Harmony Week

This week is Harmony Week where we acknowledge our multicultural society and celebrate our diversity. Sadly, this has been overshadowed by Covid-19. Tomorrow I encourage all students and staff to wear a splash of orange to celebrate Harmony Week. The canteen has arranged an International Food Day and from all reports about previous years, the food is delicious. We do live in a lucky country, even though it may not currently feel like it, and this week is our time to celebrate our diversity. It is what makes Australia, Australia. If you would like more information on Harmony Week please visit www.harmony.gov.au

Outdoor Learning

Over the last few weeks, the students in KD have been utilising the school’s wonderful outdoor settings to take their learning outside. The students have been counting using sticks instead of counters and were having a wonderful time learning.

Merit Awards and Principal Awards

For the meantime, teachers will present students with their Merit Awards in class. This is to ensure students continue to feel valued for their efforts with their learning. Please continue to send in your child’s awards if they are due for a Principal’s Award and I will visit the students in their class to present them with their well-earned award. As soon as the situation changes, we will revert to these awards being presented at a fortnightly assembly.

A decision on the termly Pizza Lunch with the Principal has not been made as yet. This was due to take place in Week 11. As this is several weeks away I will wait until a little closer to the date. Rest assured these students will be acknowledged for their achievements.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Lily (Year 6) who qualified first in her age at the recent Sydney North PSSA Diving Championships. This outstanding achievement means she will represent Sydney North PSSA at the NSW State Championships later this year. Well done Lily!

School Cleaning

All NSW Public Schools are cleaned on a daily basis. This includes, cleaning furniture, emptying bins and vacuuming carpet. In light of the Covid-19 situation our cleaners are ensuring the school is safe through extra measures when cleaning. This includes cleaning light switches daily and door handles. I thank our cleaners for their proactive and supportive approach to ensuring the safety of our students.

P&C

Our school’s P&C do a fabulous job supporting the school and community. As there is no doubt that we are in for a bumpy ride for the foreseeable future it is important that all our community knows that if they experience difficulty arising from this situation please ask. The P&C, and myself will facilitate what support we can to assist you. This school has a remarkable community and whilst we are in for a difficult time, I have no doubt that our school community will support those who need it.

Final Thought for the Week

Our world has changed significantly in the last few days and weeks as we try to combat this pandemic. It is now more important than ever to find and focus on the positives in our lives. Our children need us to show strength and positivity so they can learn how to deal with difficult situations in the future. With this in mind, I thought I would finish this week’s newsletter with a thought from Kate McGahan, “Deep within every crisis is an opportunity for something beautiful.”

Principal's Awards

K-2 Awards: Abigail W, Avy S, Georgie B, Tyler D, Ashley H, Anamarie A, April F, Blake W, Austin D,

3-6 Awards: Kairav K, Charlotte PDS x2, Jasmitha K x3

Kind regards

Matt Pinchbeck

School Principal

Mrs Wasson’s Class

I have set up a Google Classroom and invite all of our students to participate in the weekly mathematics problem solving activity I will be posting. Anyone can participate! It would be wonderful to receive photos of a variety of approaches and strategies being used. I will publish some of the submissions in this weekly newsletter.

Class code - ifzc2kp

This week, your task is to design a 30L (litre) dog pool. I’m looking forward to seeing some really interesting designs!

NAPLAN practice test

On Monday 23 March, students in years 3 and 5 will be participating in a NAPLAN practice test in their classrooms. This is to be of no concern or stress for our students, it is simply to ensure that we have the technological capacity to ensure the test runs smoothly in Term 2.

If your child is in year 3 or year 5, please ensure they bring in over the ear headphones so we can ensure they are participating fully in the practice session.

Lots of Socks Day

Please bring a gold coin donation to support Down Syndrome NSW

Around the school

This week I happened to pop into 5P when they were sharing some of the projects on Antarctica. They shared with me some imaginative dioramas, well done 5P!

3R and 5P have been utilising the new mathematics resources that we have rolled out across the school. Common games that you would play at home can be adapted to utilise mathematical skills, thinking and conversation. Playing cards, dice and dominoes are handy numeracy tools. Great work 3R and 5P for utilising the new resources!

The soft fall on the K-2 site has been completed and we are waiting for it to cure. Doesn’t it look fantastic?! We are so excited to try out our new surfaces.

Our music room is up and running! I love walking into school in the mornings listening to rehearsals and throughout the day Ms Stevens conducts her music lessons in this room also. A fabulous flexible space.

