Term 1 Newsletter 28 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
COVID RAPID ANTIGEN TESTING
The DoE is continuing to support the use of rapid antigen tests (RATs) for symptomatic testing in schools until at least the end of Term 1.
We will therefore supply all students and staff with a multipack (containing 5-7 tests) to be used when needed for symptomatic testing for the rest of term. We will communicate details regarding the distribution once the additional supplies arrive in the school.
P & C EASTER RAFFLE
This is a very popular P & C fundraiser each year. Don't miss out!
The link to the raffle tickets can be found below in the P & C section.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers, including those engaged by teachers and the P & C Association, must report to the office for sign in each time you volunteer on the school site.
The school must sight a photo ID with the person’s full name, date of birth and current residential address and collect the following document if it is not already on file: WWCC Declaration for Volunteers and Non-Child Related Contractors.
UPDATED COVID ADVICE FOR FAMILIES
The most recent changes relate to selected schools being advised by the department’s Health & Safety team to temporarily adopt some or all additional COVID-smart measures for a period of time (usually 7 days) as a “circuit breaker” where there are increased levels of COVID-19 transmission at school. This is to avoid schools with high numbers of positive cases returning to learning from home.
https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families
The information on the Advice for Families page relates to the topics listed below and is a handy reference.
- testing
- visitors on school sites
- vaccinations
- cohorting
- masks
- ventilation
- hygiene and cleaning
- community use of school sites
- community activities
- specific activities
- learning from home
EXTRA - CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A number of organisations offer after school activities for children to participate in, which are held on the school site.
Please revisit the extra - curricular groups information, which was listed in the 14 February newsletter edition, if you would like information about activities held on site after school.
Please note the school does not endorse any organisation or activity and parents should direct any queries to the organisation running the activity.
TEACHER ABSENCES
So far this year the staff absence rate has been higher than usual. This is due to increasing numbers of staff members having to isolate due to being a household contact, experiencing symptoms or having a positive COVD result. Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we manage this situation.
BUBBLERS
The student bubblers are open, however we continue to encourage children to bring water bottles to school. Our cleaner is wiping down the bubblers during the day.
SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL TEST
The Selective High School Test will take place on Thursday 31 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.
VISITORS VS VOLUNTEERS
Please note that anyone working or volunteering on a school site falls under the current (extended PHO) requiring them to be double vaccinated. Visitors do not fall under the PHO and are able to attend a school site regardless of their vaccination status. Refer to our COVID-smart measures for further details.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
We are very grateful for our students' enthusiastic participation in the Clean Up Australia initiative. While the inclement weather meant this was postponed, when the children finally had a chance to go outdoors, they did a great job cleaning up the school grounds.
INSIGHTFUL PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Written by parenting expert, Michael Grose
An informative parent-teacher conference can give you a wonderful insight into your child’s academic performance, work attitude and social abilities.
Prepare well for the conference so you can maximise the time you spend with your child’s teacher. These insightful questions will help.
Work and attitude
Is my child’s overall academic performance on track?
Expect to know how your child has performed in all curriculum areas according to expectations for their age and stage. Use age expectations as your benchmark, avoiding peer and sibling comparisons.
What do the results mean?
Sometimes school-based assessments and the language used in reporting can be difficult to understand in lay terms. If unsure, ask for clarification of results in general terms without getting lost in the minute detail.
Does my child need help in any areas?
It helps to know if your child is falling behind in a particular subject or set of skills so you can formulate an improvement plan.
How can I help at home?
There may be specific things to do at home to help your child such as extra reading, giving more responsibility or special home activities that you can think about for the following year.
What are my child’s strengths?
If a child is struggling, identifying their strengths will boost your confidence and provide valuable information to work with.
Does my child try hard?
Understanding your child’s attitude to work is important to form a rounded picture. Some kids perform to a good standard but don’t exert themselves. Others work hard to achieve modest results. Effort matters.
Does my child complete most tasks?
If the answer to this question is no, then explore possible reasons with the teacher. Was the work too hard? Does your child have a problem finishing work? Does he get easily distracted?
When does my child produce their best work?
Some kids work better on their own, some love to work in groups, some love repetitive work, others love creative tasks, some excel outside the classroom and some love working in specific subjects. Knowing your child’s strengths and interests will help provide a positive direction for the following year.
Behaviour, social and emotional development
Has my child generally been happy at school?
A child’s wellbeing is a good indicator of their academic success, their attitude to learning and to school. Be aware that many factors can impact a child’s wellbeing, but getting a teacher’s perspective is extremely helpful.
How has my child behaved this year?
Ask for a snapshot of your child’s classroom and playground behaviour including how they behave for other teachers and their behaviour towards peers.
What messages should I give my child at home about behaviour?
Teachers generally have a valuable perspective about your child’s behaviour based on experience and broad behavioural norms. Use this perspective to guide your child toward positive behaviours in the following year.
How does my child get along with others?
How a child interacts socially inside and outside the classroom will help give you a well-rounded picture. It’s also an area that may need to be addressed in the following year with your child’s teacher, should problems be identified.
Other questions
What surprised you about my child this year?
This open-ended question may provide a delightfully different insight into your child’s year at school.
What advice do you have for helping my child improve in any area we’ve discussed?
