2024: Week 8, Term 4

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - THIS WEEKEND'S GOSPEL

St. Luke locates the preaching of John The Baptist at the precise time at which political leaders exercised their power. Today we have our political leaders. We pray they lead with Morality, Ethics and Principles. We are preparing for a new born and helpless child to invite us to reflect on the Values, Principles, Laws and  Morals for which we stands. Will we accept them, live them, love them?
John the Baptist begins to tell us what we must do to let Salvation be effective in our lives. We must prepare a way for the Lord. We must open our hearts. We must straighten our thinking and acting towards others. We pray to overcome the roughness of our impatience with one another, and replace it with peace of love. May the coming of the child at Christmas help us to do these things. Who, today, is willing to make ready the way of the Lord, to clear Him a straight path?

LET'S MAKE OUR DECISION TO FOLLOW JESUS DURING THIS ADVENT, DELAYING UNTIL 'ONE OF THESE DAYS' IS 'NOW'.

CONGRATULATIONS JB!

In my 3 years as Principal of our school, I don't recall a busier week than the one we have just had. But what a week it has been! There have been so many celebrations of student learning and achievement. Our students are certainly realising their immense potential. 

The validaion of our school by the Australian Assessment, Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) of our status as a High Achieving school is a wonderful testament to the hard work of all students and staff here at our school. Your support, as parents, validates our work. As always, we are most grateful. 

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are aware of some of these announcements, however here is the list of outgoing staff for 2024:

Mr Chris McInerney

We congratulate Mr McInernery on his appointment as Assistant Principal at Holy Spirit Primary, Carnes Hill. Mr Mac has had a profound inflence on the students and families of our school, and we thank him for his dedication and service. 

Mrs Felysha Knight

Mrs Knight has been appointed as Instructional Specialist at St Joseph's Primary, Oatley, beginning in 2025. Mrs Knight has held numerous positions across the school, and this year answered the call as Acting REC for the year. We thank her for her expertise, professionalism and care for all of our students. 

Mrs Gabby Klaser

Mrs Klaser will begin 12 months leave to focus on her health and family. We thank her for her immense contribution to the school over many years. Her dedication, attention to detail and commitment to the smooth operation of the school has been incredible. We pray for her continued good health. 

Mrs Grace Garzaniti

Mrs Garzaniti will retire at the end of the school year after 28 years of service to our community. Her care and understanding of children is exceptional, and we congratulate her on this outstanding achievement. 

Mrs Elena Karatsioli

Mrs Karatsioli will pursue other teaching options in 2025. Miss began her time here at JB way back in 2001. In her many roles across the school, including in leadership, she has always been a teacher of high quality and great knowledge. She has supported literally thousands of our students over the years. We wish her every success in her future pursuits. 

Ms Bernadette Hawthorne

Ms Bernadette has been an integral member of the JB team for many years, and her specific role in providing targeted intervention for so many of our students has incresed their knowledge and understanding of learning while at the same time instilling the confidence in each of them to engage in curriculum. We will still see Miss during the year in 2025 as she transitions into retirement while supporting other members of staff into her role. 

We also offer our sincere thanks to Ms Bianca Sampieri and Ms Angelina Tsolomiti for their contribution the school this year. They will be pursuing other roles in 2025. 

2025 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Principal: Mr Brendan O'Connor

Assistant Principal: Mrs Natali Tomic

Religious Education Coodinator: Mr Michael Hobson

Instructional Specialist: Mrs Melanie Moore

Coordinator (English): Mrs Daniella Kokkinis

Coordinator (Mathematics): Ms Laura Raco

Coordinator (Curriculum and Innovation): Ms Caddie Ruster

Coordinator (Wellbeing): Mr Frank Wassef

1 Point Coordinators: Mrs Marcia Siciliano, Mrs Julia Tiberio, Mrs Kathryn Smith

With my best wishes for the week ahead. 

Brendan O'Connor  Principal

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 4  Week 8

Thank you for your very generous donations to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal!

We had parents assist with packing and transporting the MANY boxes to our local Vinnies where they will go to families in need.

A Brush with Faith- Advent Paint and Sip! For parents.

Come -Paint and prepare!

A morning of reflection, relaxing music and the painting of our Advent images and Christmas images- 

This was a fantastic success and we will be sure to follow on from this in Lent 2025 with another artistic adventure. We reflected on the importance of PRESENCE over PRESENTS and the need to fill our HEARTS and not our CARTS.

I highly recommend if you have anytime with the children to pop into a discount store, grab some paints and canvases and harness some of that energy for creative endeavours!

LAST JB Juniors on next Wednesday

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

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. Watch out in the new year for commencement of our 2025 group.

PARISH NOTICES:

CHRISTMAS EVE NATIVITY MASS

 All children are invited to take part in this wonderful JB Christmas Eve tradition ! If you would like your child to participate in the 5:30pm Christmas Eve Children's Mass either as a reader or as part of the Nativity play please attend the following rehearsals : Monday 16th December and 23rd December at 3:45pm. Both rehearsals will be held in the church. Any questions please contact Rosalie 0404276332 or Tina 0439492920.

JORDAN YOUTH GROUP Christmas Party-

Years 5, 6 and 7 students are welcome to join the Jordan Youth Group in our Parish on Saturday 14th December 2024 for our End of Year Celebration 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 Jordan Youth Group is run by a group of regular parishioners from our community who hold current Working with Children checks. To register-

https://www.trybooking.com/CQATW

The Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion 2025

Enrolments are open for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Program 2025. All children who are baptised and in grades 4-6  are welcome to enrol. Please visit this website link to register your child. 

Visit: https://www.trybooking.com/CXJPQ

 Bookings close 31 January. Any questions please call Tamara on 0424 166 248.

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

CAPA News

Dear Parents,

The Sydney Catholic Schools’ Eisteddfod will be back again in 2025! This Eisteddfod showcases the talents of students across Sydney in Instrumental, Piano, Vocal, Dance and Drama categories. If your child takes part in dance, music or vocal lessons outside of school and is interested in representing JB at the Eisteddfod as a soloist, more details will follow in early 2025.

Categories we are looking for:

• Piano solo (contemporary, jazz or classical)
• Instrumental solo (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, string solo, woodwind solo, brass solo, percussion solo)
• Vocal solo (classical, contemporary religious, contemporary, musical theatre)
• Dance solo (jazz, hip hop, lyrical contemporary, folk/cultural, classical ballet, tap)

If your child takes part in a folk/cultural dance group outside of school, we would also love to see how this could work as a school. 

Please keep an eye out for messages regarding the SCS Eisteddfod in early 2025 and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Ristevska  Music Teacher 

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 return all instruments as we are nearing the end of the Year as the instruments will need to be returned to school for cleaning. 

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

Sydney Catholic Schools is asking parents to finalise outsanding 2024 school fee accounts immediately.  If there is any difficulty meeting this deadlne, please contact our office to discuss your payment.  The school's financial accounts for this year must be settled by the beginning of December for the adutiors so it is essential that all fees be paid by the date requested.

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.

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

From 9 December 2024, there will be some changes to school buses in the region. These changes include timetable and minor route changes to school buses.

 Attached is a document outlining the route changes. In addition, we encourage all students to check timetables at https://transportnsw.info/routes/bus or use the Trip Planner at https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip to check the times of the bus(es) they catch. Be sure to change the date in the options, and if using the Trip Planner, click “refine” and add “school bus” to ensure dedicated school services appear as a travel option.

 We hope this information assists.

 Kind Regards,

 Amarinder Singh. Area Manager. Transit Systems

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