Term 1 Newsletter 7 March 2022
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 TO WEEK 6
It's hard to believe we are already half way through the first school term.
It has certainly been an eventful week with severe weather and flooding. It has been a relief that the school has not experienced any major permanent damage. My thoughts are with anyone who has been adversely impacted by this relentless wet weather.
VISITORS ON SCHOOL SITES
Schools can invite visitors – including parents, carers and families – onto school sites regardless of their vaccination status to allow greater community engagement.
However, anyone who is working on a school site – including parents and volunteers – is still covered by the Public Health Order and therefore must meet the mandatory double vaccination requirements.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS (WWCC)
Repeated from 2021
As mentioned in a newsletter early in 2021, we follow the WWCC requirements as outlined in the DoE Procedures.
Volunteers working in the school typically fall into one of the categories listed below.
DOE PROCEDURES RELATED TO WWCC FOR P&C VOLUNTEERS
The school parents and citizens’ (P&C) association manages screening for their volunteers in conjunction with the school.
Specified volunteers engaged in child-related work do require a WWCC clearance. If the specified volunteer is involved in child-related work, it is the responsibility of the school P&C association to verify the specified volunteer’s WWCC clearance.
Volunteers engaged by the school P&C association not involved in child-related work do not require a WWCC clearance.
The form named Declaration for Contractors Hiring Sub-Contractors in Child-Related Roles is for the P&C to declare that they have verified that the person(s) that they provide on the form have met the requirements under the legislation. Whether that means that they have verified the wwcc number or they have verified that the person(s) are not required to provide a wwcc number. The responsibility lies with the P&C to ensure that the people that they are providing have met the requirements under the wwcc legislation.
Child-related work - P & C
Child-related work - P & C
Step 1
Apply for a WWCC clearance by going go to the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) website and selecting Apply for your check. You can complete and submit the online form
Step 2
Visit a Service NSW Service Centre, a NSW motor registry, or a NSW council agency offering RMS services to verify your identity and pay the appropriate application fee.
Step 3
Complete the WWCC Declaration for Child-Related Work – Specified Volunteers and Child-Related Contractors.
Step 4
Provide the school P&C association with your:
WWCC clearance from the OCG
completed WWCC Declaration for Child-Related Work – Specified Volunteers
SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL TESTING
The Selective High School Test will take place on Thursday 10 March at John Purchase Public School for students who have already nominated to sit the test.
All candidates should bring a plain water bottle, two sharp lead pencils, an eraser and a small pencil sharpener. Students are also reminded to provide for their own medical needs as required such as asthma puffers and reading glasses.
All candidates must present their Test Authority Letter prior to sitting the examination.
No other equipment should be brought to the exam. Calculators, computers, books, smart devices and any form of written or digital forms of communication are not allowed.
Candidates should be at school no later than 8:55am to begin the test at 9:15am. Students should meet Mrs Musgrove and Miss Brennan outside the school hall at 8.55am.Please note that no additional time will be allowed for students who arrive late.
SAFETY OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
School zones are such busy places before and after school, but of course, the safety of the children is paramount. Please follow the rules of the road when dropping off and picking up the children at all times, including when in a hurry.
I have included some information below including parking and traffic rules and infringements for school zones, as well as safety tips for school zones. Rangers do visit the area to support us in our efforts to facilitate compliance with the road rules, for the safety of the students.
REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
NEW DATE 28 MARCH
Join our P & C in 2022 – It’s a great way to be involved in our fabulous school!
Being on the P & C is a great way of supporting our school and meeting other mums and dads. We would love to see you at the meetings. On Monday 28 March the P & C annual general meeting will be held. At this meeting all positions will be declared vacant. If you are interested in nominating for a position, you will be warmly welcomed as there are many positions to be filled.
Please complete a nomination form which can be accessed on the school website: johnpurch-p.schools.nsw.edu.au and click on the canteen, band, uniform P & C tab from the top menu, and then click forms. This form has also been included in this newsletter for your convenience.
Until next week, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
Monday 7 March 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
Our student leaders proudly recited the leadership pledge and received their badges, before a smaller-than-planned live audience in the school hall, last week. Classes not present in the hall, were able to join the assembly via Zoom. Unfortunately, incessant rain 'dampened' the original playground assembly venue, but not any enthusiasm. Our next assembly, planned for Thursday 24th March, will celebrate Harmony Day. It will also be an opportunity to recognise the school leaders in front of a wider audience of parents and students.
Updates to Covid guidelines have enabled changes to occur for our student cohorts and play areas on the playground. Naturally, the changes can only take effect this week, if the weather permits! Morning assemblies under the COLA, for the whole school, will return and I plan to hand out Purchase Pride badges at the Monday morning assemblies, once again. Interested parents are warmly welcomed back to attend these short gatherings, on Mondays, at 8:55am.
As previously advised, face-to-face parent interviews with class teachers, will be held at school (in the hall or the annexe), in the week commencing Monday 28th March. I will open the online booking system tomorrow morning (Tuesday 8 March) from 10am. Please refer to the information I have included below, regarding these interviews.
A road safety reminder -
Sadly, over the past week, I have seen several adult pedestrians dodging cars (with and without their children) not using the pedestrian crossing outside gate 3. I implore all adults to stay safe and model best road safety practices on all streets and especially on our crowded Purchase Road, to our students. Drivers are reminded to carefully observe the Kiss and Drop Zone rules too, as pick up time particularly, seems to heighten parental angst on Purchase Road. Please show courtesy and kindness to other road users.
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” Harold Kushner
Kiss and Drop Zone Safety Message
The safety of our students is paramount. If your child is not waiting for you at the shelter, parents are reminded that you cannot park your car to go look for children.
Please remember the following:
- Kiss and Drop zones are for drop-off and pick-up only.
- 2-minute maximum stays apply.
- Enter and exit the zone safely.
- The driver must remain inside or within 3-metres of their vehicle.
- Do not leave your vehicle unattended, to go searching for children.
- If you are waiting for your child, please move forward, as directed by staff, to allow other vehicles to enter the zone.
- Please do not block traffic flow on Purchase Road, waiting to enter the bay.
- Traffic infringement penalties can be imposed by police.
- Please be courteous to supervising staff and other road users.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Staff at John Purchase PS highly value forming positive relationships with our parent body. Getting to know your child's teacher, is an important part of building these connections.
Commencing Monday 28th March, each classroom teacher has set aside special times to meet with parents at school. Teachers will have work samples to share at the meetings.
At JPPS, we use an online process to organise our parent interview appointment bookings. To make an appointment, please go to https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/kxdqk
Each classroom teacher has edited the site to show their availability in Week 9. When the site is open to parents tomorrow (Tuesday 8th March), you are cordially invited to book one, fifteen-minute interview session, per child. Parents will need to enter the required details, before nominating the correct teacher and class.
Please only select one timeslot per child. This process should be repeated, for each sibling at our school. To assist bookings, please refer to the teacher and class list below.
All parent interviews will be held in the school hall or the annexe, before, during or after school, at the nominated times. Please check the interview location signage, which will be published on the hall doors, for your convenience.
Prior to each interview, parents should sign-in outside the hall, so please allow extra time for this. It is vital that everyone adheres to the timings published, to be considerate of all parents and staff.
Please do not attend the interviews, if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms. If this is the case, please phone the school office to advise cancellation of your appointment and request a new time to visit.
The school interview booking site will OPEN FOR BOOKINGS, tomorrow, Tuesday 8th March, from 10:00am.
The school interview booking site will CLOSE FOR BOOKINGS at 3pm on Thursday 24th March.
Congratulations Student Leaders 2022
Congratulations Award Recipients
Expectation of the Week
Responsibility: Stay in supervised areas
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:
Jennifer (2S), Vihaan T (3N x2), Hayden T (1P), Annabel C (1B), Claire H (1B), Kaitlyn S (1M), Ashmita (2Y), Sienna Z (4G), Kayshav (2S), William R (3P), Emma C (4G), David R (4S), Thomas C 5/6B, James (1B)
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:
Emma C (4G), Arya G (4G), Andy W (3N)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:30pm on Thursday 24th March, under the COLA. This will be the Harmony Day assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:30pm on Thursday 24th March, under the COLA. This will be the Harmony Day assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Managing Mosquitoes
The recent rain has seen an increase in the prevalence of mosquitoes in many areas across NSW, including our school. Mosquito bites are unpleasant and, in some circumstances can transmit diseases. Simple steps that can be taken to protect against mosquitoes include:
* minimisizing the amount of exposed skin
* apply mosquito repellent to any skin left exposed
At school, we:
* try to remove potential breeding sites by ensuring there are no containers with water lying around;
* use appropriate insecticides safely in and around classrooms, when no students are present; and
* encourage the use of ceiling fans in classrooms.
