Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter - 8th 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 3 2023
Have a great week leading up to that very important day in the calendar: Mothers Day!
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
Wishing our John Purchase mums, grandmothers and other mother figures, a wonderful day on Sunday. I hope you enjoy special moments, surrounded by much gratitude, love and joy!
Thank you to the P & C for the Mothers Day gift stall, organised for Thursday. I know the time and energy generously given to make this happen, are appreciated by our children and community. Please refer to the P & C section of this newsletter, for more information.
P AND C POSITIONS
Thank you to the parents who volunteered to fill P & C positions at the March Annual Meeting. The following positions are yet to be filled, so if you are interested please let us know.
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Executive Positions
- Band Committee
- Grounds Committee
- Uniform / Canteen Convenor
- Child Protection Officer (female)
KEEPING SAFE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA
Mobile phones and other forms of technology are everywhere and are becoming an increasingly important part of young perople's lives. As children begin to use social media at increasingly younger ages, here are some ideas about how parents and carers can support them in keeping themselves and others safe. The DoE has collated invaluable resources and have published these on their parenting pages of the website. They are intended to help guide parents and carers around setting boundaries and having conversations about social media with children, as young as 3. The link to the page is: https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing/technology/cyber-safety
- Create a family tech agreementExternal link with your child (under 5 – 8 years old) on how and when they can use technology
Understand the basics of online safetyExternal link, educate your child and set some rules with them
Think about and get help to decide if your child is old enoughExternal link to use a certain device and apps such as social media
Build good digital habitsExternal link in your child from a young age
Learn how you can have hard-to-have conversationsExternal link with your child (both 5-12 and 13-17 years old) about their privacy and security online
Learn about online privacy, what the risks are and know what to shareExternal link and who to share with online
- Parents of primary school-age children can take their children through learning about digital footprintsExternal link so that before they start sharing images and pictures online, they know how long these tracks stay online and what this means
Parents of high school-age children can take them through learning about digital tracks left onlineExternal link due to sharing content or engaging with others and how to be mature and respectful about this.
CONGRATULATIONS ERIC
Eric participated in the 2023 Central Coast Judo Championship. He is the silver medal winner of MONS BOYS UNDER 35KGS. We are very proud of this wonderful achievement. Congratulations Eric!
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.
SAFETY OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL
Please refer to the flyer below, which outlines parking rules in school zones. 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 3
Monday 8th May 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
Our staff engages in a great deal of learning, in order to maintain high standards of safety for your children. Currently, all staff are undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and anaphylaxis training, at sessions held, before, and after school. This training is one component of a myriad of courses we undertake, to support the students we teach.
As well as maintaining physical needs, student wellbeing also encompasses emotional and psychological parameters. For example, staff actively teach anti-bullying strategies across all grades in our 'Friendly Schools Plus' lessons. Teachers explicitly promote cyber safety and positive interactions online. We do not accept bullying in any form and rely on parental support to be aware of every child's online behaviour, especially, after school hours.
On Wednesday 7th June, I plan to present an information session to parents, about JPPS student reports. If you are new to the school, or missed last year's event, please see the invitation below.
I hope all families have an especially wonderful Mother's Day on Sunday!
Regards
Mrs Adela King
Deputy Principal
Understanding Your Child's Report
Parent Information Session presented by Adela King (Deputy Principal)
When: Wednesday 7th June, 2023
Time: 9am - 10am
Location: School Annexe
RSVP to this link below by 9am Tuesday 6th June
https://forms.gle/GrrZhX2dfJkY4s3X9
Appropriate Behaviour Online
Through the curriculum, our students are being taught about working safely in an online environment. The school also asks experts in the field, such as police youth liaison officers, to address our students and keep them safe and informed, from time to time.
We define cyberbullying as using electronic means to bully or harass another person. For example:
• abusive, hurtful, threatening messages, images or videos
• imitating others online
• excluding, humiliating others online
• spreading online rumours, nasty gossip or chat
• using fake online profiles to embarrass or intimidate
We are aware of the significant pressures faced by parents as you navigate this complex area of contemporary social interaction and encourage you to read and discuss the excellent and comprehensive information provided by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, before making the decision to permit your child to access social media platforms.
This is an excellent resource: https://www.esafety.gov.au/
We do appreciate the support of parents, in keeping our students safe.
Bus Safety for Students (repeated)
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 (repeated)
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.
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Be a good friend, include others and be kind online
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:
Sean S x 2 (5B), Heidi G (3S), Lachlan L (KS), Aveer C (3S), Kelly S (3S), Eric W (1B), Kai B (3/4B), Rachel B (4/5B), Nicholas S (3B), Cody (KH), Hannah W (2E), Lily H (1KR), Christopher H (2E), Alex K (2E), Keerat K (5N), Maariv (1M), Jade (2D), Ilia H (3/4B), Nicholas L (3B)
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:
Keerat K (5N), Tristan M (3G), Alex K (2E), Jatin A (4/5B), Liam K (4/5B)
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.
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:
Sienna L (6FG)
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
Parent Webinar
The wonderful ‘GOT IT’ team is presenting a highly recommended online webinar and have invited the JPPS community to join in for free.
The online webinar is for all parents and carers of students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Please see the flier below for details of the webinar.
If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact me on 98753100 Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Please use the link below to register.
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GQqiSB_CTPG7kt4_sHv-ow#/registration
Leonie Cole
Learning and Support Teacher
SPORTS REPORT
Students attending the Beecroft Zone Cross Country Carnival received their permission notes today at morning assembly. Please return this ASAP to Mrs Townsend. Students attending the carnival can purchase Beecroft Zone Merchandise at the event. Please see products and prices below.
From the Office
From the P & C
P & C MEETING TONIGHT 7PM VIA ZOOM: ALL WELCOME
Zoom meeting. Topic: P&C Meeting Time: May 8, 2023 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney Join Zoom Meeting
https://rwts-au.zoom.us/j/83072021189?pwd=OC9UUm5JeHppVmpjbHB5ZnFQVVVJdz09
Meeting ID: 830 7202 1189 Passcode: 504763 One tap mobile +61370182005,,83072021189# Australia +61731853730,,83072021189# Australia Dial by your location +61 3 7018 2005 Australia +61 7 3185 3730 Australia +61 8 6119 3900 Australia +61 8 7150 1149 Australia +61 2 8015 6011 Australia Meeting ID: 830 7202 1189 Find your local number: https://rwts-au.zoom.us/u/kdn9SYAFi3
FROM THE CANTEEN
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.