Term 4 Week 6 Newsletter - Monday 18th November 2024

Each week, our newsletter can be translated into many different languages, by selecting your preferred language, from the drop down menu, above.

Term 4 Week 6

Vocabulary Development in Our Classrooms

We have been furthering our learning about vocabulary development among our students. Recently, I shared data with our leadership team to assess our students' progress in this area. To deepen our understanding, we collaborated with a visiting consultant with expertise in this area. During the leadership workshop, we explored a reading that highlighted the key factors influencing vocabulary development. This reflection allowed us to evaluate the extent to which these factors are being addressed in our classrooms.

Additionally, we examined instructional practices that effectively support vocabulary growth. Our leadership team then conducted a similar workshop for our teachers, fostering a collaborative environment for sharing and learning.

We are looking forward to seeing our teachers share their practices with one another, as we believe that collaboration is key to our students’ success. Together, we are committed to providing a rich vocabulary experience that will enhance our students’ reading and communication skills.

HOW CAN PARENTS SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN'S VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT?

Here are 10 quick tips for parents to support their children's vocabulary development at home:

1. Read Together: Set aside time each day to read books together. Choose a variety of genres to expose your child to new words and concepts.

2. Discuss New Words: When you encounter unfamiliar words while reading or in conversation, take a moment to explain their meanings and use them in sentences.

3. Encourage Storytelling: Ask your child to tell you a story or describe their day. Encourage them to use descriptive language and new vocabulary.

4. Play Word Games: Engage in word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or crossword puzzles. These games make learning new words fun and interactive.

5. Use a Thesaurus: Introduce your child to a thesaurus. Encourage them to find synonyms for common words to expand their vocabulary.

6. Label Items Around the House: Label common items in your home with their names. This provides visual reinforcement of words and helps with word recognition.

7. Show your Passion for Words: Make it fun! Enjoy talking about new words your children use.

8. Encourage Questions: Foster curiosity by encouraging your child to ask questions about unfamiliar words or concepts they encounter in everyday life.

9. Incorporate Vocabulary in Daily Conversations: Use new vocabulary words in your conversations with your child. This helps reinforce their understanding and usage.

10. Be Patient and Positive: Celebrate your child’s efforts and successes in learning new words. Positive reinforcement will motivate them to continue expanding their vocabulary.

By incorporating these tips into daily routines, parents can play a vital role in enhancing their children's vocabulary and overall language skills.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2026 ENTRY INTO SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOLS AND OPPORTUNITY CLASSES (O.C.)

Selective high school and opportunity class applications are open from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 

Selective high school Year 7 entry in 2026: Apply when your child is at the end of Year 5 or the beginning of Year 6.

Opportunity class Year 5 entry in 2026: Apply when your child is at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are 2 of the ways the NSW Department of Education supports high potential and gifted students.

What are their benefits?

• Students learn alongside, and form friendships with, other high potential and gifted classmates.
• Special teaching methods allow students to learn at a quicker pace and in more detail.
• Research shows that students benefit both academically and socially when learning with classmates who have similar abilities.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are not zoned so you can apply to ones outside your local enrolment area.

Do you speak another language? Translated resources are available in 13 languages on our website: edu.nsw.link/shsoc_languages

Is a selective high school or opportunity class the right fit for my child?

A selective high school or opportunity class might be a great fit if your child:

• learns quickly
• asks complex questions
• is highly motivated
• has a good memory
• is intensely focused in their area of interest

Where are selective high schools (Year 7-12) located?

There are 4 types of selective high schools:

• fully selective high schools, where all students attending the school have high potential or are gifted
• partially selective high schools, where there is a mix of students who have high potential or are gifted and local area students
• 4 agricultural selective high schools, including 3 boarding schools
• Aurora College, which provides online selective classes for rural and remote students in their local host schools.

Search for a selective high school near you at Find a selective high school.

Where are opportunity classes (Year 5-6) located?

There are 2 types of opportunity classes:

• full-time opportunity classes in selected primary schools
• Aurora College, which provides online opportunity classes for rural and remote students in their local authorised host schools.

Search for an opportunity class near you at Find an opportunity class.

Students successfully placed attend the opportunity class full-time in Years 5 and 6. In most cases, students who have accepted a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with the opportunity class.

Discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together on the Selective high schools and opportunity classes website and in the student resource hub:

• Applying for a selective high school: Student resource hub
• Applying for an opportunity class: Student resource hub

Fair and equitable access

The Equity Placement Model helps make access fairer for more high potential students in our community.

We know that some students may be missing out because they experience educational disadvantage.

Under the model, up to 20% of places in each selective high school and opportunity class are held for:

• students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
• students from rural and remote locations
• students with disability.

These students still receive offers based on their performance in the placement test.

