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Return to school
From next Monday 25 May, all students are required to attend school for the resumption of face-to-face teaching and learning. As I mentioned in my SZapp message this morning I am required to listen in on a Livestream this afternoon. This Livestream will provide me with clarity around school operations moving forward. Once I have all the information I will send an SZapp message tomorrow to inform the community. My message will include requirements and strategies to keep everyone safe. I cannot thank our community enough for their support, understanding and patience during this time. I look forward to providing further clarity on this matter tomorrow.
Reports
Due to Covid-19, Semester One reports will be sent home on Monday 10 August 2020. The NSW Department of Education has granted schools extra time to prepare the reports due to this extraordinary event. As I have previously mentioned, this year we are implementing a new reporting format which we believe will provide families a greater insight into their child’s learning progress and save teachers time in preparing the reports. This new format will be evident this semester. The difference is that for this semester only the teachers will not be awarding an A-E grade, however, the reports will highlight the student’s progress with their learning for this semester. The new format enables consideration of individual circumstances where the student may not have covered some learning activities during ‘Learning at Home’ and therefore teachers have been unable to accurately assess their learning.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent/Teacher interviews will be scheduled for Weeks 9 and 10 of this term. You will receive specific information in the coming week or so as we plan the logistics. This year staff will conduct a large majority, if not all, their interviews on the one day. Casual teachers will be employed to allow staff time to conduct these interviews. Each interview will be for 15 minutes and cover all aspects of learning. This is the time to ask the teacher any questions you may have about your child’s learning. If this is the case, please ensure you are prepared by writing down your questions prior to the meeting. The format of the interviews is yet to be confirmed, however, they will not take place face to face on school grounds. It is highly likely that they will be over the phone or via Zoom.
Wellbeing of students
As students return to school, their wellbeing is of the utmost importance. Staff are well versed in looking for any sign that a child is not coping. As a parent you may also be seeing these signs. If you have noticed a change in your child’s behaviour, it is worth talking with their teacher about what you are seeing. If you know they are having difficulty, please ask the teacher for a referral to our school counsellor. School counsellors are trained psychologists and teachers who are experts in working with children offering coping strategies. Covid-19 has been a challenging time for all, especially children due to a range of factors. Please know that this service is available for the students to access.
Staff Professional Learning Journey
Due to Covid-19 PHPS staff have done a remarkable job upskilling in many areas to improve their capabilities. All staff have participated in professional learning relating to Google Classrooms, Mathematics professional learning through online courses offered by the NSW Department of Education and staff in Kindergarten and Year 1 have upskilled themselves in using the SeeSaw app to assist with the delivery of lessons during the Learning from Home phase, all while continuing to provide students with outstanding learning experiences from home. As a school we are still on-track with our planned professional development which this semester is focussing heavily on Mathematics. On Wednesday Penny Ellis (Mathematics Consultant from NSW DoE) is working with all classroom teachers to link the syllabus to our school’s scope and sequence and reporting so that staff can see the necessary linkages. In the future Penny will be working with staff to plan lessons and embed effective differentiation strategies to cater for all learners within a classroom.
Student Accounts
Statements of Accounts will be sent out within the next two weeks. Due to Covid-19 there will not be many expenses at all for this term as we are not allowed to conduct excursions etc at this time. There will be a fee for Dance as Arnold has continued to provide learning opportunities for the students through the videos he has created. The feedback I have received about the videos has been overwhelmingly positive. If you are experiencing financial difficulty at present please make a time to speak with me confidentially about your situation.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
P&C update
Please join us for the next P&C meeting where Mr Pinchbeck and I will be outlining some of the Professional Learning the wonderful staff at Pennant Hills have been undertaking during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We are continuously striving to provide the best opportunities for our students and upskilling ourselves as quality educators is fundamental in doing this.
The next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 2 June at 7:30pm. Further details of the meeting will be outlined in next week’s newsletter.
Mrs Wasson’s class
Thank you to those who submitted their responses to last weeks problem of ‘Which One Doesn’t Belong? (WODB?)’. Claudia stated “I noticed that 27 doesn't belong because all the other numbers are multiples of 8 however 27 is not. Also all the other numbers are even except 27.” Good observation Claudia! There were a few other strategies to determine ‘Which One Doesn’t Belong (WODB)’ including cubic numbers, using multiplication and addition and identifying numbers that are higher or lower than a number determined by the students. Great work everyone!
