2023: Week 10, Term 3

Principal's Message

REFLECTION  - GOSPEL

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways”. In these words the prophet Isiah sets the scene for this weekend's Gospel story. In terms of our human thinking and acting the events of the Gospel seem 'lopsided'. For us equal pay for equal work would seem to be the desirable thing. But what the message the Gospel stresses is the generosity of God. It was a generous offer given to the first hired who agreed to the terms of employment and it was an extremely generous offer made to the late -comers. God’s generosity is boundless and it cannot be negotiated.
How quickly we make judgements about each other. Our God does not judge between one person and another. He just keeps offering opportunities to all of us throughout our lives. He wants us to accept His Initiations - but even if we do so, only at the 'eleventh hour', it is not too late. Let us try to be OPEN and ACCEPTING of each other.

FRIENDS ARE LIKE SEA SHELLS. EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT. EACH ONE IS BEAUTIFUL IN ITS OWN SPECIAL WAY.
LIGHTING A CANDLE FOR SOMEONE ELSE ALSO BRIGHTENS OUR WORLD.
LIFE IS LIKE PLAYING A VIOLIN IN PUBLIC AND LEARNING THE INSTRUMENT AS ONE GOES ON.

We give thanks to God for the blessings received this term. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4!

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

What a wonderful term we have had. There is so much to celebrate and the students have all learnt and grown a great deal. It has been great to see so many parents engaged in their child’s learning throughout the term and taking part in so many of our activities and open classrooms through Science this term. 

Some important reminders for Term 4: 

Students are able to purchase directly from the canteen on the days when they are rostered to play on the top playground. 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 4 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 4: 

Monday - Kindergarten, Year 1

Tuesday - Year 3, Year 6

Wednesday - 4G & 4S, 2G & 2S, Year 5

Thursday - 2E & 2R, 4E & 4R

Friday - All students 

REMINDER: School Bell Times

A reminder that from the start of Term 4, we will extend our day from 2:45pm to 2:55pm. 

This will mean that the first dismissal bell will ring at 2:55pm and the Gloucester Street and Mount Street Gates will not open until 2:55 pm to begin dismissal. 

Dismissal procedures will remain the same in line with the new times. 

2:30pm: Gloucester Street Carpark Opens

2:55-3:10pm - Pick up from classrooms 

3:10pm 

• Students who are waiting for parent pick up will proceed to the Undercover where they will be supervised until 3:30pm
• Walkers are dismissed
• Students catching a bus home or attending after school care are dismissed to their areas. 

We thank you for your understanding and support with our new dismissal times. 

School Readiness program 

Our School Readiness program for Kinder 2024 begins Friday 13 October. Over the course of five weeks, we will have our new Kinder students visiting and taking part in school readiness activities. 

Open Day and Sausage Sizzle 

Year 6 will have their final fundraiser for the year on Tuesday 24th October. 

Parents are invited to Open Classrooms from 10am, followed by a picnic lunch with their children. Pre orders for sausage sizzle will be made available to parents and students in Term 4. 

Final Day for 2023

A reminder that our final day for students in 2023 will be Friday 15th December. 

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/ 

Have a safe and restful holiday break.

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 3 Week 10

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

CATCH UP CUPPA!

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

LAST SPaR this term is Monday 11th September

SpaR resumes in Week 2 Term 4- 16th October

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!

Come along and bring a friend.

Life Month September- “Where is God in our Suffering?” Ladies Brunch with Bridget Sakr at Doltone House

On Tuesday 12th September, nine parents and I attended a wonderful and moving SCS Life Month event at Doltone House, Bossley Park. Bridget Sakr who lost her beloved daughter Veronique alongside the three Abdallah children in a tragic accident spoke so beautifully on her loss, her suffering, her forgiveness of the driver and the positive changes she has made in the world in the memory of her daughter. A very powerful day for all who attended.

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

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. 

 NO Playgroup Week 1 of Term 4

RESUMES  Wednesday 18th October!! We will have a Teddy Bear Picnic- so bring along a picnic rug, your favourite FURRY friend and something to drink and eat.

We pray, sing and play and usually have fun making something crafty- great for all ages! 

Wishing everyone a wonderful Spring break- travel safely and enjoy the warmer weather! Rest, renew and prepare for the new season ahead!

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Parish Matters- because it does! 

KEEP THE DATE- JB Spring Fair - October 22nd

DON’T MISS OUT on THIS EXCITING DAY OF FUN AND LAUGHTER!!

 5 SUNDAYS TO GO!! Jumping Castles, Popcorn, Fairy floss, Face Painting, for a gold coin donation only. There will be Snow Cones, a Barista for coffee lovers and for food lovers an array of cultural food from Italy, Croatia, Australia, Holland, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Tonga!! To entertain you on the day, we have,

 Studio 5 School of Dance, West Dance Co, Philippines and Tongan Choir, a Singer, and a Pianist.

