Term 4 Week 5 Newsletter - 6 November 2023

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TERM 4 WEEK 5 2023

Have a great Week 5!

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR 2024 KINDY CHILDREN!

Last Tuesday, we welcomed our 2024 Kindergarten children for their second transition session. It was so lovely to spend time with the children as they played and worked in the classrooms. 

Thank you to Mrs Robbins for coordinating the Transition to School process and to the 2023 kindy teachers for supporting the program: Mrs Hooper, Mrs Narayan and Mrs Onay.

SUPPORTING STUDENT TRANSITION TO SCHOOL

While the 2024 kindy children were busy working and playing together in classrooms, parents were listening to presentations, about how to support their children's transition to school.

Please refer to the information below about an upcoming webinar, which also explores this topic.

CELEBRATING BHARTIYAM 

Last Thursday, Niyati Mehta, Director, Consulate General of India Sydney, visited JPPS and delivered a very engaging presentation to the Hindi students, so that they could enhance their understandings of India and Indian culture through music and art.

The students then designed a small tribal Gond artwork. 

HALL AND ANNEXE MAINTENANCE

Painting work in our school hall and annexe is now completed, with works now commencing in some of the classrooms.

COVID CASES

While the community continues to live with COVID-19, NSW Health has advised that the unpredictable nature of the virus will continue to present a health risk to the community As a response, our school will continue to operate with our baseline COVID-smart measures in place throughout this term to minimise transmission while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These includes a combination of layered safety measures such as:

• Staying home if unwell and encouraged to test for COVID-19 if showing any symptomsExternal linkExternal link. Students and staff are advised to stay home until they are well, even if they have a negative COVID-19 test result. 

• Recommending masks to be worn by students, staff and visitors, particularly when indoors or when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, if exposed to COVID-19 External linkExternal link, and when interacting with students at greater risk of serious illness if they were to contract COVID-19.

• Strongly encouraging up-to-date vaccinations for our students and staff, including COVID-19 booster shots and flu vaccinations for anyone eligible.

• Maintaining natural ventilation with windows and doors open whenever possible, including when cooling/heating systems are in use.

• Continuing to provide RATs to our school community, free of charge while stocks last. 

YEAR 5 - SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS REPEATED

The application process for Selective High School placement in 2025 commences in Year 5.

Applications for Year 7 entry to selective high schools in 2025 opened on 9 October 2023 and close on 20 November 2023. Parents and carers of Year 5 students who are interested in applying for placement in NSW selective high schools, should refer to the email sent out to Year 5 parents last week and should visit the Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7

Late applications are not accepted.

All candidates are required to sit the Selective High School Placement Test on Thursday 9 May 2024.

END OF YEAR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES - REPEATED

Our end of year events allow us to celebrate our many achievements, to reflect on the many people who have supported our school and to wish everyone all the best for next year and beyond. The special celebrations are summarised below and further details will be sent out in due course.

K - 6 Celebrations of Learning

This is held in the COLA at the times listed below. Awards are provided to each student from kindergarten to Year 6, to acknowledge their progress and achievements this year. It will be wonderful to welcome parents and visitors to the ceremonies, so that you can see your child/ren receive their award. The dates and times are listed below:

• Kindy - Tuesday 12 December at 11.30am
• Years 1 & 2 - Monday 11 December at 9.10am
  
• Years 3 & 4 -Monday 11 December at 11.30am
  
• Year 5 & 4/5B - Monday 11 December at 1.30pm
• Year 6 - Tuesday 12 December at 9.10am 

Year 6 Graduation Assembly

As we reflect on the students' journey throughout primary school and wish our Year 6 cohort all the best as they begin the next chapter in their lives, we are delighted that we will host a Year 6 Graduation assembly. This is being held on Tuesday 12 December at 9.10 am, so we ask that you put this date and time into your calendars. 

Year 6 Formal

We are delighted to hold a Year 6 farewell dinner and dance on Wednesday 13 December. 

Class or Grade Parties

Each year the children celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming holiday period by having class picnics. The parties will be held on Thursday 14 December. Please do not send children with treats that contain nuts or nut products and ensure ingrdients are listed on the item, as we have children who have severe allergies.

Talent Quest

A Talent Quest showcasing students' talents will be held on Wednesday 13 December.

Helpers' Morning Tea

On Tuesday 28 November there will be a morning tea in the hall annexe, from 10.30am. This is prepared by the JPPS staff to show their appreciation to parent, community helpers and scripture teachers for all the help and support they have given to the school during the year.

Year 6 Mini Fete

On Friday 8 December the Year 6 students and their teachers run a mini fete for all the children from Kindy to Year 5.  

