2025: Week 10, Term 1

Principal's Message

*SCHOOL RETURNS TUESDAY APRIL 29*

Dear JB Parents & Carers

BLESSED BE HE WHO COMES ASKING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

REFLECTION - THIS WEEKEND'S GOSPEL

We have come to the great week of the Church Year. On Sunday, we honour Jesus upon His entry into the Holy City.  But as the week unfolds, we witness (and we join in) how His own people turn against Him, and eventually take Him to His death. We are called to be present as we re-present these tragic events. And only if we do so, only then do we deserve to share in the glory of the Resurrection of Jesus.

IT IS OUR CHOICE.  Perhaps if we ask Mary to allow us to accompany her during this week, it will really help us to relive these events in salvation. 

IN EVERYTHING BOTH GREAT AND SMALL, WE SEE THE HAND OF GOD IN ALL.

AND EVERY DAY SOMEWHERE, SOMEPLACE, WE SEE THE LIKENESS OF HIS FACE. 

As we conclude the school term, I would like to thank all of our community for your continued support in ensuring we offer our students the very best of care. 

I am very grateful to the JB staff for their commitment to the students and am very excited for Term 2. Wishing your families my prayers and best wishes for a happy and holy Easter. Enjoy the time with your families and friends. 

It was a pleasure to witness our students' expression of their faith through the school's Holy Week celebrations on Wednesday and Thursday. We deeply appreciate the presence of our parent community who were able to attend in large numbers. 

I encourage all families to engage in the JB Parish Holy Week and Easter celebrations, beginning with Palm Sunday this weekend. It is a wonderful opportunity to share our faith with our children within our amazing faith community during this most holiest of seasons. Times for the JB Parish Holy Week - Easter masses and liturgies are included in this week's newsletter. 

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

The fun was there for all to see on Tuesday and today for our Primary and Infants Athletics' Carnivals. Well done to everyone for your engagement with a special thank you to Mrs Oliverio and her team for their organisation and running of the days. 

Physical fitness is a proven strategy to ensure students can thrive academically and socially. There are a variety of ways to be involved in sport! Being a part of a team builds communication, listening, organisation and fitness skills. Students who are active are well balanced individuals who thrive in all aspects of life.

We look forward to welcoming students back to school on TUESDAY APRIL 29. Please be reminded that staff will participate in a Staff Development Day on Monday April 28. 

Mr Brendan O'Connor Principal

Assistant Principal News

Term 2 Important Information

Dear Parents,

Attached you will find important dates and information for Term 2, as well as our Sport Uniform and SMILe/ Library Days and Canteen Allocation for each grade. Starting from Term 2, we kindly ask parents to drop off students at the school gates in the mornings. To ensure a smooth transition, parents should refrain from accompanying their child to the classroom. Our dedicated SRC students will be at the gates to provide support and assistance during drop-off.

Thank you for your cooperation in fostering independence and an efficient start to the school day.

Key Dates for Term 2

School Begins K-Year 6 on Tuesday 29th April - 8:45-2:55 pm

Semester One Reports are sent home on Friday 27th June, 2025 

Parent Teacher Interviews take place in Week 10, with a late evening on Tuesday 4th July, 2025. 

Mother’s Day Liturgy - Friday 9th May - Breakfast (from 7:30am) and Liturgy (from 9am) 

Students return to school in either FULL Summer or FULL Winter Uniform based on parent discretion with weather in Weeks 1-3. 

ALL students MUST be in FULL WINTER UNIFORM from Monday 19th May (Week 4)

Parish Masses 

Sunday 4th Mary - Parish 40th Anniversary and Family Picnic 10am 

Sunday 18th May - Year 2 Family Mass 

June 7, 8, 14 & 15 - Holy Communion Masses 

Sunday 29th June - Year 1 Family Mass 

School/ Grade Masses - Thursday at 9am
1/5  - Whole School Easter Mass
15/5 - Year 1

22/5 - Whole School ‘Mary Help of Christians’  

29/5 - Kinder 

5/6 - Year 2

12/6 - Year 3

19/6 - Year 5 

24/6 - Whole School ‘John the Baptist’ Feast Day 

26/6 - Year 6

3/7 - Year 4 

Additional Parent Volunteer Induction Meetings
Any Parent wishing to volunteer as a classroom helper or on excursions/ at carnivals must attend one of these sessions. Meetings will be held in the Activity Room on the top playground. You need to complete this session each year if you wish to volunteer.
Week 1 - Friday 2nd May - 8:20am