Learn more at Fair access.

The application process

Complete the online application.

Applications close on 21 February 2025.

Once your application has been submitted and processed, your child will need to sit a computer-based placement test. Learn more at Application process.

Ready to apply?

Apply online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au

Further information

Visit Selective high schools and opportunity classes.

Visit: education.nsw.gov.au/shs-oc

Planning for 2025 - Is your child leaving JPPS at the end of this year?     REPEATED

If your child is in Kindergarten to Year 5 and is leaving the school at the end of this year, please complete the relevant Google Form using the link in the green box below. There is no need to complete this form if your child is in Year 6.

Will your child be returning to school late in 2025? REPEATED

Students return to school on Thursday 6th February, 2025. Is your child (or children) returning to school after this date?

If so, please complete the form using the link below.

2024 Term Dates & Holidays - REPEATED

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS, RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM

Term 4 2024 - Monday 14 October 2024 (for staff AND students) to Wednesday 18 December (for students) and Friday 20 December (for staff) 2024

2025 NSW Term Dates and School Holidays

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.

• Term 1 - Friday 31 January to Friday 11 April. School development days are Friday 31 January, Monday 3 February, Tuesday 4 February and Wednesday 5 February. Students in Years K to 6 begin on Thursday 6 February.
• Autumn school holidays - Monday 14 April to Friday 25 April
• Term 2 - Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July. School development days are Monday 28 April and Tuesday 29 April. All students K - 6 begin on Wednesday 30 April.
• 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

Term 4 Week 6

Monday 18th November 2024

Kindergarten students enjoyed a fabulous excursion to Calmsley Hill Farm, last week, as the snapshot of photos shared below, indicates.

The Year 2 Swim School continues this week and concludes on Friday. Each day, our students are developing their water confidence and skills.

As part of Stage 2 History, students in Year 3 and Year 4 will be attending an excursion to Elizabeth Farm Museum, on Wednesday and Thursday.

We are so grateful to our dedicated teachers, who spend a great deal of time planning and preparing for these additional activities and excursions, which enrich classroom programs.

All parents are cordially invited to the K-6 Assembly this Thursday, commencing at 1:35pm under the COLA. Many awards are scheduled for presentation.

Have a positive week.

If you can be anything, be kind.

Adela King
Deputy Principal

Congratulations Guhan

Stage 2 and Stage 3 students across NSW, were invited to participate in the The Premier's Spelling Bee. It is an engaging way to develop vocabulary and improve spelling.

After considerable success at class, school and zone competitions, Guhan (from 3/4B) proudly represented JPPS and the entire zone, when he participated at the State Finals on November 1st. He is pictured below; concentration personified! 

Congratulations Guhan! We are all very proud of you!

Term 4 Diary Dates 

• Monday 18th November - HPG assessment program commences for 2 weeks
• Wednesday 20th November - Stage 2 History Excursion
• Thursday 21st November - Stage 2 History Excursion
• Thursday 21st November - 1:35pm K-6 Assembly under COLA
• Tuesday 3rd December - last scripture classes for 2024
• Tuesday 3rd December - 10:45am Helpers' Morning Tea in annexe
• Thursday 5th December - 1:35pm K-6 Assembly under the COLA
• Monday 9th December - 9:10am Year 6 Graduation Assembly under the COLA
• Monday 9th December - 11:30am Year 3 and Year 4 Celebration of Learning COLA
• Monday 9th December - 1:45pm Year 5 Celebration of Learning Assembly COLA
• Tuesday 10th December - 9:10am Kindergarten Celebration of Learning Assembly COLA
• Tuesday 10th December - 11:30am Year 1 and Year 2 Celebration of Learning Assembly 
• Wednesday 11th December - planned release of Semester 2 student reports
• Wednesday 11th December - Student Talent Showcase
• Wednesday 11th December - 5:45pm - 8:30pm Year 6 Farewell Dinner
• Friday 13th December - Year 6 Mini Fete
• Monday 16th December - Bronze Medallion Morning Tea with Principal
• Tuesday 17th December - 10:30am Principal's Morning Tea in hall (parents invited)
• Tuesday 17th December - Class parties at school
• Wednesday 18th December - last day of term for students
• Friday 20th December - last day of term for staff

Our School Expectations

Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.

This week's expectation is: 

Responsibility: Arrive at school on time each day

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.

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, 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:

Emma (KO), Michael H (KO), Shanaya (1B), Olivia (1KR), Holly B (1W), Nicole S (2K), Timothy (2K), Jade N x 2(3S), Jayden F (3B), Olivia X (3S), Annabel C x 3 (3S), Isabel O (3/4B), Anika M x 4 (5B), Keerat K x 2 (6G)

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) now 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

The Term 4 Principal's Morning Tea, will be held in the hall, at 10:30am, on Tuesday 17th December. Parents of recipients are cordially invited to attend.

