The Punchbowl Press

2022 Term 2 Week 10

30 June - Industrial Action (minimal supervision)

1 July - Term 2 Ends

Term 3

19 July - School Resumes for all students P-6

25 - 29 July- Little Wings Return and Earn Fundraiser

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have finished the term with the best news ever. After months of waiting, our field has finally been mowed. We have been waiting for it to dry out so that it could be done with a tractor, and it has finally happened for the last week of term. There was a big cheer from students and teachers as we know we need that big open space to run around in and play our soccer games.

We commemorated Sorry Day this term with activities across the school to engage with Aboriginal Culture and History. That evening, the school hosted the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) – Bankstown in our School as a Community Centre. We were joined by the AECG committee, local school representatives and community members. It was wonderful to engage with the groups on such an important day. We made many connections across schools and look forward to further opportunities to support this important learning in our classrooms.

“We read the story, Took the children away by Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. It was a very sad story. We need to use our voices to show respect, kindness, and care.” Roaa, 4 Loyal.

“I learnt that the land we live on always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.” Leasuasu, 4 Loyal.

This term we inducted our Student Representative Council (SRC) with their badges at a special Monday morning assembly. The SRC are an important voice in the school, always working with their fellow students and teachers to improve the learning environment and opportunities for our students. I look forward to seeing the impact they bring in the coming months.

We also launched ‘The Fathering Project’ with a fantastic night of pizza and paper plane making. With over 100 students, fathers and/or father figures in attendance it was successful beyond our expectations. Besides having fun and sharing a meal, we all made new, positive connections with community members, and caught up with those we have not seen for a while. It was a very successful event, and we are looking forward to the next one in Term 3.

With the lifting of many restrictions, the students and families have been venturing out into the community and having new learning experiences. One of our School as a Community Centre (SaCC) playgroups and our Kindergarten students have taken advantage of a very high-quality outdoor learning program provided by Centennial Parklands. Some of our refugee families were also able to travel to the Story Factory in Parramatta to take part in a writing workshop. This was supported by our partnership with STARRTS. These experiences mean a great deal to our students and their families, and we love to hear the stories and adventures they have been having on these excursions. Follow the link to watch a short highlights video. 

Happy holidays to everyone. Stay safe. Students return on Tuesday 19 July.

Donna McGeary - Principal 


Schools as Community Centre (SaCC)

On Wednesday 15 June our SaCC families enjoyed an interactive workshop delivered by Muru Mittigar. Aunty Jenny and Stephanie introduced various aspects of Aboriginal culture, history, heritage, traditions and protocols to our parents and little learners. The program involved a culture talk including artefacts, a dreamtime story, an art presentation including ochre face painting, song and dance and basic language. Mrs McGeary, Mrs Kontakos and Mrs Farhat also joined in. 

Our partnerships with many local community organisations are strong and this term our children and parents have participated in a variety of exciting programs. The Learning Hub, Tweens Create, Bush School Playgroups, Mother Goose program and the TAFE Floristry course have been very well attended by our community this term. We thank TAFE NSW, The Smith Family, BreakThru, Creating Links and Centennial Parklands for their support. We look forward to continuing our partnerships throughout the year. 

We look forward to seeing you back in Term 3 for more SaCC programs. Make sure you check the Skoolbag app and SaCC Facebook page for updates. 

Bush School
Playgroup
TAFE Floristry
TAFE Floristry Course
Bush School
Learning Hub
Bush School
Playgroup
TAFE Floristry
TAFE Floristry Course
Bush School
Learning Hub

Industrial Action - Thursday

Dear parents and carers

On 21 June, the NSW Teachers Federation directed its members to strike for 24 hours on Thursday 30 June 2022.

While our school will still be open, we will be only be providing minimal supervision of students on this date because of the strike. Minimal supervision means that students may not be in their regular class with their regular teacher. Playground access may change to ensure we meet safety and supervision requirements. The canteen will be CLOSED. 

Our focus remains the learning and wellbeing of our students. The department is prioritising work to resolve a new Teachers Award, with dates for arbitration in the Industrial Relations Commission reserved for October.

The Fathering Project

On Wednesday 15 June our community came together to launch the The Fathering Project initiative by hosting an evening of fun which included paper plane making, paper plane competitions and pizza for fathers, father figures and their children. It was great to see so many who were able to attend. Thank you to Mrs McGeary, Mr Potten, Ms Birgin, Mrs Iriate, Mr Eliaali and Ms Williams who volunteered their time to support the event on the night.  Follow the link to join the Punchbowl Public School group https://portal.thefatheringproject.org/.../punchbowl.../

Follow the the link to watch the highlights video. We look forward to seeing you at other events throughout the year.

- Mrs Kontakos, Mr Shearer and Mr Abdelrazaq (parent representative) 

Start collecting 10c Cans and Bottles! Little Wings Fundraiser

Little Wings is a non-profit organization that provides free, professional and safe flight and ground transport services for seriously ill children in rural and regional NSW.

Punchbowl Public School would like to invite the students, teachers and families to bring their 10c recycling bottles and cans to the school and place them in the Little Wings recycling bin which will be located outside the office. 

Little Wings will receive 10c from every bottle recycled. 

Lets help fuel Little Wings planes.

Collection at school starts in Term 3 Week 2 MONDAY, 25TH JULY 2022

You can start collecting now and send them in throughout Week 2. 

Road Safety

We are noticing increasingly risky behaviour of motorists outside our school particularly on Rossmore Ave which is very concerning. Please do not drop off/pick up children on the crossing, this is a NO STOPPING zone. This poses a huge safety risk. The safest place to drop off you child is along the school side of Rossmore Ave or Viola St. This is a NO PARKING zone during school times however drop off and pick up is permitted as long as you remain within 3m of your car and stay less than 2 minutes (please see attached for Driving Offences in School Zones information).  

Please ensure you are speak to your child about using the crossings safely and as an adult always model safe behaviour. 

  • Cross the road at a designated pedestrian crossing
  • Stop! Look! Listen! Think! when crossing the road
  • Take care whenever you cross
  • Wait for cars to stop from both directions before crossing
  • Do not double park or call out to your child from across the road
  • Drop children off on the school side of Rossmore Ave or Viola St rather than across the road

Road safety is a shared responsibility. 

Mrs Eleni Kontakos - Deputy Principal, Student and Community Engagement

Preschool & Early Intervention

The Importance Of Learning Through Play For Children 

Experts agree that play is one of the most important ways that children learn and prepare for life, as well as being a crucial activity for igniting and stimulating a love of learning. Children in Early Intervention have been exploring and playing their way to learning. It is exciting to watch children at Early Intervention build communication skills and their understanding of the world. Furthermore, play has demonstrated the student’s growth and resilience in two terms of attending this wonderful program. 

Interestingly children generally do not distinguish between learning and playing, there are different types of play, which are offered as opportunities at Early Intervention. Children are given physical active play like running and climbing, quiet play like reading or looking at books and co-operative play involving games with others to constructive play using fine motor skills like doing puzzles and making music – there is no doubt children learn different things from different types of play…this is what we are privileged to provide for children attending Early Intervention. 

The children from Kangaroos and Wombats in the Punchbowl preschool are learning to be safe and respectful learners. The children are learning to be engaged in meaningful interactions with their peers and teachers to develop holistically in both indoor and outdoor learning environments. The children are demonstrating a sense of identity while exploring different learning spaces and engaging themselves in challenging and stimulating activities such as solving puzzles or building and constructing complex structures with blocks and Lego. They are learning indigenous culture through art and craft and enjoying learning and singing indigenous songs. They are demonstrating a strong sense of well-being while learning to be independent and safe. They are creative and imaginative when creating art through painting or being involved in a collaborative pretend play such as a vegetable shop or dinosaur play. The children are curious and confident in inquiry-based learning for seeds, plants, insects, and worms. The children are sharing their ideas and experiences in their play, small and large group discussions.  

Early Stage 1

This term Kindergarten students explored the History unit “A Special Place” and the Science unit “Sensory Explorers”. An excursion to Centennial Parklands was organised for Kindergarten students to support these units of work. Students participated in interactive activities, games, storytelling, and nature play that encouraged them to learn through play, at their own pace and interest. Students explored, experienced, experimented and communicated their discoveries to each other and their teachers. 

K/6 Owls & K/6 Kookaburras

Kookaburras have been learning about convict life during our integrated English and History unit. They are beginning to understand how words work together to form a sentence. Students wrote a persuasive text using the Hamburger and Oreo structure, with the point of view ‘Convict Life Was Unfair’. We had the opportunity to explore compost worms and learn all about the important role they play within the garden. We now have two flexible calming spaces located outside each Support Unit classroom and a sensory room to meet our student needs. Kookaburras have worked super hard to move up the PBL continum by following our whole school expectations.  

Owls have been working tirelessly on a collaborative artwork with Mrs Haidar. The students strategically blended warm and cool colours to create this inspirational mural. Mr Eliaali and I highly encourage you to visit the support unit to observe and take photographs. 

Stage 1

Stage 1 have been busy exploring different concepts in mathematics. This term students investigated patterns and mass. Stage 1 students had the opportunity to explore these mathematical concepts through hands on tasks. They created AB patterns using pencils, Unifix cubes and 2D shapes. Stage 1 students also learnt about equivalence using balance arms, they learnt to use mathematical language such as heavier, lighter and about the same as. Check out some mathematicians doing their learning!

