Term 4 Week 9 Newsletter - 4 December 2023
From the Principal
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Term 4 Week 9
STAFF GIFTS
As we approach the end of the school year and the festive season, some families like to give small gifts to their teachers. While this is a lovely gesture, it is certainly not expected. While cards with special messages and other small tokens of appreciation convey thoughtful appreciation, please be advised that Department of Education staff members are unable to accept gifts with a value greater than $50 (unless it is a combined class gift valued at less than this amount per contributor). Staff members must declare and then politely decline gifts greater than this value, as well as any cash or cash vouchers (of any amount).
Thank you for your understanding.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARENT COMMUNITY AND SCRIPTURE TEACHERS
Last Tuesday we welcomed parents and scripture teachers to a morning tea, as a way of expressing our appreciation for all you do as volunteers, both inside and outside of the classroom.
We are very appreciative of your support, the selfless giving of your time, your efforts and contributions. I understand that not all parents could attend the event, so take this opportunity to enthusiastically thank every parent, for supporting the wellbeing and education of the students, and for the support given to the staff and school. As a community, we are so much richer for your contributions.
CONGRATULATIONS ISABELLA AND ERISA!
Congratulations! Isabella (Year 2) and Erisa (Year 1) have won first place in the 2023 Novice Pom competition, which was held in Melbourne last week. What an awesome achievement. We are so very proud of the girls!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS - RIGHT UP TO THE LAST DAY OF TERM NEXT FRIDAY!
As we head into the end of school year, it remains important that your child attends school every single day. Being at school is the best place for students to learn as well as to keep social connections and build life-long skills.
We understand that families are eager to see and reconnect with loved ones and take a well-deserved break, but please remember that planned travel should only be taken during scheduled school holidays.
Students should be at school every day during school terms, including until the end of term, unless they are sick or are absent for a justified reason.
Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up and can negatively impact your child's learning and wellbeing. When your child misses one day a week, that’s 40 days of school and 8 weeks of learning in one year. Over an entire school journey this adds up to 2.5 years of lost learning.
We want to do everything we can to help all students be at school every single day, because every day counts. If you have any concerns or questions please talk to me, the front office staff or your class teacher.
Class Placement Considerations for 2024 (repeated)
This form, below, should only be completed if you would like to share relevant information, which may need to be taken into consideration, when staff are forming classes for 2024.
Please note that any information sent to the school in previous years, or provided to other staff members, may not be automatically considered. Circumstances often change, so please resubmit considerations, if they continue this year.
(Please complete this form by Tuesday 12 December.)
Planning for 2024 - 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 in the green box below.
Will your child be returning to school late in 2024? (repeated)
Students return to school on 1st February, 2024. Is your child (or children) returning to school after this date?
If so, please complete the form below.
End of Year Events Calendar (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:
- Kindergarten - 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.
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 - 2024 Term Dates & Holidays
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS, RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM
Term 4– Students last day for 2023 will be Friday 15 December
Summer school holidays for all students K - 6 begin on Monday 18 December (for students) to Monday 29 January 2024.
Term 1 2024- School Development Days (Tuesday 30 January 2024 and Wednesday 31 January 2024). The school and office will be open as teachers return for professional learning, planning and preparation.
Years 1-6 students return to school for 2024 on Thursday 1 February 2024. Kindergarten 2024 commence on Tuesday 6 February 2024 (information will be emailed home to Kindy families regarding Best Start interviews and the first day, in late January). Term 1 concludes Friday 12 April.
Autumn school holidays- Monday 15 April 2024 to Friday 26 April 2024.
Term 2 2024- Monday 29 April 2024 (students return Tuesday 30 April) to Friday 5 July 2024.
Winter school holidays- Monday 8 July 2024 to Friday 19 July 2024.
Term 3 2024- Monday 22 July 2024 (students return Tuesday 23 July) to Friday 27 September 2024.
Spring school holidays- Monday 1 October 2024 to Friday 11 October 2024.
Term 4 2024- Monday 14 October 2024 (for staff AND students) to Wednesday 18 December (for students) and Friday 20 December (for staff) 2024.
From the Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 9
Monday 4th December 2023
Congratulations to our talented dancers, who performed so enthusiastically, at last week's assembly. Well-deserved kudos to their teachers: Miss Gillett, Mrs Walters and Miss Davidson.
