Hill Street News

 A Connected, Creative, Caring Learning Community. 

Term 1 Week 11

Acknowledgement of Country 

We would like to pay respect and acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to Elders both past and present and future.

Term 1 has been very exciting but also very busy. This term we had lots of school improvement work. Thank you to you all for your flexibility and care in ensuring we all remained safe at school. Some of these projects are as follows:

• painting of our administration and hall doors as well as the doors and railing of the Year 2 block
• installation of a new roof for all stage 2 and 3 classrooms, Year 2 classrooms and the library. 
• installation of a new awning in the walkway outside the library as well as a new awning complete with skylights in the area above the snake seats.
• the beginning of the replacement of the decking outside the stage 2 classrooms and community room. This will be completed in the school holidays.

 We cannot wait for these areas to be finished!

Last Friday at assembly we celebrated our 2023 SRC representatives. Congratulations to all! We look forward to hearing the ideas of all over the next three terms. 

A huge thank you and congratulations to the community for helping raise $10,126.00 towards school resources. Last year's Colour Fun Run was indeed a highlight for many people. Thank you to Mrs Abdullah and the P&C for organising such a great event. I know there were a lot of happy students when they received their Colour Fun Run prizes!

It was fantastic to see so many of you last week for parent/teacher interviews. It is such an important part of schools and families working together. It was lovely to hear your feedback about the 3 way conferences this year and we will be sending out a survey shortly to gain your feedback on this.

Please remember that while we do have this formal time to meet with your child's teacher at the end of Term 1, a reminder that you are most welcome to schedule an interview with your child’s teacher or any of the support teachers at any time during the year. This is particularly important if you have a concern or a change in family circumstances that may impact on your child. Simply contact the school to organise a mutually convenient time. 

An information pack regarding Opportunity classes and a note have gone home with Year 4 students. Parents/carers must apply online before Monday 15 May 2023 at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5.html

Parents/carers must use their own email address and not one belonging to their child. Late applications are not usually accepted. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Unit for assistance. You must submit only ONE application for each student.  All candidates who have applied are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 27 July 2023.

Digital Art club was very successful with lots of interested students who are creating some amazing pieces. Thank you to Mrs Mustapic for starting this extra-curricular initiative.

This week our student leadership team participated in the annual Kingsgrove RSL ANZAC Commemoration service to remember all Australians who have served. Thank you to Ms Witts for accompanying our students. 

Mr Unicomb who is our substantive Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction (APCI) has made the decision that he will not be returning to McCallums Hill PS. We wish Mr Unicomb well in his future endeavours. As a result of this vacancy, an Expression of Interest process has been completed to secure a relieving APCI until the permanent position is advertised later on this year. I will be announcing the successful applicant early next term.

Mrs Isaacs will be not returning in Term 2 as she awaits the upcoming birth of her second child. We wish Mrs Isaacs and her family all the very best at this special time. Mrs Khanh will take over Mrs Isaacs position as COVID ILSP support from Terms 2-4.

We also congratulate Ms Walker who is now Mrs Tickner! We wish Mr & Mrs Tickner all the very best in their future lives together!

Unfortunately, the Assistant Principal position for the Support Unit and classroom teacher for K-6 Kookaburra has not been filled yet. There is a process underway to fill this position. We thank Mrs Khanh for teaching K-6B in Term 1 and look forward to her contributions to COVID ILSP support next term. 

MHPS saw the end of Term 1 with a very successful Easter Parade with a huge thanks to Mrs Pappas. A very special thanks also to Miss Holborow who made sure we had great music for this special event. It was fantastic to see so many parents, carers and extended families attend and support our parade. Our biggest thanks for all the donations and to our P&C who ensured the Easter raffle was a huge success. I am very proud of how the entire MHPS community comes together to ensure our child have very special memories of their time at MHPS!

Staff return to school on Monday 24 April 2023. They will undertake a day of professional learning on Aboriginal Education with our Community of Schools at Belmore South PS. Students return to school on Wednesday 26 April 2023.

On behalf of all the staff, I would like to wish everyone a very safe and relaxing holiday break. For those families who are celebrating Easter, we wish you a very Happy Easter! We look forward to another productive and engaging term of learning commencing in two weeks’ time.

Take care of one another and we will see you all on Wednesday 26 April.

Kindest regards

Elizabeth Markovski 

It is a requirement that students attend school and all non-attendance days must be explained. If your child is away from school, please make sure that you communicate with the office about the reason for this. Some of the reasons may include:

• sickness – with identification of what type of sickness not just ‘sick’ 
• medical appointment 
• travel  
• attendance at urgent or exceptional family circumstances. 

It is also important that all children are at school by 9am. The diagrams below show the lost time and its cumulative effect on missing out on school.

Our preferred method of payment is online, this can be accessed through our school app or website. Feel free to contact the front office if you require any help with this.

If you are unable to make payment online and wish to pay cash, please ensure you have placed all money in an envelope or zip lock bag clearly marked with your child's name and class and what the payment is for.

PARENT ONLINE PAYMENTS.pdf

TERM 1 CALENDAR 2023

It is amazing how quickly time has flown by, we cannot believe we are at the end of term 1.

In math, students have been busy learning about volume and capacity, length, area and the different ways they can measure 3D objects using informal ways such as, unifix cubes, sticks and a variety of materials found in the outdoor environment. They made a great attempt at measuring themselves from tallest to shortest

In English, we continue to explore a variety of quality texts. We are writing sentences every day and we are learning to use adjectives to make our sentences more interesting.

Year 6 students visited our classrooms to assist in making our Easter hats.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday!

Term 1 is almost complete, and we are sure the whole school community is looking forward to a well-deserved break. It is a time to relax and reflect on learning experiences and enjoy some time with family and friends. Many cultural traditions are underway in the community, and we hope everyone participating in these traditional activities has a joyful time.

Students in stage 1 are busily preparing hats in a McCallums Hill tradition. On Thursday 6 April students will march in the Hat parade. Please come along and join us in this event.

Homework and home reading commenced with lots of students returning and receiving new home reading material and handing in completed homework. This will recommence in Term 2. Please use the large see- through plastic folders to help to protect the books. The school has purchased many new titles for home reading and we hope families are enjoying reading together.

SISA commenced in term 1 and will continue on Monday’s,  fortnightly  in term 2 . Stage 1 students participate in these activities after recess. In class sport this term has focused on fitness with students participating in running, jumping, stretching, balancing and dodging. New games have been taught which have specific rules for players to follow and develop a sense of fair play. It is important that all students wear a hat during this time to protect them from sun damage and to follow the PBL goal of playing safely.

Our Personal Development unit, “How Can We Build Strong and Respectful Relationships “ has seen classes discuss and discover our personal strengths and recognize the strengths of others. Physical games are incorporated into the unit to allow students opportunities to experience fair play and teamwork. In this unit they have also used role play to highlight the use of body language and emotions within our personal relationships. 

Stage 1 mathematics has recently focused on measurement (length, area and volume). Classes participated in a variety of activities to allow students to reconnect with previous knowledge and experiences and to expand their understanding of these concepts.

In English the unit of work we have focused on relates to reading, comprehending and writing factual information reports. Classes have used a variety of resources to research an animal and begin to create a factual report. Lots of interesting traits have been discovered and discussed.

The History units, “Past and Present Family Life”  and “The Past in the Present” will continue into term 2. Science in term 2 will focus on the Biological Sciences (Living World). This unit will discuss how plants and animals improve our world.

Stage 1 teachers would like to thank the parents and carers for their support during term 1. We hope everyone has a lovely break and can return to school healthy and happy to commence term 2 on Wednesday 26 April.

Stage 2 has had a fantastic few weeks. It started off with a visit from members of our community from Canterbury Library. During this time students had the opportunity to listen to a talk about the history of the area. Students got to see old photographs of students and the uniforms they used to wear as well as what the school grounds used to look like. Students got to ask some questions and learn about the history of the local area. Students have been excitedly working on their Easter Hats for the parade. They are so excited to show you what they have been creating.

Stage 3 News

Stage 3 has been busy working hard on their spelling strategies. Soundwaves has been fun and engaging providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful spellers. Stage 3 students have loved the hands on and structured way to break up the words into the sounds we hear. Stage 3 have also been hard at work creating their Easter hats for the parade. They have been using their creativity and imagination to create some fantastic hats. We can’t wait to show you these amazing creations at the parade. Year 5 girls also had a fantastic day at Beverly Hills Girls High School Primary Links Program. Here students got to have a taste of what high school was like, learning different languages such as French and Arabic as well as a fun science experiment.  

K-6K have been working hard on our adding skills!  

There was a lot of excitement in K-6 Kookaburra classroom this week. Some of the year 6 students assisted us in making and decorating Easter hats in preparation for the Easter hat parade. Students have been enjoying number songs and activities such as writing numbers and adding numbers together.

1-2 Sea Lions played on the playground equipment this week, we explored the different pieces of equipment we could climb, swing and slide on! It was lots of fun!

We are looking forward to being able to use the library again next term once the roof and insulation has been completed.

During the holidays don’t forget that the local public library at Lakemba has some great books that you can borrow for your children to read.

The Storybox library has great stories that you can watch as well as fabulous activities if you are stuck for things to do in the holidays.

Our username is McCallums and the password is books

Congratulations on you achievement Thomas and Nike!

Spriggy_Schools_Flyer_DL_Bleed.pdf

Spriggy Schools Canteen Guide_ Adding Menu Items & Options (1) (1).pdf

Spriggy_Schools_Posters_A4_Bleed.pdf

App checklist for parents.pdf

There is a large collection of clothing left behind from last year. Please ensure all belongings are clearly labelled so that items can be returned. Lost property is placed on the verandah behind the office. Parents are encouraged to go through this to check for lost property at drop-off or pick up time. The lost property has recently been washed, please come and check for your items in the next two weeks as any non-uniform items will be sent to charity at the end of the term.

Please see images below of driving offences in school zones.

As you would be aware, the bus zone has been moved further down McCallum St and there is now a 10-minute park from 8.00am-9.30am and 2.30-4.00pm on school days. Please note the new signs and make sure you keep to the 10-minute limit. 

team kids - Autumn Flyer ARABIC.pdf

02 9759 4396
mccallumhi-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
McCallum Street, Roselands NSW 2196
mccallumhi-p.schools.nsw.gov.au