WANTED More Volunteers!! If you can help please place your name and contact number on the sign up sheets on the Church noticeboard outside the Church or-

Contact: Susan 0419 606 683 (after 3:30pm) or Sharon 0410 494 700 (after 5:30pm))

Church Bulletins can be found here

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 10 Term 3

Early Bird Reading

This term, our Early Bird Reading Program has been bursting with eager readers who are catching the word! Many students visit the library before school in the morning to read with teachers, friends and our buddies - Freeman Catholic College Senior Students. We thank our Freeman students for their support over the year. Congratulations to all students who have come along and made our program such a success. We look forward to yet another successful term of Early Bird Reading next term!

Spring Reading Challenge

The students at JB have worked hard this term in building their reading and comprehension skills. The holidays provide us with a great opportunity to practise and consolidate those skills.  The JB Spring Reading Challenge gives you many ideas for how to make reading fun!

This week all students will be taking home the JB Spring Reading Challenge. Once again we have lots of fantastic prizes to be won. We have class winners, major prize winners and even prizes for the class that returns the highest number of entries. All entries are due back by Thursday Week 1. Good luck and happy reading everyone!

JB Annual Book Fair

This week all students K-5 experienced some engaging book talks that previewed fantastic books that will be for sale at the JB Book Fair.  Children were excited to preview books such as ‘Baa Baa Black Belt’, ‘Cat on the Run’ and ‘Family Holidays/Disasters’.  Murray presented a variety of books and gave us a greater insight into some of the authors and illustrators.  The Book Fair will begin early next term and information will be sent home regarding dates, times and further instructions.  Shopping for books is the best kind of shopping!

Lexiles

JB has officially read over a hundred and thirty million words already this year!  Students are working hard on selecting ‘good fit’ books, which means they are not too hard and not too easy.  Many of our students have also become entranced with some amazing authors such as Morris Gleitzman, Jackie French and Paul Jennings.  A reminder that the word count for class champions and grade champions continues over the holidays.  It is a very tight race in some classes so remember to keep up the reading over the holidays.  We will announce winners and champions in our first Primary Assembly in Term 4.

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

READ! READ! READ!

Teresa Wojtowicz & Francine Bushby  Literacy Coordinators 

Newman News

UNSW Australian Schools Competition (ICAS)

Congratulations to all the students who completed the ICAS Competitions over the last few weeks. By now, parents should have received an email with a link and unique code to access their child’s results. The certificates and results will be handed out at our assembly once they have all been received.

Thank you!

Mrs Francine Bushby  Newman Facilitator

Sports News

Athletics News

We congratulate Alexia Asonitis who represented John The Baptist at the MacKillop Athletics Championships this week.  Alexia came 4th in the 8 years 100m.  She beat her personal best by nearly 1 second.  Congratulations Alexia!

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator

Canteen News

Please contact the school office 9823 5042 for any communication with the Canteen. 

The canteen are NO LONGER using a mobile telephone number.  Please ONLY contact the school office for contact with the canteen.  Do not contact ANY mobile telephone number previously provided.

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 Property and 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 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. 

Please ensure ALL of your children's items are labelled including drink bottles, lunch boxes and containers as we have numerous lost property items collected everyday which remain unclaimed and ultimately have to be thrown away. 

Thank you.

The Administration Team

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 co-operation with this process when making travel plans with your child/ren. 

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.

2024 PARENT/GUARDIAN & STUDENT VERIFICATION

Parents, you have recently received a Compass notification to complete 2024 Parent/Guardian & Student Verification in Compass Events.

As part of your child/ren’s ongoing enrolment, it is important the school maintains accurate records of ALL children within a family who enrolled in a Sydney Archdiocese Catholic Primary or High School.

Please complete this event to determine the correct School Fees (Sibling Discount) and Building Levy for your child/ren in 2024.  We ask this to be completed by 22nd September 2023 to ensure accurate billing for your family in 2024. 

Should you have any queries in relation to any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 9823 5042 or email info@jbbonnyrigg.catholic.edu.au for assistance.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

SCHOOL FEES

Your 2023 school fee statements have now 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 CompassPay, BPay, Cash, Eftpos or Centrepay.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated!

Students Commencing Freeman Catholic College Year 7 2024

TO ALL PARENTS/CARERS WHO HAVE A CHILD THAT WILL BE COMMENCING AT FREEMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE FOR YEAR 7 2024.

There will be an Acceptance Information Evening on Tuesday 14th November, 2023 commencing at 6.30pm in the Michael Addicoat Centre at Freeman Catholic College.  Parents and students are required to attend.

Year 7 2024 Orientation Day (for students only) will be Wednesday 22nd November, 2023. Students will be required to be at Freeman Catholic College all day.

Dates to Remember