Term 3 Week 10 Newsletter 2021
From the Principal
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THANK YOU
As we head into the final week of Term 3, I would like to thank our parent community for the exceptional efforts in supporting your children after ten weeks of learning from home.
I do hope you have the opportunity to take a break, relax and to enjoy some special time with family over the next two weeks.
FEEDBACK SPARKLE AND FEEDBACK FIZZLE
Providing feedback to students is a high impact strategy and can double the amount and speed of learning if used effectively. Last week our teachers revisited some of the research literature about feedback and collaboratively reflected on the applications for learning at home.
Some key points:
- All feedback is not effective - feedback is only useful if students think about the feedback and use it to improve that piece of work or their next work.
- Students often do not use the feedback that we give them, so even though it may be excellent feedback, it can have very little impact. We need to train students to look at feedback, understand it, and use it to improve. We can also encourage students to seek feedback.
- Feedback should involve some detective work (not too specific and prescriptive and not too vague). It should be more work for the learner than it is for the giver of feedback. For many years we marked things wrong or right and then gave the correct answer. Students didn’t necessarily think about these once they were marked. An example of a strategy which is used in some classes involves telling a student there are two incorrect questions. Can you see which ones are incorrect? Can you see where you went wrong? This way the students are doing the thinking. Another strategy is to give a pair of students their writing response and two teacher comments and it’s their job to match the comments to the correct work, to discuss why they match each piece of work and then to improve their work using the feedback.
- Feedback means the same thing for the student and the person giving the feedback (e.g. teacher, parent or coach). I remember receiving feedback in high school that I needed to include quality information in my essays. I had no idea what quality information was, and why the information I included was not ‘quality.’ Therefore that feedback wasn’t used to help improve my work.
- Focusing feedback on just a few things at a time, so the student can focus on these without feeling overwhelmed.
- Give feedback that is clear and specific. It should tell the student what they did well and should continue doing and what they can improve to move to the next step.
- Students not only learn from teacher feedback. They can also learn from one another’s feedback and by giving their peers’ feedback. This requires the students to look carefully at the learning intention (WALT) and to reflect on what has been done well and what can be done to improve the work. This strategy helps builds collaborative environments and facilitates student self-regulation.
HINDI DIVAS CELEBRATION
It was such a privilege to attend the Hindi Divas Celebration yesterday, hosted by the IABBV Hindi School, as it celebated its 34 year milestone. Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment and such a successful event.
Moving such a celebration to an online platform is no easy feat, but this was managed with aplomb! The celebrations included: a lighting of the lamp, children's performances, student awards, a quiz show, poetry recitals, brief speeches from dignataries and more! Student voice permeated the event with students being given the opportunity to compare the event, introducing each component very articulately.
The importance of keeping culture alive and the community connected have never seemed so important, so thank you to Mala and her team for your leadership and drive. I'm sure I can speak for our families in expressing our gratitude for your unwaivering support and leadership.
A special congratulations to the John Purchase students performing and receiving awards yesterday. The photograph above shows two of our Year 6 students, Riya and Zara, performing a spectacular dance. Congratulations girls on such a stunning performance!
COVID UPDATE
As you are aware, schools in Greater Sydney are currently under Level 4 restrictions and are expected to return under Level 3 PLUS restrictions, across staggered dates as follows:
- Kindy and Year 1 are due to return on Monday 25 October 2021 (Term 4 Week 4).
- Year 2 and Year 6 are due to return on Monday 1 November 2021 (Term 4 Week 5).
- Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 are due to return on Monday 8 November 2021 (Term 4 Week 6).
Please take a look at the guidelines for each level of restrictions below, for a summary of each level. Please note that a Level 3 Plus category has been created, which sits between Level 3 and Level 4, and this is what we are expected to return to on the dates above.
Additonally parents are encourgaed to visit the website below for more detailed information.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families/level-3-plus-schools
I will be disseminating further organisational details closer to the return dates next term.
