Filter Content
Last Thursday night saw perfect conditions for the P&C’s annual Christmas Carols evening. It was a wonderful night. It was great to see so many community members in attendance to enjoy the festive season. Congratulations to Dayan McLeod and her team for an amazing night. There was even a report of a man in a red suit visiting the night; sadly, I am unable to confirm this for anyone.
2019 has been an incredible year for the school on many fronts, and I am very proud and honoured to have been a part of the journey. There are so many people to thank it would be impossible to list them, however, special mention needs to go to the following groups;
The students – what you have achieved this year, the way you have conducted yourselves and your support for each other and the school is phenomenal. Well done and keep it up.
The Executive staff – thank you for all your efforts this year in supporting me to run the school. Mrs Wasson and I are very fortunate to be working with such a dedicated group of individuals.
The Teaching staff – an amazing team. Your commitment to the students is superb. Thank you for all your efforts throughout 2019 and I look forward to working with you in 2020.
The Administration and Support staff – The women and men at our school work tirelessly to support the entire school and for that we are extremely grateful.
The P&C – what a dedicated and committed group of parents. Without your unwavering dedication to the school, we would not be in such a great position. Thank you to each one of you.
The parent body – thank you for all your support throughout the year. The school has many parents support the school in their own way and for that, we are extremely grateful.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for 2019 and I would like to take the time to acknowledge our graduating Year 6 students, as they will be leaving us as they embark on high school. Your legacy at Pennant Hills P.S. will long live on after you have left. Thank you for your contributions to our magnificent school and good luck in the future.
Students in Years 1-6 (2020) will return to school on Wednesday 29 January. I do anticipate on this day that we will form 2020 classes, however, our numbers may change and this may affect this plan. I will keep you informed in the New Year.
Lastly, have a wonderful break wherever you may be throughout the holidays. Enjoy time with your family and friends and please stay safe. Given the current fire and drought conditions across NSW I would like to take the opportunity to thank the tireless work of the NSW Rural Fire Service for their tireless efforts, and to the farmers doing it tough. We all hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2020 for what promises to be an even better year than this one.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Thank you
I wanted to start my portion of the final newsletter of the year with a big thank you. Week 10 of Term 4 marks my first year at Pennant Hills Public School as the Deputy Principal. A role that I am enormously proud to be holding in such an amazing place. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to support Mr Pinchbeck in leading Pennant Hills Public School into 2020 and beyond. We are both really excited for the future. Our students are the core of what we, as educators, do and the kids here are kind, friendly, they have a go and try their best – some of the best attributes for life-long learning. The P&C and community have honestly blown my mind this year in terms of their support for Pennant Hills Public School. We are very lucky to have such dedicated volunteers who exceed expectations time and time again – thank you! Finally, the staff. Our Teachers, Office Staff, General Assistant, Support Teachers, Counsellors, Assistant Principals, Mr Pinchbeck – you will not find a more dedicated group of people. Everyday the staff at Pennant Hills go above and beyond to ensure the best support and opportunities are given to all students. Thank you for your support this year, I have never felt more welcome.
Have a wonderful holiday everyone. Enjoy quality time with your families, have fun, make sure you have a break and return safely in 2020.
Smith Family Christmas Appeal
Wow. Just wow. We had an overwhelming response to our Smith Family Christmas Appeal. When I dropped all of the donated items off at the drop off centre last week, the volunteers who package up the gifts were just astounded at the amount of quality items that had been donated. Thank you for your generosity. The picture below displays just some of the donated items.
P&C Carols
On Thursday evening the P&C held a very successful Christmas Carols on the K-2 site. It was wonderful to see such a positive turn out and a great family event. Thank you Ms Stevens for conducting the choirs, the P&C for their organisation, the strings and band conductors and for providing the BBQ. A special visit from the big man in red to boot!
Student Special Mention
We have been advised that Elle B has been selected into the Arts Alive Combined Schools Band in 2020. Congratulations Elle – a fabulous achievement! I look forward to hearing and seeing your performance next year.
