HouseNews

With great pride our Head Prefects, Naveen and Lara, announced the members of the SRC to the secondary Assembly last Friday. Based on the House Form groups from Years 7-10 they have leadership from Year 11 students as they prepare to take up the mantle of leadership, under the mentorship of our Prefect body. The student members have already met as a group and have been tasked with several initiatives to ensure the student voice gains traction.

Each year I ask the Head Prefects to put in place an initiative and 2019 will be remembered as the creation of an SRC. Our Junior School has a well run and established SRC and they have long been responsible for a range of activities including charity works; it is my hope that their success will be mirrored amongst the secondary students.

Helping students find their voice is a special undertaking in our schools. Coming together across year levels and listening to varied views allows students to be acknowledged not merely for new ideas but rather for the person who puts forward the view. Of course, student voice occurs in so many settings of an education; in the classroom, in the established teams and groups that seemingly come together for a specific task, in clubs and cadets, on the stage and in debate. The list is endless. Yet each opportunity provides further opportunity for clarity of thought and a safe environment to grow confidence and ensure that our Core Values are enshrined in each decision.

The excited chatter of a new year or a new term, or even a Monday morning, brings all manner of issues to be heard, embraced or modified. Our democratic institutions provide evidence that through the voice of the populace, influence occurs. Whilst social media is bringing an alternate perspective to our long-held version of debate, let us ensure that conversations, face to face, remain the prime instrument of our newly formed SRC. We have the ingredients: the right environment, support and encouragement, and I am sure that there will be some very powerful ideas raised. For all involved, the key is that we truly listen and respect the varied voices offered. For with student voice comes the equally important ingredient, the capacity to listen. 

As with all our faculties, the PDHPE faculty has grown over the years and provides wonderful opportunities for our students, not merely in the core subject from Years 7 to 10 but as an elective from Year 9. Under the leadership of Mr Upton, they present in this series of faculty introductions, a unique quiz for all our readers with the winner gaining a free personal training session with Mr Clarke.  

Click on the 'Download' button below to view the quiz from PDHPE.

Students in Years 8 and 10 have this week, been presented with the elective offerings for the next stage of their schooling. Each year we refine and extend our choices. Once more we have added to the extensive list on offer. Whilst students will often wish to choose subjects based on what their friends decide, this decision carries with it important considerations for future pathways. Enjoyment of a subject is important together with awareness of scaling of subjects in the HSC. Hence there needs to be timely consideration and discussion with current teachers, faculty leaders and Mrs Murray and Mr Walmsley.

I wish you well in the week ahead.

The Year 10 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will be held at 3:30pm – 7.00pm on Wednesday 12 June in the School Hall. Students are expected to attend in full school uniform with their parents . These interviews are an essential part of the feedback process and it is strongly encouraged that all parents attend.

An email has been sent to all parents with instructions on how to book.    

Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these simple instructions.

Interviews are strictly 10 minutes and spaces are limited.  If you require more time, please contact your teacher directly to make alternative arrangements. If there are any teachers absent on the day, they will undertake to contact each of the parents as close after the event as possible.

Parents can change their interview bookings, any time prior to 1pm on Wednesday 12 June, by re-visiting the www.schoolinterviews.com.au website, and using the event code. Remember to use the same name and email address you used when you made your original booking. If you would like any more details or have any questions please feel free to contact me on james.walmsley@tphs.nsw.edu.au, or 9972 5774.

Mr James Walmsley, Deputy Principal 

In week 4, Miss Sutton’s Year 7 History class experienced hands on what it is like to perform an Ancient Egyptian Mummification. No, we did not mummify a student, rather a sugar snap bean. For this activity the peas inside the beans represented the internal organs of the deceased. Students had to carefully remove all but one of the peas and put the peas into canopic jars. The remaining pea represented the heart of the deceased. The beans were then buried in natron salt over the weekend. The mummified beans were then washed and wrapped in strips of wrapping decorated with amulets and magic spells; students even recited a magic spell while wrapping their bean, a ritual often performed by Ancient Egyptian embalmers. The final product was a beautifully wrapped bean mummy that was placed in a sarcophagus to ensure safe passage into the afterlife. 

