2024: Week 6, Term 4

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - GOSPEL

We celebrate the last weekend of the Church Year. And we celebrate the Feast of Jesus Christ, our King. During our lives, many, many things cross our paths - our world offers many enticements to us. Our world offers praises, wealth, status, power,possessions.
What price LOYALTY? What price TRUST? In our modern day society, we all generally feel under pressure. We feel “pulled” in so many directions - family, education, work, paying the bills, relationships. With all our modern conveniences,we feel under more tension than ever.
Yet, none of these things, or all of them together, give us peace and surety. When we have tried everything and found it offers very little - well, let us focus on the one person who can guarantee us Joy and Peace. Jesus our King - He never forces Himself upon us. He only ever gently invites us into relationships with Him.

What is our response? Let us focus on Jesus, our King. He is the King of Peace.

AMADEUS PARENT FEEDBACK

Please take the opportunity to complete the Parent Survey seeking feedback on the Amadeus music program. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Parent Survey

As we move towards the conclusion of the school year, we appreciate your support and enthusiasm for all of the upcoming events that will celebrate our wonderful achievements. Her are some of the events comng up:

• JB Celebration of Learning - Thursday December 5
• JB and Freeman Carols - Friday December 6
• PBL Celebration Week - Week 9
• Whole School Thanksgiving Mass and Parent Helpers Morning Tea - Friday December 13
• Promotions Day - Tuesday December 17
• Year 6 Graduation - Tuesday December 17
  

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENT:

We congratulate Mrs Felysha Knight on her appointment as Instructional Specialist at St Joseph's, Oatley, beginning 2025. 

Brendan O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal

Dear Parents, 

Positive Behaviour Reward 

As we approach the end of the school year, it is important that we remind the students to be 3 things - that is, to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible. We encourage you to use these 3 expectations at home also when discussing behaviours with your children. To celebrate our students and their positive behaviour we will be having an exciting reward for them in Week 9. All classes have been challenged to earn 20 class points between now and Week 9 to take part. Stay tuned - more details coming. 

Amadeus Showcase

As published in our weekly overview, we will be having an Amadeus Showcase in Week 8, Friday 5th December from 9am. Parents are invited to attend - more details will be shared via the weekly planner. 

Entering Absences into Compass 

A reminder for all parents to please enter any absence into compass as soon as possible. It is important to maintain accurate and up to date records for our students. 

Parent Helper Thank you

If you have volunteered in any way this year - carnivals, excursions, classroom, uniform shop, book covering, Mass... then we would love to say Thank you! You are invited to our Morning Tea on Friday 13th December from 10:30am following our Thanksgiving Mass. We look forward to seeing you there. 

With thanks, 

Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 4  Week 6

Marian Retreat - Something about Mary…

Parents from our local network schools attended a Marian retreat day at Horsley Park which was organised by Famiily Eudcators. Parents enjoyed an amazing talk  during which they learned a little ‘Something about Mary’, painted a wonderful artwork for their homes, and made a keepsake Mary bracelet.

Please look out for future opportunities like this as the parents who attended had a wonderful experience.

JB Juniors on every Wednesday

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

November 27th- Advent wreath placemat craft

December 4th-  Christmas Craft

December 11th- Christmas Party and Nativity storytime (our last playgroup for the year!)

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

PARISH NOTICE

JORDAN YOUTH GROUP Saints Party- Saturday November 23rd

Dress as your favourite saint!!!

Years 5, 6 and 7 students are welcome to join the Jordan Youth Group on Saturday November 23rd,  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

CAPA News

Last night, our Year 6 Band represented JB at the Hub 3 Network Festival.

Over 640 performers from Catholic Schools in Sydney’s South West, Horsley, Aerotropolis and Auburn Lakemba B took to the stage to showcase their talents at Freeman Catholic College. We congratulate our students on their efforts and look forward to showcasing more of their hard work!

