Pendle Hill Public School News

Dear Parents/Carers,

We have had a busy end to term, with lots of successful events to celebrate a productive year.

Last week, we recognised student achievement in our Presentation Day awards, well done to all the students who received awards.

Yesterday we farewelled our Year 6 students, it is amazing to see how they have grown and developed since commencing school. We are proud of their achievements and wish them well in the future. Thank you to our 2024 school captains and vice captains:

Meek Borua, Thanushka Satheesh, Divya Maharaj and Nadia Al-Ezrai.

Congratulations to our 2025 school captains and vice captains announced at our recent Presentation Day Assembly:

Eva Mittal, Thujania Uthayashankar, Sri Diksha Satheesh Pillai and Maitri Sankar.

I would like to thank our community for the continued support of the school and for the amazing input into our recent Twilight Festival.

Thank you to all of our staff for their ongoing contribution to class and school programs. All staff put considerable effort into planning for student learning, supporting students in a myriad of ways and to ensure the school can offer extra-curricular programs and activities. Staff effort and input is much appreciated.

Our staffing will remain similar in 2025. Mrs Bridge will be taking maternity leave in 2025 and we wish her well. Mrs Linnegar has been off unexpectedly this term and will be taking leave in 2025. Mrs Nanda who is currently on a temporary contract will return in Term 2. I am also taking leave for Term 1 and look forward to seeing everyone when I return in Term 2. Nicole Hogan will be relieving principal in my absence.

Wishing all of our families a restful and safe holiday season. Looking forward to a great 2025.

Gabrielle Buczynski

Term 4

18.12.24 - Last Day Term 4

Term 1 2025

6.2.25 - Students return to school.

Changes to term dates 2025

There have been some changes to the number of school development days teachers will have for professional learning over the next few years. In primary schools we have four new curriculums to implement by the beginning of 2027. Planning for these changes require a lot of teacher professional development so teachers can understand the aims of the curriculums and effectively plan and teach using them. The additional days will support the implementation of those curriculums and effective learning for students. The new 2025 term start dates for students are listed below.

• Term 1: Thursday 6th, February
• Term 2: Wednesday 30 April
• Term 3: Tuesday 22 July
• Term 4: Tuesday 14 October

Mrs Akamatis and Mrs Rowe wish all our preschool children and families all the best in the next stage of their schooling (Kindergarten). We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and holiday period. We look forward to seeing you in the new year and hearing all about Kindergarten.

Margaret Akamatis

Pendle Hill Public School Preschool

On Wednesday 11th December students from our support classes had the opportunity to attend attended a special Children's Christmas Party at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.

The event was very exciting and students had a wonderful time.

Presentation Day Assembly was held on Tuesday 10th December in the School Hall.

Congratulations to all students who received an award.

Please visit our school website gallery via link below for more photos:

https://pendlehill-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/gallery/presentation-day-assembly-2024.html

Year 6 celebrated the end of their schooling with a dinner and evening of fun. The hall was decorated with a beach theme and students danced to disco music . The night ended with a formal graduation ceremony.

On Wednesday we held a graduation assembly to farewell Year 6. Students wore graduation gowns and paraded before the whole school. After speeches the students were "belled" out of the school formally and ran through the parade of K-5 students who clapped and cheered farewell.

Please complete our parent survey to give your opinion on our school. We value your input and use information from parents to plan for improvement.

The survey can be accessed at this link or by using the QR code.

We want to do all we can to be sure your child achieves their potential and enjoys being in school.

We know that school is the best place to learn. By attending school every day your child will get the most out of their learning .

Please ensure your child returns back to school for 2025 on Day One. Returning on time helps us get all children into classes quickly for a start on class programs with 2025 teachers. If you have change plans please let the office know on Day One or by posting a messageon Sentral before we return

.

A reminder that planned travel should only be taken during school holidays and students should be at school every day during school term, right from beginning to end.