This week we are looking at visual patterns from visualpatterns.org. Have a look at the below pattern. What is happening? Can you work out how many cubes would be used if this pattern continued 43 times? How can you work it out?
If you would like to join Mrs Wasson’s class on Google Classroom, the class code is ifzc2kp
Around the school
Last week Year 1 were engrossed in some puppet making with paper cups – very creative!
Staff profile
Our staff profile for this week is Ms Newman. A fabulous educator who currently teaches 5N from Monday through to Wednesday and is mummy to a little one at home during her unpaid work time. Thank you for sharing your profile Ms Newman!
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
National Sorry Day, or the National Day of Healing, is an annual event that has been held in Australia on 26 May since 1998.
We remember and commemorate the mistreatment of the country's Indigenous peoples, as part of an ongoing process of reconciliation between the Indigenous peoples and the settler population.
At Pennant Hills Public School, we will be commemorating the event by having discussions in class and engaging in Indigenous stories and activities. If you would like more information, or a starting point for discussions at home, see the following link:
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-an-important-part-of-healing/
The results are in!
Last week, the students were asked to nominate their favourite type of puppet.
And the survey says:
As you can see, it was an even tie between
Vantriloquist Puppets, Glove Puppets and Finger Puppets.
Herr Mozart asked the camera operator to make the deciding vote…..
GLOVE PUPPETS!!
I wonder if Herr Mozart was a bit biased?
Everyone has been very creative making puppets. Here are some to look at.
Please bring your puppets into school this week and next, as we will use them in lesson time.
Have fun this week.
Ms Julie Anne Stevens
Music and Choir Teacher
SPECTRA Science Program
There’s simply no stopping scientific discovery at PHPS!
Last week we showcased the work done by our fabulous Grade 5 SPECTRA scientists. This week we recognise our Grade 6 SPECTRA scientists.
The following Grade 6 students submitted their work via the Grade 6 Google Classroom.
Take a look at just how wonderfully diverse and interesting their projects are…
Jasmitha K – Optical Illusions
Janka J – The Science behind popping corn
Mesa H – The Moon’s Phases
Emma Y - Optical Illusions, Pigment in Pixels
Hadam L – Hot Air Balloons, Gliders & Roto-copters
Karlos W – Animal jobs in biodiversity
Shiyun Y – Insects that could ruin your home & Edible Insects
Anjali S – Organ Systems & a model of the Digestive System
Raagni K – Fish slideshow & research into different types of fish and breeds of dog
Zoe G – Parrots in Pennant Hills
Kairav K – Pedal Bin design & Build a Bridge
Mrs Rebecca Macnaughtan
SPECTRA Coordinator
eBook borrowing has arrived at Pennant Hills PS
Great news as the library is now subscribing to the Wheelers ePlatform which allows students to borrow eBooks.
Using a device via the ePlatform app or through a web browser, students will now have access to a digital library which has a collection of over 1800 books.
eBooks can be easily borrowed and are returned automatically. They can be read on a computer, laptop or mobile device.
This video explains how simple it is to download the ePlatform app. Alternatively, our school’s eLibrary can be accessed via this link http://pennanthil.eplatform.co/ or the Oliver School Library website.
Please note that the students use their school username and password to sign in to our school’s ePlatform. They can borrow up to two books at a time for a two week period (these borrowing rules are set by Wheelers NOT the school).
Over the next few weeks students will be shown how to access and use this new digital platform and be encouraged to borrow an eBook.
National Simultaneous Storytime – Wednesday 27 May – 11 am
Showcasing the fabulous “Whitney and Britney chicken divas”!
As stated on the ALIA website:
“National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
Now in its 20th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.”
Next Wednesday, 27 May at 11 am, we will be celebrating this event at our school. This year the featured book is “Whitney and Britney chicken divas” by Lucinda Gifford. A book definitely full of “poultry glamour”!
In the coming week students will be participating in a variety of book related activities. Students may like to bring a “touch” of glamour e.g. tiara, boa, glittery item etc. that can be worn whilst viewing the story next Wednesday.
