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Mother’s Day – Sunday 10 May
This Sunday is a very special day where we all take the time to acknowledge the vitally important role mums play in our world. I would like to wish every ‘Mum’ a very special day on Sunday and hope you are able to celebrate in some way with those close to you.
Week 3 Plan – Phase 1 in the Return of Students
Last week I informed the community of the first phase in the return to school of students. Thank you to the community for following this advice as we support the return to school for students and everyone’s health and wellbeing.
From Week 3 (next week) students will attend school one day per week as follows.
Monday – Angophora
Tuesday – Banksia
Thursday – Grevillia
Friday – Melaleuca
Obviously if you are not able to support your child/ren being at home on the other days, they are more than welcome at school. However, in order for this model to work where teachers will be face to face with students several days a week and also support students as they learn from home, I am going to need your assistance in following the above model. As I have mentioned before, we greatly appreciate the community supporting the students and staff throughout this difficult time.
Strategies being implemented at school to support everyone during this transition to Phase 1 are:
- Reduced class sizes
- The school has purchased pencil cases for each child in Kindergarten and Year 1 so they are not sharing these implements (Years 2-6 already have their own pencil case)
- Enhanced cleaning has already been implemented at school, in addition to normal cleaning processes
- During the day cleaning beginning week 3 for high touch areas
- Limiting physical contact
- Continuing current level of hygiene practices
- Bubblers are not being used for children to drink from, however, we are encouraging all children to bring a drink bottle each day with their name on it so they can fill it up to get a drink of water
Library
I would like to acknowledge the amazing work of all our RFF teachers for the creation of their own Google Classrooms for the children to be able access these lessons. Sadly, when the students return one day a week from next week the Library will not be borrowing out any books. The school has arranged for some online subscriptions for the students to be able to access reading material online. When the situation changes I will be sure to revert back to the students borrowing as soon as possible.
Absence Notifications
This process has to continue, as we are required to mark all rolls on a daily basis. Please send your child’s teacher a note once a week for the days in the week they were absent (physically) from school. I know this is a little tedious during this time, but it is still a legal requirement. All students who are at home with their parents/carers and engaging in learning throughout the week will be marked with an ‘F’ for Flexible. This will ensure that they are not marked absent from school. I thank you for your understanding with this requirement.
Phase 2
The next phase in the return/quest for normality is students being back at school 2 days per week. This is still a work in progress as the information continues to change from our Leaders. I feel it is best to wait until at least Week 3 to communicate the next phase. As it stands right now, there are not clear guidelines about when to move to the next phase. When we know more I will be sure to communicate that to you.
Canteen
The Canteen will open from Week 3. It will operate on its normal days of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Please see more information from Heather later in the newsletter relating to the Canteen.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will also be able to operate from Week 3. However, this will only be for online orders through FlexiSchools. If you are interested in purchasing second hand uniforms, you will need to contact Alison Parker. At this stage, we are not able to have adults onsite unnecessarily.
School Uniform
On the topic of school uniforms, students are able to wear either their summer or winter uniform for the foreseeable future. I will leave this up to parents for now. The weather was still quite warm up until last week, and I am aware that some students are yet to purchase their winter uniform for this year. Please ensure that your child is dressed for the appropriate weather conditions and in a school uniform. There is no need for children to wear non-school uniform long sleeve shirts underneath a school shirt.
Drop Off and Pick Up
It will also be important during this time for parents to remember their role in supporting the school. I had indicated last week for parents to drop their child/ren at one of the school’s gates and certainly, for families with older students I expect that to happen. For families with younger children I am happy if you walk them into the playground. However, I would ask that you leave straight away once you have brought your child onto the asphalted area. In the afternoon, please arrive at 3:15pm to collect your child and leave straight away. We certainly cannot have a situation where people are chatting and hanging around at school.
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Around the School
As the majority of our students continue to learn from home, we appreciate all of the photos you send through that show us what you have been up to. If you have something interesting you think could be included in the newsletter, please email the school email pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au with the subject “Mrs Wasson Newsletter”.
Below are some students from 2W completing their learning from home activities. Thank you for sharing your photos!
Mrs Wasson’s Class
The task for Week 11 in Term 1, I asked students to recreate shapes using 4 triangles. Zoya had some great contributions, thank you for sharing Zoya!
The mathematical task I am asking you to complete for this week is;
Please watch this clip about cheese and crackers and jot down what you notice and what you wonder.
https://safeYouTube.net/w/BDfB
How could the cheese be cut to split evenly with the crackers?
Do you need more information? Try this link; https://safeYouTube.net/w/HHfB
Is there an efficient way to cut the cheese? Write down or draw your thoughts and share them.
To watch how Kyle Pearce does it here; https://safeYouTube.net/w/5JfB
If you would like to be a part of my class, which focuses on open-ended mathematics tasks, please use the below code in Google Classroom.
Class code - ifzc2kp
May the 4th
Yesterday was the 4th of May and for anyone who isn’t a Star Wars fan, this day is often referenced as Star Wars Day - ‘May the Fourth be with you’. Some Star Wars related activities include dressing up, making rock or paper characters, or watching a Story Time such as this one where Daisy Ridley reads Star Wars BB-8 on the run;
https://safeYouTube.net/w/6c5B
https://safeYouTube.net/w/6c5B
Did you dress up for Star Wars Day? If so, please send some photos to the school email.
PHPS Staff Profile
This week we have Mr Thompson featured in the staff profile.
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
KD - Noa S, Jenna K
KH - Joanna A, Nathanael M
KP - Eloise K, Logan S
K/1R - Amy M, Lachlan W
1D - Emma C
1E - Sam T, Rina B
1S - Spencer C, Emma C
1/2H - Ashley H, Anabelle T
2C - Lachlan P, Adam C
2M - Quintin L, Zanna P
2W - Kay M, Austin D
Music - Leo WL
Mrs Griffith - Jess P, Joel N, Ellise B
This week we have Year 2 showing us how they have made their own instruments at home – no doubt there would have been some amazing sounds through the streets of Pennant Hills last week! Good job Year Two!
Ms Julie Anne Stevens
Music and Choir Teacher
Kindergarten – All students will be provided with their own pencil case to put their own equipment in. Please return the snap lock bags with the pencils that were supplied by the school last term when they return for their day at school in their house groups next week.
Year 1 – All students will be supplied with their own pencil case, coloured pencils, glue stick and scissors.
Year 2 – All students have been asked to supply their own pencil case with coloured pencils. The school will supply all students with their own glue stick and scissors in a snap lock bag.
Scholastic Book Club – Issue 3
A reminder that the closing date for Issue 3 online orders is this Friday 8 May. As explained in last week’s newsletter, Scholastic Australia will not be distributing Book Club catalogues to the school this term due to the COVID-19 situation. Instead a “Virtual Catalogue” for Issue 3 can be viewed via this link. Orders will still be delivered to the school for distribution.
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?
- 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 with one child to save time.
- 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.
- Click on “ORDER “ and enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue and follow the prompts to make payment by credit card.
- All orders are then processed after the closing date and delivered to the school to be distributed.
Ms Davis
Teacher Librarian
Welcome back everyone, we hope you all had a great first week back and home schooling is being good to you.
The May P&C meeting is again taking place via Zoom
Please join us on TONIGHT (Tuesday 5th May) at 7.30 pm at this link:
Link to Meeting: https://sanofi.zoom.com/j/93075657561 Password - 503021
For access from Zoom app: Meeting ID - 930 7565 7561 Password - 503021
Phone only access: Phone - 02 8015 6011
Password - 503021
DADS AND FATHER FIGURES - ATTENTION! MOTHER'S DAY CRAFTING GOES ONLINE!
Man-crafting is becoming a very popular concept and social trend amongst 21st century dads who no longer feel they need to hide their creative crafting skills and passion in fear of social stigma! Dads and other Father Figures, feel free to join us ONLINE with the kids this week for some home materials based craft sessions that will take the online world by storm and fill pool rooms nationwide!
The crafty sessions are filmed within our very postcode and lead by some manly closet crafty heros! The craftysession will be available via our P&C Facebook page by Wednesday, ready for last minute mother's day gifting. Let the crafstruction begin!
Look at us PHPS – together we’ve raised $8000!
We have three weeks to go.
If you STILL have raffle books at home PLEASE buy them on Flexischools, this is the easiest way to contribute to our fete raffle.
Alternatively, you can visit our online raffle link and purchase NEW tickets there. Share the link with your family and friends www.rafflelink.com.au/phpspandcfete
Look at 4T go – you can still catch them to win the class party if you buy your tickets on Flexischools!
The GREEN Team
Welcome to Term 2 from the Green Team! With the easing of isolation restrictions,
the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre (CRC) has reopened with additional safety measures in place. If you’re like us and keep forgetting to drop your soft plastics off to the supermarket, the Thornleigh Community Recycling Centre will take them, along with old paint, batteries, oils and so much more. Before you head out, take a look at the Covid-19 safety measures so you’ll know what you have to do when you get there. https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/property/waste/recycling/community-recycling-centre
If you happen to be passing the Recycling Centre, look out for their amazing new mural, thanks to the Hornsby Council.
The Council has been doing some great initiatives to help support the community during isolation, including their native plant giveaway and vegetable seedling delivery. You will need to get in really quickly as they are proving very popular. https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/environment/flora-and-fauna/plants/community-nursery/nursery-express
Contact us with questions or ideas at: phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
If you’re struggling to stay connected during this time, please consider connecting with us on Facebook! We have a great community online, sharing ideas on fun activities, local businesses, home school tips and lots more! Just search for “Pennant Hills Public School P&C” or find us at: https://www.facebook.com/Pennant-Hills-Public-School-PC-1688438328099709/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
Welcome to Term 2! We hope everyone had a safe holiday.
Band rehearsals will begin from this week using Google Classrooms. Instructions to join the Google Classrooms have been sent by the band conductors.
Rehearsals will be a combination of a Zoom meeting and Google classroom. This means that ALL STUDENTS will need to be registered on Google Classroom and have access to a computer or iPad using Zoom.
Bands will be split into groups for the purpose of Zoom, based on instrument sections. The instruments will be alternated each week.
Each week Zoom meeting for ONE of the two groups will be set up and the link and access password will be uploaded to the google classroom and communicated by the band parent coordinator.
Band students will be allocated some assignments every week. Students can use the week to practice the assignments before uploading their recordings during the following band practice.
On behalf of the Band committee, we would like to thank all of the parents and carers for being patient during this difficult time and adapting to the changes being made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Band Committee
Online Rehearsals
Google classroom opens this week - please watch your emails for instructions
Online sectional rehearsals will begin from Week 3. As above, please watch your emails for your child's section and schedule.
Senior Ensemble rehearsals remain suspended for now.
Registrations
Thinking about joining strings?
We welcome students who have completed a full term of lessons.
Registrations are open all year round.
You can register online here: https://forms.gle/L2nrW66LkJTgEAsE6
If you would like more information about learning to play the violin, viola, cello or double bass, please contact us via email or come and chat to one of the committee members at one of our performances.
The Strings Committee
phpsstrings@gmail.com
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
All purchases will need to be made online through Flexischools.
Recess orders will be available for the 3-6 site.
If you have any questions please contact me
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.
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.
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 long sleeve sky blue shirt and unisex tie.
Girls Winter Uniform
Grey & blue tunic or navy pant, unisex long sleeve sky blue shirt, navy tights and 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 following the links to ‘Our School’ and ‘What We Offer.’ Uniforms can also 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
Order forms are available on the school website by following the link:
Alison Parker
Uniform Shop Manager