Term 1 Week 11 Newsletter - 3 April 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 11 2023
As the term draws to a close, I would like to thank our parent community for your wonderful support of the children's education and our school throughout the term.
I hope you enjoy the upcoming school vacation period and that you have the opportunity to spend more quality time with the children during this time.
We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Wednesday, 26th April following the school development day on Monday 24th April and the Anzac Day Public holiday on Tuesday 25 April.
Please note the first newsletter for second term will be published in Week 2 - on Monday 1st May.
CURRICULUM REFORM
The NSW education system is reforming the curriculum which is taught in all classrooms from Kindergarten to Year 12. The new curriculum, as a result of the NSW Curriculum Reform, will give students more time to focus on key learning areas so that they can acquire a deeper understanding of central concepts. It will ensure students develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.
This reform has been informed by extensive consultation with teachers, parents and education experts, and is underpinned by extensive research. Curriculum reform involves change that spans many aspects of schooling, including teaching, learning, assessment and reporting to parents. New syllabuses provide schools with a unique opportunity to re-focus and place curriculum at the heart of school planning. Key curriculum changes include:
- building strong foundations for future learning with new English and mathematics syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2
- an entirely new curriculum from 2022 with new syllabuses focused on what is essential to know and do in early and middle years of schooling, and key learning areas in the senior years
- providing more time for teaching by reducing the hours teachers spend on extra-curricular topics and issues and compliance requirements
- strengthening post- school pathways with new learning areas for Years 11 and 12 that clearly link learning to future employment and study options.
The new curriculum will ensure every student develops strong foundations for learning, life and work. The reforms are vital for the young people in our schools today, and for those who will arrive in the years to come. More information can be found on the NSW Department of Education and NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)External link websites.
EASTER HAT PARADE
This Thursday 6 April, we will be hosting our annual K-2 Easter Hat Parade. Students in K-2 have been busily creating their hats with the assistance of their ‘buddies’.
A big thank you to our P & C for organising a colouring in competition and Easter raffle.
Please read the information below regarding Covid safe measures for the event.
COVID CASE NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE
NSW Health has recently advised that we are starting to see a rise in COVID-19 transmissions within the community, with a peak in cases expected over the coming weeks.
Our COVID-smart measures continue to be in place to help reduce the risk of transmission for students and staff members and are vital in allowing us to keep our schools operational while prioritising student and staff wellbeing. These measures include:
- staying home and getting tested if unwell, and only attending school when symptom free
- rapid antigen testing for symptomatic students and staff – people exposed to COVID-19 should follow NSW Health guidanceExternal link and test to identify infection early even if they aren’t experiencing any symptoms
- encouraging all students, staff and families to keep up-to-date with their vaccinations, including COVID-19 booster shots, if eligible.
COVID SAFE MEASURES FOR THE EASTER PARADE
We will be able to proceed with the Easter Hat Parade as we will apply layered COVID-smart measures to reduce risk.
These measures include:
- opening the windows in the annexe
- holding the parade outdoors under the COLA
- asking that only K - 2 parents and parents of students receiving awards attend the assembly
- asking parents to leave directly after the event and picking up prizes
- providing hygiene supplies including masks and hand sanitiser at the front office
- strongly encouraging masks indoors and for staff, students, visitors and volunteers in outdoor high-traffic spaces where physical distancing is not possible.
COVID SAFE MEASURES FOR PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We will be able to proceed with the Parent Interviews with layered COVID-smart measures to reduce risk. This includes:
- opening the windows/doors in annexe/hall
- asking parents to leave directly after the interview
- providing hygiene supplies including masks and hand sanitiser
- strongly encouraging masks indoors
- requesting those with any symptoms do not attend
CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL
We are so very proud of Michael's achievements in the NSW State Swimming Championships held last weekend. His achievements include:
- Silver medalist Boys 12yrs MC 50m Freestyle.
- Gold medalist and NSW Junior State Champion Boys 12yrs MC 50m Backstroke.
These are incredibly impressive achievements Michael!
ATTENTION YEAR 4 : OPPORTUNITY CLASSES FOR 2024 - REPEATED
Opportunity classes cater for high potential and intellectually gifted students in Years 5 and 6. These classes help students learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, using specialised teaching methods and educational materials at the appropriate level. The Selective Education Unit administers the opportunity class placement process.
Parents may apply when students are in Year 4. Students who are placed then attend the opportunity class full time in Years 5 and 6. Students who accept a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with an opportunity class.
Online applications for Year 5 placement in an opportunity class in 2024 open this Thursday 30 March 2023 and close on Monday 15 May 2023.
Read 'Information for applicants' for information about the process and important dates.
The Opportunity Class Placement Test will be conducted on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Students are offered placement in opportunity classes on the basis of academic merit. Academic merit is based on the results of reading, mathematical reasoning and thinking skills tests in the Opportunity Class Placement Test.
An Intention to Apply form has been sent to parents of Year 4 students last week. Please return this form to school if you are intending to apply for your child to sit the OC placement test. Please note this Intention to Apply is NOT an application and applications need to be completed as per the processes outlined in the booklet emailed out last week, Information for Applicants. Please contact the school on 98753100 if you have a child in Year 4 and you did not receive this email.
2023 Term Dates & Holidays - REPEATED
PLEASE TRY TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM, WHENEVER POSSIBLE
Term 1– Friday 27 January (Years 1-6 return to school on Tuesday 1 February as there are 2 scheduled SDDs at the beginning of the year) to Thursday 6 April . Kindergarten 2022 commence on Monday 6 February.
