Parkhill Primary School
Issue 3, Thursday February 13 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
We are in full flow!
CAFÉ READING PROGRAM
https://www.thedailycafe.com/cafe/cafe-menus/cafe-menu The CAFE Menu breaks each component— comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary—into significant strategies that support each goal. Posted on the classroom wall and built throughout the year, it serves as a visual reminder of whole-class instruction as well as individual student goals. The model is designed to help teachers:
establish and track the strengths and goals of each child by providing a structure for conferring
organise assessment data and use it to inform instruction
maximize time with students in whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one settings
create flexible small groups focused on specific reading needs
engage students, fostering ownership and accountability to reach goals
develop a common language to talk about reading development and proficiency.
There are two menus with explicit strategies. The Emergent Menu offers strategies for Foundation and Y1, then the full Menu for Y2-6.
FOOD AND MOOD
Did you know that the food that your child eats is able to improve their concentration, memory, mood and energy levels at school? Packing healthy snacks for recess and lunch are so important. There are some great ideas for healthy snacks that children love available online – here are a couple of places you could look if you are keen to try something different or ‘shake up’ your child’s lunch box…
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/healthy-eating-school-lunches
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/kids-healthy-lunch-box-ideas
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.
HELPING OUT:
There are many opportunities to help in and around the school. We have some working groups and committees that help us as a school to operate and your voice is massively valued and important to us. This year we will have:
Policy Committee (meeting monthly)
Finance Committee (meeting monthly)
Marketing Group (meeting monthly as needed)
Uniform Group (meeting monthly as needed)
If you would like any information about these groups or committees and are interested in being part of them, then please email me or call the office brady.elaine.e@edumail.vic.gov.au
BRING IT BREAKY:
This term we are trying something new - look out in the Newsletter next week for more details. Suzanne our school chaplain is organising a ‘Pancake Breaky’. These will be held in the block kitchen areas F-3 parents Monday 24/2 from 8:50 am and 4-6 parents Wednesday 4/3 from 8:50am.
UNIFORM SHOP
Many of you will know Sam from our uniform shop. Sam has worked in the uniform shop, been involved in programs such as Y6 special bombers/hoodies and prep transition since her daughter was in Prep, 13 years ago. In addition, she served on the uniform committee and participated, as a parent volunteer, for over 6 years in a number of school activities throughout the school. She has shown great commitment and loyalty to Parkhill Primary School and her local community. I am sure you will join me in thanking her for this dedication and wishing her all the best for the future.
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 emailed to info@agsprints.com.au.
Please do let us know if you have any difficulties with the service so we can give feedback to the company and ensure the processes are successful.
REMINDERS:
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.
Parent Payments due 6th March
Just a reminder that the parent payments are due Friday 6th March. Please come to the office for a form. You can pay via BPay, EFTPOS, Credit Card or Cash.
Have a wonderful weekend
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 21 February - Y5/6 Summer Round Robin
Monday 24 February - Pancake Breaky for Parents/Carers of F-3 Students (more details to follow)
Wednesday 26 February - 4/5H & 4/5O Mission to Mars Excursion
Friday 28 February - Leadership Assembly
Tuesday 3 March - Cup Cake stall
Wednesday 4 March - 4/5D Mission to Mars Excursion & Pancake Breaky for Parents/Carers of Y4-6 Students (more details to follow)
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 20 March - District Athletics (Selected Students )
Friday 27 March - Term 1 Ends 2.30pm
Student of the Week
F/1S - Kira B
F1M - Charlie S
2/3B - Kara D
2/3L - Potter N
2/3T - Gemma S
4/5D - Callan O
4/5H - Rafael J
4/5O - Harry B
5/6C - Saihen P
5/6G - Michael K
Snap Shot Writing – 5/6C
This week in 5/6C students were engaged in snap shot writing, using our senses and similes to paint a picture for the reader. The picture prompt of a climber propelling into a cave system got our imaginations going and we produced some brilliant short pieces. Check them out!
