Term 3 Week 9 Newsletter - Monday 15th September 2025
From the Relieving Principal
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Term 3 Week 9
Monday 15th September 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
At our school, every learner’s potential is our priority. We foster a culture of high expectations and equity in excellence, ensuring every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to develop their potential.
Our school offers a range of opportunities across the 4 domains of potential: creative, intellectual, physical and social-emotional. Some examples of our offerings include:
School bands, dance troupes, choral work, student representative council (SRC), public speaking, debating, leadership opportunities, extra-curricular mathematics challenges, digital technologies, Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) team, as well as PSSA carnival representation in athletics, cross country and swimming.
Our offerings engage and challenge every student, including a focus on talent development for high potential and gifted learners.
Parents of JPPS students currently in Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5, will shortly be receiving information about the High Potential and Gifted (HPG) asessment program being held in Term 4, for HPG class considerations in 2026.
All parents are cordially invited to attend the eagerly-awaited Book Character Parade, coordinated by our teacher librarian, Renee Chapman. This special assembly willl take place this Thursday morning, 18th September, under the COLA, commencing at 9:30am.
Have a positive week!
If you can be anything, be kind!
Adela King
Relieving Principal
Year 5 Leadership Day
Last Wednesday, our Year 5 students took part in an exciting Leadership Day designed to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Our students participated in a range of fun and challenging games in mixed groups that encouraged them to think about what it means to be a good leader and how to work effectively with others.
These experiences are an important step in preparing them to take on leadership roles in Year 6, giving them the confidence and skills to guide and support their peers. Despite the wet weather, the day was filled with energy, laughter, and collaboration, as students stepped up and encouraged one another. To finish off the day, the students celebrated their efforts with a well-earned pizza lunch. Thank you to Miss Dorabjee and the Year 5 teachers, for coordinating the event.
The formal process for the election of our 2026 student leaders will commence early next term and I will be providing parents and students with an explanatory timeline, after the holiday break.
Thank you Norwest Chess Academy
JPPS has received a donation of $300 from the Norwest Chess Academy, which will be used to purchase library resources. Thank you!
Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes 2026 (repeated)
Information regarding selective high school placement for Year 7 2026, was released on Friday afternoon, 22nd August.
Information regarding placement in Opportunity Classes for Year 5 2026, was released on Friday, 5th September.
Parents are advised to refer to the following information from the NSW Department of Education, should you have queries regarding this year's process and testing methodology. This 'Outcomes' information site will have updates to parents' frequently asked questions, as well as translation pages:
Student Attendance - Every Day Matters (repeated)
If your child is absent from school, a member of the administrative team will send you a text message or email. Parents are encouraged to respond to these messages as soon as possible, to avoid absences being recorded as unjustified.
To support you in monitoring your child’s attendance, we encourage parents to access the Parent Portal in School Bytes, where you can view your child’s attendance levels on a visual map. This map provides a clear view of your child’s attendance rate, at any day during the year. The attendance rate is calculated on the number of actual and partial days attended, as a percentage of the total possible school days for the term.
As part of your child's Semester 1 and Semester 2 report, we include the semester's attendance summary, imported from School Bytes.
If you need any assistance setting up or navigating the School Bytes portal, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office administration team.
2025 Term Dates & Holidays
We encourage student travel to be taken in school holiday periods, not during term time.
Please note: School development days for staff are included in these term dates and parents and carers should not send their children to school on these days.
- Winter school holidays - Monday 7 July to Friday 18 July
- Term 3 – Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September. The school development day is on Monday 21 July and all students K- 6 start on Tuesday 22 July.
- Spring school holidays – Monday 29 September to Friday 10 October
- Term 4 – Monday 13 October to Friday 19 December. The school development day is Monday 13 October. All students K - 6 start on Tuesday 14 October.
- Summer school holidays (Eastern) – Monday 22 December to Monday 26 January 2026
From the Relieving Deputy Principal
Term 3 Week 9
Get Ready to 'Book Your Own Adventure' at
Our Annual Book Character Parade!
This Thursday, our school will come alive with imagination and creativity as we celebrate our much-loved Book Character Parade. This year’s exciting theme, ‘Book Your Own Adventure,’ invites all students and staff to dress up as their favourite characters and embark on their own literary journeys.
We warmly invite parents and carers to join us this Thursday morning at 9:30 am in the COLA, to cheer on our young adventurers as they parade through the school grounds. It’s always a fantastic community event, filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of photo opportunities.
In other celebrations, we have the Principal’s Morning Tea for our Bronze Award recipients taking place next Tuesday 23rd September. This special gathering will take place in the school hall at 10:30 am, providing a wonderful chance to recognise the hard work and achievements of our students.
Additionally, our Bronze Medallion recipients will enjoy a dedicated morning tea with Mrs King on Wednesday at recess. Congratulations to all our award winners—you make us proud!
A huge shout-out to our debating team, who triumphed in last week’s debate and are now through to the semi-final of the Premier’s Debating Challenge. We wish them the best of luck and will keep parents updated with all the important details.
Lastly, please mark your calendars for Group Photo Day on Thursday, 16th October—the first Thursday after the school holidays. This day will feature photos of our sporting teams, band groups, and other extracurricular groups.
We’re looking forward to a fantastic week full of adventure, achievement, and community spirit!
Irene Robbins
Relieving Deputy Principal
HPGE (High Potential and Gifted Education)
The NSW Department of Education recognises that high potential and gifted students require support to optimise their growth and achievement. Professor François Gagné suggests that potential exists along a continuum, where, given optimal conditions, high potential can lead to high performance and achievement. Gagné outlines that students may exhibit potential in one or more domains including intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical.
At John Purchase Public School, we offer a rich and varied educational program, combining academic, cultural and social opportunities, designed to assist each student to fully develop his or her skills, in a happy and supportive classroom environment.
We believe that high potential and gifted students benefit from:
· an opportunity to learn with their like-ability peers;
· an opportunity to experience a rigorous and challenging curriculum;
· experiencing high cognitive tasks and
· being supported in their special interests and talents.
John Purchase Public School is staffed by supportive teachers, who plan both skills-based and critical thinking programs, to address syllabus requirements. High potential and gifted students benefit from participating in learning that is rigorous and incorporates extension and enrichment activities. These activities allow students to extend basic concepts and to connect their personal interests within a differentiated curriculum. All John Purchase Public School staff are committed to providing an outstanding education. Learning programs are based on NSW syllabuses. However, the content of our special programs within the high potential and gifted classes, are further differentiated to meet the needs of these students. Planned teaching strategies include:
· compacting of the curriculum
· basic skills expansion
· higher order thinking
· student choice
· open-ended tasks
· advanced content
· acceleration in curriculum areas
· collaborative learning
In 2026, we plan to provide High Potential and Gifted (HPG) classes at our school. The quantity and structure of the classes will be dependent on student numbers in Stages 2 and 3, as well as staff available next year. Selection of students for HPG classes, is based on test performances and the limited availability of places within the classes formed in 2026. Please note that students currently in HPG classes, remain in the HPG cohort. Therefore, students currently enrolled in 3/4B, 5/6B or 5/6H, do not need to re-apply.
If you would like your child to be considered for HPG class placement in 2026, he/she must participate in the assessment program at our school. There is no charge for this.
Application forms must be returned to the school office by 3pm Tuesday 4th November 2025. No late applications will be accepted. All candidates who have submitted their applications by the due date, will be tested over the two weeks, commencing Monday 17th November 2025.
All assessments will be completed during school hours, at flexible times determined by the coordinator. A testing timetable will not be published.
Parents will be notified if their child is offered a placement at the beginning of the 2026 academic year. Numbers of students accepted into an HPG class may vary from year to year, as school and grade student numbers impact how many HPG places are available.
Term 3 Diary Dates
- Wednesday 17 September - 5pm to 7pm Parent Session 3 The Anxiety Project
- Thursday 18 September 9:30am K-6 Assembly and Book Character Parade
- Tuesday 23 September 10:30am Principal’s Morning Tea in Hall
- Wednesday 24 September – 11am Bronze Medallion Morning Tea in Principal’s Office
- Friday 26 September - Last day of Term 3
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Respect: Respect our school's neighbours
Purchase Pride Badges
Purchase Pride awards recognise positive student behaviour on the playground and in the classroom. When students receive ten Purchase Pride award cards, these should be left in the boxes on the ‘award shelf’ inside the school office foyer. Each set of ten awards needs to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name and current class. The acceptance of awards closes for administration at 9am every Thursday morning.
Purchase Pride cards also have a 'tear-off' strip. This strip may be removed by the recipient and placed in the appropriate stage box in the award shelf, to go in the lucky dip draw, for a canteen voucher. Canteen vouchers are drawn by our SRC representatives, at the end of each term. Students are notified directly, if successful.
Award recipients will be presented with a coloured Purchase Pride badge, the week after their name is published in this newsletter, at the Monday morning assembly, during term time. This badge may be worn on the school uniform. Students are encouraged to hand in their awards regularly and not 'stockpile' them.
Congratulations:
Alexander T (KS), Rowan L (KNO), Yug S (1/2R), Rithvik P (2B), Charlotte C (2-O), Eva L x 2 (2-O), Alicia A (3/4B), Prayaan K (3/4B), Amy S (3/4B), Bradley C (4ML)
Class Awards System
In addition to Purchase Prides, JPPS has an incremental class awards system. When a student has received ten class awards, these should be left in the boxes on the ‘award shelf’ inside the school office. The ten class awards need to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name, current class and award level reached. A clear, snap lock bag is ideal for this purpose! Students need to be responsible for their own awards, as replacements are not issued. Students are encouraged to hand in their awards, rather than 'stockpiling' them until Term 4, so they don't miss out on special celebrations, such as the Principal's Morning Tea.
10 Class Awards = Bronze 20 = Silver 30 = Gold 40 = Bronze Medallion
50 = Silver Medallion 60 = Gold Medallion 75 = Platinum Medallion and Principal for the Day!
