Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 2, Thursday 6 February 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
It was super to see so many parents at our information evening on Tuesday - thank you for your feedback regarding the RBH redevelopment. It’s so exciting.
Our new playground is open and the children are really enjoying the slide and additional space - the landscape architects will return later this term to plant up the space using the children to help out!
It’s been super to see the Foundation children in and around the school - in term 1 they have Wednesdays at home. Full Time hours starts in term 2.
ESSENTIAL AGREEMENTS:
At Parkhill, we use Essential Agreement to drive the culture in our learning and working environment. Our Essential Agreements are co-created by all stakeholders and outline what behaviours we aspire to develop in order to make the learning environment and culture positive, supportive and productive. Essential Agreements help us to go beyond the rules and think about the ‘why’.
Parkhill Primary School: Community Essential Agreement
We care for ourselves, each other and our environment.
We show respect by speaking with kindness and listening to understand.
We value learning time.
We show unity by helping each other and ourselves.
We are honest and take responsibility for our actions.
We are persistent and have high expectations.
We strive to be positive role models.
STEAM:
Throughout the school our focus on Science technologies engineering art and maths (STEAM) continues. As part of this we have released a STEAM activity grid – the children will bring it home next week. This is a selection of activities that you can do with your child at home with suggested links. The activities do form part of the homework schedule but are not compulsory and are really just to scaffold engagement in hands on learning at home.
CATASTROPHE SCALE:
You will have seen the scale in classrooms during our information evening on Tuesday. The students have been learning about how we manage problems that may occur. This is a visual way for us to scaffold conversation around how ‘big’ the problem is and helps us to have discussion around the strategies we can use to help us.
This resource is one that you can use at home too.
UNIFORM SHOP
Many of you will know Sam from our uniform shop. Sam has been serving the families of Parkhill through our onsite uniform shop for many many years now and offers a super service with advice and expertise. Sadly Sam will be leaving us this term. As a result our uniform shop will now operate offsite. Through the website below you can place your order and pay online. If you order on a Monday your goods will be delivered to school on Thursday and popped into your child’s class tub. Hats will be sold through the office directly!
http://www.aplusschoolwear.com.au/SearchResult.aspx?Labels=PARKHILL%20P.S
If you are unable to order online then your order can be faxed or email to info@agsprints.com.au.
The swap over to the new system will happen in the middle of February – date to be confirmed. Until then you can still visit Sam on Thursday mornings from 8:30am.
REMINDERS:
Using the new buildings
All access to the learning spaces should be through the external doors for your child’s room. Please avoid using the central learning spaces as ‘corridors’. Respecting our learning spaces throughout the day, particularly in the morning, is really important.
Drop-off and pick-up
There is supervision on the playground from 8:45am, classroom doors open at 8:50am. We strongly advise that children are NOT left at school any earlier than 8:40am. We finish our school day at 3:30pm and pick up should be prompt. The supervision on the playground is only until 3:45pm to ensure all children are picked up and safely home or with a parent/carer. Many parents enrol their children in our OSH Club program so if they are late the children can attend on that day. There is NO supervision available by school staff after 3:45pm. Please do ensure you are organised for pick up at 3:30pm. Should something urgent occur to prevent this, please call the office.
SunSmart
Children must wear a hat in term 1 – they are not allowed to play outside, and must stay in the shade if they do not have a hat.
Parkhill Piranhas
Parkhill Piranhas is an AFL team organised by Rif Ahmet one of our Parkhill parents. If you are keen to find out more, get involved and get out there to kick a footy give Rif a call. All ‘dads’ welcome! … I hear they’re pretty good! Mobile: 0414533335
Have a wonderful weekend
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Wednesday 19 February -District Swimming (Selected Students)
Friday 21 February - Y5/6 Summer Round Robin
Friday 28 February - Leadership Assembly
Monday 10 February- Brainstorm Productions Show ( F - Y6)
Tuesday 3 March - Cup Cake stall
Monday 9 March - Labour Day Holiday
Tuesday 10 March - Parent Teacher Interviews (more details to follow)
Wednesday 11 March - Parent Teacher Interviews (more details to follow)
Thursday 12 March - School Photos
Tuesday 17 March - Twilight Sports
Friday 27 March - Term 1 Ends 2.30pm
Student of the Week
F/1C - Eli P
F/1S - Archie P
F1M - Owen E
2/3B - Kooper V
2/3L - Annabella B
2/3T - Amara Y
4/5D - Abby C
4/5H - Michael S
4/5O - Nikola A
5/6C - Kate M
5/6G - Conor V
4/5O STEAM
The 4/5 students worked on building a rubber band propelled car.
Testable questions were made, hypothesis developed, materials chosen and then design and create!
Brainstorm Productions
On Monday 10 February Brainstorm Productions will be presenting their student wellbeing program ‘Buddies’ for the whole school.
Buddies is an exciting adventure that gives clear strategies for making and maintaining friendships and being safe on the internet. It encourages children to express their feelings in a safe way, use kind words, seek help and never give their details or talk to strangers online. Buddies is part of our student wellbeing curriculum and the program has been developed in consultation with teachers and psychologists, as well as real-life student experiences. The methodology of the program is safe, supportive, non-judgmental and designed to provide students with positive and useful tools they can use in their everyday lives.
Brainstorm Productions programs cater to the specific wellbeing needs of students, helping to create a supportive and caring school environment. Visit their website at www.brainstormproductions.edu.au to find out more.
Chaplain’s Corner
Welcome to our new and returning families for 2020.
Whether it’s your 15th year or your 1st at Parkhill we really hope you feel welcome and at home here.
I’m Suzanne Carmody. I’m the Chaplain here at Parkhill.
So what does that mean?
Basically I’m here to help.
Often times children go through difficult circumstances and it can be great to have someone neutral for them to talk to. Some will be completely fine talking to you about their feelings, families, the playground and others, for whatever reason, sometimes just need an extra person. Often that’s a grandparent, a teacher or another adult.
We know from the research that having strong relationships with adults in their world can be a protective factor against some of the not so nice parts of life, so here I am. Another caring adult able to provide space and time to listen and just be.
I listen and support them in their journey. Sometimes I will let you, the parent, know that I feel they might benefit from some more specific help in an area.
I am there to say, “hey what’s up? Why the long face” (ok I don’t think I’ve ever actually said that but you get the idea!), “Have you eaten today?”, “You have a headache… have you had enough water?” To play a game, have laugh or do some baking so they feel like there is someone alongside them at school.
I’m here for you too if you just need a chat or someone to offload to.
As a school we seek to meet needs where we can and that is part of my role:
-organising social skills groups either with myself, or with a team made up of any of the following: aides, the department social worker or community organisations.
-meeting material needs/seeking funding from a variety of sources for various items and programs.
-being a listening ear.
If you feel your child would benefit from some additional social/emotional support in school, please let myself or your child’s teacher know.
My days this year are Mondays and Wednesdays.
See you on the playground.
Interested in being a Class Representaive?
Expressions of Interest
Are you interested in being a Parent Class Representative for 2020? Be part of a great team of helpers to organise social functions and parent volunteers for your child's class. If you would like to find out more please email the Parent Class Rep Coordinator, Philippa on philippa_isaacs@hotmail.com
Primary Music Insitute
PMI will be offering keyboard and violin lessons on campus at Parkhill PS in 2020. Both private lesson and paired lesson options are available. Go to www.primarymusicinstitute.com.au for more information and to enrol now!
I have had experience with this group before and they work well with schools and provide an excellent service.
Let me know if you have any queries.
Thanks
Michelle Smith
PFA News 5th Feb 2020
Committee Members
Office Bearers:
President: Vanessa Cowley
Vice President: George Andrakakos
Treasurer: Sumi Sundram
Secretary: Nadine Phillips
Committee Members:
Shadow Treasurer:
Communications: Eva Conley
General Members:
Jason Van Lint, Elle Delmee, Wendy Douglas, Leanne Knight, Kylie Touloupis, Donna Edwards, Katrina Battle
If you would like to be on our email distribution list and receive communication and minutes from our meetings please email parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com
PFA AGM
The PFA AGM will be held on Wednesday 11 March at 7:30pm in Parkhill Primary School’s staffroom. All the executive committee positions are open-if you are interested in stepping up for a role, now is the time to put up your hand! There is also the opportunity to join the PFA as part of the general committee. The PFA is a great way to get involved within the school community.
5 CENT CHALLENGE
There will be a 5 cent challenge coming soon. The goal is for each class to collect as many 5 cent coins as they can. So, even though that hardly anyone carries cash anymore, make it a 2020 plan, carry cash and save your 5 cent pieces! Plus, think of all the possible Mathematic opportunities you can have during the week!!! Win win!!!!
COMEDY NIGHT - Saturday 29th February
Lock it in your diaries and organise a babysitter for Parkhills Comedy Night. The Comedians are from the Melbourne and Sydney International Comedy Festival! It will be held in the Hall on Saturday 29th February. Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased at comedyforacause.net/PPS
DON’T MISS A THING!
Search for us using the name “Parkhill Primary School Community Page”.
Then click the “join group” icon.
A group administrator will confirm your association with the school and approve your request.
REMEMBER TO SAY ‘PARKHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL’ WHEN SHOPPING AT THESE STORES!
Remember to say “Parkhill Primary School” before you pay at Bakers Delight Ashburton, Chadstone, Oakleigh and Oakleigh Links to have 5% of the sale go towards our school!
The school's 4-digit code is 5565.
Ritchies Community Benefit Card Program
Ritchies' Community Benefit Card Program donates a percentage of the money spent in store to your
nominated school or charity. The Parkhill Community helped us earn over $400 in 2017.
Here’s how it works!
1. Ask for your free Ritchies Community Benefit Card at your nearest Ritchies supermarket or liquor store.
2. Enter the name of the community group that you would like to be the recipient of a donation from Ritchies.
3. Your Ritchies Community Benefit Card will be issued and can be used, immediately!
Rebel Community Kickbacks Program.
Under this program, Parkhill Primary School can earn 5% of your purchases at Rebel Sports as an in-store credit to spend on our school sports programs. You can sign up in Store.
Parkhill Primary currently has $380 credit to spend on sporting equipment at Rebel so as you can see it all adds up!
Parkhill Primary School
Email: Parkhill.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.parkhillps.vic.edu.au
Location: 4a Parkhill Drive, Ashwood VIC, Australia
Phone: 09 9807 2239