Term 2 Week 2 Newsletter - 1st May 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 2 WEEK 2 2023
I hope our students, staff and parents/carers enjoyed a break over the vacation period, as we begin a busy second term.
As the weather is becoming much cooler, students can begin to transition to winter uniform over the next two weeks. Please ensure your children wear the correct school uniform, including black school shoes and black sport shoes on sport days. Coloured and white sneakers are not part of the school uniform or school sport uniform.
LAUNCH, EXPLORE, SUMMARISE!
On the school development day last Monday, our teaching staff engaged in professional learning around a mathematical framework, Launch Explore Summarise. This facilitates problem solving and reasoning and builds on our recent work on number talks.
The launch, explore, summarise framework enables us to:
- Plan mathematics lessons which involve identifying students’ next steps from assessments, in terms of the syllabus outcomes.
- Launch the concept, using an engaging hook or stimulus. This initial task introduces students to the target concept, usually through an engaging problem or puzzle.
- Explore: Students have time to think about how they could go about solving the problem and puzzle individually and/or in groups, while the teacher asks probing questions and monitors students’ responses. This is often where the enabling and extending prompts may be used and strategies are shared. It may also involve explicitly teaching a procedure or skill.
- Summarise: The teacher supports students as strategies and solutions are discussed, and conceptual understandings and connections are harnessed through further questioning, sharing and reasoning.
CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS STANTON
We received exciting baby news towards the end of the last school vacation. Mack Jude arrived on 20 April, at 7:46pm, weighing 3540 grams and measuring 52cm in length. Mrs Samantha Stanton (nee McCracken), husband Mr Stanton and big brother, Rory, are very excited with Jude's arrival.
YEAR 6 : SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL TEST
The test centre for John Purchase students this year is:
Cherrybrook Tehnology High School
Date: 4 May 2023
Best wishes to the Year 6 students sitting the test.
WE ARE CONTINUING OUR COVID - SMART MEASURES
Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our students, staff and community safe while COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. With winter approaching, we will also see an increase in respiratory illnesses and by working together, we will keep our school community healthy this term.
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 if unwell and test for COVID-19 if showing any symptoms
Boosted day cleaning of high-touch areas in our schools
Strongly encouraging masks to be worn by all students, staff and visitors, particularly when indoors or outdoors when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, and if exposed to COVID-19
Strongly encouraging up-to-date vaccinations for our staff and students, including COVID-19 booster shots for anyone eligible
Maintaining natural ventilation with windows and doors open whenever possible, including when cooling/heating systems are in use
Continuing to provide RATs and other hygiene products to schools free of charge.
In certain circumstances, the department's Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing Case Management team may recommend that additional COVID-smart measures be temporarily reintroduced at our school. We will provide further details of any changes to COVID-smart measures at our school, if and when required.
Please continue to notify our school if your child tests positive to COVID-19 as we will continue to regularly notify the school community of any known positive cases, to prioritise student and staff safety and wellbeing. Although no longer mandatory, NSW Health recommends you register your result with Service NSWExternal link; this helps you to access medical support and advice from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines, if eligible.
For further information about the COVID-smart measures in place this term, refer to Advice for families.
Non-COVID-19 vaccinations reminder from NSW Health
Due to previous COVID-19 restrictions, 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 otherwise 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.
REFURBISHED KINDY AREA
During the holidays, the new seating was placed behind the kindy block, which is a fantastic addition to their sandpit area. I'm sure the kindies will make great use of the area. Once again, a big thank you to the P & C for the grant application, which made this possible.
CONGRATULATIONS VERA
Over the Easter weekend, Vera travelled to Perth to complete in the Australian National Artistic Swimming competition, as a member of the NSW team. Vera achieved a bronze award in the Under 12 group, in her solo routine, as well as her duet routine. An outstanding achievement from a very talented student. We are so proud of you Vera!
CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL
Last term we congratulated Michael on his achievements in swimming for the state level and we are now so proud to pass on his achievements in both state and national levels.
Michael swam at the NSWPSSA Championships on the 5th and 6th of April, with the following results:
5th place: Senior Boys Multi-Class 50m Freestyle
4th place: Senior Boys Multi-Class 50m Breaststroke
4th place: Senior Boys Multi-Class 100m Freestyle
Gold medalist and NSWPSSA Champion: Senior Boys Multi-Class 50m Backstroke
Michael was also selected to represent NSW at the School Sports Australia Swimming Championships in August.
Michael attended the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast and competed in the 12-18 years 50m Multi-Class Freestyle.
Michael swam a time of 37.27 (238 MCPS) a 2.97 second PB! His rankings from the event are:
12-18 years - 58th
12-13 years - 11th
Congratulations Michael!
Please refer to the flyer below in the community section of the newsletter. Michael's mum has sent this in to share with the community, to support the costs involved in competing in the NSW Primary School Sport competition.
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 opened on Thursday 30 March 2023 and will 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 term. 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.
YEARS 4, 5 AND 6: TELL THEM FROM ME STUDENT SURVEY
This term, our school is taking part in the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them.
The survey is run by an independent research company, The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys.
As well as providing our school with feedback from our students, the survey has a broader purpose. It provides the Department of Education, through the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, with insights into student wellbeing, engagement, and effective teaching practices for ongoing school improvement. This is done by using non-identifying student data from across NSW.
This survey is confidential, and staff in schools will not be able to identify individual students from their responses.
To ensure confidentiality, participating students will receive a unique username and password. Information is only reported where five or more students answer a question. All information will be handled according to relevant privacy legislation. Students’ personal information will not be disclosed by the department to any other person or body other than as required by law. Individual students will not be identified in any publications.
The survey is online, takes 15 to 30 minutes, and will take place at school during school hours. We will receive a report on our school’s survey results shortly after our students complete the survey.
Participating in the survey is voluntary. If any survey questions make your child uncomfortable, your child can skip the question or can choose to stop the survey at any time.
If you do not want your child/children to take part in the survey, please complete the attached form and return it to the school by delete and insert date of return.
More information about the survey and the research is available in English at education.nsw.gov.au/ttfm
Tell Them From Me Student Survey non-consent form
If you do not want your child to participate in the student feedback survey, please sign this form and return it to the school by Monday 15 May.
I DO NOT give consent for my child/children to participate in the Tell Them From Me student survey.
Student/s Name/s:
Student/s Class/es:
Name of Parent / Carer:
Signature of Parent / Carer:
Date:
A WARM WELCOME TO JUDY - OUR NEW SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
We are delighted to welcome Judy, our new school crossing supervisor. Please give her a big cheery smile and warm welcome when you meet her!
SAFETY OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
Please refer to the flyer below, which outlines parking and traffic rules and penalties in school zones, as well as safety tips. Traffic officers and/or police do patrol the area, and will book parents who are not following the road rules. These rules are designed to keep children and adults safe.
2023 Term Dates & Holidays - REPEATED
PLEASE TRY TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM, WHENEVER POSSIBLE
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
From the Deputy Principal
Term 2 Week 2
Monday 1st May 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
Term 2 has commenced in ernest!
The school community commemorated ANZAC Day, at a respectful service, last week. Thank you Miss Brennan and Year 6 students.
Student photographs, that were taken last term, have now arrived and will be distributed to students by class teachers, this week.
After a popular Easter raffle, our P & C's next project is the Mother's Day stall. The stall will run in the school annexe, next Thursday, 11th May. Students are encouraged to bring along a small amount of money on the day, in order to go shopping, with their class. Please see further information in the P & C flier below.
Please note that the Szapp app has been updated over the holidays. We have been advised by Schoolzine, that if you are having difficulty updating the app on your phone, please ensure that normal-sized fonts are being used on your device, in order to update the app, before customising the font size to meet your needs.
