Term 4 Newsletter - 10 October
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
Term 4 Week 1
I hope you enjoyed the school vacation and had the opportunity to spend extra time with the children.
As we begin Term 4, this is a reminder that this is always a busy period with a number of celebrations and other end of year activities. The SZapp app calendar and newsletter provide parents and carers with useful reminders and dates. The image below shows the SZapp home screen, where the calendar can be accessed quickly and conveniently.
CELEBRATING NAPLAN RESULTS IN WRITING
Last term, I proudly presented our most recent results in reading, numeracy, spelling and grammar and punctuation and this week, I share the excellent writing results.
Students in Year 3 and Year 5 achieved the highest average scores our school has achieved since 2010, in writing.
We have achieved exceptional results across all strands in both Year 3 and Year 5. Refer to previous newsletter editions at the end of last term, for the results in the other areas.
We are extremely proud of our students, for their hard work and achievements.
HALL TOILET UPGRADE
THANK YOU TO OUR P & C
In 2021 our P & C successfully applied for the Federal Government's Stronger Communities Grant, to have the hall toilets partially renovated. The P & C also contributed toward the cost of the works.
The renovations, including painting, new toilets and new tap wear, were completed during the recent holiday period and they look amazing. This benefits our school as well as our community, given the hall is hired extensively out of school hours by a range of community groups.
The before and after photos below show the transformation.
A big thank you is extended to:
* our P & C President, Mr Yager, for initiating and applying for the grant,
* the P & C committee for supporting the project
* our local member, Julian Lesser, for approving our funds and
* our business manager, Clare Cattell, for organising the quotes and coordinating the paper work and completion of the works with the contractors.
Before
After
OCTOBER IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH!
This allows us to think about increasing mental health and wellbeing awareness by connecting with information and others.
The Department of Education are working with WayAheadExternal link, the Mental Health Association of NSW, and supporting the statewide theme of Tune In “to what is happening within you, and in the world around you” through our website by providing ways to tune in and experience, discover, join in and connect to ideas and opportunities.
To support staff, students and school communities Connection Calendars have been developed with a daily suggestion to help connect everyone to positive mental health and wellbeing strategies. There is a dedicated calendar for:
- staff
- children
- young people
- families.
The calendars for families and students are available on the Mental Health Month website as part of ‘experience’. There is a web version of the calendars, and each can be printed and stuck on the fridge as a handy guide.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Last week the Education Minister announced an additional school development day at the end of this term and at the end of 2023. This means that the students' last day of school this term will be Friday 16 December.
The Minister also announced that teachers and executive will be provided with additonal release time over the next three years.
This provides additional opportunities for teachers to engage with and implement the new curriculum.
COVID-19 TERM 4 UPDATE
Here is a summary of what we can expect for our COVID-smart measures for the start of this term.
Removing isolation requirements
You may have heard that National Cabinet announced their decision to remove the isolation requirements for COVID-19 positive cases. The NSW Department of Education is working on this to make sure our COVID-smart settings are aligned when the change to isolation comes into effect on Friday 14 October. In the meantime, we will continue to follow the same measures we had in place for Term 3. I will provide an update once we have confirmation from the department.
For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term refer to the department’s Advice for families page.
Vaccination reminder from NSW Health
Due to the ongoing pandemic and stay-at-home orders that were in place over the previous two years, NSW Health have noted that some children and young people have missed out on the non-COVID school-based vaccination programs that they would have taken part in. The department would like to remind parents and carers to make sure that all of their child’s vaccinations are up-to-date, including other non-COVID vaccinations. If you are unsure about whether your child has missed any vaccinations, speak to your GP or go to NSW Health’s Immunisation requirements in primary and secondary schoolsExternal link.
Parents and carers who have children with persistent or ongoing symptoms of COVID-19External link are encouraged to have these assessed by their local health care professional. These symptoms may be related to other illnesses that require treatment and management by a doctor.
For more information on vaccinations refer to Vaccination requirements for school sites or the Australian Governments COVID-19 vaccinesExternal link.
On behalf of our school, I want to thank you again for your ongoing support in helping to keep our students, staff and community safe.
Reducing the risk of illness
All students, staff and their families should follow NSW Health’s advice to reduce the risk of not only COVID-19 but also other viral illnesses that may affect schools. Schools should reinforce the following NSW Health messages with their communities:
Stay home if unwell or showing even the mildest of symptoms
Keep up to date with vaccinations – including COVID-19 booster shots anthe flu vaccine, which areis available from your local GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal Medical Service
Get tested immediately for COVID-19 if you become symptomatic and isolate until you receive a negative result and are symptom free
Practice good hand hygiene by washing regularly with soap and warm water
Take a RAT before visiting vulnerable loved ones or going to large gatherings and events.
From the Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 1
Monday 10th October 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to Term 4!
On 21st September, Year 5 students engaged in some fun activities and learning about leadership, organised by Mrs Townsend and the Year 5 teachers. Miss Scholz will be revisiting the activities this week, for any Year 5 students who were absent last term.
The formal process for the nominations and election of the 2023 Student Leaders begins this term. Today, parents of Year 5 students will receive an email, outlining the timeline of events. Included below, is a copy of the JPPS Student Leaders' Code of Conduct and selection criteria, to which, we hope, all of our students and student leaders, aspire.
At 9:30am this Thursday, 13th October, parents are invited to the Book Character Parade and K-6 Assembly under the COLA. All students are invited to come to school, dressed up as their favourite book character on Thursday.
On Friday, this week (14th October), the school photographers return to take the group photos of all our extra-curricular groups, such as choirs, bands, dance troupes and sporting teams. Class teachers will advise students of any involvement.
