Panania North Public School

Newsletter 5 - 1st April 2021

Principal message

I would like to wish our staff, students and their families a safe and fabulous Easter holiday break. We have had a wonderful start to the 2021 school year at Panania North, so take time to rest and recharge the batteries ready for an exciting Term 2.

Term 2 dates

Students return to school on Tuesday 20th April

Staffing Update Term 2

Congratulations to Mr Matthew Slyney and Mrs Kelly Gibbs for their success at our recent merit selection for a permanent teaching position at Panania North PS. A big thank you goes to Louise Anthony, our P&C President who gave up 3 days of her time to represent our community on the selection panel.

Thank you also to Miss Alison Martyn who has been funded through the Covid Intensive Learning funding to support stage 2 this term. Miss Martyn has worked closely with the stage 2 teachers and has made fantastic impact with this program and we are really excited with the initial results. Miss Martyn will be teaching with Miss Collins for the majority of Term 2 to complete her Masters Degree. Mr Mitchell Palmer will be joining us in Term 2 in the Covid teacher role.

Attendance

I am extremely pleased to be able to say that we have been having some great success with attendance so far this year. One area that we would like to continue to improve in, is the number of students that arrive late to school. In order for students to be given the best opportunity to be successful, they need to be at school, on time, every day. For some students this is a regular occurrence. Thank you to our families that make this a priority. It is greatly appreciated.

School Security

If you notice something happening inside the school that you are concerned about, we would ask you to please call School Security on 1300 88 00 21. This could be after school, on weekends or over the holidays. If it is during the normal school day, please call the office on 9773 8394.

EHPSSA Representative Trials

Each year East Hills PSSA conducts trials to select teams to compete at the Sydney South West carnivals.​

Students who attend these trials are selected by Panania North's school sport coordinators and PSSA coaches. Schools are restricted as to the amount of players they are allowed to send to these trials.

Whilst we wish we could send every student to trial for these teams, it is not possible. Recommendations from coaches outside of school and a child's desire to make these teams does not necessarily mean they should be able to attend the trials.

If your child is selected to attend these trials it should be considered a priviledge and if they are unable to attend the school must be informed as soon as possible to allow another student to attend. 

2021-2024 Strategic Improvement Plan and 2020 Annual School Report

We are excited to announce our 2021-2024 Strategic Improvement Plan and 2020 Annual Report have been finalised and have been published on our school's website. 

It is a requirement that all NSW government schools develop and publish a Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP).

Our Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) is a working document that details the steps our school will take to improve learning outcomes, and the achievement and growth of all students. To ensure continuous improvement, the Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) reflects where our school is at and how it will further improve learning, teaching and leading.

Our Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP):

·         is underpinned by the School Excellence Framework (SEF), SEF Self-assessments and the external validation process

·         clearly identifies the expected improvement in learning, teaching and leading aligned to specific strategies, initiatives, resources and professional learning

·         includes strategic directions and the improvement measures, including references to the school's agreed system-negotiated targets, against which our school's impact will be monitored and evaluated

·         clearly reflects the department’s strategic plan and Premier’s priorities

·         demonstrates our school’s commitment to excellence and equity as part of NSW public education

·         is clearly linked to the school budget, reflecting the resources that will be used to achieve the planned improvements

·         is underpinned by high impact teacher professional learning to build the capabilities of teachers and school leaders.

Regular updates on the implementation of our plan will be published in our school newsletter and website.

Strategic Direction 2 - Growth and Attainment in Numeracy Update

In the first 2 weeks of term, students in K-2 were individually assessed on their numeracy knowledge using the SENA assessment and students in Years 2-6 were assessed using the online ACER Progressive Achievement Test - Maths (PAT). This data was used to inform the allocation of support and targeted programs and will be used to provide baseline data to evaluate the impact of our initiatives and teaching on student growth.

We have redesigned our whole school Mathematics Scope and Sequence in 7 ‘Learning Cycles’ ensuring all content is covered at multiple times during the year and that outcomes are aligned for each stage in each cycle.

Stage assessments were developed for each cycle and have been implemented for pre-testing of student knowledge and post-testing to measure growth and evaluate the impact of our teaching.  The alignment of outcomes in stages has enabled us to give student additional assessments both below and above the stage assessments where appropriate.

Stages trialed different methods to best record and analyse stage based assessment data. These will be shared and evaluated to develop a whole school data base to record assessments and eventually be able to share this information directly with student’s parents/carers.

Teachers and support staff have used this assessment data to collaboratively plan ‘Cycle 1 and 2 Maths’ programs, catering for the individual class and student needs. 

Data informed numeracy teaching at Panania North PS

Anzac Day

Dear Parents/Carers, 

Each year we recognise the ANZAC tradition, which was forged over 100 years ago at Gallipoli on 25 April, 1915. Our commemorative service will be held on Wednesday, 21st April, 2021 at 9.30am in the assembly hall.

All families are invited to join us for this occasion, and we extend this invitation to any family members who have served or are currently serving in the Australian Defence Forces.

Children are encouraged to bring flowers as a mark of respect, to be laid with traditional wreaths on the day.

We hope that you can join us for this ceremony of remembrance. Please follow all COVID-19 protocols on the day. 

Thank you,

Mrs. Evans.

Notes & Payments

Please be aware of the following payments/notes that are overdue, or that are coming up.

- Student Details forms to be checked/completed and returned to the office

- Voluntary Contributions

- Steward House donations

PSSA Round 5 Results

Rugby League

Round 5

Senior -  WIN 78-0 Best and fairest Ruby L & Rorey F

Junior -   WIN - 36-24 Best and fairest Ryan D


Netball

Round 5

Senior -  WIN 9-4 Best and fairest Alicia B

Junior - WIN 2-0 Best and fairest  Melanie H


Newcombeball

Round 5

Senior -  LOSS 0-2 Best and fairest Ruby S  

Junior -  WIN 2-1 Best and fairest Anisia H  

Exciting new groups starting in Term 2

An online store for the purchase of all Panania North Public School students uniforms

Advertisements - The school often publishes information on behalf of Community groups – parents need to decide the appropriateness of activities involving their child. It is the responsibility of each parent to research the bona fides of any organisation, in which you wish your child to be involved.

Honesty in all things

At Panania North we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and friendly school with strong and valued community links.