Term 4 Week 1 Newsletter - 9 October 2023
From the Principal
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TERM 4 WEEK 1 2023
Welcome back to Term 4!
I do hope you had the opportunity to spend special time with the children.
Fourth term is always a busy one, with many special end of year events and celebrations. I have listed these below to assist with your planning.
END OF YEAR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Our end of year events allow us to celebrate our many achievements, to reflect on the many people who have supported our school and to wish everyone all the best for next year and beyond. The special celebrations are summarised below and further details will be sent out in due course.
K - 6 Celebrations of Learning
This is held in the COLA at the times listed below. Awards are provided to each student from kindergarten to Year 6, to acknowledge their progress and achievements this year. It will be wonderful to welcome parents and visitors to the ceremonies, so that you can see your child/ren receive their award. The dates and times are listed below:
- Kindy - Tuesday 12 December at 11.30am
- Years 1 & 2 - Monday 11 December at 9.10am
- Years 3 & 4 -Monday 11 December at 11.30am
- Year 5 & 4/5B - Monday 11 December at 1.30pm
- Year 6 - Tuesday 12 December at 9.10am
Year 6 Graduation Assembly
As we reflect on the students' journey throughout primary school and wish our Year 6 cohort all the best as they begin the next chapter in their lives, we are delighted that we will host a Year 6 Graduation assembly. This is being held on Tuesday 12 December at 9.10 am, so we ask that you put this date and time into your calendars.
Year 6 Formal
We are delighted to hold a Year 6 farewell dinner and dance on Wednesday 13 December.
Class or Grade Parties
Each year the children celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming holiday period by having class picnics. The parties will be held on Thursday 14 December. Please do not send children with treats that contain nuts or nut products and ensure ingrdients are listed on the item, as we have children who have severe allergies.
Talent Quest
A Talent Quest showcasing students' talents will be held on Wednesday 13 December.
Parent Helper Morning Tea
On Tuesday 28 November there will be a morning tea in the hall annexe, from 10.30 am. This is prepared by the JPPS staff to show their appreciation to parent, community helpers and scripture teachers for all the help and support they have given to the school during the year.
Year 6 Mini Fete
On Friday 8 December the Year 6 students and their teachers run a mini fete for all the children from Kindy to Year 5.
CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS WALTERS
What a glorious day for a wedding! During the holidays Miss Mahler married her fiance. It's lovely to see two people so happy. Miss Mahler will now be known as Mrs Walters. An enthusiastic congratulations to you both from the John Purchase school community.
BUSHFIRE PLAN
The bush fire danger period generally runs from 1 October until 31 March and it is around this time that we are reminded of the need to annually update our bush fire plans.
John Purchase Public School is identified as a Category 3 school. Category 3 means our school has moderate landscape-to-site bush fire and grass fire risk and may be directed to become non-operational ahead of a higher- risk day by the department, on advice from emergency services or the State Emergency Operations Centre.
Please ensure your parent contact details are updated with the office, if these change. We recommend that you stay up to date with bushfire and grassfire activity by using the Hazards Near Me app (set a watch zone for your school area), and by monitoring local media. You can also review fire activity and alert levels on the RFS website.
Other useful phone numbers:
NSW Rural Fire Service – 1800
NSW RFS(1800 679 737)
Fire and Rescue NSW – 000
NSW State Emergency Service – 132 500
The Fire Danger Rating does not mean there will be a bushfire, but rather weather conditions that could pose a high risk for a bushfire event. The measure is proactive to ensure staff, students and the community remain safe.
Further information on up-to-date communication of school operations, can be found through:
- NSW Department of Education’s School Safety website: education.nsw.gov.au/public- schools/school-safety
- NSW School Updates app: education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/nsw-school- updates-app, and
- social media.
We recommend that all of our families follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service and ensure that your family knows what to do if there is a fire.
It can take as little as five minutes to make your plan. Discuss it with your family so you know what you will do in the event of a fire.
