Dear parents/carers,

We are looking forward to a great term of learning in classrooms.

Once again there is an increase in COVID cases which has impacted our start to term. We have had a more cases than were being reported at the end of last term and are implementing increased measures to reduce chances of spreading infection. Unfortunately we have  postponed a few events to later in the term due to COVID and wet weather.  We will hold the Athletics Carnival when the oval is sufficiently dry enough  and will let parents and carers know as soon as we have a date. We have rescheduled Education Week activities until the last week of term. This will hopefully allow us to give  parents and carers to visit classrooms and we are also planning an art exhibition. We are hopeful that we will be able to hold  planned Book Week activities in a few weeks time. These include:

•  Book Week Live performance “Story Quest” held on 3.8.22 (P-1) and 15.8.22 (Years 2-6). 
• Book Character Parade planned for Wednesday, 24.8.22
• Book Fair planned for Thursday 18.8.22-25.8.22

The stage 1 excursion to Sydney Zoo is still able to go ahead next week and students are very excited.

Parents and carers can assist us to maintain a COVID safe environment. Please remember:

• if children are unwell they should not attend school,
• to notify us if your child has a positive COVID test,

• to notify us if your child is a COVID close contact.

We are experiencing higher levels of staff absences than normal. This is due to a combination of COVID and other winter illness. As there is a severe shortage of casual staff for most  unplanned absences we are unable to obtain casual relief. We are endeavouring to cover classes by rearranging timetables or cancelling support timetables and sometimes need to split classes for the day or part of the day.

Over the school holidays A block was painted and looks very fresh with a coat of new paint. Unfortunately the planned asphalt works in our playground was delayed due to the wet weather. Next week some resurfacing in the early intervention and preschool gated area will provide a softfall surface for the early intervention class to easily access. I have also had news that the school will have demountable canteen sited over the next term. This will allow us to organise a canteen service.

Kindergarten and Year 1 parents were invited to attend an information session on “learning to read’ held on Wednesday night. The session was very informative and it was great lots of parents were able to attend. Staff have been implementing the Little Learners Love Literacy reading program which uses synthetic phonics  and decodable readers to build reading and spelling skills. The  information session focused on supporting parents to understand how reading is taught at school and in assisting children at home.

Staff have also been preparing for the implementation of new syllabus in reading and mathematics to be implemented from 2023. K-2 reading and mathematics syllabus will be released in 2023 and Years 3-6 in 2024. We spent a session on the school development day learning about the syllabus and will continue professional learning across Term 3 and Term 4 to upskill on syllabus implementation.

regards

Gabrielle Buczynski

Our preschool children have been busy designing and making dinosaurs and co-constructing resources from recycled boxes to make our "Dino Land". When children's ideas are used and they are involved in making resources, they feel respected and included in the planning of our program. 

The children loved exploring our preschool “Dino World”. They have been involved in role play as they pretend to look for dinosaurs, take photos of them and dress up like dinosaurs. The children interacted with each other and used their language skills to communicate.

Margaret Akamatis

Pendle Hill Public School Preschool

Introducing our Peer Support Program

On Tuesday afternoon, Week 3 students will commence our Peer Support Program with Session 1 ‘Feeling safe Being me!’ For the next 8 weeks all students K-6 will be involved in groups of approximately 8-10 students to work with two to three student Peer Leaders and supervising teacher on ‘Stronger Together’. This module aims to support positive relationships amongst students.

Our Peer Leaders have been trained and have planned their session using the materials we have from Peer Support Australia. These materials are specially designed for student led sessions. Teachers will prepare students, supervise sessions and check understanding at the end of the sessions.

Our sessions this week includes activities for the members of the group to get to know each other by using a range of social skill interactions that promote diversity and engagement. It also establishes a safe learning environment where the peer group feel able to join in, share and contribute to developing a sense of belonging, to better protect themselves from the effects of bullying.

Please find further information attached to this introduction to the Peer Support Program.

Issue 5 is out now.  Closing date is 8/8/22.

Just a reminder that it's ONLINE ORDERS ONLY

Regular attendance at school is important for students at our school to reach their full potential. The Learning and Support team are looking very closely at attendance and parents will receive a letter to explain how many days their child has been absent for in the past 10 week period.

Currently we have 137 students whose attendance is below 85%. 85% attendance equals 30 days (6 weeks) of absences across the school year.

Students with more than 95% attendance will receive a Penny Possum ticket with their letter in celebration of their attendance at school. This can be placed in their class Poss Box to contribute to their class reward.

Let's work together to improve school attendance and make a positive difference to education and learning at Pendle Hill Public School. 

Warmest, 

Nicole Hogan

Children must turn 5 before 31.7.23 to start kindergarten next year.

If you are intending to start your child at school next year or know of someone who wishes to enrol their child you can do an online enrolment by going to our school website and clicking on the enrolment tab at the top of the page.

Please contact the office if you have any questions on 02 9631 8253.

We are taking preschool applications for 2023.

Children must turn 4 before 31 July 2023 to start at our preschool next year. Email the office to request an application form (pendlehill-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au). Include your address, name , the child's name and date of birth in the email.

The preschool runs on full day sessions in 2023 with children attending five day fortnight. Preschool enrolment applications must be submitted before 1 September, 2022 in order to be considered for the first round of places.

Why is Preschool important?

Preschool helps children develop many vital skills. It particularly assists children to develop important social skills which make a huge difference to their learning when they commence school. If children come to school being able to better follow a teacher direction, sit still and concentrate in a group of children  and they are ready to start learning as soon as they begin school. Our preschool program focuses on these skills as well as many other areas and prepares children for more formal learning in Kindergarten

The preschool program is a one year program for children in the year before they commence formal schooling. Children are only eligible for preschool for one year before they commence school. We are happy to discuss your child with you and offer advice if you are not sure of when they should commence preschool in 2022.

A daily fee may apply. The government has waivered fees for 2022 and we are awaiting advice regarding 2023. In the past the fee has been up to $20.00 a day or  $10.00 a day for healthcare card holders.

Have you changed your Phone Numbers or Address? If so please access the form in the school bag app under the Eforms tab (Click on the school crest to find the eforms  tab) or click on this link:-https://console.skoolbag.com.au/console/form/list

Are you having trouble with Skoolbag or you would like to download it another device? Check out these easy, step by step instructions.

https://www.moqproducts.com.au/skoolbag/installation-instructions/

Parramatta Library is preparing to move to our new home. We look forward to welcoming you to our new state of the art Library, Customer Service Centre, and History and Visitor Information Centre at PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square, in Spring 2022.  

Please notify your school community of the following changes at Parramatta Library, as students will not be able to use the library study spaces and resources from next Monday 25 July until Monday 8 August.

From Monday 25 July, Parramatta Library will open as a pop-up, located on the ground floor, 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta.Monday to Thursday: 9:30am to 6pmFriday: 9:30am to 5:00pmSaturday: 9:30am to 4pmSunday: 2pm to 5pm

The pop-up library will include:  - library items available through ‘click and collect’ service. - borrow up to 40 items. - place holds (reservations) of up to 10 items on your library card via the library catalogue or by phoning Parramatta Library 9806 5159.

From Monday 8 August, in addition to our pop-up library, computer use of up to 90 minutes and study spaces will be available on Level 1. 

For further information, please visit the council website.

If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact the library.

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