Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 17, Friday 26th June, 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
It is safe to say term 2 2020 has been the longest term in history!
A few things to note as we head into the holidays. Steph Ravida will be returning to the office in term 3 for a couple days a week - I’m sure you will all welcome her back when you have the chance.
Concert:
Term 3 is our concert term! Concert is always a super exciting time of the year for the children and for parents! This year due to the restrictions that are in place we plan to change our concert up a little. The children will perform and through the domain of Media Arts we will present the concert as a motion picture - a movie. The concert will be available for you to view in September, with more details to follow next term.
CoVID-19 update:
The most recent Department correspondence around community transmission of CoVID-19 includes the following information:
As you are aware, several local government areas across Melbourne have been identified as having a number of active coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, including cases of community transmission.
While this is concerning for all Victorians, health advice continues to assure us that it is safe for all schools, including those within the local government areas named, to remain open and for staff and students to attend school as normal.
The exception to this is if there has been an identified coronavirus (COVID-19) case at the school, at which time the Department of Health and Human Services will advise necessary actions.
As we move into the Term 2 holidays, I reiterate the advice for anyone who exhibits any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) is that they should get tested and stay home until they receive the results of the test.
The importance of good hygiene practices should continue to be reinforced along with reminders about physical distancing.
It is important to note that at the beginning of term 3 we will continue with the same drop off and pick up arrangement as is currently in place and parents are asked at this stage to remain at the gates. I will review these arrangements as more information is presented towards the end of the school holidays.
Parent Workshops and learning sessions:
Below are some really useful and interesting learning sessions for parents regarding developing resilience and dealing with conflict. See the information below:
Families can now access free expert parenting advice through the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.
The program is relevant to families with children between 2 and 16 years and provides strategies to deal with specific challenges, such as building children’s resilience and dealing with conflict.
There are courses specifically for parents of toddlers to tweens, and for parents of pre-teens to teens.
It gives parents strategies to:
raise happy, confident kids
manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
encourage positive behaviour
take care of themselves as a parent
feel confident they’re doing the right thing.
Sign up to the Triple P program via their website.
Holiday fun:
It’s hard to know what these holidays will bring. Below are some suggested activities to keep the whole family entertained some out and about and some for staying home:
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson/school_holidays/pages/default.aspx
https://mumslittleexplorers.com/fun-school-holiday-activities-melbourne/
I wish you all a super break. I hope you stay well and enjoy your time together. Even when the sky is stormy, a colourful rainbow can brighten the grey and make us smile. An ex-student forwarded this beautiful photograph of a rainbow arching over Parkhill earlier this week.
If you have any questions or feedback for us please do let me know elaine.brady@education.vic.gov.au
Have a super fun holiday
Take care and best wishes,
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 26 June - Term 2 Ends 2.30pm
Monday 13 July - Curriculum Day
Tuesday 14 July - Term 3 Starts
Student of the Week
F/1C - Ruby-Lee R
F/1S - Nikita V
F1M - Ella M
2/3B - Alicia M
2/3L - Shaurya P
2/3T - Layla L
4/5D - Collin J
4/5H - Samuel J
4/5O - Mali T
5/6C - Spencer S
5/6G - Odessa B
Victorian Chief Health Officer Message to Parents
I am writing to Victorian parents, carers and students today to seek every family’s support in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.
As the school holidays approach, we can’t ease up on looking after ourselves and our families. The only thing between us and a second wave is what we do next.
Wherever you go, please be mindful of the risks. Be aware others may be carrying the virus and practice physical distancing.
We are currently experiencing the highest case numbers we’ve seen in more than two months. Current evidence suggests that the rise in case numbers in Victoria is being driven by families having get-togethers and not following advice around physical distancing and hygiene.
Unfortunately, we are still in a pandemic and people’s lives are still at risk. As we’ve seen across the world, this virus has the ability to turn a small number of cases into hundreds in a matter of days.
This is not where we want to be and we must all act now – while we can.
This is why we’ve had to implement a number of revised restrictions. The number of visitors you can have at your home is now reduced to five. Outside the home, families and friends can meet in groups up to ten.
This is how each and every member of the community can help:
Stay safe while out in the community.
Stay safe at home. And that means only seeing those you need to. Don’t have big family gatherings and remember to keep your distance and maintain good hygiene.
Don’t share food or drinks.
If you, or anyone in your family is feeling unwell – stay at home. Don’t visit friends and family. Don’t go on holiday if you are unwell and don’t go to work. Don’t send your kids to school, childcare or kindergarten if they are unwell - stay home.
And if you have symptoms, get tested.
The vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing, but this is a wake-up call and we cannot be complacent.
It’s up to all of us to keep our friends and families safe.
For current information and updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
If anyone in your family has any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, they should stay at home, seek advice and get tested. These symptoms include fever, chills or sweats, a cough, a sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose, or loss of sense of smell or taste. For more information about where to get tested visit the getting tested for coronavirus web page.
If you’re concerned yourself or a family member has contracted the virus and need more information, please call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Adj Clin Prof Brett Sutton
Victorian Chief Health Officer
The Science of Ice-Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream! The F/1s have been learning about farm animals and products that come from these animals. They made ice-cream to learn about different states of matter and were able to change a liquid into a solid. It tasted pretty good and can be easily made at home too!
Ice-cream in a Bag Recipe
Place ½ cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence in a small snap lock bag and seal. Place ice and 6 tablespoons of salt in a larger snap lock bag and then place the milk mixture in the large bag. Seal and shake for 5-10 minutes.
Do you need to update your email address?
We have increased our use of the email system to send home information. If you have changed your email address please make sure the office has been notified. To update your email address you can contact us at Parkhill.ps@education.vic.gov.au or call the office on 9807 2239.
School Council Corner
Last Thursday evening, School Council met via Google Meet (our third digital meeting for the year). The agenda covered a range of items including discussion of school policies – most importantly, policies relating to the Child Safe Standards for Victorian schools. We were also presented with school finance documentation and an updated school budget, which takes into account un-predicted changes to operations over the past term or so (for example, cancellation of camps and excursions). Each meeting the Council also receives a report from the Principal. This month, Elaine outlined the school’s approach to transition back to classrooms learning, as well as discussing the school’s draft Annual Report to the Community, which will be published later in the year.
Your School Council members are always willing to discuss issues with you and bring items to attention during meetings.
Our 2020 members are: Eva Conley, Chris Logan, Kirstin Majidi, Liz O’Meara, Pip Papageorgiou, Jo Ravida, Tania Rose, Clare Sherman, Michelle Smith, Sumi Sundram, Kylie Touloupis, Freya Wong and Elaine Brady.
Enjoy the holidays as best you can.
Dan Edwards
School Council President
Chaplain’s Corner
The news has been so full of negative or difficult things, distressing images, change and upheaval. Perhaps more so overseas, but then many of us have family or friends in those places too. It’s an unstable time. People are saying they feel depressed, anxious, burnt out, fatigued, stretched thin, pressured, empty, unraveled and that life is difficult.
As a society we are so used to ‘doing’ that stopping can be difficult. And when we really want to be doing something, to be working, going out or what have you, not being able to can be maddening.
We are also living in a time when many of our supports and the things we usually do to manage our mental health have been vastly changed or limited. Which can bring us face to face with ourselves and our emotions and that can be really difficult. What do we do, how do we manage, how do we get through this? We stop, reflect, label what we’re feeling, maybe talk to a friend or journal about it. As we stop and reflect we may find we gradually learn to sit with the uncomfortableness. It is ok not to be ok. We don’t have to feel fantastic all of the time*.
We can also nurture ourselves: have a bath, take a walk (somewhere different if you can), watch a favourite show or movie, tell jokes, talk to your friends, cook something beautiful from scratch, read an engaging book, make art, sleep. Work out what nurtures you and make time for that. It won’t fix everything but it might give you a chance to rest, recharge and reframe how you are thinking about the world.
Suzanne Carmody
Chaplain
Scholastic Book Club
Dear Families,
The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
Our school is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year, starting in term 3. Up to twice a term, during the school year, we will send home the Book Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages.
You’ll find award-winning books and bestsellers, as well as old and new favourites. We recommend them because the books span a wide range of children's reading levels and interests and are inexpensive (some books cost as little as $2).
It is easy to order. The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school and the books will be delivered to class. We will provide instructions on how to order once we are set up.
Our school benefits too! Every Book Club order earns Scholastic Rewards, which help us purchase additional learning and literacy resources, however there is no obligation to order. We know of no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Angelita (Angelita.williams@education.vic.gov.au)
Stay tuned for your first Book Club issue early next term!
Angelita Williams
Library Technician
Games Club is Back!
Welcome back to Games Club, where chess is still very popular, along with the large dominoes, lego and pin boards. Bey blades are also a huge favourite. It is great to see everyone back.
Parkhill Primary School
Email: parkhill.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Website: www.parkhillps.vic.edu.au
Location: 4A Parkhill Drive, Ashwood VIC, Australia
Phone: 03 9807 2239