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Opportunity Class Placement for 2021
The process for applying for an Opportunity Class placement for Year 5 - 2021 has changed slightly due to Covid-19. The applications will now open on 9 June 2020 and close on 26 June 2020. All parents wishing their child to sit the placement test need to register online. The following website contains all the necessary information for this year’s process and links to enrol.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/updates
General information about Opportunity Classes are available at this website.
The OC Placement test will be held on 16 September 2020. An “Intention to Apply” form has been sent home with every Year 4 student. If you do apply please ensure you complete the form and return it to the school. This will ensure everything is completed properly by all involved.
P&C Meeting
The monthly P&C meeting is on tonight at 7:30pm. Due to Covid-19 it is via Zoom. The details for the meeting are in the P&C section of this newsletter. Please feel free to join in and hear about the great work of the P&C as it works tirelessly to support the needs of the school and all the students.
Learning
Over the last week, I have taken the opportunity to visit each classroom, which has been wonderful. Yesterday I spent time in 6M listening to some of the wonderful learning that is taking place. I was really impressed with the students' passion and ownership of their learning. They were able to show and explain to me their learning and in doing so, I learnt so much. Thank you 6M.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent / Teacher interviews will be conducted via Zoom. I have included a detailed “How To” guide for families to allow you time to create a Zoom account and prepare for the meeting. If you are unable to participate in a Zoom meeting, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange an alternative method of communication. Later this week you will receive a specific note with all the details regarding the Parent / Teacher interviews scheduled for later in the term.
Parent teacher Interviews on Zoom
Before the Interview Day
- Make sure you have a Zoom account. To sign up for Zoom, see https://zoom.us/freesignup/.
- Make sure the device you are using has audio and a microphone. If you wish, you can use a headset. An appropriate device for Zoom can be a laptop / computer, smartphone or tablet such as an iPad. If you are using a smartphone or tablet you can download the Zoom app.
On the Interview Day
If you experience technical difficulties or need help on the interview day, please call 9484 1134 between school hours.
- Each teacher has their own Zoom meeting room.
- Go to zoom.us. Sign in, or open the Zoom app on your phone or tablet.
- Go to Join a meeting.
- Enter the Meeting ID for the relevant teacher according to your interview schedule.
- Enter your own name and your child’s name so the teacher can check their interview schedule.
- You will be asked to enter the room’s password. The password for all rooms is penno.
- You will enter the teacher’s waiting room. The teacher will let you in when they are ready.
- Leave the teacher’s Zoom meeting room when the interview is over. Please try to keep within the scheduled time.
Schoolzine (SZapp) Subscription
We have received requests from families to update names on their Schoolzine / SZapp profile. The information below will assist you in updating your details on SZapp or the Schoolzine website.
- Select the ‘Subscribe to Newsletter’ tab highlighted below.
- Complete the ‘Subscribe’ form, enter the new information you would like updated on your profile e.g. name.
- Click ‘Submit.’ The information is sent to Schoolzine who then update the PHPS database.
If after 48 hours you are still receiving emails addressed to the incorrect name, please click here. You will be directed to the Schoolzine Contact Us page where you can submit an enquiry or call them directly.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
PRINCIPAL’S AWARDS
K-2: Theo B, Amira R, Rina B
National Simultaneous Storytime
Around the School – Stage One
Last week I read some limericks
And no they weren’t just a gimmick
Good on you Stage One
It looked like such fun
I didn’t know which one to pick!
Limericks are a tricky concept to master. Not only do you need to think about the amount of syllables in each line, the first, second and fifth lines need to rhyme, as do the third and fourth. And hopefully after all of that it makes a bit of sense. I was really proud to see everyone in Stage One giving this task a go! Below is a limerick from Gemma in 2C and Owen smiling about his cheeky limerick. Well done!
I had some wonderful responses to the Krispy Kreme picture from last week. Chrissie had a great question to ask – “How many doughnuts can you see if the first line has 11 doughnuts?” Great question. I wonder if there is a way to work out how many doughnuts are in the box altogether if some of the doughnuts can’t be seen because of the lid of the box?
Due to students returning to school in a full time capacity, Mrs Wasson’s class is going to go on holidays. Thank you to the students who submitted entries, it’s been great working with you!
Staff Profile
Our staff profile for this week is Mr Mark Scott, our General Assistant (GA). Mark is a man of many hats, a handyman, gardener, courier driver, to name a few. He is new to our school this year and we have welcomed him warmly. When you see him in the playground or between sites, don’t forget to say hello to Mr Scott.
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
KD - William A, Jordan H, Grace A, Eva G
KP - Matthew F, Shriya I, David H, Reeti G
K/1R - Max C, Nellie M, Isla A, Aston A
1/2H - Nathalie H, Ella K, Amelie M, Jamie G
1E - Anton R, Emily H, Fred K, Isabel K
1S - Norah H, Millie V, Spencer C, Kieran H, Amira R, Christian Z
2C - Audrey M, Elliot M, Penelope K, Owen S, Mia M, Dehlon P
2M - Angela C, Zainab D, Lilly N
2W - Willow H, Angus M, Stuart W, Liam C, Georgia B
Last Wednesday, feathers, sparkle, glitz and glamour filled the classrooms as our students viewed Lucinda Gifford reading her book “Whitney and Britney chicken divas” for National Simultaneous Storytime.