Have an enjoyable week!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Lest We Forget
Bus Safety for Students
Students catching buses home, are to move directly to the waiting area outside the canteen when the bell rings. All children are to wait in this area for the duty teacher to take them to the bus stop. When the bus arrives, they are to wait until told by the teacher on duty to enter the bus. When given permission to enter, they must take a seat and remain seated for the entire journey.
Students are expected to travel safely and sensibly to and from school, acting in accordance with our school expectations and the guidelines outlined at https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/state-transit/travelling-us/school-student-transport-bus-etiquette
Bicycle Safety for Students
Why are young people vulnerable when riding a bicycle?
● They are easily distracted.
● They have a limited concentration span.
● They are unable to deal with sudden changes and may act without thinking.
● They have a limited concept of danger.
● Their peripheral or side vision is not fully developed.
● They are still developing their motor skills and balance.
● They are a small aspect of the road environment and are not easily seen.
As a result of the above information the following guidelines apply at our school:
● Children in Years 3 - 6 are permitted to ride their bicycles to and from school.
● Children should be proficiently skilful in riding a bicycle and must adhere to all the road rules.
● Children must wear a helmet, ride in single file and NOT double any other person.
● Upon arriving at school the children will walk their bicycles into the school grounds and place them in the bicycle racks provided.
● At the end of the day the children will walk their bicycles to the roadway before beginning their journey home. Please note that the bicycle racks are out of bounds during school hours.
● If any child abuses these rules they will be asked not to ride to school for their own safety.
● Contact will be made with parents regarding these matters, if the need arises.
Children must have parental permission, each year, whether they ride to school on one day, or every day. Bicycle licence forms are available from the front office.
Congratulations Bronze Award Recipients
The Bronze Award recipients, pictured below, received their awards at the Principal's Morning Tea, held in the last week of Term 1. Many parents were able to attend, to celebrate the occasion with me.
Congratulations Silver Award Recipients
The Silver, Gold and Bronze Medallion recipients, pictured below, received their awards at the Easter Hat Parade assembly, held last term.
Congratulations Gold Award Recipients
Congratulations Bronze Medallion Recipients
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Play cooperatively
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.
Congratulations to:
Ellie M (4/5B), Lena K (5B), Divisha C (2E), Max A (KS), Andrew (1B), Namit x2 (5B), Jaden (6FG), Marcus C (Yr 5), Manu (3S), William (1KR), Carine (5B), Jatin (4/5B), Isla (2E), Ruaan (3S), Leon W (1B), Suryaa (3G), Amelie J (2E), Sharon (2E), Amelia Q (2R), Avik N (3S), Alfred (KH), Felipe (1B), Liam C (1KR), Olivia C (1M), Claire G (KN), Mira K (3/4B)
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, at the end of Term 2. This event will be held in the hall at 10:30am on Tuesday, 27th June. Parents of recipients, are invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Amelia Q (2R), Suryaa A (3G)
Silver 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.
Congratulations to:
Marcus C (5N), Keira G (4/5B)
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.
Congratulations to:
Holly Mc (5N)
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.
There will be a morning tea for Bronze Medallion recipients, with executive, at the end of this term, on Monday 26th June.
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
Winter PSSA
Trials for Winter PSSA Netball and Soccer will commence in the first couple of weeks of Term 2 and competition will begin in Week 5.
Mrs Townsend
Sports Coordinator
From the Office
From the P & C
FROM THE CANTEEN
SUSHI
Please note that for Term 2 only, sushi will NOT be available on Mondays but it will be available every other day. We are also no longer able to get beef sushi so we are now offering chicken schnitzel (and avocado or cucumber sushi). Sorry for any inconvenience.
SOS FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS
We are still looking for more volunteers specifically for some Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each month. The hours are 9:30am to 1:15pm once a month and lunch is provided. If you can spare one day a month to help out it would be appreciated as we rely on the help of our volunteers to offer the services we do. Please contact Snoewy or Anna on jpps.canteen@gmail.com if you can help.
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. 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.