PENSHURST WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Term 1, Week 6

From The Principal’s Desk

Following our wonderful swimming carnival last week, our school swim team is off to compete at the District Carnival on Thursday. We wish them well. On the same day our school will participate in Clean Up Australia Day. Each class will focus on an area to ensure we have helped make our environment more pleasant. Six students from our senior classes are off to participate in a network wide leadership initiative. They will spend the day mixing with other student leaders and special guests before returning to the school to work on a project with the rest of the students. Our P&C AGM was held on Tuesday 14th February. The evening saw a few new faces attend and most positions filled on the executive, however, the position of President is currently unfilled and we are seeking a person who would be willing to

hold the position for 2017. The P&C will call for nominations and vote for this position on the 14th March. I would publically like to thank the executive and all P&C Members for their input and hard work throughout 2016. Our previous President, Mr Greg Briscoe-Hough has written an open letter to the P&C which I have published in this week’s Newsletter. The P&C also considered it important to recognise Greg’s extensive involvement with the school and applaud his dedication. Finally, thank you to the many families who have paid for textbooks, levies and the programs that are running for the students. We at the school do our best to find programs that provide value for money and that tie closely with our school curriculum. These programs were also based on the survey completed last year by parents. If you are having difficulties paying for any of these programs please ask to talk with Mr Angus to make an

arrangement and ensure your child does not miss out.

Selective High School Test

Applicants for Year 7 placement in a selective high school in 2018 are required to take the Selective High School Placement Test to be held from 9.00am to 1.30pm on Thursday 9 March 2017. The test centre for students from our school is Georges River College Peakhurst Campus.

Creative & Performing Arts

The Schools Extensive Extra-curricular programs have commenced trials for Dance. Below is a photograph from the Hop-Hop group auditioning. It was great to see so many trialling. Groups are restricted to 24 performers as this is the total number that we can take to the festival. However, our students have opportunities in the 2/3 Dance group, K/1 Dance and Drama group all of which are still

TERM 1, WEEK 6 March 2017

Penshurst West Public School

Ph: 9570 4602

Fax: 9580 6371

Email: penshurstw-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Website: www.penshurstw-p.schools.nsw.edu.au

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auditioning. In Term 2 there will also be a Recorder group with the intention of entering the Festival of Instrumental music which performs in the Opera House.

Leadership Certificates

Mr Coure, Member for Oatley will be attending our assembly on Monday 6th to present certificates to our School Leaders, House Leaders and SRC.

Parent Programs This year the school will be running a variety of programs to inform parents and support them. these training programs will allow our community to have a greater involvement in the school. The first of these programs is training in the Merit Selection Procedures. Whenever a permanent position in a school is available a panel is created to go through the selection process. The panel will consist of a Parent Rep, Teacher Rep, a Director of Public School Rep and the Principal. The training allows parents to be part of this process so that the P&C can elect a panel member. We are always looking for more people to be part of this process. On Tuesday 14th March, 5.30pm -6.45pm, before the P&C Meeting, I will be conducting the Panel Training for all people who are interested in being on a panel or simply interested in knowing more about

the process. Please let the office know if you would like to attend.

ThinkUKnow Australia In addition to this training there will be a community presentation of ThinkUKnow Australia. This is a cyber safety education program that educates parents, carers and teachers about how people are using technology, the challenges they may face online and how to help them overcome issues in a safe and ethical way. ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, as well as Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation covers issues relating to children and young peoples’ privacy and security online, their relationships with other users and their online reputation. It provides insight into the devices young people are using, as well as the popular websites, apps and social networking sites they’re accessing. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology. For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au Further details of time and date will be provided when the presenter has advised of their availability.

Awards

PSSA Sports Reports

Last week was the first week of our teams going to PSSA. The AFL teams had a carnival and enjoyed learning new skills. Girls Basketball played Oatley with both Junior and Senior teams losing their first round games. Boys Touch Football played against Beverly Hills - Juniors won 3-0 Seniors won 6-5.

This week’s games: AFL vs Beverly Hills @ Field 1. Basketball vs Lugarno @ Home. Touch vs Peakhurst on Field 2. Upcoming Event Although several weeks away still, the school celebrates the end of the term with an Easter Hat Parade and Eggs-hibition. This year the Parade will be held on Friday 7th April from 12.45pm. Preschool children are most welcome to participate in the parade joining with siblings for their own walk.