Autumn school holidays – Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April
Term 2– Monday 24 April (students return to school on Wednesday 26 April as SDD scheduled on 24 April and ANZAC Day public holiday on 25 April) to Friday 30 June.
Winter school holidays – Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July
Term 3– Monday 17 July (students return to school on Tuesday 18 July as SDD scheduled on 17 July) to Friday 22 September
Spring school holidays – Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October
Term 4– Monday 9 October (students return 9 October) to Tuesday 19 December (students last day for 2023 will be Friday 15 December)
Summer school holidays (Eastern)– Wednesday 20 December to Monday 29 January 2024
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR NEEDED - REPEATED
Please be advised that there will be no School Crossing Supervisor (SCS) available at the crossing outside the school on Purchase Rd until further notice.
Presently, a replacement SCS is unavailable. We will notify you when a repacement crossing supervisor is appointed.
Please be aware, school staff/parents are not authorised to carry out the duties of the SCS.
Please remind your children of the road safety messages which are:
- Wherever possible, cross the road at a designated pedestrian crossing facility
- Stop! Look! Listen! Think! when crossing the road
- Take care whenever you cross
- Don’t run across the road
We ask parents to consider the safety of their children during this period.
From the Deputy Principal
Term 1 Week 11
Monday 3rd April 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
The online booking site for parent interviews, is now closed. Please contact the school, if you still need an appointment time. The locations of interviews are published below.
Our K-2 students have enjoyed the company of their older buddies, assisting them to create their Easter hats. This Thursday morning, we are looking forward to the Easter Hat Parade. Please note the earlier assembly start time of 9:15am.
When students return to school after the holidays, on Wednesday 26th April, we will be commemorating ANZAC Day. The service, organised by Miss Brennan, will commence at 10:30am, under the COLA.
Wishing all families a safe and restful holiday break.
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Kindergarten Easter Hat Making With Buddies
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Bounce back when things don’t go your way
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 the boxes on the ‘award shelf’ inside the school office. The shelf has been moved to just inside the office foyer, for greater convenience. 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 in the award shelf, 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 at the next Monday morning assembly, after the Easter holidays.
Congratulations to:
Maxence F (KS), Evan Z (KS), Arian P (KS), Shriyaan S (2E), Elyse H (2E), Hayden T (2E), Charlie B (2E), Satvik T (2R), Jeneel S (3G), Hashika K (3G), Pashaan S (3G), Timothy W (3S), Eloise S (3S), Molly K (3G), Aarika D (5B), Isabelle C (6FG), Jonas A (6FG)
Class Awards System
JPPS has an incremental class awards system. When a student has received ten class awards, these should be left in the boxes on the ‘award shelf’ inside the school office. The shelf has been moved to just inside the office foyer, for greater convenience. 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, in term time. 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 tomorrow. This event will be held under the COLA at 10:30am. Parents of recipients, are invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Elyse H (2E), Prayaan K (2D)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the Easter Hat Parade assembly, this Thursday morning, at 9:15am, under the COLA.
Congratulations to:
Guhan R (3S), Darcy LG (3G)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 18th May, under the COLA. Stage 1 students will be presenting an item at this 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 1:35pm on Thursday 18th May, under the COLA. Stage 1 students will be presenting an item at this assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Silver Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 18th May, under the COLA. Stage 1 students will be presenting an item at this assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
SPORTS NEWS
Summer PSSA results for Friday 31st March
Stage 2 vs Pennant Hills Public School
Tee Ball
JPPS Boys 14 won with PHPS 8
JPPS Girls 6 lost with PHPS 14
League Tag
JPPS Boys 6 lost against PHPS 7
JPPS Girls 8 won against PHPS 7
Stage 3 vs Thornleigh West Public School
Softball
JPPS Boys 2 lost to TWPS 14
JPPS Girls 0 lost to TWPS 3
League Tag
JPPS Boys 3 lost against TWPS 5
JPPS Girls 4 lost against TWPS 14
NSW PSSA Swimming Championships
Best of luck to Michael W who will be attending the PSSA Swimming Championships on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April 2023.
Mrs Townsend
Sports Coordinator
DANCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Please note there will be no dance rehearsals for all dance groups this week This is due to parent interviews being held in both the Hall and Annexe.
Dance reheasals will recommence next term in week 2.
From the Office
LOST PROPERTY
Please don't forget to have a good look in the lost property tubs for any missing items before the holidays!
If your child/ren's items are clearly labelled the office staff will deliver directly to the student's classroom.
From the P & C
FROM THE CANTEEN
Volunteers – Thank you to our lovely volunteers who have put their names down and already volunteered at the canteen. Your efforts are truly appreciated. Without the help of our volunteers we would not be able to offer the service to the students that we do.
However we are in desperate need of more volunteers to fill our roster. We have spots available on Wednesday and Fridays.( one day per month)
Typically volunteers come in anytime between 9 and 9.30 , make sandwiches etc (no cooking involved!), serve at recess and lunch and finish approx. 1.10, lunch is provided. (no experience required)
If you can help out please contact us on jpps.canteen@gmail.com or call the school and they can put you through to us.
JOHN PURCHASE PUBLIC SCHOOL accepts no responsibility for content on third-party websites and providing a link does not imply that the school endorses that website.
From the Community
Please note our school publishes community information for the convenience of families but does not endorse any activity, organisation, person or product.