2023: Week 8, Term 4

Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - GOSPEL

What is going to be my/our emphasis during these weeks leading to Christmas? There will be shopping, gifts to purchase, cards to send, phone calls to make. Perhaps some parties to attend. Lots of end of year school activities also. We do these things for sure. So, what time will we find to prepare for, and truly celebrate, the Birthday of Jesus? After all, without His birth there would be no Christmas.  What will be my priorities throughout December?

THE FIRST CANDLE The Prophet’s Candle to remind us of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

THE ADVENT WREATH

Symbol of the Circle: The circle represents the fulfilment of time being achieved in the coming of Christ.

The Candles and Light: These remind us of the Light Jesus brought into the world. The waiting for the four candles to be lit symbolizes the long years of waiting for the Saviour.

Colours of Purple and Pink: Purple is both a colour suggesting Penance and Fasting; perhaps even a royal colour of the coming King. Pink is used as a colour of joy and expectation.

* For each one of us, what meaning do Candles have?

* Could we light an Advent Candle in our own home?

* Could we write Advent prayers at home, and say them as a Family?

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENTS

We take this opportunity to farewell members of the JB staff as we near the conclusion of the school year. 

Mrs Wojtowicz

We thank Mrs Wojtowicz for her contributions to the JB community for the past 15 years. Her support, guidance, leadership and knowledge, specifically in the area of English, has contributed to the positive educational outcomes of so many children. Mrs Wojtowicz has accepted a position as Diverse Learning teacher at St Therese Primary, Sadlier. We offer all of our love and best wishes.  

Mr Ellis

Over the last 5 years, Mr Ellis has contributed significantly to the JB community. As well as being a wonderful classroom teacher, he supports many students in meeting their individual needs. The JB community will miss Mr Ellis and all that he has offered to all of us. Mr Ellis will be pursuing other interests in 2024, and we wish him every success in his future ventures. 

Mrs Bushby

As communicated previously, we congratulate Mrs Bushby on her appointment as Religious Education Coordinator at Holy Spirit Primary, Carnes Hill. Mrs Bushby has supported the JB community over the past 5 years in a variety of roles, including EAL/D, Gifted and classroom teaching. We thank Mrs Bushby and wish her every success in her new role.

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

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/ 

With thanks, 

Mrs Natali Tomic 

Assistant Principal 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 4  Week 8

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) 

Our last SPaR concluding our Advent Program will be on Monday 11th and we will meet at the Bonnyrigg Garden Centre for a coffee at 9am. 

Consider coming along next year as we gather each Monday to begin our week with 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.

 JB Juniors Playgroup for 0-5 years commences again in the new year- look out for COMPASS updates.

Last gathering this year will be Wednesday 6th December

Playgroup is on each Wednesday from 9am-10am, first thing in the morning after the bell goes! Consider joining us in the New Year as we will have openings due to many starting kindergarten in 2024. Prayer, Play, Story and Craft! Fun!!

 Open to those children aged 0-6 years. 

REMINDER: Christmas Appeal 2023- Vinnies and Local families in need- need to be in by December 5th! THANK YOU.

Rather than a cash donation we are asking for particular items to make up stationery packs for children. This will assist families in challenging times with the back to school costs in the New year. Other food items on the list will be made into snack packs for the Liverpool Night Patrol and some items used as stock for the pantry at the Mount Pritchard Vinnies offices. Many families find it difficult to keep up the food for teenagers and children over the holidays!

We thank you for your generosity and please remember, this is only if you are ABLE to assist us. 

The items donated will be taken up during the offertory at the End of Year Thanksgiving Mass, so please ensure all items are in by Tuesday 5th December. This Mass is also a wonderful opportunity to offer our thanks to God for the many blessings in our own lives, which mean we are able to help others less fortunate.

MOVIE NIGHT- Journey to Bethlehem-  

This movie  tells the story that is the REAL reason for the season!! Mary and Joseph and a little baby on a journey that will change HISTORY! If you were not able to attend our School Famiy Movie night- consider trying to get along to see this sometime before Christmas!  

ADVENT thoughts…

From this weekend we are in the season of Advent. It is represented by the liturgical colour purple, just as Lent is each year. Both are seasons of preparation. 

During Advent we prepare our hearts and homes for THE most SPECIAL AND WONDERFUL visitor we could ever hope to receive- Jesus Christ!

If you were going to have a special visitor in your home, you would need to make preparations- and so it is the same as we prepare for the celebration of Christ  who WAS in our World, is NOW in our world and WILL COME AGAIN into our world.

Too often we get caught up in the hype of Christmas shopping and MUST have gifts that we lose sight of the real HIGHLIGHTS!

Children will be receiving ADVENT take homes this week- calendars with little acts of kindness, (K,1,2),  Advent Chains with gospel verses to read each day (Years 3,4) and Advent reflections for Years 5,6.  PLEASE USE THESE in your home to Prepare your family for the coming Christmas Celebrations!  

Preparation is KEY to the BEST CELEBRATION!!

Christmas Even Children’s Mass- REHEARSALS

There will be a Christmas eve Children’s Mass at 5.30pm and children are welcome to dress as shepherds and angels etc  (please, no feathers!)

If you wish your child to have a role in the Gospel re-enactment or a reading during the Mass, please come along to a  rehearsal on Tuesday 12th December at 3.45 pm, AND Thursday 21st December at 3.45pm.

RECONCILIATION & COMMUNION SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2024- ENROL NOW!!! 

Enrolment for the Sacrament Program for Reconciliation and Communion is now open. Children who have been Baptised and are in Year 4 or above in 2024 are welcome to enrol. LESSON INFORMATION Reconciliation Lessons - 4 weeks in Term 1, 2024 (1hr each week held in the Church) ending in March. Communion Lessons - 4 weeks in Term 2, 2024 (1hr each week held in the Church) ending in June. Enrolment Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 6 February 2024 at 7pm in the Church. Parents can select their lesson times in early February 2024. To enrol complete the form by visiting https://www.trybooking.com/CNAHI 

Any questions please call Tamara 0424 166 248

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Parish Matters- because it does! 

Church Bulletins can be found here

Calling parents of Years 4,5,6,7!!! Please consider if you are able to help the parish-

Jordan youth group needs some new parents to take on the role and spend some time encouraging our Youth once a month. You may have one or several children in the age group so why not share your faith in a  fun way and spend some valuable time with them!?

JORDAN YOUTH GROUP Years 5 & 6 Primary School students & Year 7 High School students are welcome to join the Jordan Youth Group at John the Baptist Parish hall. Our aim is to encourage young people within our community to come together to engage, learn, pray, and become involved in spiritual life and explore our Catholic faith. 

Our next meeting is Saturday, 18th November.

Location: John the Baptist Parish Hall Time: 3.00pm-5.00pm Cost: Free Afternoon tea will be provided. 

Our last meeting for the year will be Saturday 9th December. If you have any further queries or would like to volunteer your time and assist with the Jordan Youth group, please contact Tina Dunn on 0439 492 920 or Silvana Scamardella on 0417 197 357.

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 8 Term 4 2023

Lexiles

A reminder that the word count for class champions and grade champions will continue until Week 10 this term.  Be sure to continue reading and completing Lexile quizzes!  The winners of the word count will be calculated and medals will be awarded at the end of Week 10.  It is a very tight race in some classes so be sure to keep reading to be in for a chance!

Summer Reading Challenge

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

Next week, all students will be taking home the JB Summer Reading Challenge. All entries are due back by Thursday Week 1, 2024. There are prizes to be won! Good luck and happy reading everyone! 

Library Returns

Library borrowing has now ceased for the year. Please be sure to return all library books as soon as possible. Home readers will continue to be borrowed this week and are to be returned in Week 10.

Book Club

Book club orders for Issue 8 close Friday 1st December. All orders will be processed at 5pm and should arrive at school in week 9. Thank you for your support with Book Club this year!

Teresa Wojtowicz & Francine Bushby  Literacy Coordinators 

Sports News

Swimming News

In true JB style, our Primary Swimming Carnival was once again another wet day.

We thank our parent helpers Mr Nguyen, Mrs Naamo, Mrs Khoshaba, Mr Milczarek, Mrs Maso and Ms Lewis as well as our Freeman assistants who helped us throughout the day. We cannot run these days without you.

With their boisterous cheers throughout the day, the Yellow house won our School Spirit Award.  However, our victors on the day were the amazing Blue House.  A special congratulations to Emilia Bruzzese, Yolanda Butrus, Talia Cavicchia, Luca De Boucherville, Marc De Boucherville, Joseph Gabara, Renata Giuliani-Bruno, Lucas Gorgis, Luca Iannello, Eva Jekki, Grace Nguyen, Alexander Portelli, Melanie Romero, Savannah Sabbouh, Cove Trajcevski, Kosta Triantafillou and Alana Tripodina who will represent JB at The Conference 4 Championships next year. 

Train hard over the holidays!

Tennis News

Clara Smolcic represented John The Baptist at the Sydney Catholic Schools Tennis Trials.  Clara has once again been selected to represent JB at the MacKillop Trials next year. 

We wish Clara all the very best.

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator 

Primary Swimming Carnival

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.

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

YEAR 6 STUDENTS LEAVING SYDNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Parents of Year 6 students who will be attending a non-Catholic School High School will need to download all school reports from Compass (for your records) as these will no longer be available to you after 15 December 2023.  These student's google drive will also no longer be accessible and if your child has anything they would like to keep from their google drive please store in another personal location.

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.

SCHOOL FEES

The end of year is approaching!  Please note all school fees needed to be finalised by 28 November 2023 (unless you have a payment plan agreement with the school).

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

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated!

School Student Travel

Please see below information from Transport NSW in relation to school student travel.

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on achieving their badges:

Dates to Remember