Silver

Sienna M Freya P

Abigail M Miles C

Luca B Lawrence B

Penelope R Sarah E

Reine H Isabella R

Gold

Ashley D Christopher B

Abigail M Lawrence B

Penelope R Isabella R

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PBIS Week 4 Respect Week 5: Safety

Upcoming Events

Week MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Week 6 Term 1

27/2 28/2 1/3

Jellybeans Music 3-6

2/3 District Swim Carnival Clean Up Australia Day

3/3 Gymnastics K-2 PSSA Season 1

Week 7 Term 1

6/3 Member for Oatley Attending Assembly

7/3 Leadership By The River –

6 students attending

8/3 Jellybeans Music 3-6

9/3 10/3

Gymnastics K-2

Week 8 Term 1

13/3 14/3 P&C

15/3 Jellybeans Music 3-6

16/3 School Photo Day

17/3 Gymnastics K-2

Week 9 Term 1

20/3 Susan Berran – Author

visits

21/3 Harmony Day

Susan Berran – Author visits

22/3 Jellybeans Music 3-6

Susan Berran – Author visits

23/3 24/3

Gymnastics K-2

Week 10 Term 1

27/3 28/3 29/3

Jellybeans Music 3-6 30/3

31/3 Gymnastics K-2

Week 11 Term 1

3/4 4/4 5/4

Jellybeans Music 3-6 6/4

Combined Scripture

7/4 Gymnastics K-2

Easter Hat Parade 12.45- 1.30

Term 2 Week 1

24/4 Staff Development Day

25/4 ANZAC Day

26/4 First Day Term 2 Gymnastics 3-6

27/4

28/4 PSSA Rnd 8

Week 2 Term 2

1/5 2/5

Jellybeans Music K-2 3/5

Gymnastics 3-6 4/5

5/5 PSSA Rnd 9

Week 3 Term 2

8/5 9/5

Jellybeans Music K-2 NAPLAN

10/5 Gymnastics 3-6

NAPLAN

11/5 NAPLAN

12/5 PSSA Finals Day

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Our 5/6 classes are also getting into the percussion through Jellybeans Music. Here we have 5/6A. This week only those students who have paid for the program will be attending on Wednesday.

What’s happening in the classrooms?

Our Students are all actively engaged in their learning here is some work from one of our Kindergarten students

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Penshurst West Public School 2017 Swimming Carnival

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Canteen News Please be aware that there are several changes that have occurred for the Canteen this year.

Parents and students to check the new canteen menu before placing lunch orders as there have been several changes made to what is currently available, as well as price changes.

Please check the new Canteen Menu. Opening days are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday Pies and nuggets are now only available on Mondays and pizzas are only available

on Tuesdays. The Wednesday sweet chili chicken wrap is now available on Thursdays only. We have a new selection of yummy wraps freshly made on Mondays and

Thursdays. These changes are in preparation for the new Health Canteen guidelines which are

to be implemented this year. The Canteen would like to remind existing parents and students and inform any

new families that the canteen will supply lunch to any student who has forgotten theirs; however, this will only be one lunch item and not ice-blocks, chips or drinks. A note will be sent home with the child informing the parent the amount owing. Prompt payment is appreciated.

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PENSHURST WEST P&C – PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT 2017 AGM

Dear fellow parents, care givers and members of staff,

I cannot exactly recall when my ‘reign of terror’ as President commenced, however, my association with this School began when my family arrived in Scott Street some dozen years or so ago.

All but the eldest of my and Alison’s seven children have been students at Penshurst West, with one daughter even a former School Captain a decade ago when we had the 50th Anniversary of the school and our last fete!

With our youngest son still here and our first grandson likely to start next year, my family’s association with the school is likely to be ongoing for a while yet!

However, and despite the great pride and enjoyment I have had as the P&C President, it is timely that a change in the leadership of our school’s premier parent body be considered.

The school’s families and staff co-operation with, and support of, the P&C is essentially one of common purpose and interest – better teaching resources, training and learning outcomes for our children by providing them the means to be good students and citizens.

Our school has been fortunate to both retain and develop the financial returns and responsive service from both our healthy choices canteen and extensive new and second hand uniform shop and has also had active participants in the area of fund raising events too! Without these volunteers we would be much the poorer both financially and in community spirit.

Few members of the public realise the level of technology and technical expertise within our school, or the overall harmony amongst the parent body – though no school is perfect!

I would like to thank my peers, past and present, for their confidence in me and for the inspiration and assistance they have rendered to both myself, and the wider school community.

I would like to encourage that continued involvement and hopefully, for new comers, a wonderful journey in determining just how your children will be advantaged and have continued wider opportunities as they learn and grow in Loyalty and Truth.

Sincerely

Greg Briscoe-Hough

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Student Absence Slip 2017

Please return this slip to your child’s teacher the day your child returns to school.

Dear ____________________________________ (teacher’s name) My child, ________________________________________, of Class __________ was absent from school from ____________________ to ___________________ because _______________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________ Print Name: __________________________ Date: _________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student Absence Slip 2017

Please return this slip to your child’s teacher the day your child returns to school.

Dear ____________________________________ (teacher’s name) My child, ________________________________________, of Class __________ was absent from school from ____________________ to ___________________ because _______________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________ Print Name: __________________________ Date: _________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student Absence Slip 2017

Please return this slip to your child’s teacher the day your child returns to school.

Dear ____________________________________ (teacher’s name) My child, ________________________________________, of Class __________ was absent from school from ____________________ to ___________________ because _______________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________ Print Name: __________________________ Date: _________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student Absence Slip 2017

Please return this slip to your child’s teacher the day your child returns to school.

Dear ____________________________________ (teacher’s name) My child, ________________________________________, of Class __________ was absent from school from ____________________ to ___________________ because _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________ Print Name: __________________________ Date: _________