The Punchbowl Press

Monday 17 May- Friday 21 May- NAPLAN Yr 3 and Yr 5

Wednesday 19 May- National Simultaneous Storytime

Wednesday 19 May - P&C Meeting in the hall at 9:15am

Monday 31 May- Monday 14 June- Life Education Van (Healthy Harold)

Monday 14 June- Queens Birthday Public Holiday

Monday 21 June- Friday 25 June- Parent-teacher Interviews

We have had a smooth start to Term 2, with many of our extra-curricular programs beginning.  PSSA sport has begun and our students have been representing the values of our school to a very high standard through their sportsmanship on and off the field.  Thank you to the teachers who are our coaches and coordinators of the program and for those teachers who are leading clubs back at school.

Last week we had our first chess competition and we also hosted an interschool debate.  Both teams were successful and we are very proud of their efforts.  Thank you to Mr Potten, Mrs Matthews and Mrs El-Esh for the extra support and expertise they are providing to these students.  It is wonderful to watch them develop their talents.  More details on those two wins can be found later in the Press.

We have had some staff changes this term.  While Mrs Harding is on maternity leave, Mrs Amal Farhat will be the Relieving Assistant Principal Stage 3.  Also, as Mrs Gibbs is also on maternity leave, Miss Victoria Gammel will be the Relieving Assistant Principal Stage 1.  Ms Sharne Plummer will be continuing in her role as Class teacher on 1 Angelfish.

Our Relieving Assistant Principal Special Education, Ms Sophie Evans, will be returning to her substantive teaching position at Chalmers Road SSP.  Ms Evans has been in her role since 2019 and we thank her for her commitment to our students and their families.  We are currently recruiting an Early Intervention Teacher.  Ms Anna Glynatsis will teach our EI students until the recruiting process is complete.  Mrs Midori Jobling, Deputy Principal IL/Preschool will continue to supervise the Early Intervention and Support unit classes.  Thankyou to Mrs Jobling for continuing in this crucial role within our school.

Miss Veronica Nemer will be working across our school in different roles.  In Stage 2, she is working as a Learning and Support Teacher on Monday and Tuesday.  On Thursday she is supporting collaborative planning and data discussions and on Friday she is our Librarian.  Thank to Ms Nemer for taking on this role.

During week 3 I had the pleasure of presenting Daniel and Shakila with their Aussie of the Month awards and prize packs. I am very proud of these two students and the way they demonstrate our school values.

This term you will receive your child’s half yearly report.  At the same time, we will be conducting Parent-Teacher interviews to discuss their progress and future goals for their learning.  More information will follow later in the term.

Schools are operating full time while actively following health advice. It is important that families continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines for schools. In particular we wish to highlight the following:

Visitors to schools should maintain 1.5m distance from other adults where practicable. Avoid congestion of groups of visitors in specific areas where possible.

All visitors to a school site must comply with sign-in arrangements. Visitors must also check in using the Service NSW QR code. These are displayed around the school including all the gates.  If you are visiting the office for an appointment it is important that in addition to the QR code check in you also sign-in at the office. 

Preschool applications are now open for 2022.  Any enquiries, please call or make an appointment at the office to speak to a member of staff.

Our P&C Meetings will be held in Week 5 and Week 10 of each term. The next one is on Wednesday 19 May at 9:15am.  The P&C are still looking for a member to fill the position of Secretary. If you are interested please come along to the next P&C meeting.

Mrs Donna McGeary

Relieving Principal​

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Daniel from preschool is a friendly, helpful and caring student. He always follows our preschool rules and values. Daniel is a good role model to his peers. He is cooperative, respectful and allows all children to join in play with him. Daniel is kind and considerate of how his peers are feeling.

Congratulations Daniel. 

Shakila from 5/6 S is well mannered, kind hearted, friendly and a very supportive friend. She follows the school rules and our values, therefore encouraging others to follow her lead. She is a great role model to all students. She is considerate and compassionate, and always ready to learn with a positive attitude. She co-operates with her peers and goes out of her way to help others.

Congratulations Shakila. 

The P&C ran a very successful Mother's Day Stall and raffle during Week 3. Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped with setting up and selling the gifts. Thank you to all parents who supported this fundraiser. 

We hope all the mums in our community had a wonderful Mother's Day. 

The P&C are still looking for a member to fill the position of Secretary. If you are interested please come along to the next P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 May at 9:15am in the school hall. All are welcome to attend. 

Congratulations to the Hazifa, Ashlyn and Aisha for winning prizes at the Mother’s Day raffle which was organised by our amazing P&C.