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
2C - Zaal N, Nora J, Ryan Z
2M – Dana C, Emily M, Jordan M, Jack C
2P – Jake S, Kenzie W, Kaya G
1/2C – Blake W, Isabella N, Liam C, Adam C
1D – Penelope K, Yuvraj L, Liam T
1E – Lachlan P, Devin J, Zoe C, Georgia B
1S – Ginger M, Chloe H, Ezekiel M, Ethan S, Kay M, Yumo Z
KB – Henry H, Theo B, Jairus B, Sarina L
KD – Sam T, Amira R, Esandu P, Blake K
KP – Kayden C, Sid D, Ashley H, Audrey W
KR – Eleanor T, Alex A, Leonardo D, Rehan K, Dan H, Reyansh S
COMPUTERS – Parker P, Yitian C, Aaliyah P, Stephen D, Julia V, Kobe J, William P, Olivia G, Lara B, Eugene L, Thenuk T, Elinore F
Wednesday 18 December
Graduation Assembly 10am - School Hall
Clap-Out 2:15pm - 3-6 site.
All parents and carers welcome to attend.
Melissa Griffith
AP Stage 3
I can’t believe it’s the last week of school, and last week for our amazing year 6’s.
To our year 6’s, congratulations and good luck as you head off to high school next year. You have all been excellent representatives and ambassadors of our school and made us all proud! Good luck in your future years and I hope you always remember your days at PHPS.
We also bid a sad farewell to some families who have been here for many years. Special thanks to long time P&C members Rae Sheppard (Exec & Band Conveynor & Strings Treasurer) & Otte Homan (P&C Risk Expert), The Morleys - Simon (Exec, P&C and Fete treasurer, various other positions) and Jacinda (School Banking and Fete) and Tim & Wendy (P&C Treasurer) Lockley. There’s families like the Arrowsmiths, Rumings, Spelinas, Hardgroves and Holdgaards, to name a few, who have sat on the P&C, the exec or been heavily involved in band, strings, fete and other P&C initiatives, for many years and contributed so much of their time and effort to make our school the best! If I’ve forgotten someone, I’m sorry but we wish you all the very best in the future and thank you so much to all our families leaving this year, for what you have done and achieved for our school!
To our executive team from this year, Dayan McLeod, Dan Saunders, Russell Nicholson, Mick Wilkin, Chris Kulatunga, Rae Sheppard, Calum Waldegrave, Damon Murray, Luke Whenman, Peta Powrie and Chris Muffett - a massive thank you for all of your support, long hours and commitment because without you, we wouldn’t have achieved all that we did this year. So thank you, you’re an amazing team!
Thanks also to all the sub-committee Convenor, members, Alison in the Uniform shop and Heather in the canteen for another great year and a job well done by all of you.
Special thanks to Mr Pinchbeck, Mrs Wasson, Mrs Griffith and all the staff at PHPS for their collaboration and support of the P&C and for all that you do for our kids.
TWILIGHT CAROLS
It was another wonderful night of carols last week to celebrate Christmas at PHPS. Thank you to Dayan McL, Phil Y, Rae S, Phil Y and Julie Anne S for coordinating the effort! Thanks to all the families who assisted with setting up and packing down. We were well fed by bbq helpers and organisers within the P&C, your time and hard work is also much appreciated.
It’s not too late to join! If you enjoyed Carols, will be in Years 3-6 next year and are interested in joining band, please email Mike for more information at phpsband@gmail.com
PIZZA LUNCH
Thanks to the many volunteers at K-2 yesterday who fed some very hungry kids!
THE GREEN TEAM
To wrap up Term 4, we’d like to share with you the Green Team achievements in 2019:
- Continued service on both sites of return and earn bins, which have been continually supported by the school community, diverting numerous containers from landfill – raising a total of $441 for the P&C in 2019
- A period of onsite ewaste collection
- Clearer signage for recycle bins, to avoid contamination
- Acquisition (via donation from Bunnings Thornleigh) of rotary compost bins and caddies which are in use in classrooms on both sites
- Use of the compost in the veggie garden, which is successfully producing a range of salad veggies for use in canteen salads
- Thanks to Heather’s commitment, composting of fruit and veggie scraps from the canteen, and collection of canteen soft plastic waste for recycling.
