Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 9, Thursday March 28 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
Week 9! It was really pleasing to see so many parents join us for the ThinkUKnow cyber safety talk on Tuesday evening – the information shared was very interesting and well placed. Please do take some time to familiarise yourself with what platforms your children are accessing at home and be sure to monitor their friends' lists and chats.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/advicecybersafe.aspx
SCHOOL DAY RESTRUCTURE:
Throughout the term we have been closely monitoring incidents in our playground. We have noted that there is a trend in when the incidents are happening. Most incidents, interestingly, happen towards the end of lunchtime – generally within the last 15 minutes or so. Reflecting on this data and in consultation with staff we have decided to trial a new day structure. The new structure will accommodate three breaks within the school day.
The day will be split into four learning blocks and three breaks. The morning block will run from 9:00 – 10:30, with morning tea break being 10:30 – 11:00. The middle learning block will be 11:00 – 12:30, with lunch from 12:30 - 1:00. The third learning block will run 1:00 – 2:30 with afternoon tea being 2:30 – 3:00. The school day will end at 3:30 as usual.
Children will be encouraged to eat Brain Food during afternoon tea break in Term 2.
We are trialling the system throughout Term 2 where we will continue to track the data.
HOLIDAY FUN:
Follow the links below for some fun holiday activities
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson/school_holidays/Pages/default.aspx
FOUNDATION PLAYGROUND:
The plans below outline the development works for the Foundation Playground – the plans can also be viewed on our Vision Board outside my office.
OUR ESSENTIAL AGREEMENT:
Please see below out draft Parkhill Community Essential Agreement – the agreement has been developed using data collected from the parent community in 2018, students and staff, incorporating our attitudes to school data.
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.
Parkhill Primary School Community Essential Agreement is underpinned by the following beliefs:
Better outcomes when students are engaged and connected
Building relationships is a skill that is taught
Building relationships to reduce bullying
Schools DO make a difference e.g. via relationships with teachers and peers
Connected kids experience lower stress, truancy, suicidal behaviour, violence, substance use and later sexual activity
Connectedness and learning begin with relationships
CHILD SAFE STANDARD 2: COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
Parkhill Primary School is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.
Parkhill Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.
Parkhill Primary School is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.
Every person involved in Parkhill Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
The following tables outline examples of behaviours, typical responses and actions which may be taken. It also outlines who will take responsibility for the management of such behaviours/incidents and or situations. At Parkhill we categorise into Low, Moderate and High impact behaviours. The impact of such behaviours is on the safety, wellbeing and learning needs of all students in our community.
When incidents or behaviours are reported or observed on the yard/playground/oval the following processes are followed by all staff at Parkhill Primary School to ensure consistent, effective management.
When incidents or behaviours are reported or observed in the classroom/indoor learning spaces the following processes are followed by all staff at Parkhill Primary School to ensure consistent, effective management.
See appendix for supporting policy documentation
Bullying Prevention Policy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Bullying-Prevention-Policy.pdf
Child Safe Standard 2 - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Child-Safe-Standard-2-Commitment-to-Child-Safety.pdf
Child Safe Standard 3 - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Child-Safe-Standard-3-Code-of-Conduct.pdf
Complaints Policy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Complaints-Policy.pdf
Duty of Care Policy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Duty-of-Care-Policy.pdf
Statement of Values and School Philosophy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Statement-of-Values-and-School-Philosophy-2018.pdf
Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Student-Wellbeing-and-Engagement-policy-2018.pdf
Yard Duty and Supervision Policy - https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/10/Yard-Duty-and-Supervision-Policy.pdf
REMINDERS:
Essential Items Payments (School Fees):
2019 school fees (Essential Education Items) are due – if you have not yet paid this fee please contact the office ASAP. It is important to note that the school has to subsidise any fees that are not paid by families. These subsides are paid out of our curriculum budgets.
SRC Badges:
The SRC badges will be presented in our assembly next week (5th April) – please note this assembly is at 2:00. School finishes at 2:30 on this day.
Ongoing meetings with teachers:
It is important to remember that you are always welcome to meet with your class teacher and I encourage you to make appointments throughout the year to touch base and talk about your child’s learning progress.
Garden Volunteers
Jenn, our garden expert, is always looking for parents or volunteers who have green finger to help her with some pruning. She often works later on a Thursday to get some jobs done in the garden. If you happen to have green fingers and a little bit of know how please do come and help out!
Elaine Brady
Principal
The last day of Term 1 is Friday 5 April. Students finish at 2:30pm.
Calendar of Curriculum Events - Term 2
Tuesday 23 April - Term 2 begins & Y5/6 Camp Kangaroobie begins
Wednesday 24 April - ANZAC Ceremony
Thursday 25 April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Friday 26 April - Y5/6 return from camp at the regular school pick up time (3:30pm)
Friday 3 May - Y4/5/6 House Cross Country
Friday 10 May - Mother's Day Stall
Monday 13 May - Curriculum Day (Students do not attend school)
Tuesday 14 May - Thursday 16 May - NAPLAN
Wednesday 22 May - Open Day & Night
Monday 10 June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Wednesday 19 June - Friday 21 June - Y3/4 Camp Weekaway
Friday 28 June - Term 2 ends at 2:30pm
Student of the Week
F/1C - Ella M
F/1S - Olivia M
F/1T - Caleb B
2/3G - Felix C
2/3L - Justin M
2/3M - Ezra H
4D - Campbell K
5/6A - Ava M
5/6CS - Minh T
5/6H - Saihen P
Second Hand Uniform Stall
There will be a Second Hand Uniform Stall tomorrow afternoon (Friday March 29) at 3:00pm outside the Roger Beech Hall. Items are a gold coin donation.
Science Week - Y5/6 Biology
The buzz of excitement was audible on Tuesday as Y5/6 engaged in a biological STEAM focus. Over three hours, students experienced three experiments: Extracting Strawberry DNA, Candy Camouflage and Alien Genetics.
Extracting Strawberry DNA enabled students to treat strawberry pulp with an extraction liquid and then alcohol, which resulted in the DNA floating to the surface. What a 'wow' moment - it resulted in lots of discussion about how adaptations are passed from one individual to another via their genetic code.
Students then explored the concept of camouflage, aiming to separate MnM’s and Skittles as quickly as possible. This experiment demonstrated how predators find prey more difficult to capture when camouflage is used as a protective factor.
Lastly, students rolled the genetic dice and created alien babies. They learned about phenotypes and genotypes and how genetic inheritance influences the population of all living things.
Such a great day enjoyed by teachers and students alike. We are looking forward to more STEAM ahead!
Andrea Crane
Y5/6 Teacher
District Athletics
On your marks, get set, go! On Friday 22nd of March, students from Y4/5/6 competed in our District Athletics event held at Bill Sewart. It was a fabulous day! Congratulations to everyone that participated on the day, you gave it your best. Overall Parkhill came fourth.
Special thanks to Sumi, April, Fran and Paula for volunteering their time and assisting on the day. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Go Parkhill!!
Dora Handby
Sports Coordinator
STEAM - F/1C
Students have just started doing their STEAM homework, and much to their surprise, it’s not like any ordinary homework! An example of this comes from Patrick who made honeycomb over the weekend. He explained the ingredients that he had to add and how he had to follow a strict recipe. He then went on to discuss the chemical changes that he witnessed as it went from liquid to a solid. Patrick explained that it didn’t quite work out as well as he’d hoped due to it being softer than he’d planned. But like a great Scientist would say, he’d "get it right the next time!"
Well done for doing your STEAM homework, Patrick! I look forward to seeing all the other students' discoveries in the upcoming weeks!
Bella Crowe
F/Y1 Teacher
Choir Connections
Have you locked the date in your calendar? This Friday 29th March the choir will be performing at assembly for the first time!
We may be feeling a little nervous, but most of all we are very excited and looking forward to seeing smiling faces in the audience.
We can’t say any more now - see you at assembly!
Marinda & Kirsten
PFA News
Committee Members
Office Bearers:
President: Vanessa Cowley
Vice President: George Andrakakos
Treasurer: Sumi Sundram
Secretary: Nadine Phillips
Committee Members:
Shadow Treasurer: Fiona Crellin
Communications: Eva Conley
General Members: Jason Van Lint, Elle Delmee, Mark Havas, Lisa Jacobson, Wendy Douglas, Janneke Storteboom, 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
CUPCAKE STALL NUMBER ONE - A sugary success!
Thank you to all the kids and parents who bought one or more of the cupcakes on Wednesday. An even bigger thank you to our amazing bakers: Elle, Janneke, Julie, Katrina, Kerrie, Kylie B, Luke, Marinda, Pia, and Sumi. Our next stall is in Term 2. Keep watching this space for cake-dates!
MOTHER'S DAY WRAPPING BEE SIGN-UP - Friday 3rd May
Our Mother’s Day Stall is coming up in Term 2. We require around 10 volunteers to spend the morning in the hall wrapping up the gifts. If you are interested, please sign up using this link: http://signup.com/go/mRwSvyb
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 School 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