Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter - 13 February 2023
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 1 Week 4 2023
THURSDAY IS PHOTO DAY!
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD/REN IS/ARE WEARING FULL SUMMER UNIFORM, INCLUDING GREEN SOCKS AND BLACK SHOES.
SAFE INTERNET USE
Last week was Safer Internet Day. This is a global event dedicated to creating a safer online world for everyone. It’s an importnant reminder to do what we can to protect ourselves and each other online.
Did you know that there is a cyber attack reported every 7 minutes in Australia?
The three pronged message is to: Connect, Reflect and Protect!
- Connect safely and with purpose – keep apps and devices secure and use social media in positive ways.
- Reflect before we act – take a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.
- Protect ourselves and others by taking action – tell family, friends or colleagues about online safety and visit the eSafety website for advice, support and to report online abuse.
- Safer Internet Day resources and information, includes a virtual incursion and parent webinars that run throughout the month.
ARRIVING TO SCHOOL
Students may arrive at school between 8:25am and 8:55am, but not before, unless they are attending a supervised activity such as dance practice. If you have work or other commitments, please make arrangements for childcare prior to this time. There is no teacher on playground duty before 8:25am to look after the children.
There is a Before School Care service on the school site that you may like to access if you have earlier commitments.
HAPPY P & C DAY
On Wednesday 1st March, it is P & C Day - a day to acknowledge and thank our P & C Association for all they do for the students, staff, parents and school.
We thank our P & C for the tremendous work they do including:
- holding special events
- fundraising to purchase additonal resources
- operating our school canteen
- operating our uniform shop
- organising the band program
PREMIER'S BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS
You can now apply for the Premier’s Back to School NSW program, offering $150 worth of vouchers (3 x $50 vouchers) to help pay for school supplies like school uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks and stationery.
Every primary and secondary school student in NSW is eligible for the vouchers.
You can apply for and access your vouchers in your MyServiceNSW account, in the Service NSW app, by calling Service NSW on 137788 or by visiting your local Service Centre.
To be eligible, your child needs to be a NSW resident and enrolled in a NSW primary or secondary school in 2023.
For more information and to access all vouchers, visit the Service NSW website.
PERMISSION NOTES
Last week we sent home a series of coloured permission notes. Please complete and return these at your earliest convenience.
- Permission to Publish
- Third Party Software Consent
- Teachers to Student Email Permission
- Student Particpation in Homework
- Digital Devices and Online Service Procedures
- Using Local Facilities for Educational Sessions
- PDHPE Programs
- Parent Contact List
Here is an electronic link to the privacy pages of the programs:
Google G Suite
https://schoolsequella.det.nsw.edu.au/file/35b4bfae-b2b9-4d51-9acb-c3aa36865b70/1/GSuitePrivacy.zip/GSuitePrivacy.html
Microsoft Office 365
https://schoolsequella.det.nsw.edu.au/file/85c3f041-5600-403b-91cb-fecb27d2fc94/1/Office365Privacy.zip/Office365Privacy.html
Mathletics & Reading Eggs
https://www.3plearning.com/privacy/
Inquisitive
https://www.inquisitive.com/au/privacy
NAPLAN 2023
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
From 2023, NAPLAN is moving to Term 1 and will take place from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March. The reason for this change is so that results can be returned to schools earlier in the year which will support teachers to understand the learning needs of their students and plan accordingly.
NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.
In preparation for NAPLAN 2023, our school will undertake activities to help students to become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked.
Students and parents can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY CHARTER
Parents and carers play an important role in the school community. The School Community Charter, included below, informs parents and carers on how to engage with NSW public schools. Please take the time to read the School Community Charter (PDF 1.4 MB) to ensure you understand how important it is to nurture a positive home - school relationship and how important it is to create a positive learning environment for our students.
SCHOOL PICK UP
A neighbour has reported that her driveway has been blocked by a parent picking children up from school. Please be considerate of the school's neighbours during these busy periods.
COVID 19 MEASURES
HOLIDAYS in 2023 - REPEATED
I understand that many of you will be planning holidays for this year and beyond, so I have included school holiday dates below:
• Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April, as well as Monday 24 April, as a school development day and Tuesday 25 April for the Anzac Day public holiday. Students return on Wednesday 26 April.
• Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July 2023, as well as Mon 17 July, as a school development day. Students return on Tuesday 18 July.
• Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023. There will be no school development day at the beginning of fourth term, so studnets return on Monday 9 October.
• Monday 18 December 2023 is the first day of the summer holidays for students, due to school development days being held on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 December 2023.
