Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 4, Thursday February 21 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers
Week 4 already! We have had our first Marketing Working Group meeting and I would like to thank the members for generating some new and forward thinking ideas to help promote the good things we are doing at Parkhill. Jump onto Instagram and check out our new Parkhill Community Garden page. Follow us and see the produce, recipes and natural wonder of our garden space. Many of you will be aware that we have been able to grow our garden program this year and now offer garden classes from Foundation through to Y4. Search Parkhill Community Garden and see us pop up!
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 a healthy snack for Brain food, 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
CYBERSAFETY
The online world is part of everyday life for many children and young people. It is a huge virtual playground where they can play, learn and socialise. It can be accessed by computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Parents can help children get the most from the online world by being involved from the start and helping them learn safe and responsible use. You don’t have to be an expert. Knowing where to find things out and get help is what’s important.
More and more we are seeing children as young as Y2 having their own YouTube channels, social media platforms and unlimited access to the internet – this is massively concerning. Many parents are unaware of the things their children are watching and accessing online and the chat they are having via social media and gaming.
We are hosting a Parent Information Evening on March 25th called Think You Know. The evening begins at 5pm – come along and learn more about how you can ensure your child is safe online! The group will come back on 29th March to work with the children and feed into our online safety learning. Please do ensure you have signed and returned your Safe Use agreement – this should have come home already.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/advicecybersafe.aspx
KIDSMATTER
Social development involves learning the values, knowledge and skills that enable children to relate to others effectively and to contribute in positive ways to family, school and the community. This kind of learning is passed on to children directly by those who care for and teach them, as well as indirectly through social relationships within the family or with friends, and through children’s participation in the culture around them. Through their relationships with others and their growing awareness of social values and expectations, children build a sense of who they are and of the social roles available to them. As children develop socially, they both respond to the influences around them and play an active part in shaping their relationships.
https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/mental-health-matters/social-and-emotional-learning/social-development
HELPING OUT
There are many opportunities to help in and around the school. We have some working groups and committee 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)
Buildings and Grounds Working Groups (meeting 1/2 times per term as needed)
Library reestablishment Working Groups (meeting 1/2 times per term as needed)
Marketing Working Group (meeting 1/2 times per term 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.
REMINDERS
Discovery Dome
Wednesday 27th February – 7 places still available! Don’t miss out!
Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
More information can be found at the website – see link below. Tickets will be sold online and can be purchased following this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BATFE. They will be issued on a first come first served basis.
https://www.sciencediscoverydome.com.au/
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.
Have a good weekend,
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 22 February - Y2/3 Circus Crew incursion session 2
Wednesday 27 February - Y4/5/6 Discovery Dome incursion
Thursday 28 February - Foundation Health Assessments begin
Friday 1 March - Y2/3 Circus Crew incursion session 3 & Annual School Payments due
Monday 4 March - Y5/6 Environmental Solutions incursion
Tuesday 5 March - School photo day - see information below
Thursday 7 March - Learning Celebration
Tuesday 12 March - Wednesday 13 March - Parent/Teacher Interviews
Monday 18 March - Twilight Sports
Tuesday 19 March - Evening Soiree
Wednesday 20 March - Multicultural Day & Bring it Breaky
Friday 5 April - Term 1 ends at 2:30pm
Student of the Week
F/1C - Sarang K
F/1S - Mavi A
F/1T - Dabi M
2/3G - Abigail E
2/3L - Elizabeth L
2/3M - Abby C
4D - Penny R
4O - Hannah D
School Photos - Tuesday 5 March
Tuesday 5 March is our School Photo Day for 2019! School photo order envelopes will be sent home with students tomorrow. Please check your child's school bag for envelopes. School photos can also be ordered online at the following link: www.advancedlife.com.au. Use the code 957 YWB B8Z to order your child's photos. Online ordering will close on Monday 4 March.
If you would like a family/sibling photo envelope, please contact the office.
STEAM in Y1
The Y1 students have met the “Bee Bots”. Here are some of their findings.
"Bee Bots roll on the ground." Dabi
"The buttons make the Bee Bots go forwards, backwards, sideways, pause and the X clears the Bee Bots memory." Quin
"You can pause the Bee Bots by pressing the II button." India
"The Bee Bots can sense if something is in their way." Rhys
"When you press buttons the Bee Bots remember what you have pressed." India
Y5/6 Sport Report
Summer Round Robin
After weeks of training, hard work and persistence, it was time for the Y5/6 students to show what they are made of. On Friday 15th February the Y5/6 students participated in our annual District Summer Round Robin held in Jells Park. After four exciting games, the results are in and Parkhill came 4th overall.
