Our school takes its name from the original landholder of the area. John Purchase, his wife Betsey and son John, ages two years, arrived in Sydney on the "James Pattison", on 17th December, 1838 as bounty immigrants from Somerset in the British Isles.
Whilst John was a stonemason by trade, he worked as a timber merchant felling trees on land that he bought and leased in Pennant Hills and Thornleigh. A small area of the land near the present Purchase Road was cleared and an orange orchard planted. A nursery was also established.
John became a lay preacher of the Parramatta Wesleyan Circuit and by 1858 had gained a place in the social standing of Parramatta. He was appointed a Foundation Trustee of Parramatta Park, the large estate of crown land on which Government House has stood since the 1790’s.
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
Facilities
Library which is well resourced including current technology.
School Hall which is used for assemblies, special occasions, dance/sporting activities and visiting performances.
Performance Area which caters for the attendance of all students at assemblies and special functions.
Computer Room providing opportunities for all students in class and team teaching situations.
Interactive Smartboard Technology in 14 class rooms, library and computer room.
Internet and Intranet facilities in all classrooms.
Attractive grounds with extensive grassed and landscaped areas.
Canteen which provides quality service five days a week. Details of the items on offer and prices can be found in the menu at the bottom of this page.
Uniform Shop which provides daily service from 8.30am - 9.30am. See the information sheet at the bottom of this page for details on the items available and other services.
Out of School Hours Care (OOSH) which accommodates up to 90 students on a daily basis.
Cherrybrook Technology High School access for school programs and sharing of play areas.
Band Program
Junior band, concert band and senior ensemble band performing in a range of school and district music performances and local eisteddfods
Three dance groups perform at Schools Spectacular, Australian Youth Olympics, Education Week, assemblies, Hills Music Festival, Hornsby and Richmond eisteddfods
All students participating in Artrageous exhibition biannually
Biannual school musical performance with Kindergarten to Year 6 participating
Recorder group and school concert