After school on Monday 13th, 20 Economics students from Years 11 and 12 attended a very informative conference hosted by  Australian Business Economists. The conference ‘Economics and Schools – The Future of Wellbeing’ was held at UTS and was designed to inform students of the career opportunities available to them through the study of Economics.

The main structure of the event involved 4 key panellists who described their impressive careers and how they have been shaped by the study of Economics. Some of the highlights of their careers include: Dena Jacobs, an associate director at Deloitte Access Economics who is currently working on anti-slavery policy for developing nations. Her previous jobs include working for the Reserve Bank of Australia, representing them at the G20 forum and working for the Central Bank of England, working alongside the Governor during the Brexit negotiations. Another panellist, Elysse Morgan, a Business and Finance Journalist for the ABC, spoke of the numerous politicians, Prime Minsters and Opposition Leaders she has had to interview and the necessity for her to be able to decipher economic information in order to ask the tough questions.

The students were inspired by the many career paths, the stories and consequently they are excited for the opportunities available to them in the real world! 

Recently students have been working in Food Technology on Photoshop/technology/Apps on phones on their food styling photo that they have constructed and taken in the previous lesson. They are erasing faults, adding light, shadows and filters to perfect their image and sound; all worthy for a Food Magazine. 

The Chamber Choir and Cantabile Singers are competing in the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod on Thursday and selected students from Years 5 and 6 will take part in the da Vinci Decathlon on the same day. Our wonderful Stage Dance Groups also performed commendably last weekend in the IRBD competition. What a wonderful experience to be participating and representing the School at these events.

The Junior School SRC guided by Miss Farrell organised for all students to participate in Operation Art last week. Selected artworks from our students will be submitted for consideration, with the ultimate honour of having the artwork selected for display in the wards of Westmead Children’s Hospital. The theme of happiness was selected as stimulus for their works.

Thank you to all family members and friends who travelled to Orange to support their children at the HICES Cross Country in Orange on Thursday May 23. The representative team of 40 competed admirably with 9, almost a quarter, qualifying for the HICES team at the CIS carnival at Eastern Creek next term.

Finally, please ensure that you have the Creative Arts Evening earmarked in your calendar taking place on Thursday 27 June. This evening is one of our mandatory events of the year where all students perform as a class, showcasing their term’s work for our enjoyment and their pleasure and pride.

So far this year, J5 has been utterly superb. We have truly loved everything about what we are learning in class.

In History, we have studied early British colonisation in Australia and had the tremendous experience of living like convicts in early settlement through our wonderful History incursion.

Also, in English we have thoroughly learnt the best way to write persuasive and narrative texts. We have learnt how to use powerful persuasive devices and how to engage with our audience by including creative language and techniques in our narratives. So far in History and English we have loved the activities and projects we have created and all the work that we have done.

In Science this term, we have begun learning about Forces. The whole of Year Five will be participating in pairs to complete an investigation. We have been challenged to build a ramp and launching device that can launch a car the greatest distance. The winning team will get bragging rights.

Coins, dice and colourful spinners. J5 have been learning about chance and probability in Mathematics. We have had to tally up the frequency of dice rolls, check the chance of the spinner landing on red and figure out the probability of something occurring. Whilst busy, there is always something fun included.

In a few weeks’ time, Year 5 will be going on an excursion to the Police and Justice Museum. We hope to see things we’ve never seen before and enjoy ourselves immensely.  

By Jasmine (J5P) and Lydia (J5T)                       

A group of Years 6 to 9 Creative Arts students have been offered an opportunity to perform at VIVID 2019 at Barangaroo. 

