2023: Week 2, Term 3

Principal's Message

Reflection - This Weekend's Gospel 

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of 'Treasures'  - those hidden in a field, pearls of great price, a dragnet in the sea hauling all kinds of fish. What are the most precious treasures in our life? Family, children, relatives, friends, health, security etc. What precious treasures do we have that are spiritual nature - our Faith, our Mass, the Sacraments, the Promise of Eternal Life?
What sacrifices are we prepared to make, to have, and to hold such spiritual treasures? No one can answer these questions for me. I alone can answer for myself. What are my answers? And how much do I need assistance of my God to acquire such treasures?
Jesus is challenging us - what are prepared to sacrifice to gain great treasures? What are we prepared to sacrifice for the 'Treasure' of our Faith? To hand it on to others? To merit eternal life? And what is it in each of us that makes it difficult (or seemingly impossible?) to make that required sacrifice?  Let us remember- God’s Grace is more powerful than all the sacrifices we might need to make. Let us pray for, and use His graces.

Late Father John Langtry

REMINDER: PUPIL FREE DAY NEXT MONDAY JULY 31.

Students return to school on Tuesday Week 3. Staff will be engaged in professional learning with schools across our Network on this day. Thank you for your support. 

Year 4 Parish Mass - THIS SUNDAY JULY 30

I look forward to welcoming our Year 4 families to our 10am Parish Mass this Sunday with Fr Dominic. 

Term 3 Curriculum Overviews

Families will receive an overview of work covered in each grade throughout the term in the coming days. This provides a comprehensive overview of the curriculum content your child will be taught. We trust this will support you in working in partnership with us to support your child in their learning. 

NAPLAN 2023

Congratulations to our Year 3 & 5 students for their outstanding NAPLAN results for 2023. In the coming weeks we will be communicating the analysis of our data which will inform some of our school directions for the coming year. We are very proud of our students and continue to be confident in the work we do to provide the highest quality education for all students. Some important reminders:

• John the Baptist provides a variety of support services to all our students.
• Our teachers at JB will support your child’s learning in the ways they need so they can be successful learners.
  
• Children’s NAPLAN results, along with other assessment data gathered, provides a more complete picture of your child's learning, and any areas in which students' need further support.
  
• All students learn at different rates and in different ways. When students do not achieve the learning outcomes expected, additional support can positively impact their learning.   
  
• Teachers are best placed to determine which students need additional support and what additional support is required. Teachers use many methods to understand student’s learning needs and most appropriate supports. Teachers constantly monitor student performance and respond accordingly. NAPLAN results supplement a teacher's regular classroom assessment and they use their professional judgement alongside NAPLAN results to determine the best way to support every child.
  
• Our teachers take into account the overall profile of your child (their interests, needs, abilities, background and learning preferences) when designing any additional support if required.  Additional support in a classroom may include:
  

• • Targeted or differentiated teaching, assessments or activities
  • Providing additional explicit teaching of content 
  • Providing your child with adjusted ways to express their learning
  • Scaffolded tasks
  • Addressing outcomes across different stages 
  • Adjusting the pace of instruction
  • Teaching your child in a small group

2023 Census

All schools participate in the Census on the 4th August. During this process information is collected regarding staff, students and families to ensure each school receives the required funding and resources for their community. All information that is collected adheres to privacy. SCS publishes their Privacy Policy online, and I have included government regulations below about the information gathered and what it is used for.

Standard Collection Notice  (also included in this newsletter)
2023 Non Government Schools Census Collection Notice

With thanks,

Mr O'Connor  Principal

World Youth Day 2023

We will be excited to follow the progress of Fr Ben and Mrs Knight as they embark on their World Youth Day pilgrimage. Our best wishes to both of them, as well as all of the pilgrims. See photos below ...

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

Welcome back to Term 3. I trust you all had a safe and relaxing break. We are well and truly back into the swing of things and loving our new playgrounds. 

Now that students can play on the top playground, they are able to purchase directly from the canteen on the days when they are rostered to play here. Any other day, they will need to place an order for recess snacks and ice blocks in the morning which will be delivered to their classroom.

Top Playground days for grades are as follows: 

Monday: Kinder and Year 5

Tuesday: Year 3 and Year 4

Wednesday: Kinder and Year 1

Thursday: Year 1 and Year 2

Friday: Year 2 and Year 6 

A reminder of the following SMILe days and Sports Uniform Days for students:

Term 3 SMILe Days

Week A: Monday (Year 6), Tuesday (Year 2), Wednesday (Year 4), Thursday (Kinder)

Week B: Tuesday (Year 1), Wednesday (Year 3), Thursday (Year 5)

Sport Uniform Days - Term 3: PLease note a change to allow for Sport lessons with Mrs Oliverio as well as Gymnastics and Dance lessons with Zing (previously - Dancefever). 

Monday - Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 5 

Tuesday - Year 3, Year 6

Wednesday - Year 2, Year 4, Year 5

Thursday - Year 2, Year 4, Year 6 

Friday - Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 3, Year 6

Staff Development Days - Monday Week 3

A reminder that we have our Staff Development on Monday 31st July, as such, there will be no students at school on this day. 

Pyjama Day 

Pyjama Day is coming up on Wednesday 2nd August (Week 3). A reminder that students need to wear closed sneakers and not slippers on this day. A gold coin donation towards our Year 6 fundraiser is appreciated on this day.  

