Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 39, Friday November 30 2018
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
The Leadership Team have been looking at our school data and developing our priorities going into 2019. The Annual Implementation Plan is developed with staff at this time of the year to drive our development for the following year. I am very excited to share with you the priority areas for 2019. This year our focus on reading through the CAFÉ model, individual conferencing, goal setting and feedback had a remarkable impact on our reading data across the school. Pleasing results in our NAPLAN and reported data in the area of reading has been evident.
Our 2019 priorities include Writing, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and Social Emotional Learning.
We have spent a long time compiling classes and student placements, which are almost ready.
STAFFING NEWS:
Class teacher placements for 2019 will be as follows. It is important to note at this point that things do sometimes change coming into the end of the year. Specialist staff will be confirmed at a later date.
We are saying goodbye to a few members of staff who have been with us for some time. Cathy Bateman is moving on to teach Y3 at Hungtingtower School. Lucy Renshaw is travelling overseas with her partner next year and Rosie Pryor will step down as our long standing Choir Teacher. Chloe Mansbridge will not be returning to Parkhill next year.
CAFÉ READING:
Trade a word/guess a word that makes sense
To develop a child’s accuracy in reading one of the strategies that we may use is‘Trade a word/guess a word that makes sense’.
If you and your child have tried other strategies, and they still can’t figure out a word, you can encourage them to trade it for another word, or guess a word that makes sense. The important part is that the sentence still makes sense.
Example: The butterfly is fluttering.
If I didn’t know how to read the word “fluttering,” I could change the sentence to “The butterfly is flying,” and it would still make sense.
GAMES CLUB:
Games Club is a favourite place to be at lunchtimes for a lot of the children. Chess, lego, games, and drawing are all consistent favourites. This week we ramped it up with a craft table with lots of stickers, glue, paper, paper plates, etc. and the children enjoyed making many a creation. Christmas was hot on the agenda and there were requests for holepunchers, ribbons and wool for next Wednesday's craft table.
If anyone is having a clear out of toys, games, etc. and you would like to donate to our Games Club, we would love to accept!!
FINAL WORDS:
Times of change always cause feelings of unrest and can be times of high anxiety – if you are feeling uncertain about anything please do come and chat with me or make an appointment through the office to discuss your worries. I am always available via email and am more than happy to chat with you.
Have a lovely weekend.
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 30 November - Y4 CERES Excursion & Y5/6 Interschool Sport (Burwood East)
Monday 3 December - Soiree at 2.30pm
Thursday 6 December - Monday 10 December - Link Dental Van
Thursday 6 December - Fun, Food and Carols
Monday 10 December - Big Science Show
Tuesday 11 December - Move Up Day
Wednesday 12 December - Awards Assembly at 9:15am and Volunteers Morning Tea
Monday 14 December - Y6 Community Links Day
Tuesday 18 December - Winning House Lunch
Wednesday 19 December - Y6 Graduation
Thursday 20 December - Y6 Big Day Out
Friday 21 December - Term 4 ends at 1:30pm
Student of the Week
FS - Sarang K
FT - Xavier T
1BC - Justin M
1H - Bella B
2C - Lucia B
2N - Orlando T
3M - Collin J
3R - Harry B
4G - Earl S
4O - Whole Class
5D - Jennon M
5H - Yashar M
6CM - Xavier M
6L - Madeleine S
What's Happening in the Garden?
As you can see from these photos Spring has certainly sprung in the garden.
The Y3 students were fortunate to explore the orchard with Jenn on Monday. We saw many trees laden with fruit such as plums, peaches, apples and nectarines. You can imagine the delight when we came across a cherry tree laden with the most luscious ripe red cherries.
We were able to pluck a cherry directly from the tree and to savour the sweet taste. One student had never eaten a cherry before and his words were certainly true - "These are pretty good!"
The smells wafting from the kitchen over the last two weeks have been absolutely mouth watering.
The 'taste sensation' group have been busy grating sweet potato, zucchini and cheese. Cracking and whisking eggs (from our chickens!). Chopping onions and trying not to cry. Carefully slicing tomatoes and finely chopping herbs to add to the mixture.