Emily Nguyen - violin

Alvin Xiao - accordion

Benjamin Portelli - accordion

Pasquale Faga - guitar

Frank Barilla - guitar

Renata Giuliani-Bruno - piano

Brioni Kumpoon - piano

Valentina Davalos - piano 

Mrs Ristevska  Music Teacher 

Celebration of Learning - Newman Symposium

Our Celebration of Learning - Newman Symposium is fast approaching - Thursday 5th December. We warmly invite all parents, grandparents, family members and carers to attend. We will be showcasing all the wonderful learning opportunities that we provide for our students at John The Baptist.

Have you ever wondered what your child does on their “SMILe Day”? 

At the symposium, you are invited not only to visit your children’s classrooms but to also visit these learning spaces - Music, Critical Thinking, Science and Digital Technology, where students will be showcasing examples of their learning.

Please see below for the revised schedule - we hope to see you at 12.00pm for the parent gathering, where we will commence the celebrations! 

Caddie Ruster  Gifted Education Coordinator & Critical Thinking Teacher 

Sports News

Primary Swimming Carnival

Our Primary Swimming Carnival took place on Tuesday 19th November.  We congratulate our students on their sensational swimming skills, sportsmanship and spirit on the day. 

A special congratulations to the following students who will represent JB at the Conference 4 Swimming Trials next February.  Well done Yolanda Butrus, Emilia Cavicchia, Maria Faga, Alena Gauci, Giorgio Gauci, Giuseppe Gauci, Lucas Gorgis, Kate Mounes, Grace Nguyen, Hanna Padilla, Alexander Portelli, Melanie Romero, Zara Sabbouh, Savannah Sabbouh, Joseph Shaba, Raphael Shaba, Ana Srdanovic, Cove Trajcevski, Kosta Triantafillou and Elvis Zhang.

A special thank you to our amazing parent helpers Mr Milczarek, Mrs Lewis, Mr Nguyen, Mr Nguyen and Mrs Yako.  We could not have done it without you!!!!

Well done Blue House who won the School Spirit Award and sensational work Red House who were victorious on the day.

Conference Soccer School Trials

Students in Year 4 and Year 5 who play soccer at a high level have the opportunity to participate in the JB Soccer Trials.  Please meet Mrs Oliverio on the Multipurpose Courts on Thursday 28th November at 8am.  5 boys and 5 girls will be selected on the day.

Primary Swimming Carnival

Enrolment Information

Applications are now open in Compass for Kindergarten 2026 and Year 7 2027 enrolments (for current Year 4 students).

To apply, click the cog wheel on the top right-hand side of your existing parent Compass account and then “Family and Enrolments” in the drop-down. If you are applying for your currently enrolled child please click on their name in Student Profile, complete the profile to get to 100% and you will then be able to create an application. For new students (e.g. Kindergarten), please create a new student profile before submitting an application. You must select at least two school preferences to submit. Upon submission, you'll receive a confirmation email, and your Compass account will display the status as “submitted.” Please see below step-by-step guide if you need assistance.

Open days will be held in early Term 1 2025 (Monday 3 March 2025 at 6pm and Thursday 6 March 2025 at 9.15am), and final enrolment applications are due in late March/early April. Each school will confirm their deadlines during the open days. Feel free to share this information with friends, family, and community members who may be interested in enrolment.

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.

SCS Community Survey 3: Wellbeing

As part of our focus on school improvement and effectiveness, SCS has developed a series of online surveys directed at parents, which have been distributed using the Compass Insights Module shortly.

Please take the time to complete these online surveys as they provide information that we can use towards school improvement and effectiveness.

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

Please check your account balance in compass.  All school fees need to be paid in full by the 28th of November 2024.

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.

Year 7 2025 Freeman Catholic College

STUDENTS ENROLLED AT FREEMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE

FOR YEAR 7 2025

REMINDER: Year 7 2025 Orientation Day for students is on Wednesday 27 th November 2024.  

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

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from 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