Facebook & Instagram 

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

https://www.facebook.com/jbbonnyrigg

https://www.instagram.com/johnthebaptistbonnyrigg/ 

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Religion News

YEAR 6 CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will be held on Sunday 17th September at St Mary’s Cathedral at 3.30pm. Further details will be added to the Parish bulletin and the school newsletter as they become available. For other enquiries please contact Linda Barilla on 0409 914 083.  

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term3 Week 2

Remember to keep checking the COMPASS Calendar for Masses and events so you don’t miss out on anything! 

Keep the Date-

July 30- Year 4 invited to Parish Sunday 10am Mass

August 27- Year 6 invited to Parish Sunday 10am Mass

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

SPaR is a great way to start the week- Monday mornings in the demountable classroom on the top playground. We have a VERY short reflection (under ten minutes) followed by coffee and conversation- we have the coffee machine on and ready to go early!

Mon 31st July- No SPaR due to staff development day.

Mon 7th August-  ” We are but Travellers here…” - a famous quote of St Mary Mackillop.

All of us are on the road to hopefully the same destination, but how are you dealing with life’s adventures on the journey there?

 Coffee and conversation! Come along and bring a friend.

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

DON’T FORGET IT IS PYJAMA DAY on Wednesday 2nd AUGUST!!! Wear your pyjamas to playgroup!

Playgroup is on each Wednesday, first thing in the morning after the bell goes! I look forward to seeing you all!. Open to those children aged 0-6 years. We pray, sing and play and usually have fun making something crafty- great for all ages! 

HSC Prayer Partner Postcards- I need VOLUNTEER FAMILIES PLEASE!!

Each year we offer our support to Freeman students who are completing their secondary education- whether they are sitting exams, continuing on to further studies at TAFE or university or perhaps even starting an apprenticeship or employment.

Together with the other three primary feeder schools, we make personalised prayer packs similar to those pictured here from past years, containing a small religious gift, holy cards and inspiring quotes and most importantly, a handwritten postcard of support from a JB family.

 I am Asking for volunteers to WRITE on these postcards- a few words of encouragement and affirmation, a poem, or your own prayer for their success. You can then send these back to me and I will make up the packages to deliver to Year 12 students.

REGISTER HERE to be a prayer partner, please complete this form and I will send home the cards with your oldest child. These will need to be returned by Friday 1st September.

Thought for the Week-

We are about to celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, our first Australian saint, on Tuesday August 8th.

Mary was a very humble but determined young woman who even encountered temporary excommunication from the Church in her challenges to undertake God’s work among the poor and those suffering on the fringes of society. 

Imagine dedicating your life to the work of God only to have the church do this to you? What a great faith she must have had to continue her ministry.

In our own lives, how often do we give up too quickly, sometimes at the slightest resistance, or  how often do we persevere and champion our faith and purpose against all obstacles? Food for thought.

What can we learn from the blessed example of Mary, our own Aussie saint?

God Bless

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Parish Matters- because it does!

 JB Spring Fair - October 22nd

Have you thought about volunteering yet? Or promoting your own service or business?

BARISTA wanted parishioners or local business.

 We need volunteers - One or two hours of your time to volunteer would be greatly appreciated. Any entertainers out there? Please contact Fr Dom Our Marketing Stalls are slowly coming together. We have Gloria Lorlina Floral & Gifts, Maria handbags and Wattle Lane Designs. We need more! Hurry secure your spot! International Food stalls are run by our parishioners - Holland, Italy, Indian, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia. We need more parishioners to come forward to showcase their country of origin. Spot provided Free of Charge. JB Spring Fair Committee is happy to welcome a new member, Amanda Newell. Any enquiries please contact: Josie 0407203593

Bulletins can be found here

Amadeus Reminder

Please remind your children to bring their instruments on their specified day. 

Many children are leaving their instruments at home.

Unfortunately, moving forward we will no longer be able to accept forgotten instruments for students on their Amadeus Day. 

Reminder Amadeus Classes

Mondays: Year 3 & Year 4 
Friday: Year 5 & Year 6

Thank you for your understanding.

Lost School Uniforms

Dear Parents,

We have numerous items of clothing collected everyday, they are placed in our lost property basket in the office.  Each day, all labelled items are returned to the child's classroom.  Items which  which are unlabelled go to the clothing pool.  

Please ensure over the holidays you re-label any clothing your child is able to remove at school as markings can fade over time.  

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.

Alternatively, you can call the office and place an order via telephone, email info@jbbonnyrigg.catholic.edu.au or complete the form below and return it to the office with your child.  

Notes from the Office

APPLICATIONS FOR EXTENDED LEAVE – TRAVEL

Parents, kindly note Sydney Catholic Schools has updated the Application for Extended Leave requirement to now 5 days or more, which supersedes the previous 10 days or more policy. Any families planning or considering family travel for 5 school days or more must apply with an Application for Extended Leave – Travel, 4 weeks in advance of your child/ren’s intended leave wherever possible. This application must also be accompanied by copies of travel documentation, if applicable. 

Application forms are available from the office. For your convenience, please feel free to call or email us on info@jbbonnyrigg.catholic.edu.au and we will be happy to send this home with your eldest child.

We thank you for your prompt co-operation.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Parents, a gentle reminder regarding the importance of informing our school of any changes that may occur 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!

Lowes 20% Sale

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on achieving their badges:

Dates to Remember