The dish that they created is called 'Healthy Zucchini Slice' and it got the thumbs up from both the Y4 and Y3 classes.
One wise Y3 student commented "This dish is a great way for kids to eat their veggies if they don't normally like them!"
Here is a link to the recipe if you wish to whip it up at home: https://livelighter.com.au/Recipe/256/zucchini-slice
Anne McGregor
Garden Coordinator
Y6 are Designers and Innovators!
Y6 has been trying their hand at being designers and innovators, developing a simple input device using a Makey Makey. The Makey Makey allowed them to construct a bespoke user interface and control a character in a game of Mario. Anything or anyone that can carry an electric current can be turned into a button. The Y6s showed their creativity, clever thinking, and enthusiasm.
Michelle Smith
Assistant Principal
Y1 Visit to CERES
Yay! It's Thursday and 1H and 1BC got on the bus. We were going to CERES! We went to learn about celebrations. We made wax pictures and we used a pencil to draw on some material, then used hot wax to do the outline. Next we went to the Indonesian Hut and we had to close all the windows and doors. We looked at the puppets, they were made out of bull skin. The shadow puppets went behind a screen with a light. They cost a lot of money. Next we went to the African wedding room and we danced to the drumming music.
Tato 1H
Foundation Firefighters Visit
The Foundation students have had two recent visits from the Firefighters. They have learnt many important strategies for staying safe when there is a fire.
We have learnt:
"There are bad fires and good fires." - Zerrin
"You need an adult every time you have a fire." - Rebecca
"If you have long hair, tie it back when you are blowing out candles." - Connor
"When there is a fire, 'get down low and go, go, go'." - Sariaha
"When your clothes are on fire, 'stop, drop, cover, roll'." - Somo
"There are two hoses on a fire truck. A small one and a ginormous one." - Oliver
"Put bricks around a campfire." - Andy
"If there is a fire at home, go to your safe meeting place." - Patrick
"You must have smoke alarms in your house." - Xavier
"Ring 000 in an emergency." - Dylan
Jan and Des
Foundation Teachers
PFA News
Committee Members:
President: Vanessa Cowley
Vice President: Katrina Battle
Treasurer: Sumi Sundram
Secretary: Kylie Touloupis
Communications: Eva Conley
General Members: Fiona Crellin, Jason Van Lint, Elle Delmee, Mark Havas, Lisa Jacobson, Anny Murray, Wendy Douglas, Janneke Storteboom, Leanne Knight
Fun, Food & Carols - Thursday 6th December
HO! HO! HO! – Here we go for another year.
We need your help! Please sign up and get involved and make this a night a festive occasion for our Parkhill Community!
To check out the jobs we need your help with - please click the following link to sign up:
http://signup.com/go/QiDMpLQ. The PFA greatly appreciate your support.
Fun, Food & Carols – Raffle
Books of (5) Raffle Tickets have been sent home. For just $2 a ticket you can win some great prizes. Raffle will be drawn at Fun Food and Carols.
Fun, Food & Carols – Stalls
If you are interested in being a stall holder, or know of someone that would like to hold a stall please contact Sumi Sundram via email at s_j_sundram@hotmail.com
Please register by December 3rd.
Fun, Food & Carols – Cake Stall Kits available from the office now!
If you are unable to make it in to pick up a kit, please contact the office on 9807 2239 or at parkhill.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au and we can organise for it to be delivered to your child.
We would like to thank you in advance for your baking. Cake Stalls are always very popular. Remember we CAN NOT sell items with cream or that have previously been frozen (only fresh) and all items need to be delivered completely sealed in the bags provided.
Please ensure you fill out the ingredients list. There are many people with food allergies and intolerances so this is a very important part of preparing your item for sale
Please follow food safety guidelines when preparing your items. Detailed information can be found online at https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/food-safety
Items can be dropped off in the staff room before or after school on Thursday 6 December.
Any questions please call Janine Brewster on 0415199105.
PFA End of Year Celebration - Thursday 13 December
Please join us for the wind down and wrap up of a great year. All welcome!
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