Issue 19, Friday 15 July 2022
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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
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful break and had some much needed and well deserved R&R.
We hosted our first session of the Parkhill Preschool Program on Wednesday. It was so lovely to have the preschoolers onsite and engaged in a storytime with Anne McGregor. The parents gathered in the kitchen area of the F/Y1 building to have some afternoon tea and a chat. Next week we have a STEAM session planned. You can find details of the program on the website.
You will have heard in the media that the state government has concerns regarding the COVID case numbers. It is highly recommended, but not mandatory, that we keep ourselves safe by wearing face masks in schools. I am sharing this recommendation with you for your information. More RATs will be coming home next week; we have lots of additional RAT boxes so if you are needing more please do call the office and we will send some home.
Monday’s curriculum day was jam packed with learning for our team. We were introduced to the concert script which is looking fabulous! Thank you again to Carlie Eriksen and Marinda Tanner for their work here. It is wonderful to see Buni Hasvong and Sam Foenander also, who have volunteered their time to choreograph the dancing and work with the children to help them learn the moves.
During our curriculum day on Monday, staff revisited our Community Essential Agreement which is the document that outlines our behaviour management processes at Parkhill. I have shared some of that document below. The full document can be found on the website. In coming weeks, and into Term 4, Alex Davies will be leading us through a community review of the Essential Agreement to bring it in line with our new school values. Your voice is important to us so please look out for this.
The following table outlines examples of behaviours, typical responses and actions which may be taken. It also outlines who will take responsibility for the management of such behaviours/incidents and or situations. At Parkhill we categorise into Low, Moderate and High impact behaviours. These behaviours impact the safety, wellbeing and learning needs of all students in our Community.
SWIMMING
Swimming is an important component of the Physical Education and Health curriculum and, of course, a valuable life skill to have.
Our program is starting soon – please note the specific time for your child’s class below:
Please make sure your child is well prepared for their day.
Here is a little checklist of things to bring along:
- Bathers/Swimming Costume
- Towel
- Goggles
- Plastic bag/swimming bag (for school clothes / wet bathers / towel)
- Clean underwear as appropriate
- Thongs to change into before leaving school and brush/comb (optional)
- Medication as required – eg: Asthma Puffer
All students will be supplied with a swimming cap which they will be expected to wear during their lessons – should your child have an allergy or other medical reason why a provided cap cannot be worn please let your class teacher know.
Please ensure that your child’s clothes are clearly named.
It is also a good idea to pack an extra snack in their swimming bag which can be consumed after the lesson as they do get hungry after swimming.
Have a great weekend!
Best wishes,
Elaine Brady
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Three way conferences
We invite you to attend our Three Way Conferences to discuss your child’s progress for the year. There should be a link to book in your conferences at the top of your Compass newsfeed.
Staff are available on Tuesday 19th July from 1:10pm-4:00pm, and Wednesday 20th July from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
These meetings will be held either in person or online. If you would like your Three Way Conferences to take place online, please contact the class teacher and they will send you a meeting link closer to the date.
If you have any questions please contact the office at parkhill.ps@education.vic.gov.au or on 03 9807 2239.
Pyjama Day!
On Thursday 21st July, there will be a pyjama day to raise money for the Pyjama Foundation and kids in foster care. Please wear your pyjamas on Thursday and don’t forget to bring a gold coin donation to school!
It may be cold so consider:
- Oodies
- Dressing gowns
- Onesies
- Slippers
Please bring some running shoes for outside!
Mali
SRC Captain
Kaboom percussion incursion - please note new date
Unfortunately we have had to move the incursion date again for Kaboom percussion. The new date is Thursday 15 September, from 1:30-2:30pm. We thought it best to move it to a day where all students would be able to attend.
The Compass event will be changed accordingly. Please let us know if you experience any issues.
Second Hand Uniform and Swimming Items Stall
Had a clear out during the holidays? Any old swimming items, eg. towels, goggles and swimmers? Any old uniforms? Please drop off at the office ASAP for an upcoming Second Hand Uniform stall in week 2.
