2024: Week 8, Term 3

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - LAST WEEK'S GOSPEL 

The deaf hear and those who can't, speak.“He has done all things well”, they said of Jesus. What a wonderful tribute those ordinary people paid to Jesus. What  would our next door neighbour say of each one of us? What would my faith community say of me? What would Jesus Himself say of me - and especially if He had to say it publicly? Few of us are called to do extraordinary things. But all of us are called to do ordinary things as well as we possibly can.

AT THE END OF THE DAY  When the rose has dropped its petals, and each bird has gone to rest, seek solace in your inner self, if you won or failed the test. If your step is light or weary, grieve not for things not done, rest easy with a quiet mind, at the setting of the sun.

YOUR CHILD AND THEIR ONLINE BEHAVIOURS

There have been a number of reported incidents of students engaging in unacceptable online behaviour - including comments, messaging, etc, in group chats and to individuals. 

Most of these actions are happening outside school hours. Your support in monitoring your children's online habits is critical in ensuring all children are safe in this unfamiliar environment. 

Here are some tips in ensuring your child is safe when online:

• Get involved with your child’s online activities as a family. Play games together.
• Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.
• Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Your child may not communicate openly about things that worry them online if they fear being in trouble if they tell you. Let them know you will not cut off internet or device access if they tell you they’re feeling uncomfortable or unsafe online.
• If you notice a change in your child’s behaviour or mood, talk with them about it. If you are concerned, consider seeking professional help – from your GP, a psychologist or school counsellor.
• Set rules for devices and online access, with consequences for breaking them. As they grow in online skills and maturity you can review your rules together.
• Consider creating a family tech agreement (sometimes called a family media plan or family online safety agreement). This is a set of rules about how devices are used in your home as well as what acceptable online behaviour looks like. eSafety has created downloadable templates for families with children under 5 or those with kids aged 5 to 8 years. For families with older children, The Family Online Safety Contract from ThinkUKnow AustraliaExternal link is a good starting point.

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

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

Southwest and Aerotropolis Public Speaking

Last week we hosted the Semi Final of the Southwest and Aerotropolis Public Speaking Competition. We are so proud of all the students who represented our school so well. Special congratulations to the following students who will take part in the final on September 18 at St Anthony of Padua Austral. 

Year 3

Brielle Shimshon-Tleige

Year 5

Estelle Louis

Year 6

Isabella Settineri 

Summer Uniform

Over the next few weeks, we are due to experience some warmer weather. As such, all students are permitted to begin to wear their full Summer Uniform.

Please note students must wear either their COMPLETE Winter or their COMPLETE Summer Uniform. A mixture or combination of the two uniforms is not permitted. 

Complete Summer Uniform is per the images below: 

REMINDER: Student Attendance

We will again be sending home letters to explain absences in Compass. This is a requirement by law and also forms part of the Sydney Catholic Schools Attendance Policy. 

For some students, this is the third time a letter has been sent home asking parents to explain absences dating back to February.

Can you please ensure you check your child's bags for this letter. Moving forward, we ask all parents to promptly explain absences in Compass as they occur.

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 3  Week 8

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

Sandwich Making for Vinnies NIGHT PATROL on MONDAY 23rd September

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!

Our last SPaR for Term 3 will also involve making sandwiches for night Patrol if you would like to come along and assist. Monday 23rd September from 9am in the Staffroom.

JB Juniors on every Wednesday

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

Wednesday 18th September- Hear the story of Possum Magic

Wednesday 25th September- TBC

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.

ONLY LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE- 

Friday 25th October Marian Retreat for PARENTS

“Something about Mary- A Marian retreat”

As we complete  the Rosary month of October,  come enjoy hearing a guest speaker, have some fun with 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 several other local Family educators and ME at Horsley Park parish and I would love to see YOU there.  The church is beautiful and they have a parish hall for our workshops. The day will conclude in plenty of time to get back and pick up children from school.

Lunch and morning tea provided- Cost is $10 which includes everything including lunch and morning tea.

Please register your expression of interest HERE

No need to send payment yet. Enquiries- Tina 0439 492920

October Rosary Craft- Bracelet making-* Men’s and Women’s options available.

You are invited to come along on Friday

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

ICAS Results

ICAS Results
Congratulations to all students who participated in the ICAS Assessments.Certificates and results for the various assessments are released in stages. As we receive certificates, we will award students with these at assemblies. 
To access results online:Once your child receives their certificate, printed on the back page is their "TAP-ID and PIN". Click here to be taken to the ICAS Results - log in page. Use your child's  "TAP-ID and PIN" to log in and gain access to their results.  

Caddie Ruster  Gifted Education Coordinator & Critical Thinking Teacher

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