Over 1.2 million students throughout Australia and New Zealand participated in this annual event during Library and Information Week.
It was great to see so many “glamorous” students and teachers joining in the fun.
Scholastic Book Club – Issue 4
A reminder that the closing date for Issue 4 online orders is tomorrow - Wednesday 3 June. 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 online at https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/.
Ms Davis
Teacher Librarian
Link: https://sanofi.zoom.com/j/96396857377?pwd=c2ZkaDVMSWtMcGtTZGVmL3M3UGtWZz09
Password: 213846
OR
Meeting ID: 963 9685 7377 Password: 213846
OR
Phone dial in number: 02 8015 6011 and enter meeting details.
Hope you can join us!
Green Team Update
This type of environmental disaster has a huge impact on our marine wildlife. But did you know that every year 370 million plastic water bottles go to landfill? And what doesn’t go to landfill can end up in our waterways and on our beaches. Disposable water bottles take over 400 years to break down!
Here is a great article from the Managing Director of Sodastream Australia:
Our kids are leading the way bringing their water bottles to school each day. Don’t forget to pack one for yourself when you’re out and about! #banthebottle
Contact us with questions or ideas at: phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
Andrew Passé-de Silva
P&C President
0410653878
Things are slowly returning to normal with students now back to school full time. For the time being, band rehearsals will continue to run via Zoom and Google Classrooms.
There are some adjustments to rehearsal times to accommodate students' return to school. We hope they can still participate in band rehearsals.
Training band - Currently split into 3 groups
Group 1 - Brass and Bass Guitars
Group 2 - Flutes and Percussion
Group 3 - Clarinets and Saxophones
We have 2 rehearsal time slots on Friday mornings each week.
Intermediate Band - Currently split into 2 groups
Group 1 - Brass and Percussion
Group 2 - Flutes, Clarinets, and Saxophones
Rehearsals will be on Wednesday mornings.
Senior band - Monday afternoon, 3:45pm to 4:30pm
Jazz Band - Thursday morning, 8:00am to 8:30am
We understand that getting students to and from school may not fit in with the scheduled times, but it is the best we can do at the moment. All of the exercises are on Google Classrooms. They can be worked on at a convenient time should your child miss a rehearsal or attend BASC during rehearsal times.
If you have any concerns, please reach out to your conductor or the band committee.
Please email confirmation of completed worksheets so that we can organise merit awards for the next assembly - phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
The Band Committee
Winter is here!!
Check out all the delicious hot food options on Flexischools.
All purchases must go through Flexischools as we are not offering over the counter sales at the moment. Recess orders are available for the 3-6 site.
This week’s roster:
K-2 site:
We will not require any help until over the counter sales resume
3-6 Site:
Wednesday 3 June - Claire P
Thursday 4 June - Jenni M
Friday 5 June - Jacqueline (until 11am) and Narelle. Help is needed from 12-1pm to pack lunches.
If you would like to be involved with the canteen or have any questions, please contact me.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
Monday 8 June - Uniform Shop closed for the Queens Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 9 June - Uniform Shop will reopen
New Operating Protocols
The Uniform Shop is currently closed for over the counter sales. Uniform orders can be placed online through Flexischools or alternatively download an order form from the school website.
Now that students have recommenced full time school attendance, delivery of orders to classrooms has resumed.
If you have an item that you need to exchange for another size, please contact the Uniform Shop on the email address below.
Please note that all items to be exchanged must be unworn, in original condition with packaging and tags intact. There is no exchange on socks, tights or briefs.
Second Hand Uniforms
If you require second hand uniforms, please contact me on the email address below, so that I can check what stock is on hand in the second hand clothing pool.
Out of Stock Winter Uniform Items
The following items are out of stock:
- Polar fleece jackets - size 12 and size 16
- Trousers - size 14
Top up orders have been placed however these garments will not be back in stock until the beginning of next Term. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by these stock outages.
Lost Property
Please label all uniform items, particularly hats and jackets to ensure they are returned if misplaced. If your child has inadvertently brought home a hat or jacket that does not belong to them, kindly return it to the school office.
Dr Shoe
Dr Shoe will not be attending the Uniform Shop in the foreseeable future however Max can be contacted direct on 0414 912 838 to arrange a home fitting.
Ordering Uniforms
Uniform shop opening hours have been suspended. Uniforms can be ordered by completing an order form, and together with a payment of cash, cheque or credit card details handed in at either office.
Now that students have resumed school full time, orders will be filled and delivered directly to their classrooms.
Uniforms can be ordered online through Flexischools, however prices will include a Flexischools surcharge.
Please note that uniform orders cannot be paid via the school online payment service.
The combined Uniform Shop pricelist and order form can be downloaded here.
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.