2024: Week 10, Term 3

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - GOSPEL

The challenge for each one of us - am I 'for' Jesus, or am I 'against Jesus? How do my actions appear to others?How do my words sound to others? My example- what do my children, my relatives, my friends, take from my example? Whatever I do, I am challenged to do it 'in the name of Jesus. And Jesus promises us that such actions will not go without his reward.

Those who advise us to keep going seldom tell us where. We are blessed by God everyday just to wake and start the day. One thing you can give and still keep….is your word.
Friendship is not created by what we give, but more by what we share. Friendship is having a shoulder to lean on. Friendship is when one listens to our words, but hears our heart.

Our prayers are with students, families who have links to Lebanon, are likely experiencing a range of strong emotions at this time, including shock, grief, anxiety, hopelessness and fear.

the following STARTTS resources and services are available to all families, so that you are aware of these services over the school holiday period.

• Witness to War – A free national multilingual telephone hotline for people living in Australia who are affected by overseas conflicts. Free call 1800 845 198. Arabic-speaking Bicultural Client Support Workers are available to take calls.
• Counselling at STARTTS – STARTTS services are for people of all ages who have survived torture and/or trauma and are refugees, asylum seekers or from refugee-like backgrounds (including being impacted by intergenerational refugee-related trauma)
• STARTTS has produced an Arabic language video about our clients’ experiences of getting counselling at STARTTS
• Hints for Healing has produced an Arabic/English article and podcast for parents on how they can promote the wellbeing of their children in times of crisis.

MORNING DROP OFF PROCEDURES

A reminder heading in to Term 4. Students are unsupervised at the school entrance (Mount St in front of our church) before 8.20am. At times it is quite dangerous and I worry about the safety of our students, particularly so close to the carpark. 

The preferred option is to use the Gloucester St gate, which is open from 8.00am and is fully supervised until 8.20am. 

Wishing everybody a wonderful break - looking forward to seeing all of our families in Term 4. We wish our departing families all of our blessings as they begin new adventures in new locations. Thanks to our wonderful staff for their unwavering dedication to our students throughout the term. Thanks to our families for your continued support throughout the term. 

Mr O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

What a wonderful term we have had. There is so much to celebrate and the students have all learnt and grown a great deal. It has been great to see so many parents engaged in their child’s learning throughout the term and taking part in so many of our activities and open classrooms through Science this term. 

Southwest and Aerotropolis Public Speaking

Last week the following students represented our school at the Southwest and Aerotropolis Public Speaking Final at St Anthony of Padua Austral. We are so proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school. Special congratulations to Estelle Louis who placed second overall in the Year 5 competition. 

Year 3

Brielle Shimshon-Tleige

Year 5

Estelle Louis

Year 6

Isabella Settineri 

Some important reminders for Term 4: 

Students are able to purchase directly from the canteen on the days when they are rostered to play on the top playground. Any other day, they will need to place an order for recess snacks and ice blocks in the morning which will be delivered to their classroom.

Top Playground days for grades are as follows: 

Monday: Year 1 and Year 5

Tuesday: Year 2 and Kinder

Wednesday: Kinder and Year 4

Thursday: Year 5, Year 1 and Year 2

Friday: Year 3 and Year 6 

A reminder of the following SMILe days and Sports Uniform Days for students:

Term 4 SMILe Days

Week A: Monday (Year 6), Tuesday (Year 2), Wednesday (Year 5), Thursday (Kinder)

Week B: Tuesday (Year 1), Wednesday (Year 3), Thursday (Year 4)

Sport Uniform Days - Term 4: 

Monday - Year 1, Year 5 and Kinder Emerald

Tuesday - Year 3, Year 6 and Kinder Silver 

Wednesday - Year 4 and Year 2, Kinder Ruby and Kinder Gold 

Thursday - n/a

Friday - All students 

Kinder Orientation 

Our Kinder Orientation program for Kinder 2025 begins Thursday 17th October. The program will run each fortnight and we will have our new Kinder students visiting and taking part in school readiness activities. 

