Term 1 Newsletter 14 February 2022
From the Principal
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WELCOME TO JOHN PURCHASE FOR 2022!
We enthusiastically congratulate all students and staff for the way the students have quickly settled in to school and class routine and have commenced their learning programs.
This is a result of the hard work of many - from our hardworking office staff, to each teacher and member of the executive team, as well as our relieving General Assistant.
When visiting classrooms on a wet Friday afternoon last week, students across K to 6, were busily engaged in learning tasks across the curriculum.
2022 is certainly shaping up to be an exciting and productive year in our classrooms!
BABY ARRIVALS
Congratulations Mrs Kate Green and husband, on the birth of their gorgeous baby girl. Layla Violet Green was born on 13 January.
Congratulations Mrs Jess Murray and husband, on the birth of their gorgeous baby boy. Charlie James Murray was born on 12 January.
MEET OUR SCHOOL LEADERS
Each stage is led by one of our highly capable assistant principals. If you require any information, support or have any concerns, please consult with your child’s class teacher or front office in the first instance. If you require support following a conversation with the class teacher, please consult with the assistant principal looking after the stage. Of course, Mrs King (deputy principal) and myself are available if further assistance is required beyond the assistant principal level.
- Early Stage One (Kindy) Mrs Irene Robbins
- Stage One (Years 1 & 2) Mr NIcholas Johnson
- Stage Two (Years 3 & 4) Miss Katie Moore
- Stage Three (Year 5) Miss Kate Scholz
- Stage Three (Year 6) Mrs Dani Musgrove
- Deputy Principal Mrs Adela King
- Principal Mrs Leonie Black
- Business Manager Mrs Clare Cattell
The Business Manager leads and manages the administrative support team and manages health and safety, assets, ICT and finance. If you have any
questions or concerns regarding any of these areas, please contact Clare.
School Leaders
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Keeping students, staff and visitors safe at our school is important to us and is a shared responsibility. Our teachers regularly discuss work, health and safety issues at staff meetings. Parents can also report Health and Safety issues to the front office.
THANK YOU FOR BEING GREAT ROLE MODELS
A big thank you is extended to every parent and carer who models good road safety practices to the children, particularly around our school at busy drop off and pick up times. Sadly, school zones present an extra layer of danger due to the volume of road traffic and pedestrians in the area at the one time, due to the inexperience of children and because so many people are in a hurry.
Your children see and imitate the behaviour of others, so the wonderful care you take now may save a life one day!
Some ways to assist include:
* parking away from the school, taking the opportunity to walk part of the way, which would help reduce congestion.
* talking to your children about where and how to cross the road safely.
* using the kiss and drop zone effectively, and if there is no room in the kiss and drop zone, driving around the block rather than queueing on the road and blocking traffic.
* taking extra care outside school zones, including when pulling onto the road, from areas such as the kiss and drop zone.
CHANGES TO PICK UP TIMES
From Monday 21 February, we will be amending the staggered pick up times, to maximise in class learning time. This means that:
- Kindergarten and siblings are picked up at 2:45pm from Gate 1.
- Year 1 students and older siblings are picked up at 2:45pm from Gate 2.
- Year 2 students and older siblings are picked up at 2:45pm from Gate 3.
- Years 3 to 6 (unless leaving with older siblings) will be dismissed at the usual time of 2:50pm.
- Students waitng at Kiss n Drop will be dismissed at 2:50pm.
WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS
• If students or staff display any symptoms, even mild, they must not attend school and should take a PCR test (nose and throat swab) or rapid antigen test (RAT) as soon as possible.
• If symptoms continue they should stay home and take another RAT or PCR test in 24 hours. If that test is also negative, you may return to school only if another diagnosis is confirmed such as hay fever. Please present a medical certificate to confirm another diagnosis. If another dignosis is not confirmed, the student/ staff member remains at home until there are no symptoms.
Please note that there has been a case of COVID reported in the community whereby the person tested negative for several days while they had symptoms, and did not test positive until several days of symptoms were experienced. So please, if there is no other diagnosis in this situation, keep children at home until symptom free.
