Issue 35, Friday 18 November 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
The end of Term 4 is quickly approaching and there are so many wonderful things happening. We have our Athletics Carnival next week, and the Swimming Carnival is just around the corner. Colour Run, Fun Food & Carols coming up soon, Awards Assembly, transition and move up day…
We had some wonderful news presented this week. A re-elected Labor Government will invest $5.3 million to upgrade and modernise Parkhill Primary School, including improvements to the playground, landscaping, fencing and acoustics in the gymnasium. This compliments the offer from the Liberal Party earlier this term of $5 million. We are excited to start planning around the improvements for our grounds and super excited by the prospect of improving our playgrounds for the students.
Our School Improvement Team was out at a NAPLAN analysis session last week. We are seeing pleasing results in our Y3 numeracy which has been our focus area in 2022, as well as with our grammar and punctuation. We are celebrating our Y5 writing results with 35% of students falling in the top two bands. Going into 2023 numeracy and writing continue to feature in our Annual Implementation Plan.
Finally we are able to celebrate Jan Tuck’s retirement! We are planning to host an assembly and morning tea on Wednesday 30th November. There will be an appreciation table in the foyer for those of you who feel like you would like to acknowledge Jan’s retirement. We will hold the special assembly from 9:45am – 10:15am followed by a morning tea. We would like the children to dress up as Mrs Tuck for those who knew her – a flowery dress and beads, maybe a wig or something that reminds them of her. We are putting together a PHTV episode dedicated to Mrs Tuck and looking to invite past students back to say hi and tell some stories. If you would like to be involved with the event or have contact with any past students who may like to be involved please do shout out! The more the merrier, so they say.
We are moving our assemblies to the hall! As of Monday our school assemblies will be back in the hall! Please come along and support the children with their items and celebrate our Student of the Week recipients.
Some of you may remember Tabatha Watson. Tabatha worked with us at Parkhill in Y4/5 at the end of 2021. We are excited to welcome her back next year as part of our staff team.
I am able to share with you our staff structure for 2023:
Bianca Bevilacqua will be the PLC Instructional leader for our lower school (F-Y2), with Alex Davies leading the PLC in our middle school (Y3-5) and Michelle Smith coordinating in the Y6. Andrea Crane will continue her work as the PLC Instructional leader in our specialist team next year.
We will continue to run Performing Arts with Carlie Eriksen, Chinese with Shuoyin Tu, Physical Education with Dean Sciacca and STEAM with Andrea Crane. As well as our specialist program we will continue to offer support programs in MSL and numeracy through the Tutor Learning Initiative. Liz Nevill and Andrea Crane will be our tutors in 2023 as well as holding class responsibility.
Our Y6 core curriculum will be held by Michelle and Andrea, with Dean holding responsibility for Y5/6 sports and PE/Health.
I must remind you that teacher requests are not appropriate and will not be acknowledged. The team at Parkhill work in collaboration to develop and deliver the most comprehensive data driven learning programs.
If you have any questions or comments please let me know elaine.brady@education.vic.gov.au
I hope you have a super weekend.
Best wishes,
Elaine Mitskinis
Principal
Calendar of Curriculum Events
School Council Update
Our school is in a very good position as a result of promises from both major parties during this election campaign! As mentioned by Elaine above, the pledge by Matt Fregon, the Labor candidate for Ashwood, this week of $5.3 million for our school will go towards some additional works and finishing touches on the hall, new playgrounds, fencing, landscaping and more over the coming election term. With the Liberal candidate, Asher Judah’s promise of $5 million announced a few weeks ago, our school is set to become the envy of schools across the suburbs!
These promises don’t just randomly drop out of the sky – they come because our community has highlighted these needs and collectively communicated this to the candidates. Thank you to everyone who sent letters, made phone calls and posted on social media explaining our needs to the candidates. Yes, we are lucky to be in a marginal seat, but there are dozens of schools in this seat, and our voice has been clear and united enough to get the attention and the help we requested.
In addition to these promises, we’d also like to thank the Rotary Club in Wheelers Hill for a generous $5000 donation to the school in the past couple of weeks. This donation will be used to support families in our school community in paying for curriculum contributions, excursions and other activities.
Thanks,
Dan Edwards
School Council President
Your school councillors in 2022 are: Parents – Emily Condell, Melo Conti, Elle Delmee, Wendy Douglas, Dan Edwards, Peter King, Jason van Lindt, Jodie Thatcher, Jay van Schyndel. School staff – Andrea Crane, Sasha Guy, Elaine Mitskinis, Jo Ravida, Michelle Smith
WILD ABOUT ART 2022 - Art Competition
It was great to have Parkhill students contribute to the Wild About Art 2022 competition. Their artwork was one of over 4,600 entries that were judged. I am so proud of the time and effort Maia, Maryam, Mariam, Lucas, Shaurya, Gabriel and Jaiyana put into their work. Their finished products were amazing. Below are our submissions to the competition, I think you will agree they are fabulous. Unfortunately, they have not been selected as finalists this year, but if you are interested in the checking out this year’s finalists you will find them on the Facebook Page link below. The artwork with the most likes/reactions as of 10am AEDT on Thursday 8 December will win the People’s Choice award, so you can get involved and have your vote.
