2022: Week 10, Term 2

Principal's Message

In preparation for this weekend's Masses (which we encourage all to engage in) we will hear of the story of Jesus reaching out to the far communities to spread the Word of peace and love. 

REFLECTION

Jesus sends out seventy two disciples 'in His name' to many towns and villages. He tells them that their first words will be 'Peace to this House'. Peace was the last gift from Jesus to His disciples, before His Ascension to Heaven. 

Peace is what the nations and peoples of our world need. Peace is what the human heart seeks. Peace is the gift we receive to give to other people. In our homes, and our families, we experience the gift of peace. 

If our heart is united to the heart of Jesus, it will be 'at peace'. GO GENTLY, AND ALWAYS BE AT PEACE.

Fr John Langtry - Foundation Parish Priest  - John the Baptist

INDUSTRIAL ACTION REMINDER

A reminder that teachers will be engaging in industrial action tomorrow (Thursday) for the duration of the day. Classes will not run as normal, however supervision is available for students. 

The canteen will not be available tomorrow for service. Thank you for your support. 

REPORTS and INTERVIEWS

Thank you to all of our families who have taken the opportunity to meet their child's class teacher so far this week for interviews. We hope they have been informative and have helped in preparation for Semester 2. 

UPDATE on WORKS PROJECTS 

Work will begin over the holidays on areas of the playground that require urgent safety attention. The most obvious of these will be the removal of the middle tree and garden bed in the Top Playground. Although it will be sad to see the tree removed, the whole space requires significant upgrades. I have mentioned on many occasions this year that a safe school environment is part of the overall plan to fully welcome families back on the school site as it has been in previous years. Work will also begin in Term 3 on our netball court and grandstand. We look forward to these projects being undertaken. 

Wishing all of our families a safe and restful mid year break. Thanks to the wonderful staff for their efforts throughout the term, and it continues to amaze me how well we work together as a community. We look forward to seeing you all in Term 3. 

 Brendan O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful to engage with you throughout this week in our Parent Teacher Connect Meetings and to work in partnership with you to achieve the best outcomes for your child. 

As communicated via Compass earlier this week, we are excited to announce some changes that will take place to our SMILe Day rotations from next term. 

Students in K-6 will now engage in 3 hours of Science Investigation on their SMILe Day where they will learn about the scientific process, hypothesis on experiments and take part in hands-on experiences regularly through the design and production process. 

SMILe Day from Term 3 will involve:

1 Hour Sport/ Health Instruction 

1 hour Music Instruction 

3 hours of Science Investigation (includes ICT instruction through STEM activities) 

As a result, there will be a change to Library Borrowing. Beginning in Term 3, all students will be taken by their classroom teacher to select books and borrow. The outline for this is as follows:

Allocated SMILe Days have also been slightly adjusted for Term 3 & 4. Grades will now have their SMILe Days as follows: 

Sports Uniform is to be worn as follows for all grades in Term 3 to allow for our Dance Fever and Gymnastics Lessons which will take place on different days throughout the Term. Any changes to this will be communicated to you via Compass. 

Parent Volunteer Induction

We understand a number of parents were unable to attend the initial Induction for Volunteers earlier this year. I will run another session on Tuesday 19th July at 3:00pm in the Activity Room on the top playground for any parents who wish to attend. 

A reminder that parents must provide evidence of double vaccination for COVID in line with Sydney Catholic School Policy for volunteers on a school site or excursion. 

Please complete this Google Form to register your intent to attend this session. 

Have a wonderful holiday break,

Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Facebook

Be sure to like our school Facebook Page - we will be regularly posting some of the exciting things taking place at JB. 

https://www.facebook.com/jbbonnyrigg

Reminder: Family Support Worker

Lisa (Our Family Support Worker) is able to offer free confidential support for families going through challenging times. She can help you and your family with issues you may be facing, including some of the following:

• Child behaviour concerns
• Domestic and family violence
• Advocacy and referrals
• Financial hardship
• NDIS
• Traumatic events
• Housing stress

Lisa is available every Friday and can be contacted directly on - 0419 223 677 or via email - lisa.harris@catholiccare.org 

Please feel free to contact Lisa directly for further information or to make an appointment. 

Once again, thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Family Educator News

Catch up and Cuppa in the Gallery-  8.50am 25th July

Come along and catch up with old friends, or make some new ones. This will be an informal parent reflection over a cuppa- stay a few minutes or stay an hour. 

JB Juniors- FUN FOR PRESCHOOLERS!