Congratulations:

Lily H (2RJ), Daniel W (2RJ), Jeneel S (4D), Aarvin S (4T)

Silver Award

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm this Thursday 21st November, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.

Congratulations:

Viraaj R (3/4B), Keerat K (6G)

Gold Award

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm this Thursday 21st November, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.

Congratulations:

Nina Q (3/4B), Timothy W (3/4B), Coby K (5J), Norah A (6G)

Bronze Medallion

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm this Thursday 21st November, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.

A morning tea for Term 4 Bronze Medallion recipients, will be held on Monday 16th December, at 11am in the Principal's office.

Congratulations:

Ruby A (6G), Marcus C (6FG)

Silver Medallion

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm this Thursday 21st November, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.

SPORTS REPORT

Summer PSSA FINALS results 

Stage 2 

Tee Ball

JPPS Boys 14 tied to PHPS 14
JPPS Girls 8 lost to NWPS 21

League Tag 

JPPS Boys 8 lost against WPHPS 10
JPPS Girls 6 lost against WPHPS 7

Stage 3 

No game

Laura Davidson
Sports Co-ordinator

SPORT HOUSE CAPTAIN NOMINATIONS FOR 2025

The process of selecting the 2025 Senior and Junior Sporting House Captains will commence this week, with application forms being distributed to interested students in Year 5 and Year 3 on Wednesday the 20th of November. Students will be given the opportunity to nominate themselves, if they wish to represent their house in a leadership position.

Students are to complete the half page submission form and return it to Miss Davidson by 3pm on Wednesday the 27th of November. The nominees will deliver a short (one minute maximum) speech, to their house groups after lunch on Wednesday the 4th of December. Then, Years 2-6 students, in their respective house groups, will vote for the nominee of their choice. If a student from Years 3 or 5 is absent from school and would like to nominate themselves, parents must contact Miss Davidson throughout the week, or call the school on 98753100 to have an application form emailed home.

It is anticipated that nominees be present to deliver their own speech.

Thank you
Miss Davidson

LOST PROPERTY

Please don't forget to check for any items your child has lost!

The tubs are located outside the administration building and often are overflowing.  We'd love to get these items back to your children but many are unlabelled.  The office staff go through these tubs regularly to return lost items an we have our GA's walk around at the end of each week collecting any that have been left in the playground areas.

We cannot do anything with items that cannot be identified.

Any leftover items will be donated to charity at the end of term.

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

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.

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 CANTEEN

2025 Volunteers:  We are sadly losing some Year 6 parents who have spent many years helping out in the canteen - without our volunteers, we would not be able to offer the canteen service so we are incredibly grateful to them.  We are looking for more volunteers for 2025 so if you can spare a few hours from 9:30am-1:10pm helping out in the canteen, preparing students lunches, please stop in and see Snoewy or Anna.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Are you interested in volunteering?

At John Purchase Public School, there are many opportunities to be involved and to support our P and C.

• P & C positions
• Special events
• Canteen
• School Uniform Shop

Volunteering helps you connect with people in the community.

If you would like to get involved, please put your name down at the canteen (for volunteering in the canteen), email our president, Richard at richardw@jppspandc.org.au or at the front office (for volunteering for other P and C roles). 

P & C Volunteer Sign Up Form

Please remember to sign up to volunteer using the volunteer sign up form. This will assist in planning for next year. See the below link to the sign up form.

https://volunteersignup.org/RAFL8

Uniform Shop

There are some special arrangements for the opening dates as below. Please arrange your order placement ahead.

Shop Closure for 2024 Year End Stocktake : 2/12 - 4/12 (Mon - Wed)

Shop Open for 2025 Term 1:

31/1 (Fri) 8:30-9:30am
4/2 (Tue) 8:30-9:30am
5/2 (Wed) 8:30-9:30am
6/2 (Thur) 8:30-9:30am
7/2 (Fri) 8:30-9:30am

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. 

Thank you. 

Pace 
Uniform Shop Manager

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.

Want to do something life-changing in 2024? Why not volunteer at JOHN PURCHASE PUBLIC SCHOOL as an Ethics teacher!  

Ethics classes can only be offered as an alternative if we have volunteer teachers. Volunteers can come from our parents, grandparents, friends and local community, from every walk of life. Primary Ethics offers full, free training, lesson scripts and teaching support.

Ethics encourages children to listen closely and to develop their opinions through ethical reasoning. Ethics helps kids develop confidence and empathy. As an ethics teacher, you’ll get a lot out of it too!

If you have an hour a week and want to ensure children at our school can access this valuable program, go to: https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ethics-teacher/