Amadeus

Students in Year 3-6 are to bring their instrument to school EVERY Friday

Sport Uniform Days

Monday - KE, KG, Year 1 and Year 2

Tuesday - KS, Year 3, Year 4

Wednesday - KR, Year 5 and Year 6 

Thursday

Friday - ALL Students 

SMILe Days (please bring Library Bag) 

Monday: Week A (odd) - Year 1 / Week B (even) - Year 2

Tuesday: Week A (odd) - Year 5 / Week B (even) - Year 3

Wednesday: Week A (odd) - Year 4 / Week B (even) - Year 6

Thursday: Week B (even) - Kindergarten 

Term 2 Canteen Buying Days

Monday - Year 1 and Year 5

Tuesday - Year 2 and Year 4

Wednesday - Year 3 and Kinder 

Thursday - Year 5 and Year 2 

Friday - Year 3 and Year 6 

Staff Development Days for 2025

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 27th October (NEW DATE) 

School concludes for 2025 - Wednesday 17th December 

 Wishing you all a safe and Blessed Easter with your family and friends. 

With thanks,

Mrs Natali Tomic  Assistant Principal

Family Educator News

Way of the Cross at Bringelly-

On Monday 31st March parents and parishioners from the JB parish joined with six other schools to walk the path beside beautiful statues that depict the Way of the Cross at the Bringelly Conference Centre. 

It was a very moving and beautiful way to share in Christ’s Passion journey. When parents arrived there was  morning tea provided and an opportunity to privately write down any fears and burdens we wished to carry with us and place at the foot of the cross.

After we had completed the stations, a priest was available for Reconciliation under the trees to complete the morning. We enjoyed a picnic lunch and participants were gifted a small cross and a blessed Miraculous Medal necklace. 

Please consider coming along to this event next year as it was a beautiful step on our journey toward Easter.

SPaR- Parent Cuppa and Chat- Week 2

Beginning again in Week 2 Term 2,  I warmly invite you to come along to our SPaR (Stop Pray and Reflect session) as we meet over coffee and share a short reflection. Coffee and a chat are on offer from approximately 8.30 in the demountable classroom beside the Church on the top playground. This is not a formal bible study but an opportunity to come together as parents and share some time together. All are welcome.

HOLY WEEK COMPANION

Most families would have received a Holy Week companion booklet this week outlining the events of Holy Week and offering ways to involve the family in this important celebration of our Faith. Mass times for Holy Week are also included. This week Father Dominic has called us to DECORATE OUR HOMES!!

As we have done in recent years, you might consider decorating your front door or the front of your home with palm crosses or something similar as a joyous way of showing you are Easter people! Share your images with the community on this PADLET 

PLEASE REGISTER your Interest -

Open to all children 0-5 years old, we meet in the demountable classroom on the top playground on Wednesday Mornings 8.45am-10 am- Starting back in Term 2 Week 1

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. 

Wednesday 30th April- Autumn storytime and craft

Wednesday 7th May- Special Mother’s Day story and craft

CHECK OUT THE RESURRECTION GARDENS WE MADE IN JB Juniors IN WEEK 8!!!! This little garden project showing the three crosses on the hill and the tomb covered with a rock, is a brilliant little tool to show children the Resurrection story and the abundance of NEW LIFE that Easter brings.

CHECK OUT THE RESURRECTION GARDENS WE MADE in JB Juniors IN WEEK 8!!!! This little garden project showing the three crosses on the hill and the tomb covered with a rock, are a brilliant little tool to show children the Resurrection story and the abundance of NEW LIFE that Easter brings.

Holy Week- Working Bee and Palm Sunday

A reminder we have a parish working bee on this weekend to help prepare for Easter- and remember to BRING YOUR PALMS or OLIVE BRANCHES to mass to be blessed this Palm Sunday.

TO all those PARENTS gathered outside the church waiting to pick up your children- Father invites you  INTO the church- (you are always welcome for silent prayer)

Benediction & Reconciliation  On Monday 1st May (Week 1) and every first Thursday of the month

 Fr Dominic will be offering Benediction and Reconciliation from 2:30pm to 3:15pm. Students from Freeman Catholic College, as well as parents and any parishioners who are available are invited. 

During benediction, people may engage in silent prayer, meditate on the significance of God's presence, or pray for specific intentions such as healing, peace, or guidance. It’s a time for reflection, worship, and a deep sense of reverence for God's love and care.

