Profile | John Purchase Public School

School Profile

Experience Excellence, Positive Classrooms, Individual Learning

John Purchase Public School is situated in the Cherrybrook area. The primary school is next to its feeder high school Cherrybrook Technology High School.

John Purchase Public School opened in 1986 and has established a high reputation within the community for its quality teaching programs and outstanding student outcomes.

At the present time it has:

An enrolment of 600 students
A diverse student population with approximately 55% of families from non-English speaking backgrounds
A class organisation that encourages acceleration and in class grouping of students to facilitate their learning
Focus teaching sessions for literacy and numeracy skills each day
Two Gifted and Talented classes
Extensive technology throughout the school for all students

We have proven teachers with positive classrooms and focused individual learning. Our capable and experienced teachers:

encourage successful learning for your children
create positive classrooms where children are happy to come to school and enjoy learning
provide daily school sessions focussing on literacy and numeracy
achieve above average success in the Australian National Assessment Program 'Literacy and Numeracy Program'
deliver higher level teaching programs including Gifted and Talented, Thinking Skills and Cooperative Learning Programs for all children at classroom level
collaborative plan classroom programs, assessments and student reports to promote consistency and quality performance
support positive classrooms emphasising pastoral care programs, peer leadership, peer mentoring and positive discipline
identify individual learning needs that are catered for in the classroom with a range of specially developed school programs to promote and extend each child's learning.

These include: individualised Gifted and Talented programs, Parent Tutor Support, Multi-Lit which is a targeted individual reading program, Reading Recovery teacher, Reciprocal Literacy, Reciprocal Numeracy and Language for Learning, a Support teacher for Learning and access to a private speech pathologist.

We provide strong academic foundations focussed on successful, diverse programs. Our school provides:

small class sizes for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students
stimulate each student's thinking with open ended problem solving
integrated Technology Centres with wireless internet access and individual laptop learning
technology skills taught weekly in a computer laboratory
library research and critical thinking skills promoted by an Integrated Technology Centre linked to all classrooms.
a commitment to academic success for all students to reach their potential
implementation of Quality Teaching strategies for all learning
Basic skills sessions are taught across the school each day

We promote strong student peer relationships reflecting respect and tolerance towards each other:

Students:

build positive relationships through involvement in peer support, buddy classes, anti-bullying and playground and social skills programs
participate in a Students Representative Council and student leadership programs
reflect a very diverse range of Non English Speaking Backgrounds
participate in a range of celebrations that respect the traditions of our Australian heritage
share their successes with their parents at a range of celebratory morning teas held each term

Parents and teachers preparing and supporting children together

At John Purchase we:

consult with parents to promote a positive relationship aiming to provide the best education for each child
support programs for children including transition from preschool to primary and primary to high school
implement cultural programs including dance, band, choir, sport, excursions, art and gifted and talented programs with parent support
utilise a Support Teacher Learning and the acquisition of the latest resources for students with parent support
offer a workshop program in a range of priority areas to inform and consult with parents
actively seek parents' opinions to determine school directions

Students play in shady, native landscaped grounds.

Our school grounds reflect:

contributions by parents to the building of a Covered Outdoor Learning Area in the school grounds
a corridor of gums through the playground reflecting the original settlement by Mr John Purchase in the 1850s
cultivation of Australian natives and protected species in the gardens
play areas that are extensive and varied for students, surrounded by landscaped gardens
implementation of recycling, water and energy conservation strategies in environmental planning