A big thanks to Sumi for coaching rounders, April for coaching softball and Chris for coaching cricket. We couldn’t have done it without you! Well done to all the Y5/6s for making it a fun and memorable day. There were lots of encouragement and excellent sportsmanship shown. Go Parkhill!
Sport Results:
Softball - 1 win, 3 losses
Teeball - 2 wins, 2 losses
Cricket - 4 losses
Rounders - 4 wins
Danish Rounders - 4 losses
District Swimming
Splish splash in the pool. On Wednesday 20th February, Parkhill competed in our District Swimming event held at Huntingtower. It was a fantastic result! With only nine students, we were able to come 1st in our division and 3rd overall. This is an amazing achievement!! Well done to Anjali, Olivia, Amy and Jimmy for making it into the next round.
Results:
Ally – 2nd breaststroke
Amy – 1st freestyle, 1st backstroke
Anjali – 1st freestyle, 1st backstroke
Aston – 2nd breaststroke
Ethan – 3rd freestyle, 3rd backstroke
Isabelle – 3rd breaststroke
Jimmy – 2nd freestyle, 1st backstroke
Levi – 3rd breaststroke
Olivia – 2nd backstroke, 2nd breaststroke
1st medley relay team – Amy, Anjali, Jimmy and Olivia.
1st freestyle relay team – Amy, Anjali, Jimmy and Olivia.
Dora Handby
Y5/6 Sports Coordinator
Choir Connections
Today, Marinda Tanner led students from Y1-4 in their second choir experience. A firm favourite was “Sesere eeye”, a traditional song of the Torres Straight Island about a kingfisher bird that dives into the water and back out again catching a fish. The dance that accompanies the song mimics the kingfisher diving in and out of the water.
Most Torres Straight Island songs are short and are traditionally repeated three or four times. Songs are normally sung by groups rather than individuals, making it a great selection for our choir.
We are looking forward to conducting our first choir session next Friday 1st March at 8.10am in the Performing Arts room.
We look forward to welcoming students from Y1-4, along with any pre-existing 2018 choir members. Please note:
All students must have returned their signed Choir Permission Form to their class teacher by Friday 22nd February.
Parents/Carers will need to sign their child/ren into the choir session in the morning. Parents do not need to stay for the session as students will make their way to their classrooms at 8.50am with support from Marinda and Kirsten.
We can’t wait to see everyone next week!
If you have any questions at all please email Kirsten Majidi kirsten@careermastery.net.au.
Marinda & Kirsten
Lost Property
Introducing our new Lost Property Team, Ally T and Tessa R. Please ensure belongings are labelled clearly with name and class for quick returns. The Lost Property box is located in the front foyer near the double doors.
Kerry D'Arcy
Lost Property
PFA News
Committee Members:
President: Vanessa Cowley
Vice President: Katrina Battle
Treasurer: Sumi Sundram
Secretary: Kylie Touloupis
General Members: Fiona Crellin, Jason Van Lint, Elle Delmee, Mark Havas, Lisa Jacobson, Anny Murray, Wendy Douglas, Janneke Storteboom, Leanne Knight
PFA AGM
The PFA AGM will be held on Wednesday 6 March at 7:45pm 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.
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.
DO YOU KNOW A BUSINESS THAT’S WILLING TO DONATE?
As our school community grows and welcomes new families, we’re giving a shout out to anyone that may have contacts in a business that is willing to donate goods. We hold raffles and stalls throughout the year and the school would benefit greatly from this generosity. Please take a moment and consider if this could be you. Email Kylie parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com with any ideas. Thank you!
GOING SHOPPING?
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 by you to Parkhill Primary School! Ritchies' Community Benefit Card program is simple to work with and participate in! Ritchies' Community Benefit Card program offers savings for customers and fundraising dollars for nominated organisations at the same time!
Here’s how it works!
Ask for your free Ritchies' Community Benefit Card at your nearest Ritchies' supermarket or liquor store.
Enter Parkhill Primary School as the name of the community group that you would like to be the recipient of a donation from Ritchies'.
Your Ritchies' Community Benefit Card will be issued and can be used, immediately!
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