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Covid-19 Update
Yesterday all schools received updated advice relating to Covid-19. Below I have summarised the main points for you from this advice. Please click on the following link if you wish to read it in detail on the NSW DoE’s website.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families
As of Monday 17 August, the following changes are required to be implemented in schools.
- Staff must not attend work if they are unwell. If they are displaying flu like symptoms, they are not allowed to return to school until the symptoms have resolved and they have had a Covid-19 test that has come back as negative. This needs to be shown to the school.
- Parents are reminded that students are to be kept home if they are unwell. If the student has flu like symptoms, they are not allowed to return to school until the symptoms have resolved and they have had a Covid-19 test that has come back as negative. The student’s result from the Covid-19 test needs to be sent to the school prior to the student returning. Please send a copy of the test result to the school’s email, pennanthil-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au and clearly indicate the child’s name and class.
- There have been changes to the Band Program. The Band Committee will be in touch with you very shortly.
- Choir has been cancelled until further notice.
- Students will remain with their class for most, if not all, learning activities.
- Scripture and Primary Ethics will continue.
- Dance will continue under their current arrangements.
- Strings will continue under the current arrangements.
- The Stage One excursion next week is able to proceed as it meets the current guidelines.
- Kindergarten Orientation is not able to take place this term. Hopefully this will be able to take place next term.
- Year 7 Orientation should not take place this term.
- Parents are reminded to continue to follow the school’s strategies in regards to drop-off and pick-up.
- External providers are able to deliver educational programs in school during school hours. E.g Moving Bodies.
- Parents are not able to assist in classrooms.
As you can see there has been a tightening of guidelines for all schools. We have had to make some changes and I very much thank all parties for working with the school to manage these required changes.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the school at the email address above and we will respond to you.
The other strategies that we currently have in place will continue to ensure that we do what is required to slow the spread of the virus. This includes regular washing of hands and reminding of good hygiene practices.
PSSA Update
Further measures have been put in place by the NSW Department of Education to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.
As a result of the new measures and with active community transmission of Covid-19 within the boundaries of our Zone, the decision has been made by the PSSA executive on Monday 17 August to further postpone the resumption of weekly interschool Stage 2 and Stage 3 sport for the remainder of Term 3.
The current Beecroft Zone PSSA competition structure does not comply with the additional measures set by the Department of Education. Our current competition arrangements cannot guarantee that a maximum of 100 people will be at each of our venues. A significant competition restructure would need to occur in order to be compliant with this measure.
We are hopeful that there may still be the possibility of resuming some form of interschool sport in Term 4 and a decision on this will be made toward the end of Term 3.
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mr Matt Pinchbeck
Principal
Principal's Awards
K-2 = Isaac L, Kelsey C, Kay M, Gwen E, Emma K, Emma C
3-6 = Ishaan P, Molly A, Amy L, Stella M, Liam C, Amelia M, Parmis N, Tommy T
Science Week
This week is Science Week at Pennant Hills Public School. You may have seen in last week’s newsletter, I set a challenge for each class to create a vessel. All vessels needed to carry Emma the explorer and Sammy the Seal (Duplo characters) from one end of a ‘river’ to another. K-2 were required to float them and 3-6 were asked to make a submersible. We are currently in the process of testing their creations. Below you will find some photos of the students creating their vessels in class and a couple of classes testing their vessels. Well done to all who were involved!
Students from 2W creating and testing their vessels
Students from 3R creating their vessels
Students from KH testing their chosen vessel
Stage 1 excursion
Next week across Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Stage One will be venturing to Gibberagong, a Department of Education Environmental Education Centre. This will compliment their History and Geography units of work that focus on the way the Aboriginal community traditionally utilised the land and its resources. They have been researching Bobbin Head, an area of Kuringai Chase National Park. Please ensure a healthy packed lunch, a full drink bottle, comfortable and appropriate footwear and a hat to ensure your child experiences this excursion fully. I look forward to sharing this experience with Stage One.
Maths Ninja
Youth Liaison Officer
We welcomed Constable Luca and Constable Schubert to Pennant Hills Public School today who are Youth Liaison Officers from Ryde Local Area Command. They spoke to the students about cyber safety. Thank you for spending the time with us, it is always beneficial to our students.
Staff Profile
This week the featured staff member is Mrs Mackay. Mrs Mackay works Monday to Wednesday with K/1R and it is obvious she loves her job. A team player who goes above and beyond to ensure students across the school are enjoying themselves. Thanks for sharing Mrs Mackay!
Thank You
Kind Regards
Mrs Kate Wasson
Deputy Principal
21 September – Sibling Photos
22 September - Class Photos
25 September – Group Photos
All sibling and class photographs will be ordered online through The School Photographer, please see the flyer below for the website and code for our school.
The Group Photo code will be in the newsletter closer to the day.
Teddy Bear Day
On Thursday 20 August K-2 students are invited to bring their favourite teddy bear or other stuffed toy to school for the day. We will have a class lunch and participate in other fun ‘teddy bear’ activities during the day. We hope it will be a fun day for the students.
Thank You
Mrs Melissa Coventry & Ms Trish Parras
3B – Emily M, Parmis N, Evie C, Leo W-L, Abbie R, Robert H
3D – Roshini K, Lucinda B, Kris G, Francesca I, Alex R
3R – Ryan Z, Dhruv T, Gemma P, Flynn K, Mana A, Raiyan A
4G – Hazel B, Meg G, Kanj P, Munira G, Sebastian C, Raymond W
4M – Tristan T, Claire M, Elijah F, Liam C, Lucas M, Enoch P
4T – Vivian J, Jackson W, Anthony L, Poppy B, Leo J, Anthony T
5F – Adele W, Oscar L, Alex B, Clemnetine I, Darcy P, Nicholas P
5N – Ayaana S, Renee C, Lennox S, Bryan M, Jacqueline M, Maysa G
5P – Aidan L, Charlie W, Eve K, Hafsa M
6B – Zoe G, Finn D, Abbey F, Danish M, Zoya K, Lachlan M
6M –Sally W, Jasmine O, Samantha R, Jade F, Stella H, Sophie M, Karlos W
6P – Orlando L, Rebecca W
COMPUTERS –
Tommy T - 3D, Asa L - 3R, Lilly M - 4D, Kate H - 4G, Declan W - 5N, Myrah C - 5P, Queenie B - 6B, Hunter P - 6P
LIBRARY –
Zoe G - 6B, Charlie T - 4T, Vivian J - 4T, Ilaria D - 5N
Labelling Uniforms 
HOW WILL YOU SCIENCE?
It’s National Science Week! Check out the link below for some great ideas for online and at home activities: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/ .
And follow our P&C page on Facebook for a fun science post every day this week!
Green Team Update - COMPOST - HOW?
Hello compost cadets - Do you know ADAM? ADAM will help you avoid the most common composting problems.
A = Aliveness
Your compost heap is ALIVE. In one single teaspoon of good compost you’ll find 1 billion bacteria, 400 to 900 feet of fungal hyphae, 10,000 to 50,000 protozoa and 30 to 300 nematodes. Compost can inoculate, maintain or alter a soil food, making nutrients and water more available for plants. Treat your compost with the consideration you would other living things and you’ll be rewarded.
D = Diversity
A healthy compost pile needs a diverse range of materials. Make sure yours includes a mix of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Examples of green materials include: fruit and veg scraps, fresh grass clippings, manure, coffee grounds and tea bags. Brown materials include straw and sugarcane mulch, dry leaves and grass, cardboard and paper.
Getting this balance right is where most compost heaps go wrong. Aim for 70% brown materials and 30% green materials.
A= Air
Air (oxygen) is essential for life including the life in your compost. Air can be introduced by turning your compost pile or using a spiral aerator every 1-2 weeks. Tumblers are designed to make this process as easy as possible.
M = Moisture
Compost needs moisture to help materials break down. Ideally compost should be as wet as a damp sponge. Serious composters can tell by looking at their pile if it is moist enough but often like to give it a squeeze and a sniff just to check and admire their good work.
So there it is. If you become familiar with ADAM you will have beautiful compost in no time and your garden, the soil web and the planet will thank you.
If you have experienced any other problems with composting that you would like help with, please drop us an email 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
Rehearsals
We're having to make some changes to rehearsals as of this week. The Department of Education has introduced additional restrictions around music at school due to COVID-19.
As per their current COVID-19 guide to schools which was updated on 17 August :
"All group singing (choirs) and/or other chanting activities, as well as the use of wind instruments in group settings, are not permitted."
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families#%3Cstrong%3ESchool2
Unfortunately this means that until further notice band rehearsals must return to online delivery via Zoom and Google Classrooms.
This week there will be no rehearsals in order to prepare for resuming Google Classroom and Zoom rehearsals next week.
The committee will be in touch with more information.
On-Site Tutor Lessons
On-site lessons with private tutors are going ahead as normal.
Benefits of Music
What if a large number of scientific studies found there was one activity that could improve our cognitive function, help our memory systems work effectively, help us learn language, help us moderate our emotional states, help us solve complex problems and help our brains be healthier into later life? What if that activity was also enjoyable for everyone involved?
There is one such activity: music education.
Want to know more, read the full article at:
Registration
Thinking about joining a band in 2021? Entry to the PHPS Band Program is open to all children from Year 3 to Year 6. We are also keen to hear from talented piano players who may be interested in playing in the Jazz band next year. Just drop us an email and we will be happy to talk to you about it.
Parent Helpers
Big thank you to all our parent helpers this term. As per the changes above, those parents who had put their name down for being a parent helper later this term are not required for the time being.
Worksheets
Please continue to work through the band worksheets and send any completed sheets through to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com
The Band Committee
Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee
String Soiree
Our annual string soiree will be happening virtually this year, on Saturday, August 29 at 3pm.
The event will be online this year – stay tuned for updates on how to watch this event online.
Rehearsals
Upcoming rehearsals are:
- Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:15pm August 18th. Parent helper Winnie
- Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:15pm August 25th. Parent helper Piy
Note that the full ensemble will finish rehearsals at 4:25pm, and senior ensemble finish at 5:15pm.
Parent Helpers
Thank you to all the volunteers - our Term 3 roster is now full.
Term 4 spots are open already if you want to book early:
https://doodle.com/poll/cy68d5dkuw3bvufm
The parent helper responsibilities are detailed here:
http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/parent-helpers/
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
PHPS String Ensemble
Website: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/
Feedback: http://www.phpspandc.org.au/string-ensemble/contact-us/
Tomorrow we will have some delicious Dumplings on the lunch menu, including a vegetarian option.
We have also added Sour Cream and Chive Grainwaves to our snack range.
Order through Fexischools.com.au or the App.
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 19 August - Claire S.
Thursday 20 August - Alicia.
Friday 21 August - Narelle and Kate K.
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.
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
