Term 1 Newsletter 4 April 2022
From the Principal
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
It has certainly been a busy first term with parent teacher interviews, Meet the Teacher night, the swimming carnival, cross country and Harmony Day. Of course, we are also looking forward to our Easter Hat Parade this Friday.
A huge thank you to our P & C executive member, Meeta, for her outstanding coordination of the raffle and colouring competition, and a big thank you to her wonderful helpers. This is a special event for the children (and grown ups) at our school.
This term we have been challenged by the increased number of COVID cases in the school, as well as the persistent inclement weather, so many are looking forward to a well deserved two week school vacation, starting this Saturday 9 April.
However families are spending their time, I wish all in our community a special, happy time with your children. Stay safe and I look forward to welcoming the children back on Wednesday 27 April. Please note that Tuesday 26 April is a school development day.
This means that the first newsletter edition for Term 2 will be Monday 2 May.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN Tests will be held next term for students in Year 3 and Year 5. Please find further information below.
FLOOD SAFETY MESSAGE
Never enter floodwater. If it’s flooded, forget it!
The major cause of death during floods is from people entering or travelling through floodwater. This includes driving, riding and walking through floodwater and children playing in floodwater. When catchments are saturated, there is a higher risk of landslides and falling trees.
Floodwater may be deeper or faster flowing than it appears and can contain hidden debris.
Floodwater can also contain chemicals, raw sewerage, snakes or spiders – and much more that can cause serious injury. Roads and surfaces underneath floodwater can often wash away, and this damage may not be visible from the surface.
Consider the following during periods of significant rain or flood:
- Drive safely – don’t feel pressured by vehicles behind you or your passengers to cross a flooded road. Even emergency services will only enter the water as a last resort.
- Reconsider your need to travel – discuss alternative options with your workplace manager, such as delayed start or finish times, working from home, or not attending work that day.
- Watch out for updated emergency communication from your school.
- Realise your best plan may to be to avoid travel altogether. Sometimes your only option will be to wait it out.
- At all times, make sure your phone is charged and a charger is available in the car or at work. In a life‐threatening emergency, call 000 (triple zero).
A 'road closed' or a 'road flooded' sign means that road is unsafe to travel on. Find alternate ways which are free from floodwater or wait until the ‘all clear’ is given for that road. It is safer to turn around than to enter floodwater.
Please take care, follow the above advice and keep up to date through the Live Traffic NSW, BOM and SES websites.
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR P & C
Our P & C has been successful in applying for a total of three grants in the recent past. This has allowed us to upgrade some areas around the school.
1. Attractive colourful seating outside Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms. These were installed early last year.
2. Artificial grass around the kindy sandpit, which we hope to install in the coming months.
3. Renovation of the hall toilets, which should be completed later in the year. This project received grant funding from the Australian Government.
WHEN STUDENTS HAVE SYMPTOMS
If a student or staff member is unwell and has any symptoms they should always test for COVID-19, either with a rapid antigen test (RAT) or PCR (nose and throat swab) test.
If the test comes back negative for COVID-19, the student or staff member should still not return to school until either:
- the student no longer has any symptoms, or
- a medical certificate is provided to the school confirming that symptoms are explained by another diagnosis (such as hay fever).
It is important that students do not attend school if they are unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19. RATs can produce false negative results and symptoms of other illnesses can also be similar to COVID-19, including flu, the common cold and stomach bugs. Health advice is that students who are sick should always stay home to rest and recover and avoid putting other students and staff at risk of getting sick.
A reminder that if a student records a positive RAT, they/their family must register the positive test on the Service NSW website or Service NSW app so they can be linked to important health care support and advice. Please remind your parents and carers to ensure that they select your school name when prompted when registering a positive test result for their child.
CHANGES TO SELF ISOLATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CLOSE AND HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS WHO HAVE RECOVERED FROM COVID-19
Last Monday evening the Minister signed the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order Amendment (No 1) Order 2022.
The Amending Order (PDF 126KB) amends the Public Health (COVID-19 Self-Isolation) Order to exempt a person who is a close or household contact from the requirement to self-isolate if the person has had COVID-19 in the previous 12 weeks (up from the previous 8 weeks).
This means that if a student or staff member who has recovered from COVID-19 comes into contact with someone with COVID-19 within 12 weeks after they are released, they will generally not need to self-isolate or get a test. They can continue to go to school or work unless they have new COVID-19 symptoms.
Refer to the Response protocols for COVID-19 cases for further information.
OTHER ISOLATION REMINDERS
- If a person in your household tests positive to COVID-19, they must self-isolate away from everyone else in the house for 7 days from the date of their positive test. They must follow the advice for people testing positive to COVID-19 which includes, how to self-isolate effectively. If the person is unable to safely self-isolate by themselves (e.g. due to their young age), a parent or carer should self-isolate with them.
- The entire household must also self-isolate for 7 days from the date of the positive person’s test. They should follow the advice for people exposed to COVID-19 and take a test as soon as possible, have another test on Day 6 and at any time COVID-19 symptoms appear.
