2021: Week 4, Term 4

Principals Message

Dear Parents,

Last week we welcomed back our Kinder and Year 1 students. The transition back to school for our youngest students went very smoothly. We felt so excited to have them back and really proud of how grown up and independent they have become, happily having a last minute kiss, waving goodbye then heading up the path to their before school area with a big smile on their faces.

The mums, dads and grandparents also looked happy to be back in a ‘new normal’ routine.

Thank you to our staff who were at the gates offering a warm and reassuring welcome.

A huge THANK YOU to all our families who prepared their children so well for the return to school.

A special thanks to our Kinder and Year 1 parents and carers who tested out the new dismissal procedures and happily adjusted as we made changes to the procedure in order to keep everything moving safely and smoothly. Your flexibility, understanding and support are greatly appreciated.

This week it was our students from Year 2 to Year 6 who joined us. Again everyone was excited to be back. There was a real buzz as they connected with their friends and teachers. They assured me that they were ready for lots of fun and hard work over the remainder of the term.

Again thanks to our parents who have prepared the children so well for the return to school.

As we travel through the next six weeks our staff are well prepared to assess where the children are at and to move them forward in their learning.

On another note, due to the length of the lockdown and remote learning the end of year reports will mainly focus on Literacy, Numeracy and Religious Education. Under the guidance of SCS we are currently finalising the report format. We will keep you informed when the restructuring process has been finalised. We are aiming to reflect the achievements and growth the students have made over this challenging period. Congratulations to all our parents who did a remarkable job supporting their children and the school during remote learning.

Staff News

Whilst we are adjusting to being back at school we are also preparing for 2022. This preparation includes the appointment of new staff. Next year we will welcome Michael Hobson to JB as our Numeracy Coordinator. We also welcome Laura Raco and Patrick Donnellan as classroom teachers. We look forward to Michael, Laura and Patrick bringing their skills, knowledge and passion to John the Baptist.

On a sad note for John the Baptist, Mrs Emma Boundy will not be returning to JB. After many years as a classroom teacher and a specialist in Diverse Learning. Mrs Boundy has accepted a position at Good Shepherd Hoxton Park commencing 1st November. She will be the specialist teacher for the support class at Good Shepherd. It has been a dream of Mrs Boundy’s to work with and support those students who are some of the most vulnerable in our system. Mrs Boundy takes to the role her gentle, caring approach, her extensive knowledge and experience and a deep understanding of the needs of her students. We wish Mrs Boundy every success in her new venture.

We will also farewell Miss Kristina Kokkinis (2 Silver). We have been blessed to have Kristina at JB in 2021. Miss Kokkinis has added enormously to the health, well being and learning of her students in 2 Silver. She has also contributed greatly to Year two and the whole John the Baptist Community. We thank Miss Kokkinis for the positive impact she has had on JB. Miss Kokkinis will take up teaching opportunities closer to her home.

God Bless, 

Mrs Anne Blake

Acting Principal 

Welcome Back JB! 

Pastoral Care

Welcome back to our students and families! It has been wonderful to see so many happy, smiling faces on both sides of the school gates and be back to our new normal. While the extended lockdown has presented us with many challenges it has also reminded us of the many things we should be grateful for such as spending time together, discovering new gifts and talents, a little less rush in our lives, a new found appreciation for our local environment, our new and improved technology skills and most importantly the opportunity for connection with staff, students and families through our regular check in phone calls. 

As we continue to return to our new normal it is important to acknowledge that many will thrive on the return to school. Others, though, may need extra practical and emotional support to adjust in a healthy way. Some children may experience separation anxiety (for most children, the excitement of going back to school after so many months stuck at home will outweigh potential anxiety), others may be worried about catching COVID-19, others may be worried about connecting with friends again. I have included 5 tips for parents to support with the return over the coming weeks.

1. Renegotiate routines - this may take time to adjust to but negotiating them with children can support success. 
2. Allow time for adjustment - Returning to school may bring uncertainty, excitement, fatigue or other big emotions. Some children may seem particularly tired after their first few days, while others may be more sensitive or less tolerant than usual.
3. Acknowledge children’s worries - Regardless of the source of their worries, it is important to acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings. You can point out that many children may be feeling the same way, and that their concerns are understandable. At the same time, remaining calm and focusing on the positive aspects of returning to school can help to relieve some of their concerns.
4. Empathy - Being empathetic towards others and acknowledging how they are feeling will not only help your child socially, it is also an important socioemotional skill to master.
5. Be optimistic - Remember that most children adjust well when faced with new challenges. Parents can prompt children to remember what they enjoy most about school to help them look forward to returning. Reminiscing about funny stories or enjoyable school events that children have experienced can help with this process.