This morning we were notified of students across the school who have tested positive and since have been informed of more cases throughout the day. At the time of print, we had multiple students in stages 1 to 3 who had notified us of a positive result. Given that we are expecting an increasing number of students and staff testing positive in the coming weeks, rather than sending emails repeatedly each time there is a case, we will send an email out twice each week alerting parents if there continue to be cases in the school. Please be alert to any symptoms, regardless of how mild, and continue to use the Rapid Antigen Tests twice each week.
NSW Health should be notified of a positive result through the Service NSW app used for check-ins. The school should also be notified.
Children who are ill are not expected to complete work. However if children are isolating, here is a link to the learning at homematerial. This is updated each fortnight.
EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking forward to more consistency with extra- curricular activities and opportunities in 2022, following two years of limitations imposed by the COVID pandemic. Of course, there will continue to be considerations and protocols in place to maximise the safety of particpants and staff.
Please refer to the table below, outlining some of the activities on offer and related information.
ACTIVITY | PRACTICES / REHEARSALS ETC | IMPORTANT INFORMATION | TEACHER/S |
Choir - stage 3 (Other choirs TBA) | Lunch ime TBA | TBA | Mr Fox |
Dance - Stage 3 | Tues lunch Fri morning | Audition - 7.30am Weds 23 Feb | Mrs Musgrove |
Dance - Stage 2 | Weds lunch Thurs Mornings | Audition - 7.30am Thurs 24 Feb | Miss Mahler |
Dance - Stage 1 | Mon lunch Weds mornings | Audition - 7.30am Fri 25th Feb | Miss Griggs |
Debating | TBA | Competitions TBA | Miss O'Brien & Mrs Winston |
History Club - Stage 3 | Tues lunch | Miss Brennan |
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Please find an overview of after school activities below. These are operated by organisations who hire our school facilities, providing students with a range of opportunities. While the school does not manage or endorse any particular activity listed, this list is provided for your convenience.
HIRE FACILITIES CONTACTS 2022
Organisation | Contact Name | Phone Number | Email Address | Room & Date/Day of Hire |
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Wed Annex 4 -5:30pm Age 3-Adult |
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0411 884 408 |
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Wednesday 2:55 -4.30 pm Thursday 2:55-4.30 pm $27 per lesson |
VIP Music | Leda Koh | 9411 3122 | vipmusic@iinet.net.au | Room 7 Wednesday 2:55 – 4.00 $30 per lesson |
Hindi Class | Kusum Mala | 0419 495 800 0412 283 677 | info@iabbv-hindischool.com | Hall AnnexThursday 2.55pm – 5.00pm Kindy – Year 6 $70 per term |
Mantra Youth | Jayshree Menon | 0423 50 8212 | mantrayouth@gmail com | Hall Annex 1st & 3rd Sunday 4pm – 6pm $40 per term |
Norwest Chess Academy | Michael Zhou | 0425376421 | Hall Annex Tuesday 2.55 – 5.00pm Wednesday Rm 9 2:55- 5.00pm Thursday 7.00- 9pm $ 220 per term Kindy- Year 12 | |
Peiji Chinese School (Mandarin) | Ben Sun Becky Luo | 0416646026 0410685525 | Hall Annex Monday & Thursday 2.55pm-5pm Friday 2.55- 5 pm $19 per lesson | |
Art on Canvas | Tahlia | 0424093991 | Artoncanvaskids@outlook.com | Room 1 Thursday 2:55pm -5.00pm $240 per term |
Cornerstone Academy Public Speaking & Debating | Marianne | 0411 678 854 | cornerstoneacademysydney@gmail.com | Room 1, 5 &7 Monday 2:55pm – 5.15pm $30 per activity |
Young Engineers | Chintan Vora | 0416100089 | infonswsydney@young-engineers.com.au | Room 1&3 Tuesday 2:55- 5:00pm $200 per term |
Talent Club Public Speaking, Debating & Creative writing | Kamini Sahni | 0401 059 923 | contact@talentclubedu.com.au | Room 9 Thursday 2:55pm- 5:00pm $ 25 per program / $40 for all programs |
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
Unfortunately we are still without a School Crossing Supervisor (SCS) at the crossing on Purchase Road before and after school.
We therefore ask parents to consider the children's safety and to remind children of the following:
- cross the road at the designated pedestrian crossing facility
- Stop! Look! Listen! Think! when crossing the road
- Take care whenever you cross
- Don’t run across the road
ANAPHYLAXIS
John Purchase Public School is concerned about the safety and well-being of all our students. Many of you will know someone who is affected by anaphylaxis, a life threatening allergic reaction. Our school does its best to be an allergy aware school. Staff have had training in severe allergy management and we have implemented a number of strategies to help keep students at risk of anaphylaxis as safe as we can. We have over 20 students who live with the risk of anaphylaxis to foods and insect stings. Whilst these children are being taught to care for themselves at an age appropriate level, we ask that you help us educate your child on the importance of not sharing food with others, washing hands after eating and calling out to an adult if they think their friend with allergies is sick. With increased awareness and understanding of anaphylaxis, you will be able to help protect those around you.
A food allergy is an immune system response to a normally harmless food protein that the body believes is harmful. When the individual eats food containing that protein, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, triggering symptoms that can affect a person’s breathing, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and/or heart. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life- threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate treatment and urgent medical attention. It is estimated that up to 400,000 (2%) Australians, including 1 in 20 children suffer from food allergies and some of them will experience a life-threatening (anaphylactic) reaction.
Symptoms of food allergy can include:
Mild to moderate allergic reaction
- Tingling of the mouth
- Hives, welts or body redness
- Swelling of the face, lips, eyes
- Vomiting, abdominal pain (note these are signs
of a severe allergic reaction if the person has insect allergy)
Severe allergic reaction- ANAPHYLAXIS
- Difficult/noisy breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Swelling or tightness in the throat
- Difficulty talking or hoarse voice
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Persistent dizziness or collapse
- Pale and floppy (young children)
9 foods cause 90% of food allergies. These foods are:
- Egg
- Sesame
- Milk
- Soy
- Nuts
- Fish
- Tree nuts (cashew, almond, pistachio etc)
- Crustacea (prawns, lobster, crabs etc)
- Wheat
Peanuts are the leading cause of severe allergic reactions, followed by tree nuts, shellfish, fish and milk. At our school there are students with allergies to: nuts, eggs, sesame, dairy, seafood, kiwi fruit, oats, wheat and watermelon. Adrenaline/epinephrine is the first line treatment for severe allergic reactions and can be administered via auto-injector, called the EpiPen®.
To learn more about anaphylaxis and food allergies, go to www.allergyfacts.org.au and www.allergy.org.au
As the only way to manage a food allergy is avoidance, the school has implemented several strategies to help prevent a severe allergic reaction. We can never totally eliminate the risk of an anaphylaxis but we can all do things that will help lessen the risk. Please consider the child with food allergy when packing your child’s lunch or when sending in food for any special occasion, including birthdays, special events and school excursions.
We understand that dairy products are a component of a healthy diet for children and that children will consume dairy products at school. Foods that ‘May contain traces of various foods’ are fine for the non-allergic students to consume at school as long as they do not share food.
Staff members are trained in identifying an anaphylactic reaction and responding to this potentially life threatening situation. If parents would also like to complete the training, it is available online at no cost. Go to https://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/about-ascia-e-training
HELPING KIDS SETTLE BACK INTO SCHOOL
This Parenting Ideas article provides some great tips for helping children settle back into school after the long summer break.
Until next week, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
14 February 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
It has been such a pleasure to visit 25 classrooms and absorb the positive ‘hum’, as students and staff rekindle old relationships and form new ones, in the 2022 class cohorts, that have been established this year.
I do hope that you will be able to set aside some time to join the parent information sessions, to be held via the zoom platform, on Wednesday 23rd February. Teachers will be sending home invitations for parents to join each class meeting, soon.
Naturally, teaching reading is our core business. However, nurturing a love of books is not the sole domain of teachers. As parents, we can impart joy and significant language learning, by reading to our children, of all ages.
JPPS has supported the Premier’s Reading Challenge for many years and I am excited to advise that a selection of new book titles, for everyone to enjoy, has been added to the list, this year. I have included the site link below.
Just as we can model how good readers read, we do need to be mindful of how our children are impacted by the emotions of the adults in their lives. I found the Michael Grose article (included below) on Managing School Stress, of interest.
