Term 3 Holidays

Well done boys and girls on a wonderful term. The learning that has been taking place daily is amazing and all students should be so proud of their efforts. We truly hope that you all enjoy the holidays and have a break from school. School resumes on Monday 12 October. Please note there is no Staff Development Day at the beginning of Term 4.

Statement of Accounts

Thank you to all the families who have paid their Statement of Account. It is appreciated by the school. It is important to note that these activities are extra-curricular activities that enrich the learning opportunities for the students. These extra-curricular activities are a user-pay cost for families. If you are having difficulty financially at the moment please make an appointment to speak confidentially about your situation.

Strategic Improvement Plan

As you would be aware the school is currently in the initial stages of planning our next school plan 2021-2024. To assist the school with the planning we are surveying the students, staff and parents. These surveys are through the Tell Them From Me surveys that the school has participated in previously. The parent survey, Partners in Learning, is now available for parents until the end of Week 2 in Term 4. You can access the survey at http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/qfp69 and it will take approximately 30-40 minutes. All your input is valuable for the school and we thank you for your contributions.

Principal’s Pizza Lunch

Congratulations to all the students who have earned their Principal Pizza lunch for this term. It is great to see so many students continuing to demonstrate outstanding learning behaviours. It is a credit to each and every student on their achievement.

Thank You

Kind Regards

Mr Matt Pinchbeck

Principal

Principal's Awards

K-2 = Noa S, Eloise K, Emma L, Devin J

3-6 = Ashlyn H, Nathan Y, Elinore F, Ojas K

Thank you P&C

We received a huge order of home reading books for the K-2 students, thanks to our wonderful P&C. Home readers are one of the items that we need to update semi-regularly, even though the utmost care is taken by our families to look after the books that come home, they still end up damaged. It has been a long (LONG) time since the home readers have been updated. We are very grateful to our P&C – thank you so much from the students and teachers. Below is a photo of just some of the boxes of books.

3-6 Assembly

Last week the school leaders organised a crazy hair day for the 3-6 Zoom assembly. Some amazing and well-designed headpieces were crafted and on display. The teachers got involved too and I even found my curly haired twin! It was a tricky week to decide the class of the week as so many classes were beautifully behaved and had embraced the crazy hair theme. Well done 6P for winning class of the week!

6M Robotics

During a visit to 6M last week I stumbled across a group of highly engaged individuals. They had gotten their hands on the robotics kits and were busy at work programming and building their Lego EV3’s. Some fantastic problem solving going on – well done 6M!

Mathematics focus

Our focus on the improvement in Mathematics teaching and learning as outlined in the PHPS School Plan has continued to new strengths this term, even during difficult times. I can not speak highly enough of our wonderful teachers and their dedication to constantly improving their practice to align with current research into pedagogy for the benefit of our students. All staff attended an extended Professional Learning session last week, purely to focus on recording formative assessment and developing open-ended questions and tasks for our Term 4 units of work that align with our Scope and Sequence, mapped to the NSW Mathematics syllabus. All stages have had planning days for Term 4, where the development of these units of work have continued. Below is a photo of Stage 2 during their planning day, where Mrs McLaren was sharing her insights.

We are looking at trialling some project-based learning with a Mathematics focus for parts of Term 4 for the 3-6 students, stay tuned. During Term 4, all stages will be looking at really developing the students understanding of number concepts and how these concepts link to the other strands of Mathematics (statistics & probability, measurement & geometry) as well as linking number concepts together. An example of an open style of question could be;

I have 24 chocolates and need to build a box for them. What might the box look like?

Students may physically lay out 24 counters to represent the chocolates. They may create 6 rows of 4 or 2 rows of 12 or 8 rows of 3 or 1 row of 24 and so on. Students would be encouraged to count the chocolates in a more efficient way, using the example below they may count 6, 12, 18, 24 or 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24.

We would then be looking at linking this skip counting to multiplication 6 x 4 = 4 x 6. This link between addition and multiplication (similarly subtraction and division) is really important for student understanding in the manipulation of numbers.

Not only have we now linked addition with multiplication but we are also looking at the area of the box.

Perhaps there’s another way?

Layering.

Once we incorporate layering, it adds another layer (pardon the pun) to our understanding of multiplication as well as then changing it from not only our understanding of area but that area can be built upon to develop the concept of volume of capacity! (Not to mention the links between area and 2D space – have we looked at circular boxes? As well as volume and capacity and 3D space!) Exciting stuff!

Staff Profile

Our staff profile for this week is Mrs Erdmanis. A dedicated and passionate teacher with a calm and enthusiastic demeanour who currently teaches 1E (Emus). Thank you for sharing your profile with us Mrs Erdmanis!

Thank You

Kind Regards

Mrs Kate Wasson

Deputy Principal

KD – Luca H, Natasha D 

KH – Aadhya S, Max F-S 

KP – Reeti G, Eloise K 

K/1R – Julie K, Jack V 

1D – Yitian C, Sunnee G, Emily L

1E – Pippa C, Blake K 

1S – Johan A, Joey C, Naysa D 

1/2H – Calvin S, Alexia L 

2C – Mia M, Gabriela M, Liam B 

2M – Lucas B, Zayd M, Lilly N 

2W – Alex L, Stephen D

COMPUTERS :

George Y - KP, Noa S - KD, Sarina L - K/1R, Emma C - 1D, Isabelle D - 2M

MUSIC :

Sasha S - 2M, Kieran H - 1S, Eva G - KD

A big thank you to our sponsors who are donating book packs and book vouchers as prizes for our P&C Readathon!

• Dog-Eared Books Pennant Hills
• Berkelouw Bookstore Hornsby
• Harry Hartog Booksellers Macquarie

Here are the ladies from Berkelouw Hornsby with some of the book packs being donated:

All you need to do now is Read, Read, Read! And don’t forget to collect sponsors so that you can raise some good $$ for your school!

Green Team UPDATE

“Dear Green Team” is Coming!!

Do you know how to dispose of batteries, Can you put mirrors in the yellow recycle bin, what is a carbon footprint? Why does the Green Team love composting so much?

The Green Team is here to help you with your questions from kids and grown-ups. Send in your questions to phpsgreenteam@gmail.com and we’ll answer your question and print it in the newsletter during Term 4.

What does the Green Team do?

The Green team formed a few years ago with parents and carers from the school who wanted to help the school adopt  more sustainable practices among the school and community to reduce our overall energy and water use and more importantly, work and learn with the kids to make more earth-friendly choices in our daily school and home lives.

Want to join the Green Team?

As we come to the end of the year, some of our members will be leaving as their kids move on to high school. If you would like to join the Green Team or have a chat about how you can be involved, email us on  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

I can’t believe we are in the last week of term 3! What a year so far and hasn’t this term just flown by. Hope you all have a fantastic holiday, whether you’re travelling away or just relaxing at home. Have a safe and enjoyable break and look forward to seeing you all next term!

Andrew Passé-de Silva

President, PHPS P&C

pandcpresident@gmail.com

0410 653 878

Week 10 sees the bands continuing with their drumming, students do not need to bring their normal instruments  to rehearsal, but they are to continue practicing the band pieces at home and with their tutors.

Please try to be on time, this means arriving 10 minutes prior to start time.

If your child is missing their band parts, please get in contact with their conductor.

There have been a few students who are regularly missing  drumming rehearsals. Some parents have given notice that their children are using this time to practice their band music at home which is absolutely fine, however if you've not informed the conductor of this can you please do so.

Rehearsals for this week:

Monday afternoon: SCB Group 2
Wednesday morning: ICB Everyone
Thursday Morning: JB/SCB Group 1
Friday Morning: TB Group 2

Parent Helpers

Big thank you to all our parent helpers so far this term. On duty this week we have the following wonderful people: Jade C, Angela M, Priya Y and Jenny N.

Doodle Polls are now open for Term 4 rosters! Please get in early to put your names down.

TB = https://phps.doodle.com/poll/fed5szi55v8viqkf

ICB = https://phps.doodle.com/poll/966fp4fgturrycvh

SCB = https://phps.doodle.com/poll/tnyiwq6egafgk3kh

Benefits of Music - part 6

A little music training in childhood goes a long way in improving how the brain functions in adulthood. The impact of music on the brain has been a hot topic in science over the past decade. Now researchers have directly examined what happens after children stop playing a musical instrument after a few years. Compared to peers with no musical training, adults with one to five years of musical training as children had enhanced brain responses.

Read the whole article here:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/08/120821212626.htm

Worksheets

Please continue to work through the band worksheets and send any completed sheets through to phpsband+worksheets@gmail.com  

Year 6 SCB Students must have their SBC worksheet handed in by Week 4 of Term 4 to qualify for the Gold Award and Gold & Blue Treble Clef Pin.

Term 4 Plan

There has been indication in the media that the NSW Government will make changes to restrictions in term 4.We do not know what these changes are. At present the plan for week 1 of Term 4 will be the same as the end of term 3: Monday afternoon: SCB Group 2, Wednesday morning: ICB Everyone, Thursday Morning: JB/SCB Group 1, Friday Morning: TB Group 1.

We are cautiously hopeful the changes will be good. Please keep an eye on your email as we will endeavour to let you know as soon as we know of any changes which affect the band program.

Year 2 Families

Normally around this time we would be having a "Intro To Music Night" to introduce you  to the extra curricular music programs at PHPS to get your children interested in joining. However at present this is unlikely. Please keep and eye out next term for music related correspondence from the school. This could be in the form of handouts, newsletter info, videos or maybe something else. We'd really like to get as many children as possible into the band and music programs in 2021 to keep the music alive at PHPS. We need your support and your children's enthusiasm for music to keep this wonderful program continuing to thrive.

Registration
Thinking about joining a band in 2021? We would Love to have you! Entry to the PHPS Band Program is open to all children from Year 3 to Year 6.  Just drop us an email and we will be happy to talk to you about it.

Many thanks,
Band Committee.
phpsband@gmail.com

Pennant Hills Public School Band Committee

From Week 1, Term 4, the string ensemble is starting an exciting new program for students who are beginning their musical journey.

If your child is in K-2 and interested in learning a string instrument, please get in touch. The program is great for children that haven't started private lessons and for students that may already be learning but haven't tried playing in an ensemble before. 

Rehearsals will be on Tuesday, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. We will help you set up with an instrument if you don't already have one. 

The ensemble size is limited, so get in quickly via email phpsstrings@gmail.com to secure a spot. 

Rehearsals 

Rehearsals for term 3 remain split by stage.

Stage 2/3 

• Stage 2 Tuesday 3:30-4:30pm September 22, parent helper Ying.

Stage 1

• Monday 8:15-8:45pm September 21, parent helper Phil.

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/

Enjoy  the  holidays!!!

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 23 September  - Help needed please. Just an hour or so, between 10am and 1pm.

Thursday 24 September  - Peta.

Friday 25 September  - Narelle and Vicky.

If you have any questions, or would like to be involved with the canteen, please contact me.

Thank You

Heather Tyler

 0425 274 681

canteenphps@gmail.com

New Operating Protocols

At this stage the Uniform Shop will remain closed for over the counter sales during Term 3 and Term 4. 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.

Summer Uniforms

All students are required to wear summer uniform in Term 4. In readiness for next term, all summer stock has arrived and is now available for sale. Orders can be placed for summer uniforms. The items will be delivered to your child’s class.

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:

https://pennanthil-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/doe/sws/schools/p/pennanthil-p/supporting-our-students/Uniform_price_list_and_order_form_term_2_2020.pdf

Alison Parker

Uniform Shop Manager

phpsuniformshop@gmail.com