Student Leaders Excursion – Great Aussie Bush Camp

On Monday the school’s entire student leadership team attended a team-building day at the Great Aussie Bush Camp with Mrs Wasson and Mrs Griffith. The purpose of the day is to bring the group together and learn skills to be effective leaders and work as a team. It was great to see their excitement as they returned in the afternoon. They all had a story to tell about the day: what they were able to take away as an individual and as a leader. 

Staff Professional Learning

Our staff are committed to professional learning and undertake many professional learning opportunities throughout the year. Most of these opportunities take place weekly in our professional learning meetings, however, we also attend professional learning courses run by the Department of Education and outside providers. This Wednesday night most of the staff will be participating in a session on Teacher Wellbeing at West Pennant Hills Public School from 3:30-7pm. 

This particular course is “Building Collective Teacher Efficacy” and focuses on providing strategies in:

• Self-care to plan for our own wellbeing
• Mindfulness training to manage stress
• Cognitive reframing to shift perspective
• Strength acknowledgement to understand differences
• Emotional management to reduce blame and be proactive
• Feedback strategies for sharing insight into professional practice
• Coaching psychology for solution-focused conversations
• Growth Mindset approaches to managing challenges
• Celebrate achievements and success to acknowledgement impact

The role of an educator has changed greatly over the years with increasing accountability. Now, more than ever, it is important for wellbeing to be at the forefront of supporting staff as they continue to meet the demands of quality education for our students. 

Parent Information Session

Mrs Kate Wasson and Mrs Melissa Griffith will be providing an update on the changes currently underway at PHPS with the delivery of Mathematics in the school. The session will focus on the professional learning that has already taken place for staff and will continue to do so, as well as talking about the school’s investment in purchasing resources to support the teachers. All these changes are a part of the school’s plan to improve the student’s numeracy skills and knowledge. This session is directly before tonight’s P&C meeting and will begin at 7pm in the hall.

P&C

Tonight is the AGM for the P&C. This meeting will begin at 7:30pm in the hall and will be followed by the monthly meeting. Everyone is invited to participate in the discussions. However, you can only vote if you are a financial member of the P&C. Supporting the P&C is supporting your child’s education at PHPS.

Principal’s Awards

K-2 Awards: Norah H, Emma C, Joey C, Zoe C, Johan A, Adam C, Audrey M,

William P. 

3-6 Awards: Munira G, Zoya K, Rushan K, Georgie D, Sophie M, Lauren P, Elle B.

Kind regards

Matt Pinchbeck

School Principal

Maths Talk

Please join Mr Matt Pinchbeck, Mrs Melissa Griffith and myself at our Maths Talk tongiht. We will discuss some of the changes we are making at Pennant Hills P.S. to the  way we are teaching maths and the way our students are engaging in mathematics.

There will be a short Q&A at the end of the session. This is a great way to keep up to date with what is happening at our school and you are welcome to stay on afterwards for the P&C Annual General Meeting.

When: Week 6, Tuesday 3 March

Time: 7pm followed by P&C at 7:30pm

Where: School Hall – Trebor Rd site

Great Aussie Bush Camp

Yesterday, 25 students from the leadership team, Mrs Griffith and I travelled to Kincumber for the Great Aussie Bush Camp. Everyone had an amazing time, learning new skills on the archery range, building shelters with found materials, cooking damper and getting outside of their comfort zone on the giant swing. It was a great bonding experience for the students as they battled the heat, which was a bit much for some, having a snooze on the bus on the way home.

Lots of Socks Day

Please bring a gold coin donation to support Down Syndrome NSW

Selective High School Test Centre Advice

The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday 12 March 2020 from 9.00am to 1.30pm.

Unless parents have made special arrangements with the High Performing Students Team to attend an individually allocated test centre candidates from this school have been sent to:

 Turramurra High School
  Maxwell St
  TURRAMURRA SOUTH NSW 2074

 Go to 

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7 to find:

• Test centre allocations by public school. 
• A map of test centre addresses under the heading 'The test'.
• The bulletin, Test information for parents and students. The bulletin contains very important information about the test and should be read carefully.

Around our school

School is such a busy place. Below are some of the daily occurrences, teaching and learning that happen around our school.

Construction works on the K-2 playground – new rubberised softfall coming soon!

     A reading group with Mrs McSweeney     Year 2 singing and really getting into it!

Kind regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

KD - Kurtis M, Natasha D, 

KH - Max F-S, Joanna A, Chloe J, Reuben L,

KP - Zoe S, David H, Eloise K, Matthew F,

K/1R - Jack V, Kaleiya S, Jack V, Nellie M,

1D - Emma C, Parker P, Sunee G, Emilija L, Luke Z,

1E - Ethan D, Alex A, April F, Olivia G, William P, Clara D,

1S - Leon F, Spencer C, Eleanor T, Jayden S, Christian Z, Letitia J, 

1/2H - Ashley H, Ginger M, Akshaj J, Emily W, Katherine W,

2C - Ben H, Ava N, Adam C, Owen S, Audrey M, Lachlan P,

2M - Hannah M, Zayd M, Lucas V, Liam H, Sasha S, Yuma Z,

2W - Chloe H, Austin D, Georgia B, Jacqui Z, Liam C, Yuvraj L,

EAL/D - Anderson X KP, Sean M 2W, George Y KP,

COMPUTER - Esther P KD, Myat T 1E, Ayesha D 1/2H,

Keyboarding Skills

What are the benefits?

• Students with 10 finger-typing skills have a distinct advantage over one or two finger typing.
• Students can practise at home at their own pace – an online subscription means that they can continue their practice between the school and home environment seamlessly.
• School projects and assignments can be completed in time, with better presentation.
• Students can write, reply to emails and messages quickly, as well as taking part in discussions and forums quickly and efficiently without losing their train of thought.
• Students with good keyboard skills are more confident when using other software packages.

The students from 3-6 have completed a speed test. To track their progress they have set their goal and made a plan to achieve that goal before the next test in June/July. It is very important that they practise, to achieve the goals that they are setting for themselves in their journey towards becoming a proficient touch typist.

Note: I continue to have many ex Penno Primary students now in high school who tell me they are grateful that they learned how to touch type, as they are better able to complete their high school work.

Regards

Diane Maddison

Technology  Coordinator

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Kincumber 2020 Great Aussie Bush Camp 

On Monday the 2nd of March, the 2020 leaders went off to a camp to learn leadership qualities and skills. It was super fun!

When we arrived at Kincumber our tour guide Tom was there to greet us. He told us about the fun things that we will be doing and soon after we were off to our first activity, which was a challenging lesson of archery! There were four targets that we were aiming at. After a safety briefing and a couple of laughs, we learned how to use a bow and arrow. It was much harder to hit the target than we thought!

Next, we did a shelter building exercise that helped us work together and collaborate with each other. The aim was to build a shelter that could protect you in the rain. When we finished, everyone cooked damper. We twirled the damper (that was on a stick) and ate them with maple syrup. It was delicious!

After that, the Leaders sat down and had a lovely lunch of hamburgers! As soon as we finished, we headed down to a field and saw a giant swing! This swing can go up to 17 meters high, dropping all the way down, then all the way back up again! The team got into groups of 3 and put on harnesses. Tom told us to pull a rope so the group on the swing could be lifted up. As soon as they said, “STOP!” The rest of the team would let go - and they would safely enjoy the ride!

Lastly, the whole leadership team said goodbye to Tom, and we started on our journey back to school. The Great Aussie Bush Camp was amazing - all of us developed a new sense of adventure!

Maya Kulatunga & Claudia Teuitsch

Regards

Mrs Griffith

The 2020 SPECTRA science program begins this week.

We have fifty-one keen scientists from grades 5 and 6 enrolled in our SPECTRA science program for 2020. This extracurricular activity was reintroduced in 2019 to help support the science and technology discipline at Pennant Hills Public School. Through involvement in this program, students are encouraged to embrace new ideas by means of authentic, open-ended learning experiences.

We can’t wait to get started!

Plus, some exciting 2019 SPECTRA news…

In 2019, the SPECTRA team, in collaboration with Pennant Hills High School, organised and ran the first ever SPECTRA Science Open Day as part of our response to National Science Week events being held across Australia. The event was a huge success.

We are proud to announce that our SPECTRA Open Day has now featured in the December 2019 issue of the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Teaching Science Journal. The full article, ‘Eyes Wide Open’, will be available on our school website.

PSSA Stage 2

Auskick News

Stage 2 AFL students had their first game on Friday 2 March and versed West Pennant Hills Public School. Both teams had great participation and effort by all players. I was very proud of the boys team as they were not discouraged by the score and continued to play to the best of their ability, all whilst having smiles on their faces! The girls showed great teamwork skills which resulted in a victory for their first game. Looking forward to our next game!

Boys: West Pennant Hills def Pennant Hills 80 - 0

Girls: Pennant Hills def West Pennant Hills 47 - 7

Ms Hansell

Austag News

Last week, Stage 2 AusTag teams played West Pennant Hills. Both the boys and the girl's teams from West Pennant Hills had played together last year and were very experienced. Some of the students also play Austag together outside of school.

We tried our very best for our first game together. Our Boys team lost 5 - 3 and the girls were outplayed and lost 10 - 0. We had a great day and learnt a lot from playing against such good teams.

