Term 4 Week 11 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
THANK YOU AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS
As the school year draws to a close, I would again like to thank our wonderful John Purchase community for partnering with our teachers to support the children's learning. It certainly has been an unusual year and we are hoping 2022 will provide an uninterrupted year of learning at school.
Have a wonderful and safe summer vacation, enjoying treasured moments with the children and I look forward to seeing you next year.
FAREWELL
We wish all those leaving John Purchase, including our Year 6 students, all the best for the future. Thank you to those from Kindy to Year 5 who have notified the school if you are leaving us. If your circumstances change during the holidays, please complete the form below or alternatively, send an email to
johnpurch-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
to let us know. Please let us know as soon as you can. This will enable us to finalise class numbers at the earliest opportunity. If you are going to be late back to school, could you also please send an email with the intended date of return.
CELEBRATING THE STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENTS
My sincere thanks go to Mrs King for her impeccable organisation of our Celebration of Learning assemblies last week. Although we were unable to invite parents face to face for the Kindy to Year 5 assemblies, we are grateful that we were able to proceed and celebrate our wonderful students' achievements across the school, and that the events were able to be live streamed.
This was only possible due to the generosity of our high school colleagues. A huge thank you to Matt Fisher and his team at such a busy time of year. Mr Fisher not only gave up the two days to film a total of five separate events, but there is also significant work involved in the preparations and follow up.
Congratulations to all students for their efforts, achievements and exemplary behaviour.
THANK YOU
I would like to take this opportunity to enthusiastically thank those in our community, who have contributed so much to our school over the years in so many different ways.
I would particularly like to say a special thank you to Anh Holland, who will be leaving our school. Anh has been a very active member of our parent community. She has been involved in so many ways including: sorting lost property, coordinating Year 6 magazines, being an active member of the Year 6 Farewell committee, supporting and coordinating P & C fundraising initiatives and also holding the Vice President position on our P&C. We are incredibly grateful to Anh for everything she has done to support the students, staff and community at John Purchase.
After the Year 6 Graduation Assembly last week, the Year 6 parents organised a beautiful floral arrangement to be presented to Anh, which is an indication of the high regard and gratitude the cohort has for her.
I would also like to thank Ruth D'Silva, who has been a wonderful support to our school. Ruth has been the book club coordinator, has assumed fundraising responsibilities, has held the position of P & C secretary and has supported Anh with a number of initiatives, behind the scenes.
We will certainly miss you both and wish you all the best, now that all your children have moved on to high school.
STAFF DANCE
Last Thursday, as is a tradition at John Purchase, our staff presented their staff dance within separated stage cohorts. It was a lot of fun and enjoyed by the students.
HOLIDAY READING
We encourage all of our students to continue regular reading throughout the summer break. To facilitate this, Sunshine Classics online will continue to be available throughout the holiday period.
Additionally, families can also access traditional and virtual books through The Hills library service: https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Library/eResources-for-Kids
LAST DAY PICK UP
Students will be dimissed this Thursday afternoon using the same process that has been used for the term. While there will be a walkout semi-arch way for the Year 6 students, this will occur a little earlier, with the students (Kindy to Year 5) only. Parents will not be able to come on to the school site on the last afternoon as they usually would, due to COVID restrictions. The Year 6 students will be dismissed from the gate the school shares with the John Purchase oval, so that Year 6 parents have more space to socially distance and collect their children.
Students from K to Year 5 (apart from those with Year 6 siblings) will be dismissed at the usual times and places used in recent weeks - predominantly via Purchase Rd.
We ask that parents continue to maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing expectation, while picking up children on Purchase Rd.
Mr Johnson will be providing further information to Year 6 parents regarding Thursday afternoon.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN 2022?
If your child is going to be leaving the school and you have not notified the office or if your child/ren is/are going to be absent on the first day back, can you please let the school know in January by email: johnpurch-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
This will ensure we can firm up enrolment numbers quickly at the beginning of the school year.
When the children return to school on Tuesday 1 February, they remain in their 2021 classes for the beginning of the 2022 school year, while enrolment numbers are finalised.
Drop off and pick up arrangements for the first day will be communicated next year, once the revised COVID details are communicated to us by the Department of Education. On the first day back for children, which is Tuesday 1 February, there will be staff on hand to direct the students.
CLASS PLACEMENT REQUESTS
Over the recent weeks some parents have notified us of special considerations for their child’s class placement next year. Thank you for sending these in. They will be passed on to stage supervisors before they place the students. In response to the requests received, please be assured that the teachers at our school take many factors into account as they place students into classes. Factors
considered include:
• student abilities, to ensure a spread of ability in each class
• special needs
• social, emotional and relational factors
• student behaviour
• special considerations raised by parents this year (please note previous requests are not considered),
• friendships – we endeavour to place at least one friend with each student. We understand that friendships are important but also understand that children benefit by working with students who may not necessarily be in their social group.
The teachers prepare the classes with their colleagues and supervisor on the same grade after much discussion and consideration, with the senior executive giving approval to the final lists to ensure the needs of the whole school are addressed. The process involves teachers in the grade meeting to discuss the students’ needs and the best mix of students, and this forms the basis of the decisions made. It is important that our school makes class placement decisions in an equitable way, with consideration of all students.
Please understnd that requests for particular teachers will not be considered.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
At this stage, there will be no School Crossing Supervisor (SCS) available at the crossing on Purchase Road, Cherrybrook this week.
Please remind children of the road safety messages which are:
- Wherever possible, cross the road at a designated pedestrian crossing facility
- Stop! Look! Listen! Think! when crossing the road
- Take care whenever you cross
- Don’t run across the road
If you are interested in obtaining part time work as a crossing supervisor, please refer to the advertisement below, as NSW Transport is now recruiting.
STATIONERY LISTS
Stationery lists for 2022 will not be sent out for next year, as the school will be purchasing basic equipment such as exercise books and pencils. However, if you would like to purchase your child's own special set of coloured pens and pencils, children can certainly bring these to school.
CLASS / GRADE PARTIES: REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
Each year the children celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming holidays. While the children will not be able to share picnic food, they can bring treats which have been commerically produced and commercially packaged into individual serves. A reminder that the parties will be held tomorrow, on Tuesday 14 December. Please do not send children with treats that contain nuts or nut products as we have children who have severe allergies.
ARE YOU TRAVELLING OVERSEAS IN THE HOLIDAYS?
If you are travelling overseas during the upcoming holiday period, please read the current guidelines below so that you can take this into consideration for the return to school. Please also understand that these may change between now and next year and families should check the NSW Health website for up to date information.
In accordance with NSW Health guidelines for fully vaccinated arrivals, your child must have a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test:
- Within 24 hours of arriving in NSW
- On or after day 7 after arriving in NSW
- In accordance with the NSW Government guidelines on 28 November, your child must self-isolate for at least 72 hours after arriving in NSW
- These results must be sent to the school via email
- Until the school receives a negative COVID-19 test result via email, students are not permitted to return to school
- If your child develops any symptoms of COVID-19 at any time, they must immediately get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result. Students cannot return to school until they are symptom free.
If your child is NOT fully vaccinated (which would be most of our children at this stage, apart from a few Year 6 students who may be eligible for vaccinations), they must have a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test:
- Within 24 hours of arriving in NSW
- On day 5 or 6 after arriving in NSW
- They must self-isolate for at least 7 days after arriving in NSW
- They must receive a negative COVID-19 test result, taken on day 5 or 6 after arriving in NSW
- These results must be sent to the school via email at johnpurch-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au before your child's return to school.
If your child travels overseas during the December/January school holidays and returns to Australia within 7 days prior to 1 February 2022, please adhere to the above advice and email their negative COVID-19 test result to the school prior to returning to school.
HOLIDAYS in 2022: REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
I understand that many of you will be planning holidays for the 2022 school year and beyond so have included school holiday dates below:
• Fri 17 December 2021 to Mon 31 January 2022. Fri 28 January and Mon 31 January are school development days.
• Sat 9 to Tues 26 April 2022, which includes Tues 26 April as a school development day.
• Sat 2 July to Mon 18 July 2022, which includes Mon 18 July as a school development day.
• Sat 24 September to Sun 9 October 2022.
• Tues 20 December 2022 is the Term 4 school development day, preceding the 2022 - 2023 summer vacation.
We do ask that students take their holidays in school time.
LAST DAY OF TERM 4: REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
The last day of Term 4 for students is Thursday 16th December 2021 (less than two weeks away).
All students are required to attend school until Thursday 16 December 2021, the last day of teaching for 2021.
If parents are seeking permission for their child to be absent from school for a period of time please submit an Application for Extended Leave (Travel) form.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2022
- Office open for new enrolments - Thurs 20 Jan
- Staff Return - Fri 28 Jan
- Students Years 1 to 6 return- Tues 1 Feb
- Kindy Best Start Assessments - Tues 1 Feb
- Kindy begin full day of class - Fri 4 Feb
STAFF GIFTS : REPEATED FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS
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).
PLANNING FOR 2022: REPEATED FROM PREVIOUS WEEKS
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.
Until next year, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
My sincere, best wishes, to you and and your loved ones, for a safe and restful holiday break. I look forward to seeing you all, in the new year!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
2021 Celebrations of Learning
Expectation of the Week
Responsibility: Be responsible for the choices you make
Congratulations to all students, demonstrating our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
Class Awards
Students are encouraged to store their awards safely at home until the new school term.
Bronze Award
Congratulations to:
Siobhan C (6LW)
Silver Award
Congratulations to:
Twisha A (6C)
Gold Award
Congratulations to:
Atticus D (6C)
Bronze Medallion
Congratulations to:
Adrian W (6C)
Season's Greetings!
From the Teachers
Year 6 Walkout
This Thursday is the Year 6 students' final primary school walkout. At 2:15 pm students will walk through the school, as students from years K-5 cheer them on. The walk will finish at the John Purchase Oval. This is where parents can meet the students to congratulate them and take photos.
Please note that parents are not permitted to come onto school grounds during or after the walkout. The John Purchase Oval gates will be locked at 3:30 pm.
We look forward to seeing you there.
ICAS Certificates
I have been notified that due to the delayed schedule of the ICAS tests this year, coupled with the national postage backlog, the certificates for ICAS Maths and Science will most likely not be available until Term 1 of next year.
Miss Brennan
SPORTS REPORT
PSSA Representative Shirts
If you have represented John Purchase this year in a PSSA team or at the zone cross country, please return your PSSA representative shirt to Mrs Murray ASAP. It is necessary that all of these shirts are returned so our representative teams can wear them next year.
Mrs Murray
Sports Coordinator
P&C News
Band Program
The P&C are hiring a new Band Co-ordinator to join our team in 2022. The role supports our band program and our team of conductors by overseeing the administration of the program. You can find out more details about the role, including a job description and how to apply from the P&C Website here: https://jppspandc.org.au/band-co-ordinator-2022/
Dear Parents and Carers of JPPS,
What a momentous year we have just gone through. At times, many of us would have thought how would we survive the lockdowns, online learning while juggling our work commitments and trying to manage everyday life as normally as we can?
After the struggles of this tough year, we believe we’ll come out of it stronger and better!
While we all look forward to a well-deserved break over the holidays, our very last P&C General Meeting will be held tonight via Zoom at 7pm. See Zoom meeting link below.
As always, everyone is welcome to join us.
We you all have a wonderful Christmas and the very best for 2022.
May you all have a safe holiday break and able to reconnect with family and friends near and far.
From JPPS P&C
Topic: P&C General Meeting December
Time: Dec 13, 2021 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://rwts-au.zoom.us/j/86066780604?pwd=WXlDUlRmOXliOEZEUkI2VFFBdDcwdz09
Meeting ID: 860 6678 0604
Passcode: 634817
One tap mobile
+61370182005,,86066780604# Australia
+61731853730,,86066780604# Australia
Our School Canteen
The canteen will be operating under the following revised Covid guidelines from 8th November:
- Lunch orders should be placed online using the flexi schools system.
- Students will now be permitted to place lunch orders at the canteen windows before school, using the especially allocated stage areas.
- As we are still required to limit interactions between student cohorts, each stage group will be given time during recess (Early Stage 1 & Stage 1) or lunch (Stage 2 & Stage 3), to purchase additional treats at the canteen. Food/drink available will be limited.
- Parents are reminded to keep these limited purchasing times in mind, when ordering from the canteen. It may be prudent to supply recess for students in Years 3-6, particularly.
Volunteers are now permitted in the canteen, adhering to these guidelines prior to entry:
- The P&C must have provided the school office with the P&C’s signed WWCC clearance form for each volunteer;
- Volunteers must sign in to the NSW Health QR code (if the volunteer does not have a mobile device) at school and then sign in to the school, as usual;
- Volunteers must provide evidence of double vaccination to school staff on entry; and
- All adults in the canteen must wear masks and maintain social distancing, while implementing effective hygiene practices, using the cleaning products provided.
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
FROM THE CANTEEN
Last week - With this being the last week of school, the canteen is out of stock of many items. The best way to order is via flexi schools as that is the most updated way to see what we have available. We will still be offering sandwiches and sushi up until the last day of school.
2022 Volunteers - The roster for 2022 is up in the canteen and as we are losing some year 6 mums, we have some vacant spots on the roster. If you are able to help out one day a month from 9.30 to 1.15 that would be great. Please see Donna or Anna in the canteen or email us at jpps.canteen@gmail.com.
UNIFORM SHOP IMPORTANT DATES
As mentioned in previous newsletter editions, we are closed for the last week of term for stocktaking.
With regards opening times in 2022, we will be open one day in the holidays on Thursday January 20th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Years 1-6 students return on Tuesday 1st February. We will be open the day before on Monday 31st January from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
We then return to our normal ongoing hours of Mon, Wed & Fri 8:30 to 9:30 AM starting on Wednesday 2nd February.
Thank you for all your support this year. Wishing you all a safe and happy festive season.
Sarah
jpps.uniform@gmail.com
Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes events for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.