2023: Week 4, Term 1

Principal's Message

LENT 2023

Pope Francis recently shared a message for Lent 2023 that encouraged Catholics to listen to what Jesus wants to tell them through the Scriptures and through others. He used the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration as a launching point to address the journey of Lent.

In the story of the Transfiguration, God the Farther addresses the disciples on a mountain. During Lent we are invited to ascend ‘a high mountain’ in the company of Jesus and to live a particular experience of spiritual discipline — ascesis — as God’s holy people. Our challenge is to "listen to Jesus", just as the disciples were urged to do on the mountain. Jesus said to His disciples “Lent is a time of grace to the extent that we listen to God as He speaks to us.”

Pope Francis also compares the journey of Lent to a “strenuous mountain trek.” He acknowledges that the journey may be difficult and challenging, but encourages us to focus on our goals and stay committed. He reminds us that Lent is not an end in itself but a means of preparing for Easter. 

On Ash Wednesday, our Year 3-6 students listened to Fr Dominic and subsequently received the Holy ashes. These were then distributed to our K-2 students by Fr Dominic and Fr Ben. As a school community, we pray for those less fortunate than oursleves and prepare for the Lenten season through the sacrifices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

May the grace of God be with us all as we journey together through the season of Lent. 

EXCITING WORKS UPDATE!

I'm pleased to announced that building works for the school have been approved after a lengthy process. 

The two spaces approved for upgrades are:

• Netball Court and Grandstand - all areas will be removed, adequate drainage will be installed and a synthetic netball/baketball court, synthetic soccer field and covered grandstand will be constructed
• Top Playground - pavers, trees and garden beds will be removed, and replaced with a soft fall/solid surface play space with zones for climbing, sitting and playing games. It will have an infants focus, encouraging movement, play and interaction. 

Work is due to begin in approximately 4 weeks. Completion date (at this stage) is earmarked for the end of Term 2. There will possibly be changes to some drop off/pick up routines during this time, but we will hopefully keep these to a minimum. 

We thank Sydney Catholic Schools for their support of the project. 

With my best wishes for the week ahead. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

Thank you to all of the parents who attended our Parent Induction Workshops. We were overwhelmed with the response from our parent community - it is wonderful to be able to build these partnerships with you. Thank you! 

If you wish to volunteer as a parent helper in the classroom, you MUST have a valid WWCC, please bring this information along with you and register this online via this link. You must complete this, even if you attended one of the sessions with me. 

Due to an increased demand, I will run one additional session this year. This will be held on Wednesday 8th March at 8:30am in the Gallery. This will be the last session held this year. 

School Uniform

Thank you to parents and students for the improved efforts in maintaining the quality of our school uniform. A reminder that socks on sports day should be white (and without logos) and sit above the ankle line. 

Hair should be tied up for girls in a neat and tidy fashion and only red or white hair accessories are to be worn. 

Boys haircuts need to be sensible and tidy - no lines should be shaved into hair and no colour streaks, foils or highlights are permitted. 

Personal Belongings at School

A reminder that any personal belongings brought to school should not be valuable items and should be clearly marked with your child’s name. 

We have had several instances where students are trading or finding items and claiming them as their own. Please speak with your children about this and ensure that any items are clearly marked, and if they do not find something, that it is important that this is handed to their classroom teacher. 

Students are not permitted to engage in any trading of toys or cards at school.

School Open Days

We look forward to welcoming new families to our John the Baptist community. We will host two open days this years and warmly invite any new families to join us. 

• Monday 6 March, 5.30-6.30pm
• Thursday 9 March, 9.30-10.45am

You can register online via our school website https://jbbonnyrigg.syd.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/open-day-2023

We look forward to a wonderful partnership this year, 

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

Religion News

TERM 1 2023

Mass to celebrate the start of a new school year.

On Thursday 19th of February the students, teachers,  parents and the parish community joined in celebrating the Eucharist together. The Student Leadership team for 2023 received their Badge of Office at Mass. Congratulations to all the members of the Student Representative Council, the Sport Captains and the School Leaders.

We wish you Good Luck and God’s blessing as you begin your leadership role at John the Baptist. 

Ash Wednesday Mass 

The students from Years 3-6 participated in the parish Ash Wednesday Mass at which they were reminded by Father to pray, fast and almsgive. Father Dominic and Father Ben then visited Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2  in their classrooms, and joined in the Ash Wednesday classroom Liturgy before tracing the sign of the Cross on their foreheads. 

