2021: Week 6, Term 4

Principal's Address

Dear Parents,

As we begin the second half of Term 4 and realise that we have only a few short weeks before the end of the school year, the staff are very busy. We are assessing the children’s learning, adjusting curriculum content, preparing reports and planning for 2022. It’s great to see that the children have settled back into learning and have renewed friendships.

Whilst we are still subject to guidelines and restrictions we have much for which we can be thankful. It continues to be challenging but we can still be grateful for God’s many blessings. At our last meeting the leadership team prayed this beautiful version of the Beatitudes and I thought I would share it with you.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We are truly a blessed and faith filled community.

Prayer 

Let us listen to the wisdom of the late Cardinal Francis van Thuan, who led his flock as bishop during fifteen years of deprivation and deep suffering in a Vietnamese prison. In his posthumously published book, The Joy of the Gospel, he outlines nine “Beatitudes for our time” to help people remedy the problems of our age:

T.Cosentino Renfrew County CDSB, 2014

Beatitudes for our time… 

- Blessed are those who know how to smile at themselves, they will never run out of chances to be happy 

- blessed are those who distinguish the mountain from the molehill, they will avoid many annoyances

 - blessed are those who know how to listen and keep silence, they will learn many new things

 - blessed are those who are attentive to others’ requests, they will be able to share many joys

- blessed are those who are attentive to simple things and calm in the face of important things, they will  live long

- blessed are those who know the value of a smile and avoid using disrespectful words, their paths will be full of light

- blessed are those who despite appearances, know how to generously account for the attitudes of others, they will be considered pure of heart 

- blessed are those who know how to reflect before acting and to pray before thinking, they will avoid nonsense

- especially blessed are those who know how to see God in every person they meet, because they will find true light and peace.

God Bless, 

Mrs Anne Blake

Acting Principal

Pastoral Care

Teaching SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) is no different to teaching numeracy or literacy skills – it needs to be continuous, cumulative and tailored to a child’s age and stage. This year we have looked at what programs we currently have in place to support students and using the BeYou Framework looked at what we can build on to ensure the students are given the best opportunity to develop such important skills.

We are fortunate to already have many programs in place at the school that support these skills such as URSTRONG, Zones of Regulation, Drumbeat,  and quality personal development and health programs. 

More recently we have developed a partnership with Mission Australia and Woodville Alliance who have run programs for some students including Peaceful Kids, The Best of Friends and Rock and Water. Such programs provide the children with the opportunity to develop the ability to understand and manage emotions, establish positive relationships, develop empathy for others, set and achieve goals and feel good about ourselves.

Since returning to school the teachers have had a particular focus on supporting students with social and emotional learning skills. Morning meetings and circle time have given teachers and students an opportunity to connect and discuss how they have been/are feeling since the return to school. Many classes have engaged in peaceful classrooms mindfulness activities. The benefits of mindfulness include but are not exclusive to, calming the mind and body, increasing focus & attention, increasing the ability to learn, less reactive behaviours, developing self-awareness, the ability to tune into their own emotions, lessens anxiety & stress, learning how to manage emotions and learning  lifelong coping skills. I have linked for you some resources you may wish to explore yourselves or together as a family.

Have a lovely week,

Mrs Michelle Coupland

Pastoral Care and Diverse Learning

Religious Education

SCS family gift to celebrate

‘200 Years of Catholic Education’

In honour of this wonderful milestone, a medal of St Benedict embedded in the Crucifix together with a little booklet explaining the rich symbolism of the medal, was sent home last week to each family. St Benedict led a very interesting life. As a family, I encourage you to read the book and learn about the medal and its significance. He is also a very interesting saint to do further research on.    

Here are some interesting facts about him….

* The name Benedict means “blessed”                                                      

* Benedict had a twin sister named Scholastica. She too is now a saint 

* St. Benedict is the patron saint of a wide variety of people and needs, including schoolchildren

What other interesting facts can you find out about St Benedict?

Thank you. God Bless,

 Mrs Jansen                                                                                                                                                                                     Religious Education Coordinator 

Numeracy @ JB

Congratulations to our Award Winners in the Numerical Acumen Challenge A. We are so proud of your efforts. 

Acumen Awards

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Family Educator

ZOOM-SPAR- Mondays at 9.30-10am- 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

Meeting ID 64623544679 

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

The ZOOMSPaRs will become an Advent Reflection group from the week of the 22nd November. A great preparation for Christmas!! Please consider joining us.

Good Luck to our Freeman Year 12 and all students across Sydney undertaking their final exams or moving onto new adventures.

This year especially we pray for those students who are completing Year 12 at Freeman, whether they are taking their HSC examinations, moving into employment, or undertaking further studies. Congratulations! You have completed 13 years of education already- the last two years in very challenging circumstances.

See our little video of Good Wishes here

Please keep these students in your prayers in the coming weeks!

Lord, we ask that our students feel your presence during the HSC exam period.  We pray that you give them calm nerves and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand. Bless them with keen understanding, retentive memories and the ability to grasp questions correctly.

AMEN

TRIVIA Night with Mary Immaculate Primary School!! 

Is this a Friendly Competition??? Wednesday Night 7pm

If you enjoyed our JB family trivia during lockdown and are feeling just SLIGHTLY competitive- why not join with our friends and test your knowledge. Join us Wednesday night at 7pm for a fun evening of trivia!