Please don’t forget that school photographs are this Thursday, so tidy hair, clean uniforms and bright smiles, will be on the agenda!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Lost Property
Has your child misplaced an item of clothing? Please check school bags and encourage your sons and daughters to have a look in the lost property tubs, currently at the administration block.
Our support staff intend to place the plastic tubs outside the school gates, in the mornings, several times per week, so that parents may search for missing items too. Please update name labels regularly, to make retrieval of lost clothing much easier!
Special Religious Education (Scripture) Classes
Special religious education (SRE) is the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion delivered by authorised representatives of that persuasion. SRE is often referred to as scripture.
Special education in ethics (SEE) is education in ethical decision making, action and reflection within a secular framework, based on a branch of philosophy. SEE is commonly referred to as ethics.
General religious education, is education about the world’s major religions, what people believe and how that belief affects their lives. It is taught through the school curriculum. Further information is available on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website.
In all government schools, time is set aside for the religious education of children. At John Purchase Public School, students from Kindergarten to Year 2 attend scripture classes between 11:30am and 12:00pm each Tuesday. Students from Years 3 to 6 attend scripture classes from 12:00pm to 12:30pm each Tuesday. Classes are formed based on the availability of qualified volunteer providers of the various religious persuasions and subsequent parental nomination. SRE options at John Purchase Public School have recently included: Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Islamic and ‘Combined Christian’ SRE (incorporating Anglican, Presbyterian, Uniting and Baptist).
Students not attending SRE attend supervised alternative groups and participate in reading and private study. As mandated by the NSW Department of Education, these students are not permitted to participate in curriculum-based lessons or other extra-curricular activities during this time. For students not attending SRE, SEE is currently available at John Purchase Public School, in a limited capacity, via written parental request (after non-scripture is nominated).
Unfortunately, this year, some denominations may be impacted by a shortage of providers and the need to separate across-stage groups.
Students continue in the same arrangement each year, unless a parent/caregiver has requested a change in writing, or a change in volunteer availability occurs. At any time, you have the right to change your SRE nomination or to withdraw your child from the nominated lessons. A note to the Deputy Principal will affect this change.
As you can appreciate, it takes a great deal of time to plan for our students to attend Special Religious Education (scripture) classes. New students, including Kindergarten, willl be given notes about scripture shortly. Once received, these notes need to be returned to school urgently, so that timetabling and class groups can be organised over the next fortnight. It is hoped that SRE and SEE classes at JPPS, will commence on Tuesday 1st March, pending teacher confirmation by all denominations.
2022 School Photographs
As cohort groups are currently permitted, our class, Year 6 groups, individual and family photos (siblings only), will be taken at school this Thursday 17th February. Envelopes detailing photograph and package costs were distributed to all classes last week. Our office staff are holding additional order forms for sibling photographs. Should you wish to place an additional order for sibling photographs, please ensure that you instruct your (oldest) child to collect the information directly from the front office, to take home. Please DO NOT return the order envelopes to class teachers until this Thursday. Students will need to wear their full summer uniform. Please note that a second photo day for special groups (e.g. band, choir, dance, sport teams) is planned for Term 4, on Friday 14th October.
2022 Parent Information Sessions
At JPPS, we are committed to engaging parents in their child’s learning and we highly value positive relationships between home and school. Our teachers are keen to invite parents to a 45-minute information session about the curriculum and class organisation for 2022. Please mark this date in your diaries: Wednesday 23rd February. The format for the evening, will be via the Zoom platform. Each class teacher will be emailing parents with invitations to specific class zoom links, later this week.
Each session will be 45 minutes. Start times are as follows:
Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten) classes will commence at 4:45pm.
Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) classes will commence at 5:30pm.
Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4) classes will commence at 6:15pm.
Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) classes will commence at 7:00pm.
Induction of 2022 Student Leaders
Our four school leaders, as well as junior and senior sporting house captains were elected at the end of 2021. As classes settle into their new routines, students in years 2-6 will also elect SRC representatives. Two students from these classes, along with the four student leaders, will form the Student Representative Council for 2022. Our student leaders assist Kindergarten and Year 1 classes throughout the year.
Depending on Covid guidelines, we are planning to hold the Student Leaders' Induction Assembly at 1:30pm on Thursday 3rd March.