Our parents and early learners utilised the learn through play space in our centre. The children love the kitchen corner where they cook, bake and make lots of pretend dishes like pizza, cupcakes, pasta and serve tea and coffee. Some have been busy doing their grocery shopping and exchange SaCC notes and coins. The children made a poppy flower wreath for the Anzac day ceremony and the SaCC staff, parents and students laid the wreath under the flag post as a form of respect to the Australian fallen soldiers. Parents have been very supportive of their children’s learning and are keen to take part in educational activities provided for by staff.  Keep up the good work supporting our early learners.

Drop in Session: We have had a number of new families drop in to the SaCC over the last few weeks which is fantastic. Families have collected information about parenting workshops and playgroups and took the opportunity to have informal conversations to with the SaCC staff to see how the centre can best support them. We look forward to meeting more families throughout the term. Parents are welcome to drop in on Monday mornings for a coffee and a chat. 

Zumba & Exercise: The much awaited Zumba and Exercise Class is  starting next week as a follow up to the Eat, Move and Healthy eating program which was held last term. 

Learning Hub: The Learning Hub is continuing this term with 10 students supported and coached by the STARTTS staff. The students have worked very hard in completing their homework, reading and are super active competing in group activities.  I am very proud of these boys and girls and the enthusiasm they are showing while participating in the learning activities. Thank you STARTTS for this great partnership.

Hand in Hand Parenting: Hand in Hand parenting started with eight parents learning about “Setting Limits - Building Closeness and Cooperation with your children”.  Parents, if you are interested in joining this workshop contact Fifi & Asenati.

TAFE English: English classes have continued this term and we look forward to parents returning to the group after their EID celebrations are over. 

Coming up in Term 3. 

- TAFE Floristry 

- Tuning into Kids by Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre

Congratulations to the following students for having their artwork selected to represent Punchbowl Public School for 2021. Zayd from Owls, Peace from Success, Maida from Halo and Kate from Kookaburras. Their beautiful artworks speak for themselves. Well Done!

The P&C have registered an online fundraiser with Bright Star Kids. Bright Star Kids is a family-owned business that designs and produces top quality personalised products for kids. For every order you place our school will receive up to 20% in commission. 

All you need to do is visit their webpage, create an account, place an order and select LINK A FUNDRAISING ACCOUNT in the checkout and enter our school name PUNCHBOWL PUBLIC SCHOOL. 

Label it and never lose a thing! Get ready with your labels and personalised products for 2021. 

Happy Shopping. 

If you have any questions please phone the office on 9750 5055 and leave a message and one of the friendly P&C members will contact you. 

Punchbowl Public School P&C Committee 

Schools are operating full time while actively following health advice. It is important that families continue to follow the COVID-19 guidelines for parents. In particular we wish to highlight the following:

- Visitors to schools should maintain 1.5m distance from other adults where practicable. Avoid congestion of groups of visitors in specific areas where possible.

- ALL visitors to the school site must comply with sign-in arrangements. Visitors MUST check in using the Service NSW QR code. These are displayed around the school including all the gates. This includes when entering to drop off or pick up children.

- If you are visiting the office for an appointment it is important that in addition to the QR code check in you also sign-in at the office.

- Scroll all the way to the bottom until you see the ‘Select Language’ option. Select your preferences language

You can now read the news in your chosen language.

Punchbowl Public School staff work in partnership with parents to encourage and support regular attendance of children.When your child attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your child will build and maintain friendships with other children.

Our Learning Support Team regularly monitors attendance data and makes  contact with families to see how the school can best provide support if attendance becomes a concern. The Home School Liasion Officer (employed by the Department of Education) regularly checks our school attendance data and may also make contact with families to discuss concerning patterns of attendance. 

If you have questions about attendance or need further support please contact the school on 9750 5055 to discuss. We are here to help. 

• Make sure your children are in appropriate child car seats that are fitted and used correctly.
• Stick to the 40km/h speed limit in a school zone as children are about and can be unpredictable.
• Always park and turn legally around schools and avoid dangerous manoeuvres like U-turns and three-point turns.
• Always give way to pedestrians, especially when entering and leaving driveways.
• Drop the kids off and pick them up on the school side of the road on Rossmore Ave or Viola St drop-off and pick-up area. Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous because they may run to you without checking traffic.
• It's safest for the kids to get out of the car on the kerb side of the road to be away from passing traffic. 

• Plan your trip to school so you are using pedestrian crossing areas. There are 2 located on Rossmore Ave, both with school crossing supervisors in the morning and afternoon. 

Young children can learn these safe pedestrian habits from you and use them when they are old enough to travel alone.

The Police and rangers will be patrolling our school regularly throughout the year. This includes Rossmore Ave and Viola St entries. 

Your child's safety depends on us. Road safety around our school is everyone's responsibility. 

The Conservatorium High School is the secondary arm of the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney, and the State’s only specialist music high school. Applications to audition for students entering high school in 2022 are now open. Closing date for registration is June 25th. Follow the link to register your interest. 

https://conhigh.nsw.edu.au/2022-entry-application/