Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 3, Thursday February 14 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
We are in full flow!
CAFE READING PROGRAM: https://www.thedailycafe.com/cafe
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;
maximise 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; and
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.
ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2019:
Our aims and priorities in 2019 are developed with the School Improvement Team using all available data and review notes. The key areas of focus in 2019 are Writing, STEAM and Student Wellbeing. The STEAM activity grid came home this week – please have a go at home with some of the experiments, tests and hands on activities available.
DISCOVERY DOME:
On Wednesday 27th February we have a Discovery Dome coming to Parkhill. The Y5/6 and Y4 students will attend incursions throughout the day. After school we will be offering families tickets to see Secret of the Cardboard Rocket. More information can be found at the website – see the link below. Tickets will be sold online and can be purchased at the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/BATFE. They will be issued on a first come first served basis. The dome can hold up to 50 people so this will be by ticket only.
SLEEP AND MOOD:
As with a healthy diet, sleep is a critical part of a child’s health – both physical and emotional. We all know that a sleep-deprived child is a whirlwind of behaviours. Children who come to school tired find it so difficult to concentrate on their learning. Not only is class time more challenging, but so are their social interactions. Taking turns becomes harder, compromise feels impossible and managing conflict is just too hard. Children can become easily frustrated when they are over-tired. As adults we are able to identify in ourselves that the reason we feel grumpy is because we are tired – children don’t always have this ability and cannot always connect tiredness to mood. There is a lot of helpful information about the importance of sleep, and managing those bedtime challenges that we all encounter.
‘Just 5 more minutes, Mum…’
‘One more turn…’
‘I need a drink!’
‘I’m hungry’
‘My tummy hurts’
‘I need to tell you something…’
I’m sure you all have the same list!
The sites below offer some helpful advice and tips for those of us who are struggling with bedtime!!
http://sleepforkids.org/html/cant.html
https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/node/3695
The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following amounts of sleep – I have to say I had a little giggle to myself when I read this!!!
Newborn (0-3 months) — 14-17 hours
Babies (4-11 months) — 12-15 hours
Children (1-2 years) — 11-14 hours
Preschool (3-5 years) — 10-13 hours
School Age (6-13 years) — 9-11 hours
Teens (14-17 years) — 8-10 hours
Youth (18-25 years) — 7-9 hours
Adults (26-64 years) — 7-9 hours
How do you fair?
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)
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 a part of them, then please email me or call the office.
REMINDERS:
Drop-off and pick-up
There is supervision on the playground from 8:45am, and classroom doors open at 8:50am. Many children are arriving at school very early. We strongly advise that children are NOT left at school any earlier than 8:30am. We finish our school day at 3:30pm and pick up should be prompt. The supervision on the playground is only until 3:45pm to ensure all children are picked up and safely home or with a parent/carer. Many parents enrol their children in our OSHClub program so if they are late the children can attend on that day. There is NO supervision available by school staff after 3:45pm. Please do ensure you are organised for pick up at 3:30pm. Should something urgent occur to prevent this, please call the office.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Thursday 28 February - Friday 8 March - Foundation Health Assessments
Friday 15 February - Y2/3 Circus Crew incursion session 1 & Y5/6 Summer Sport Round Robin at Jells Park
Wednesday 20 February - Y5/6 District Swimming (selected students) & John Monash Science Groups (selected students)
Thursday 21 February - Bring it Breaky
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 - forms will be sent home soon
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
Garden Volunteers Needed!
2/3M needs some volunteers to help in their Garden classes. They require volunteers on Monday February 18, Monday March 4, Monday March 18 and Monday April 1 from 2:00-3:30pm. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact the office or Anne McGregor with the dates you are able to attend.
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop will no longer be open on a Monday afternoon. The Uniform Shop hours will be 8:30-10:00am on Thursdays. You will still be able to submit uniform orders at the office if you are unable to make it to the Uniform Shop during opening hours.
Choir Corner
Today students from Y1-4 participated in a choir experience session with Marinda Tanner who will be leading our Parkhill Choir for 2019 with support from Kirsten Majidi. A great deal of fun was had as the students sang a greeting song called ‘Hello Everyone’, an action song named ‘Tony Chestnut’ and ‘Sesere eyee’, a song from The Torres Straight Islands.
A notice was sent home with children containing all the information regarding choir rehearsals which will be taking place on a Friday morning at 8.10am from the 1st March 2019. All students from Y1-4 are invited to participate in the choir, along with any pre-existing 2018 choir members.
We thought it would be fun to learn about where Marinda’s passion for music, singing and performing all began through a quick Q&A:
What is your connection to Parkhill?
My eldest son Xavier is in Y1 with Mrs Tuck. It will be a long standing connection with my children Darcy (4), Lydia (2) and Adele (9 months) to 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.
Human Race
We enjoyed the show “Human Race” by Brainstorm Productions last Thursday. Themes of fairness, resilience, celebrating differences and strengths, teamwork and friendship came up, and students enjoyed the funny antics of the actors. Classes will be able to use the show as a springboard to talk about those tricky things in circle times and help each other to grow and develop into strong, resilient young people.
Michelle Smith
Assistant Principal
Curriculum Day Staff Learning
On our Curriculum Day last Friday, teachers were learning about hot topics in educational research from Stephen Dinham, a celebrated academic from Melbourne University. We will see the results of that learning impact in the classroom for many years to come.
Michelle Smith
Assistant Principal
Y5/6 Sport
After a few weeks of training, our first sporting event of the year will kick off tomorrow at Jells Park. We will be competing in our Summer Round Robin and it will be a whole day event. The sports are cricket, tee ball, softball, rounders and Danish rounders. Students have been given a challenge to demonstrate their skills and to show sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the day. The schedule is as follows:
9:45am: Parkhill vs Pinewood
10:40am: Syndal South vs Parkhill
11:35am: Parkhill vs Glen Waverley
12:30pm: Holy Family vs Parkhill
1:25pm: Bye
2:20pm: Presentation Ceremony
2:30pm: Depart
Feel free to come along and support your child and the school. It will be a fantastic day!
Dora Handby
Sport Coordinator
Information Night Presentations
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 with the school community.
DON’T MISS A THING!
Make sure you keep up to date with all school happenings by joining the ‘Parkhill Primary School Community Page’ on Facebook. This is a closed group to maintain privacy and can only be accessed by Parkhill families. Search for us using the name below, send a request to join, the administrators will verify your details and then you can scroll until your heart's content!
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