We do ask that students take their holidays in the scheduled vacation periods.
From the Deputy Principal
Term 1 Week 4
Monday 13th February 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
I look forward to seeing many parents at school, this Wednesday evening, for the Parent Information Sessions planned by staff. The sessions are for parents, not students or pre-schoolers, so it is appreciated if other arrangements are made for child-minding. Please access the school grounds from the Main Gate 3 on Purchase Road. Refer to the classroom location map below. However, staff will be on hand, to direct you to classrooms, if you are not sure.
Please remember to ensure that your child is wearing full summer school uniform for photo day, this Thursday.
Have an enjoyable week!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Parent Information Evening At School (repeated)
Wednesday 15th February
Class teachers are looking forward to the opportunity of meeting parents, personally, in their classrooms, next week. These information sessions, for parents only, are planned for 45 minutes. The purpose of the evening is to meet teaching staff and better understand class routines and learning programs. It is not a forum to discuss individual students. Please note that individual student interview times will be held at the end of Term 1.
Please enter and exit the school, after hours, via the Main Gate 3, on Purchase Road. For safety, please do not use the staff car park as an access point.
Location: Classrooms (A school map is located on the wall of the administration block.)
Session start times:
4:45pm - Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)
5:30pm - Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)
6:15pm - Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) and Class 4/5B
7:00pm - Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6)
School Photograph Day (repeated)
Thursday 16th February
This photo day will be for class group photos, Year 6 group photo, Year 6 in Kindergarten and family (school siblings only) photos. A second photo day is held in Term 4 for other group photos, such as dance, band, SRC, sporting teams and choirs. Shortly, staff will be distributing school photo envelopes to all students to take home to parents.
If you require sibling photographs, these separate pre-payment envelopes may be collected directly from the front office. Please instruct your oldest child to do this on your behalf.
All envelopes, with payments, are to be returned on the actual photo day, so teachers may hand these directly to the photographers. We do not store payments/photograph envelopes at school.
Please ensure that students are wearing full summer (not sport) school uniforms and black shoes for the photographs. Our school uniform shop website illustrates specific uniform option information:
https://uniforms.jppspandc.org.au/
Induction of 2023 Student Leaders
STOP PRESS - NEW DATE!
The induction of student leaders will be held at the first assembly for this year, now planned for Thursday, 9th March. This assembly will be held at 1:35pm under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend. Please note the change of date, due to a clash with zone swimming carnival commitments, the week prior.
Scripture and Ethics Classes 2023 (repeated)
Special religious education (SRE) is the beliefs and practices of an approved religious persuasion delivered by authorised representatives of that persuasion. SRE is often referred to as scripture. Special education in ethics (SEE) is education in ethical decision making, action and reflection within a secular framework, based on a branch of philosophy. SEE is commonly referred to as ethics.
General religious education, is education about the world’s major religions, what people believe and how that belief affects their lives. It is taught through the school curriculum. Further information is available on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website.
In all government schools, time is set aside for the religious education of children. At John Purchase Public School, students from Kindergarten to Year 2 attend scripture classes between 11:30am and 12:00pm each Tuesday. Students from Years 3 to 6 attend scripture classes from 12:00pm to 12:30pm each Tuesday. Classes are formed based on the availability of qualified volunteer providers of the various religious persuasions and subsequent parental nomination. SRE options at John Purchase Public School currently include: Buddhist, Catholic, Islamic and ‘Combined Christian’ SRE (incorporating Anglican, Presbyterian, Uniting and Baptist). Unfortunately, we have been advised that a Hindu teacher is currently, not available in 2023.
Students not attending SRE attend supervised alternative groups and participate in reading and private study. As mandated by the NSW Department of Education, these students are not permitted to participate in curriculum based lessons or other extra-curricular activities during this time. For students not attending SRE, SEE is currently available at John Purchase Public School via written parental request (after non-scripture is nominated).
Students continue in the same arrangement each year, unless a parent/caregiver has requested a change in writing. At any time, you have the right to change your SRE nomination or to withdraw your child from the nominated lessons. A note to the Deputy Principal will affect this change.
The organisation of scripture is currently underway and classes are planned to commence on Tuesday 28th February, pending availabilty of staff.
Student Participation in Homework
The Department of Education’s policy regarding homework states that:
‘Homework is a valuable part of schooling. It allows for practising, extending and consolidating work done in class. Homework provides training for students in planning and organising time and develops a range of skills in identifying and using information resources. Additionally, it establishes habits of study, concentration and self-discipline.’
