2024: Week 10, Term 1

Principal's Message

REFLECTION - GOSPEL

After His Resurrection Jesus told His Disciples, “You are witnesses to this” -that is, to all that has happened to Him. In our world and society today - Who are the witnesses to the presence of Jesus? Are we embarrassed by our Catholic Faith at times? Do we wear a medal around our neck? Do we explain we cannot go to a bbq, as we have to go to Saturday or Sunday Mass? Is our children’s soccer game more important than their Mass? Do we earnestly see Catholic Education for our children, and yet not be quite so earnest in our practice of our Catholic Faith? So, who are the witnesses to Jesus in our society today? All of us are called to be just that.
Jesus “appeared” to His Disciples. They found it difficult to recognise Him? Does Jesus appear to us:

> When one of our children is ill?

> When we see TV images of pain, homelessness,  or malnutrition?

> Is Jesus appearing to us when the stranger calls, the friend rings, the relative arrives on our doorstep?

Yes, He is appearing in all cases. Do we RECOGNISE Him?

This week was a wonderful celebration of sport for our school community. Special thanks to Mrs Oliverio for her amazing preparation and organisation of TWO Athletics carnivals - Primary (Tuesday) and Innfants (today). They were two great days, and congratulations to the BLUE team for winning in 2024. 

On behalf of the staff, we thank all of our community for your support during Term 1. Wishing you a wonderful two week break - we look forward to seeing you on TUESDAY APRIL 30 for the first day of the school term. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

What a wonderful and eventful Term 1 we have had. The growth and learning of the students has been wonderful to see, and the engagement of parents in the classroom has been wonderful. A very big thank you to all of the parent helpers who have started to assist in our classrooms - your support is greatly appreciated. 

I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday break. 

Staff Development Day:

Our next Staff Development Day will be held on Monday 29th April, students will return to school following Term 1 Holidays on Tuesday 30th April. 

Amadeus

A reminder for all students to please bring their instrument to school each Friday for Amadeus. Notes will go home if your child continues to forget their instrument for lessons. 

Attendance 

Please enter any absences into the compass portal as soon as possible. This assists us in maintaining up to date records for your child. If you are not entering explanations for absences, then a note will be sent home. 

It is important that students are arriving at school on time each day, having a familiar routine and arriving on time help to settle students and allow them to achieve their best at school.

REMINDER: KINDERGARTEN: AEDC Data Collection

Building a national picture of child health

From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).

The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school.

 The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years.

 Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information.

The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need.

AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool.

Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.

To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit: www.aedc.gov.au.

If you have any questions, you can contact me via the school office on info@jbbonnyrigg.catholic.edu.au 

We look forward to a wonderful partnership this year,

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Religion News

Religious Education Newsletter Term 1 Week 10

We Are Easter People

We have journeyed through another Holy Week and Easter Time. Our Church tells us that this time of year is the most Sacred and Holy. Easter is not just one day. It is a Season that lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday. The three days leading up to and including Easter Sunday are called the Easter Triduum. This includes the Great Easter Vigil, which is the summit of the Triduum. The word Triduum comes from the Latin word meaning “three days”.

The Triduum celebrates the heart of our faith. It’s the salvation, redemption: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An important event in The Triduum is the Last Supper. It commemorates the Institution of the Eucharist. It is through the Eucharist itself that we become Easter people. “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian Life” {Catechism of the Catholic Church – 1324}

At each Mass we immerse ourselves in the passion, crucifixion, death and finally the glorious resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday morning and along with the Ascension these important events make up the Paschal Mystery.

The Paschal Mystery is a process of transformation within which we are given both new life and new spirit. It begins with us renewing ourselves, reconciling ourselves with one another and with God. We spiritually journey with Christ on the way to Calvary, our sins ingrained in the wood of the cross. After listening to the Word we then receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, given to us in each Mass. Through this reception, we partake in the Resurrection – New Life and New Spirit in Risen Christ.

May this Easter Season bring us all everlasting joy and happiness. May we be Easter people living the Resurrection, the New Life and New Spirit in the Risen Christ.

