Issue 15, Monday 29th May 2023
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The Parkhill Community touch the land and think of the Wurundjeri People and surrounding Clans of the Kulin Nation who cared for the land before us.
We share our gratitude to their Elders past, present and emerging.
As we touch this land we promise to treasure it; taking care of all its people, animals, plants and waterways.
We at Parkhill appreciate this land.
Thank you.
Principal's Message
Staff were treated to a session from expert speaker, Alan J Wright, on Monday during the recent curriculum day. We learned about the importance of modelling as he urged teachers to be writers in their own classrooms. He shared his many years worth of notebooks and inspired us to the potential within writer’s notebooks.
Then on Saturday our intrepid Buildings and Grounds crew carved out a new lower car park for staff. The team worked for hours shovelling gravel, compacting, raking, moving, to the amazing result you will now see. The teachers are truly thankful for this wonderful gift! Wendy, Dean, Kerry, Brent, Noel and Jay – you have made Parkhill proud!
Camps – begin next week! It is the last opportunity for your child to attend if you have not already informed us. If you are concerned about costs, please come chat with us at the office and we can work something out together.
Y5/6 Sovereign Hill Camp information session – will now be held Wednesday 31 May, starting at 5:30pm. This is a new camp to Parkhill, promising a lot of fun with a feature costumed school during the stay. Students will head back to the old gold rush days, learning on blackboards and playing games that don’t have screens. Join us in the meeting room on Wednesday to learn more. We are looking for two parents to attend the camp, to assist with general supervision. Please let us know if you are interested.
Community Hub Working Group – our working group is gathering and will meet soon to discuss a plan of action for the Community Hub. This will be a shared space in the library, where members of the community can meet, hang out, get tech support, and whatever else the working group deems suitable. Our first meeting will be early in Term 3. Let us know at the office if you are keen to join the working group.
Have a wonderful week.
Michelle Smith
Acting Principal
Principal Appointment - A Message from the School Council President
On behalf of the Principal Selection Panel and School Council, I am writing to inform you of the outcome of the Selection Process for the position of Parkhill Primary School Principal which has been conducted this term. The selection panel’s recommendation was the appointment of Joanne Jolly, which was unanimously accepted by School Council.
Appointing a new principal is a significant responsibility, and the decision to appoint Joanne Jolly has been made after an extensive selection process. Her commitment to student achievement, teacher development, and community engagement very much aligns with our school’s mission and values. We warmly welcome Jo who will take up the position from the beginning of Term 3 2023.
I want to thank the entire School Community for your continued support, as we sought to match Parkhill with a leader who can implement a school improvement agenda that continues to foster a sense of high expectations across the whole community.
Sincerely,
Melo Conti
School Council President
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Wear It Yellow Day
As part of our National Reconciliation Week this year, on Thursday 1st June we are encouraging all students and teachers to take part in a yellow-themed casual dress day to raise funds for a First Nations organisation, Children’s Ground. The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2023 is ‘Be a voice for generations.’ This theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and play. That is why our school has chosen to participate in Children’s Ground’s ‘Wear It Yellow’ day. As part of ‘Wear It Yellow Day’, students will engage with National Reconciliation Week learning materials and have vibrant discussions about First Nations culture and history. We remind students and teachers who take part to donate what you can to Children’s Ground via this link https://wearityellow.org.au/o/parkhill-primary-school or bring a donation on the day. For more information on Children’s Ground, head to https://childrensground.org.au/
Des Schlack
Koorie Education Ambassador
Enrolments for Foundation 2024 open now!
Our enrolment applications for Foundation 2024 are now open! If you or someone you know has a child due to start school next year, please complete the enrolment form via the link below.
LOTE News
Y3 students experimented with Chinese brush and worked with special calligraphy ink. We have enriched our knowledge about China’s Giant Panda – Da Xiong Mao. We found out that Giant Panda has special shaped wrist bones to help them hold on bamboo and they can eat up around 18 kilograms of bamboo per day. The picture shows two playful pandas swinging between bamboo sticks. Every student puts their own personalities into their own painting. Enjoy our playful pandas!
Shuoyin Tu
LOTE Teacher
NEVR Youth Concert
Today, our Ye4-6 choir members are travelling by bus to Hamer Hall for a sound check prior to their performance in the NEVR Youth Concert at 7pm this evening. Students from primary and secondary state schools within the North Eastern Victoria Region will perform in a variety of concert bands, orchestras and choirs including the 120 student massed primary choir. It is sure to be an incredible experience! Thanks to staff and families of our school community who are coming to support our students at this evening’s concert. Special thanks to the PFA for subsidising the bus, Angelita Williams for accompanying the choir, Jo and Steph Ravida for their administrative work and to student’s families and teachers for supporting them in this unique opportunity.
https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2023/schools-and-teachers/nevr-youth-concert
Marinda Tanner
Choir Teacher
Working Bee - Thank you!
