Beecroft Zone Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all our competitors last week at the Beecroft Zone PSSA Swimming Carnival. All students had a great day representing the school and did their best in their events. Thank you to all the parents who supported on the day and Ms Ford and Mr Bryant for supervising and organising our school’s team. There is a more detailed report from Mrs Ford later in this newsletter. We congratulate those students who are now off to the Sydney North Swimming Carnival the very best of luck.

Attendance

When your child is absent from school you are required by law to notify the school of the reason for their absence within two days. Teachers mark the roll every day and they are required to follow up on absences immediately. You can contact the school via note, email SZapp to notify the teacher of your child’s absence.

Just a reminder….If a student misses as little as 8 days in a school term, by the end of primary school they’ll have missed over a year of school.

Great attendance at school increases your child’s chances of success.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent teacher interviews 30.03.2020 – 9.04.2020 (Weeks 10 and 11)

Our school uses an online booking system for parent teacher interviews. Parents will receive a note later this week with all of the details to make a booking online. Bookings will open Monday 16 March.

Novel Coronavirus – Latest information

The school is working closely with the Department and NSW Health to ensure the best possible management of this issue.  We recommend that you watch for signs and symptoms of your child becoming unwell. If they become unwell you should seek medical treatment. At this time it is important that, if you child is currently unwell, you should seek medical advice from your GP. Please call ahead and advise your doctor's office of the situation and they will make the appropriate arrangements to have you seen. Consistent with the department's current guidelines, staff and students unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve.

If any student becomes unwell, our infection control guidelines will be implemented and as appropriate the department will follow the advice provided by the NSW Ministry of Health. If they become unwell, all staff and students are required to self-isolate until they receive advice from NSW Health as to when they can resume their normal daily activities and return to school or work or if they need to continue to self-isolate for a further period of time. Self-isolation and other relevant information on COVID 19 can be obtained from the NSW health website https://www.health.nsw.gov.au

While there are other schools impacted at this time, we are obviously unable to provide you with any details related to this for privacy reasons. Please do not contact the school to make enquiry related to other students or families as we are unable to make comment or provide information about anyone other than your child(ren).

For the latest information about any student exclusions due to Australian travel bans please go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school­safety/novel-coronavirus

Current advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff is:

• Any student or staff member who has left, or transited through mainland China since 1 February, Iran since 1 March or the Republic of Korea (South Korea) since 5 March, is excluded from child care services, school or work for 14 days from the date they left mainland China, Iran or the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return.
• Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case
• Students and staff who have returned to Australia and have shown no symptoms during the 14-day self-isolation period are able to return to child care services, school or work. website homepage https://education.nsw.gov.au/
• Effective of 5 March 2020, the Federal Government has issued updated advice on travel restrictions on Foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) coming to Australia from the Republic of Korea (South Korea). NSW Health have advised, given the early start to the flu season and to minimise the risk of transmission of influenza or other respiratory illness, students should not be attending age care facilities until further notice.

This is obviously a time when things will develop quickly.  Some parents have contacted the school and advised that they are keeping their student at home until further notice. Some parents have also advised that they do not wish for their student to attend particular excursions. At this time we do not believe that there is sufficient risk to students to warrant these responses. The only ban currently in place relates to overseas excursions. Should any development occur where there is a change to the risk to students we will work with the Department and NSW Ministry of Health to ensure appropriate communication and action is undertaken quickly. As a school we will continue to communicate information to you to ensure the appropriate management of this matter when and as it is appropriate to do so.  Please have faith that we are being provided with expert and timely advice to ensure the best outcome for everyone in our community. 

Matlida – Pennant Hills High School Performance.

Congratulations to all of our current and past students who are performing in the Pennant Hills High School musical Matilda. I was lucky enough to see the show today with years 1-6. Well done to the cast, the orchestra, the crew and the production team for an amazing show.  Thank you to Court Cassar for an outstanding production.

Principal’s Awards

K-2 awards: April F, Anamarie A, Ashley H, Tyler D

3-6 Awards: Vivian J, Annabelle R, Alie J, Willow P, Chloe T, Darcy P, Ben A, Rory M, Atticus P, Amy L, Elle B, Lauren P, Sophie M,

Kind regards

Matt Pinchbeck

School Principal

Maths talk

Thank you to our amazing community, the turn out to our maths talk last week was well beyond what we had expected and we are so grateful to feel your support. For those of you who were unable to attend, please be assured we plan to regularly run community sessions before the P&C meetings (first Tuesday of the month) with the aim of informing our community about what is happening across our school. The topics that were covered during our most recent session will be recapped at a future session.

We look forward to continuing to update you on our school’s journey this year.

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 SOUTHNSW 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 the school

I popped into a computer lesson where Mrs Maddison was beginning her lesson on typequick. I was also lucky enough to be in 4G when they were at the planning stages of a writing tasks, they are creating their own fractured fairy tale. The students were so excited about their ideas, a really engaging unit of work.

Staff profile

The staff profile for this week is Mrs Tracey Haselden, a dedicated and passionate educator who is currently teaching part time on 1/2H.

Kind regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

3B - Robert H, Monica L, Nathan P, Leo W-L, Atticus P, Emily M,

3D - Elsie G, Tommy T, Nathan Y, Josh N, Sabrina W,

3R - Mana A, Asa L, Ryo J, Katelyn G, Ryan Z, Ryan P,

4G - Kate H, Raymond W, Mathieu C, Lucas P, Amu L, Megan C,

4M - Liam L, Tristan T, Enoch P, Lachlan C, Althea F, Preston C, Tom S,

4T - Anthony L, Rishita S, Anthony T, Leo J, Vivian J, Charlotte PDS,

5F - Campbell C, Ethan S, Flinn S, Akhash K, Darcy P, Oscar L,

5N - Eden K, Declan W, Poppy S, Rebecca L, Ishaan P, Renee C,

5P - Luke M, Aidan L, Ameya A, Martha M, Manna L, Ava N,

6B - Chloe T, Millie M, Finn D,Bryce H, Kendall R, Lachlan M,

6M - Kairav K, Dehiru H, Kirrily S, Karlos W, Anna D, Ailin A,

6P - Orlando L, Sreevalli P, Harrison W, Arthur A, Abi N, Charlotte E,

Computers - Robert H 3B, Munira G 4G, Elijah L-A 5F, Aimen B 6B, Hamish K 3D,

Liam C 4M, Richard Q 5N, Claudia T 6M,

Library - Logan S 3B, Sidarth G 3B, Sarah C 6B, Sophie M 6M, Charlie W 5P,

Music - Charlie T, Emily N,

Sports People of the Week - Stg2 Sam K Austag.

A huge congratulations to all students who participated in the Beecroft Zone Swimming Carnival at Olympic Park last Thursday. It was a fantastic day with many students coming first in their heats and breaking their best times. A special mention to the following students who are going off to Area:

It was a great day, with a wonderful atmosphere of encouragement and support. A big thank you to all the parents who attended on the day and assisted in transporting students!1^st Junior Boys Relay

Harmony Week 15 - 21 March 2020

As stated on the Harmony Week website:

“Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country – from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.  It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values”.

The message of Harmony Week is “everyone belongs”.  Orange is the colour chosen to represent this week as traditionally it signifies social communication and meaningful conversations.  It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

On Thursday 19 March we are asking students to wear a touch of orange e.g. orange t-shirt, orange socks, orange ribbons to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Gai Davis – Teacher librarian

Angela Krivohlavy - EALD teacher

Harmony Day coordinators

Scholastic Book Club – Issue 2

Twice a term Scholastic Book Club catalogues, featuring an array of books and other items, are made available to the students to take home if they wish to do so.  The catalogues can also be viewed on the Scholastic Australia website.  In turn, our school receives reward points from the orders that are placed and these are used to purchase a range of educational resources. 

As was the case last year parents place their own orders online. Consequently, the school does not accept cash or cheque payments. 

If you wish to order from the Book Club catalogue you will need to go to the Scholastic Book Club LOOP website page, register/update your details if you haven’t already done so and then pay by credit card.  After the closing date for that issue your order will be sent directly to the school and distributed.

How do I register and order?

1. Go to the Scholastic Book Club LOOP website to register your details. You will need to enter your name, email address and a password. Click on “Add new child” and using the drop down menu locate our school and your child’s class.  If you have children on both sites you may decide to register and place your entire order just with one child to save time.
2. Enter your child’s first name and their surname initial. Please note that Scholastic does not share student details with third parties or use this information for marketing purposes. This information is for distribution for when the order arrives at the school.
3. Click on “ORDER" and enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue and follow the prompts to make payment by credit card.
4. All orders are then processed after the closing date and delivered to the school to be distributed.

Please note there is no need to return a paper order form or payment receipts to the school.

Classes will receive the Issue 2 catalogues this week.

The closing date for online orders is Wednesday 18 March.

Ms Davis

Teacher librarian

Get your creative thinking caps on as the Dance Spec Logo Design Competition will be opening soon.

Your design will need to include different aspects of the concert (details will be announced shortly).

