Term 3 Week 8 Newsletter - Monday 8th September 2025
From the Relieving Principal
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Term 3 Week 8
Monday 8th September 2025
Dear Parents and Carers
Recently, I shared information with our community about 'Instructional Rounds'. Last month, members of the Connect, Collaborate and Grow Instructional Rounds Network gathered at John Purchase Public School for the Term 3 instructional round. Over the two days, teachers from three network schools and three additional visiting schools came together to engage in descriptive, non-judgemental observations across 16 lessons. The lessons from Kindergarten to Year 6, were in a range of Key Learning Areas. Working side-by-side, teachers observed, reflected on, and discussed classroom practice with a shared commitment to continuously improving student learning.
A Celebration Wall was created to highlight the strong initiatives and excellent practices already evident at JPPS, and to recognise the growth and progress made over time. The network members particularly commended the following:
• Across classrooms, students were highly engaged, on-task, and genuinely interested in
their learning. They eagerly shared their thinking and ideas, contributing actively to
discussions.
• Peer-to-peer interaction was strong, with students collaborating productively, asking
each other probing questions, and engaging in respectful challenge to deepen
understanding.
• Teachers consistently used questioning that promoted thinking, prompting students to
explain their reasoning, explore alternative strategies, and extend their ideas rather than
simply providing answers.
• Classrooms were safe and supportive learning environments, where positive teacher–
student rapport encouraged students to take risks and contribute ideas.
• Students demonstrated persistence and a willingness to tackle challenges, often trying
multiple approaches to solve open-ended tasks and embracing the "sweaty brain”
moments of productive struggle.
• Thinking was made visible in regular and purposeful ways, with students using drawing,
writing, modelling, and discussion to share their ideas, supported by a range of
embedded visible thinking routines.
The focus for this instructional round was framed by the problem of practice:
Are our classrooms enculturating students to become resilient, reflective, and courageous
thinkers?
The following questions framed the observations:
Were students engaged in metacognition – thinking about and regulating their own
learning? There was evidence of students engaged in some form of metacognition as they thought about and regulated their own learning. Examples included: Students trialling different approaches and verbalising their thinking, such as talking aloud to themselves about the strategies they were using.
Were students taking intellectual risks – sharing ideas even when unsure, trying new strategies, and exploring multiple solutions? There was evidence of students engaged in intellectual risk-taking. Examples included: students questioning one another, sharing ideas, and trialling strategies suggested by peers.
Were students persisting through challenges – not giving up quickly and using strategies to overcome obstacles? Students were seen persisting when faced with challenges. Some examples included: students sharing multiple ideas and probing one another’s thinking during discussions.
Were students challenging ideas – questioning peers’ thinking and defending their own reasoning? Students were engaged in respectful challenge of ideas through questioning, defending reasoning, and considering alternative perspectives. Examples included: student-to-student dialogue such as “I have changed my opinion.”
Our school's next steps will include further focus on metacognition (including links to The Anxiety Project) and student reflection.
Harnessing the thoughts of renowned educator, Dylan Wiliam, if we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
This idea beautifully captures our JPPS growth mindset: improvement isn’t about fixing deficiencies but embracing potential, where continuous growth is the norm.
Have a positive week!
If you can be anything, be kind!
Adela King
Relieving Principal
P&C MEETING TONIGHT
All are welcome to attend out P&C Meeting tonight via Microsoft Teams at 7pm.
P&C Meeting
Meeting ID: 459 916 208 038
Passcode: YU6ab7Rm
Celebrating IABBV Hindi School
On Sunday, 7th September, Mrs Ratnarajah and I were honoured to be invited to attend the 38th anniversary celebration of the Indo-Australia Bal Bharati Vidyalaya (IABBV) Hindi School, at Thornleigh West Public School Community Hall. JPPS has had a ten-year partnership with the IABBV Hindi School, which has helped make Hindi language learning accessible to our students, after school. Mrs Mala Mehta OAM, President and Honorary Founder of the IABBV Hindi School, made a presentation, recognising the 10-year partnership with JPPS.
