2024: Week 10, Term 2

Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

REFLECTION - GOSPEL

“Home is where the heart is.” We have all heard this expression many times. And if we come “home”, and we are not wanted, not understood, not welcomed - we are deeply upset. Jesus came 'home' to his community - they had known him for years. Why all this 'talk' about Him? Do we truly accept people if they are 'my kind of people.' Or do we accept people into our hearts, 'just as they are?

'Credibility ' becomes a household word, not because there is so much of it, but because there is a lack of it. The Church also needs people who not only practice what they preach, but can also preach what they practice.

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today we say farewell to Mrs Alicia Tsolomiti, Finance Officer here at our school. Throughout her years of support and skill to the community, Mrs Tsolomiti has always demonstrated amazing empathy, understanding and support to the families of JB. 

Mrs Tsolomiti has made the decision to begin a new adventure in another role at Freeman Catholic College beginning in Term 3. We thank her for her years of service to our school and pass on our love and best wishes in her new role. 

At the beginning of Term 3 there will be an announcement regarding the role of Finance Officer here at JB. 

We also send our love and prayers to Mrs Ussia (Year 3) who will begin her Maternity Leave today. We know that her Year 3 class will offer a fond farewell today, and we all look forward with anticipation to the impending arrival of her first child. 

We offer our thanks for all the blessings we have received throughout Term 2. We pray that all of our families enjoy a safe and relaxing two week break from school, and look forward with anticipation to an exciting Term 3. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Assistant Principal Leave

I will be on leave from Wednesday 19/6 to Wednesday 07/8. During this leave period, Mr McInerney will be Acting Assistant Principal. 

I look forward to seeing everyone on my return. 

With thanks, 

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal 

Religion News

Religious Education Newsletter Term 2 Week 10

John the Baptist Feast Day 2024

On Monday 24th June, John the Baptist Catholic Primary School community joined together to celebrate the feast of The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, our school’s namesake. John the Baptist showed the way to Jesus, just like him, we can show the way to Jesus too. When listening to God's Word during the day, we hear how God loves us even before we were born. We are all called to be God's children and to help build up God's kingdom on earth. John the Baptist had the task of preparing the way for Jesus. We all have the task of helping other people to come to know Jesus. John the Baptist proclaimed the coming of the Saviour. On this joyful occasion parents, carers and families were invited to join in celebrating this significant day where we prayed together, shared a meal and celebrated our school and parish community. 

Thank you to all who prepared, attended and supported our John the Baptist Feast Day, it was truly so wonderful to see so many of our families gather together to mark this momentous occasion. An additional thank you to our Year 6 parents who organised the delicious sausage sizzle, which was definitely enjoyed by many students and families.  

God Bless, 

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator 

John the Baptist Feast Day 2024

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 2  Week 10

Parent Catch up CUPPA- Monday in the demountable classroom. 

Coffee machine will be on early! 

To celebrate the start of the term we will have a catch up morning on our first day back at school. SPaR reflections will begin again from Week 2 and various classes and grades will receive special invites- but remember, ALL are welcome ALWAYS! We need to see some new faces at our gathering! Free coffee! 

 This is a great way to clear your head and start the week off the right way!

JB Juniors on every Wednesday

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

Wednesday  July 24th- Fingerpainting a bouquet of gratitude for our Grandparents

(Please consider older clothing/ paint shirt for this activity)

Wednesday 31st July-Noah and the Rainbow 

 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.

WINTER APPEAL THANK YOU

Thank you  to all the families who have donated so many warm items to those in need. I have already taken over a car load of boxes filled with gloves and scarves and socks and blankets, and will take another big load this week to be distributed to those in need in our local area. The Manager at Mount Pritchard is very appreciative of our assistance and offers her heartfelt thanks also.

We will look at how else we might assist our local community later in the year also.