Every class has a Project Compassion box and we encourage  parents to speak with their child and together as a family - pray daily, abstain from meat especially on Fridays and make small sacrifices by putting money into the box each week. 

All money raised during Lent helps support the work of Caritas, here in Australia and in developing countries around the world. 

There are project compassion boxes in the foyer outside the Church, if anyone would also like to take a box home. 

The students from Years 3-6 participated in the parish Ash Wednesday Mass at which they were reminded by Father to pray, fast and almsgive. Father Dominic and Father Ben then visited Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2  in their classrooms, and joined in the Ash Wednesday classroom Liturgy before tracing the sign of the Cross on their foreheads. 

Every class has a Project Compassion box and we encourage  parents to speak with their child and together as a family - pray daily, abstain from meat especially on Fridays and make small sacrifices by putting money into the box each week. 

All money raised during Lent helps support the work of Caritas, here in Australia and in developing countries around the world. 

There are project compassion boxes in the foyer outside the Church, if anyone would also like to take a box home. 

Project Compassion Launch 

The Student Leadership Team attended the official launch of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion appeal for 2023, on Monday 20th February. At the launch they learnt the importance of elevating the dignity of all and discussed ways they could promote this message at the school in coming weeks. The theme of Caritas for 2023 is “For all Future  Generations” and our students are committed to doing their best to raise much needed funds to continue the work of Caritas (meaning Love and Compassion) - the longest running fundraising initiative, which over 60 years and more has made a difference in many parts of the world. 

Thank you.

God Bless. 

Mrs Jansen  Religious Education Coordinator 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 1 Week 2

Remember to keep checking the calendar for Masses and events so you don't miss out on anything.

Mondays- from 8.45 am Coffee and SPaR (Stop, Pray and Reflect) 

LENTEN GROUPS

Our Lenten group will meet on the following MONDAY SPaR mornings in the demountable classroom

Monday February 27th- Lenten weeks 2 and 3

(No Lenten Group on 6th and 13th March due to meetings)

Monday 20th March Week 4 and 5

Monday 27th March Week 6

(Parent Excursion this week also- see note below)

Monday 3rd April Coffee Morning

Stations of the Cross Excursion 30th March to BRINGELLY

You are invited to attend a parent excursion to walk the Stations of the Cross, followed by a picnic lunch on the grounds at St Joseph’s Conference Centre, Bringelly

The Stations are life sized marble and the path is concreted and easily accessible for prams etc.

Some of our neighbouring schools will be joining us also- the more the merrier. Preschoolers are welcome.

Register your interest HERE

Wednesdays- 9am-10am JB Juniors Playgroup for 0-5 years

Thank you to those who have begun attending the playgroup on Wednesdays at 9am. The group is currently at capacity. If we are able to find an alternative time that suits I will advertise again through the newsletter.

Dates this term are- March 1/8/15/22/29 and April 5

And it is Lent already…

Not sure you remember what it’s all about? Check HERE

Much like the new year heralds a series of resolutions to improve ourselves, so Lent provides the opportunity for renewal and repentance. We begin on a journey lasting 40 days (not including Sundays) toward Easter and the challenge is to PRAY, FAST and GIVE.

PRAY- Pray as a family- a simple Prayer offered at meal time or bedtime. or maybe take the time to do a decade of the Rosary AS A FAMILY each day.

FAST- what can we give up? Not necessarily food or certainly not JUST food. WE can change our behaviours and habits. Those things we know are not right or that distract us from the important things in life.

GIVE- this is not just an instruction to give money to charities, but to give of yourself- share your talents and gifts, share your time with others.

What Lenten steps will you take this week?

Ezekiel 36:26–And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.

God bless.

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Parish Matters- because it does!

Bulletins can be found here

Catechists Needed-

Do something of eternal significance- be a Catechist or helper! We invite you to join this ministry and our wonderful JB Catechist Team. Any enquiries please contact: Nina Laureti 0408 465 149 or Fr Dominic or Fr Ben.

Have you considered exploring your Faith a little more?

Father Ben is starting a group called  “GLUE”- GOD-LIFE-UNIVERSE-EVERYTHING-

The First Meeting date is on Tuesday 28th February- two sessions-9am and 7pm- Please call the parish for more details.

