Issue 20, Friday 14th July 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
Welcome back in the blustery weather of Term 3. Hopefully all our families had some quality time with family and friends over the break. We have had a busy start to term. Special welcome to our new principal, Jo Jolly, who started this week, and is already getting to know families, staff and students. It’s great to have her on board! We look forward to the fresh influence Jo will have for Parkhill’s future.
Y6 teaching position – You will have seen on Compass Newsfeed that we have successfully employed a teacher for the Y6 position, and she has already completed her first week. Catherine Wan joins the Parkhill staff team for the remainder of the year. The interviewing panel were really impressed with Catherine’s knowledge of pedagogy and curriculum, as well as her confidence. We look forward to the direction that she will help influence the Y6 students in their last semester of primary school.
Parkhill’s garden program – once again on the Newsfeed I recently reported that unfortunately Jess, our garden instructor through Cultivating Community, has decided to step down from her role. This means Parkhill will be without a garden teacher for Term 3. We are planning to have lessons resume in Term 4, this will be based around a series of workshops for the remaining classes who missed out. The Parkhill team are discussing potential solutions for Term 3, with the goal of maximising use of our wonderful garden for classes.
Swimming program – Parkhill’s swimming program has been moved to Term 4, in consideration of the warmer weather, but we are also planning on holding shorter programs. We acknowledge costs have risen recently and are focused on providing programs that are practical and affordable.
Parkhill’s Camp 2024 – last term I mentioned that our camps next year would be changing. We plan to combine our camps with a Y3-6 camp in Parkhill’s camp week. We still have yet to finalise what this camp week will look like, but so far we have booked a later date than usual in November, taking advantage of the warmer weather, and we are also planning to hold the Y2 Sleepover in the same week.
Have a lovely weekend.
Michelle Smith
Assistant Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Student of the Week
The Term 2, Week 8 recipients were:
FA – Joanne C
1/2A – Matilda C
1/2B – Lydia T
3A – Rayan M
4/5A – Chloe L
Pyjama Day
On Friday 21st July, Parkhill is celebrating National Pyjama Day! The purpose of this day is to invigorate student gratitude by raising awareness because, while there are wonderful people looking after kids in foster care, those kids generally don’t have the same opportunities as the rest of us. Students will conduct some learning on this in Care Groups on Tuesday to make Friday’s celebration meaningful.
Pyjama Day will be a gold coin donation event to raise funds for the Pyjama Foundation and students (and teachers and parents!) can come to school in their PJs, oodies, onesies, dressing gowns, slippers (school shoes or running shoes are fine too) and more! Pyjama Day is a day students really look forward to on the SRC calendar.
Alex Davies
SRC Coordinator
Upcoming changes to NAPLAN reporting
Ahead of NAPLAN results for students being released from Monday 17 July 2023, I’m writing to inform you of some changes to this year’s reporting. These are changes being introduced nationally by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
NAPLAN will continue to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation but the results will now be presented in 4 proficiency levels.
These are:
- exceeding
- strong
- developing
- needs additional support.
This change will give schools, parents and carers clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency levels.
Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be to get the most out of schooling. This provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.
Each set of NAPLAN results is an important milestone but it’s also important that students know that one result does not define them – these results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to get the best from their learning.
When we provide you with your results, you will also receive information about what the new proficiency levels mean.
As ever, you’re welcome to speak to me, or your child’s teacher with any questions about these changes.
Jo Jolly
Principal
ICAS assessments will begin in August
ICAS assessments will once again be held in August. This year we continue to offer 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.
We plan to hold the ICAS assessments on Thursdays, beginning 10 August. All tests will be held in the morning.
Thursday 10 August – ICAS Writing
Thursday 17 August – ICAS English
Thursday 24 August – ICAS Science
Thursday 31 August – 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 GGP197
Note: there is a charge for students to participate. Entries close Friday 31 July.
Library News
Dear Parkhill Families,
“Beginnings could happen more than once or in different ways” Rachel Joyce
Welcome back to a new term. It has been wonderful to see you all and I hope your families enjoyed a relaxing holiday break!
Issue 5 of Book Club is out now and your child should have brought home their brochure. You can also browse the online catalogue Book Club Issue 5 2023.
In this issue find everything you’ll need for a great Book Week including CBCA 2023 Shortlisted Books in amazing value packs. Best of all, there is a Free Book Giveaway.
Place your Issue 5 order on LOOP to select up to 3 FREE BOOKS.
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. Orders close Friday 28 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 from the chilly winds.
Angelita Williams
Librarian
Lunch Order Closure
There will be no Flexischools lunch orders on the following dates due to events at Ashwood High School:
- Thursday 10th August
- Wednesday 23rd August
- Friday 25th August
Parkhill Dads
A warm invite to all Parkhill Dads to join our WhatsApp group. We did enjoy a Lawn Bowls night in earlier in the year and are currently coordinating a Laser Tag event for this term.
Please join in the group to keep in the loop with future events. If keen for Laser Tag then jump on.
Please use the QR code to join.
PFA News
President: Zoë Littlewood
Treasurer: Chris Fagan
General Members: Adam Keens, Emma Gullan, Lih-Shan Yam, Marinda Tanner, Michelle Wickman, Trish King, Vanessa Cowley, Iona Tsykalo, Jo Argaet
Welcome back to term 3
Hope everyone had a great mid-year break. PFA has another busy term ahead, and look forward to seeing many of you at the annual Trivia Night. All details are below.
Trivia Night
Tickets for our Annual Trivia Night are now on sale! Join with parents of your child’s classmates or gather your “smartie” friends for what is guaranteed to be a fun and colourful night! Tickets can be purchased via www.trybooking.com/cieuc – either per person or for a table of 10.
“What is a smartie party?” you ask!? You need to come dressed head to toe in one colour! Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed “smartie” (or rebel “skittle”) and the best dressed table. Your table might like to choose a colour theme or aim for a whole rainbow of smarties! BYO food & drinks.
To make this night a fundraising success, we are also asking for donations towards silent auction items. The PFA can provide a letter for you to use when approaching your local businesses or retailers for vouchers or items. Just let us know by email to parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com.
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
