th March.

Please send a pair of gloves and a bag with your student on Monday 4th March to help us do our bit to keep Australia clean.

Thank you for your support.

The Green Team

PSSA Sports

Summer Interschool Sports commences this Friday. If your child has been selected to represent the school you will need to have the correct uniform and equipment as per the school permission notes.  The Uniform Shop will be doing an additional delivery run this week for urgent PSSA softball/football socks or sports uniform orders.  Please order through Flexischools CUT-OFF 5pm this Wednesday 28 February (for delivery on Thursday).

Uniform Updates

Year 6 Sports Polos are expected to arrive early-mid March.  The shirts will be delivered to your child’s classroom as soon as they arrive. We apologise for any inconveniences. 

Winter Uniforms are starting to arrive and will be available for purchase towards the end of March.  You can already purchase pre-loved winter items on Flexischools, or in-store from the $5 second-hand buckets. 

Second-hand Uniforms

With the generous uniform donations at our second-hand uniform stall, we have plenty of second-hand stock available to purchase in-store or via Flexischools.  The Uniform Shop continues to accept donations of second-hand items throughout the year as all profits go towards supporting the school and provides great uniform options for other families. 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 which have been sorted and in very good condition. Only 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 from the $5 buckets at the Uniform Shop.

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. (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.

Flexischools Ordering

Order on Flexischools via the “SHOP”.  If the “SHOP” icon doesn’t appear on your page, you may need to refresh your browser or pull down the screen for mobile devices.

• 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

HARMONY DAY is on Thursday 21st March.

The canteen is offering a special menu to celebrate this. You will be able to place your  orders through Flexischools starting tomorrow.

Harmony Day orders must be placed by 5pm Sunday 17th March or you will miss out!!

There are lots of delicious options to choose from. See below for the menu.

There will be no other Lunch/Recess orders on this Day. 

Help Wanted!

We would love to recruit some more helpers for Lunchtime serving at both sites

• K-2: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1pm - 1:45pm.
• 3-6: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 1:15pm - 1:50pm.

If you are available at any of these times we would really appreciate your help!! Please contact Claire Phillips - 0403 810 391 if you are keen to help or would like to know more.

PSSA Lunch

• If your child is in a Stage 3 PSSA Team PLEASE remember to click on the Alert when ordering lunch on a Friday. It is at the top of the menu page.
• 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. Thank you.

Harmony  Day  Menu

• Hot Dog - no sauce $4.00
• Hot Dog - Tomato Sauce $4.00
• Vegie Delight Hot Dog - no sauce, Vegan $5.00
• Vegie Delight Hot Dog - Tomato Sauce, Vegan $5.00                                   Beef & Bean Burrito $5.00
• Bean Burrito $4.50
• Coconut Chicken Thai Curry with Rice, GF $5.50                                         
• Spring Rolls (2), Vegetarian $1.50 
• Gluten Free Spring Rolls (3), Vegan $2.50
• Rice Paper Roll - Vegetable, GF, Vegan $5.50
• Rice Paper Roll - Teriyaki Chicken $5.50
• Lamington Finger 50c
• Want Want Crackers (2) 50c
• Orange Jelly Cup 125g, GF  $1.30
• Orange Poppyseed Muffin, homemade $1.50  

DRINKS   

• Chill J’s $2.80
  • Apple Coola, Grape, Lemonade, Orange Passio Raspberry, Watermelon, Blackcurrant
• Just Juice $2.00
  • Apple, Apple/Blackcurrant, Paradise Punch, Orange
• Spring Water $2.00      

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

Dear BASC Families, 

As the School Disco (6^th of March) approaches, we wanted to inform you that we would be happy to take your child/ren over from BASC. There will be a permission sheet to sign located out the front of the BASC building over the coming days. 

By signing this, you give permission for BASC to take your child/ren to the disco at 4:00pm for K-2 or 5:15pm for 3-6. It is important to note that for K-2, all children will be returning to BASC after the disco ends at 4:45pm. You will have to wait for them to be signed back into BASC and then sign them out as normal. For 3-6 children, we will not be picking them up from the disco at 6:15pm.  

The cut-off for permission to be granted for your child to attend the disco from BASC is midday on the 6^th of March. Any children that do not have permission after this time will have to remain at BASC. We do not have the staff to spare to call for permission once the afternoon session has begun – so please don’t forget! 

Thank you!

PHBASC Team

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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