Definition of Sensory Processing: The sensory system takes information from the surrounding environment through touch, smell, sound, vision, taste, movement, and gravity. It processes or interprets these sensations together to make sense of the environment.

We are all aware of the five senses, but there are ‘hidden’ senses that play a big role in how we interact with our environment.

Proprioception: Often called our ‘internal eyes’, proprioception provides us with information about where our body is, how it is connected and what it is doing. The information comes from the act of movement and the messages this sends from our skin receptors and muscles. Information is also detected internally when a person makes a ‘plan’ to move. For example, seeing a cup on the table and planning to pick it up and knowing the right amount of force to use to achieve this.

If your child has outgrown last season’s swimwear, or you would like to purchase PCS branded swimwear for the first time, we are placing a bulk order at the end of Term 3. This will ensure that orders are received in plenty of time for the 2018/19 swim season.

It is not compulsory to wear PCS swimwear, but we encourage any students who are likely to compete at Triathlon/Biathlon, Zone and State (and beyond) events to consider purchasing this swimwear. Usage is not restricted to PCS Representative water sports: students are welcome to wear PCS branded swimwear at non-PCS events such as Open Water swimming, community Triathlons or even for training/practice.

PCS branded swimwear is not restricted to those who participate at Representative level only. All students are welcome to purchase the swimwear for PCS swimming carnivals and extra-curricular events.

As the new librarian, I had no idea of how big Book Day really is at PCS. I had heard stories and seen past photos, so I had an inkling, but that was all. All I can say is WOW!! The enthusiasm that the whole PCS community put into Book Day was amazing. It made my job so much more rewarding knowing that the day was appreciated by so many.

We were treated to many wonderful book character costumes for the annual Book Parade. Our emcees Mrs Gabin and Mrs Garrett entertained the crowd with their witty repartee (how exactly does a pirate pronounce aaarrrgh!!?) and candid interviews with a number of the students. Mrs Brady’s Boost Group performance of ‘Bring a Duck’ was terrific and appreciated by all, including the author Lesley Gibbes, who was in the audience.

As a consequence of our school’s growing numbers, Years 5 and 6 participated in their own book character photo-shoot in the iCentre. Mr Benbrook’s photos told a wonderful story of the love that these students still have for dressing up. Great work!!

Prep is always a hive of busy investigations but this week has seen the children turn into the next generation of fashion designers! This play began when children started using large pieces of fabric we keep in the classroom to make their own dresses, skirts and even designed draped chairs! This initial play sparked ideas of drawing our designs and then making them come to life. A dressmaker’s mannequin borrowed from Senior School became our muse as the children dressed it by draping, sticking, tying and sewing the fabric and ribbons into place.

This experience led children to create their own ‘clothes’ by tracing around their bodies onto the fabric and cutting their pieces out. We then used a combination of sewing with large needles, or securing with ribbon, before adding a splash of colour at the watercolour table.

‘I loved using adult scissors when we cut the fabric.’ – Vanessa

Justin Orchard from Year 12, an Electrotechnology VET student, has received the Schools Industry Partnership Award as an outstanding learner who has consistently been observed and evaluated by SIP members as having:

Demonstrated a clear understanding of the knowledge and theory required from the first occasion on which these were presented and explained

Acquired the relevant and necessary skills to undertake required work quickly and effectively, including the use of the necessary tools and/or equipment

Applied relevant knowledge and theory, using the relevant skills and equipment/tools to successfully and effectively from the first attempt, to complete set tasks

Demonstrated work readiness by positively and proactively seeking to learn what needs to be known and understood, and by developing the skills and use of relevant equipment/tools in order to complete set tasks successfully as quickly and comprehensively as possible.

This term in Biblical Studies K-4 classes completed a unit based on the life story of Paul, which is portrayed in the book of Acts in the Bible. The first lesson outlined Paul’s conversion from being a religious man who was intent on wiping out Christians, to a follower of Jesus committed to spreading the good news of the Gospel. We learnt that Paul was doing what he thought was right, but then God spoke to him and he changed his mind.

One of the things that strikes me about the story of Paul is, what would have happened if Paul had decided not to listen to God, but continued to make his own choices? One of the wonderful things about working with children is that they are usually ‘teachable’. Most children love to learn, yet somewhere along the way as we grow up, we can become ‘stuck in our ways’. Paul’s intentions were good, but he was misguided in his thinking. There is a challenge there for all of us to seek truth and be open to changing our minds, and our actions, as a result.

God led Paul into an adventurous life. He faced many hardships, but was sustained through these knowing he was fulfilling the purpose that God had for him. He also had undeniable impact on the people around him and we are still reading his letters and learning from his wisdom today.

In Term 3, Year 4 are working extremely hard in all Key Learning Areas. They display a great heart for Missions and serving others in a variety of ways. Many students have received their pen licence and others are developing their cursive writing technique in preparation for Middle School.

We have worked solidly on persuasive writing in English and the students recently picked their own topic and wrote a thought-provoking discussion text. Please see some examples below.

Another highlight happened a few weeks ago when Year 4 went on an exciting Geography excursion to the Penrith Lakes Educational Centre. This was as part of our ‘Earth's Environment’ Unit. The students were able to learn about how the environment supports the lives of living things and how we can use places and environments more sustainably. There were lots of hands-on activities such as dip netting, bird spotting, water-testing and examining invertebrates under a microscope.