Staff profile

The staff profile for this week is Mrs Karen Gifford. Mrs Gifford is new to our school on a full-time contracted basis but she was at Pennant Hills a few times in 2019 for casual days. Welcome Mrs Gifford, 4G are really enjoying their time with you and we are glad you are with us for 2020.

Kind regards

Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

2021 High School 

Please return all 2021 High School forms by Friday 20 March.

ALL FORMS MUST BE RETURNED to your child’s teacher even if you are not intending on going to a Government School.

Kind regards

Melissa Griffith

Assistant Principal

KD - Sarah-Lynn L, Henry J, Vanya M, Xavier D,

KH - Alexandra P, Eleanor P, Hannah C, Molly M, 

KP - Keyan P, Lily B, Reeti G, Anderson X,

K/1R - Asher M, Marcus T, Paul Z, 

1D - Sanidhu H, Matilda S, Yitian C, Audrey W, Jasper B, 

1E - Emily H, Leonardo D, Moksha Y, Kaiden C, Chloe C, 

1S - Emma L, Tyler D, Anamarie A, Olivia Y, Henry H, Millie V, 

1/2H - Sean B, Jade T, Ella K, Isaac L, 

2C - Shahab A, Esther M, Gemma D, Avy S, Dehlon P, Amity G,

2M - Angela C, Ezekiel M, Lilly N, Megan N, Aryan D, Isabelle D, 

2W - Stephen D, Kay M, Darcy W, Hannah R, Stuart W, 

Computer - Zoe S KP, Dash S K/1R, Sanidhu H 1D, Ashley H 1/2H, Ava N 2C, Kaiden T 2W, Evie B KH, Jayden W 1S, Sophie S 2M, 

EAL/D - Rina B 1E, Spencer C 1S,

Music - Jasper C 1/2H, Leon F 1S, Daniel-John R 2W,

Scholastic Book Club – Issue 2

A reminder that the closing date for Issue 2 online orders is tomorrow Wednesday 18 March.  If you wish to place an order from the Book Club catalogue you will need to go the Scholastic Book Club LOOP website page, register/update your details if you haven’t already done so and then pay by credit card.  The catalogue can also be viewed on the Scholastic Australia website.

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.

Regards

Ms Davis

Teacher librarian

This week is Harmony Week

Harmony Week is all about celebrating the amazing cultures that make up our country.  Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world – from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the 49% of Australians who were born overseas or have a parent who was. 

Our cultural diversity is a great strength and brings with it a whole host of traditions, religions, languages, and of course, food!  It helps us to do things in different ways, reduces discrimination and lets us accept difference.

The event has been renamed Harmony Week to recognise the diversity and inclusion activities that take place during the entire week e.g. at schools and workplaces throughout Australia.

Harmony Week includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

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.

This 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

Be creative! Be Proactive!

• Time to create a poster against Bullying.
• Use colour, use pictures, use different fonts; let's make the message loud and clear.
• Posters will be hung around the school and the top 4 winners will receive an award.
• Hand in your poster early Term 2. The final submission date will be communicated shortly.

Regards

Melissa Griffith/Assistant Principal

and Year 6 Leadership Team

PSSA Scoreboard Friday 13 March

Stage 3

Pennant Hills Public School v Cherrybrook Public School

Oztag Boys:

Pennant Hills PS def Cherrybrook PS 20-5

Oztag Girls:

Pennant Hills PS def Cherrybrook PS 9-8

Softball Boys:

Cherrybrook PS def Pennant Hills PS 9-6

Softball Girls:

Pennant Hills PS drew with Cherrybrook PS 11-11

Congratulations to Joel N on his selection in the Beecroft Zone Boys Soccer team! Good luck at the next trial against Ryde Zone.

Stage 2

Pennant Hills Public School v John Purchase Public School

Leaguetag:

Boys Pennant Hills PS def John Purchase PS 7 to 1

Girls Pennant Hills PS def John Purchase PS 10 - 8

Auskick:

Boys John Purchase PS def Pennant Hills PS 14-2.

Girls Pennant Hills PS def John Purchase PS 25-2.

"Last Friday we played against John Purchase Public School. Our students played really well and are improving their skills with each game. Both teams showed great sportsmanship and teamwork while having a lot of fun! Looking forward to sport next week".

Regards

Mark Bryant

6B Classroom teacher

Relieving Assistant Principal (Th/Fr)

Gift from Year 6 of 2019.