We know that bilingualism is a lifelong gift. It nurtures identity, opens minds, and gives our students the confidence to step into a multicultural world with curiosity and compassion. Recognising the importance of the Hindi language is not only about supporting our vibrant Hindi-speaking community, it's about embracing the diversity that makes Australia so rich.
THE ANXIETY PROJECT
As our teachers and students continue lessons about The Anxiety Project, I want to share (with the author's permission) an original poem, created by one of our Year 6 students:
Anxiety
There's a feeling that pierces through many hearts
Sharper than knives, sharper than swords
It numbs us so much that it createss scars of misery
This is anxiety.
It slowly starts to crackle
Slowly burning, turning embers into a pit fire
And turns everything to ash
This is anxiety.
We try to free ourselves
We move, twist and try to taste freedom
But it strangles and pulls us closer to darkness
This is anxiety.
Ask for help
Though the beast is inside
You cannot hide
From the feeling of anxiety
by Ethan
The Anxiety Project Lessons Continue
Investigating Matter in Stage 2 Science
Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes 2026
Information regarding selective high school placement for Year 7 2026, was released on Friday afternoon, 22nd August.
Information regarding placement in Opportunity Classes for Year 5 2026, was released on Friday, 5th September.
Parents are advised to refer to the following information from the NSW Department of Education, should you have queries regarding this year's process and testing methodology. This 'Outcomes' information site will have updates to parents' frequently asked questions, as well as translation pages:
Student Attendance - Every Day Matters (repeated)
If your child is absent from school, a member of the administrative team will send you a text message or email. Parents are encouraged to respond to these messages as soon as possible, to avoid absences being recorded as unjustified.
To support you in monitoring your child’s attendance, we encourage parents to access the Parent Portal in School Bytes, where you can view your child’s attendance levels on a visual map. This map provides a clear view of your child’s attendance rate, at any day during the year. The attendance rate is calculated on the number of actual and partial days attended, as a percentage of the total possible school days for the term.
As part of your child's Semester 1 and Semester 2 report, we include the semester's attendance summary, imported from School Bytes.
If you need any assistance setting up or navigating the School Bytes portal, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office administration team.
2025 Term Dates & Holidays
We encourage student travel to be taken in school holiday periods, not during term time.
Please note: School development days for staff are included in these term dates and parents and carers should not send their children to school on these days.
- Winter school holidays - Monday 7 July to Friday 18 July
- Term 3 – Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September. The school development day is on Monday 21 July and all students K- 6 start on Tuesday 22 July.
- Spring school holidays – Monday 29 September to Friday 10 October
- Term 4 – Monday 13 October to Friday 19 December. The school development day is Monday 13 October. All students K - 6 start on Tuesday 14 October.
- Summer school holidays (Eastern) – Monday 22 December to Monday 26 January 2026
From the Relieving Deputy Principal
Term 3 Week 8
Science Sparks Curiosity and Fun in K-2
Last Friday, our K-2 students had an exciting experience during the science incursion that brought learning to life in a hands-on and engaging way. Through small group activities, our young scientists eagerly made their own rockets and tested their flight abilities, sparking curiosity and teamwork.
The students also observed fascinating changes in a variety of substances, witnessing chemical reactions firsthand. These interactive experiments allowed them to explore and understand the science behind everyday phenomena in a fun and memorable way.
We are thrilled to see our students so enthusiastic about science and look forward to more opportunities to inspire their love of learning through practical experiences. A big thank you to Miss Nelson who made this wonderful incursion possible.
Irene Robbins
Relieving Deputy Principal
K-2 Science Incursion
Term 3 Diary Dates
- Monday 8 September - P&C Meeting via zoom
- Tuesday 9 September - Maths Olympiad
- Wednesday 3 September - 5pm to 7pm Parent Session 1 The Anxiety Project
- Wednesday 10 September - 5pm to 7pm Parent Session 2 The Anxiety Project
- Wednesday 17 September - 5pm to 7pm Parent Session 3 The Anxiety Project
- Wednesday 10 September - Year 5 Leadership Day
- Friday 12 September - Summer PSSA resumes
- Thursday 18 September 9:30am K-6 Assembly and Book Character Parade
- Tuesday 23 September 10:30am Principal’s Morning Tea in Hall
- Wednesday 24 September – 11am Bronze Medallion Morning Tea in Principal’s Office
- Friday 26 September - Last day of Term 3
Our School Expectations
Congratulations to our students who have demonstrated our school expectations of Respect, Responsibility and Aspire.
This week's expectation is:
Aspire: Demonstrate good sportsmanship
Purchase Pride Badges
Purchase Pride awards 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 foyer. Each set of ten awards needs to be bundled together and clearly labelled with the student’s name and current class. The acceptance of awards closes for administration at 9am every Thursday morning.
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. Students are notified directly, if successful.
Award recipients will be presented with a coloured Purchase Pride badge, the week after their name is published in this newsletter, at the Monday morning assembly, during term time. This badge may be worn on the school uniform. Students are encouraged to hand in their awards regularly and not 'stockpile' them.
Congratulations:
Holly B (2B), Victor C (2B), Matthew H (2B), Lachlan L (2B), Arianna J (3L), Maariv G (3L), Rohit S (4B), Stella C (4B), Nicole S (3/4B), Victoria X (4D), Luvnoor D (4D)
Class Awards System
In addition to Purchase Prides, 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 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. Students are encouraged to hand in their awards, rather than 'stockpiling' them until Term 4, so they don't miss out on special celebrations, such as the Principal's Morning Tea.
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!
All awards (including Bronze) received by 9am on Thursday mornings, 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
Bronze Awards will be presented at the Term 3 Principal's Morning Tea, for Bronze Award recipients. This special event will be held Tuesday 23 September at 10.30am, in the school hall. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Logan M (1KR), Harvey S (1T), Charlotte C (2-O), Aiden S (2-O), Kush P (3L)
Silver Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Claire H (4B)
Gold Award
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30m on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. 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 28th August, under the COLA. Stage 3 students will be presenting an item. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
A morning tea for Term 3 Bronze Medallion recipients will be held in the principal's office at recess on Wednesday 24 September at 11am.
Silver Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30am on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
Gold Medallion
These awards will be presented at the next assembly. This assembly is planned to occur at 9:30m on Thursday 18th September, under the COLA. Parents are cordially invited to attend.
From the Teachers
The Anxiety Project Lessons
CHECK-IN ASSESSMENTS
2025 ‘Check-in’ Assessments Year 3-6
‘Check-in’ Assessments for 2025 will commence on Monday 1st September 2025 and will continue until Friday 12th September 2025. These assessments are completed online by students in Year 3 to 9, in NSW public schools every year.
John Purchase Public School students in Years 3-6 will each complete a reading test and a numeracy test. Students in Year 6 will also complete a writing task. The reading and numeracy tests are designed to take up to 60 minutes each. The Year 6 writing task is designed to take 40 minutes (including 5 minutes planning at the start, 30 minutes writing and 5 minutes to check and edit work at the end). Both the reading and numeracy tests have approximately 50 items (including a small number of items for trial purposes). The Year 6 writing task is a single prompt marked against set criteria.
No preparation is required at home. The assessments will be completed during lesson time, and there is no expectation for students to revise or study in advance.There is no formal feedback or test results shared with parents. These are internal assessments intended to guide classroom teaching rather than to report student achievement. The results are used by teachers to identify areas of strength and where further support may be needed.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact class teachers.
Adele Walters
Stage 3 Relieving Assistant Principal
RANGER JAMIE INCURSION
On Friday 5th September Kindergarten and Stage 1 students had an amazing day of science fun with the Ranger Jamie team!
