2024: Week 10, Term 4

Principal's Message

Dear JB Parents & Carers

REFLECTION - THIS WEEKEND'S GOSPEL 

Christmas is a time for gift giving. Mary gave the gift of herself, her time, her concern to her cousin Elizabeth. These are the best gifts to give - gifts that truly represent ourselves. We can package a gift with bright Christmas paper - well and good. But we cannot package our heart, we can only freely give it to others. What gift of my heart - myself, do I have this year - for Jesus? - for my family, for my friends, and for those in need.

2025 STAFFING & CLASSES 

A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE JB COMMUNITY

Dear Tina and the John the Baptist Catholic Primary school community,

I hope that this email finds you well. As we head towards to the end of another year, I`d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Sydney Vinnies Van Service, to express our deepest gratitude to the John the Baptist Catholic Primary school community,   for their kind donations to the Liverpool Vinnies Van Service. We value and appreciate your unwavering support which makes a positive difference to our team of volunteers and especially in the lives of those that we serve, and we are immensely grateful for your commitment to our mission.We also take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and blessed Christmas and a very happy new year.

Sincerely and with deep appreciation,Joanne Riakos | Vinnies Van Services and Supply Centre Coordinator
 | St Vincent de Paul Society NSW 

With my best wishes for a happy and holy Christmas break with your families. 

Brendan O'Connor  Principal

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

As we near the end of the year, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your support and partnership throughout this wonderful year of learning and growth. Your encouragement, trust, and involvement have played a vital role in helping our students thrive and succeed. I wish you and your families a joyous Christmas season filled with love, laughter, and many blessings. May the New Year bring peace and happiness.

Positive Behaviour Reward 

During Week 9 the students were able to take part in our Positive Behaviours for Learning Celebration Days. The students had so much fun splashing, running and go-karting at school. Be sure to have a look at our instagram for some of the fun that was had. 

Entering Absences into Compass 

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

Staff Development Days for 2025

As we prepare to end our school year, we also start to forward plan for 2025. Students will resume school on Tuesday 4th February 2025 for Year 1-6. 

Kindergarten will commence school on Wednesday 5th February. 

Staff Development Days:

Term 2, Week 1 - Monday 28th April

Term 2, Week 6 - Friday 6th June

Term 3, Week 8 - Monday 8th September

Term 4, Week 1 - Monday 13th October

School concludes for 2025 - Wednesday 17th December 

2025 Sport Uniform Days

2025 SMILe Days (including Library Borrowing) & Assembly 

Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Religion News

Merry Christmas & Thank you 

As we celebrate the joy and hope of Christmas, let us remember the true gift of this season—the birth of Jesus, who brings light into our lives and calls us to live with love, peace, and kindness. May we embrace His example of compassion and humility, sharing these gifts with those around us.

I wish each of you a blessed Christmas filled with the warmth of family, the peace of Christ, and the joy that comes from giving and receiving love. May the new year bring you strength and grace as we continue to walk in faith together.

As my time here at John the Baptist comes to an end, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. It has been a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated staff, vibrant students, and supportive families over the past 11 years. My journey here at John the Baptist has been filled with countless joyful moments, from the excitement of school Masses to witnessing the growth and faith of our students.

I am deeply grateful for the many experiences I’ve shared, both in and out of the classroom, and for the opportunity to watch our school community flourish in faith, love, and learning. These years have enriched my life, and I will always carry with me the memories of our shared moments, celebrations, and challenges overcome together.

Thank you for your trust, support, and for making this school a special place. God bless you all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

With deepest thanks and best wishes,

Mrs Felysha Knight  Acting Religious Education Coordinator 

Family Educator News

Family Educator  Term 4  Week 10

Dear Families,

As Christmas approaches, let us all continue to open our hearts and minds to allow God into our lives. Being truly PRESENT with others is the greatest PRESENT we can give those we love. 

May we all remember we are celebrating Jesus Christ-

Jesus Christ, who was born into this world over two thousand years ago,

Jesus Christ who is with us today in all we say and do and

Jesus Christ who will come again.

Take some time to attend a Mass over the Christmas season- the times are listed in this newsletter. A small blessing pack for the New year will be given to families at each of the masses on Christmas eve and Christmas Day.

Watch out on COMPASS and in newsletters for commencement of Monday Coffee Catch ups in the New Year- Likely our second week of school.

CPR for the Soul on Mondays- Coffee, Prayer and Reflection at the start of the day in the demountable classroom! A great way to kick start a week!

JB Juniors will resume in the new year- 

PLEASE REGISTER your Interest now 

Open to all children 0-5 years old, we meet in the demountable classroom on the top playground on Wednesday Mornings 8.45am-10am

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.

See our beautiful Christmas Nativity craft- we also had a birthday cake for Jesus as part of our Celebrations! A great way to remind ourselves that IT IS JESUS’ BIRTHDAY!

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.

JB Men’s Group this FRIDAY 7pm

We invite you to our December Men's Group meeting and BBQ Friday 20th December at 7pm in the Church Hall Whether you’re a regular or joining us for the first time, come see what we’re all about! Come for discussion, fellowship, food and a drink! Together we empower each other to become Christ-like role models in our families and community. We also have a VERY EXCITING year planned for next year – “Please consider joining” Contact Us: For more info, to join the group, or order merchandise, email: jbmg@johnthebaptist.org.au. Or reach out to Daniel at 0411 254 520 (call/SMS)

Father Dominic’s 25th Anniversary Celebration-

Please see attached an invite to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Father Dominic’s ordination and all the work parish helpers. You might like to come along and have a chat with someone to see if there is a ministry you would like to participate in.

All are welcome to the Mass and Celebration on Tuesday 21st January at 6.30pm with dinner afterwards, but please RSVP via the QR Code for catering purposes or contact the parish office on 9823 2572.

Parish Calendars will be on sale after Masses over the coming weeks- a great way to start our 40th Anniversary Year with lovely images of the history of our parish.

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

Sacrament Photo Collection

Dear Parents,

All parents who are yet to collect Communion & Confirmation photos, these photos are available to be collected from the meeting room at the Church between 7pm and 8.30pm this Friday, 20 December 2024.  

If you have any questions, please contact Maria on 0407 662 535.

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.

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.

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

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