Have an enjoyable week!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Year 5 Leadership Day
Congratulations JPPS Public Speaking Champions
Stage 2 finalists, Aditi D (3N) and Liam F (3P), along with Sam M (5F) and Avika B (6H) from Stage 3, represented JPPS at the Hills Public Speaking competition last term. This event was held at Kellyville Public School. Congratulations to these four students, who all acquitted themselves admirably against five other local schools, including a demanding impromptu challenge.
Aditi secured first place in her section and she now advances to the regional final, later this term.
Congratulations Bronze Award Recipients
A Principal's Morning Tea was held a the end of last term, for Bronze Award recipients and their parents. Congratulations to all of these students!
High Potential and Gifted Classes 2023 (repeated)
At John Purchase Public School, we offer a rich and varied educational program, combining academic, cultural and social opportunities, designed to assist each student to fully develop his or her skills, in a happy and supportive classroom environment.
We believe that high potential and gifted students benefit from:
- an opportunity to learn with their like-ability peers;
- an opportunity to experience a rigorous and challenging curriculum;
- experiencing high cognitive tasks and
- being supported in their special interests and talents.
John Purchase Public School is staffed by supportive teachers, who plan both skills-based and critical thinking programs, to address syllabus requirements. High potential and gifted students benefit from participating in learning that is rigorous and incorporates extension and enrichment activities. These activities allow students to extend basic concepts and to connect their personal interests within a differentiated curriculum. All John Purchase Public School staff are committed to providing an outstanding education. Learning programs are based on NSW syllabuses. However, the content of our special programs within the high potential and gifted classes, are further differentiated to meet the needs of these students. Planned teaching strategies include:
- compacting of the curriculum
- basic skills expansion
- higher order thinking
- student choice
- open-ended tasks
- advanced content
- acceleration in curriculum areas
- collaborative learning
In 2023, we plan to provide High Potential and Gifted (HPG) classes at our school. The quantity and structure of the classes will be dependent on student numbers in Stages 2 and 3, as well as staff available next year. Selection of students for HPG classes, is based on test performances and the limited availability of places within the classes formed in 2023. Please note that students currently in HPG classes, remain in the HPG cohort.
This year, all Year 2 students will be assessed (unless parents opt out of the testing program by the due date). Students in Years 3-5 must complete an application form by the due date, with a nominal administration fee, in order to be considered.
Closing date for all applications is 3pm Tuesday 1st November, 2022.
Parents will be notified if their child is offered a placement at the beginning of the 2023 academic year. Numbers of students accepted into an HPG class may vary from year to year, as school and grade student numbers impact on how many HPG places are available.
Further information can be found in the letter emailed home to parents on 12/9/2022.
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Go straight home or to OOSH when the 2:50pm bell rings
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. Canteen vouchers are drawn by our SRC representatives, at the end of each term.
The Purchase Pride Badges recorded below, will be presented next Monday morning.
Congratulations to:
Adam L (3N), Yohan (4S), Ryan L (1P), Aaron (4S), Amy S (KN), Tia (2Y), Jesse B (5F)
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 at the end of Term 4. This event is planned to be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, 6th December. The morning tea will be held in the hall and parents of recipients, are invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Asmita G (2Y)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly will also be the Book Character Parade and is planned to occur at 9:30am this Thursday 13th October, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Mario N (2M), Atharva G (5/6B), Aaron G (3N)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly will also be the Book Character Parade and is planned to occur at 9:30am this Thursday 13th October, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly will also be the Book Character Parade and is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 13th October, under the COLA. 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, 7th December.
From the Teachers
SPORT NEWS
Zone Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to Ridhi J, Harrison C, Alastair B, Charithu D.M and Pippa B for representing Beecroft Zone at the Sydney North athletics carnival on Monday 19th September. Incredible results achieved by all, and we are proud of your commitment to athletics.
PSSA Sport Training
There will be NO training and game this week 14/10/22 for Stage 2 and 3 PSSA due to photos.
From the P&C
CANTEEN NEWS
Sushi Increase - Due to our supplier increasing prices, we are having to put our sushi prices up but only by 10c. Our sushi has been the same price for the last couple of years but increasing prices across the board are forcing this increase which will take effect from Monday 10th October - the start of Term 4.
FROM THE YEAR 6 MAGAZINE PARENT COMMITTEE
The Year 6 Parent Yearbook Committee is starting work on the Year 6 Yearbook for 2022, which will have photos of your Year 6 child in his/her primary years.
We ask that Year 6 parents start sending us photos that you have of your Year 6 child across various school events, school excursions, assemblies and special school days during their time at JPPS from 2016-2022.
Please send the photos to: jppsyearbook2022@gmail.com (ideally in a jpeg format)
All photos will need to be clearly labelled with your child’s name, name of the event and year of event. e.g. lukegreen_crosscountry_2019
School events and special occasions could include:
Special Days: Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Grandparents’ Day, mufti days, Easter hat parade and Book Parade
Sports events: athletics carnival, swimming carnivals, cross country events and zone
Special assemblies: awards and recognition, Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, Harmony Day, Education Week and end of year assemblies
General photos: at school, home learning days, excursions and camps
All photos need to be sent to the above email address by Monday 17th October, at the latest, in order to allow time for us to put the book together.
Group photos of Year 6 students together work well. We will try our best to include as many as we can and at the same time ensure that all children are well represented.
We will also need one baby photo of your child for the ‘Baby Photos’ page of the yearbook.
The yearbooks will be available at the end of the year, before school finishes.
Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Year 6 Yearbook Parents
Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes events for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.