CONGRATULATIONS OLIVIA
We enthusiastically congratulate Olivia on her national dance championship. What an impressive achievement!
EVERY DAY MATTERS - REPEATED
Consistent attendance improves student outcomes, increases career options, and helps students build relationships and confidence.
2023 Term Dates & Holidays - REPEATED
PLEASE TRY TO ARRANGE TRAVEL DURING SCHOOL VACATION PERIODS RATHER THAN DURING THE SCHOOL TERM, WHENEVER POSSIBLE
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 4 Week 1
Monday 9th October 2023
How wonderful to be back at JPPS at the start of a very exciting term! Sincere thanks to Mrs Cole for relieving so capably, as deputy principal, while I was overseas.
Year 5 students enjoyed a special day last term, organised by Mrs Townsend, focusing on their leadership capability. The formal process for the nominations and election of the 2024 Student Leaders, begins this term. This week, parents of Year 5 students will receive an email, outlining the anticipated timeline of events. Included below, is a copy of the JPPS Student Leaders' Code of Conduct and selection criteria, to which, we hope, all of our students and student leaders, aspire.
This Friday, 13th October, the school photographer will be at school to photograph the sporting teams and extra curricular groups, including bands, choir and dance troupes. Teachers will advise their students of timing during the day. With regard to the uniforms required for the photographs, please refer to this message:
All groups, including the band, should wear full summer uniform, except:
Sporting teams – please wear JPPS sports uniform
Dancers – please bring dance costumes to change into
Band members – please bring ‘portable’ instruments to hold for the photographs
Information regarding the JPPS High Potential and Gifted (HPG) assessment program was distributed to parents of students in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5, before the holiday break. Parents of Year 2 students are reminded that all Year 2 students will be involved in the assessment process, so an application is not required. Please refer to the reminder below.
Have an enjoyable week!
Regards
Adela King
Deputy Principal
Applications for 2024 JPPS High Potential and Gifted (HPG) Classes are now Open
As advised last term, in 2024, we plan to provide High Potential and Gifted (HPG) classes at our school. The quantity and structure of the classes will be dependent on student numbers in Stages 2 and 3, as well as staff available next year. Selection of students for HPG classes, is based on test performances and the limited availability of places within the classes formed in 2024. Please note that students currently in HPG classes, remain in the HPG cohort. Therefore, students currently enrolled in 3/4B or 4/5B, do not need to re-apply.
If you would like your child to be considered for HPG class placement in 2024, he/she must participate in the assessment program at our school. There is also a $20.00 non-refundable administration levy for students entering Years 4, 5 and 6 next year. Please note that students in Year 2 this year, do not need to apply separately or make a payment, as all Year 2 students will be included in the assessments.
Application forms were sent home last term. Please return the application form to the school office by 3pm Tuesday 31st October 2023. No late applications will be accepted.
All candidates who have submitted their applications by the due date, will be tested over the two weeks, commencing Monday 13th November 2023. Please complete the application form after completing the online payment method using the ‘Make a Payment’ tab on the school’s website.
All assessments will be completed during school hours, at flexible times determined by the coordinator. A testing timetable will not be published.
Parents will be notified if their child is offered a placement at the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Numbers of students accepted into an HPG class may vary from year to year, as school and grade student numbers impact on how many HPG places are available.
Congratulations Term 3 Bronze Award Recipients
These students enjoyed morning tea with the Principal, last term!
Congratulations Term 3 Bronze Award Recipients
These students enjoyed morning tea with the Principal, last term!
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Responsibility - Wear your hat
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. Parents are most welcome to attend.
Congratulations to:
Jaime L (3S), Adam L (3/4B), Harrison L (3/4B), Kai B (3/4B), Amelia Y (KH)
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 4. This event will be held in the hall at noon, on Tuesday 5th December. Parents of recipients, are invited to attend. Please note the later time, due to Year 2's swimming lessons.
Congratulations to:
Felipe L (1B), Lena Kim (5B)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur next week - at 1:35pm on Thursday 19th October, under the COLA. Kindergarten and the JPPS Training Band will be presenting an item at this assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
Congratulations to:
Caroline L (3/4B)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 1:35pm on Thursday 19th October, under the COLA. Kindergarten and the JPPS Training Band 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 19th October, under the COLA. Kindergarten and the JPPS Training Band 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 19th October, under the COLA. Kindergarten and the JPPS Training Band will be presenting an item at this assembly. All parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
SPORTS REPORT
Summer PSSA results
Stage 2 vs Normanhurst West Public School
Tee Ball
JPPS Boys 17 won to NWPS 14
JPPS Girls 14 lost to NWPS 20
League Tag
JPPS Boys 10 tied against NWPS 10
JPPS Girls 4 lost against NWPS 8
Stage 3 vs Epping Public School
Softball
JPPS Boys 6 tied against EPS 6
JPPS Girls 3 lost against EPS 9
League Tag
JPPS Boys 5 lost to EPS 8
JPPS Girls 1 lost to EPS 12
Mrs Townsend
Sport Coordinator
ICAS - English
I am pleased to announce that we have received the ICAS English Certificates. Any student who received a Merit or above will receive their certificate at the Week 2 Monday morning assembly.
Samantha Nelson
Stage 3 Assistant Principal
From the Office
NEW FINANCE SYSTEM
We are excited to announce our school has transitioned to the School Bytes finance system
What this means for you
· Our website requires you to register to our School Bytes portal to make payments
· You will then be redirected to a Service NSW page to complete an online payment. This is the new payment platform for online as directed by the NSW Department of Education
· All previous payments have been migrated to the new School Bytes finance system and portal
· Payments made online wil display as 0SCHOOLSONLINE 0000 PARRAMATTA AUS on your bank statements moving forward
· Receipts are easily downloaded
· Online payments are processed in real time and can be viewed by school staff immediately
What is the School Bytes Portal
The School Bytes portal provides flexibility for you to conveniently:
· Make school payments online (including paying for multiple siblings at once)
· Use a family credit to pay for an activity or school contribution
· Download a receipt for payment made
· View all historical payments in one place
· Request a refund if required
This can be done where you want at any time: day or night.
While our preference is for payments to be made via the portal, we will still accept payment via cash, cheque, money order and EFTPOS at the front office.
From the P & C
Important Notice: Uniform Price Adjustment
From Term 4, we'll be adjusting prices on some uniform items. The new price will be on the school website and uniform shop on the first day of Term 4 (9 October 2023).
This adjustment is necessary due to rising supplier costs over the past five years. The P&C runs the store as a service to the school community and proceeds of the store are returned to the school as P&C donations. We really appreciate your understanding for both the price increase and the benefit to the school of having the uniform shop service.
Thank you for your continued support.
The pricing of some uniforms has been adjusted and please refer to the updated price list, effective from Term 4.
Besides, there are special opening arrangement for 2024 orientation days as below:
17 Oct (Tue) 8:30 -11:00amKindy Packs available to order online
24 & 31 Oct, 7 Nov (Tue) 8:30 -11:00amKindy Pack order pick up at the Uniform Shop
7 Nov (Tue) 8:30 -11:00amSize exchanges at the Uniform Shop
Regards,
Pace Tang
Uniform Shop Manager | John Purchase Public School
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Are you interested in volunteering?
At John Purchase Public School, there are many opportunities to be involved and to support our P and C.
- P & C positions
- Special events
- Canteen
- School Uniform Shop
Volunteering helps you connect with people in the community.
If you would like to get involved, please put your name down at the canteen (for volunteering in the canteen), email our president, Richard at richardw@jppspandc.org.au or at the front office (for volunteering for other P and C roles).
From Primary OSHCare
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.