School leaders, house captains, Year 6 library monitors and elected SRC representatives, will be presented with their badges.
Please be aware that Covid guidelines may impact the organisation and we may need to have more than one assembly on this day, so further details regarding times and format, will be confirmed next month.
Student Participation in Homework
The Department of Education’s policy regarding homework states that:
‘Homework is a valuable part of schooling. It allows for practising, extending and consolidating work done in class. Homework provides training for students in planning and organising time and develops a range of skills in identifying and using information resources. Additionally, it establishes habits of study, concentration and self-discipline.’ (Source: Policy Reference Number PD/2002/0003/V02 PD-2002)
In 2012, ‘Research scan’ was undertaken by the NSW Department of Education. There is little consensus in the literature, as to whether homework raises student achievement. Most researchers conclude that for primary students, there is no evidence that homework lifts academic performance. However, research indicating that student learning may be enhanced if homework is:
- appropriate for each student’s age and ability
- relevant to each student’s needs
- purposeful and designed to meet specific learning goals
- varied and challenging, but achievable
- built on knowledge, skills and understanding developed in class
- clearly stated and requirements made explicit during class time
At JPPS, every student will be provided with the opportunity to engage in suitable homework plans this year; designed to be achievable and stress-free for students and their parents, as well as, manageable for teachers. The staff will outline class/stage homework programs at our planned parent information sessions, so these programs will not commence until after this event. However, every student is encouraged to participate in reading at home, every day. We cannot emphasize enough, the importance of regular reading at home. If you choose not to participate in homework activities, we do implore you to maintain and reinforce the importance of a daily reading regime at home.
Expectation of the Week
Respect: Allow others to learn
Congratulations to all students, demonstrating our school expectations.
Respect Responsibility Aspire
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 Mrs King’s ‘award shelf’ in the school administration corridor. 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 outside Mrs King’s office, to go in the lucky dip draw for a canteen voucher.
I will present the Purchase Pride Badges recorded below, in classes, next week.
Congratulations to:
Ethan L (3N), Tiyashaa R (2E), Amber Mc (5m x2), Guhun R (2E), Jayden T (3G), Ellie W (1P), Aiden K (1P), Namit M (4M), Miya J (2S), Sienna F (5F), Audra P (2S), Kieran G (2M), Ryan L (1P), Rachel B (3/4B), Madeline G (5/6M), Sebastian D (5/6B)
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 school 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. 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!
This year, all awards (including Bronze) 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. Depending on Covid guidelines, 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 end of Term 1 Principal's Morning Tea, planned for Tuesday, 5th April.
Congratulations to:
Jayden T (3G), Lucas Z (2Y), Siya W (2M), Hayden T (1P), Sriyansh D (4M), Daniel S (2Y), Shakti K (5F)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:30pm on Thursday 3rd March, under the COLA.
Congratulations to:
Ellie M (3/4B), Madeline G (5/6M)
School Tours
If you were unable to participate in our school tours for new parents, don’t forget that you can take a peek online!
From the Office
STAY UP TO DATE WITH SZAPP
Please download this app to your phone if you haven't already (instructions below). This year we will be using this form of communication to get important notices to you. The access PIN will be sent to you via email.
It is important you attach your details to your child/ren's class, year group and any other extra curricular group your child is involved in to receive all notifications.
Please don't hesitate to contact the office on 9875 3100 if you need assistance.
From the P&C
P&C General Meeting
Time: Feb 14, 2022 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 894 3905 7372
Passcode: 795187
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Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes events for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.
ETHICS TEACHERS NEEDED
Want to do something life-changing in 2022? Why not volunteer at JOHN PURCHASE PUBLIC SCHOOL as an ethics teacher!
Ethics classes can only be offered as an alternative if we have volunteer teachers. Volunteers can come from our parents, grandparents, friends and local community, from every walk of life. Primary Ethics offers full, free training, lesson scripts and teaching support.
Ethics encourages children to listen closely and to develop their opinions through ethical reasoning. Ethics helps kids develop confidence and empathy. As an ethics teacher, you’ll get a lot out of it too!
If you have an hour a week and want to ensure children at our school can access this valuable program, go to: https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ethics-teacher/