2023 Term Dates & Holidays - REPEATED

PLEASE TRY TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM, WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Term 4– Monday 9 October (students return 9 October) to Tuesday 19 December (students last day for 2023 will be Friday 15 December)

Summer school holidays (Eastern)– Wednesday 20 December to Monday 29 January 2024

Term 4 Week 5

Monday 6th November 2023

The last Kindergarten 2024 Transition to School session, will be held tomorrow morning, at 9:15am. The session will end with a scavenger hunt, led by our Year 6 buddies. Thank you, Mrs Robbins, for coordinating the program this year and our Kindergarten teachers for welcoming our newcomers into their classrooms.

Our Year 5 students travel to the Sydney Academy of Sport, at Narrabeen, this Wednesday morning and return on Friday afternoon. Thank you Miss Brennan, for coordinating this long-awaited and highly valued, outdoor education experience. Miss Brennan, Miss Nelson, Mrs Townsend, Mr Hayman, Mrs Murray and Miss Karadanian, will be accompanying Year 5 to Narrabeen. We are grateful to these members of staff, who are leaving their own families, so that this special event can occur.

This Thursday, Kindergarten students in KH, KN and KS will spend the day at Calmsley Hill City Farm, at Abbotsbury, accompanied by the Kindergarten team: Mrs Hooper, Mrs Narayan, Mrs Onay and class parents.

Our teachers are busily analysing data and preparing this semester's student reports. We plan to release the reports via the Impromation Parent Portal, at the end of this term. New parents to the school, are invited to create their own private access to this portal. I have repeated the 'how to access' instruction sheet, below, for your convenience.

Have a positive week!

Adela King

Deputy Principal 

JPPS School Group Photographs

A catalogue of the group photographs taken recently has arrived and can be viewed at the front office. They can be ordered online at:

www.theschoolphotographer.com.au using the onlne order code below:

23S1130EL50J

Our School Expectations

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

This week's expectation is: 

Respect: Leave published signs in place around the school

Purchase Pride Badges

Purchase Prides 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. The shelf has been moved to just inside the office foyer, for greater convenience. The ten awards need to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name and current class.

Award recipients will be presented with a coloured Purchase Pride badge, the week after their name is published in this newsletter.

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.

The Purchase Pride badges recorded below, will be presented at the next Monday morning assembly. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Congratulations to: 

Salome (3B), Miya J (3S), Charlie B (2E), Liam T (3B), Carine W (5B), Timothy W (3S), Adriana B (KH), Heidi G (3S), Leo (3H)

Class Awards System

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 shelf has been moved to just inside the office foyer, for greater convenience. 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.

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 morning, 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

These awards will be presented to recipients at the Principal's Morning Tea, at the end of Term 4. This event will be held in the hall at noon, on Tuesday 5th December. Parents of recipients, are invited to attend. Please note the later time, due to Year 2's swimming lessons.

Congratulations to:

Olivia C (1M), Heidi G (3S)

Silver Award

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 16th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend. 

Congratulations to:

Liori M (1KR)

Gold Award

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 16th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend. 

Congratulations to:

Diya A (6G)

Bronze Medallion

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 16th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend. 

Silver Medallion

These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 16th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.

Cherrybrook Technology High School Orientation Day Year 7 2024

Tuesday November 28 2023 from 9-11am at CTHS 

This event allows parents and future Year 7 students the opportunity to become familiar with the school staff, curriculum and school procedures. Only students who have been accepted for enrolment at CTHS in Year 7 2024 and their parents are invited to this event. Parents will receive an enrolment package in the first few weeks of November which provides details of the Orientation Day.

Further information regarding preparation for starting high school is available at:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/going-to-school/preparing/starting-high-school

Year 6 Transition to CTHS

Cherrybrook Technology High School staff and student leaders visited JPPS last week, to answer a multitude of questions about Year 7, for those students going to attend CTHS in 2023. The transition to high school is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for growth and learning. This event provided students with guidance, support and encouragement to equip them with tools they need to thrive in high school and beyond. 

ICAS Outstanding Achievement Award

Congratulations to Yanbo L, who has received a medal and certificate for academic excellence in the ICAS Mathematics assessment. Yanbo will also receive exclusive limited-edition items to commemorate his remarkable success. He will receive a Replica ICAS 2023 medal keyring, an ICAS 2023 novelty pen, ICAS-tronaut stickers, and an ICAS 2023 Memory book featuring a complete list of all medal winners. His award will be presented on Monday 13 November, at morning assembly. 

Samantha Nelson

Relieving Stage 3 Assistant Principal

Student Representative Council News

To reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill from our school, the SRC is promoting the recycling of pens and markers. Each class has a recycle container to collect them, when the container is full, students empty them into the box at the office or in the 3B classroom. When the recycle boxes are full, they are taken to Officeworks to be recycled into something else.

JPPS students and staff need to recycle the pens and markers to reduce waste that goes to landfill. It is important because waste is buried in various places and humans need to take care of and look after our environment. Therefore, at JPPS we need to recycle our non-working pens and markers.