It was a pleasure to welcome so many new families to JPPS, last Thursday, for a school orientation tour. We look forward to everyone making new friends and settling in, next year.
Congratulations to Rachel B, Holly Mc, Liam K and Aayansh G - our newly elected, 2024 student leaders.
The Principal's Morning Tea, for Bronze Award recipients, will be held in the hall tomorrow, at noon. Invitations were distributed to parents, last week. The Bronze Medallion morning tea will be held in Mrs Black's office, on Thursday, at recess.
Parents are reminded that our school gate, bordering the oval, will be locked before 2:50pm, each day. Access to the car parking area, near the swimming centre, will be via the OOSH gate, if required.
This Thursday evening, 7th December, the P&C is hosting two discos for K-2 and 3-6 students. Please refer to the P&C section of the newsletter for details.
Year 6 students and staff will host the eagerly-awaited mini-fete, for Kindergarten to Year 5 students, this Friday. Many student-designed advertisements are adorning building walls, in anticipation of student patronage. It's always a fun-filled occasion and an excellent opportunity for Year 6 students to shine!
It is anticipated that all Semester 2 student reports, EALD reports, alternative reports and achievement level data, for Years 1 to 6, will be available via the Impromation Parent Portal, this Wednesday, 6th December.
There are some changes to the content in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 reports, this semester, in recognition of new syllabus implementation across K-2.
In Kindergarten (Early Stage 1), as usual, student reports will describe how each student's achievement compares with syllabus standards. However, in English and Mathematics, additional strand subheadings have been added. Student achievement will now be recorded using one of these descriptors:
Working below, or
Working at, or
Working beyond.
These three descriptors refer to a student working below, at or beyond, Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) NSW syllabus expectations, in English and Mathematics. An overall achievement descriptor will also be provided, in Kindergarten English and Mathematics.
In Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) student reports, additional strand subheadings have been added to English and Mathematics, to provide parents with further clarity.
As promised, I am including the programs for the 2023 Celebrations of Learning and Year 6 Graduation Assembly, below. We look forward to seeing you on site, for these special events, next week.
Due to the Stage 1 Celebration of Learning Assembly, next Monday morning, any outstanding Purchase Prides and awards to Year 6 students, will be handed out at 8:55am on Thursday morning, 14th December.
In a world where you can be anything, be kind.
Adela King
Deputy Principal
Congratulations 2024 School Leaders
Year 6 Graduation and K-5 Celebrations of Learning Assemblies 2023
You are cordially invited to these assemblies, under the COLA. Should wet weather impact organisation, messages will be issued via SZapp on the day of the event.
- Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) - Tuesday 12th December at 11:30am
- Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) - Monday 11th December at 9:10am
- Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) - Monday 11th December at 11:30am
- Year 5 & 4/5B - Monday 11th December at 1:30pm
- Year 6 Graduation Assembly - Tuesday 12th December at 9:10am
Thank you Volunteers
Our volunteers enjoyed a special morning tea, hosted by teachers, last week. We are grateful for your support!
Year 2 Swimming School
Students in Year 2 are developing their water safety skills.
How to access my child's Semester 2 Report
Semester 2 student reports will be available via the Impromation Parent Portal, on Wednesday, 6th December. New parents are reminded to ensure that the registration process has been completed. Please refer to the access instructions below.
Congratulations Silver Award Recipients
Congratulations Gold Award Recipients
Congratulations Bronze Medallion Recipients
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Respect: Discuss and resolve conflict
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.
Please note: The last day for handing in Purchase Prides for 2023, was Thursday, 30th November. Please keep Purchase Prides in a safe place at home, until after the holidays!
The Purchase Pride badges recorded below, will be presented at 8:55am on Thursday 14th December. Parents are most welcome to attend the short assembly.
Congratulations to:
Sean (5B), Holly B (KS), Nina Q (3/4B), Ilia (3/4B), Veronica (1B), Mya C x2 (3S), Samuel A (3/4B), Jasmyra K (KN), Rose PB (KN), Muhmmad (3G), Luke B (3/4B)
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, tomorrow, Tuesday 5th December. Parents of recipients, are invited to attend. Please note the later time, due to Year 2's swimming lessons.
Silver Award
Any final awards to Year 6 students, will be presented at 8:55am, on Thursday morning, 14th December.
Congratulations:
Arya M (6H), Emaan Q (6G)
Gold Award
Any final awards to Year 6 students, will be presented at 8:55am, on Thursday morning, 14th December.