Parents are reminded that teachers are not able to apply mosquito repellent to students in their classes.
A NSW Department of Health Factsheet is included below for further reference.
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 Teachers
BEECROFT ZONE SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The Beecroft Zone Swimming Carnival was held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on 2nd March 2022. John Purchase Public School was represented by Alannah S, Ashleigh W, Thomas W, Dean Z, Ziyu F, Kathleen L, Isabella E, David G, Elaine Y, Arthur W, Lauren D, Lucy R, Michael W, Neven P, Darcy L.G, Aaron G and Nethula P. Congratulations to all swimmers!
Big congratulations to Dean Z for being awarded Junior Age Champion!
Congratulations to Thomas W who placed 3rd in the 11 year old boys 50m Breaststroke.
Students who will represent Beecroft Zone at the Sydney North Swimming Carnival:
Ziyu F placed 3rd in the 9 year old girls 50m freestyle race.
Kathleen L placed 3rd in the 10 year old girls 50m freestyle race, 3rd in the junior girls 50m breaststroke race.
Arthur W placed 3rd in the 8 year old boys 50m freestyle race.
Alannah S placed 2nd in the junior girls 50m breaststroke race.
Dean Z placed 2nd in the junior boys 50m breaststroke race, 1st in the junior boys 50m butterfly race and 1st in the 200m Medley.
Michael W placed 1st in the 11 -13 year old boys multi-class 50m freestyle race, 1st in the 11 -13 year old boys multi-class 50m backstroke race and 1st in the 11 -13 year old boys multi-class 50m butterfly event.
Miss Nelson
Sports Coordinator
Even though our wonderful GOT IT (Getting On Track In Time) team are not working directly in our school in 2022 they are continuing to invite us to their very informative, valuable and FREE webinars.
Please save the dates and register early to avoid missing out. If you have any questions about the webinars, please contact Mrs Cole (Tues/Wed/Thurs) on 98753100.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The 2022 PRC opens today. Please see the official website for further details. Students use their Department of Education username and password to access their online reading log. Please ask your class teacher if you have any questions. Happy reading! https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
Miss Brennan
PRC Coordinator
Stage 1 Choir
Stage 1 Choir consists of any student in Year 1 and Year 2.
This week rehearsals will be the first half of lunch on Wednesday in the 2S classroom.
Please note there is no need for a signed permission note to attend Stage 1 Choir. If your child would like to attend just tell them to come along!
Ms Stanton
Stage 1 Choir Coordinator
STAGE 3 CHOIR
Any students in Years 5 and 6 are welcome to come and sing in Mr Fox's classroom, first half of lunch, every Monday.
In the next couple of weeks, students will be asked to commit to this lunchtime rehearsal to prepare for music and singing events throughout the year.
I look forward to seeing and hearing our fabulous stage 3 singers.
Ian Fox
Stage 3 Choir Co-ordinator
From the P&C
AGM Postponement:
The AGM and Next General Meeting for the P&C has been postponed to the 28th March to ensure that the audited financial statements can be presented to the Meeting. The meeting will be held in the Annexe
JPPS Band Program 2022
Welcome back to Band 2022! Rehearsals started again this week after a long long break, and Miss Kendal and Miss Camilla are super excited to have everyone back on board.
If you are i Year 3 – Year 6 and are interested in playing a wind instrument in band, we would love to have you join the program. Please contact band@jppspandc.org.au for more information.
Band Co-Ordinator 2022 – John Purchase Public School P&C Association
Our school band program at John Purchase is looking for a new Band Co-Ordinator for 2022.
Please see the link for the job ad and application requirements:
Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes events for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.