God Bless, 

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 1  Week 10

Weekly Parent Gathering and CUPPA- Mondays in the demountable classroom. 

Coffee machine will be on early! 

Term  2 SPaR will begin again in WEEK 2 - Monday 7th May..Come along and share a short reflection followed by a cuppa, chat and company. Everyone is welcome. Just let the gate person know you are headed up to the room and they will let you enter.

Thank you.

JB Juniors will resume in WEEK 2 on Wednesday 8th May with Mothers Day CRAFT

Children aged 0-5 years are welcome to join us at playgroup from 8.50am. Together we will make something for MUMS at this session.

We pray, sing and share a story together before a craft activity. All are welcome to attend and this is a great opportunity for parents to meet each other and the children to make friends before starting school, building friendships and connections with each other in a faith filled space.

MAY-Month of Mary Bracelet Making-Monday May 6th   

MONDAY May 6th 9am- Mary Reflection and Bracelet making in the demountable classroom on the Top Playground. 

For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of MAY to honour Mary, Mother of God.

The custom spans both centuries and cultures, with roots going back as far as the Ancient Greeks. If you would like to join me -please come along and we will make a bracelet together- something unique LIKE YOU, with just a touch of MARY blue, and to remind us that she is always beside us in our journey.

Come along and learn a little more about Mary while making yourself this lovely keepsake. No cost involved, but I need accurate numbers for resources- if you bring along a friend please also make a registration for them too!  REGISTER HERE

(If we need, I will hold multiple sessions on the day)

The Empty Tomb- “He is not Here. He is Risen.”

We often associate the word ‘empty’ with things that are negative- an empty fuel tank, empty milk carton, empty bank accounts! But the EMPTY TOMB is actually a symbol of limitless possibilities. We have emptied OURSELVES during Lent, hopefully discarding a few of the secular and material things that hold us back from truly being open to being the best we can be, and freeing ourselves of bad behaviours and habits that hurt us spiritually.

Now we can be people of JOY and happiness as we fill our lives with MORE of the good things- service to others,generosity, prayer, compassion and patience…

We can “ have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10), just as God intended us to.

Make a fresh start these holidays and as a family do a few activities that make a difference to not only your lives, but also to the lives of those around you.

*Make a conscious effort to clean our excess clothing, toys and household items- donating them to a charity.

*Visit with a lonely neighbour or relative, and turn their day around. Maybe take them for an outing.

*Go to a morning mass together-just because you can and you are grateful for the blessing of freedom to practise your religion in our country.Make some new friends at Mass.

*Prepare meals TOGETHER and give thanks to God before eating them TOGETHER! Consider sharing that meal with a neighbour or friend who needs some company.

Happy Autumn Holidays.

Parish Notices

Parish Newsletter Bulletins can be found here

Community Care 

If you or someone you know is experiencing any kind of difficulty that the parish may be able to assist with financially or spiritually, please contact Father Dominic or the parish office on 9823 2572 in confidence.

Would you like to be involved in the PARISH???

Many parents ask me how they can be involved in parish life and here are two ministries that  you might be interested in-

PIETY STORE – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED SUNDAY MORNINGS

All the Piety Store profits go towards our Community Care Fund. The fund is there to help people and in some cases charities, who are in need. (e.g. Bushfire and Flood relief). With sufficient interest in this important ministry in our church, we are hoping that you would only be rostered, in pairs, once a month for approx. half an hour before mass and approx. 20 minutes after mass. If you are interested please leave your name and contact details with the current volunteers in the Piety Store or phone Leanne in the Parish Office on 9823 2572 We look forward to hearing from you, Pauline and Millie.

CHILDRENS LITURGY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Children’s Liturgy has begun for 2024 but we are in need of a few more helpers for the 10:00am Mass. If you are able to assist please contact Angela Galdas on 0410 964 196. 