WHAT FREEDOMS WILL WE HAVE ONCE WE HIT THAT 70% VACCINATION RATE?
This link takes you to the NSW Government's roadmap to freedom
HAVE YOU BEEN VACCINATED?
To ensure a COVID-safe return to school, all NSW public school staff on-site supporting the staged return of students from 25 October, will be required to be fully vaccinated. Any contractors or volunteers on site will also be required to have two doses of vaccination before returning to our school.
Please refer to the flyer below for information regarding vaccinations.
WORLD TEACHERS' DAY
This year World Teachers' Day will fall on the first day back in Term 4, on Tuesday 5 October. I know you will join me in acknowledging and thanking our wonderful teachers for their commitment, care and guidance.
Some parents may like to ask their children to send 'thank you' messages to their teachers - these are always gratefully received.
WELL DONE TO OUR YEAR 6 AUTHORS
Class 6G have been writing imaginative text for the kindy students. What a lovely follow up to the exchanged messages shared in the newsletter last week.
EVERYDAY RESILIENCE LESSONS FOR KIDS
It’s the small, everyday behaviours we encourage in kids that have the greatest impact on their behaviour, wellbeing, and resilience. Michael Grose, parenting expert, shares his thoughts in the article below.
LEARNING FROM HOME RESUMES ON DAY 1 TERM 4
As we head closer to the holidays at the end of this week, this is a reminder that school will resume on Tuesday 5 October, as we continue the learning from home period. Please note that Monday 4 October is a public holiday and the scheduled school development day will be held on Friday 17 December. This means the last day for students will be on Thursday 16 December.
The first school newsletter for Term 4, will be disseminated in the second week of term, on Monday 11 October.
ATTENTION YEAR 5
SELECTIVE SCHOOL PLACEMENTS FOR 2023
Applications for entry in 2023 will open in mid-October 2021 and close in mid-November 2021. The placement test will be held on 10 March 2022.
Visit the website for up to date information:
https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7
END OF YEAR EVENTS
Due to the uncertainties surrounding the COVID restrictions and what these may look like at the end of the school year, we are yet to confirm dates and details surrounding our traditonal end of year events such as Celebrations of Learning, 'Thank You' morning tea, end of year school picnics etc. We are considering various options and will let our parent community know further details next term.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday break, sharing special moments with the children. Please stay healthy, happy and safe!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
It's Week 10!
Who would ever have imagined? Almost a whole school term completed and all of it via remote learning; certainly challenging times for students, parents and educators.
As we approach the school holidays, it's time for us all to take a well-deserved break. I sincerely hope that you do get the opportunity to relax, unwind and consider what wellbeing-boosting strategies work best for yourselves and your families.
Perhaps, aspiring to grow an attitude of mindfulness, will decrease stress levels and help us all, truly experience (and not waste) the lives we are living now, rather than dwelling on what 'might be' in the future. I recognise that I am guilty of these daydreams, thinking about travel; across Sydney, NSW, interstate, or maybe, overseas.
As a child, I remember waking up to the joy of Christmas presents wrapped up under a freshly-chopped pine tree. One year, I opened up a thin, firm parcel. Inside, was a lidded, metal box. In that box was a set of colouring pencils, (brand name withheld on purpose, but you know the ones - made in England). They were special; artists' colours, with soft 'leads' that could shade so beautifully. Believe it or not, I still have some of them in my study desk at home. Almost antiques!
These holidays might just be the time to reconnect with those pencils and do some mindful colouring! I have included some patterned templates for everyone below. Feel free to share any of your completed works with me, bearing in mind that mindfulness is not about perfection or judgement. This website may provide some holiday enjoyment too:
https://www.faber-castell.com.au/inspiration/all-tutorials?for=children#
Wishing everyone an amazing (and possibly even more mindful) holiday break.
Stay safe and take care.
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
adela.king@det.nsw.edu.au
Mrs King's Skipping Challenge
Skipping challenge accepted!
What are our SRC reps up to?
Hi Everyone!
Lockdown has been pretty tough on a lot of people, and it can get quite boring, but there are a lot of things I like to do to keep entertained and busy.
Listening to music and just vibing along has been a fun and chill thing to do recently, as I do my schoolwork, or just for fun. I found a song that was really special to me years ago, so it was really nice to listen to some different music. Playing online games and zoom calling with friends is also important to me and is a really great way to have some fun with them.
During this lockdown, we discovered a great recipe for really chunky chocolate chip cookies, and they always turn out so good... well, when we don’t burn them!
We have been doing a lot of cooking and baking recently, which is really fun, except for the cleaning up.
Another thing I've started to do more during lockdown is crocheting. I’ve now made a number of different animals and they are so cute.
It was my dogs’ birthdays recently and we took them on a big walk around Greenway Oval, which I am really grateful for, as I live right next to it. Living so close has meant that we go on long walks every day, which is great because I really miss our oval at school and the time we spend with friends. Sometimes I am allowed to meet up with one friend on the oval, and recently we brought water balloons and had so much fun with them.
Even though the lockdown has been hard, and boring sometimes, it is important to remember what we are grateful for, and spend time with friends and family online when we can, and that's what keeps me happy!
Celeste D 5B
Hi everyone! How are you? I know lockdown can be hard, and we often don’t understand everything, but just remember to keep on going, and smile!
In this lockdown, I have been getting lots of exercise, playing board games and spending time with my family! I have been getting out on my bike with my sister. The activity boosts my energy levels and helps me get some fresh air! Something that helps me greatly is talking to my grandparents and that makes us all happy! I have also been trying skateboarding, which is really fun, and I have been enjoying getting out in the backyard. Lockdown has also inspired me to listen to, and play more music. I like to listen to music because it helps to lift my spirits and I also like to get into the rhythm of the song or piece.
Something else that I am sure most people are doing in lockdown is reading lots of books! Reading really helps me because it transfers me to a new world, where there is no one but me and the characters. It helps me to block out everything that is happening right now. It also helps me to extend my imagination and let the characters come to life around me! My personal favourite genre is fiction, but you should always have a balance with other genres such as history, mystery, true stories and comedy!
So, I hope that you will all get some exercise and fresh air, have some fun and connect with the people you care about the most.
Aiden P 5B
During the lockdown, I started to get bored but then I started making some things called paper squishies. Making them has kept me entertained and productive. It stops me from being on my iPad all day.
Another thing I have done in lockdown is get organised. I have more time on my hands, so I started cleaning my room and organising all my markers.
What I have done with my family:
Usually, in my family, my mum cooks and I help out with my sister. But then we started having the men in the family cook on Thursday night. Me and my sister enjoy watching them, since they aren’t usually in the kitchen. They were confused. Just yesterday, my brother didn’t even know what he was making. He just started cutting tomatoes. Although, they did make a good dish.
Another thing we have done altogether is listen to interesting speeches. It has been a fun time to bond and we all love it!
Fatima A 5A
HPG Applications
In 2022, 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 availability of places within the classes formed at JPPS in 2022.
If you would like your child to be considered for HPG class placement in 2022, he/she must participate in the assessment program at our school. Application forms should be returned to the school office via email by 3pm Monday 1st November, 2021. No late applications will be accepted. All candidates who have submitted their applications by the due date, will be tested on site, at school, over two weeks, commencing Monday 15th November 2021. All assessments will be completed during school hours, at flexible times determined by the coordinator, pending Covid guidelines at that time.
Application forms and further information have been emailed to parents of the current Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 students, today.
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 7
Johnny Purchase is looking forward to a more mindful holiday!
Quiet thoughts mend the body. Chinese Proverb
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 6
This week, Johnny Purchase basked in the spring sunshine, surprised Kirsty in the school office and watched Year 1's Learning Programs.
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 5
It's time to welcome new Kindergarten students and their parents to JPPS! There's so much to see and learn. Our new Kindergarten students will receive a special story book about our school.
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 4
Books. Books. And more books! Johnny Purchase went searching high and low for interesting books to read this week. Don't forget to check out which titles are this year's Children's Book Council of Australia award winners, in the video above!
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 3
Johnny Purchase has been getting his exercise this week! What an adventure; nibbling herbs that have been growing beautifully in 3/4B's garden, climbing on the row of box trees, practising public speaking in the hall, counting Purchase Pride badges in Mrs King's office and even discovering a brush turkey, scratching about, next to the Year 3 classrooms.
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 2
Can you find Johnny Purchase, our school mascot, as he explores the Year 1 picnic area, knocks on the principal's door, has a sleep outside 6C, finds a book to read from the Library, relaxes in the Library ampitheatre and gets some exercise shooting goals in the K-2 playground?
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 1
Johnny Purchase escaped from Mrs King's office! Can you recognise where he visited on his adventure?
Cancellation Notice - Regretfully, the Group Photograph Day (for sporting teams and extra curricular groups) scheduled for Friday 8th October, has been cancelled by the School Photographer, this year.
Expectation of the Week
Aspire: practise mindfulness
Congratulations to all students, demonstrating our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
Purchase Pride Badges
When students receive ten Purchase Pride award cards, these should be left in Mrs King’s ‘award shelf’ in the administration corridor. The ten awards need to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name and current class. Purchase Pride cards have a tear off strip. This strip may be removed by the recipient and placed in the appropriate stage box outside Mrs King’s office, to go in the lucky dip draw for a canteen voucher. Badge recipients, whose names have already been published, will be presented with their awards when we all return to school.
Class Awards System
JPPS has an incremental class awards system. When a student has received ten class awards, these should be left on Mrs King’s ‘award shelf’ in the administration corridor. The ten class awards need to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name, current class and award level reached:
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!
A clear, snap lock bag is ideal for this purpose!
With the exception of Bronze Awards (which are published at the end of the term and presented at a Principal’s morning tea for students and parents), all awards received by 3pm on Thursday afternoons, are ‘stamped’ and published in the next school newsletter, which is usually on the following Monday. At this time, I indicate when these awards will be presented at the next Thursday afternoon assembly.
Students need to be responsible for their own awards, as replacements are not issued. Please note: During the learning from home period, teachers are issuing awards remotely and they will present these to students, when we all return to school.
Missing school? Take a virtual tour, or a 3-minute fly through tour!
Our John Purchase community is representative of many cultural backgrounds. Parents please be advised that the SBS portal provides Coronavirus information and updates translated into 60 different languages. I have shared the link below.
From the Teachers
Kindergarten 2022
Do you have a child enrolling in Kindergarten at John Purchase Public School in 2022?
With the year flying by, it is time to start thinking about Kindergarten enrolment for 2022.
If your child will be starting Kindergarten at John Purchase Public School in 2022 please go to the link below and complete the online school enrolment application.
https://enrol.education.nsw.gov.au/#/?schoolCode=4572
Dates and details regarding information evenings and transition will be provided in the coming months.
We look forward to welcoming our new students to John Purchase Public School in 2022!
Miss Claire Eiffert
Relieving Early Stage One Assistant Principal
ICAS 2021
This ICAS sitting window has now been extended until the end of November. More details on sitting date to be published next term.
Miss Brennan
ICAS Coordinator
Mrs Leonie Cole
Learning and Support Teacher
From the P&C
P&C September General Meeting
Dear Parents and Carers of JPPS
You are all welcome to join our September General Meeting via Zoom tonight at 7pm. We hope you and all your families are safe and well.
May the upcoming school holidays give you all time to rest, relax and recharge!
Looking forward to seeing many more new faces.
JPPS P&C
Topic: P&C Meeting
Time: 7pm Monday 13th September
Join Zoom Meeting https://rwts-au.zoom.us/j/89148473795?pwd=a0N5YlVTeThFYTYyQ2h6MEFjMDRQZz09
Meeting ID: 891 4847 3795
Passcode: E8xF6Eh0