Term 4 Newsletter - 21 November
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
STUDENT AGENCY
Our leadership team have revisited this strategic direction in terms of examining how we facilitate student agency in Reading and Maths through the use of think alouds and number talks.
The team have come together to celebrate what we have achieved in this space and to examine future directions for 2023 and beyond. Our recent work has been informed by Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey's notion of Assessment Capable Learners, with the executive team collaboratively identifing key concepts, sharing the connections made and identifying challenges to address.
DEVELOPING STUDENT AGENCY IN MATHEMATICS
In last week's newsletter I shared one of the questions posed to 5/6M.
The students shared different strategies used, as shown in the second image below. One of the most efficient strategies used was:
17 x 13 and 13 x 3 is the same as 20 x 13. I know 10 x 13 is 130, and I double that to get 260.
The students were then provided with a list of questions to work out mentally, so that in small groups, they could discuss, decide and verify which of the sums was most difficult to compute 'in their heads', without pen and paper.
Number talks are one avenue that student agency is promoted, as students use a strategy that works for them, while simultaneously learning other methods and considering which would be most efficient.
Well done 5/6M and Mrs Musgrove.
DEVELOPING STUDENT AGENCY IN READING
It was such a treat to watch the 5/6M students demonstrating their agency in reading when I visited last week. The students were learning to analyse the differences between characterisation in a book and in a film.
They began with a silent gallery walk, where they noted their initial thoughts about how the characters were being portrayed in the text version. Students soon began asking questions of each other about their thoughts so that students were justifying their responses.
After examining what other groups had been suggesting, they worked in small groups to come up with a few adjectives or short phrases to describe the two characters. As a class, these were discussed and justified, before watching a clip of character interactions from the movie.
A high level discussion enabled the students to deepen their understanding and compare the portrayal of characters using both print and movie formats.
Once again, student agency was being fostered throughout the lesson - the students knew what they were meant to be learning and were actively involved in providing and justifying their own viewpoints throughout the lesson.
When we consider how this lesson fostered student agency, we can compare it to a lesson whereby all students are merely provided with a worksheet of comprehension questions to answer.
Congratulations 5/6M and Mrs Musgrove.
THE ART OF GOOD CONVERSATION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Good conversation with young people comes down to time - creating the time and space and using that time wisely
THANK YOU
Thank you Mr Zhou for your kind donation of $200. We will put this towards books in the library.
PLANNING FOR 2023 - REPEATED
If your child is leaving the school at the end of this year or returning to school late at the beginning of 2023, please complete the relevant Google Form in the green box below.
COVID UPDATE - REPEATED
Please refer to the flyer below for the latest COVID updates from the NSW government.
From the Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 7
Monday 21st November 2022
Dear Parents and Carers
Year 5 students, who contested the recent leadership ballot, were informed of the results today. Letters have also been distributed to candidates' parents. Mrs Black plans to introduce the newly elected school leaders at this week's final K-6 assembly, on Thursday. The process for the election of sporting house leaders for 2023, will commence soon.
Stage 2 students travelled to Elizabeth Farm over two days, last week. The students engaged in rich learning opportunities linked to classroom programs. Thank you Miss Griggs, Miss Moore and the Stage 2 teaching team.
Stage 1 students thoroughly enjoyed their Jollybops Science incursion in the hall last week!
Parents are cordially invited to attend the final K-6 Assembly for 2022, this Thursday, 24th November. Awards will be presented and we look forward to a performance by Kindergarten students. The assembly will commence at 1:35pm under the COLA. Naturally, any parent with cold or flu-like symptoms is respecfully asked to remain at home.
Teachers are currently creating Semester 2 student reports. These reports will be available through the John Purchase Parent Portal, hosted by Impromation. If you are a new parent to the school, please refer to the instructions below, which explain how parents can access student reports and achievement level data. At this stage, we anticipate that the Semester 2 reports will be available online from Thursday, 8th December.
Have an enjoyable week!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
The School Photographer Group Photo Orders
The group photos of our extra curricular groups have now been published. These special photographs may be viewed online at the website linked below, or from the display album held at the school office. Orders can only be made online directly to The School Photographer at:
www.theschoolphotographer.com.au
Online Order Code: 22S1435EL46J
The photo prices are:
$18 each, 2 for $34, 3 for $46, 4 for $58, 5 for $70
Additional photographs are $10 each (available only for family orders).
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Consider your safety and the safety of others
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.
Please note: The final date for submission of Purchase Pride awards in 2022, will be Thursday, 1st December (Week 8). Students are encouraged to store their awards safely over the holidays, ready for handing in to me, in the new year!
The Purchase Pride Badges recorded below, will be presented next Monday morning.
Congratulations to:
Elvin B (3/4B), Toby S (1M), Miya J (2S), Jaxon L (60), Ho (KR), William K (3N), Dominic (KN), Alastair (2M), Yohan (4S), Brandon (2S), Amelie J (1B), Shreyas K (2S), Sean S x2 (4S), Grace (1B), Karunya K (KR), Manu (2E), Siddharth (1B)
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. Silver Awards, Gold Awards and all Medallions, are usually 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.
The final K-6 Assembly, for presenting class awards in 2022, will be this Thursday, 24th November. Students in Kindergarten to Year 5, are kindly asked to save any new awards, for submission, until after the holidays. Exceptions will be made for Year 6 students, who will be transitioning to high school in the new year!
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:
Shriyaan S (1M), Priscilla P (KM), Brandon K (2E), Bhavya S (3P)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
William R (3P), Harrison C (3G), Carter M (3P), Spencer L (2S)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Karome T (4M)
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th November, 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.