Please feel free to use the links below to support you and your families over the coming weeks and remember our JB Family Wellbeing Site has links to support services should you require these.

Poster - Staying Connected with our Children

https://professionals.childhood.org.au/app/uploads/2020/04/COVID-poster.pdf

From the Department of Education https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/covid-19/Helpful_tips_for_coming_back_to_primary_school.pdf

Free App for Parents - Contains resources for parents about different topics including Covid 19. To download the app visit;

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/raising-healthy-minds

Have a lovely week,

Mrs Michelle Coupland

Pastoral Care and Diverse Learning

Family Educator

Welcome back everyone this week!

For  parish updates, mass links and other FAMILY and FAITH INFO see this page with current information.  Just CLICK  HERE

ZOOM-SPAR- Mondays at 9.30am- Once the children are back into the classrooms, take the chance to go home, make a coffee or put the washing on and join the ZOOMSPAR each Monday this term.

https://scscatholic.zoom.us/j/64623544679

Reminder this is our last  Friday Rosary- 9.15am

 We will have Reflection and MULTICULTURAL ROSARY via ZOOM LINK if you wish to join from home.

** If you wish to offer a Hail Mary in your own language please contact Mrs Dunn at santina.dunn@syd.catholic.edu.au   We would love to hear the diversity of cultures offering this beautiful unifying prayer.

Links can also be found on the school calendar.

Year 12 Gifts and Prayers

This year we have had to think outside the box in regards to our wishes and prayers for our Year 12 students at Freeman. As in the past we have given a small gift to students with prayer card, but this year we added a special link to a video clip of families and students offering encouragement and affirmation. Watch out for this clip in the next newsletter or on our Facebook!

We ask you to keep these Year 12 students in your prayers in the coming weeks and months as they graduate, undertake exams and move into employment and further study. It has been a particularly challenging time for Year 12 and as a community we can offer them the greatest gift. The gifts were wrapped and delivered to the school for distribution to students! GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS Year 12!

Teachers (with the greatest support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It has reinforced the significant role teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities.

This week you have the opportunity to write- AS A FAMILY- a letter of thanks to a teacher, LSO or member of staff. You will have received a copy of a card to colour and complete- but you are welcome to make your own, as many as you wish and send them in with your children. There will also be a "POSTBOX" on the top playground if they wish to post them in there!

Thought for this week- NOVEMBER

As we enter into November, we remember all the faithful departed. We pray for them and for ALL SOULS this month. In such a challenging couple of years we may have lost loved ones and not had the chance to farewell them exactly as we wished.-but we can always pray for them and November is the time. Consider adding their names to the General intercessions at Masses.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

God bless from

Mrs Tina Dunn

Family Educator

Religious Education News

CONFIRMATION - YEAR 6

Confirmation will be held on Monday 6th, Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th December, at 7pm in the Church. 

An enrolment form was sent home with your child yesterday. Enrolments will be held in the Parish Hall on:

- Saturday 30th October, 4:30pm-5:15pm and 6:15pm-7:00pm

- Sunday 31st October 9:00-11:30am

A completed enrolment form, a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate and $20.00are required to successfully enrol for the sacrament. 

Classes will run over 4 weeks in November on a Tuesday evening, Wednesday afternoon or Thursday afternoon.

For further enquiries please contact Linda Barilla on 0409 914 083

Please note: Due to the current covid situation, meetings and Sacrament Masses may need to change. You will be duly notified if this is the case. 

Thank you.

God Bless

Mrs Jansen       

Religious Education Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Newman News

UNSW Australian Schools Competition 2021

All ICAS Competitions will now be completed in November at school, during class time. 

Please refer to the following table regarding ICAS Competition dates this term:

Thank you!

Mrs Francine Bushby

Newman Facilitator

Library News

Returning library Books

Don’t forget to return all library books and home readers that students borrowed before term 3, so they can continue to borrow for the remaining borrowing weeks.

JB BOOK FAIR: 15^th-19^th Nov

The Book Fair is an exciting event for our students and an important fundraiser for our school!

The Scholastic Book Fair is set up at school. Students complete a wish list and purchase new books right at school!

Important Book Fair details:

Preview dates: 10^th, 11^th and 12^th November (students visit the fair with their class and fill in a wish list)

Selling dates (week 7): 15^th-19^th November

Unfortunately, parents are not able to attend the Fair.

