Term 1 Newsletter 14 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
WEEK 7
As we begin week 7, we are hoping for drier weather than what we have experienced over the recent weeks. Roads, beaches and parks certainly looked much busier over the weekend with many enjoying the outdoors during this sunnier weather, and the children and staff are enjoying being outside.
In this week's newsletter, I have included some information about how to talk to children about the traumatic news stories we are seeing when we tune into the media - both regular media and social media.
NAPLAN 2022- Years 3 and 5
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All NSW schools will sit NAPLAN online in 2022.
Our school will be participating in NAPLAN between 10 and 20 May 2022.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will also be participating in practice tests beforehand. The practice test is a trial run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN. It is not an assessment of student ability, and the tests will not be marked.
While excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended, students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please refer to the information below, or contact your child’s teacher.
CHECK-IN ASSESSMENT FOR YEARS 4 & 6
Year 4 and 6 students will participate in a reading and numeracy Check-in assessment.
The Check-in assessment is a NSW Department of Education online reading and numeracy assessment available to support schools to assess and monitor student learning.
The assessments supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs.
The assessment will be scheduled for our Year 4 and 6 students next week.
Students are asked to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into a computer to school. These will be used during the assessments to enable them to hear the audio. Earbuds used for mobile phones or other portable devices may be suitable for use during the assessment. The type of computer connection needed is a jack or USB. The school will also have some earphones for students to loan.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
We have not had a crsosing supervisor outside our school since early December and would love this position to be filled. Please refer to the flyer below if you, or someone you know, is interested.
EXPLAINING WORLD EVENTS TO CHILDREN
Sometimes it is hard to know what to discuss and how to find the words to reassure children when confronted with traumatic news events - whether it's the conflict in Ukraine, the impact of the recent floods along the eastern Australian coast, the COVID pandemic or some other event.
I have therefore included an article titled, Explaining World Events to Children. There is also a website you may find useful, which explains how to talk with kids about traumatic news stories: www.savethechildren.org.au
While there is no easy way to approach their concerns or questions, and what they see and understand is quite different for a child in kindy and a child in Year 6, there may be some useful information in the website or article, to assist.
SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL TESTING
The Year 7 2023 Selective High School Test has been rescheduled and will now be held on Thursday 31 March for Year 6 students who have previously applied online. Students should bring two 2B pencils, an eraser and a sharpener as well as a printed copy of their test authority letter. If you have any further questions, please contact Mrs Musgrove.
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.
Please refer to the P & C section below for the positions to be filled.
Descriptions of positions can be accessed using this link: https://johnpurch-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/p-c/p-c-rules-and-guides.html
Until next week, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
Monday 14 March 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
How wonderful it was to finally sight some blue sky and sunshine in recent days! While thousands of homes across the state have been impacted and many schools still remain non-operational, at JPPS, we have been fortunate that our classrooms have remained relatively unscathed by the torrential rain. Teachers and students have not been able to access any outdoor spaces for a number of days and naturally, this has tested everyone's patience. Many classes have revived interest in board games and card favourites, while indoors at lunch time. Hopefully, the students will be able to access all of our expansive outdoor space soon, as hard surfaces and grassy areas begin to dry.
Last Thursday, was the first time that we held a morning gathering of the whole school for many months. At this morning assembly, the final group of student leaders (who were away on induction day) received their leadership badges. They are pictured standing proudly, below.
If you haven't already done so, please scroll down to the information about parent teacher interviews and click on the hyperlink, which will direct you to our 2022 interview site. Our teachers are looking forward to seeing you in person!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Congratulations School Leaders
These students were inducted before the student body, last Thursday 10th March.
Our School Expectations
Over coming weeks, I will publish the expectation posters for various areas across the school.
Parent-Teacher Interviews (repeated from 7 March)
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. The site is now open. 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 CLOSE FOR BOOKINGS at 3pm on Thursday 24th March.
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:
Philippa (1M), Britney W (1P), Aarika (4G), Roman (4S), Janelle F (4G), Lucy R (6H), Myilen S (2S), Donnie Z (4G), Carine (4S), Jordan C (4S), Maya (2E), Lia K (1M), Emma Z (4G), Jacob (3/4B), Hayden S (5F), Nina (2E), Emma H (1M), Zoey L (2S)
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:
Anika M (3P), Bradley C (1B), Ekansh G (4S)
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.
Congratulations to:
Daniel K (4G), Janelle F (4G), Karome T (4M)
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.
Kiss and Drop Zone Safety Message (repeated from 7 March)
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.
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
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.
This year JPPS will be celebrating Harmony Day on Thursday the 24th March. Students and teachers are invited to wear orange clothing or their traditional cultural dress on this day. Please ensure students’ shoulders are covered and they wear enclosed shoes.
The canteen will be providing a variety of orange foods for students to purchase on Harmony Day. Lunch orders will still be available as usual.
Each class is creating a video about a selected country to share with their peers. On Harmony Day, each class will watch what each class created and learn about other countries and cultures.
Parents are welcome to attend the Harmony Day Assembly on Thursday the 24th of March to celebrate our multicultural community. It will begin at 1.30pm in the COLA.
Lucy Brooks, Rebecca Taylor & Christina MacGuinness
EAL/D Teachers
REPEATED: 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
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
Positions Available for Nomination
Executive Committee
President
Vice President x 2
Secretary
Treasurer
Executive Members x 5
Band Subcommittee
Convenor
Secretary
Treasurer
Committee Members x 3
Uniform/Canteen Subcommittee
Convenor
Minute Taker
Committee Members x 3
Child Protection Officers x 2 (1 male, 1 female)
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: