2022: Week 2, Term 1

Principal's Message

A very warm welcome to the new school year! It has been a pleasure meeting many of our JB families. Thank you for your warm wishes and introductions – it has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to remembering everyone’s names! I hope that our first year together will bring many moments of joy, excitement and learning. 

Thank you for your support as we transition into the new year. There have been a significant number of COMPASS messages during the past week, and we appreciate you taking the time to familiarise yourself with our new operational procedures. You will also be aware that we have published a number of COVID alerts – I can provide my assurance that the school follows every COVID-safe plan stringently (cleaning, cohorting, ventilating, testing) and that students are as safe as possible here on our school site. 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Our JB students have settled into school very well. I have been particularly impressed with our new Kinder students and look forward to a great year ahead. Special thanks to you all for preparing your child for the new year, in particular their school uniforms which look very smart. Please be aware that our uniform policy clearly outlines the correct wearing of the following in particular: 

• Black leather school shoes
• School hat
• Appropriate haircuts (particularly for boys) 
• No jewellery that is visible over the school uniform

We appreciate your support in these matters – we have so much to be proud of here at JB, and the correct wearing of our school uniform demonstrates that we are ready for learning. Mrs Tomic has further details in her section of this week's newsletter. 

PARENT INFORMATION EVENING TONIGHT (VIA ZOOM)

Our newsletter provides lots of information about life here at JB – I encourage you to take the time to read through it each fortnight. Our Parent Information Evening will take place TONIGHT (Tuesday) and specific information to your child’s grade will be provided in the zoom meeting. I strongly encourage you to attend if you are available. 

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

We take the opportunity to welcome new members of staff to JB in 2022:

• Mr Christopher McInerney – Pastoral Care Co-ordinator
• Mr Michael Hobson - Maths Co-ordinator
• Miss Patricia Bakhri – School Counsellor
• Mr Patrick Donnellan – 6 Silver
• Miss Jospehine Yako - 5 Silver
• Miss Laura Raco – 5 Ruby
• Mr Nicholas Bugge – 5 Emerald
• Miss Kristina Rostankovska – 4 Silver
• Miss Mikayla Valdez – 3 Ruby
• Mrs Alysia Ussia – 3 Gold
• Miss Nadine Rapisarda – 2 Silver
• Miss Raquel Hoch – 1 Silver
• Miss Antoinette Ferraro, Miss Izabella Wojtowicz, Mrs Dena Kanoon, Mrs Melisa Chetcuti – Learning Support Officers
• Mrs Christina Gatt, Mrs Tamia Sacco – Office Administration    
  

  SCHOOL CAPTAINS 2022

  Congratulations to our Year 6 students who have been selected as the Student Representative Council. I met them last week and what a fine group of leaders they are! The process for selection for School Captains will begin early next week. We hope to have an announcement as soon as possible. I thank Fr Dominic and Mrs Tomic who will assist in the discernment process. 

  DROP OFF and PICK UP PROCEDURES

  Thank you for your continued support during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. We will continue to be present during the morning and afternoon to ensure that our procedures are safe, convenient for all and allow students to move on and off site in the best manner. If any changes to our procedures occur in the coming days/weeks, we will communicate these to you via our COMPASS app. 

  JB on FACEBOOK 

  Be sure to follow our Facebook page as we enter the new year. The site will be continually updated as we share great examples of student learning and day to day life here at JB. Show your support by clicking ‘like’! All published images strictly follow child protection regulations. 

  Please enjoy our first newsletter publication for 2022!

  With my best wishes for the week ahead, 

  Mr Brendan O’Connor

  PRINCIPAL

Assistant Principal News

Dear Parents, 

Welcome Back to the new school year. It has been wonderful to see you and your children again after the Christmas break. 

The students have all settled into their new classrooms so well and our school is buzzing with the sound of their questions, thoughts and laughter.

Thank you for the way you have all adapted to our new processes as we start this school year. 

COVID Update

As you wil have noticed, we will communicate to you as soon as we receive a positive case notification for your child's cohort. We will continue to do this so that you can be as informed as possible about the current COVID situation at our school. 

While testing and isolation is no longer mandatory for exposures in school settings, NSW Health has provided advice on testing and isolation recommendations for the community following exposure to COVID-19 that should be considered when making decisions for your child and family.

You are reminded that staff and students cannot attend school if they are showing any symptoms of COVID-19. These include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, extreme tiredness, unexplained chest pain or conjunctivitis (eye infection).