Congratulations to:
Ethan T (5/6M)
Silver Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 24th November, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
Maths Olympiad and Maths Games
Well done to our JPPS Maths Olympiad and Maths Games teams for 2022. You should all be very proud of your results!
Congratulations to Angela L (3/4B) for achieving first place in our Maths Olympiad team.
Mrs Musgrove and Miss Brennan (Coordinators)
ICAS - Mathematics
I am pleased to announce that we have finally received the ICAS Mathematics Certificates. Any student who received a Merit or above will receive their certificate at the Week 8 Monday morning assembly.
Stage One Excursion
On Wednesday, Year 1 and 2 students attended the Jollybops Incursion. They had so much fun learning about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples used science and music in their everyday lives.
Stage 2 Excursion
Last week students in Stage 2 visited Elizabeth Farm and Experiment Farm to enrich their understanding of our current history topic.
All students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on learning activities and the opportunity to explore the homes of the Macarthur family and John Harris.
We thank all parent volunteers, teachers and staff at the two venues for an exceptional day.
Stage 2 Teachers
Mini Fete - Order Reminder
We are still accepting Mini Fete Order forms for both Tokens, Pizza and the K-2 Sausage Sizzle. Please payment all payments online and return the order form to your child's classroom teacher. Any additional order forms can be collected from the office.
Summer PSSA Results
Stage 2 vs West Pennant Hills PS
Teeball
JPPS Boys 9 lost to WPHPS 13
JPPS Girls 3 lost to WPHPS 13
League Tag
JPPS Boys 3 lost to WPHPS 6
JPPS Girls 3 lost to WPHPS 8
Sport House Captains Nominations for 2023
The process for selecting the 2023 Senior and Junior Sporting House Captains will commence this week, with application forms being distributed to interested students in Year 5 and Year 3 on Thursday. Students will be given the opportunity to nominate themselves, if they wish to represent their house in a leadership position.
Students are to complete the half page submission form and return it to Miss Nelson by 3pm on Wednesday 30th November. The nominees will deliver a short (one-minute maximum) speech, to their house groups after lunch on Wednesday 7th December. Then, Years 2-6 students, in their respective house groups, will vote for the nominee of their choice. If a student from Years 3 or 5 is absent from school and would like to nominate themselves, parents must contact Miss Nelson throughout the week or call the school on 9875 3100 to have an application form emailed home. It is anticipated that nominees be present to deliver their own speeches.
Cherrybrook Technology High School Orientation Day
Tuesday November 29 2022 from 9am-11am
This event allows parents and future Year 7 students the opportunity to become familiar with the school staff, curriculum and school procedures. Only students who have been accepted for enrolment at CTHS in Year 7 2023 and their parents are invited to this event. Parents will receive an enrolment package in the first few weeks of November which provides details of the Orientation Day.
Further information regarding preparation for starting high school is available at https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/going-to-school/preparing/starting-high-school
'GOT IT' TEAM WEBINARS
The wonderful ‘Got It’ team are presenting the third of three online webinars and have invited the JPPS community to join in for free.
The online webinars are for all parents and carers of students from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Please see the flyer below for details of the final webinar and a registration link.
You can also use the link below to register.
Wanting to know how to boost your child's resilience?
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9PDCkRBsSsuIA5jCKu9PZw
If you have any questions about the webinar please contact me on 98753100 Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Mrs Leonie Cole
Learning and Support Teacher/Coordinator
From the Office
LOST PROPERTY
A staff member has lost a long black woollen Kookai cardigan on the school grounds. If found, please return it to the front office.
Please don't forget to check for any of your child's lost uniform items before the end of the school year.
Please also remember to label your child's clothing clearly so our staff can return it to the students directly.
From the P&C
Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes events for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.
SALVATION ARMY GENEROSITY CHALLENGE
We as a school are partnering with The Salvation Army Norwest Region for their Generosity Challenge this Christmas!
It is the time of year where the Salvos are wanting to prepare and support struggling families across our community to celebrate this special time of year – Christmas. Their mission is to help 350 families from Castle Hill, to Dural, to Rouse Hill to the Hawkesbury with food and gifts so they can have a special Christmas period.
Would you be willing to support us in partnering with The Salvation Army Norwest Region this year?
We will set up a Christmas Giving Tree where basic pantry staples and new toys or books can be donated to support this Generosity Challenge. Basic pantry staples include long life milk, breakfast cereal, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tea, coffee, tinned fish, tinned ham, tinned fruit etc as per the flyer below.
Please drop any donations to the administration office at the school by 2 December, 2022 and thank you in advance for considering to support the Salvos Generosity Challenge – Christmas 2022.
We are so appreciative of your donations!
Only 2 more weeks to donate before a Salvation Army representative comes to collect your supplies. I'm sure they will be so thankful of your generous support!
Christmas is such a special time of the year to give to those less fortunate than ourselves!
My New Gallery
CHILD SAFETY
NSW Police Legacy have published a fully comprehensive and interactive child safety and health awareness digital handbook.
The handbook's content is supplied by all relevant NSW government departments and/or recognised authorities, as well as having received endorsement by the NSW Governor, Premier and Police Minister.
Subjects covered in this handbook include:
- Personal safety - how to report and support
- Safety at school - information about bullying
- Safety at home - doors and hinges, button batteries and more
- Health and safety - mental health, corona virus, allergies and more
- Fire, flood and storm safety - prepare/act /survive and other tips
- Street smart - road, car and train safety, plus ferries, light rail and buses
- Outdoor safety - slip, slop, slap, as well as boat safety and much more
- Drug awareness - talking to your kids and 10 tips for parents
Please see the link below for access to this valuable handbook.