You don’t want to leave an interview feeling overwhelmed with areas that need improving, but it’s useful to identify one or two areas of focus for the coming year.
Do you have any further advice or information for me?
This is another open-ended question that could provide an unexpected, even important insight into your child.
In closing
This list of questions is a guide only. Choose your own questions according to what you’d like to know. Be prepared, be friendly and be respectful and the interview is sure to go well.
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
REPEATED FROM LAST WEEK
P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
NEW DATE 28 MARCH
A reminder that anyone who has any COVID symptoms should not come onto the school site.
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 28 March 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
It was wonderful to see so many parents back on site, at last week's Harmony Day assembly. Students participated in dances and presentations during the assembly and classes also created resources for their peers to enjoy, during the week. I have shared 2S's short film, about France, below.
Miss Nelson and the staff organised a highly successful cross country carnival at Greenway oval, last week. Many parents took advantage of the opportunity to spectate and cheer on the runners.
Cyber safety awareness at school and at home is paramount and last week, Stage 3 students were visited by police experienced in this area. All of our staff participate in cyber security training. Parents may find the Ten Tips for Cyber Security, of interest.
Parent-teacher interviews commence today, at school, and will be held in the hall or the annexe. A location poster is on the hall door. Please remember that the hall is closed to all interviews this Thursday, due to the selective high school testing program being held on site. So, on Thursday only, the Library will be the venue for some of the interviews.
Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 are busily constructing their Easter hats with buddies. Please see the invitation to next week's Easter Hat Parade, below!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Parent-Teacher Interviews This Week
Our staff are looking forward to meeting parents on site this week and having conversations about learning.
Due to the selective high school testing this Thursday (31/3), the hall will be closed for interviews, so the Library will be used on Thursday for some appointments. Please check the interview locations published below and outside the hall.
Prior to each interview, parents should sign-in on the class rolls, outside the hall. 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 on 9875 3100, to advise cancellation of your appointment and request a new time to visit the school.
Harmony Day: Everyone Belongs
A wall of orange hands, made by students, adorned the administration block last week.
Cross Country Carnival
Congratulations Award Recipients
Our School Expectations
These are the expectations that apply after school each day.
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:
Addison M (6H), Kayla (2S), Tyson G x2 (5F), Cara C (4G), Lucas T (1B), Krish P (1B), Shrishved (3/B), Jatin (3/4B), Audra P (2S), Rachel (3/4B)
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 10:30am on Tuesday, 5th April. The event will be held outside under the COLA and parents of recipients are invited to attend. Invitations are being distributed via students, this week.
Congratulations to:
Samuel L (2E), Nicholas L (2S), Timothy W (2M), Sasha W (2S), Zoey L (2S)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 10:45am on Friday 8th April, under the COLA. This will be the Easter Hat Parade assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Bryan L (3/4B), Sydney L (3/4B), Ellen C (3/4B), Tyson G (5F)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 10:45am on Friday 8th April, under the COLA. This will be the Easter Hat Parade assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 10:45am on Friday 8th April, under the COLA. This will be the Easter Hat Parade 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.
Easter Hat Parade
All parents and grandparents are cordially invited to attend the Easter Hat Parade. K-2 students will parade their creations!
When: Friday 8th April 2022
Time: commencing 10:45am
Location: outside under the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area)
Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms, is respectfully reminded not to attend.
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!
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.
SPORT NEWS
Swimming Carnival Ribbons
The swimming carnival ribbons will be presented to students who came 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th on Monday 4th April at the 9am morning assembly. Parents you are welcome to attend. Please note that ribbons are given to students based on their time in their event not on their individual heat.
Miss Nelson
Sports Coordinator
Cross Country
On Wednesday 23rd March 2022 years 3- 6 and 8-year-olds walked to Greenway for the JPPS Cross Country. The sun was shining, with no sign of rain, making it perfect weather for running. Congratulations to all students who put in their best efforts on the day. Thank you to the teachers for supporting the event and to the parents who were able to come along on the day.
Cross Country Results
HARMONY DAY
Thank you to all the students, parents and teachers who celebrated Harmony Day at JPPS last Thursday. It was a vibrant day with students dressing in traditional cultural clothes or adding splashes of orange to their uniforms. A big thank you to the canteen staff for supporting Harmony Day. The lines to purchase orange foods on the day were lengthy!
Classes shared their Harmony Day videos and students learnt all about different countries and cultures across the world. At the Harmony Day assembly, we enjoyed watching Hannah and Sahana perform a dance and hearing Rachel, Jamie, Josh, Neal, Norah, Ashmita, Siya and Aarya speak about their cultural backgrounds. Thank you to these students for helping us celebrate our multicultural community.
From the P&C
The John Purchase Public School P&C is organising Easter events in April-
Easter Colouring Competition
Please return your child's colouring sheet to their class teacher by Friday the 1st of April. Winners will be announced during the Easter hat parade on the 8th of April. Lots of prizes to be won.
Easter Raffle
Please purchase your tickets to the Easter Raffle online.
Link to the main raffle - https://rafflelink.com.au/easterraffle2022
Link to allergy aware raffle - https://rafflelink.com.au/easterraffle2022a
All money raised will go towards the JPPS P&C. There are over 80 prizes to be won. Winners will be announced during the Easter hat parade on the 8th of April.
FROM THE CANTEEN
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.
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 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.