Term 1 Newsletter 21 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 8
Last week the My Schools website was updated to include NAPLAN results from 2021. We are incredibly proud of the achievements and progress demostrated by our students. The link to the site is here: https://www.myschool.edu.au/
REMINDER OF COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
NSW Health and the Department of Education would like to remind our schools of the full list of COVID-19 symptoms that communities should continue to look out for.
Symptoms include:
- fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher)
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- runny nose
- loss of taste
- loss of smell.
Other reported symptoms include:
- fatigue
- acute blocked nosed (congestion)
- muscle pain
- joint pain
- headache
- diarrhoea
- nausea/vomiting
- loss of appetite.
Unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis (eye infection) have also been reported as symptoms of COVID-19.
If anyone develops any of these symptoms they should get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
Please refer to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 symptoms and how it spreads page for further information and Getting tested for COVID-19 for advice on getting testing if you or your children develop symptoms.
VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
This is to confirm earlier advice that visitors, including parents, do not fall under the Public Health Order, and are able to attend a school site, regardless of their vaccination status. Therefore parents are most welcome. This includes assemblies, such as the upcoming Harmony Day assembly.
However anyone working or volunteering on a school site falls under the current (extended Public Health Order) requiring double vaccination.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
If sending birthday treats to school, please send individual portions that have been commercially made. Please do not send in any home baked items. While this is not part of a Health Order, it is a sensible response considering the active cases we have in the community.
REPORT POSITIVE COVID CASES TO SERVICE NSW
Further information can be found in the testing section of Advice for families.
If a student receives a positive RAT test, they need to:
- record the positive RAT result through the Service NSW website or Service NSW app – and add details of the child's school or early childhood education centre
- notify the school of the positive RAT or PCR test result as soon as possible
- follow NSW Health advice to isolate for 7 days.
This is a requirement of the Public Health Order. It connects community members to support as well as helps NSW Health track COVID-19 in schools and address any public health issues if required.
VACCINATIONS - AGES 5 AND ABOVE
Millions of children around the world have already safely received the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccines help protect us against serious illness and possible long-term effects from COVID-19, and also helps protect friends, family and the community by reducing the spread of the virus.
Vaccinating children can help keep kids in school by reducing the likelihood of school closures and disruptions to school activities.
Get your child vaxxed today: https://www.nsw.gov.au/…/get…/vaccination-for-5-11-years-old
Booster vaccinations are also available and recommended for anyone 16 years and older who received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 3 months prior. For further details refer to NSW Health's Booster vaccination page.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
Unfortunately we are still without a School Crossing Supervisor (SCS) at the crossing on Purchase Road before and after school.
Our school may have a staff member at the crossing on most days to promote safety from approximately 8.40am to 9am and from approximately 2.50pm to 3pm.
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
CLASS CONTACT LISTS
Parents who had indicated agreement to sharing contact information with other parents of children in the class for the reasons outlined on the form and who had also agreed to the terms (e.g. not passing on others' details and deleting the contact details at the end of the year), would have received a link to the class contact list.
REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK:
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.
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.
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 21 March 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
This week, we acknowledge and celebrate our cultural diversity, more than ever.
It's Harmony Week!
John Purchase Public School has a diverse student population, with 77% of families from language backgrounds other than English, representing many cultures, as our 'Welcome Wall' of flags (pictured below) depicts. Worthy of a visit in the school holidays, the National Maritime Museum, at Darling Harbour, has its own 'Welcome Wall', which recognises the thousands of people who migrated to Australia by boat.
http://www.sea.museum/explore/migration
A reminder that Parent-Teacher Interview bookings close this Thursday, 24th March, at 3pm. Please access the booking site via the hyperlink in the Parent Interview section below.
The class, individual and sibling portraits taken at school last month, have now arrived from The School Photographer. Photo orders will be distributed via class teachers, to send home with students, shortly.
Our musical bell chimes at 8:55am, to indicate the commencement of our school day. The morning line up outside the administration block for late notes, sadly, has been quite long. Let's try to promote better punctuality to school please, in all kinds of weather!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Harmony Day
All parents and grandparents are cordially invited to attend our Harmony Day assembly this Thursday 24 March, commencing at 1:35pm under the COLA. Thank you to Miss Brooks for coordinating the event. Students may wear something orange to school, on Thursday.