The day began with a meet and greet with our enthusiastic Rangers before an interactive science presentation full of excitement. Students were wowed by a spectacular experiment where liquid nitrogen safely launched hundreds of ping pong balls high into the air. Then the students took part in hands-on activities exploring forces. Students squashed, stretched, and shaped slime (made from cornflour and water). They built rockets out of paper and watch it be launched into the sky by Ranger Cam.
The incursion was an engaging, hands-on experience that inspired curiosity, teamwork, and a love of science in all our students.
Samantha Nelson
Early Stage One Assistant Principal
PSSA REMINDER
Stage 2 and Stage 3 Summer PSSA begins this Friday, 12th September.
This means both training sessions and games will commence from this date.
Laura Davidson
BEECROFT ZONE ATHLETICS
Congratulations to our JPPS representatives who competed in the Beecroft Zone Athletics Carnival last Thursday, 4th of September! You all represented our school outstandingly and above all showed excellent respect and sportsmanship towards each other and other schools.
Congratulations to the students whose names appear below.
Phoebe C | Nathan W | Keira G |
We are thrilled to acknowledge that some of our athletes are progressing to the Sydney North Athletics, representing our school and Beecroft Zone
Harrison C - 11 years Boys Overall Champion
100m - 2nd
200m - 1st
Long Jump - 1st
Snr boys relay team 1st
Anton R
1500m 1st
High Jump - 1st and broke the Beecroft Zone record!
Max T - Snr boys relay team - 1st
Carter M - Snr boys relay team - 1st
Alastair B - Snr boys relay team - 1st
Aveer C - 11yrs boys Shot put - 2nd
Yanqui T - Junior boys Shot put - 1st
Laura Davidson
Sport Coordinator
From the Office
STUDENT TRAVEL PASSES
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
TERMS OF USE
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use .
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
From the P & C
JPPS UNIFORM SHOP
General Notes:
Opening Hours (School Days): 8:30-9:30am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Online Ordering & Pick Up In Shop:
To shorten your waiting time in the shop, we highly recommend all parents order uniforms online and arrange pick up. Items can be changed if there is a sizing issue.https://uniforms.jppspandc.org.au/
Friendly Reminders:
Any size change of items (except hats & socks) has to be arranged within 14 days upon purchase with FULL packaging and receipt shown ONLY. Any used items or missing packaging will definitely NOT be accepted.
FROM THE CANTEEN
Volunteers needed: Our school canteen is in URGENT need of volunteers to help keep it running smoothly! especially on our busiest day--FRIDAY. If you can spare time from 9.30am - 1.15pm once a month, please email jpps.canteen@gmail.com Thank you for your support!
From the OOSH
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.
A MESSAGE FROM THEIRCARE OOSH SERVICE
TheirCare is an experienced Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) company with 495 services nationally. TheirCare was founded in 2017 and provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children in OSHC. During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity through play-based programs. We look forward to starting the TheirCare service with an official start date of Monday 21st July - 2025. An online information night is scheduled on Tuesday 1st July – 5.30pm (details attached) so families can meet the team and to find out about registrations, times and bookings for the service.
🎉 Ready to Jump In? Let’s Get Started!
Not enrolled yet for OSHC? No stress—it’s super quick and easy to sign up! Just click here and get started.
📝 A Few Quick Checks Before You Finish:
To help us create the best experience for your child, please double-check these details during enrolment:
- ✅ Emergency contacts – make sure we have someone to call if needed
- ✅ Medical information – including allergies, medications, or health conditions
- ✅ Any diagnoses – like asthma, anaphylaxis, or other important info
This info helps us keep your child safe, supported, and smiling throughout their time with us.💬 Got Questions? We’re Here to Help! Our friendly Customer Support Team is available Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM – 8:00 PM (AEST) 📞 1300 072 410📧 info@theircare.com.au
We can’t wait to welcome your family to TheirCare!
Please also refer to the flyers below for further information.
