Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 40, Thursday 19 December
Dear Parents/ Carers
What a fabulous year at Parkhill! We have achieved so many things this year and enjoyed so many wonderful events… our NAPLAN results were pleasing across the board, students achieved highly in ICAS Science, Maths, English and Writing. We had teams of children perform at Solar Challenge, Regional Sports and attend the GATEWAYS programs - which we hosted at Parkhill for the first time. Our whole school focus on the STEAM domains enriched our inquiry program offering children weekly STEAM focussed lessons using our Science Kitchen for the first time in a few years. You will have been following the exciting hands-on nature of this learning through our weekly newsletter items.
The launch of our Parkhill Community Essential Agreement at the beginning of term 1 set the way for our High Expectations in behaviour and communication. The restructure of our school day was responsive to the data we collected from the students and yourselves and lead to us maintaining the three break model. We have seen dramatic reduction in playground incidents as a result. The use of consistent practices across the school has been super successful in developing a cohesive approach to behaviour management.
At every opportunity I can, I thank the Parkhill Team—I cannot speak highly enough of the staff; we are a collaborative and highly supportive team of professionals. I would like to thank School Council for their ongoing support and guidance, and the PFA for their work throughout the year.
I would like to acknowledge the staff who are leaving us this year - Dyon Hunt, Victoria Bruges-Cannon, Niki Kouklatzis and Erika Ujma . Erika has been teaching piano at Parkhill for 21 years and has worked closely with many families in that time. We wish her all the very best for the future. We are working to replace the service Erica offers to the Parkhill community.
AWARD WINNERS 2019:
Again, a huge congratulations to our 2019 award winners!
Y6 2020 SCHOOL LEADER:
School leadership is an important and exciting role. I congratulate all of our school leaders on their appointment but also would like to acknowledge all of the Y5s heading into Y6 - each and everyone of them has an important role to play in leading our school. I encourage them all to be the kind of leader they would follow.
HOLIDAY FUN:
So many things to do over the holidays: arts, crafts, cooking, exhibitions, films, galleries, libraries, museums, nature and wildlife, out and about, performances, and much more. The links below are awesome for holiday fun information:
https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson/school_holidays/Pages/default.aspx
OTHER:
It’s lovely to see the progress of the dad’s footy team, The Parkhill Piranhas. They played in the grand final on Monday and won! A super big well done!
Reminder: school closes on Friday 20th December at 1:30pm
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope your holidays are full of fun with family and friends - some time to relax and some sunshine!
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 20 December -Term 4 ends at 1.30pm
Tuesday 28 January - Term 1 Starts No Student Day
Wednesday 29 January - Students return to school Y1- Y6
Thursday 30 January - Foundation Students Start
Thank you to all our Class Reps
Thank you to the wonderful team of Parent Class Representatives for 2019! You have organised many fun events, class room assistance rosters and helped welcome new families to Parkhill. Your assistance adds so much to the Parkhill community. Thank you all so much for your help this year.
F/1T - Christine Doulkeridis
F/1S - Zoe Littlewood & Pia Ahmet
F/1C - Sarah Shevy & Maria Adrakakos
2/3M - Julie McCarthy
2/3L - Janneke Storteboom
2/3G - Elsie McBean
Y4O - Donna Edwards & Nicole Smith
Y4D - Michelle Mehta & Chelsea Knight
5/6H - Emma Lee
5/6CS - Sumi Sundram
5/6B - Stephanie Bryan
Uniform Shop
The uniform shop will be open on Tuesday 28 January for any last minute purchases.
Time: 9.30 -12 noon sharp.
Please note you need to be in the line before 12pm to be served.
Choir Connections
A heartfelt thanks to the wonderful parents, friends and community of Parkhill for supporting our choir students this year. It has been an absolute pleasure spending Friday mornings, singling, laughing and dancing with over 45 students each week.
Their enthusiasm and commitment to choir has seen their confidence grow and we couldn’t be more proud of their efforts. We have performed at school assemblies, the Choir Spectacular, Open Night, Batesford Community Day and on Channel Ten News at Fun Food and Carols.
This Friday we welcome all of our choir students and their families to join us for a Choir Class Party – no need for breakfast as we will be celebrating at 8.10am in the choir rehearsal room.
We wish everyone a wonderful time over the holidays, enjoy some music, singing, dancing and special moments with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you all again for Choir in 2020!
Marinda and Kirsten
PFA News 12 December 2019
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
COLOUR FUN RUN - Prizes
The prizes have arrived and pick up was this morning and after school. There are a handful of prizes that haven’t arrived. Please check your email for updates.
A MESSAGE FROM VANESSA.....
The PFA would like to thank everyone for their support, time and energy helping out at, and attending all our fundraising activities this year. Thanks also to Elaine, Michelle, Jo and Anny for their part in making it all happen. It has been great to see you all at our various events, helping to make them such a success. From cake stalls to Bogan Bingo, each event contributes to our overall fundraising efforts. The highlight of the year for the students was definitely the Colour Fun Run. A huge thanks must also go to each of them for making the day so successful and fun. Our fundraising this year will contribute towards new playground equipment for our emerging new play spaces. We can’t wait to see it all take shape in the coming months.
5 CENT CHALLENGE - 2020
There will be a 5 cent challenge early next year. The goal is for each class to collect as many 5 cent coins as they can. So, even though hardly anyone carries cash anymore, make it a New Year’s Resolution, carry cash and save your 5 cent pieces! Plus, think of all the possible Mathematic opportunities you can have over the Summer Holidays!!! Win win!!!!
BOUNCE SPONSORSHIP - Thank you
Bounce was kind enough to supply the PFA with vouchers for the Colour Fun Run. These were used as prizes for the class which raised the most! Well done F/1C and thank you to Bounce for their sponsorship.
PFA 2020
At this time of year, we know - it’s hard to think past tomorrow – but if anytime during the year you’ve had a fleeting thought or light bulb moment of how you could assist the PFA, we would love you to join us.
At the beginning of each year calendar year all PFA executive positions are declared vacant. Please keep an eye out early in 2020 for the date of the PFA AGM, you will find it via our usual methods of communication – Newsletter, Facebook and Flexibuzz. This is a great opportunity to come along and see what it’s all about.
FINALLY....
One again we would dearly like to thank all the volunteers and generous supporters of our activities; your help makes everything possible. We look forward to working with you all again in 2019. It is wonderful to be part of this positive Parkhill community.
We wish you a safe and happy holiday.
Warm Regards
PFA
Parkhill Primary School
Email: Parkhill.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
Website: www.parkhillps.vic.edu.au
Location: 4a Parkhill Drive Ashwood
Phone: 03 9807 2239