- When: Wednesday 20th July at 8.45am – 9.15am
- Where: In the library
See you there!
Kerry D’Arcy
Sceond Hand Uniform Stall Co-Ordinator
Stargazing at Parkhill - pencil in that new date!
Our new Stargazing date will be Monday 5 September, starting at 6:30pm. It will be the beginning of a busy week of concert performances and what better way to celebrate than with a bit of star viewing!
The Compass event will be changed accordingly. Please let us know if you experience any issues.
National Tree Day
Established in 1996, National Tree Day has grown into Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event. The program is a call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to their community.
Each year, around 300,000 people volunteer their time to engage in environmental activities that educate Australians about the world around them. While every day can be Tree Day, we dedicate celebration of Schools Tree Day and National Tree Day to the last Friday and last Sunday in July. We will be hosting our Tree Day event soon – stay tuned for more details!
It’s a day to venture outdoors, get to know your community and, most importantly, have fun!
Learning About Wurundjeri Ceremony through William Barak
It is our first week back at school and we have enjoyed learning about different customs of Wurundjeri Ceremony that has managed to stand the test of time through William Barak’s art pieces named ‘Ceremony’.
We first tuned into William Barak’s painting and played detectives as we looked for clues about what we noticed Wurundjeri People wear for ceremony and some of the instruments used. This allowed us to reflect on our own experience of the Smoking Ceremony with Elder Collin Hunter and remember his customs used at Parkhill. It was wonderful to then learn about different Wurundjeri and Kulin Nation Ceremony including the Tanderuum and the Coming of Age Ceremony.
Finally, we learned about the life of William Barak. Please read on to learn more about this remarkable Wurundjeri man and the significance of when the wattles bloom in August. Special thanks to Ayesha, Carmen, Patrick and Amara for researching these facts and writing these essays to display.
Bella Crowe
Koorie Education Ambassador
Technology - The T in STEAM
Term 3 is all about technology in the STEAM room. This week our Y2-6 students have been exploring how computers receive and store information. We have explored the binary number system and how numbers and letters can be represented by using on and off or 1 and 0. We will continue to explore this concept and then in weeks to come using our coding skills to program Parkhill’s robot collection. Foundation and Y1 will join our coding creations as they too use coloured tiles to program our Indi robots.
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
Y6 - TUNING IN TO A NEW INQUIRY UNIT
Each time we start a new inquiry unit, we complete a set of activities to ‘TUNE’ the class into what we will be learning about. These activities get us ‘pumped’ for the new unit and are lots of fun. Tuning in activities are a bit like clues or a breadcrumb trail that we follow. They challenge us to think deeply, critically and creatively about what we could be learning about. We need to use our prior knowledge and, most importantly, CURIOSITY.
So what have we done for tuning in in 6B this week? First we enjoyed the fabulous book Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan.
Next we took part in a creative challenge where we had to draw a ‘natural utopia’. But there was a secret hitch: Mrs Guy then gave our drawing to another person who made changes, removed things and replaced things. In some cases this had a huge impact and some ‘utopias’ were left more ‘dystopian’.
Lastly we enjoyed a game of Uno in small groups. But of course, it couldn’t be that simple – Mrs Guy then had us joining together with another group who had been playing by different rules. You can imagine a bit of chaos ensued!
After each of these ‘tuning ins’ we complete a Think, Feel, Wonder as a class and answer the question, “what might we be tuning into here?”
What do you think we could be learning about in this inquiry unit?
Sasha Guy
Y6 Teacher
ICAS assessments will begin in August
ICAS assessments are coming in August. This year we are offering the same four subjects as in previous years: Writing, English, Science and Maths, available to students in Y3-6. These assessments are optional; they are offered as both a way to challenge students and as a gauge to monitor their understanding. All tests take place on digital devices.
Currently, our schedule has ICAS assessments on Fridays, beginning 12 August. All tests will be held in the morning.
Friday 12 August: ICAS Writing
Friday 19 August: ICAS English
Friday 26 August: ICAS Science
Friday 2 September: ICAS Maths
For further information, please read the following (including privacy statement).