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
Physical Science - Using Force in Art
What fun Y2/3 students have had in the STEAM room putting their knowledge of forces, push and pull, into action in an arty way. Together we engaged with our new science topic, producing fabulous string paintings which required students to push down on the paper and pull out the paint-soaked string. I’m sure you’ll agree that the results were amazing.
Andrea Crane
STEAM Teacher
Buildings & Grounds Update
Last Saturday we saw around 50 members of our Parkhill Community come together for our Term 4 Working Bee. Tasks achieved across the day included:
– Clearing the lower car park area of green waste and mulch;
– Repairs to the stairs leading to the oval;
– Weeding and mulching of Koori Garden;
– Replacement of broken triangle grips on the main playground;
– Creation of a new garden bed at the rear of the school;
– Trimming and pruning of trees and shrubs throughout the whole grounds;
– Clean up of our Orchard;
– Mulch being laid pretty much everywhere… at least it felt like it!
I can not say a big enough thank you to everyone who came and helped out on the day. Special thanks to Andrew Gaff who organised a massive donation from Martin Drainage and Plumbing. They donated a bobcat, truck and driver for the morning to make the relocation of mulch and clearing of the rear car park so very easy. Without their generous donation we would not have achieved half as much.
A working bee never succeeds unless there is food to keep the troops motivated and our thanks are again extended to Bakers Delight Ashburton who looked after us with the provision of a delicious afternoon tea. If you are shopping there please pass on your thanks on behalf of Parkhill, we want them to know that we so appreciate their support!
What’s Next?
We would love to lay some gravel or stone in the lower car park as a temporary measure to enable it to be used. If anyone has any connections that might be able to support us with this donation, please reach out to me.
Tuesday 13th December – if you are free after school pick up we are going to do some more mulching to help keep the weeds at bay over the Christmas break. It is also a chance to come together and celebrate all that has been achieved over the past 12 months – if you are able to join us we would love to see you there.
Thank you again Parkhill Community – it is such a privilege to get to join with you in investing in our school.
Wendy Douglas
Buildings & Grounds Committee
Smile Squad
Dear Parkhill Primary School families,
The Smile Squad team from Link Health and Community are coming to our school soon.
Smile Squad is the Victorian Government free school dental program.
This means all students can get a free dental check-up, preventive services, and treatment at school.
How to access free dental care
We need your consent before we can provide services. Consent is usually provided by a parent or guardian.
Sign up to Smile Squad at: https://bit.ly/smilesquadvic or paper copies are available at the office.
Library News
Dear Parkhill families,
You are invited to our Scholastic Book Fair which will be held from Mon 21 November – Wed 23 November. There are two sessions on offer each day:
- 9:00-9:30 am
- 3:15-3:45 pm
Kindly note that only card payments are accepted. No cash please!
Students had the opportunity to browse through the books today with their class, and may have come home with their wish list.
If you use the prepayment option, kindly ensure you record the receipt number and amount paid, and bring along the copy to the Fair. If you are unable to attend, you can take a screenshot to email me, and I will organise the book(s) to be sent home.
We have three copies of each item and we will keep a ‘last copy’ on the shelf. There are usually books which prove popular and orders will be placed for items which run out. They will be delivered after the Fair, so please let your child know that they may have to wait.
Parent helpers
We are still seeking help during the Fair. Please let us know if you are available Monday 21 November to Wednesday 23 November:
- 9:00-9:30 am
- 3:15-3:45 pm
The winners of the colouring competition will be announced on Monday. Stay tuned!
Here is the online link to Issue 8 – Book Club Issue 8 2022. Orders close Wednesday 30 November.
Orders can be placed at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or by using the LOOP app.
If you have any questions, please get in touch via email or leave a message at the office.
Hope to see you at the Fair!
Angelita Williams
angelita.williams@education.vic.gov.au
Librarian
PFA News
PARKHILL COLOUR FUN RUN – 1 WEEK TO GO!
Thursday 24th November 2:30 pm
Our aim is to reach $8,000! So far $6,489 has been raised and 4/5A is in the lead for donations! However, F/1A 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
Eyewear – if you are concerned about your child(ren) getting the powder on their face or in their eyes, please pack a pair of sunglasses for them to wear.
Clothing – 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.
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.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RfB_Z8flV5JCLMfGXf7lSM5qE-UepGeE/view?usp=share_link
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!
Extra raffle ticket books are available from the office for keen ticket sellers!
FUN, FOOD & CAROLS STALL
If you want to have a stall at Fun, Food & Carols, please contact Vanessa by email at parents.friends.secretary@gmail.com or on 0439 356 931.
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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