Mrs Gifford

PSSA Scoreboard

Last Friday's scores: Pennant Hills PS v Epping West PS

Oztag Boys: Pennant Hills def Epping West 15-1 

Oztag Girls: Pennant Hills def Epping West 11-2

Softball Girls: Pennant Hills def Epping West 5-4 

Softball Boys: Epping West def Pennant Hills 9-3

This week we play Epping North PS at Pennant Hills Oval.

Congratulations to Molly A on her selection in the Beecroft/Ryde Girls Football team to play at the Sydney North Championships. Good luck, Molly!

Mufti Day this Thursday

We have our first Mufti Day this Thursday 5 March where we ask all students to come to school out-of-uniform and to donate a NEW small packaged toy on the day. 

These toys will be used in our Lucky Dip and as prizes on several of our stalls on fete day. Some suggestions include: pencils and erasers, toy cars, bubbles, balls, marbles, mini puzzles, skipping ropes etc.  Your child can simply bring this toy donation to school on Thursday and hand it to their class teacher on the day.

Raffle Books 

Raffle Books are coming home this Friday! The raffle is a key component of our annual fete, raising $13,000 last year for our school! 

Each family will receive 3 raffle books this week, which we ask you to sell and return ticket books and money to the school. 

The letter with the raffle books will explain everything you need to know about the competitions for most tickets sold, early-bird prize draws and some shopping centre selling days you can sign up to to sell even more tickets! 

Please get behind this great fundraiser for our school. Flexischools is available again and will open in two weeks.

Curry lovers

Are you willing to cook curry on fete weekend? Please get in touch at phpsfete17@gmail.com or contact Christine Lee on 0411 310 823 this week. 

We’re still looking for International Food stall cooks eg dumplings, sushi or any other cuisine you can offer. 

Sponsorship and Donations

Our annual fete brings around 3500 people through the gates of PHPS and local businesses can gain great exposure to the community through sponsorship and donations (including Silent Auction). 

This year there are multiple ways of getting involved including the Dunking Tank, sponsoring refill water stations and sustainability initiatives and donating to the silent auction. A ‘How To Get Involved’ pack will be available for any enquiries. Please contact the Silent Auction team at phps.silentauction@gmail.com for more information.

Equipped with the information pack above, in the next 4 weeks the Silent Auction team and class 1S need a volunteer group of parents who can chat to businesses and shops in Pennant Hills, Thornleigh, Normanhurst, West Pennant Hills, Oak Hill and Cherrybrook. If you can help please contact Elizabeth Grunbach on 0416 080 408.

Important dates for your calendar:

• Thursday 5 March Mufti Day 1 - toys
• Sunday 29 March Drop Off Day 1-3 pm at the K-2 site COLA
• Thursday 2 April Mufti Day 2 - lollies
• Sunday 3 May Drop Off Day 1-3pm at the K-2 site COLA, Gardens and Grounds Day 1-3pm at the K-2 site
• Thursday 7 May Mufti Day 3 - lollies
• Monday 4 May Fete Meeting - optional
• Sunday 17 May Bunnings BBQ
• Monday 18 May Final Fete Meeting - All stall holders need to attend.
• Saturday 23 May Fete Set Up Day
• Sunday 24 May Fete Day (click for video)

Fete Performance Schedule 2020 

10:00   Announcements

10:10   Boys’ Dance Performance Group 

10:20   Stage 2 Dance Performance Group

10:30   String Ensemble + Festival Strings

10:50   Year 2 Dance Performance Group

11:00   Stage 3 Performance Dance Group

11:10   Trebor Singers (All Year 2)

11:20   Training Band

11:35   Weemala Choir

11:45   Intermediate band

12:05   Greycliffe Choir  (Combined Choir)

12:15   Jazz Band

12:35   Ramsay Choir

12:45   Senior Band

1:10 ****Changeover****

1:15 Pennant Hills High School String Ensemble   

1.40 Pennant Hills High School Choir

2.00 Pennant Hills High School Concert Band

Drop Off Day- Sunday 29 March

The first drop off day is coming up on Sunday 29 March 1-3pm under the K-2 COLA, now is a great time to declutter drawers, garages and cupboards! There will be a range if items accepted:

TOYS -

In working order, cleaned and wiped down please. Dolls houses, bikes, scooters, puzzles, dress-up clothes, games, children’s jewellery, cars, dolls, roller blades, skateboards, kids activities. No soft toys unless washed and in good condition please. 

WHITE ELEPHANT - Homewares and hardware

Clocks, art work, cooking equipment, crockery, cutlery, vases, camping gear, baskets, baby equipment and cots, bikes, home linen in good condition, platters, kayaks, unopened beauty products, glassware and crystal, hardware (eg tool kits) all welcome. Please note that second hand car seats cannot be accepted.