All awards (including Bronze) received by 9am on Thursday mornings, are ‘stamped’ and published in the next school newsletter, which is usually on the following Monday, in term time. At this time, I indicate when these awards will be presented. Silver Awards, Gold Awards and all Medallions, are presented at whole school assemblies. Please note that Bronze Awards are only presented at the end of each term, at the Principal's Morning Tea.
Bronze Award
Bronze Awards will be presented at the Term 3 Principal's Morning Tea, for Bronze Award recipients. This special event will be held Tuesday 23 September at 10.30am, in the school hall. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30m on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
A morning tea for Term 3 Bronze Medallion recipients will be held in the principal's office at recess on Wednesday 24 September at 11am.
Silver Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Gold Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30m on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
The Anxiety Project Lessons
INTERRELATE 2025
ONLINE Family Evening Program for Stage 3 students and their Parents
PLEASE REFER TO THE LETTER SENT HOME TO STAGE 3
FAMILIES FOR THE LINK TO JOIN
Date: Thursday 16 October 2025
Session 1:Where did I come from ?
Time: Session 1 - 6.00pm to 7.00pm (1hour)
Session 2: Preparing for Puberty
Time: Session 2 - 7.15pm to 8.15pm (1 hour)
Program focus : Session 1
- discuss the male and female reproductive systems, foetal development and the birth process
- sexual intercourse & conception including assisted methods
- personal safety and protective behaviours
Program focus : Session 2
- discuss the physical changes of puberty, emphasising that is can be different for everyone
- develop student's understanding of periods and sperm production, as well as the physical, emotional, social and intellectual changes associated with puberty.
- enhance awareness of children's personal safety and protective behaviours.
Adele Walters
Stage 3 Assistant Principal
CHECK-IN ASSESSMENTS
2025 ‘Check-in’ Assessments Year 3-6
‘Check-in’ Assessments for 2025 will commence on Monday 1st September 2025 and will continue until Friday 12th September 2025. These assessments are completed online by students in Year 3 to 9, in NSW public schools every year.
John Purchase Public School students in Years 3-6 will each complete a reading test and a numeracy test. Students in Year 6 will also complete a writing task. The reading and numeracy tests are designed to take up to 60 minutes each. The Year 6 writing task is designed to take 40 minutes (including 5 minutes planning at the start, 30 minutes writing and 5 minutes to check and edit work at the end). Both the reading and numeracy tests have approximately 50 items (including a small number of items for trial purposes). The Year 6 writing task is a single prompt marked against set criteria.
No preparation is required at home. The assessments will be completed during lesson time, and there is no expectation for students to revise or study in advance.There is no formal feedback or test results shared with parents. These are internal assessments intended to guide classroom teaching rather than to report student achievement. The results are used by teachers to identify areas of strength and where further support may be needed.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact class teachers.
Adele Walters
Stage 3 Relieving Assistant Principal
From the Office
STUDENT TRAVEL PASSES
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
TERMS OF USE
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use .
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
From the P & C
JPPS UNIFORM SHOP
General Notes:
Opening Hours (School Days): 8:30-9:30am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Online Ordering & Pick Up In Shop:
To shorten your waiting time in the shop, we highly recommend all parents order uniforms online and arrange pick up. Items can be changed if there is a sizing issue.https://uniforms.jppspandc.org.au/
Friendly Reminders:
Any size change of items (except hats & socks) has to be arranged within 14 days upon purchase with FULL packaging and receipt shown ONLY. Any used items or missing packaging will definitely NOT be accepted.
From the OOSH
From the Community
Please note our school publishes community information for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.
JOHN PURCHASE PUBLIC SCHOOL accepts no responsibility for content on third-party websites and providing a link does not imply that the school endorses that website.
A MESSAGE FROM THEIRCARE OOSH SERVICE
TheirCare is an experienced Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) company with 495 services nationally. TheirCare was founded in 2017 and provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children in OSHC. During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity through play-based programs. We look forward to starting the TheirCare service with an official start date of Monday 21st July - 2025. An online information night is scheduled on Tuesday 1st July – 5.30pm (details attached) so families can meet the team and to find out about registrations, times and bookings for the service.
🎉 Ready to Jump In? Let’s Get Started!
Not enrolled yet for OSHC? No stress—it’s super quick and easy to sign up! Just click here and get started.
📝 A Few Quick Checks Before You Finish:
To help us create the best experience for your child, please double-check these details during enrolment:
- ✅ Emergency contacts – make sure we have someone to call if needed
- ✅ Medical information – including allergies, medications, or health conditions
- ✅ Any diagnoses – like asthma, anaphylaxis, or other important info
This info helps us keep your child safe, supported, and smiling throughout their time with us.💬 Got Questions? We’re Here to Help! Our friendly Customer Support Team is available Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM (AEST) 📞 1300 072 410📧 info@theircare.com.au
We can’t wait to welcome your family to TheirCare!
Please also refer to the flyers below for further information.
