Term 1 Week 5 Newsletter - 20 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 5 2023
It was wonderful to see so many parents last Wednesday at the Meet the Teacher information sessions. Fostering parent engagement in student learning promotes student success at school, so it was fabulous to see such a large number of parents/carers in attendance. A big thank you to our fabulous teachers for their preparation and presentations. I hope parents found the sessions informative.
MEET OUR FRIENDLY OFFICE STAFF
Our friendly office staff are very keen to assist you with enquiries.
CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS MUSGROVE
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Musgrove on the arrival of their precious baby girl, Isla Rosa-Lee. Isla arrived on 17 February, weighing 3.89kg. I'm sure, brother Fynn, will be a wonderful help to his mum, dad and new little sister.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and safety is a shared responsibility. While we undertake inspections of spaces around the school and are always on the look out for anything that could pose a Health and Safety risk, we also ask visitors to the school site, including the parent community, to report any health and safety issue they notice to the front office. This includes if you notice anything that is broken or not working while on the site. Thank you for your assistance.
P & C POSITIONS
P & C ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
MONDAY 13 MARCH
Join our P & C in 2023 – 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 13 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.
ROAD SAFETY
Road safety in school zones is such an important consideration, particularly when schools are located on busy roads like Purchase Rd. It is worth taking the time to think about how and where children are picked up.
Have you thought about avoiding the car traffic by walking to school to pick up children? Have you considered parking away from the school and walking part of the way home, as one means of reducing traffic congestion around the school? This has the added benefit of fitting in regular low impact exercise.
If using the kiss and drop zone, remember:
- cars can only remain in the zone for 2 minutes
- cars should move forward in the queue so other cars can fit in behind you
- to remind the children to look out for your car while they are waiting
Council rangers do visit the school and enforce safe driving by issuing fines.
The flyer below provides further information about parking fines and safe practices.
HAPPY P & C DAY - REPEATED
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
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 5
Monday 20th February 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
Our classrooms were brimming with parents last Wednesday evening! Thank you for taking the time to attend and hear about your child's learning. Our dedicated teachers appreciated the great response.
Our students looked resplendent in their school uniforms last Thursday, for the school photographer. I will advise parents when the photograph orders arrive for distribution. Please be reminded that our office staff do not collect or receipt photo orders. Class teachers passed all order forms, to the photographers, last week.
Mrs Townsend has been very busy coordinating the annual swimming carnival, which will be held at the indoor Knox Aquatic Centre, this Thursday, 23rd February. All students are travelling by bus from JPPS and they must bring their own recess and lunch, as no canteen facilities will be available. Parents are invited to join us at the pool. Please be advised that the venue has limited additional seating, along the pool deck.
Kindergarten students have transitioned beautifully, to their new school, and today, they joined the student body under the COLA, for the very first time. Ms Stanton, Mrs Hooper and Mrs Narayan, are very proud of their Kindergarten charges and how well they have settled in to life, at JPPS.
Have an enjoyable week!
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Kindergarten 2023
On Monday mornings and Friday mornings, before school, Kindergarten students will now join the rest of the school, under the big COLA.
2023 Parent Information Sessions
Please contact your child's teacher, if you missed out on receiving any information brochures, that were distributed at the sessions held, last week.
Scripture and Ethics Classes 2023
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). We have been advised that only one Hindu teacher is currrently available.
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 for Year 4 students only.
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 written note to the Deputy Principal must be provided for any change to occur.
The scripture timetable will operate from next Tuesday, 28th February.
Induction of 2023 Student Leaders
The induction of student leaders will be held at the first assembly for this year, planned for Thursday, 9th March. This assembly will be held at 1:35pm under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
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: Care for school property and the environment
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:
Aadi (4/5B), Madison (2D), Caroline L (3/4B), Hayden T (2E), Arianna J (1B), Ethan K (3S), Quinn W (3S), Victoria X (2D), Nina Q (3/4B), Amber Y (2D), Sharon Y (2E), Guhan R (3S)
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:
Amber Y (2D), Madison B (2D), Isabella H (2R)
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:
Avyay K (3/4B)
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.
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.
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 this week, (Week 5) for Years 1-6. PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO THE DATES BELOW, 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 are available at the front office.
Miss Mahler
Dance Coordinator
CONGRATULATIONS to Donnie Z in 5N who won a silver medal in the -34kg junior boy's group in the Judo Australia 2023 Canberra International Open on Sunday.
3S GARDENING
3S students have been working hard to make our school gardens look beautiful! They have begun weeding and clearing the garden beds to prepare them for new soil. The students can't wait to begin planting new herbs and vegetables for their families to enjoy. This activity is a perfect link to their science topic this term; living world. The smiles on their faces say it all!
Miss Saul
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 has been sent but if you cannot find it in your emails dated 13 February please contact the school office on 9875 3100.
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.
LOST PROPERTY
Lost Property is collected and placed in boxes outside the administration building. The office staff collect lost property from the school grounds and return all labelled items to students in their classrooms a few times each week.
Please check these boxes if your child/ren has lost or misplaced an item of clothing or even a lunchbox or drink bottle.
Please also label your child's items so we can return them to their classrooms.
Thank you.
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 (repeated)
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