Come along, have some fun as a family or individually and test your knowledge of all things Heavenly. If you’ve not played before, do not worry, we'll guide you to get started, you'll find it super easy. Click here to register for the Family & Faith trivia session.

What's required?

You will need a second device to play (mobile phone, laptop, iPad) with the website www.Kahoot.it open. Everyone is welcome, parents, carers, students and staff. We hope to see you there!

Thought for the week-

As the world starts to get just a little crazy in the lead up to Christmas, remember to take a few moments out every now and then to just STOP and BREATHE- think, reflect and remember when we could not enjoy all the freedoms we currently enjoy. 

Let us appreciate the good things we learned and enjoyed during those few months- the value of family and friends,  the human desire to connect in whatever way we could with each other, whether via ZOOM, phone calls or a daily text to loved ones.

Let us not take these things for granted again. The hugs we are still catching up on, the family meals shared around a table together at last, the reunions planned across the borders, the coffees with friends at the local shopping centre- they are all blessings.

Thanks be to GOD!    

Tina Dunn

Family Educator 

Library News

JB BOOK FAIR

IS HERE!

We are so excited that the Scholastic Book Fair has arrived at JB!!

Children will attend the Book Fair with their class this week to complete a wish list to bring home. Please check Compass at the end of this week for my virtual book fair catalogue as this may help you to decide which books you’d like to purchase.

If you’d like to purchase any books:

1. Cross out any unwanted books on your list or rewrite your child’s wish list.
2. Make an online payment for the total amount at: www.scholastic.com.au/payment and select John the Baptist School (Bonnyrigg Heights)
3. Record the amount paid and receipt number on the back of the wish list.
4. Ask your child to return their wish list to their teacher as payment for their books. **Books cannot be collected without a returned wish list**

For more information click here

 Library Book and Home Reader End of Year Returns

Next week is the final borrowing week for 2021. All library books and home readers need to be returned in week 8.

Please check your home and return any missing books.

 Thank you for your continued support.

 Mrs Fedrigo

Teacher/Librarian

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

Sports News

Pathway Sports Trials 2022

Students who are currently in Year 4 and Year 5 will have the opportunity to participate in Conference sports trials in early Term 1, 2022.  Conference trials will be held for the following sports:

• Basketball
• Tennis
• Netball
• Rugby League
• Soccer

John The Baptist can select up to 5 students to attend these trials next year.  If your child plays any of these sports at a very high or representative level, please email the school with your child’s name, class, and the sport they play. 

I will provide you with further information once it has been made available.

Representative Swimming 2022

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, John The Baptist will not hold a Primary Swimming Carnival this term.  

Instead, Sydney Catholic Schools will give talented swimmers the opportunity to participate in The MacKillop Swimming Trials through an Expression of Interest form submitted by parents.  Students must meet the qualifying times to enter.

Please open the Information For Parents 2022 Conference Swimming Carnival sheet and submit your nomination by Wednesday 24th November, 2021. 

Information for Parents - 2022 Conference/Syd Swimming Carnival

I ask that you let me know that you have submitted the form so that I can provide you with further information when it comes to hand.

I will provide you with further information once it has been made available.

Mrs Frances  Oliverio

Sports Coordinator 

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.

Notes from the Office

STUDENT ILLNESS

Dear Parents,

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 mildest of 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.

As previously communicated, please ensure your child has adequate drinking water as they are unable to use the bubblers or refill their water bottles due to the current COVID19 guidelines.

Your understanding, support 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 

We wish to thank all families who have finalised their 2021 school fees and those maintaining their fortnightly or monthly arrangements, in what has been a most difficult year.

Should you have any queries or are experiencing any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact the office for a confidential discussion or email: accounts.13344@syd.catholic.edu.au if you have concerns around financial hardship.

We thank you for your ongoing support of your child/ren’s education and John the Baptist Catholic Primary School.

CANTEEN OPERATIONS

We are pleased to advise the Canteen is operating for Online or Lunch Tub orders & Slushy/Ice Blocks for recess breaks only, 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.  Birthday orders may be placed, however, are 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. Kindly note, due to the need to keep children in their own grades and not mixing, the canteen is unable to offer breakfast at this time.

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

School Photo Days

Awards

Assistant Principal Awards 

Congratulations to the following students on achieving an Assistant Principal Award:

	Kindergarten	Year 1	Year 2
Emerald	Levi Naamo	Klara Kesten	Bella Lagudi
Gold	Brandon Janus	Claudio Zanella	Daniel Uli
Ruby	Valentina Chiappazzo	Summer Borbe	Gabrijel Franjicevic
Silver	Danijela Markovic	Cruz Lalw	Angelo Mitreski

	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
Emerald	Aaron Chau	Phoenix Kljajic	Lily Chnorhokian	Lucas Mikha Andrea Pham
Gold	Olivia Rivas	Rosemarry Alyass	Alessio Cavicchia	Rihanna Yousif
Ruby	Valentina Spinozzi	Chelsea Gorgees	LAzarous Balyoz	Amelia Vukosa
Silver	Shia Gorgees	Lorenzo Pedavoli	Adriana Oudish	Isaac Essa