Term 4 Week 2 Newsletter 2021
From the Principal
OUR NEWSLETTER CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES EACH WEEK BY SELECTING THE PREFERRED LANGUAGE IN THE DROP DOWN MENU ABOVE
WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4
I do hope you have enjoyed a lovely holiday break with your children.
It is so exciting that we have just one week to go before we welcome back kindy and Year 1, and just two weeks to go before we welcome back all grades.
I am sure the children and staff are looking forward to seeing one another again in the school environment.
Thank you for reading the communications emailed to parents and carers regarding the restrictions and how these impact on school organisation and for completing the short survey regarding the return to school. We will continue to keep you updated in terms of the restrictions and impact on school organisation.
A huge thank you and congratulations for juggling your commitments so that the children's learning could be supported throughout the lockdown period. What a phenomenal effort. We, as educators, are so very grateful. The light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight as we meet the next level of challenges in terms of managing the return to school in a way that complies with restrictions and facilitates safety.
VIRTUAL ASSEMBLY WEBINAR - RETURN TO SCHOOL
Please use the link below to watch a virtual assembly/webinar which provides important information about the staged return to school.
SUPPORTING STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL
Our dedicated teaching team is committed to supporting the students return to school and have commenced their preparations in terms of fostering student learning and wellbeing.
This Wednesday 13 October the teachers will be involved in a training session which focuses on supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of students as well as supporting student engagement in learning. The teachers will explore and discuss practical strategies that they can use to support our students.
This means that the teachers will be offline from 1pm to 2:30pm this Wednesday, and they will not be posting feedback during this 90 minute period.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID
Here are some links to picture books, which may be useful to refer to when you are talking to children about COVID.
My Hero is You - Childrens' picture book for K-6
“My Hero is You” is a book written for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My Hero is You” should be read by a parent, caregiver or teacher alongside a child or a small group of children. It is not encouraged for children to read this book independently without the support of a parent, caregiver or teacher as it can help children manage feelings and emotions, all with beautiful watercolour illustrations and multicultural themes.
Ready to download and print:
'My Hero is you'
'Hi, This is Coronavirus' - Childrens' picture book 2-8 years
'HI, this is Coronavirus' helps explain to children what this virus is, how to protect ourselves and family. It looks at the emotional wellbeing of children as well. It has been developed by the NSW Department of Health and is a great resource, ready to print and use.
'Hi, This is Coronavirus'
Even more COVID childrens' picture books to choose from:
https://nycdoe.libguides.com/COVID-19ebooks/free?fbclid=IwAR1Tsw0Qt30ACAPTr9BLPC9Q-Z7QLgNVTBR-N--OVaDQngbD7R4wxhHgGg0
WSLHD Website including the 'Healthy@Home toolkit'
This includes some good sites / apps for people and families to keep up to date weekly. This site is specifically for Western Sydney and its ready for you to share with them. It gives accurate information for updates of restrictions, vaccination information and tips / ideas and includes 50 translations for CALD families during these times…
There is also a ‘Healthy@home toolkit’ on the that website with ideas to help parents and community feel better during this time.
https://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-wellbeing/home/covid-19wellbeing
STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY WITH NEEDLES THE ECHIDNA
An online picture book.
https://issuu.com/riversidewaggawagga/docs/staysafe_healthy_a4_finalweb
STAY UP TO DATE WITH SZAPP
We will now be using SZAPP to send out updates and notifications and encourage all of our families to download this app onto your phones. This will replace use of the Skoolbag app, effective 18th October.
WORLD TEACHERS DAY
World Teachers’ Day will be celebrated across Australia on Friday 29 October 2021, a bit later than the international World Teachers' Day (Tuesday 5 October) previously published due to our school holidays. It’s a chance to celebrate teaching and for communities to thank teachers.
Teachers, with support from parents and carers, have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities.
Here are 10 easy ways to thank a teacher on World Teachers’ Day
The ideas below, together with the free downloadable World Teachers’ Day Celebration Kit (ZIP 20MB), make it super easy for you (or your child) to thank a teacher.
1. Thank you note/drawing
A short note, email or drawing from you or your child will be sure to make any teacher smile. Try thinking of something the teacher might have done recently to make it more personal.
2. Personalised card
A personalised card/digital card is another easy and thoughtful way to say thanks. The Celebration Kit includes World Teachers’ Day thank you cards to decorate and add your note to.
3. Badges
Check out the badge templates in the Celebration Kit. Print out and create a badge for the day. Or if your child is learning remotely, use them as virtual stickers to copy into the online learning space for a virtual and easy thank you on the day.
4. Small gift ideas
Chocolates or tea, are popular small gifts for teachers. Use the gift tags in the Celebration Kit to add a personal touch. If your school’s teachers are teaching remotely, maybe a coffee voucher from a local business (it will help the local business too).
5. Combined Card
Organise a card from a group of children and parents, with each writing a short message.
6. Show your support on social media
The Celebration Kit has graphics for Facebook and Twitter. Tag other parents/carers online and encourage them to show their support.
7. Share with other parents/carers, friends and colleagues
Spread the word. Use the posters in the Celebration Kit to promote the day in your office, or if you’re working remotely, use the World Teachers’ Day virtual meeting background in the lead-up to World Teachers’ Day.
8. Post a photo in your sunglasses
Thank teachers by posting a photo in your sunglasses using #BrightFuture and @aitsl. The Celebration Kit includes fun sunglasses templates you can make with your kids or visit worldteachersday.edu.au from 14 October for the virtual photo booth. We’ll even provide the mask and sunglasses as props in the booth!
9. Give a virtual ‘happy’ apple
We’re aiming to share a million virtual apples with teachers to let them know they’re appreciated. Visit worldteachersday.edu.au from 14 October to add some virtual apples to our collection as a super easy way to say thanks.
10. Join the celebrations on the day
Join the celebrations by saying thanks to teachers on the day. Tag and follow #BrightFuture and @aitsl if you post on Twitter or Facebook and you’ll be part of all the action
Attention Year 4: Opportunity Class Placements
The Opportunity Class placement test will now be held on Wednesday 17 November 2021 at our school.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN reports for Year 3 and Year 5 students were mailed home at the end of last term. Please let the office know immediately if you did not receive your child's NAPLAN report.
We have been very pleased with the results, particularly the Year 3 results which were the strongest results we have received for many years.
PLANNING FOR 2022
If your child is leaving the school at the end of this year or returning to school late at the beginning of 2022, please complete the relevant Google Form in the blue box below:
DIGITAL CHILD SAFETY HANDBOOK
The NSW Police Legacy has released a new edition of the Child Safety Handbook containing updated information around child safety. This is a valuable safety resource, which is available online using the link below.
I urge all parents and carers to download this latest edition and to discuss the safety content with your children. This is an excellent resource which outlines proactive and positive measures to keep children safe in a range of contexts.
It includes up to date information on: road safety, online safety, COVID, sun safety, water safety, drug awareness, safety at school, safety at home, safety in various environments and more.
It can be downloaded from:
Successfully Transitioning Students Back to School
It has been more than three months since the majority of our students have been to school. Some children will feel excited to be back while others may feel indifferent and some may feel anxious. Read the helpful articles below for some sensible advice around supporting your children return to school. There are six separate articles. These are from Parenting Ideas, NSW Health (including the Got It team) and the DoE. They contain some great advice about preparing for the return, communicating with your child, re-estabishing routines and saying goodbye at the gate. It's not too early to start preparing now, so take a look at what the experts are saying.
Until next week, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
Welcome back to Term 4, Week 2!
This week's expectation is about resilience; bouncing back when things don't go our way. The past several months, have provided all of us with countless opportunities to ‘test one’s mettle’. Human beings have a resounding ability to adapt to change and demonstrate their resilience. We are encouraging our students to aspire to be flexible and harness that valuable disposition of resilience.
It is so exciting to be welcoming all students back to classrooms over the next few weeks. Student wellbeing, in the transition back to school, particularly, is our focus.
Many aspects of life at school will be different, as we heed medical advice and Department of Education guidelines. Adapted organisational details, such as timetabling and playground locations, and modification, or even cancellation of Term 4 events, will need to be implemented.
We have certainly appreciated the support of our JPPS parents during this lengthy lockdown and your continued patience and flexibility will be very much appreciated, as we negotiate the term’s milestones.
Take care everyone!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Celebrating 100% Attendance
In Term 3, 539 students had a 100% percent attendance record. Congratulations!
Student Leadership Elections
The process for the nomination and election of the 2022 School Leaders begins this term. Parents of Year 5 students were emailed information last week, to assist in understanding the revised timeline and requirements. This year, students' speeches will be delivered via the Zoom platform and electronic ballot forms will be used. Our Student Leaders' Code of Conduct and Selection Criteria is shared below.
Year 2 Science Projects
Last term, Year 2 students examined the sustainable resources we use and the forces and energy that toys display. Students had to design and subsequently, create a toy, based on these ideas. Some examples of students' thinking are pictured in the gallery below.
Year 2 Science Projects
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.
At the end of last term, I emailed application forms and further information to parents of the current Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 students.
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.
Where is Johnny Purchase? Chapter 8
Johnny Purchase has been limbering up for Term 4, using hoops!
What are our SRC reps up to?
Hello JPPS!
I know that lockdown is hard for everyone, and I know everyone misses school. I'm missing all the fun of spring and I hope that lockdown is gone by summer, so we can all go to fun places.
If you are not liking lockdown, then I have a suggestion. You might like to go to the Castle Hill BMX track. It has a big ramp at the start to get you some speed to get around the track, and I think that it is great fun. I like to get a run up at the start, to get twice as much speed, but I recommend only doing that if you’re confident. I am sure that you will like it and I hope you all are not too put down about the lockdown.
See you all soon!
Jesse B 4M
During the lockdown, I have online school, just like everyone else. We have meetings in the morning and have a daily check-in in the afternoons. We do the check-in, so our teacher can tell how we are doing during class. In zooms, we behave just like in school.
I go around my house doing exercise. Sometimes, I go to the park. After school every day, I do a little bit of exercise too. I hope you enjoy the rest of the lockdown.
Stay safe and continue to exercise.
Femi A 4O
Hi everyone!
Lockdown has been pretty tough on many of us and it can be hard, however, there are many ways that you can keep entertained until all of us get back to school. I know that I’m looking forward to getting back to school with my friends and going to the library.
Though lockdown is hard, it does have many privileges that I quite enjoy, like studying at your own pace and not having to worry about changing into uniform. After home schooling, I like to go outside and get some fresh air, or listen to some music for a change. Thanks to lockdown, my parents have a spare hour every day for me, which we spend by going to the oval and skate park. If it wasn’t for lockdown, I would not have learnt a new skating skill. I look forward most to Friday nights, when I watch a movie and make popcorn with my family.
My favourite thing to do after online learning, is reading. Reading just lets me forget about everything else and pulls me into the lovely world of Harry Potter, or whatever I’m reading. I had my birthday in lockdown and a family friend of mine gave me a Harry Potter book collection that I really love.
The best way to get through lockdown is to have a hobby that you enjoy to keep you busy. Even though lockdown can be boring, just stay on the bright side and spend more time away from your screens. That's what keeps me happy during lockdown.
Kelly H 3/4B
The world is in confusion and chaos right now! One minute, people are saying the world is a wonderful place and the next thing you know, it has been plagued by a deadly virus. A couple of months ago, you could have been at the park with your friends and now you are stuck at home. After months of being locked up at home, it is finally starting to get to everyone!
Lockdown hasn’t been the best because I miss my friends and teachers. Online learning is much harder without the face-to-face support of peers and teachers. Also, I‘m sure I'm not the only person who agrees with this, but lockdown is starting to become very long and boring.
That being said, lockdown isn't all that bad. Like you, having more freedom to do what you like at home may not be the easiest thing, but it is good. For example, you can do your school work at your own pace, which may be very helpful. You can also use this time in lockdown to spend time with your family and make the most of it. During the lockdown, I have done a lot of cooking with my family; more than I would have done before Covid.
There are more fun things we can do to entertain ourselves. For example, I ride my bike or scooter in my free time. I have also gone on several walks with my dad, exploring parts I never knew about the area I have been living in for the past 3 years. Plus, I have watched many new movies with my family. I learnt something new, like about the departure of Apollo 11.
I hope I have given you all some ideas of things to do in lockdown with your family.
Stay happy and healthy everyone! I hope to see you all soon!
Kunal S 3/4B
Expectation of the Week
Aspire: Bounce back when things don't go your way
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 UPDATE
The ICAS sitting window has been extended until the end of November. Students who have registered for the ICAS tests will sit these tests once face-to-face learning resumes, and specified dates will be published in an upcoming newsletter. The period for registration in the tests closed last term, and students are no longer able to register to sit the tests if they have not already done so. I will notify parents of any further updates.
Miss Brennan
ICAS Coordinator
Dear Parents and Carers,
If you were unable to attend the Emotionally Intelligent Parenting seminars delivered in the school hall earlier this year or online last year, here is your chance to participate.
You are also very welcome to join the webinars if you would like to revisit the sessions or if a different parent would like to attend.
Please see the flyer below for the details of the free webinars and a registration link.
If you have any questions, please contact me through the school email address or on 98753100 (Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday)
Leonie Cole
Learning and Support Teacher/Coordinator
From 6LW
Students have received some lovely letters in the mail with sunflower seeds from their teachers, along with a word search and words of support and love from Mrs Lara and Mrs Winston. Week 10 was our time to bake together, with Mrs Lara baking damper and Mrs Winston making her famous chocolate brownies as a week 10 celebration.
My New Gallery
From the P&C
UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE
The Uniform Shop will be able to process online orders from October 18th to supply summer uniform requirements.
Please order online on the uniform shop website.
The link is https://uniforms.jppspandc.org.au/
As there are still Covid restrictions applying to the school grounds, parents and caregivers can collect their online order from the Purchase Road front gate, on the usual Uniform Shop days of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
I will be down at the gate from 8:00AM to 8:30AM. Don’t forget to wear a mask and to socially distance as you wait to collect your order, thanks.
Please call or email me if you have a question, otherwise I’ll look forward to seeing you at the school gate.
S A R A H N I C H O L S
Uniform Shop Manager | John Purchase Public School
jpps.uniform@gmail.com.au | 0412 987 027