Ms Davis
Teacher Librarian
It’s National Volunteer’s Week 2020 - and we’d like to send out a huge THANK YOU to our amazing parent and community volunteers! We have wonderful volunteers at our school and we thank you for all the time and hard work you put in volunteering for at our school: classroom helpers , class parents, canteen helpers, music program parent helpers, camp helpers, working bees, fundraising, green initiatives, helpers at individual events and all those who took on activities for Fete! Even though we can’t celebrate it at this year’s Fete, we want you to know that we appreciate you! Well done everyone and THANK YOU!!!
Raffle Update - FLEXISCHOOLS CLOSES THIS WEDNESDAY AT MIDDAY - make sure if you have any books at home to help us with one last push before the raffle is drawn on Sunday 24 May. You never know - your class might catch 4T!
RAFFLELINK - OUR ONLINE RAFFLE PLATFORM IS STILL OPEN RIGHT UP UNTIL THE DRAW - if you could share this link with your family and friends before then that would be amazing - every little bit helps! We thank you for your support and look forward to making the big announcement about raffle winners on Monday! www.rafflelink.com.au/phpspandcfete
Green Team Update
With learning from home, working from home and social distancing, it feels like the
screen is permanently propped up in front of us and the kids. Luckily we live in such a beautiful area surrounded by bush. Bush walking, whether it’s a quick dash to get the kids out for half an hour or a more challenging walk, is a great way to refresh from screen time and get back to nature.
Share your favourite walks with us whether it’s big or small - phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
Here are some of ours –
Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills has a variety of walks. You can even take your dog as long as they are on the lead - https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/forests/cumberland-state-forest
The Great Northern Walk – do as much or as little as you like! http://thegreatnorthwalk.com/
For a weekend walk, the Burraga Track is a big favourite for the older kids. It’s 2.5 hours and at times pretty rough going. For the smaller adventurers, try the Platypus Track! Dogs on the lead are welcome here too. Here’s a great list that includes both these walks and a few more - https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Venues/Parks-Recreation/Tracks-Trails
Contact us with questions or ideas at: phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
The Class Parent Network is working hard to keep families up to date during this time. If you are not receiving messages from a class parent and would like to, please email PHPS Comms (phppandc@gmail.com), and we will put you in touch with the appropriate person.
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
P&C President
0410653878
Awards
We are in the process of organising awards for the band students. Please email scanned copies or photos of the completed band worksheets to the following email address: phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
- Students in SCB this year need to send all completed ICB worksheets
- Students in ICB this year need to send all completed TB worksheets
For future submission please take a photo of the completed worksheet and send it to the following email address: phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com. Please include the following information:
- Student name
- Parent / carer signature
We understand that getting tutors to physically sign worksheets is not viable due to the current Covid-19 situation. Sending an email from them stating that the term worksheet is completed will be acceptable for Terms 1 and 2 this year and can be forwarded to the following email address: phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
The Band Committee
Orders can be placed through Flexischools using their website or App.
Recess orders are available for the 3-6 site; you can still enjoy hot garlic bread at recess!!
We look forward to seeing all the students back at school and filling their tummies.
If you have any questions or would like to be involved with the canteen, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
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 using this link.
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.
Winter Uniforms
All students are required to wear the winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Winter uniform orders can be placed online and the items will be delivered to the 3-6 office for collection.
Boys Winter Uniform
- Long grey trouser
- Unisex sky blue long sleeve shirt
- Unisex tie
Girls Winter Uniform
- Grey & blue tunic or navy pant
- Unisex sky blue long sleeve shirt
- Navy tights
- Unisex tie
In addition to the compulsory winter uniform, the Uniform Shop sells optional winter uniform items.
Optional Winter Uniform items
- Winter weight polar fleece jacket
- can be worn in place of the summer weight zip jacket.
- Navy track pant
- can be worn instead of the sports shorts during the colder months.
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 payment of cash, cheque or card details handed in at either office. Orders will be filled and delivered to the 3-6 office for collection. An email or text will be sent advising you when your order is ready for collection. A combined pricelist and order form can be downloaded from the school website by clicking here. Uniforms can also be ordered online through Flexischools, however prices include a Flexischools surcharge.
Please note that uniform orders cannot be paid via the school online payment service
Order forms are available on the school website by following the link:
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager