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Covid-19 Update
The major update relates to the NSW/Victorian border.
The amended Public Health Order changes will have an impact on students and staff travelling across the NSW-Victorian border.
From 7 August, the border restrictions will be tightened further with the Victorian border zone defined to townships along the Murray River including Mildura, Wodonga and Echuca.
The NSW border changes will also require all people entering NSW from Victoria who does not reside in the border zone to arrive through Sydney Airport. Staff members will be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine. The following requirements will apply to students:
- They will be required to enter through Sydney Airport.
- Students will need to be collected by a parent or guardian at Sydney Airport.
- They must travel directly to their usual residence in NSW using private transport.
- They must complete a 14 day quarantine period at home.
- If they start to feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms, NSW Health advised that they arrange to be tested through their local medical practitioner or one of the COVID-19 clinics.
- They will be subject to regular follow-up and will be required to provide a signed self-isolation declaration and return a negative test result prior to leaving self-isolation.
Details of the current advice for people who have recently visited Victoria can be found on the NSW Health border restrictions website External link.
Education Week 2020 – “Learning Together”
Last week we celebrated Education Week for 2020. Like many things this year, we had to do things a little differently. To display the amazing learning opportunities that take place every day at PHPS, we created several videos showing the learning that takes place. Please check out the videos at https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ Thank you Ms Stevens and Aoife Twamley for their expertise and creativity putting these videos together. We hope you enjoy them.
Principal’s Day
Thank you for all the messages of support and thanks on Friday. I was amazed at how many children knew of the day and took the time to come and speak to me about it. The messages from children, staff and families reinforced why I joined the profession (many years ago), to make a difference in a child’s life. I am very proud and humbled to be your Principal. There is an old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and at PHPS we all work together to ensure success for the children. Thank you to all students, staff and parents for working together.
Scripture/Primary Ethics Update
Scripture and Primary Ethics began successfully last week. There were a few changes due to Covid-19 and the availability of volunteers. Well done to Mrs Parras, Mrs Klimoski and Mrs Reid for catering for all the changes on short notice.
Due to a parishioner testing positive at St Agatha’s church last week the church has decided not to run Catholic scripture for the next two weeks. The Catholic scripture teachers at our school have not been in close contact with the person diagnosed, however, the church felt it was in the best interest of everyone’s health to put these classes on hold for two weeks.
Check-in Assessments
Due to the cancellation of NAPLAN this year, the NSW Department of Education has created a Check-in assessment for Years 3 and 5. The assessment consists of 40 questions and will be completed online at school. These assessments have been created to ensure schools can continue to track individual students, as well as providing the school with whole school data. Unlike NAPLAN, parents will not receive a report with their student’s results. However, the school and teachers will have access to the results two days after the students sit the assessment.
As always if you have any concerns about your child’s academic achievement please make contact with their teacher to arrange a meeting.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Principal Awards
K-2 = Alex A
3-6 = Liam C, Amelia M, Samantha R, Tom S, Tristan T
National Science Week
Next Week is National Science Week and the theme is; Deep Blue: Innovations for the future of our Oceans
Due to Covid restrictions we are unable to hold our Maker Night as was initially planned. However, I have challenged K-2 and 3-6 in a STEM activity.
K-2 - Your class challenge is to build a flotation device that will safely transfer Emma the Explorer (a Lego duplo character) and her trusty friend Sammy the Seal (another Lego duplo character) from one side of the river to the other. It's quite a choppy river so expect some waves!
3-6 - Emma the Explorer has increased her exploratory skills and wants to take Sammy the Seal safely underwater in a submersible. Your challenge is to build a submersible - doesn't float, doesn't sink and they can't get wet.
I look forward to celebrating with the winning classes!
For more ideas visit the following link:
Around the School
Dress as a teacher
Last week the school leaders ran the 3-6 assembly with the theme of ‘Dress as a Teacher’. There were some wonderfully accurate representations as you can see below. Well done leaders on a great theme!
Some of the teachers had a bit of fun with it too!
2C are having so much fun with their mathematics that even the Rainbow Lorikeets wanted to get involved! These little cuties were rolling the dice and heavily engaged in the activity (the lorikeets too!). We are so lucky.
2M were working hard during their literacy session this morning. Some students were engaged in a writing task, some were focusing on their spelling, others were occupied with the online version of PM readers and a group were working with Miss Martin on their reading fluency and comprehension. Well done 2M!
All students participate in Moving Bodies throughout the week and 1E had their opportunity this morning. They love Moving Bodies and it is great to see the students so engaged in physical activity, even when it is cold and rainy outside. Go 1E!
Staff Profile
This week we have Mr Bryant’s staff profile. Mr Bryant has been around the traps for a little while now, he knows the kids well. Thank you for sharing Mr Bryant!
KD – Sidney M, Grace A, Xavier D, Noa S, Rayyan R
KH – Alexandra P, Ruben B, Joanna W, Chelsea S
KP – Matthew F, Lily B, Keyan P, Henley W
K/1R – Max C, Adrian X, Nellie M, Isla A
1D – Joshua A, Emma K, Dan H, Lachlan H, Parker P, Ewan T, Sanidhu H, Gwen E
1E – Grace P, Ethan D, Olivia G, Isabel K, Alex A, Clara D
1S – Spencer C, Olivia Y, Theo B, Norah HM, Kieran H, Letitia J
1/2H – Ginger M, Sean B, Annabelle T, Rehan K, Jasper C, Ayesha D
2C – Sotirios J, Heart S, Shahab A, Lachlan P, Ben H
2M – Hannah M, Megan N, Micah M, Lara B, Ezekiel M, Yumo Z
2W – Daniel-John R, Eugene L, Christian S, Kay M, Arin S, Austin D
COMPUTERS
Sarah-Lynn L - KD,
EAL/D
Jasper B - 1D, Josh F - 2C, Jairus E - 1E, Emily L - 1D, Yumo Z - 2M, Ezekiel M - 2M
MUSIC
Jayne K - 2M, Joshua A - 1D, Chloe H - KH,
Hi folks, hope you’re all settling well into term 3. Following on from last week’s ‘Principal’s Day’ we wanted to thank Mr Pinchbeck for all his hard work and dedication to the school. Well done Mr Pinchbeck and thanks for all your efforts! 
With restrictions still in place for everyone’s safety, please don’t forget to look out and check in with your neighbours. Keep in touch whether it be a phone call, text or FaceTime etc. If you think someone is struggling and the school community can help, please feel free to reach out to us at phppandc@gmail.com and let us know.
The assistant will be required 3 hours per day; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (total of 9 hours per week).
Start and finish times will be discussed to fit with food preparation and lunch delivery to the K-2 site.
The Canteen Assistant will be working at both sites, helping our wonderful Canteen Manager, Heather.
We are looking for someone who:
- Enjoys working with children and will make the canteen a welcoming place for all PHPS students, families and staff.
- Is friendly and approachable with a willingness to train new volunteers.
- Is happy to follow direction from Heather and flexible in the types of jobs they may be doing from day to day.
- Is willing to prepare food such as salads, sandwiches, burgers and wraps.
- Will be responsible for hygiene, correct food handling/safety practices and willing to undertake training if needed.
- Can operate the canteen in Heather’s absence.
Applicants will need to obtain a paid employee’s Working With Children Clearance.
The Canteen Assistant will be paid in line with the Fast Food Industry Award.
If you are interested, please email Andrew Passe-de Silva (P&C President), explaining how you fit the description above.
Email : president@phpspandc.org.au
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 18 August - 5pm.
We look forward to hearing from you!
With Kind Regards
The PHPS Canteen Committee.
Green Team Update - COMPOST... WHERE?
Last week we looked at many different reasons WHY it is a good idea to explore COMPOSTING. Because composting is the number one way that households can reduce their contribution to pollution, let’s look at effective ways to do it! While we can’t go into depth about each one here, the following terms put into your favourite search engine should reap a bountiful harvest of information...
Traditional backyard composting methods:
- Open air composting/Hot composting.
- Direct/Trench composting.
More Recent methods of composting are:
- Tumbler composting (a form of hot composting).
- Worm farm composting/Vermicomposting.
- EMO composting/Bacteria composting eg: Bokashi bin (highly suitable for apartments/renters).
- Combination composting/“Compost” composting/Worm towers.
- Mechanical/Electric Composting - sizes range from domestic to commercial (eg: cafes, offices, childcare centres etc).
Other options
Community gardens, schools or even neighbours might be happy to take your food scraps (or compost) for their chooks, worm farms or gardens, with an added bonus of the new relationships you may build while making your contribution.
When trying something new it’s important to find a method that works for you and your situation, expecting a few hiccups along the way.
Tune in next week for compost troubleshooting tips.
Contact us with questions or ideas at: phpsgreenteam@gmail.com
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
0410 653 878
- Excellent performances by all the bands at Education Week. Great reviews have been received for their efforts from everyone who watched the videos and thanks to the band conductors Rose F and Dave O for conducting the band pieces. Also thank you to the parent helpers who helped carry the instruments between the sites on the day.
- On site rehearsals continue this week:
- Monday afternoon: SCB Group 2
- Wednesday morning: ICB Group 2
- Thursday Morning: JB/SCB Group 1
- Friday Morning: TB Group 2
- Please continue to work through the band worksheets and send any completed through to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
- Band Program 2021! Are you thinking about your child joining a band next year? Learning a musical instrument is great for children. Playing an instrument benefits the brain, builds up confidence and promotes group responsibility and discipline. It helps their mind and body work together, it brings down stress, it also makes you smarter. The brain is like a muscle, exercising the musical part will help in many aspects. It can even help you read better because you are reading the music.
The Band Committee
- Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:15pm August 11, parent helper Ying Liu
- Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:15pm August 18, parent helper Winnie
Recess orders are available for the 3-6 site.
Recess options include: Garlic Bread
Salad Snack Packs
Cheese and Cracker Packs
All drinks
Popcorn, Sea Salt Chips and Mamee Noodle Snacks
Anzac Biscuits
Gingerbread Folk ( Gluten Free )
Apples and Oranges
This week’s roster:
While there are no over the counter sales we do not require any help for the K-2 site.
3-6 Site:
Wednesday 12 August - Claire P.
Thursday 13 August - Lisa S.
Friday 14 August - Narelle and Stefanie.
If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.
Heather Tyler
0425 274 681
New Operating Protocols
At this stage the Uniform Shop will remain closed for over the counter sales during Term 3. Uniform orders can be placed online through Flexischools or alternatively download an order form from the school website.
Please note that all orders will be delivered to the students’ classroom.
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.
Kindergarten T-Towels
Kindergarten parents please note that orders for the commemorative t-towels are due Friday 28 August. The t-towels can be ordered via Flexischools, but prices will include the Flexischools’ surcharge.
Boys Trousers
Size 14 trousers are now back in stock and available for sale; however size 10 trousers remain out of stock. Size 10 are unavailable from the supplier due to manufacturing and supply issues in China. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by this stock outage.
Sports Uniform
Size 8, 10 and 12 polos and size 10, 12 and 14 shorts have now sold out. Unfortunately, due to delays in the manufacturing process, new stock will now not arrive until the end of August. Again, I apologise for any inconvenience caused by these stock shortages.
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 students’ classrooms. 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