If symptoms occur at any time, you should not attend school and should undertake a rapid antigen test. If a rapid antigen test is positive you/your child should isolate as someone who has tested positive to COVID-19. If you cannot access a rapid antigen test, you can attend a PCR (nose and throat swab) testing clinic.

Advice and further resources are available on the NSW Health website including COVID-19 guidelines and fact sheets for People who tested positive or were exposed to COVID-19. Additional resources are also available on the NSW Government website.

The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students are paramount at all times. As such, we will continue to ensure that all necessary health advice is closely followed.

Uniform & Haircuts

Wearing a school uniform is an important part of belonging to a school community. The children and families at John the Baptist School take pride in their uniform which needs to be worn at all times.

• Children will be encouraged to wear their school uniform with pride and as a symbol of their belonging to John the Baptist.
• John the Baptist has a NO HAT–SHADE PLAY policy to be observed at all times on each playground.
• Hair should be neat and tidy. Extreme hair styles (determined by School Leadership) or colours or extremely untidy hair are not permitted. Shaved shapes are not to be worn to school. Boys hair should be above the collar.
• Children need to arrive and leave school wearing full school or sports uniform–including the correct hat and shoes.

Sports Uniform Days 

Students are asked to wear their Sports Uniform on the following days each week: 

Parent Connect Phone Calls

A reminder that over the next few weeks, your child’s classroom teacher will contact you to discuss your child's strengths and areas of growth. We ask that you complete the attached sheet (which has also been sent home) and return this to your child’s classroom teacher as soon as possible. 

Canteen & Lunches

Lunch Orders are placed in the class lunch tubs by 9 am. Online ordering is also available via www.flexischools.com.au or alternatively, you may contact the canteen operator via SMS only on 0404 219 791. 

Due to COVID restrictions, students will need to place an order for ice blocks and slushies. These will be delivered to classrooms at recess each day. 

A reminder that we are an Allergy Friendly School and as such no nuts or nut products are to be sent to school for lunch or recess. 

Once again, thank you for your continued support and partnership. 

Mrs Natali Tomic

Assistant Principal

Family Educator

Welcome back to the school year- an exciting term with Lent and Easter ahead of us, and preparation for the sacrament of Reconciliation about to begin in the Parish.

Things may seem a little uncertain and we can not quite get back to the ‘norm’, but still we can make the most of the opportunities we are blessed to enjoy.

ZOOM- SPaR- A chance each week this term to meet virtually via ZOOM on Monday mornings, to STOP Pray and REFLECT. Our focus will be on new beginnings and then move into Lenten reflections. ALL are welcome to come online and share some catch-up time afterwards too! The actual reflection will last no more than 15 minutes- it’s the conversation afterwards that is up to YOU. So make a CUPPA and join us on THIS LINK

JB Juniors PLAYGROUP- at this time we can not run a face to face preschooler playgroup, but we hope to resume in Term 2 in some way. You can find some activities HERE

I4GIVE week- This week marks two years since the tragic deaths of the Abdallah children and their cousin. The family has begun an initiative called I4GIVE and this week we are reminded of  the healing power of FORGIVENESS- both of others and ourselves.

“In witnessing the warmth and love break through families who are not captive of a bitter and angry heart, we are seeing something that’s not just another instance of normal life, of ordinary unfolding. We are seeing newness, restoration, redemption, resurrection, forgiveness. Forgiveness is the most astonishing miracle we will ever see or experience this side of eternity. It, alone, makes for the possibility peace in our world.” 

Danny and Leila Abdallah and Bridget Sakr on the website i4Give

Is there someone you need to reconnect with and FORGIVE, or is there something in your life that you need to reconcile?

God bless, 

Tina Dunn  Family Educator

Parish Matters: Mass is on in the church on Tuesday mornings at 8am and you are very welcome to attend with your children. It is  approximately 20 minutes in duration- a great way to start the day.

On weekends we have several masses-

Sat: 5.30pm Vigil

Sun: 8am, 10am and 5.30pm (4th Sunday in each month in Tagalog)

Remember to enrol for the Sacrament  of Reconciliation if your child is in Year 4 or above by Wednesday 9th February-

ENROL HERE

Religious Education

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Last week Enrolment forms for First Reconciliation were sent out to students in Year 4. Parents of any students in Year 5 and Year 6 who have not yet received First Reconciliation and would like to enrol their child for the Sacrament this year, are asked to contact the Office as early as possible.