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 4 Term 1 2023

Summer Reading Challenge

 This week we congratulated all our class winners for the Summer Reading Challenge.  The calibre of entries was outstanding and judging was certainly very difficult.  Lots of our winning entries and now on display in our library.  All our class winners were presented with a prize as recognition of their fantastic work.  Keep up the amazing reading everyone!

At the Infants Assembly last week, we presented the overall major prize winner award. 

 A huge congratulations goes to Marco Colusso in 2 Emerald! Marco has won a voucher to spend at one of his favourite stores.  Well done Marco!

Early Bird Reading

We are very excited to announce that our Early Bird Program, in collaboration with Freeman Catholic College, is running again this year.  Early Bird Reading takes place in the library every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 8:20am.  Not only can children come along and read their favourite books, they can also receive assistance from Freeman students trained specifically in how to best support our students.  Please encourage your child to come along and join in the fun!

Remember everyone: READ! READ! READ!

Teresa Wojtowicz & Francine Bushby  Literacy Coordinators

Numarcy News

Dear Parents and Carers, 

For students in Year 3 and Year 5 looking to prepare themselves for this year's upcoming NAPLAN, remember to view the Maths@JB site for extra problems. Please fill in the Google Form for a video to help in any difficult areas. 

Students are fluent in Mathematics when they calculate answers efficiently, choose appropriate methods to approach problems and recall number facts with automaticity. The best way to improve the quick recall of facts is to practise, practise, practise! 

The Numerical Acumen Semester 1 Challenge has now begun for students in Years 3 to 6 to practise their Mathematical Fluency. 

Michael Hobson & Daniella Kokkinis  Mathematics Coordinators

Sports News

Tennis News

Clara Smolcic will represent John The Baptist at the upcoming MacKillop tennis trials. 

This is an amazing achievement and we wish her the very best.

Soccer News

We congratulate Christian Jedinak, Gianluca Liberatore, Kristian Komadina, Antoni Curjak, Andre Lalic, Talia Cavicchia, Martina Brcic, Giulietta Nemet, Saviola Rofael and Santana Rodi who participated in the Conference 4 Soccer trials last week. 

A special congratulations to Antoni, Kristian, Gianluca, Santana and Martina who will represent JB at the Sydney Soccer trials on 13th March. 

All the best!

Netball Trials- Wednesday 1st March

Play well Alyssa Cabrera.

Cluster Swimming Championships

We wish the following students the best of luck as they compete in the Conference 4 Swimming Trials on Thursday 2nd March 2023.   

Good luck Audrey Alcantara, Renata Giuliani-Bruno, Amelia Hughes, Allegra Lentini, Melanie Romero, Alana Tripodina, Zane Borg, Luca De Boucherville, Marc De Boucherville, Joseph Gabara, Giuseppe Gauci, Tobias Romero, Daine Trajcevski and Kosta Triantafillou!

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator

Notes from the Office

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Parents, as we warmly welcome you and your child/ren back for a new year, a gentle reminder regarding the importance of informing our school of any changes that may have occurred during the holiday break to your family’s personal details such as an address, mobile numbers, emails, emergency contacts, etc. For your convenience, these details may be updated via the Personal Details Form available on your Compass Favourites links.

Of equal importance and in the best interests of your child/ren, we ask if there has been a new event or update in relation to your child’s health, once again, we ask this information be provided at the earliest. A Student Health Information Form is also available on your Compass Favourites link, to assist you in this process.

SCHOOL FEES

Your 2023 school fee statements have now been emailed to you. Please contact the office if you have not received your statement as yet. It would be appreciated if your payments are made by the scheduled dates as listed on your statement.

Payments can be made by CompassPay, BPay, Cash, Eftpos or Centrepay.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated!

CLOTHING POOL 

Parents, should you wish to make a purchase of good quality second-hand clothing at any time, a reminder you may do so via your Compass Favourites link via the Clothing Pool Order Form.

ADDRESS DATA COLLECTION

From time to time, we are required to provide student details and background data to Government agencies, particularly during Census time. Our school will be undertaking these processes during February and March. For more information regarding this, please refer to the Australian Government Collection Notice below, in addition to the SCS Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice

Parents are not required to do anything for these collections, however, it is important that your personal records are up to date, as mentioned in the important reminders above.

Good Samiritan Catholic College Open Day

School Crossing Supervisor

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on achieving their badges:

Dates to Remember