Dates Term 3- Weeks 2,4,6,8,10

Tuesdays-JULY 26

                      AUGUST 9, 23

                      SEPTEMBER 6, 20

This Playtime group begins at 8.50am on Tuesday Morning in the demountable classroom on the top playground. We share a prayer, a story/craft and playtime.

It is open to children aged 0-5 years. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. We finish approximately 10am. 

Please let gate staff know you are attending this event when entering the grounds.

HAPPY FAMILY WINTER HOLIDAYS!

As we enter into the chilly winter holidays I pray you find some time to spend together- put away all the distracting technology- and just BE a FAMILY- with all its messiness and all its challenges. Set yourself some goals and plan some activities together.

Families are IMPORTANT- they are the domestic church and early centres of learning that contribute to shaping the society in which we live. Every member has a part to play.

Make your family a priority this holiday period. 

"As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.”- St John Paul II

Enjoy!

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

PARISH MATTERS:

Children’s Liturgy Leaders Needed-  COME and share your faith with the little children!

If you might be interested in being a children’s liturgy leader or teaming up with a friend for this important ministry, we have vacancies on the SUNDAY 8AM roster. Contact Angela on 0410 964 196 for more information.

PARISH HOUSIE VOLUNTEERS: We are in need of volunteers to help with our Parish Housie at the Liverpool Catholic Club on Saturdays from 12:00pm until 3:30pm. If you can assist in anyway please see Fr Dominic or contact the Parish Office on 9823 2572.

Find the latest church bulletin HERE

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 10 Term 2

The ability to read is essential for daily life, but it has the potential to be so much more than simply functional.  Reading has the power to transport us to new worlds and give us tremendous enjoyment.  It has the power to teach and provide endless opportunities to be fascinated as we learn more about our interests or even the world around us.  The ability to read can connect people and enrich their lives.  Learning to read needs to involve more than saying the words on a page.  When reading with children, or listening to children read, think about how to be more involved with the text, this will assist them in gaining better comprehension.  Good readers are ‘thinkers’.  They not only read their way through a text, they think their way through a text.  These holidays are the perfect opportunity to snuggle up and enjoy some fantastic reading time together.  Why not try some of these suggested books if you are looking for texts that provide fantastic opportunities for comprehension building.

Suggested Fiction Texts K-2

• Dear Zoo - Rodd Campbell
• I Went Walking - Sue Machin
• Mr McGee and the Biting Flea - Pamela Allen
• The Very Cranky Bear - Nick Bland
• Room on the Broom - Julia Donaldson
• Stellaluna - Janell Cannon
• Sebastian Lives in a Hat - Thelma Catterwell
  

Suggested Fiction Texts 3-4

• Drac and the Gremlin - Allan Baille
• Fox - Margaret Wild
• Rowan of Rin - Emily Rodda
• The BFG - Roald Dahl
• Just a Dog - Michael Gerard Bauer
• The 13 Storey Treehouse - Andy Griffiths
• Nim’s Island - Wendy Orr

Suggested Fiction Texts 5-6

• The Silver Donkey - Sonya Hartnett
• Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes - Eleanor Corr
• Hitler’s Daughter - Jackie French
• Holes - Louis Sachar
• Onion Tears - Diana Kidd
• Mbobo Tree - Glenda Millard

Also a reminder that our JB Winter Reading Challenge is also another opportunity to get excited about our reading.  Entries are accepted in all shapes and sizes with suggested activities provided on the Reading Challenge link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u2kyzMrcx1EcTIPUQwgaKSnSgddlnapf/view?usp=sharing

Happy Reading Everyone!

READ! READ! READ!

Teresa Wojtowicz  Literacy Coordinator

Newman News

UNSW Australian Schools Competition

Notes for the UNSW Australian Schools Competition were sent out last week. This Competition is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.

If you wish for your child to participate in the UNSW Australian Schools Competition, please visit the link below to organise payment.

Please do not send money to school. 

Access details:

Visit:  https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

JB Unique School Code - XJH440

Payments will not be accepted after Friday 22nd July, 2022.

Please contact Mrs Bushby if you have any questions.

Mrs Francine Bushby  Newman Facilitator/Gifted Coordinator

Religion News

First Holy Communion

We congratulate all the children who made their First Holy Communion over the last three weekends. These Masses were beautiful celebrations and reminders for us all that the Eucharist is the most significant celebration in the Church’s liturgy. We thank the parents, teachers, group leaders, the Sacramental Coordinators and the core group who prepared the children for this very special moment in their lives. Thank you also to the many staff who came to share in these sacred celebrations with the children and their families.   

The Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus    

Year 4 had a very special Grade Mass on Friday to celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was the first time they prepared for and received the Eucharist together as a whole Grade. Every child received a special prayer card blessed by Father Dominic, as a memento of their First Holy Communion.

The Nativity of John the Baptist

The 2022 Kindergarten children and their families had a wonderful parish Mass in honour of their first saint day - also their first school feast day, on Sunday. Many children and their families as well as teachers, participated in this parish Mass. Thank you everyone. 

Winter Appeal

We thank everyone for their kind and generous donations for the Winter appeal. We received many items which will be greatly appreciated by families who receive them via visitation by members of St Vincent de Paul and those who receive them from the Night Patrol operating from our local Liverpool area. 

New Altar Servers 

Congratulations to the 23 new Year 5 Altar Servers who have undertaken their training with Father Dominic. We thank them for their service to the Parish and ask God’s blessing on them as they begin this new ministry. 

Have a wonderful and safe holiday. God Bless,                                                                                                            

Mrs Jansen  Religious Education Coordinator

Tina Dunn  Family Educator                                                                                                                

Library News

Sport News

Athletics News

The following students will represent John The Baptist at the Conference 4 Athletics Championships on Thursday 4th August 2022;

Oleen Abouna, Audrey Alcantara, Addisyn Blanda, Martina Brcic, Patrick Brcic, Liam Bushby, Yolanda Butrus, Ava Campolongo, Talia Cavicchia, Luca Corvelo, Matilda Cox, Antoni Curjak, Lukas Curjak, Sofia Dahdah, Lourdes David, Chloe Davino, Jazel Esho, Joshua Gabriel, Ezel Gorgees, Mira Hanako, Mia Kewilahuo, Phoenix Kljajic, Andre Lalic, Gianluca Liberatore, Ava Lipari, Sofia Marciano, Ethan Mitri, Giulietta Nemet, Lewis Nguyen, Josh Pashley, Mary Poljak, Alessandro Rafoo, Antony Rakvin, Christian Sultana, Siana Tatian, Daine Trajcevski and Alana Tripodina.

We wish them the very best.  Train hard over the holidays, team!

Softball News

We congratulate Liam Bushby who recently attended the MacKillop softball trials. 

Great effort Liam!

Term 3 Physical Education- Dance Fever

During Term 3, our students will participate in weekly Dance Fever Multisport gymnastics or dance programs.  Please ensure your children wear their sports uniforms to school on these days.

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator

Notes from The Office

Dear Parents, 

A friendly reminder School photo day will be on Monday 25th July (week 2 next term).

Please ensure you follow the instructions online regarding payment, note anything ordered 7 days after photography day will incur a late fee charge of $15.

Please click on the link to access Advanced Life

http://www.advancedlife.com.au/

The order code for our school is HA MQ8 LLY 

Thank you,

Administration Team

APPLICATIONS FOR EXTENDED LEAVE – TRAVEL

For those families who may be considering a holiday, whether locally or internationally, please be aware that any travel request for 10 school days or more must be applied for at least 4 weeks prior to your child/ren’s intended absence.

Please email the office for an application and we will be happy to send this home. Kindly note when returning the application, it must also be accompanied by evidence of travel destination such as flight tickets &/or itinerary. 

Any holiday absence for 9 school days or less, please be sure to submit an attendance note via Compass, before your child/ren’s absence.

SICK CHILDREN 

Wth the cold & flu season upon us, we ask your assistance to please keep child/ren home if they are showing any signs of illness. This is particularly important in this time of COVID-19 & Flu season. 

We appreciate your understanding & co-operation in this matter.

SCHOOL CENSUS - Friday 5th August

Parents, please be aware that from time to time, we are required to provide student details and background data provided through the school enrolment form to government agencies.

Parents and guardians are able to access information regarding this process via the following linked notices:  SCS Privacy Notice, SCS Standard Collection Notice and the AGDESE 2022 Census Privacy Notice 

2022 SCHOOL FEES

Dear Parents,

As you are aware, your 2022 School Fee Statements have been emailed to you. It would be appreciated if your payments are made by the scheduled dates as listed on your statement.

Payments can be made by BPAY, Compass Parent Portal, Cash, Eftpos or Centrepay.

Please contact the office if you did not receive your statement, or have any queries in relation to your fees.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on achieving their badges:

Dates to Remember