2024: Week 6, Term 3

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - THIS WEEKEND'S GOSPEL

Jesus challenges the Pharisees- HE tells them they do many things “just for show”. They do not do things “From the heart”.  It is a timely reminder to all of us too. How often do we tell our children to do something but we don’t do it our selves; to pray - but wedon’t pray much; to obey teachers, but we don’t obey road rules; to care and think of less fortunate people - but we indulge ourselves in different ways.

HOW MUCH DO WE ACT “FROM THE HEART?”
                                   

MY ROSARY BEADS

A little pair of Rosary Beads, as plain as plain can be, but only God in heaven knows how dear they are to me.

I have them always with me, at every step I take, at evening when I slumber, at morning when I wake.

In bright and cloudy weather, in sunshine or in rain,in happiness or sorrow, in pleasure or in pain.It helps me on my struggle, it reproves me when in sin, it’s look of gentle patience, rebukes the strife within.

In days of pain and anguish, the greatest help I knew was to hold my Rosary Beads, until I calmly grew.

So when the time approaches, when I have to die,I hope my little Rosary Beads, will close beside me lie.

That the Holy Name of Jesus, may be the last I say, And kissing my sweet Rosary Beads, my soul may pass away.

Mr O'Connor  Principal

REMINDER - STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY - FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20 (Week 9)

This will be a pupil free day - staff will engage in a Spirituality Day. Thank you for your understanding. 

With my best wishes for the week ahead. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Religion News

Father’s Day 2024

As we approach Father’s Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate the special role fathers play in our school community. This Sunday, 1st September, we honour the love, guidance, and dedication that fathers and father figures provide. We recognise the importance of strong family bonds and the impact they have on our students' spiritual and academic growth.

On Thursday 29th August, we welcomed all Fathers, Grandfathers and significant men in our lives to join us fora Father’s Day morning. It was truly heartwarming to see the community of John the Baptist Catholic Primary school, along with Freeman Catholic college join together to gather together for breakfast and share in a prayer of thanks to all Dads and Father figures. Thank you to all who came to celebrate as a community, what a beautiful morning. 

As a Catholic primary school, we recognise the importance of family and the divine gift of fatherhood. Through your example, you instill in our students the virtues of strength, integrity, and wisdom, preparing them to embrace life's challenges and joys with courage and grace. Your influence is a guiding light, helping shape their character and faith.

Happy Father’s Day!

With warmest regards,

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Father's Day 2024

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 3  Week 6

Parent Catch up CUPPA- Monday mornings in the demountable classroom. 

Coffee machine will be on early! 

Please consider coming along for a quick cuppa on a Monday morning. We often share a VERY SHORT and light reflection (ten minutes TOPS) followed by a cuppa and chat that lasts until you are ready to go home and face the week ahead!

JB Juniors on every Wednesday

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

Wednesday 4th September- Spring Picnic- Bring a Teddy Bear or cuddly friend and a small plate to share if possible.

Wednesday 11th September- 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.

Year 12 PRAYER PARTNERS- please return!

If you received the postcards for a student please DON’T Forget to return your affirmation postcards ASAP!!

 I will then make up a gift pack with a small token religious gift, your card and other prayer cards for inspiration to be given on their last days of school later in the term.

CONFIRMATION SACRAMENTAL CRAFT- OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BRACELET

Notes with craft session details will be included in your Confirmation lesson packs. This year we are again offering parents  bracelet making for boys and girls.

 There is a wooden and Howlite (boys favourite) and crystals (girls favourite) choice. You make the bracelet as unique as your child! The design is yours. If there is anyone else who would like to make a bracelet during these sessions for other children or themselves I will advertise the dates in the next newsletter. Or contact me on 0439 492920 and we might be able to arrange an alternative date/time

Cost of resources is only $5 and craft takes about half an hour.

Wed 4/9-1-3pm, 

Thur 5/9 2-4pm               Mon 9/9 2-4pm,

Wed 11/9 12-2pm            Thur 12/9 1-3pm

KEEP THE DATE-  Friday 25th October

“There’s Something about Mary…” 

A retreat for women on Friday 25th October (TBC 10-2pm)

as we complete  the month of October. Come enjoy PAINT and SIP (non alcoholic SORRY!),a  bead craft session to make a lovely gift for yourself and a day to learn just a little something more about Mary that you perhaps did not know!

 This will be run by ME and several other lovely local  family educators at Horsley Park parish and I would love to see YOU there.Lunch and morning tea provided- details to come at a later date- BUT SAVE THE DAY!!!

Parish Notices-

Sausage Sizzle this weekend!

To celebrate Father’s Day our Men’s group will be holding a sausage sizzle after the 10am Mass.

JORDAN YOUTH GROUP meets again on Saturday 31st August

 Years 5, 6 and 7 students are welcome to join the Jordan Youth Group in our Parish on Saturday August 31st 2024 at 3-5pm in the Parish Hall. Afternoon Tea will be provided at no cost. Our aim is to encourage young people within our community to come together to socialise and learn about our Catholic faith. Children will participate in prayer, social activities, games, short films and group discussions. The Jordan Youth Group is run by a group of regular parishioners from our community who hold current Working with Children checks. To register complete the form at:

 https://www.trybooking.com/CQATW

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Music News

CAPA NEWS

We are excited to announce that one of our Year 6 Bands has been selected to represent JB at the SCS Network Festival. This festival is a celebration of the Arts, where performances blend Drama, Music, Dance and Visual Arts. Please see the flyer below for more information.

JB's Got Talent is back for 2024! 

Does your child have a special talent? We are looking for performers from Kindergarten to Year 6 to audition for JB's Got Talent! Auditions will take place in Weeks 9-10 (each grade will organise their own dates and communicate this with students).

Criteria:- Time limit of 1 minute 30 seconds- Backing tracks must be provided (music should be suitable, with no swearing or inappropriate language)- Examples of performances: dancers, singers, instrumentalists, magicians, comedians and drama acts 
More details to follow! 

Mrs Ristevska  Music Teacher

SCS Sport Holiday Program - Term 3

Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) is providing a number of exciting opportunities for students to participate in the upcoming Term 3 holiday period.

Registration for these programs closes on Tuesday 10 September so your assistance in sending the information out to your parent community would be greatly appreciated.

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.

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!

LEAVING STUDENTS

If any families are leaving the school at the end of the year, please let the school office know as soon as possible. We have families who would be interested in spaces if any spots open up for 2025.

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.

Lost Reading Glasses

Lost and Found

Dear Parents,

These are the reading glasses that have been handed into the school office this year.

If your child owns them, please collect them as soon as possible.  

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Year 7 2025 Freeman Catholic College

Dear Year 6 Parents and Carers,

Please note the following important dates regarding the Year 7 2025 Freeman Information Evening and Orientation Day:

Year 7 2025 Parent Acceptance Information Evening: Monday, 18th November 2024, commencing at 6:30 pm. (Please note this date has changed from Tuesday, 19th November.)

Year 7 2025 Orientation Day: Wednesday, 27th November 2024, for all Year 6 students.

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 Careline

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