As part of our school plan we are focusing on systematic and explicit vocabulary instruction in classrooms. Vocabulary knowledge is also important in the first years at school as oral language comprehension has been shown to support accurate word recognition. Vocabulary knowledge is a strong predictor of reading comprehension by Year 5, and by Year 8 it is the main predictor of success.

Read more about vocabulary instruction in the attachment.

Complete the survey (QR code) when you have read about vocabulary instruction to help our planning and for us to identify what information is useful to parents.

Spriggy schools will still be used but menus and general operation will be changed.

Applications will be open from 7 November 2024 to February 2025 for both selective high school and opportunity class placement. From 7 November parents and carers can apply online using the Selective high school and opportunity class placement application website for students who are currently in Year 3 for OC class 2026 and currently inYear 5 for Year 7 Selective High School , 2026. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period.

See below for specific information regarding Girraween Selective HS.

Shop online or at the onsite shop in the school grounds.

Shop opened every Wednesday 8.30-9.30 am

Online orders at www.exceluniforms.com.au

Order online for delivery at school

Any enquires can be made direct to Excel Uniforms

Phone 0405 506 383/Email php@exceluniforms.com.au

Please log on to the Internet and register for access to our Parent Portal where you can make payments, see notes and information and submit absences. You need a parent access key to set up an account, the office can provide you with an access key.

You can register here https://pendlehill-p.sentral.com.au/auth/portal?action=register

Once you have logged in and registered with your access key you should see the screen below where you can either make a payment, see notes or submit an absence.

On site before and afterschool care provided by Activity Centres Inc.

Ph. 0403 865 828

Cool Kids Music Co. Small Group Music Lessons at School. Enrol Now for 2024.

Parent supervision for children attending cool kids music class

Just a reminder that all students attending music classes need to have a parent with them before and during the class. There is no supervision for children waiting for class to begin at 3.30pm.

This summer, the City of Parramatta Libraries invites all children aged 16 and under to sign up for the Summer Reading Holiday Program, where they can win exciting prizes.

Dive into a world of imagination and prepare for a season brimming with creativity, captivating stories, and the chance to embark on new adventures while celebrating the joy of reading.

Pick up a brochure at your local library, or for more details, visit https://parra.city/SRHP202425

Every child has the right to a safe, happy home connected to family and community.

By opening your home and your heart to a child in need, you can help provide a child with the stability and connection to culture that they need to thrive.

For singles, couples or families, fostering can fit and enhance your current stage of life.

Whether you are able to commit to respite care on weekends or during school holidays, or care for a child on a short or long term basis, your impact will be long lasting.

Netball

FREE "Share Our Space" Netball Clinics, designed for kids aged 5-12 who are new to the game!

This fun-filled program will introduce participants to exciting skills and games, providing a great way to experience the sport in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Please ensure your child comes prepared with their lunch, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor activities.

Netball NSW FREE holiday program –

Merrylands High School

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

9.30am – 12.30pm

Ages 5 -12

https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/c376fa

We are thrilled to announce that Cumberland City Council will be hosting a special celebration in honour of International Mother Language Day! We invite you to save the date and join us for an exciting day of activities and cultural appreciation.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday 20 February 2025

Time: 10am – 1pm

Location: Redgum Function Centre – 14 Lane St, Wentworthville

Activities Include:

• Face Painting
• Balloon Making
• Craft Activities
• Indigenous Art Displays
• And much more!

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the beauty of language and culture together. I will reach out with further details as the event approaches.

Thank you, and we hope you can join us!

The end of the year is often a time to reflect, celebrate successes and kick off the festive season. This year, let's celebrate with a bright and colourful spread of delicious party food.

Check out our healthy and tasty festive recipes and ideas that everyone will love.

Healthy Holidays Guide. Trying to keep the kids off the screens and not nagging for unhealthy snacks can be difficult during the school holidays. Let us help you keep the kids occupied with our Healthy Holidays Guide, full of fun activities to keep them happy, healthy and more active these school holidays.