Year 6 Students from PCS have recently taken an educational tour of the National Capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the National Capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government contributes funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Below is a report by Zoe Gee and Leah Westcott who went on the Year 6 Canberra Camp:

Parents, please be reminded that students are not to be picked up from the car park adjacent to the Uniform Shop.

For the safety of all children, please either collect your children via Express Pick Up, or park in the top car park and meet your children in the Canteen COLA area.

Following on from our book we studied during Book Week, The Great Rabbit Chase, Kindy Alligators were set a challenge of creating a rabbit hutch using only mini marshmallows and toothpicks. I was certainly impressed with the creativity, problem solving, and persistence that the children displayed.  

Challenging but so much fun!

Miss Jenny Allen

Thank you for all the various ways that you help your children to support missions causes in our School. Our recent fundraising efforts raised $2,766.00 for our farmers.

Let's join together as a school community to make a difference for those most affected by the drought; and, let's pray for continued rain and for God's hope to sustain individuals and communities in rural Australia.

Thank you

At the end of Term 3, Year 6 enjoyed a day at Mr Pickworth’s Farm. The purpose of the day was for the students to get a hands on experience of managing a farm.

The students rotated around different activities that focused on an aspect of God’s Big Story. They made jacaranda people, got messy with compost and potting mix, planted sunflower seats and learnt about respect for others, self and God.

The students enjoyed the bonfire, hitting fruit and vegetables with a bat and going on a tractor. They also got to see all of Mr Pickworth’s pets and had a delicious sausage sizzle.

Year 3 have been very busy this term. We have been learning lots about our Creator, God, and all the amazing things He has created.

Students have discovered that the sun is not the biggest object in our Solar System and that everything revolves around the sun. We have explored how mountains are formed and will be looking at rivers and lakes in the coming weeks. Science week was a blast and students enjoyed creating a clock from potatoes and lemons. They also worked well in teams creating the tallest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti.

Below are what some of our students have said:

What a festival of entrepreneurship the school experienced on Friday 24 August!

Year 9 Commerce ran five food and beverage businesses that competed for the staff and students’ lunch money. Toasties, pizzas, brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts, cookies, hot chocolate and soft drinks were all very popular. One business ran two lolly guessing competitions.

On behalf of the class, I would like to thank the school community for your support of Year 9 Commerce. The profits raised will support School Missions and drought-affected communities.

Year 4 students and parents are warmly invited to our Transition to Middle School evening on Tuesday 11 September at 7 pm. This event provides an opportunity to:

find out the differences between Junior and Middle School at PCS

learn about Year 5 timetables, diaries and other day-to-day changes

hear from current Middle School students about their experiences (including what to expect at Year 5 Camp)

discover how 21st Century Learning and curriculum operate in Middle School

(We couldn't go past a lame 'dad joke' for the title of this article!). We hope that all our PCS dads had a lovely Father's Day and we know that many of you were able to drop by last Friday for your free egg and bacon roll. We hope it blessed your day!

A big thank you to all the staff, students and volunteers who pulled together a fantastic event for our dads. The atmosphere in Express was loads of fun, and it was lovely to see so many dads enjoying breakfast together with their kids in the Cafe.

Here's some feedback from our Facebook posts:

Our special celebration for Book Week is fast approaching!!!! We are excited to announce that our special Book Day will be on Wednesday 5 September. 

Students from Preschool to Year 4 are invited to come to school dressed as a book character – ready for the Book Character Parade which begins at 8.30 am in the Auditorium. Students in Years 5 to 8 may also dress as a favourite character or as a character in their Buddy Reading book (Years 5 and 6) or according to the book that they are displaying in the Book Expo (Years 7 and 8). Dressing up is optional but students who choose not to dress up must wear their school uniform to school. It is not a mufti day. Please check the note that was sent home with your child last week as to each year group timetable for the day.

PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information

On Wednesday 8 August in Week 2 of this term, Year 5 visited the Australiana Pioneer Village in Wilberforce. It was a fun, exciting, educational and interactive day learning about Australian life and its heritage back in the 1800s. 

The students were involved in a number of rotational activities which included: The Shearing Shed, Spinning Wheel Demonstration, Marsden Park Public School, Rose Cottage, Butter Churning Demonstration, Water Pump Demonstration, Cartwright Cottage, The Blacksmith Shop, Washing Board Demonstration and The Old Church. There were also so many more things to see. 

Below are some reflections from Year 5 students on their visit:

Last week, Year 7 students visited Auburn to learn and experience new things.

In the morning we did the Refugee Experience where we got to hear real stories from real refugees. It was powerful and sad at times but we had some laughs too. For lunch we headed into Auburn to try new foods such as pide and baklava

The day ended with a visit to the Japanese Garden where we saw displays of flowers and fauna native to Japan.

We are excited to announce that some of our students in The Music Bus program have been invited to compete in The Music Bus’ Band Slam band competition!

Band Slam is an annual band competition where each performing band competes to be crowned the ultimate performance in a range of categories. It’s the biggest band competition of its kind in Australia.

The Lela’s (made up of Lilah, Summer, Amy-lee, Elliott and Lachlan in Junior School) first performed at our fundraising event PYMWYMI in July this year.  They will be performing at the local Band Slam heat to be held on Saturday 8 September in Quakers Hill, with finalists then going on to perform at Band Slam Finals Camp in Term 4. Let’s give a big congrats to these students.