Andrea Crane
Teacher, 5/6C
In a wet slippery tunnel, a climber went down and down into a rocky cave. The small was salty like the sea. It was loud as the water crashed to the bottom. The tunnel was getting darker and darker as if the sun was setting.
Kate
“Why did I do this!” I thought out loud. “It looked so easy!” I answered myself.
The rough rope burns my hands like a scary beast and the water rushes next to me, streaking like a giant shark. The cave has an earthy smell and strange tasting droplets fall on my tongue, covering it with water. The leaves rustle like campers in a tent at night and the river rushes with a savage roar. This was a bad idea.
Angus
Crashing, pain, the smell of a wet cavern. All of this was swirling around in my distracted mind like a devastating tornado. My muscles were screaming in unpredictable pain while I lowered into the pitch black abyss. No time to regret what I am doing. No time to stop and think, no time to do anything, except to descend further and further down.
Penny
Brainstorm Production
Last week we saw the Brainstorm Production – Buddies, where the Buddies, Lucy and Charlie, worked together to find the eight discs to repair the Ring of Friendship.
Those discs were help, share, truth, be yourself, say sorry, listen, be kind, self control.
Helpful rules to live by!
We are continuing our learning in our Buddies sessions at school.
Choir Corner
Choir rehearsals start tomorrow morning at 8.10am. We have many new choir students from Y1 joining choir so we kindly request that you arrive promptly so that we can settle our new group and make them feel welcome.
Choir rehearsals are held on the stage at the back of the school hall. Enter via the ramp to the side of the hall. If you haven’t had a chance to return your permission form, please bring it with you tomorrow morning or you can complete one at drop off for choir.
We have a hugely exciting repertoire planned for the year with our first performance at assembly on Friday 13th March.
Marinda Tanner is our fabulous Choir Director and we thought we would do a quick Q&A to introduce her to our new choir families:
What is your connection to Parkhill?
My eldest son Xavier is in Y2 with Darcy starting in Foundation this year. Lydia and Adele my youngest 2 will join the Parkhill community in years to come.
When did you develop a love for music?
When I started learning the piano at the age of 6.
What motivated you to become a music teacher?
My combined love of music and love of children. I wanted to share the joy I had found in music with children of all ages.
What did you study?
Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education at Monash University
Where have you taught music?
After graduating, I spent two years teaching Grade Prep to Year 12 music at Baimbridge College in Hamilton, before moving to Malvern Primary School to teach Prep to Grade 6 music.
What do you enjoy most about leading a choir?
Seeing the joy on children's faces when they sing and the growth in confidence that many children experience.
What is your favourite song?
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Eva Cassidy's version)
What does a choir session look like for Parkhill students?
Rehearsals begin with a welcome song, activities to warm up both voices and bodies, learning and practising of a variety of songs, lots of movement and plenty of fun.
Does a student have to know how to sing to join a choir?
Definitely not! The voice is an instrument which we need to learn to use like any other instrument. As with most activities in life, it is with practice and experience that we become more proficient. I have not yet met a child who is not capable of singing.
What did you enjoy most about our first year of Choir in 2019
I enjoyed seeing such a large group of children come together to embrace singing with infectious enthusiasm. The confidence they gained and the camaraderie amongst the group was also a highlight.
Interested in being a Class Representative?
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
School Photos Thursday 12 March
PFA News 5th February 2020
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.
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 - Wednesday 11th March
The PFA AGM will be held on Wednesday 11 March at 7:30 pm 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! The positions available are President, Treasurer and Communications. Or 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 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 Parkhill's 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
CUPCAKE STALL - Wednesday 4th March
The next cupcake stall is on Wednesday 4th March. Please lock it in your diaries! If you are interested in baking some cupcakes, chocolate crackles etc., please email parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com
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: 03 9807 2239