Final Day for 2024

A reminder that our final day for students in 2024 will be Wednesday 18th December. 

Facebook & Instagram 

Be sure to like our school Facebook and Instagram Page - we will be regularly posting some of the exciting things taking place at JB. 

https://www.facebook.com/jbbonnyrigg

https://www.instagram.com/johnthebaptistbonnyrigg/ 

Have a safe and restful holiday break, 

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Religion News

Religious Education Newsletter Item Term 3 Week 10 

Confirmation  

We are filled with joy as we celebrate our Year 6 students who have recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation. This special occasion marks a significant step in their faith journey, empowering them to embrace the Holy Spirit and become active members of our Church community. Through their preparation, these young individuals have deepened their understanding of their faith and committed to living out the values of love, service, and compassion.

Thank you to our dedicated group leaders, families, staff and parish community for your guidance and encouragement throughout this important milestone. Let us all rejoice in this achievement and continue to nurture the seeds of faith planted in our students' hearts.

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 3  Week 10

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

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!

First Monday of term- Coffee and catch up (including some special sweet treats) with a short prayer. COME ALONG!!

Vinnies Night Patrol THANK YOU- to those parents who came along on the last Monday of term 3 and assisted with making many sandwiches for the Liverpool Night Patrol VAN! You were amazing!

Also a big thank you to Father Dominic and our Parish Community Care Group who funded this opportunity.

Our Mini Vinnies students also made sandwiches on the day to add to our contribution

The issue of homelessness is not restricted to the inner city areas but affects us here in our local community too. There are also many forms of homelessness with some families “couch surfing”, sleeping rough in our parks, and many older women are also now finding themselves with fewer housing options due to domestic violence and similar circumstances. The work of the Night Patrol is our local areas is very important.

JB Juniors on every Wednesday- resumes WEEK 1

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

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.

REGISTER NOW!!! only a few more  PLACES AVAILABLE!!! 

Friday 25th October Marian Retreat for PARENTS

“Something about Mary…”

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 until next term- I  will contact you. Enquiries- Tina 0439 492920

DIGITAL DANGERS AND OUR KIDS!

FREE SPECIAL EVENT- see the flyer in our newsletter- 

A free SCS Life MONTH EVENT for PARENTS and STAFF at Liverpool Catholic Club- 

WHEN : MONDAY 28th OCTOBER 6.30pm start

Come and hear the amazing guest speaker Melinda Tankard Reist as she discusses the reality of the dangers faced by our children online and what we can do about it.

REGISTRATION HERE

YEAR 12 PRAYER PACK EXCHANGE- keep up your prayers!

On Thursday 19th September our SRC were blessed to be able to distribute the prayer packs to the Year 12 students of Freeman Catholic College.

THANK YOU to the many families who made cards, sent little gifts and lifted the spirits of our young people as they prepare to conclude their secondary education and either undertake exams, apply for university or TAFE or search for employment.

To know that others are praying for you, even if they are strangers to you, is a very emotional and affirming grace. 

PLEASE keep all our YEAR 12 students and their families in your prayers as these challenging times continue into TERM 4. 

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed and safe Spring Holiday!

PARISH NOTICE

JORDAN YOUTH GROUP ON THIS WEEKEND

Years 5, 6 and 7 students are welcome to join the Jordan Youth Group in our Parish Saturday September 28th 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

Literacy News

Literacy Corner Week 10 Term 3

SPRING 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 Spring Reading Challenge. When students finish reading a book they complete a reading raffle ticket. When they return to school in Term 4 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! There will also be a pizza party for the class that brings in the most raffle tickets.

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

Music News

JB's GOT TALENT FINAL!

You are invited to attend the JB's Got Talent Final, where students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be showing off their amazing performances! 

Date: Thursday 24th October 2024Time: from 11:30am Location: Amphitheatre 

More details to follow on Compass regarding this event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Ristevska  Music 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

The end of year is approaching!  Please note all school fees needed to be finalised by 28 November 2024 (unless you have a payment plan agreement with the school).

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