Congratulations:
Tara S (6H), Lucy C (6G), Anirudh GR (6G), Jaimee W (6G)
Bronze Medallion
Any final awards to Year 6 students, will be presented at 8:55am, on Thursday morning, 14th December.
Congratulations:
Kyle H (6G)
Silver Medallion
Any final awards to Year 6 students, will be presented at 8:55am, on Thursday morning, 14th December.
From the Teachers
Year 6 Walkout Procession
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are thrilled to announce an exciting and symbolic event—our Year 6 Walkout Procession! As our Year 6 students prepare to embark on their next educational journey, we invite you to join us in celebrating this momentous milestone.
Date: Friday 15th December 2023
Time: The procession starts at 2:30pm and will approximately finish at 2:50pm
Location: Students will finish at the office to meet parents for photos.
We encourage all parents and families to gather at the finishing point (office) to cheer on our Year 6 students as they finish their walk.
We look forward to seeing you at the Walkout
Samantha Nelson
Stage 3 Assistant Principal
SPORTS REPORT
Congratulations to Dean Z and Arthur W qualified and attended the 2023 NSW Junior Metropolitan Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Nov 25 and Nov 26.
Dean has come home with NSW Junior Metro:
Silver - 11-year boys 200m Breaststroke (PB and 3rd of all 11-12 years boys)
Silver - 11-year boys 100m Breaststroke (PB, 0.05" from Gold)
6th - 11-year boys 50m Breaststroke
8th - 11-year boys 200m Individual Medley (PB)
12th - 11-year boys 100m Butterfly
22nd - 11-year boys 50m Butterfly
Arthur has come home with NSW Junior Metro:
14th - 9-year boys 50m Breaststroke (PB)
15th - 9-year boys 50m Butterfly (PB)
29th - 9-year boys 50m Freestyle (PB)
Mrs Kat Townsend
Classroom Teacher & Sports Coordinator
From the Office
Lost Property (repeated)
Please don't forget to check for any of your child's lost uniform items before the end of the school year.
Please also remember to label your child's clothing clearly so our staff can return these items to the students directly.
School Travel Applications 2024 (repeated)
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.
From the P & C
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.
Years | Start | Finish |
K-2 | 5:30pm | 6:30pm |
3-6 | 6:45pm | 7:45pm |
THE JPPS P & C DISCO QR CODE HAS NOW BEEN UPDATED
PLEASE USE NEW VERSION SHOWN ABOVE (REPEATED)
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.
FROM THE CANTEEN
Lunch Choices: With the end of the year fast approaching, just a reminder that we will be running out of some lunch items - this will show up on Flexischools to make it easier for you to chose another option. Sushi will be available right up until the canteen's last day - Wednesday 13 December.
Mini Fete Day - Friday 8 December: Just a reminder to parents that we will be closed for recess and lunch on Mini Fete Day.
Last day for Canteen 2023 - Wednesday 13 December: Our last day for lunches will be Wednesday 13 December as we will be closed for cleaning Thursday and Friday.
Volunteers for 2024: We are still looking for more volunteers for next year. We had an amazing response from our incoming kindy class of 2024, but we still have some days where we need more help so if you could spare one day a month, please contact Snoewy or Anna on jpps.canteen@gmail.com.
Thank you – a massive thank you to all our amazing volunteers who have helped out this year with ensuring all the students get fed. We could not operate the canteen without volunteers and we are very appreciative of all the time busy parents put in to help out. To those parents who will not be returning next year due to their children going to high school or changing work commitments, thank you so much for your years of volunteering. It has been lovely working with all of you and we have had a lot of fun days in the canteen with you.
We look forward to seeing a lot of you back next year and also welcoming some new faces.
Thank you once again and we wish everyone a relaxing holiday break.
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*
- 29/11-1/12 (Wed-Fri): year-end stocktake, shop & online shop closed
- 8/12 (Fri): last opening day of shop in Term 4
- 11/12-15/12 (Mon-Fri) 8:30-9:30: online order pick up at canteen ONLY, uniform shop closed
- 25/1/2024 (Thur) 9:00-11:00: First opening day, Term 1 2024
Pace Tang
Uniform Shop Manager
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.
CLEANING POSITION
If you are interested in a cleaning position in a local school, please use the Q Code below.