Thursday 17th Feb - Enrolment Information Evening 

Lessons in Weeks Commencing 28th Feb , 7th March, 14th March, 21st March.

There are four weeks of lessons in Church. Every weekend children will be asked to hand in their homework sheet at Mass

Thursday 31st March - Reconciliation Sacrament Celebration (Night 2 Sessions)

Other Sacramental dates for your diary:

First Holy Communion Dates

28th April - Enrolment Information Evening 

Weeks Commencing 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th May 

There will be four weeks of lessons in Church. Every weekend children will be asked to hand in their homework sheet at Mass. 

5th June - First Communion Retreat 

Communion Mass Weekends, 11th - 12th June (3 x Masses ) and 18th - 19th June (2 x Masses)

All children who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Years 4, 5 and 6 and are yet to make their First Holy Communion, are welcome to enrol when the enrolment forms are sent out later this term. 

CONFIRMATION. Details will be sent out next term.

God Bless.

Mrs Jansen

Religious Education Coordinator 

Wellbeing & Diverse Learning

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Coordinator. My role will build on the great work here at John the Baptist. My team will support our school’s work of educating the whole child as an individual learner with both academic and wellbeing needs. Using whole school programs and initiatives class teachers will provide opportunities for all students to reach their potential. There are many exciting activities that will be offered this year in the area of Student Wellbeing and I look forward to working with the students, staff and parent community in this role. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Mr Chris McInerney 

Wellbeing and Diverse Learning Coordinator

Maths @ JB

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Numeracy Coordinator. Numeracy is the effective use of Mathematics in all aspects of daily life. At JB students develop their skills by engaging in a balance of routine and non-routine problems that place an emphasis on developing students' communication, problem solving, fluency and reasoning. As teachers of Mathematics, we strive to achieve student excellence by adopting a targeted approach to cater for the needs of all students. 

This year students are provided with the opportunity to build on their learning and become fluent in Mathematics through Mathletics (K - 6) and Numerical Acumen (years 3 - 6). If your child does not know their username and password please speak to their teacher. 

Michael Hobson

Numeracy Coordinator

Newman News

What is the Newman Program?

John the Baptist primary is proud to be a Newman Gifted Education school. The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program provides gifted learners with an authentic program of learning, designed to challenge each student. It caters to a variety of gifted learners by offering a range of opportunities that support students’ growth as a whole person, including their social and emotional learning and wellbeing. 

I look forward to a year full of exciting and engaging opportunities within the classroom and beyond!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Mrs Francine Bushby

Newman Facilitator

ICT/STEM News

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the ICT AND STEM Coordinator. It is Sydney Catholic Schools vision to create thriving Catholic communities through excellent teaching and learning. At JB we strive toward this vision by focusing on providing quality, authentic programs. Through the integration of ICT, teachers are able to offer a range of opportunities to all students, ensuring each individual meets their full potential. There are many exciting activities that will be offered this year across Science and Technology as well as ICT and I look forward to working with the students in this role. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Miss Victoria Buedo 

ICT/ STEM Coordinator

Writing News

Welcome back to another fantastic school year! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Writing Coordinator for 2022. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the John the Baptist community for the past six years and I am eager to continue working closely with students and staff in the area of Writing. Throughout the year students will engage in exciting writing tasks, including the famous writing stimulus. This is where students experience a range of scenarios to spark their creativity allowing them to compose a variety of informative, imaginative and persuasive texts. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead. 

Warmly, 

Mrs Daniella Kokkinis 

Writing Coordinator 

Library News

Notes from the Office

CENSUS DAY 

From time to time, we are required to provide student details and background data to Government agencies, particularly during Census time. Our school will be undertaking this process on Friday 11th February.  For more information regarding this, please refer to the SCS Privacy Policy and Standard Collection Notice. 

VISA STUDENTS 

For our families from overseas, it is important that the school has details of your current residency status.  Please be sure to provide us with your new visa grant notice or Australian Citizenship documents if:

• There has been a change in your visa sub class or expiry date, or
• If you previously had a visa but have now become an Australian Citizen
  

2022 SCHOOL FEES

Dear Parents,

Please be aware your 2022 School Fees Statement will be emailed during the 1st week of March. It would be appreciated if your payments are made by the scheduled dates as listed on your statement.

Payments can be made by BPAY, Compass Parent Portal, Cash, Eftpos or Centrepay.

Please contact the office should you not receive your statement by 5th March, or have any queries in relation to your fees.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated