Parkhill Primary School Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers

Good afternoon everyone!  You will all be aware of the recent announcements by Premier Daniel Andrews regarding a five day lockdown.  There will be no school on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday next week at this stage.  The situation returns to that of the previous lockdowns whereby we are able to assist with the supervision of essential service families only. The order is clear - if you can stay home, you MUST stay home. 

I have also sent an email outlining further information with an expression of interest form attached for those of you who believe you are deemed an essential worker. 

It was wonderful to welcome Brainstorm productions back to Parkhill today too.  The children had a super time engaging in thinking around positive relationships and resilience. 

STEAM

Throughout the school our focus on Science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) continues.  The children will bring home a STEAM activity grid 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.

CAFE READING PROGRAM 

The CAFE Menu breaks each component—comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary—into significant strategies that support each goal. Posted on the classroom wall and built throughout the year, it serves as a visual reminder of whole-class instruction as well as individual student goals. The model is designed to help teachers:

• establish and track the strengths and goals of each child by providing a structure for conferring;

• organise assessment data and use it to inform instruction;

• maximise time with students in whole-group, small-group, and one-on-one settings;

• create flexible small groups focused on specific reading needs;

• engage students, fostering ownership and accountability to reach goals; and

• develop a common language to talk about reading development and proficiency.

There are two menus with explicit strategies. The Emergent Menu offers strategies for Foundation and Y1, then the full Menu for Y2-6.

UNIFORM SHOP

Please use our online order form - http://www.aplusschoolwear.com.au/SearchResult.aspx?Labels=PARKHILL%20P.S

If you are unable to order online then your order can be faxed or email to info@agsprints.com.au.

REMINDERS:

SunSmart

Children must wear a hat in term 1 – they are not allowed to play outside, and must stay in the shade if they do not have a hat.  

Building Works

Please use the main entrance to come onto school grounds - do not wander through the car park as this space is out of bounds for children. You are still welcome to use the Cassinia Avenue entrance from the side of the school. 

Face Masks

In line with the restrictions we ask that all adults wear face masks when entering school buildings.  Physical distancing should still be honoured at all times.

Tuesday 23 February - Second Hand Uniform Stall (see below)

Thursday 11 March - School Photos

Tuesday 16 March - Twilight Sports

Friday 19 March - Bully No Way Day

Thursday 1 April - Term 1 ends

F/1A - Owen H

F/1B - James A

F/1C - Michael N

2/3A - Owen S

2/3B - Oliver M

2/3C - Patrick C

4/5A - Noah S

4/5B - Anna S

4/5C - Jessika A

6A - Luke C

6B  - Samuel L

Well done to all the students who participated in District Swimming! Through to the next round are:

Orlando - Freestyle

Madison - Backstroke

Nathan - Backstroke

Hannah - Breaststroke and Butterfly

Well done to our U12/13 Girls freestyle relay team for placing 2nd.

Liz O'Meara

5/6 Sports Coordinator

Your child will have received a copy of the Acceptable Use Agreement from their class teacher this week. Please take the time to discuss with them the contents of the agreement, and safe use of technology. It is important that families, including students, sign the agreement and that it is brought back to school before technology can be used in classroom programs.

You can access a copy of the Agreement here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DOIrtFWLDdrvEeafs7uGm_-14-MISIOX/view?usp=sharing

We are seeking expressions of interest for joining the Parent Class Rep team this year. The Parent Class Rep role is a great way to get to know more members of our Parkhill community, help coordinate classroom volunteers and bring families together through social events. To find out more please email us or chat to us in the school yard.  

Chris Doulkeridis & Pip Papageorgiou - philippa_isaacs@hotmail.com  

Each Friday, Y6 will be selling icy poles, alongside the PFA. This will assist us in raising money for Graduation. Help support the Y6 cohort by bringing some money to purchase a 50c icy pole from them on Fridays, after school. They will be sold from the 'Hub'.

Hi! I’m Suzanne and I’m the Chaplain here at Parkhill.

What does that mean?

Basically an extra pair of hands to help and an extra pair of ears to listen.

Sometimes it can be helpful for children to have another adult to connect with, talk to and listen to them. A neutral person that’s not a parent or a teacher who can help them work through issues they might be having.

I am there to have a chat, play a game, have laugh and help them to feel like there is someone alongside them at school.

I’m here for you too if you just need a chat or someone to offload to.

As a school we seek to meet needs where we can and that is part of my role. Some of the areas I help in are:

-Organising social skills groups either with myself, or with a team made up of any of the following: aides, the department social worker or community organisations.

-Meeting material needs/seeking funding from a variety of sources for various items and programs where needed.

-Being a listening ear.

If you feel your child would benefit from some additional social/emotional support in school, please let myself or your child’s teacher know.

My days this year are Mondays and Wednesdays.

See you on the playground!

Suzanne 

Office Bearers:

President: Rossanne Clay   

Vice President: VACANT     

Treasurer: VACANT

Secretary/Communications: Kylie Touloupis

General Members:  

Elle Delmee, Wendy Douglas, Donna Edwards, Sumi Sundram, Vanessa Cowley, Trish King

We have two positions available on the committee and we are looking for new recruits.

Being part of the PFA provides an opportunity to add enormous value to the school, students and community through fundraising for amenities and by creating social activities that bring families and students together, fostering the wonderful Parkhill community.

You will be supported in these roles by the school and current PFA members. Come to the meeting and see what we’re all about. No strings attached!

Next Meeting: Thursday 11 March PFA AGM 8.30pm

Please RSVP to   parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com

CUPCAKE STALL WEDNESDAY 24TH FEB

We cannot wait for our first cupcake stall of the year.

We’ve certainly missed the ‘school shoe stampede’ charging towards us!

Remember all items $1-$3.

As usual, we need the generosity of the community to provide the baking.

Please email parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com to help us out.  

PARKHILL PARENT COFFEE MORNING FRIDAY 19TH FEB

If café coffee and connection sounds like just what you need, please join us on Friday 19th Feb, 9am (after school drop off) Stockvilles Café (3 Cleveland Rd Ashwood).

We’ve missed seeing everyone’s faces around school and thought we’d try to catch a glimpse while you sip a brew. ?

Come along and say Hi!

All welcome.