Parkhill Primary School Newsletter
Issue 2, Thursday February 7 2019
Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
A busy start to the new year with lots happening!! Information Evening across the school was so positive with lots of good questions being asked – I thank you all for the positive way in which you have approached our new structures and my congratulations go out to the staff who have worked so hard to ensure the start to the year has been seamless. If you do have any further questions, please do come and chat with me or your class teacher at any time, or email the office and Steph will forward your correspondence to the class teacher.
We have many things already happening throughout the school. Marinda Tanner and Kirsten Majidi are taking the School Choir under their wing this year. We will be running two experience sessions over the coming weeks for all students in Y1-Y4. Further information will come home soon…
This afternoon we have been lucky to have Brainstorm Productions present their show The Human Race to the whole school. This performance is a platform to unite us in our learning about respect and relationships, which is in support of our Community Essential Agreement and our Social Emotional Learning program.
Coming soon in week 8 (Monday 18th March) we look forward to our Twilight Sports event. This year Eva Conley (PFA) has been able to arrange for Channel 10 to come to Parkhill to host their School Weather Segment. Mike Larkin is coming to visit!!
The children across the school have been tuning in to their new inquiry learning focus and the Science Kitchen (STEAM room) has been buzzing with activity already this year – it is great to have this facility back up and running!
STEAM:
Throughout the school we have a huge push and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) this year and going into the future. As part of this we have released a STEAM activity grid – the children will bring it home next week. This is a selection of activities that you can do with your child at home with suggested links. The activities do form part of the homework schedule but are not compulsory and are really just to scaffold engagement in hands-on learning at home.
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.
https://www.sciencediscoverydome.com.au/
CATASTROPHE SCALE:
Across the school the students have been learning about how we manage problems that may occur. As a whole school strategy we are referring to The Catastrophe Scale. This is a visual way for us to scaffold conversation around how ‘big’ the problem is and helps us to have discussions around the strategies we can use to help us.
This resource is one that you can use at home too.
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 part of them, then please email me or call the office.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Friday 8 February - Curriculum Day - students will not attend school on this day
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 - Discovery Dome
Thursday 28 February - Foundation Health Assessments begin
Friday 1 March - Y2/3 Circus Crew incursion session 3
Tuesday 5 March - School photo day
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 - Andy L
F/1S - Y1 students
F/1T - Zerrin A
2/3G - Jackson M
2/3L - Sarah G
2/3M - Zi Yan W
4D - Famy M & Sakura M
4O - Fynn L
5/6A - Billy N
5/6CS - Eddie F
5/6H - Bahareh S
Uniform Shop - Change of Hours
Starting next week, the Uniform Shop will no longer be open on a Monday afternoon. The Uniform Shop hours will be 8:15-10:00am 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.
Expressions of Interest
Are you interested in being a Parent Class Representative for 2019? Be part of a great team of helpers to organise social functions and parent volunteers for your child's class. If you would like to find out more please email the Parent Class Rep Coordinator, Philippa, at philippa_isaacs@hotmail.com
Flexibuzz
Flexibuzz is our main form of communication for events and happenings at Parkhill. To keep up to date with classroom information and school activities, please make sure you have the correct year level/s chosen. Please see the information below on how to update your Flexibuzz subscriptions.
Medical Consent
Please make sure that if your child needs to take medication at school that you complete and hand in a Medical Authority Form. We are unable to administer medication to students without a complete and signed form. These forms are available at the office.
Chaplain's Corner
There’s a quote from Dr Who in my office that says “900 years of time and space and I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important!” I keep it there to remind myself and the children that everyone has value and is important. That, in the KidsMatter lingo, at this school “every face has a place”. I’m here to help support the Parkhill Community, students, staff, parents and all. At times that means reminding people they do matter and they are valued.
If you or your children need a listening ear and some emotional support, some tissues and a cuppa, finances are a bit tight and you need a hand with uniforms or camp fees, please feel free to pop in and see me, give me a call at school or drop me an email.
I also run the 'Bring it Breaky' mornings which are a great chance to get to know other parents – the next one is on Thursday 21st February.
I do a range of activities with children depending on what their needs are - it may be talking through playground problems, teaching social and emotional skills, grief and loss recovery courses and referring children to other services where applicable.
If you would like me to see your children please sign and complete a consent form which is available via the office.
My office hours are Mondays all day, Wednesdays 8:30-12 and Thursdays 8:30-12:30. You can call me on 9807 2239 or email me on carmody.suzanne.m2@edumail.vic.gov.au
See you on the playground!
Suzanne Carmody
Chaplain
Foundation Health Assessments
Melinda Wilson, a visiting primary school nurse from the Department of Education and Training, will be attending the school to conduct the Foundation grade health assessments and to see other children as requested by teachers (with parents’ consent).
The purpose of the visit is to provide all Victorian Foundation children with the opportunity to have a health assessment; to link children, families and school communities to services available in the community; and to provide information and advice promoting health and wellbeing.
Parents are welcome to contact the visiting primary school nurse if there are any issues they wish to discuss. The contact number for the visiting primary school nurse is 0459 873 959.
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
We’re Back!
It feels like just last week we were wishing you all a safe and happy holiday and now we are back for the start of the school year. We hope you are ‘event ready’ and are looking forward to another fun-packed year at Parkhill.
Please see above for a list of our current PFA members and also a calendar of events for Term 1.
The PFA AGM will be held on Wednesday 6 March at 7.30pm in Parkhill Primary School’s staffroom. We are really hoping you can join us. Please come along and check out what we’re all about, and you never know - if you like what you see you just might leave with a VIP membership to the most exclusive club in Ashwood!
All jokes aside, anytime that you can spare is always appreciated. We look forward to meeting you all.
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