Nina

3/4B Class Representative

SPORTS REPORT

Summer PSSA results 

Stage 2 vs Cherrybrook PS

Tee Ball

JPPS Boys 14 won to CPS 10

JPPS Girls 10 lost to CPS 12

League Tag 

JPPS Boys 4 lost against CPS 10

JPPS Girls 7 tied against CPS 7

Stage 3 vs Pennant Hills PS

Softball

JPPS Boys 23 won against PHPS 4

JPPS Girls 1 lost against PHPS 10

League Tag 

JPPS Boys 2 lost to PHPS 11

JPPS Girls 5 tied to PHPS 5

Kind Regards

Mrs Kat Townsend

Sports Coordinator

Relieving Stage 3 Assistant Principal

P&C Building Fund Receipts

The office has begun the process of sending out the P&C building fund tax deductible receipts for the 2022-2023 financial year.  Please note that, today, the July to December 2022 receipts were emailed to parents and the January to June 2023 receipts will be sent out over the next couple of weeks.  You may have two lots of receipts in your inbox, one for last year's school contributions and the other for this year's school contributions.

Clare Cattell
Business Manager

School Travel Applications 2024

2024 school travel applications are now open.

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply here. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, or have received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2024 school year. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, we will send them an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2024.

P and C Meeting for Volunteers

Time: Nov 8, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/64766018639?pwd=SENuREc5ZldUQmNsV1FDSjhzaW1ZQT09

Meeting ID: 647 6601 8639
Passcode: PandC

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One tap mobile
+16692130608,,64766018639# US

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Dial by your location
• +1 669 213 0608 US

Meeting ID: 647 6601 8639

Find your local number: https://nsweducation.zoom.us/u/ebdznIi9UV

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Join by SIP
• 64766018639@zmau.us

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Join by H.323
• 103.122.166.55 (Australia Sydney)
• 103.122.167.55 (Australia Melbourne)

Meeting ID: 647 6601 8639
Passcode: 848087

P&C SCHOOL DISCO (repeated)

The P&C has organised a school disco for Thursday 7th December.  The goal for the event is for it to be a fun end of year celebration for students as well as fundraising to purchase updated iPads for student use in the classrooms.

Tickets will be $10  and include a glow stick bracelet.  The famous and popular 'Bop Til you Drop' will be providing the entertainment.  Payment options will be available soon.

The P&C will need parent volunteers on the night to supervise the students, as school staff will not be in attendance. An online volunteer signup sheet will be available shortly.

Important Notice: Uniform Price Adjustment

From Term 4, we'll be adjusting prices on some uniform items. The new price will be on the school website and uniform shop on the first day of Term 4 (9 October 2023).

This adjustment is necessary due to rising supplier costs over the past five years. The P&C runs the store as a service to the school community and proceeds of the store are returned to the school as P&C donations. We really appreciate your understanding for both the price increase and the benefit to the school of having the uniform shop service. 

Thank you for your continued support.

The pricing of some uniforms has been adjusted and please refer to the updated price list, effective from Term 4. 

The special opening arrangements for 2024 kindy orientation days are:

7 Nov (Tue)  8:30 -11:00am Kindy Pack order pick up at the Uniform Shop
7 Nov (Tue)  8:30 -11:00am Size exchanges at the Uniform Shop

*Uniform Shop Closure & special arrangement*

1. 29/11-1/12 (Wed-Fri): year-end stocktake, shop & online shop closed
   
2. 8/12 (Fri): last opening day of shop in Term 4
3. 11/12-15/12 (Mon-Fri) 8:30-9:30: online order pick up at canteen ONLY, uniform shop closed
4. 25/1/2024 (Thur) 9:00-11:00: First opening day, Term 1 2024

Pace Tang
Uniform Shop Manager

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). 

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.

SALVATION ARMY GENEROSITY CHALLENGE

We as a school are keen to partner with The Salvation Army Norwest Region for their Generosity Challenge this Christmas!

It is the time of year where the Salvos are wanting to prepare and support struggling families across our community to celebrate this special time of year – Christmas.  Their mission is to help 350 families from Castle Hill, to Dural, to Rouse Hill to the Hawkesbury with food and gifts so they can have a special Christmas period.

Would you be willing to support us in partnering with The Salvation Army Norwest Region this year?

We will set up a Christmas Giving Tree where basic pantry staples and new toys or books can be donated to support this Generosity Challenge.  Basic pantry staples include long life milk, breakfast cereal, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tea, coffee, tinned fish, tinned ham, tinned fruit etc as per the flyer below.

Please drop any donations to the administration office at the school by 1 December, 2023 and thank you in advance for considering to support the Salvos Generosity Challenge – Christmas 2023.

CLEANING POSITION

If you are interested in a cleaning position in a local school, please use the Q Code below.