‘Research scan’ was undertaken by the NSW Department of Education. There is little consensus in the literature, as to whether homework raises student achievement. Most researchers conclude that for primary students, there is no evidence that homework lifts academic performance. However, research indicating that student learning may be enhanced if homework is:
- appropriate for each student’s age and ability
- relevant to each student’s needs
- purposeful and designed to meet specific learning goals
- varied and challenging, but achievable
- built on knowledge, skills and understanding developed in class
- clearly stated and requirements made explicit during class time
In response to feedback, every student will be provided with the opportunity to engage in suitable homework plans this year; designed to be achievable and stress-free for students and their parents, as well as, manageable for teachers. The staff will outline class/stage homework programs at our parent information sessions. Additionally, every student is encouraged to participate in reading at home, every day. We cannot emphasise enough, the importance of regular reading at home. If you choose not to participate in homework activities, we do implore you to maintain and reinforce the importance of a daily reading regime at home.
Every student has different strengths and areas for development. Many students at our school already participate in extracurricular sporting and academic pursuits. Hence, the following suggestions are flexible guidelines regarding time, which may be devoted to homework.
K-2 15-20 minutes per school day
3-6 30 minutes per school day
Parental discretion will continue to be the primary determinant of involvement in homework at our school. You are kindly invited to consider if you would like your child to participate in organised homework programs prepared by teaching staff.
If you haven't already done so, please let your child's teacher know, as soon as possible.
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Respect: Follow teacher instructions
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:
Muhmmad A (3G), Alejandra LG (4/5B), Michael W (6FG), Erisa L (1B), Rachel B (4/5B), Aaryan R x2 (4/5B), Heidi G (3S), Alastair B (3S), Joanna L (6FG), Kyler L (2R), Isabelle C (6FG), Audra P (3B), Zali M (2R), Bradley C (2R), Alex K (2E)
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 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 1. This event is planned to be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, 4th April. The morning tea will be held in the hall and parents of recipients, are invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Zali M (2R), Isobel MC (4M), Minh KC (3G), Giovanna T (5T)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 9th March, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Kyros L (4/5B), Jacob T (4/5B)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 9th March, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Kalvin L (6DM)
Bronze Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 9th March, 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, 5th April.
Congratulations to:
Rachel B (4/5B)
Silver Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 9th March, under the COLA. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE
The 2023 PRC will open on Monday, 27th February. Students log on to their online reading record by using the same login details they use when signing onto their account/digital device at school.
If you are unsure of your child's login details, please check with the class teacher.
You can find the rules and regulations for the Challenge on the official website: https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html The Challenge closes on Friday, 18th August.
Happy reading!
Miss Brennan
PRC Coordinator
DANCE
The year is off to a flying start and we will be holding dance auditions next week, week 5 for years 1-6. PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO THE DATES WHICH WERE INCORRECT IN THE LETTER SENT OUT LAST WEEK.
- Year 1-2 (stage 1) Wednesday 22nd February in the annexe
- Year 3-4 (stage 2) Thursday 23rd February in the hall
- year 5-6 (stage 3) Friday 24th February in the hall
All auditions are being held at 7:30am, for the stage 2 group this will not clash with the swimming carnival. Students will be dismmised at the required time.
All students who wish to audition must fill out a form, these can be found at the office.
Miss Mahler
Dance Coordinator
From the Office
SZAPP APP
Here at JPPS we use the Szapp App (in addition to email) to get important notifications to you. Please download this app to your phone if you don't want to miss any of our communications. The access PIN for this app will be sent to you via email later today.
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 Parents
Community Announcements
Please note our school publishes community information for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.
Ethics Teacher 2023
Want to do something life-changing in 2023? Why not volunteer at JOHN PURCHASE PUBLIC SCHOOL as an ethics teacher!
Ethics classes can only be offered as an alternative if we have volunteer teachers. Volunteers can come from our parents, grandparents, friends and local community, from every walk of life. Primary Ethics offers full, free training, lesson scripts and teaching support.
Ethics encourages children to listen closely and to develop their opinions through ethical reasoning. Ethics helps kids develop confidence and empathy. As an ethics teacher, you’ll get a lot out of it too!
If you have an hour a week and want to ensure children at our school can access this valuable program, go to: https://primaryethics.com.au/volunteer/ethics-teacher/
For further information contact:
Caroline John
Email: carolinerjohn@gmail.com
Hindu Dharma Scripture Teacher 2023 (repeated)
If you are interested in teaching the Hindu Dharma scripture classes at John Purchase Public School this year, please contact Mrs Akila Ramarathinam for further information. Her contact details are:
Mobile 0450 117 372
Email: akilar@vhp.org.au