2024: Week 6, Term 2

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

PRINCIPAL LEAVE

I will be on leave from Wednesday 30/5 to Tuesday 18/6. During this leave period, Mrs Tomic will be leading thje school as Acting Principal, and Mr McInerney as Acting Assistant Principal. 

I look forward to seeing everyone on my return. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear ​​Parents, 

Last weekend as a faith community we celebrated the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also referred to as ‘Corpus Christi’. During this time, the Gospel asked us to reflect on the account of the Last Supper and the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples as they prepared for the passover. It is timely then, that our Year 4 students prepare to begin to receive their Sacrament of Holy Communion beginning this weekend. 

As we approach this joyous occasion of Holy Communion for our candidates, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of them. This significant step in their faith journey marks a profound moment of connection with the divine, as they partake in the body and blood of Christ - the Eucharist. Know that you are surrounded by the prayers and support of your school community.

With thanks, 

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Tell Them From Me Parent Survey

Dear Parents/ Carers, 

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. 

As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at John the Baptist Primary School. The survey is now open and will close on the 14th June, 2024.  

Parents do not require a username and password to complete the survey.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:   

http://tellthemfromme.com/jb2024 

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Tomic via the school office. 

With thanks, 

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Religion News

Religious Education Newsletter Term 2 Week 6 

Fun Faith Celebration Live 2024

On Tuesday 28th June, John the Baptist Catholic Primary School welcomed John Burland to celebrate the Fun Faith Celebration Live event. John Burland is an accomplished world-renowned Catholic composer, musician and educator from Sydney, Australia who has been writing and recording religious music for children and adults for over twenty years. The Faith, Fun and Celebration live show had a strong Catholic focus which was rich in Scripture and doctrine. The celebration included song, prayer and movement involving lots of actions and dancing. The sessions were highly engaging and allowed our students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith. It was truly moving to see and hear all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 get involved in the celebration by thanking and praising our Lord through singing various Hymns and songs. Thank you to all students for their reverence and participation and I look forward to hearing these songs again in upcoming Grade and Whole School Mass Celebrations. 

Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians Special Mass 2024

The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lady, Help of Christians each year on 24th May. His Grace, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP presided a special Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, 24 May for all  primary schools of the Archdiocese of Sydney. Seven of our Year 6 students were selected to represent our school at this special celebration Mass along with Mr O’Connor. A huge thank you and congratulations to Sebastian Vukman, Elizabeth Palermo, Maryrose Jajo, Domenic Vartuli, Jenel Ishak, Marco Ishak & Mary Sarkesyan who attended the Mass to celebrate their Catholic faith.

God Bless, 

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 2  Week 6

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

Coffee machine will be on early! Come along and share a short reflection which only lasts about ten minutes,  followed by a cuppa, chat and company for as long as YOU want to stay. Everyone is welcome. Just let the gate person know you are headed up to the room and they will let you enter.

JB Juniors on every Wednesday

Children aged 0-5 years are welcome to join us at playgroup from 8.50am. 

Wednesday 12th June Zoo Animals-reading the books “Dear ZOO”  and “Bus trip to the ZOO”

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.

Craft- First Communion Rosary Making- LAST CHANCE

For those parents who wish to make a gift of a handmade Rosary for their child, or any parent who wishes to make a Rosary-

 Come along on Wednesday 12th June in the afternoon- 2.30-4pm

Please just text or send me a note via the tubs so I can have enough resources ready.

Text to 0439 492920. 

Cost is $5 and will take approximately 30-45 minutes.

REMINDER : Last Chance to bring in items. By Tuesday 11th June please

2024 Vinnies Winter Appeal- Keep someone warm this winter!

Thank you to those who have already brought in lots of lovely warm items- socks, beanies, blankets and even a few sleeping bags.We already have over 12 boxes full of warm items!

We wanted this opportunity to assist many in our local community who are also doing it tough this year and many find themselves homeless due to many differing circumstances.

Vale Michael Addicoat-

Last week we attended the memorial to former Freeman Principal 2000-2010, Mr Michael Addicoat. He truly was a remarkable educator and much loved by his family, friends, colleagues, former students and their families. Credit is given to him for the Freeman charism that is so well known- the encouragement to always do your best, to live a humble life like Mary and so much of what makes Freeman the very well known and respected school it is today. (And they did name the Auditorium after him too!)

I remember a Principal’s message that Michael wrote in a newsletter MANY years ago- it has always resonated with me-it was about being grateful for all life’s blessings. Some of the lines went like this….

Thank you for the mess to clean after a party, it means I have been surrounded by friends.  

Thank you for the taxes I pay, it means that I'm employed.                             

Thank you for the clothes that fit a little too snug, it means I have enough to eat. 

Thank you for my shadow who watches me work, it means I am out in the sunshine.

Thank you for windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, it means I have a home.

Thank you for all the complaining I hear about our government, it means we have freedom of speech.

Thank you for the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, it means I am capable of walking.

Thank you for the lady behind me in church who sings off key, it means that I can hear.       

Thank you for the piles of laundry and ironing, it means I have clothes to wear.

Thank you for the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, it means I have been productive.

Thank you for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, it means that I'm alive.

These words bring me a new perspective on those days that don’t always go as planned. We just need to count our blessings every now and then.

Parish Notices

Parish Newsletter Bulletins can be found here

Please note- the sacrament of First Communion will be celebrated in the parish over the next two weekends- 8th/9th June and 15/16th June at Saturday night, Sunday morning and evening masses. 

This will mean many visitors to our parish who are unfamiliar with the car park so please show patience as you are attending masses. There are chairs outside church and some in the storeroom which can also be used at these masses as there are big crowds expected.

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.

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Sydney Writer's Festival 2024

On Friday the 24th of May, a group of students and I went to the Sydney Writers Festival in Parramatta. We got to see 6 amazing authors who were: Samantha Campbell, Lev Grossman, Kate and Jol Temple, Nova Weetman and Tasma Walton. The authors gave us a brief description of their most famous books.

I had a really enjoyable time and was able to gain some valuable insights into the craft of writing. The authors gave us a description of themselves as school students. I was surprised to hear that one of the authors was never considered smart at school. This taught me that you don’t have to be good at everything to achieve your goals. 

While listening to their stories, I learnt a crucial life lesson from Lev Grossman. Lev spent 10 years writing his first two books; both unsuccessful. They received bad reviews, making him feel like a bad author. Lev however, never gave up and he continued writing. His next book, called the Silver Arrow, was a huge success. I learnt from Lev that no matter how bad something seems, you should never give up. My favourite authors were Kate Temple and Jol Temple. They both were funny, interesting and their books reflected their personality. I would like to thank Mrs Chippazzo and Mrs Sicilano for giving me this amazing opportunity.

Written by Jacob Pisani 6 Gold

Amadeus Reminder

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

Many children are leaving their instruments at home.

We are no longer able to accept forgotten instruments for students on their Amadeus Day. 

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

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.

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

CatholicCare

Alex from CatholicCare would like to offer his services for anyone who feels the need to chat and discuss Family Support in Schools and/or Child and Youth Services.

Alex Ferreira

 Case Worker

Family Support In Schools

Child and Youth Services

 T 02 8784 6222 – 02 8784 6208

M 0420 653 839

13 18 19 Ccareline

E alex.ferreira@catholiccare.org

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

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