Issue 32, Friday 28 October 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,
Rain, rain, go away…
With floods hitting many parts of Victoria we send our thoughts to those affected.
Our Y5 and Y6 students are being mindful this week. We have been super lucky to be able to work with Stephanie from I Am Mindful. The I.A.M School Program is centred around an evidence-based mental health toolkit and coping planning resources. The foundation works with schools in Australia to teach students and their support system how to manage tough times in a proactive, skilful and healthy way.
The staff were involved in a Professional Learning session on Tuesday, which was then opened up to a Parent Information session on Tuesday evening. Thank you to those who attended.
More information can be found: I Am Mindful Box™ (iammindfulco.com.au)
What is good mental health?
Good mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. It means you are in a state of wellbeing where you feel good and function well in the world.
According to the World Health Organization, good mental health is when you can:
cope with the normal stresses of life;
work productively;
realise your potential;
contribute to the community.
If you have good mental health, you might have emotions including happiness, love, joy and compassion, and you feel generally satisfied with life.
You are also likely to feel like you belong to a community and are making a contribution to society.
You might also have a sense of spiritual well being, a sense of meaning or purpose, and feelings of peace.
Good Mental Health Checklist
We all have to face challenges in life. People who have good mental health are more likely to be able to cope with the ups and downs.
You probably have good mental health if:
you are confident when faced with new situations or people;
you feel optimistic;
you do not always blame yourself;
you set goals;
you feel good about yourself;
you have good self esteem.
We begin our Kinder to Foundation transition program next week. The sessions run for children enrolled to attend at Parkhill in 2023 and details of the sessions are on the website. Anne McGregor will be our Foundation teacher next year and is excited to be preparing for the first sessions on Thursday.
Just a reminder that we have a Curriculum Day on Monday – pupil free – and Cup Day is Tuesday.
Have a super long weekend.
Best wishes,
Elaine Mitskinis
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
Reminder: Monday 31 October is a Curriculum Day. Students do not attend school on this day.
Arborist at Parkhill over the long weekend
As you know, we had some trees removed, pruning and maintenance performed on our Parkhill trees over the recent school holidays. During these works, further essential work was discovered. This is now booked to take place on Monday 31 October and will primarily be located at the front of the school near the Koorie garden.
If you are on school grounds on Monday, please be cautious around this area.
F/Y1 Steam
Exploring light has continued to be the focus of F/Y1’s STEAM sessions. This week the 3 Little Pigs wrote us a letter. Trotter the middle pig had accidentally torn the curtains while he looked out the window for the Big Bad Wolf. The ‘Pigs’ asked for our help in finding a new material with which to block the sun, because who likes waking up with the sun, right?! So today our budding scientists set about testing each material and deciding which would be the best material for blocking out the light. Their predictions were interesting and at the end of our session most students agreed that foil was the only opaque material and would block all of the light. It was great to see students activating their imagination, curiosity and critical thinking.
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
Robotics Rodeo!
Monday 7th November
4 – 6 pm
Junior School Building
Book one 15 min time slot to explore the Sphero Indi, Sphero Mini or Mindstorms NTX robot with your child. Please book a time for the robot your child has been working with using the links below.
Library News

You are invited to our Scholastic Book Fair Family sessions which will be held from Mon 21 Nov – Wed 24 Nov:
- 9:00-9:30 am
- 3:15-3:45 pm
You and your child will have the opportunity to explore a huge range of affordable books featuring characters and subjects kids love and want to read about, from newly released books and bestsellers to award-winning titles and perennial favourites.
Parent Help
We will love your help during the Fair sessions. This includes tidying up the bookcases throughout the Fair, monitoring inventory and helping with ‘LAST COPY’ displays on popular items, helping at the cashier desk and packing up after the Fair.
We will need two helpers in the morning (9:00-9:30 am) and four helpers in the afternoon (3:15-3:45 pm). Please email me if you are able to volunteer during one of the sessions.
Student Sessions
Students will have an opportunity to browse through the books with their class on Friday 18 November. After finding their favourites, they can fill out their wish list and bring this home.
Want a chance to win a voucher?
Stay tuned next week for more information on how students can win a voucher to use at the Fair!
We would love to see you at our Book Fair!
Thank you to families who have placed orders from Issue 7.
We expect delivery of orders to come in the next two weeks.
The Gift Function was turned on for this issue which enables book orders to be tagged as a gift. Arrangements will be made for you to collect your orders. If you did not mark the books as gifts and would like to surprise your child, please email me and I can arrange to have them set aside for collection.
All other orders will be distributed to students.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions.
Enjoy the wonderful, long weekend.
Angelita Williams
angelita.williams@education.vic.gov.au
Librarian
PFA News
PARKHILL COLOUR FUN RUN – NEW DATE
Sadly we had to postpone the Colour Run until next month due the continued rain and deteriorating conditions, but we have secured a new date:
Thursday 24th November 2:30 pm
Our aim is to reach $8,000! So far, $5,504 has been raised and F/1A is still in the lead for donations! However, 4/5A is a close second! To start fundraising for your child, sign up here https://chuffed.org/project/parkhill-colour-fun-run and share the link with friends and family! GO PARKHILL!!!!!
Winning Class and Prizes
There will be a special surprise reward for all children in the class that raises the greatest amount of money.
On the Day
On the day of the Colour Fun Run, pack a light coloured or white T-shirt into your child’s school bag. This is an extra fun way to show-off the colours from the dye on the day. There will be an early afternoon brain food break, then straight after, the Fun Run will begin at 2:30 pm. Parents and guardians are most welcome to come to cheer on their loved one.
Further Information
Detailed instructions on how to sign-up to start fundraising are attached below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the office or Zoe on 0459 841 337.
NOTE: You will need a different email address for each child.


COLOUR FUN RUN SIGN-UP – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
The PFA is looking for volunteers to help out with the running of the Colour Fun Run. Eighteen volunteers are required to set up the course and to throw the kids with dye and water and two volunteers are required to cut up oranges. Please sign-up! https://signup.com/go/CDnRMNM
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Donations are needed for our Christmas raffle! We’re looking for a big ticket item that people will be keen to win as the 1st prize, as well as smaller treats to make up into hampers such as: Christmas baskets, wine, chocolates, biscuits and shortbread, small games, Christmas craft packs or other smaller items that can be combined to make a festive prize!
Please drop items at the office by Friday 25th November and please get in touch with PFA if you can connect us with a major 1st prize item!
Raffle ticket books will be coming home with your children next week. Extra books will also be available from the office for keen ticket sellers!


PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD!
The PFA is doing a SOCK fundraiser again this year! A great gift idea or stocking stuffer with fun designs available for every sized foot.
Socks are just $6.10 per pair and our school will receive a percentage from every pair sold. We will also receive a bonus if we sell over 100 pairs. Now that’s a goal worth aiming for!
Order yours by 27th November for pre-Christmas delivery via school before the end of term.
Order via this link and make sure you select Parkhill Primary School at checkout for our school to benefit: https://www.sockable.com.au/order




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
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