KEEP THE DATE- Grandparents Day Friday 26th July- 9am

Our church will celebrate the Feast of St Anne and St Joachim (the parents of the Virgin Mary) with a special morning for grandparents. We will have open classrooms and a liturgy across the school. More information will follow when we return next term.

 We warmly invite all grandparents and our carers to this event as we celebrate the inspirational role you play in the lives of our children.

MINI- VINNIES- SNACK PACKS for Night Patrol

Thank you to our Parish Community Care Group for funding our Night Patrol Snack pack drive! Our Mini Vinnies students were able to pack 30 snack packs for distribution at Night Patrol. These packs contain long life products  which can be eaten the next day, or when the van does not go out to distribute sandwiches.

Parish Notices

Father Dominic on leave-

Please note that Father Dominic is taking a well deserved rest over the holidays and our parish will be looked after by Brother Pat Hurley. Mass times will be as usual and you may contact the parish office for any enquiries

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

Literacy News

WINTER 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 Winter 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 place 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

Sports News

On Monday, our Year 5 and 6 football teams participated in the Conference 3 / 4 Inter School Football Championships. 

Well done, Lucas Abdal, Matteo Agostino, Martina Brcic, Patrick Brcic, Emilia Bruzzese, Alyssa Cabrera, Andrea Carnovale, Luca Corvelo, Milania D’Amico, Chloe Davino, Luca Dileo, Joseph Hermez, Luca Iannello, Oliver Komadina, Gianluca Liberatore, Sophia Lipari, Antonio Macnamara, Miranda Mandic, Noah Naamo, Alessia Pelle, Saviola Rofael, Severio Rofael and Mia Skoda. 

A special congratulations to our boys team who were undefeated and crowned Conference 3 / 4 champions.  They will now go onto play against Conference 1 /2  at the Sydney Championships.  Good luck boys.

We thank our amazing coaches for their expertise and assistance with coaching throughout the term.  

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator

CAPA News

On Wednesday 3rd July, our Year 6 Contemporary Ensemble performed at the SCS Eisteddfod Showcase. This ensemble was one of the 24 performances from all across Sydney selected to represent their school. These students showed off their talents on the accordion, violin, guitar, keyboard and drums in front of a full auditorium at Marist College, Eastwood. 

As we wrap up another wonderful year of SCS Eisteddfod performances, I’d like to thank you all for your support of these students. If your child is interested in joining any of our Performing Arts groups (Dance, Choir or Band), please be sure to remind them to listen out for morning announcements where rehearsal times/days will be made.

Mrs Ristevska  Music Teacher

Music News

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE JB BAND?

We are looking for students in Years 4 & 5 to join our band

Audition information:

Tuesday 23rd July (Term 3 Week 1)

RECESS in the MUSIC ROOM

Please listen out for announcements in the morning and bring any instruments/music with you on the day

REQUIREMENTS:

Instrumental tuition outside of school is needed as rehearsals will be used to put instruments together, not spent learning to play instruments. Amadeus tutors are not classified as external tutors and will not be able to assist your child to learn new music for the band. 

Mrs Ristevska  Music Teacher

School Photo Day

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.

CENSUS DAY  

From time to time, we are required to provide student details and background data to Government agencies, particularly during Census time. Our school will be undertaking these processes during August. For more information regarding this, please refer to the SCS Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice.

Kindly note, you are not required to do anything for these collections, however, it is important that your personal records are up to date. For your convenience, the Personal Details Form is available in your Compass Portal - Favourites, anytime changes occur and the school is to be informed. 

VISA STUDENTS 

For our families from overseas, it is important that the school has details of your current residency status.  Please be sure to provide us with your new visa grant notice or Australian Citizenship documents if:

• There has been a change in your visa subclass or expiry date, or
• If you previously had a visa but have now become an Australian Citizen

We thank you for your support in ensuring current personal details are maintained throughout your child’s/rens enrolment.

New School Uniform Item

We are pleased to advise a new track pant design is now available in store for purchase at the LOWES Wetherill Park store for $50.95.

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