- Demonstration on how to make beeswax wraps for Stage 3 students, courtesy of Felicity J (if you are interested in purchasing beeswax, please email the green team for supplier details). Follow this link for instructions of an iron on beeswax wrap making method - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c93HE1h6H5M
- Significant reduction of fete waste (compared to previous years) due to waste separation and a move towards recyclable packaging for food items.
- Installation of bottle refill stations/bubblers at the fete as an alternative to single use water bottles, that are so costly to the environment.
Thank you to our students, their families and our hard working teaching staff for embracing our green initiatives, long may the good work continue. We wish you all a happy festive period and hope that you can make your celebrations as sustainable as possible.
Visit the P&C website for P&C news, calendar dates & other helpful information http://www.phpspandc.org.au/
Finally hope you all have a fantastic safe and Merry Christmas. Whether you stay home or venture away with family or friends, be safe but have an awesome holiday and see you all next year.
Andrew Passé-de Silva
P&C President
0410653878
Christmas Carols
- Congratulations to all the bands for their wonderful performances at the event. This also marks the end of band for this year. Looking forward to meeting you all in 2020. Have a happy and safe holidays.
Key Dates 2020
- All the bands begin their band rehearsals in week 2
- TB instrument hire will be in week 1
- JB open rehearsal will be in week 2
The Band Committee
I would like to thank all of the canteen volunteers. I am so grateful for you all. There would not be a canteen without you!!
Special thanks to Josephine and Vivian who are moving on from PHPS. I will miss working with you.
I would LOVE to hear from anyone who would like to be involved with the canteen in any way next year!!
Roster
Here is the roster for this week. Please remember to sign in at the office of either site before starting your shift.
K -2 Site
Wednesday 18th December – Rebecca D and Catherine H.
3-6 Site
Wednesday 18th December – Bec S. Help needed for packing and serving lunches please.
The canteen will reopen next year on Wednesday the 5th of February.
ENJOY THE BREAK!!
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
Boys Socks
Boys socks in size 13-3 are now back in stock and available for sale.
Paper Bag Surcharge
Due to an increase in cost from the supplier, effective from Term 1 2020, the surcharge for paper bags will increase to $0.45c, and $0.46c on Flexischools including the Flexischools’ surcharge.
Uniform Shop Committee
I would like to thank the committee for their help and support throughout 2019. If you are interested in joining the Uniform Shop Committee in 2020 please contact me at the email address below.
Second Hand Uniforms
If you are leaving the school at the end of the year and have any uniforms in good condition that you no longer require please consider donating them to the Uniform Shop.
Hours For 2020
The last day of trading for 2019 was this morning, Tuesday 17 December. The Uniform Shop will reopen on the following dates and times in Week 1, Term 1, 2020:
Tuesday 28 January, Staff Development Day: 8.45am – 10.45am
Wednesday 29 January, Years 1-6 students return: 8.45am – 10.45am
Thursday 30 January 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Hours will revert to normal the following week.
BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Ordering Uniforms
Uniforms can be ordered by attending the Uniform Shop during opening hours, or alternatively an order form can be completed and together with payment of cash, cheque or card details handed in at either office. Orders will be filled and then delivered to the children’s classes. A combined pricelist and order form can be downloaded from the school website by following the links to Our School and What We Offer. Uniforms can also be ordered online through Flexischools, however prices will include the Flexischools’ surcharge.
Please note that uniform orders cannot be paid via the school online payment service
Hours
Monday and Tuesday 8:45am – 10:45am
Thursday 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Order forms are available on the school website by following the link: https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/p/pennanthil-p/about-our-school/Updated_New_Design_Order_Form_and_Price_List_Term_3.pdf
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager
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.