A special thank you to Year 6 2019 for fundraising money to go towards the mural on the K-2 site. Robin Martin our talented mural artist has nearly finished the mural and it looks fantastic. Please drop in and have look.

As you have all heard by now, in consultation with Mr Pinchbeck, we have had to make the very difficult decision to cancel our fete due to the escalation of COVID-19. A huge amount of work has gone into organising it already. I would like to thank Chris Kulatunga, Greg Hammond, Luke Whenman, Chris Muffett and Dayan McLeod for all their hard work in planning the fete up to now. Also to all the stall coordinators and everyone else who has put time and effort into it already this year, thank you and rest up. Let’s regroup, unite and work towards Fete2021 when it returns bigger and better next year! 

Fundraising

Since we have had to cancel fete, which is our main source of income, the P&C Exec have been discussing other fundraising options to keep us rolling along. The Silent Auction team is gearing up for a smashing online auction later this year, the Raffle is still going ahead (see below) and the Fete Team are planning some new Christmas Markets during our Carols event!  We are looking forward to getting right back into it and getting our great community back on track. 

Raffle tickets live on Flexischools 

Even though Fete2020 has been cancelled, the raffle is still going ahead! 

Buy your raffle tickets online on Flexischools and save your change. 

If every family sells or buys their 3 books, we can still raise close to $20,000! It’s the best way to raise funds for our school at this time. Buying raffle books on flexischools also  streamlines the process for the parent volunteers who are counting and banking once the books are returned. Thank you to those families who have already started to send in their raffle money and books.

To be eligible for the early-bird draw on Thurs 2 April, all  returned ticket books must include your child’s name, class, & flexischools receipt number if applicable. 

Stay tuned for a new online platform for raffle ticket selling that will extend our reach even further.

Music Camp postponed. 

In light of the Covid-19 situation it has been decided not to hold music camp on the proposed dates of 3-5 April. We are negotiating a date for camp in August term 3. If your child is unable to make this date, you will be offered a full refund. We thank you for your patience as we work to find a solution. Please direct any questions you may have to phpsmusiccamp@gmail.com  

Again, since we had to postpone the Music Camp which is also very disappointing for our kids, I'd like to thank Jen Whalan, Phil Young and Sarah Matheson for all their efforts in planning the event. We can’t wait until it rolls around again soon.

GREEN TEAM 

The NSW Govt has announced plans to ban the plastic bag.

While the spread of COVID-19 is dominating our news and thoughts, you may have missed this positive step in the war against waste for NSW. Last week, the Premier Gladys Berejiklian and our local member for Hornsby, Environment Minister Matt Kean, released a discussion paper about reducing, and managing how we use plastics in NSW. This is the first step to introduce legislation to effectively ban single-use plastics, including bags, in NSW.

We are the last state in Australia to ban the plastic bag. South Australia did it way back in 2009! Kids in year 5/6 in South Australia, were born into a state that had already banned the bag!

Of course, we don’t need to wait for NSW Government legislation to act now.

Beecroft have banned plastic bags in their shopping area, the major supermarkets no longer offer single-use plastics and Harris farm encourage customers to make use of their boxes or buy a paper bag if you forget your own.

So let’s make a difference in our local area. Remember your shopping bags, pack your own water bottle and if you have any return and earn bottles, you can always drop them in the school’s return and earn bins.

Have your say on the NSW Plastics Plan -

https://yoursay.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics-plan

Contact us at phpsgreenteam@gmail.com

P&C Calendar

NEXT MEETING of the P&C is on Tuesday 7 April and 7.30 pm. To be confirmed closer to the date.

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

• Calling all Piano players! The PHPS band program is on the 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.
• 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. The polos are worn by students at 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 SHORT SLEEVED SHIRTS

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

WINTER UNIFORMS

All students are required to wear winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. In readiness for next term, winter stock is arriving throughout the week. Orders can be placed for winter uniforms online and the items will be delivered to your child’s class or alternatively you may attend the shop during opening hours.

The boys’ winter uniform is a long grey trouser, a unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt and a unisex tie. The girls’ winter uniform is a grey and blue tunic or a navy pant, with a unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt, navy tights and a unisex tie. In addition to the compulsory winter uniform, the Uniform Shop sells optional winter uniform items. There is an optional winter weight polar fleece jacket that can be worn in place of the summer weight zip jacket, and a navy track pant that can be worn instead of the sports shorts during the colder months.

DR SHOE

Dr Shoe will be attending the Uniform Shop this 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

Regards

Alison Parker

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com