Thank you to all who attended the working bee on Saturday – the sun shone down for us and lots of magic happened around the grounds. Check out the newly laid car park for the staff and the freshly cleaned Community Garden, along with lots of weeding, mulching and general fun and catch ups. We have a fantastic community here at Parkhill.
From the Building and Grounds Team
Policy Update
Policy committee met recently to review the following policies: Homework, Personal Property, and three Department policies – Workplace Bullying, Equal Opportunity and Gifts Benefits and Hospitality.
The Homework policy was consulted by school council at our last meeting. This updated policy contains details about the responsibilities and expectations of each stakeholder involved in homework: leadership, teachers, parents and students. I think you’ll find it is well-balanced; providing guidance and good study habits, but also considering a child’s life outside of school.
The Personal Property policy holds an important statement that students bring their own personal items to school at their own risk. The Department does not provide insurance to cover personal items. Please make sure that if personal items are brought to school, which is discouraged, they are kept safe in school bags.
For the Workplace Bullying policy, there are clear procedures set out in the document. Bullying is not tolerated and employees must take reasonable care with their own health and wellbeing. There is a reporting procedure, and the Department makes supports available for all employees.
The Equal Opportunity policy ensure that people are treated as individuals, respected for their unique attributes and not excluded, harassed or bullied in any way.
The Gifts Benefits and Hospitality policy ascribes procedures to follow when employees receive gifts. From the policy: ‘Thanks is Enough’ is the desired standard when responding to offers of gifts benefits and hospitality. All offers of gifts, benefits or hospitality valued at $50 or more must be declared regardless of whether the offer is accepted or declined, excepting Gifts of Appreciation provided by students/parents/carers to members of the Teaching Service to express appreciation of the person’s contribution to the education of students. If the estimated value of the gift is more than $100 it must be declared, regardless of whether it was accepted or declined.
Don’t forget you can join us at any time – we always welcome new members! Our next expected meeting will be in June and we meet about once or twice a term this year. Send me a note via email on michelle.smith@education.vic.gov.au and I’ll add you to the list!
Second hand uniforms
I would like to thank Kylie T for all her ongoing assistance with the sorting/organising of our second hand uniforms.
We are currently looking for someone who may like to assist us please. If you would like to help at school somehow, but time is limited – this job is for you!!
Please contact Kerry D’Arcy – Kerry.darcy@education.vic.gov.au
Kerry D’Arcy
Second Hand Uniform Coordinator
Library News
Dear Parkhill Families,
Thanks to the families who placed orders from Issue 3 – they were distributed out last Tuesday.
Issue 4 is out now! You can browse the online catalogue Book Club Issue 4. You can place an order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or by using the LOOP app.
The cut off date for orders is Friday 9 June. Book Club orders earn Scholastic Rewards which we use to purchase additional resources for the school. There is no obligation for you to make a purchase.
If you have any queries or need a hand with your order, please feel free to get in touch.
Angelita Williams
Lunch Order Closure
There will be no Flexischools lunch orders on the following dates due to events at Ashwood High School:
- Friday 16th June
- Thursday 10th August
- Wednesday 23rd August (TBC)
- Friday 25th August (TBC)
State Schools' Relief
State Schools’ Relief is an organisation that helps take the financial sting out of purchasing uniform items. If you need assistance purchasing uniform items for your child/ren, please contact the office and we can assist you.
Bread Bag Collection
Hi Parkhill, it’s that time of the year again when I am looking for lots of bread bags. Wonder has once again teamed up with 1500 Aussie schools to help collect bread bags and reduce soft plastic waste. As a registered school the more bread bags we collect the more points we accrue. We can then redeem these points on new sports equipment. Last year we filled 2 large boxes and Mr Sciacca received 6 soft balls to boost his dodgeball ball collection. This year lets aim for 3! So collect away, the more bread or wrap packets we collect the more equipment available to our students!
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
PFA News
President: Zoë Littlewood
Treasurer: Chris Fagan
General Members: Adam Keens, Emma Gullan, Lih-Shan Yam, Marinda Tanner, Sarah Bakri, Trish King, Vanessa Cowley
School Disco - this week!
DISCO VOLUNTEERS
We need help decorating the library for the school disco, and parents to help with the sessions. It’s a great night with the children doing their dance moves.
Sign up link – https://signup.com/go/aFYKCRf
DON’T MISS A THING!
Join our Facebook page.
Search for us using the name “Parkhill Primary School Community Page”.
Then click the “join group” icon.
A group administrator will confirm your association with the school and approve your request.
If you would like to be on our email distribution list and receive communication and minutes from our meetings please email parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com
Contact us on WhatsApp – https://chat.whatsapp.com/DtYmFR9RjrZ7ayDpYAVy6L or email parkhillpiranhas@gmail.com
Order Here – https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/9r34937
Lunch Orders
You can find the links to the lunch orders on the website under Quick Links.
FLEXISCHOOLS LUNCH ORDERS