- If another person in your household tests positive to COVID-19, that person must restart their 7 day self-isolation period from the date of their positive test, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
- Other household members who test negative, do not need to re-start their 7 day self-isolation period. They also do not have to self-isolate again anytime in the following 14 days unless they test positive.
- People who test positive to COVID-19 and complete their 7-day self-isolation period do not have to test or self-isolate as any type of contact for 12 weeks after their release.
- Self-isolation means staying at home or at your accommodation. This means you cannot drive your children to school or day care; you must ask someone else to do this. You must only leave self-isolation to get medical care or in an emergency. For more information, read the self-isolation rules.
Remember to please check the NSW Government’s COVID-19 pages if you have questions or concerns about testing and isolation requirements as this information can change.
ATTENTION YEAR 4 PARENTS
Opportunity classes – Year 5 2023
Find out about key dates in the placement process for Year 5 entry in 2023.
Year 5 entry to an opportunity class in 2023
Applications for Year 5 entry to an opportunity class in 2023 open on Tuesday 26 April 2022 and close at midnight on Friday 13 May 2022. The application link will be made available on this web page at that time. Parents and carers must apply by the due date as late applications cannot be accepted.
Parents should read Applying for Year 5 entry an opportunity class in 2023External link before applying. An accessibleExternal link version is also available.
Opportunity Class Placement Test
The Opportunity Class Placement Test will be conducted on Thursday 28 July 2022.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR - REPEATED
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
Until next term, keep safe, happy and well!
Mrs Leonie Black
From the Deputy Principal
Monday 4 April 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
We are doing our very best to honour all established parent-teacher interview times and apologise for some of the postponements that have occurred, due to circumstances beyond our control. Thank you for your patience, parents. I also appreciate and recognise our wonderful teaching staff, who are taking the time to prepare and meet with all parents. Thank you, teachers!
Lots of excitement is brewing in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, as Easter hat making is in progress with buddies. I have included a sampling of photos below. The parade of Easter hats will occur under the COLA this Friday morning, commencing at 10:45am. The P&C's wonderful raffle prizes and colouring competition will be announced at this special assembly too. Mrs Robbins, who is coordinating the event, has advised that parent numbers will be limited to K-2 and award winners only now, due to the forecast inclement weather.
JPPS will recognise ANZAC Day after the school holidays, at a special remembrance service being prepared by Miss Brennan, on Thursday 28th April, commencing at 1:35pm under the COLA.
The next newsletter will be published on Monday 2nd May. Here are some diary dates of special events being planned by our P&C next term:
* Thursday 5 May - Mothers' Day Stall - shopping for students at school
* Friday 6 May - Mothers' Day Breakfast at school
* Friday 3 June - Welcome BBQ after school
I would like to wish everyone a restful and safe autumn holiday; perhaps an opportunity to spend some time reading a favourite book! We do encourage our students to engage in some form of reading, every day, using a variety of genres and texts. Significant statistics regarding the importance of reading regularly to build a child's knowledge of words and their meanings, are summarised in the photograph below.
Students return to school on Wednesday 27 April.
Happy holidays!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Easter Hat Parade - amended invitation
Parents and grandparents of K-2 students and parents of silver award recipients only, 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.
This invitation has been amended today, due to the forecast inclement weather, this Friday. Space under the COLA is very limited.
Our School Expectations
These are the expectations that apply at school assemblies. The ANZAC remembrance service will be held at 1:35pm under the COLA on Thursday 28th April.
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, at the morning assembly on Monday 2 May.
Congratulations to:
Mia B (5F), Sithumi (5/6B), Riya A (4S), Katie (4G), Madison B (1P), Rhea (3G), Vennela I (4S), Manuela W x2 (3G), Taeyoon K (4S), Edin (3P), Oscar Z (3P0, Giovanna T (4G), Sharon Y (1P), Aayansh G (4G)
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 Principal's Morning Tea, planned for 10:30am tomorrow, Tuesday, 5th April. The event will be held outside under the COLA and parents of recipients are invited to attend. Invitations have been distributed via students.
Congratulations to:
Nathan W (2M), Aarush C (6DW), Nihal N (2Y), Liam T (2E), Ellie W (1P)
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:
Juana G (6DW), Molly K (3G), Cara C (4G), Shakti T (5F), Emily P (4S)
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 this Wednesday, 6th April.
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 date for the 'Staying connected whilst setting limits' webinar and register early to avoid missing out.
If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact Mrs Cole (Tues/Wed/Thurs) on 98753100.
EASTER HAT PARADE - Change due to Weather
With the weather forecast indicating 90% chance of rain for this Friday we have made the decision to amend the organisation for the Easter Hat Parade. We regret that we will need to limit the audience attending this Friday 8 April to K-2 parents and Silver Award recipients only. The students will most likely be making their way to the covered COLA area where they will parade their hats from their classrooms.
We thank you in advance for your understanding as we manage the inclement conditions.
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.
QR Codes for Easter Raffle
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.