• The competition will start on Wednesday 18 March.
• You will be allowed to use 3 colours for your design.

Watch this space for upcoming information!

Tracy Reid

Dance commitee member

SPENDING SURVEY

Our P&C raises valuable funds for the School throughout the year through several fundraising events. Please find below a link to our 2020 Funding Survey. We would be grateful if you would take 5 minutes to complete this survey, telling the P&C how you would like to see this money best put to use for your children.hy

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KVG623Q

GREEN TEAM – SAY ‘NO THANKS’ TO PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

Everyone loves the P&C BBQs and last Friday the environment loved us just a little more as we moved away from plastic water bottles. Instead we had water on tap and re-usable cups on hand. Two Green team members were at the water station to make sure clean cups were available and ready to use.

So why are we saying ‘No thanks’ to water bottles?

Here are just with just a few reasons:

• Australians buy almost 15 billion plastic bottles every year. 32% of these bottles and plastic packaging end up in our oceans every year. That’s the same as dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute!
• It takes 1 PET plastic bottle 700 years to start decomposing. Bacteria, which usually helps in breaking down organic materials, don’t like petroleum-based plastics which is why they don’t break down easily. Technically, they can last forever.
• Plastic is listed as the number one threat to our marine ecosystem. There’s an area in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas - known as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch – which is composed of plastic.

Our children take their reusable water bottles with them to school every day and if they forget, they use the water bubblers. Let’s take a leaf out of their book and remember to take a water bottle for ourselves when we’re out and about.

For future P&C events, the Green Team invite you to refill your keep cup or reusable water bottle from the water dispenser or use one of the cups at the water station.

Contact us at phpsgreenteam@gmail.com

P&C Calendar

• Sunday 29 March - Drop Off Day for fete and Working Bee 1-3pm. We need as many parents as possible to help for 1-2 hours PLEASE. Kids are also welcome to come and play.
• Bring clean second hand items - Toys, children’s clothing, books, household and garage items that are in good condition to resell at fete..
• Bring a wheelbarrow and spade.
• See Fete News this week for more details.

Welcome BBQ

Big thank you to everyone who came along and took part in the Welcome BBQ on Friday night. It was great to see so many new faces and to get together for a chat and get to know our school families. Thanks to Mr Pinchbeck for staying back and helping with the BBQ and to Mrs Griffith, Mrs Reid and Ms Stevens for coming along.  Also big thanks to the exec and all the helpers on the night. Shout out to the Green Team who did a great job running the new water station iniative. 

Communications

Thanks so much to Chris K, Peta P, Bec S, and Christine L for the tremendous job they have done sorting out the class lists for 2020. We also thank the school for all the support and assistance getting this together. And most of all, thanks to all the class parents for volunteering and for providing the crucial Comms to keep our community informed and up to date. #PHPSStayInformed

Raffle tickets live on Flexischools 

News just in - you can purchase your raffle tickets for fete online on Flexischools! We are encouraging the school community to ‘keep the change’ from raffle sales and purchase online. This streamlines the process for the parent volunteers who are counting and banking once the books are returned. 

Please ensure returned ticket books include child’s name and class and a flexischools receipt number if applicable. 

ERROR: The family letter incorrectly stated the 1st prize as $1500, it is actually $1000 as printed on the tickets. 

NEXT MEETING of the P&C is on Tuesday 7 April at 7.30 pm.

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

• As from Monday 9  March all the band rehearsals are now being done in the new music room on the K-2 site. A BIG thank you goes out to everyone who was able to help on Friday afternoon. You all made the job so much easier.
• Calling all Piano players! The PHPS band program is on lookout for a keen piano player to join Jazz band. It does not matter if they are not part of band program until now. If they can tickle the ivories to an AMEB level 3-4 and like the idea of a little jazz, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at phpsband@gmail.com
• Is your child in year 5 or 6 and thinking about playing music in High School? If so, why not get a head start on learning and join the Training Band now? We would still be keen on hearing from anyone who is interested in learning an instrument, and late joining of the band program is still possible.
• Reminder to all band students heading to the Music camp to buy a music polo from the uniform shop if they do not already have one or if they need a new one.
• We still need an ICB parent helper for 18 March and a SCB parent helper for 9 April. Please submit your name if you are available.
• Parents are reminded to please notify the conductor if their child is going to be absent from any band rehearsal.

The Band Committee

phpsband@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’ CULOTTES AND S/S SHIRTS

Please note that the girls’ culottes and Peter Pan collared short sleeve shirts will be packed away into storage this week to make way for the bulk order of winter stock that is due to arrive next week. The girls’ culottes and shirts will be unavailable for sale during the winter months.

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