No cash payments.

Payment: Parents make an online payment and return completed wish list as payment for books.

Book orders will be packed for students to bring home during week 7.

Look out on Compass in week 6 for a virtual Book Fair tour and ordering instructions.

Thank you for your support of the Book Fair!

Mrs Fedrigo

Teacher/Librarian

2022 Class Placements

Each year I provide the opportunity for parents to express any special considerations for the class placements for their children.  I am aware that certain children clash, work well together, become too dependent on others, etc. If you feel you need to make such a request, please remember, if you continually take obstacles away from your child, then they will never learn to jump. They will more than likely go into adult life without the skills of managing conflict, respecting those who have different opinions or moving forward when things are uncomfortable.

If, after consideration, you have such requests please do so in writing to Mrs Blake by Friday 5^th November.

Arranging class groupings is a very complex task and your information may help make those decisions however, there is no guarantee that your hopes will be accommodated.

Please only write if there are significant issues that need to be considered. This is not an opportunity to 'teacher shop’ as teachers are not assigned to classes until the end of term.

Mrs Blake

Acting Principal

Notes from the Office

STUDENT ILLNESS

With the exciting return of all our staff and students this week, a gentle reminder that we must be vigilant in protecting the health & safety of our school community. 

As such, the necessary COVID-19 safety protocols must be strictly adhered to by all.  In particular, we ask families to please keep any child who is unwell at home, even with mild flu-like symptoms. Students with any COVID-19 symptoms will be sent home and cannot return to school until they have a negative COVID-19 test result and are symptom free or they have isolated for 10 days, when no medical certificate is available.

Your understanding and contribution in protecting our JB community, is greatly appreciated.

LEAVING FAMILIES

We ask any family of children in Years K-5 who may be leaving John the Baptist at the end of this year to please inform the office immediately via info@jbbonnyrigg.catholic.edu.au. A Cessation of Enrolment Form must be completed and arrangements in this regard will be made with you.

SCHOOL FEES 

As you may be aware SCS has now completed the processing of all eligible fee credits for cancelled events such as the Sports and Swimming Programs and applicable Excursion Fees dependant on each year groups situation.

The credit has been automatically applied against your account and is visible on your recently received October fee Statements (or by viewing your account via the Payment Centre in Compass). This credit will be carried over and will offset against future fees at any SCS Primary or High School your child/ren will be attending in 2022.

We thank you for your continued support of your child/ren’s education during this extraordinary time. Please do not hesitate to call the office on 9823 5042 or email: accounts.13344@syd.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions in relation to the above or for any other concerns around financial hardship.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

A reminder for any family who have changes to any family personal or emergency contact details to please advise of the necessary updates via the CHANGE OF DETAILS FORM  available on your Compass Parent Portal School Favourites tab, for your convenience. This form may be updated to make changes at any time throughout the year.

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring our school records are maintained and accurate, at all times.

CANTEEN OPERATIONS

We are pleased to advise the Canteen will be operating from Monday 25^th October for Online or Lunch Tub orders ONLY at this time via www.flexischools.com.au.  Alternatively, you may call the Canteen on 8786-0891 or 0404 219 791.  All orders must be made by 9:30am.  Birthdays orders may be placed, however, is limited to Ice Blocks or Jelly Sticks only. Children designated to the Top Playground during their lunch or recess breaks may also make purchases from the canteen.

Thank you for your understanding, as we comply NSW Government & Health order requirements.



School Bus Travel 2022

Any parent wishing their child to travel to/from school via a bus, please refer to the attached flyer for further details.  Parents are asked to plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card (within Greater Sydney) from the start of the school year.

Applications for the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) open at the start of Term 4 2021 for travel in 2022, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.

School Photo Days

Awards

Assistant Principal Awards 

	Kindergarten	Year 1	Year 2
Emerald	Maria Faga	Miriam Oraha	Marissa David
Gold	Peter Azar	Luca De Boucherville	Oliver Komadina
Ruby	Joshua Pisani	Rosario Patronaggio	Dominic Touma
Silver	Scarlett Screpis	James Lavorato	Thomas Hillawi

	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Emerald	Luca Ianello	Sienna Tran	Liam Bushby	Maja Odak
Gold	Stefano Garzo	Alessandro Bonvino	Angela Petros	Tommy Kongvongsa
Ruby	Luca Dileo	Giulietta Nemet	George Audish	Daminh Vu
Silver	Emily Nguyen	Daine Trajcevski	Vivien Lam	Stephanie Vartuli