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