Parkhill Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have seen a super week of online learning with children fully engaged across the school. I feel very proud of the children, families and staff at Parkhill for their ongoing commitment to this very unusual situation we continue to find ourselves in. Our engagement rates are greater than those we saw in 2020 which is wonderful to see. 

I am sure you share my concerns about the extension of lockdown, and hope that the additional 7 days is enough to see the virus under control once again so that we can return to onsite learning, and reestablish ourselves once more. 

Across the school we are using Google Classrooms and Seesaw so that children can access learning activities, we have whole class Google Meets and open teacher time, one to one support sessions, small group teaching sessions and access to Learn from Home packages. I do believe children involved with music instrumental tuition are engaging in online lessons too.

As we head into the second week of lockdown we wait to hear how the metropolitan restrictions will play out and what this will mean for week 9. Our Y5/6 students are naturally feeling very anxious as they were due to go away to Camp Kangaroobie in week 9. This is looking unlikely at this stage. We are working hard to try and secure dates later in the year. 

It has been super to gain your insights into how we can promote Parkhill and engage our community events through our recent ‘Connecting Communities’ survey. Thank you to those who took time to share your ideas with us. I feel like the damage done to the Parkhill ‘community feel’ on the back of CoVID in 2020 and its continued presence around us is not to be underestimated. With ongoing restrictions in place whole school events and parent involvement is compromised and limited which begins to make us feel even more disconnected. I believe this is something felt wider than just the Parkhill community. I would like to thank the positive voices I hear in the community and understanding many of you offer in such challenging times.  

I heard something that really warmed my heart earlier this week and I wanted to share with you. This student driven act made me smile so big, I hope it does the same for you! This is what education is about - empowering children to have the skill and confidence to take action. I do believe Patrick and Annie C delivered several of these letters to their neighbours on the back of the learning they had been doing in class.

I hope you are all able to stay safe. As usual please do let me know if there is anything I can do to help during the next few days. 

Reminders:

• Onsite applications were due yesterday - please contact me directly if you wish for your child to attend onsite next week: elaine.brady@education.vic.gov.au. 

• Our collection of soft plastic and plastic bag tags continues - please see further information below!

• In term 3 we will hold our whole school assemblies on a Monday afternoon. Assembly will start at 3pm as usual. We intend to move afternoon tea break back by 10 minutes to allow us more time in the assembly space. 

Wednesday 9 June - Thursday 10 June - GATEWAYS Eureka - POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Monday 14 June - Queen's Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 15 June - Friday 18 June - Y5/6 Camp Kangaroobie

Thursday 24 June - Afternoon Soiree - see information below

Friday 25 June - Term 2 ends at 2:30pm

Thank you to everyone at Parkhill Primary for getting involved in Children's Ground's 'Wear It Yellow Day'. Although this was done remotely, the day was a true success with plenty of yellow filling our computer screens. 

Students engaged in further learning about Reconciliation Week, either playing games from the Yulunga Handbook, or recreating a Reconciliation poster.

If you have not done so already, please make a donation to: https://childrensground.org.au/campaigns/wear-it-yellow-day-at-parkhill-primary/

This is to raise funds for the First Nations organisation, Children's Ground.

Bella Crowe

Koorie Ambassador

This week, the Y2/3s have been working on their Sizzling Starts. They used a picture prompt to write about the scary scene! They have been practicing using adjectives and sounds in their writing to give descriptions.  

Bianca Bevilacqua

Y2/3 Teacher

During remote learning this week, Y4/5 students have been transitioning from one inquiry unit to another. This means we have been completing our ecosystem actions AND tuning in to a completely new unit!

For our action on ecosystems, students identified that decreasing waste and encouraging more biodiversity were ways we could have direct impact. Here are some photos of what some of us did, including tree-planting, introducing bird-feeders to our gardens, introducing home-made possum boxes into our gardens and more!

For tuning in to our next inquiry unit, students were tasked to draw a picture and colour it in. The catch? They weren’t allowed to use their hands and had the consequence of doing pushups and starting again if they coloured in outside the lines! You can see the interesting results - as well as some cheeky ways some students thought outside the box!

This task helped us to think about rules, laws, inclusivity and fairness.

Alex Davies

Y4/5 Teacher

Well here we are with lockdown being extended again, as with last year here are a few key numbers/websites for those needing assistance.

If you are in need of financial assistance:

The Salvos: http://salvocam.org/emergency.asp or on 03 9889 2468

Camcare: 03 9831 1900

There is also a lot of information here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/financial-and-other-support-coronavirus-covid19#relief-packages

**You can also call the Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 and Dial 4. If you need a translator, Dial 0**

We can also assist to get food parcels from charities so please let myself or Elaine know if you need help.

Help with bills 

Talk to your energy provider, they should be able to help you if you need a payment plan or deferral.

Salvos, Camcare and St Vinnies can also assist in this area. There is also some good information on this website: https://www.energy.gov.au/energy-sector-response-novel-coronavirus-covid19/information-australian-households

If you run a business and need help: https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirusinformation-and-support-for-business

Unable to work due to lockdown: Keep an eye out for information on the Temporary COVID Disaster Payment which eligible people will be able to apply for from Monday via Centrelink. There is a summary of eligibility requirements here: https://www.9news.com.au/national/temporary-covid-disaster-payment-what-is-it-howdoes-it-work-eligibility-criteria-everything-to-know-explainer/104856a0-2fe9-4ca7-a48f9f598811e2b9

If you or your kids are struggling with mental health, relationships or family violence:

This website by the government has helpful advice and numbers: https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/covid-19

This website has a whole list of places that offer support key ones include: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites Beyond Blue also allows you to chat online if needed. Lifeline: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Headspace: 1800 650 890

MensLine: 1300 78 99 78

Domestic and family violence: https://www.1800respect.org.au/ or on 1800 737 732

Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277

I strongly encourage you if you are struggling in any of the ways above (or others) to please reach out and talk to someone as it can really help. As always you can email me at carmody.suzanne@education.vic.gov.au. I can organise to chat with you or your child if that is helpful.

Take care,

Suzanne Carmody

Chaplain

This week we dial back a few years to our Filming and Photographing policy. This policy is set to be reviewed later in the year.

The Filming and Photography policy provides guidelines around photographing people on school grounds. The school collects permission for students to be photographed or filmed through the enrolment process. This can be updated at any time through the office. The permission can be broad or specific to an activity (eg PHTV). 

Photos/videos taken on school premises by the public at school events are for personal use only and should not be published online without the permission of the school and individuals. Furthermore, the school can ask that no photos/videos be taken. In this instance, the school will attempt to take photos/videos on behalf of the community.

Our little committee will be meeting soon to review and update policies - let us know if you’d like to join! Don’t be shy! Send through an email to Michelle at michelle.smith@education.vic.gov.au and we’ll send you a personal invitation.

Great news, Parkhill! 

Parkhill has registered for the Wonder Recycling program. As a community we can recycle more plastic and turn our bread bags and tags into new sports equipment for the school.  

Get collecting and deliver your bags and tags to the office collection box. 

Together we can make a difference to the environment and our school. 

Andrea Crane

Learning Support

Executive Committee:

President:  Rossanne Clay                  

Vice  President: Kylie Brown

Treasurer:  Sumi Sundram

General Members:  Elle Delmee, Vanessa Cowley, Trish King, Marinda Tanner.

On behalf of the PFA we are looking forward to meeting you at one of our many upcoming events!

TRIVIA NIGHT - Postponed

To all our trivia night ticket holders, due to the new restrictions we postponed the Op Shop Glam Trivia Night event. Currently we are setting the date to Saturday July 17th (first Saturday back in term 3). Thanks for your understanding with this and we hope that this new date will be workable for you. If you have any queries regarding the changes please contact Rossanne on 0480 171 847 or parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com.

We've received lots of great things from Will Fowles, Chemist Warehouse (next to Officeworks), Feminae, Mr Burton's on High St, Ashburton Meats, Officeworks, Bunnings, Dan Murphy's, Bugs Gymnastics, My Beautiful Abode, and also the donations of people in our community: Adele, Nikki S, Luke S, Kate P, Dan E, Briggite G, Sumi, Kylie B, Astrid, Harri, Sophie K, Joanna A, Vanessa C. THANK YOU!

TRIVIA SETUP/PACKDOWN HELPERS NEEDED

If you're able to spare one hour to help with setup or pack down of the Trivia event on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning please sign up here. Many hands make light work: https://signup.com/login/entry/1216988316556698095

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK

Thank you for your continued support. Did you know 20% of every Entertainment Membership goes directly to Parkhill Primary?

Follow the link and support us today: https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/9r34937

If anyone in the community has an RSA (responsible service of alcohol certificate) – to help behind the bar at future events we would love to hear from you! Please email parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com to get in touch.

RITCHIES COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM

Our Fundraising Partner Ritchies IGA supermarkets have launched their new revamped community benefit program. Every month Parkhill will receive a % from our members’ spend. Please download the Ritchies loyalty app today and start saving!

Don’t forget to mark ‘Parkhill Primary School’ as your favourite Community Recipient. Our school has received a whopping, $7,638.68 from Ritchies since the program inception. See the flyer at bottom of the newsletter for details and QR codes.

Thank you.

Rebel community givebacks is a program designed to allow schools to earn instore credits at rebel to purchase essential sporting equipment and teamwear.

Parkhill is rewarded with 5% back on sales linked to a member or student who is a rebel active member.

So please, remember to mention ‘Parkhill Primary’ on your next visit.

The credits raised have been invaluable in enhancing the school equipment over the years we have been involved.