BOOKS -

Second hand fiction and non-fiction for all ages, book sets & LPs accepted. This stall will not be accepting magazines, old textbooks, videos or dvds.

SECOND HAND CHILDREN’S CLOTHES -  

Bring children’s clothes sizes 0 to 12 to the drop off day. Must be in good and wearable condition, all washed please. Children’s dresses, pants, skirts, shirts and t-shirts, children’s bags, jewellery, hats and accessories. If possible, donate girls and boys clothes in separate bags to help our ‘sorting team’.

To minimize waste and time we kindly ask not to bring clothes with holes, visible spots, broken zips or missing buttons. Underwear, swimwear and socks will not be accepted for hygienic reasons. We will not be accepting any shoes and adult clothes at this drop off day.

FABRICS & CRAFT MATERIALS - The Local Makers stall needs supplies!

If you have spare fabric, zippers, cord, polar fleece you can donate please bring it along or contact Kate Ashton on 0410 686 007. The Local Makers are also seeking white cardstock for handmade cards. 

BAGS and BOXES - Bring spare cardboard boxes, plastic bags and cloth bags.

If you have any questions or want to get involved please contact Christine Kulatunga 0424 744 315.

P&C Calendar

• Next P&C Meeting and Annual General Meeting - Tonight Tuesday 3 March 7.30pm in the school hall K-2 site. Please join Mr Matt Pinchbeck, Mrs Melissa Griffith and Mrs Kate Wasson for the Maths Talk at 7pm prior to the P&C Meeting.
• Welcome BBQ - Friday 6 March from 5pm under the K-2 HOLA outside the hall. 

All families and children are welcome!

If you would like to subscribe to our P&C meeting emails, minutes and agendas, please subscribe at the following link: http://eepurl.com/dlK3PD

Andrew Passé-de Silva

President, PHPS P&C

pandcpresident@gmail.com

0410 653 878

• Music camp registrations were finalised last week. Reminder for parents to fill in medication and Special Diet forms and to please email them to phpsmusiccamp@gmail.com
• A few changes have been made to the Music camp program so requesting all parents to carefully go through the information provided on the P&C website including links to the dietary and medical forms. http://www.phpspandc.org.au/band/music-camp/music-camp-information/
• Reminder to all the band students coming to the Music camp to buy a music polo from the uniform shop if they do not already have one.
• The new band room at K-2 site is proposed to be available for the rehearsals from week 9 of this term onwards.
• We will need band parents to help us move band instruments and other band related items to the new band room on either Friday 6 March or Saturday 7 March. If any parent is available to help on these days, please email the below band email address for more details.
• Parents are reminded to please notify the conductor if their child is going to be absent from the band rehearsal.

The Band Committee

phpsband@gmail.com

PHPS String Ensemble

We would love to reduce the amount of packaging which we use through the canteen, particularly disposable plastics. Could you please send your child to school with a spoon and/or fork if they need one for eating their purchased lunch order, especially when they buy an orchy cup or frozen yoghurt? It would be great for the environment and land fill if we could all start making this a habit!

This week’s roster:

K - 2

Wednesday 4 March - Alana and Claire S.

Thursday 5 March - Catherine H . Need one more please.

Friday 6 March - Linda. Need one more please.

3 - 6

Wednesday 4 March - Jenni, Ping and Claire S.

Thursday 5 March - Laks(til 11). Need help please, especially for packing lunches.

Friday 6 March - Narelle, Jacqueline. Help needed for labelling and/or packing.

HARMONY DAY is coming up on Thursday 19 March. The P&C will be offering a delicious international menu through the canteen on this day. Ordering will be through Flexischools. There will be no other lunch orders on that day, but both canteens will be open as usual for over the counter sales.

We will need some extra helpers to run this. Please contact me if you are available.

Heather Tyler

0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

MUSIC POLOS

The Uniform Shop is now selling the music polos which are worn by students at the Music Camp as well as for various performances throughout the year. The music polos are available in sizes 6 through to 16 and retail for $19.50. The music polos are also available for sale through Flexischools but prices will include the Flexischools’ surcharge. 

GIRLS’ PETER PAN COLLARED S/S SHIRTS

Please note that the size 6, 8, 10 and 12 girls’ Peter Pan collared short sleeve shirts have sold out and due to the lengthy manufacture time they will not be available until next summer. 

DR SHOE

Dr Shoe will be attending the Uniform Shop on Thursday 19 March from 3.00pm–3.45pm this term. 15% of all sales are donated to the P&C. Alternatively Dr Shoe can be contacted direct on 0414912838 to arrange a home fitting. 

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/New_Design_Order_Form_and_Price_List_Term_1_2020.pdf

Alison Parker

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com