Stage 2

This term, Stage 2 was proud to participate in a public speaking competition, focusing on a core concept of multiculturalism. Students throughout the stage made short speeches, which were done in front of their classes. Two students from each class were then selected to speak in front of the whole stage. Students and teachers then selected our two finalists, who will represent the school in a NSW Government organised competition. We’ll all be cheering on Helen and Eshaal in the finals! 

Public speaking gives students a great chance to develop a range of valuable skills: articulation, oration, projection, timing and the development of persuasive writing. Each of our finalists showed these qualities throughout our competition, and should be exceptionally proud of themselves! 

Stage 3

Stage 3 have had the marvellous opportunity to be involved in netball activities with Sarah from Netball N.S.W.  Sarah has shown them a variety of techniques and game-based activities to enhance the children’s netball skills. Stage 3’s throwing and catching techniques have shown a great improvement. 

“We really loved being able to run and have the opportunity to be involved in sport.” - Haja and Whitney 5 Victory 

“I enjoyed shooting goals and learning a new sport.” - Ahmed 5 Victory 

We have also had the opportunity to listen to some great public speaking presentations on subjects related to multiculturalism.  All the students in the stage prepared speeches which were delivered to their class. The two finalists from classes then presented their speeches to the whole of Stage 3 from which two finalists were chosen to move onto the next stage. Congratulations to Karim and Rina for making it to the next round. 

Community Language - Arabic

This term we had many reasons to enjoy our learning. Through interactive and class games, the students have been learning Arabic alphabet sounds, colours and numbers from 1 to 20. As teachers, we strive to reflect a whole school approach to literacy and numeracy learning by implementing the school’s strategic direction of establishing skills of literacy and numeracy with confidence and independence.  The students engaged in Arabic number recognition and talk. They actively participated in hands on games  such as 'Bingo' and 'Kahoot' to develop their existing number skills and to see for themselves the way Arabic numbers are read and written. Students actively listened and participated in the games to gain a better understanding and achieve great results. 

Library

Stage 1 

Stage 1 students have been learning how to log on to MyOn. MyOn is our eBook library that contains hundreds of books for students to enjoy. They also have access to the MyOn library from home. Developing daily reading habits benefits students with their overall learning outcomes. 

“I like coming to the library because I use a laptop to read lots of books on MyOn.” Janna, 1 Octopus. 

Stage 2 

For history, Stage 2 students have been learning about First Contacts. They are developing an understanding of how and where to find information of interest about the history topic. Many students were surprised to discover that there were explorers that made contact with Aboriginal people before the arrival of Captain James Cook. 

 “I learnt that Vasco Da Gama found a sea route to India. He might have explored the north of Australia in 1497.That is so long ago, long before Captain Cook.” Explorers of Australia: Volume 1. Abdul-Raouf, 3 Marvellous. 

“Rock art in the Northern Territory suggests Macassans, people from Indonesia, were there in the 1600s.” Sarah A, 3 Flourish. 

Stage 3 

Stage 3 students have been developing their information search skills through the history topic, Australia as a Nation. They defined areas of interest through background reading of various picture books. Their areas of focus were migration, human rights and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and how this has shaped Australia as a nation. Students are making strong connections to significant texts and are posing questions that reflect deep thinking. 

Great Book Swap/ Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The Great Book Swap was an opportunity for our students to exchange a gold coin donation for a preloved book. It was a delight to witness the excitement students expressed when getting a book to keep at very little cost. Many of our students participated and are keen to read their newfound treasures. In addition to promoting and celebrating reading, our school community raised $1436 which was donated to the #Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). The ILF uses the funds to make books accessible to remote communities across Australia. 

RoboCup

Extending thinking and problem solving, students are learning how to code using LEGO Spike Prime. Coding is another opportunity for students to develop critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and communication. 

Rubik's Club

Our students’ interest in solving Rubik’s Cube is gaining momentum. Three additional students have learnt to solve the Cube. This is a magnificent achievement. The students have demonstrated determination and persistence, qualities which are the benchmarks of success. Our expert cubers are now part of the mentoring team, coaching those still learning how to master the cube. 

Chess Club

Chess Club provides students with an opportunity for rigorous thinking. The group gather weekly for a lesson from our expert coach, Nathan from the Sydney Chess Academy. Students then have a chance to challenge one another for a serious game of chess. These are wonderful experiences where students learn valuable skills such as problem solving, perseverance and good sportsmanship. It’s not all about winning, but the processes that are developed along the way. 

ICAS Assessments - Years 3-6

We are delighted to inform you that Punchbowl Public School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competitions this year. 

What is ICAS? 

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Our school is only participating in the Mathematics assessment for years 3-6. 

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals. 

We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.  

Learn more about ICAS here. https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas   

Please use the following details to register your child no later than 15/08/2022 

How to participate in ICAS 

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please: 

1.   read about ICAS subjects and prices here: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas 

2.   go to Parent Portal here: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps  

3.   enter our school’s access code – DZR639

4.   enter your child’s details, select the test you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment. 

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records. 

These assessments will take place at Punchbowl Public School on the 30/08/2022 before school at 8:15am. 

Please arrive at the Library ten minutes earlier. 

We are proud to offer ICAS and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions. 

Kind regards, 

Mrs Shopovski and Mrs Vuong                                    

ICAS Coordinators

Fun Kids - Vacation Care Program July 2022

Download the flyer to find out what's on at Fun Kids these school holidays. 

Fun Kids Vacation Care operates on the grounds of Punchbowl Public School. 

For more information contact Fun Kids directly on 0422968085  punchbowl@funkids.com.au 

Download

Share our Space

Share Our Space is a commitment by the NSW Government and NSW Department of Education to make schools the centre of our community.

Punchbowl Public School will be OPEN for parents and children to access our outdoor play areas during the school holidays. Our school will be open on WEEKENDS only from 8 am to 5 pm on the following dates.

-Saturday 2 July and Sunday 3 July

-Saturday 9 July and Sunday 10 July

-Saturday 16 July and Sunday 17 July

Please remember to use the bins provided, note that toilets/bubblers will not be accessible during this time and children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Access to the school will only be available from the lower Rossmore Ave gate. Look for the ‘Share Our Space’ sign.Have fun and enjoy the great outdoors these school holidays.

An important message from the school office

A new system has been introduced and you will now receive your Statement of Account  including School Voluntary Contribution (invoiced at $46 for one student or $54 per family) and other school fees such PSSA, Excursions/Incursions via the email contact address you have registered with the school.

Please note that the School Voluntary Contribution is not compulsory and remains voluntary. We thank the families who choose to contribute, these funds will be used to support programs in a number of learning areas to enhance student learning. 

The email contains a link to the online payment system where you can make secure payments via debit or credit card.

Contact the school should you have any questions. 

Did you know that the newsletter can be translated to many different languages?

- Scroll all the way to the bottom until you see the ‘Select Language’ option. Select your preferences language

You can now read the news in your chosen language.

Click here to 'Like' Punchbowl Public School on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/punchbowlps/

Local Community News and Events

School Crossing Supervisors Needed- Punchbowl Public School

Please share with family and friends.

This advertisement is specifically for a School Crossing Supervisor to service Punchbowl Public School. As you are aware we have been without a supervisor for the Rossmore Ave top gate for quite some time. 

Applications close Wednesday 6th July 2022 See www.jobs.transport.nsw.gov.au and search for Reference Number: 63100 or search ‘School Crossing Supervisors’ for a full list or vacancies or scan the QR code to apply.For further information, contact Lisa Schreiber lisa.schreiber@transport.nsw.gov.au P: (02) 9983 3823

Download the flyer attached for more information. 

Download

Big Day Out

Come along for a family fun event brought to you by the Canterbury Child and Family Interagency

Date: Wednesday 13th July 2022

Time: 10am – 1pm

Where: Hampden Park Public School 39/75 Hampden Rd, Lakemba REGISTER NOW! Scan the QR Code below or go to http://tinyurl.com/BigDayOut2022 

Motiv8sports Canterbury Bankstown Sports

At Motiv8sports Canterbury Bankstown, we get kids excited about sport and help them learn about teamwork and sportsmanship in safe and fun settings. We offer awesome party packages, school programs and of course, the coolest kids’ sports camps on the planet.

Our incredible team of coaches are selected based on their love of sport, using their experience, knowledge and energy to inspire the next generation. All of our coaches have undergone Working with Children checks.

Camps are held every school holidays at local venues.

We create events that motivate children to play, where no one sits on the bench and everyone’s treated like a superstar. Check out our events page for an event near you.

Visit https://motiv8sports.com.au/locations/canterbury-bankstown/ for registration and more details 

UNSW - Shaping bright young minds

The Junior Scientia program is designed for gifted and talented primary school students in Years 3-6. To participate in the program, students will select one three-day workshop from a range of options.  

All workshops are developed and presented by experienced teachers who are qualified or experienced in gifted education. They possess the expertise and skills to encourage the interests and pique the curiosity of gifted children.  

To provide an appropriate level of rigour and challenge for gifted students, the level of difficulty of the workshops is set two years above the enrolled school level of the child. The workshop structure is also designed to further develop social skills and provide an opportunity for gifted students to meet like-minded peers with similar interests. 

Visit the link for more details. 

Have you subscribed to PPS YouTube Channel? Click to Subscribe

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuF8yxtdYNOJ8e2PEozC2w

NSW Department of Education Covid-19 Advice for families

https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families
This page provides the latest advice for parents and carers on the department’s response to the pandemic. This guide is updated regularly based on advice from NSW Health. Please check this regularly.