Arriving At School On Time
A reminder to everyone, that our school day commences at 8:55am. Please ensure that you establish morning routines at home, which promote punctuality to school and your child is not unduly stressed because of arriving 'after the bell'. Every minute does count!
Our School Expectations
Over coming weeks, I will publish the expectation posters for various areas across the school.
We have now returned to a Kindergarten to Year 6 gathering under the COLA, in the mornings. Parents are welcome at the 8:55am Monday morning assembly, under the COLA.
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. 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. *The school hall will be closed all day for interviews on Thursday 31 March, due to the Selective High School testing program. Thursday's interview locations will be confirmed outside, on the hall door.
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:
Samuel L (2E), Shalini P (3G), Sua K (4G), Jia K (4S), Adam L (3N), Swarnika (3N), Parisaa S (3P), Justin S (3N), Lucy S (1B), Spencer L (2S), Keira (3/4B), Charlie B (1B), Archer L (3/4B), Harrison C (3G), Hayley L (6O), Suryaa A (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:
Zunya Z (4G)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th March, under the COLA. This will be the Harmony Day assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Zunya Z (4G)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th March, under the COLA. This will be the Harmony Day assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Lachlan T (5T)
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th March, under the COLA. This will be the Harmony Day assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
The Bronze Medallion morning tea for recipients and Mrs Black and Mrs King, will be held at recess on Wednesday, 6th April.
Congratulations to:
Mitchell W (6H)
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
Sydney North Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to Alannah, Dean, Arthur, Ziyu, Michael and Kathleen for representing Beecroft Zone in the Sydney North swimming competition at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday 16th March 2022. With hard work comes big accomplishments, and you have, without question, shown this to be true. I know you will take this great achievement and use it to propel yourself to further triumphant goals in swimming.
Results from the day
Dean Z - Finalist: 2nd Boys 8-10 200 IM (qualified for NSWPSSA); Finalist: 2nd Boys 8-10 50 metre breast (qualified for NSWPSSA); Finalist: 3rd Boys 8-10 50 metre fly (qualified for NSWPSSA)
Michael W - Finalist: 2nd Boys 11-13 50 metre free MC (qualified for NSWPSSA); Finalist: 1st Boys 11-13 50 metre back MC (qualified for NSWPSSA)
Alannah S - Finalist: 6th Girls 11 50 metre breast
Kathleen L - 21st Girls 10 50 metre free
Arthur W - 27th Boys 8 50 metre free
Ziyu F - 29th Girls 9 50 metre free
Miss Nelson
Sport Coordinator
Sydney North Swimmers
PSSA SPORTS REPORT
It was a beautiful sunny day on Friday 18th March 2022 for the first game of PSSA. I am so proud of all students' dedication to turn up to training and perform to the best of their ability on the day.
Please see results below:
Stage 2 vs Cherrybrook
League Tag
Boys – JPPS 5 defeated Cherrybrook 4
Girls – JPPS 1 lost to Cherrybrook 5
Tee ball
Boys – JPPS 9 defeated Cherrybrook 6
Girls - JPPS 10 defeated Cherrybrook 7
Stage 3 vs West Pennant Hills
League Tag
Boys –JPPS 2 lost to West Pennant Hills 11
Girls – JPPS 3 lost to West Pennant Hills 10
Softball
Boys – JPPS 2 lost to West Pennant Hills 9
Girls – JPPS 4 DRAW with West Pennant Hills 4
Miss Nelson
Sport Coordinator
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
FROM THE CANTEEN
Harmony Day Thursday 24 March - to celebrate Harmony Day we will be selling orange food only at recess and lunch on Thursday. We will have oranges, orange ice blocks, orange fruit cups, orange jelly and carrot sticks.
Friday Lunch Orders for Stage 2 PSSA students - can we please ask parents that if your child is playing PSSA and is leaving school at 11am on Fridays, that either you order a sandwich for them, or maybe give them a lunch order on another day. Due to the students leaving school early for PSSA, the hot food that many children have is not ready in time for an early lunch.
Dear Parents,
Today is the last day to register for the meet the parents event on Wednesday night! With live music, a relaxed atmosphere, great food and a chance to meet other parents, this event is not to be missed.
Tickets are $30 and you can register at https://jppspandc.org.au/meetparents/
Thanks,
Andrew Yager
P&C President
Band Coordinator 2022 – John Purchase Public School P&C Association
Our school band program at John Purchase is looking for a new Band Coordinator for 2022.
Please see the link for the job advertisement 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.