The Junior School Music Festival will take place on Wednesday 5 June and Thursday 6 June.  This is a wonderful opportunity for students to perform with a supportive audience and is ideal preparation for students about to take exams and perform in eisteddfods. There is a 4 minute time limit and students may perform up to 2 pieces. It is open to all Junior School students whether they have lessons in school or externally.  Further information can be found on Skoolbag or by emailing Mr Jim Abraham at: musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au. Applications must be submitted through Skoolbag by 3.30pm on Friday 31 May. Late entries will not be accepted.

This term we will be showcasing our HSC Dance, Drama and Music students in the Creative Arts Centre. This will be held over two nights: Wednesday 19 June - Dance (Hall) and Music (CAC); Tuesday 25 June - Drama (CAC)). This is an excellent night that allows the students to perform their works in front of a supportive audience. 

2019 has seen a significant increase in membership throughout all instrumental ensembles. We do expect that all students have practice copies of their music and take these to their private tutor between ensembles rehearsals to assist them preparing for the coming weeks. Please ensure that your students have a folder for this music and brings it to every rehearsal. If they require practice copies or have misplaced their music, it is responsibility of the student to email musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au and ask for a copy. When emailing please ensure that they include the title of the piece and the part required. If they have misplaced their entire folder please replace the folder and email musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au to gain replacement parts.

At Pittwater House we offer an extensive internal Instrumental Music Tuition Program. We offer instrumental tuition in all String, Wind and Brass Instruments, Percussion which includes Drumkit and Tuned Percussion, Vocal Lessons Guitar, Bass Guitar and Piano Lessons. For more information about private music tuition please email musictutor@tphs.nsw.edu.au.

On the 11th of April Georgia (J5) competed at NSW PSSA Swimming Championships in the 50m Backstroke event. At this event Georgia swam against the best swimmers in the State taking 0.74 seconds off her CIS time, well done Georgia.

Congratulations to Annabel (C11) who has been selected in the 17 and under NSW Metro Academy for Cricket, well done Annabel.

On the 13th of May Amelia (C11) competed at the NSW All Schools Championships in the girls 16-19 100m Back Stroke Multi Class event. This is an awesome achievement to not only reach this level but to also finish 5th overall in the State, well done Amelia.

Congratulations to both Kasey (C9) and Hannah (C12) who both played recently at the U18’s State Championships. Kasey’s team, Nepean, won Div 2 and Hannah was one of 45 girls to be selected into the 2019-2020 Hockey NSW Athlete Acceleration Program (AAP). 

• Term 2 Nominations
• Sports Reports
• Tern 2 Calendar Dates
• Sports Office Contact Details

Below are photos from the following Sport Reports:

• Cross Country
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby
• Soccer 

All students who will turn 13 or older in 2019 are able to join the cadet unit. Enrolment forms are available at Reception or click here.

Each week is allocated to different year groups however you can still volunteer for any shift during the year regardless of which year your children are in.

To volunteer for a slot, please visit https://www.volunteersignup.org/YCM4X and put your name next to the time/date that suits you best.

Please click on image below for days where a volunteer is still required.

Canteen Manager is Amanda Corbett - Phone 9972 5718 after 8.00am

Thank you for your support!

For the latest menu and to find out the weekly specials visit the Canteen folder on the Skoolbag app.

Tuesdays from 8am-9.15am and Thursday from 2pm-3.15pm

Located next to the School Uniform shop the Clothing Pool is run by volunteer parents.

Please Note: Purchases cannot be charged to your School Account.

The Clothing Pool has a 7 day Return/Refund Policy.

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Please click on the link below for a Parent/Carer factsheet, and touch base with Kelly Muffett directly if you have any queries via kelly.muffett@tphs.nsw.edu.au or 9972 5757.

https://www.nccd.edu.au/sites/default/files/fact%20sheet%20for%20parents%20guardians%20and%20carers.pdf

If you are interested in some basic training in Edumate and Skoolbag. Please call School Admin on 9981 4400 or email school.admin@tphs.nsw.edu.au to book a half hour appointment between 7.30am and 3pm.