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 10 Term 1

AUTUMN READING CHALLENGE

It is important that students keep reading over the holidays. Without daily reading students can quickly lose the skills they have been working on all term with their teacher. To encourage students to keep reading we are hoping students will participate in our Autumn Reading Challenge. When students finish reading a book they complete a reading raffle ticket. When they return to school in Term 2 all raffle tickets will be placed into their classes raffle draw. We will draw one winning raffle ticket per class. The more books you read the more chances you will have to win the prize! With younger students please read to your child and include these books on a raffle ticket. Each student has been sent home today with a note and copies of the raffle tickets for them to complete. If your child reads more books than raffle tickets please, make a copy of the raffle tickets or ask your child to record each new book on a piece of paper with the same information as the JB Reading Raffle Ticket and we will placee their additional entries into the draw.

Year 2 to 6 Reading Raffle Tickets

Kindergarten and Year 1 Reading Raffle Tickets

Keep reading and enjoy the break from routine the school holidays bring. 

Melanie Moore  Literacy Coordinator

Harmony Day

Harmony Day

On Wednesday 3rd of April, JB celebrated Harmony Day with a morning assembly that promoted the inclusivity and belonging of all the cultures in our school and community. The assembly was led by the following readers, where some of the students read prayers in their own home language; Siana Tatian, Sofia Cirjak, Jonathan Nissan, Oliver Vella, Anh Tran, Angelee Aguilera-Guenechea, Charbel Youkhana, Marko Zubojna and Christopher Kakos. Following this, the choir entertained students, staff and parents by singing songs of inclusivity. It was lovely to see students excited by the day with so many dressed in a splash of orange and even, some healthy lunch boxes featured orange fruit and vegetables!

 Mrs Siciliano, Mrs Astudillo, Mrs Chiappazo & Mrs Furia  EAL/D Team

Canteen News

Dear Parents, 

Please note the following information regarding ordering from the school canteen.

BREAKFAST ORDERS:
Breakfast orders are available from 7:30am - 8:20am from the CHURCH side window for parents and students.

After 8:20am only students can order via the TOP playground window.

LUNCH & RECESS ORDERS:
Online orders MUST be placed prior to 8am on the day your child requires lunch.
If you miss the 8am deadline, there are 2 options;

Option # 1 9 (preferred) Write your child's name on a paper bag/envelope, place the correct money (if possible), the child will then place the order in their class tub when they arrive in class.

Option # 2 Call the school office, we can transfer the call to the canteen to place your order. Please be mindful the canteen staff are busy and you may need to wait on the line.

Please note the bottom gate into the school closes at 8.45am
 
Thank you for your kind understanding.

Administration Staff

Kindergarten 2025 Enrolment Information

This is a friendly reminder regarding enrolments for siblings.

Sibling enrolments closed on Sunday 7 April 2024 for parents wanting to enrol for Kindergarten 2025.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office on 9823 5042.

Kind regards,

Melanie Pietrantonio  Enrolments Officer 

IMPORTANT - Information for driving & parking in and around school zones

Notes from the Office

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Parents, a gentle reminder regarding the importance of informing our school of any changes that may  occurr during the year 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 2024 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!

CANTEEN

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

LOST PROPERTY

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.

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. 

CLOTHING POOL  

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. 

The clothing pool welcomes donations of school uniforms. Please ensure that all items are clean and in good condition (no rips or stains as we have no washing facilities). Only official school uniform items are accepted and please note we cannot accept socks or stockings.

Student School Travel

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are fortunate that school students in NSW are afforded free public transport to and from school.  Opal data gathered by tapping on and off is used to determine the demand for bus services.  If Students do not tap on and tap off, services may be cancelled due to the lack of patronage.  Additionally, some bus services may become overcrowded as the bus companies do not have accurate data as to how many students are genuinely using a particular bus route.

With this in mind, we ask that parents remind their children that they must have their Opal cards with them every day and that they must tap on and off every time they use a bus.  This is one of the conditions of being granted a free student Opal card.  If students lose their Opal card they must apply for a new one, no student should be travelling on a bus without a valid Opal card.

Your support is appreciated and helps the bus companies ensure they provide the appropriate level of service to our students.

Awards

Congratulations to the following students on achieving their badges:

Dates to Remember