Signup is a straightforward process using the Parent Payment System. If you’d like to enrol your child/ren to participate in the ICAS assessments, head to https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps and enter the code DUS456
Note: there is a charge for students to participate. Entries close Friday 29 July.
Library News
Dear Parkhill Families,
Welcome back to Term 3! It has been wonderful to see you all and I hope you have enjoyed the holiday break!
Issue 5 is out now and you may see your copy sent home today. Or if you prefer, browse the online catalogue Book Club Issue 5 2022. In this issue find everything you’ll need for a great Book Week including CBCA 2022 Shortlisted Books in amazing value packs. Best of all, if you order on Issue 5, you can select FREE BOOKS.
Place your Issue 5 order on LOOP to select up to 3 FREE BOOKS. To qualify all you have to do is spend over $30 and you can select 1 FREE book, or spend over $50 and you can select 2 FREE books or over $70 and you can select 3 FREE titles from a special online list. The list will display after you create your order and head to the checkout. See www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP for more information.
If you would like to place an order, you will need to do so on the Book Club LOOP platform. It is easy to order and allows you to pay by credit card.
Place an order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Orders close Friday 29 July.
Every Book Club order earns Scholastic Rewards for the school to purchase additional resources, however there is no obligation for you to make a purchase.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions or need a hand with your order.
Take care and stay warm,
Angelita Williams
Librarian
Just a quick thank you to those families who have collected their bread bags and deposited them in the box near the front office. For every 5kg of bread bags we collect we gain 500 reward points to go toward sports and play equipment. Let’s try and maximise our rewards by collecting the capped amount of 2,500 points. Collection will continue until September, so we have plenty of time to achieve this goal. Keep up the good work for both the environment and our fabulous school.
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
PFA News
TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK!
Time to dust off those clothes that have been hiding in a box in the garage or raid the local op shop and get ready for some fun – Trivia Night is back in 2022!
WHEN: Saturday 13th August 2022 at 7:00 PM until late (7:30pm kick off)
WHERE: School library
TICKETS: $25. You can purchase a table of 10 or individual tickets.
THEME: Op Shop Glam – There are individual and group prizes so get your table together and start planning now!
Book your tickets here – https://www.trybooking.com/BZJQI or scan the QR code
Silent Auction Donations
Parkhill PFA will be running a silent auction as part of Trivia Night in August.
If you have anything to donate or know a business that would like to help, please email PFA.
REBEL
Ever wondered what happens once you register ‘Parkhill Primary’ against your Rebel Account??
THIS!!! We redeem the credits for much needed equipment. Our latest acquisition included 10 ALF Soft Touch Balls, 10 Netballs, and 3 sets of Gloves & Mitt Combos.
Follow the instructions below to help earn 5% every time you shop at Rebel.
REMEMBER TO SAY ‘PARKHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL’ WHEN SHOPPING!
Rebel Community Kickbacks Program.
Under this program, Parkhill Primary School can earn 5% of your purchases at Rebel Sports as an in-store credit to spend on our school sports programs.
You can sign up in store or log into your rebel Active Member account when shopping online at www.rebelsport.com.au to attribute the expense to the school.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
They cost $70 and provide over $20,000 in discounts to all the things you love to do…dining, attractions, shopping, travel and more! They are filled with up to 50% off or 2-for-1 style offers, they are a great way to discover new favourites and enjoy the value at the same time. The proceeds of the books sold goes to Parkhill Primary School. Please order one now via this link
RITCHIES COMMUNITY BENEFITS
$52 Million is up for grabs!!
It’s quick, simple and easy to: Download, Register and Activate.
Scan QR code below
Nominate ‘Parkhill Primary’ as your chosen school.
Don’t forget to share the news with family and friends.
Need more?? Visit a store within 14 days of activating your card, spend $100 or more in a single transaction and scan your Ritchies card or app.
Get $10 off instantly. (Valid for one transaction).
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
Lunch Orders
You can find the links to the lunch orders on the website under Quick Links.
FLEXISCHOOLS LUNCH ORDERS
community notices