Yours in Family and Faith Tina Dunn Family Educator

Well Being News

Empowering Your Child: Navigating the Digital World (Technology) Together

Dear Parents and Carers,

Technology offers incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection. Yet, it also presents challenges: exposure to inappropriate content, potential for cyberbullying, and the ever-present pull of excessive screen time. Our goal is to equip our children with the tools to navigate this landscape with confidence and understanding.

We encourage parents to:

You are your child's first and most influential educator. Here's how we can work together to cultivate positive digital habits:

1. Lead by Example:

• Children learn by observing. Please be aware of your own screen time and online behaviour.

• Show them how to use technology constructively for learning, creating, and connecting meaningfully.

• Create a judgment-free space for your child to share their online experiences.

• Ask open-ended questions: "What cool things did you discover online today?" or "Did anything online make you feel unsure?"

• Use teachable moments: if they see something questionable, discuss why it's inappropriate and how to respond.

• Explore apps and websites together. Make it a fun, shared activity.

• Help them understand the difference between credible sources and misinformation.

• Show them how to use technology to pursue their interests and passions.

• Encourage them to question what they see online: "Who created this? Why?"

• Help them understand the concept of a digital footprint and the importance of responsible posting.

• Discuss online privacy and the risks of sharing personal information.

• Prioritise real-world experiences: outdoor play, family time, creative hobbies.

• Establish technology-free zones and times, especially before bedtime.

• Help them recognise the signs of excessive screen time and develop healthy habits.

        6. Empower Them to Be Problem Solvers:

• • Don't just solve their online problems for them. Guide them to find solutions.

  • Teach them how to report inappropriate content and block unwanted contacts.

  • Reinforce that they have the power to make positive choices online.

Check out some key resources.

NSW government recommendations

Checklist - A healthy approach to screen time

Have you wondered if your expectations are well-balanced? Complete the checklist below to help determine if they have a healthy approach to screen time.

My child:

• Sleeps the recommended time for their age group (5-13 years, between 9 and 11 hours and, 14-17 years, between 8-10)
  
• Participates in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (can be broken up throughout the day)
  
• Engages with school and learning (completes homework), away from digital devices
  
• Connects socially with family and friends in online and offline environments
  
• Enjoys a variety of hobbies and interests, away from digital devices, for example, playing a team sport
  
• Has a healthy diet where they eat balanced meals as opposed to snacking on foods throughout the day
  
• Has fun learning while using digital devices
• Uses quality resources online and looks up or plays age-appropriate games
  
• Regulates their emotions at an age-appropriate level when asked to switch off or move away from the device
  
• Uses a digital device for the recommended time for their age group (not including school or homework)
  

What are the National guidelines for screen time?

Guidelines for screen time can be found in the Australian 24-hour movement guidelines for the early years (birth through to five years) and children and young people (5–17 years) (introduced in 2018). These guidelines were developed from systematic reviews of the evidence about the effects of physical activity, sleep and sedentary time (including screen time) on children’s development, health and wellbeing. 

For screen time, the guidelines recommend:

• no screen time for children younger than two years

• no more than one hour per day for children aged 2–5 years

• no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5–17 years (not including schoolwork).

Let's work together to empower our children to become responsible, resilient, and ethical digital citizens. By fostering open communication, promoting critical thinking, and modelling positive behaviour, we can help them navigate the digital world safely, responsibly and respectfully.

Enjoy the Easter school holidays with family and friends.

Peace and Blessings, 

Frank Wassef Pastoral Care Coordinator

Sports News

Primary Athletics Carnival

We congratulate our amazing primary students on their skills, effort and sportsmanship at the Primary Athletics Carnival this year.  Congratulations Purple House who were our overall winners on the day and a special mention to the Yellow house who took out the prestigious School Spirit Award. A special thank you to our amazing Freeman helpers and parent helpers Ms Benjamin, Mr Care, Mrs Corvello, Mrs Gauci, Mrs Istephan, Mrs Lim, Mr Milczarek, Mr Nguyen and Mrs Oke.  Our carnival just doesn’t work without your help. Congratulations Oleen Abouna, Alexia Asonitis, Gisele Blanda, Jonah Borg, Patrick Brcic, Emilia Bruzzese, Yolanda Butrus, Eliana Care, James Care, Luca Corvelo, Marissa David, Chloe Davino, Luca De Boucherville, Massimo Di Nunzio, George Esho, Grace Gabriel, Lucas Gorgis, Shenali Gosai, Ariana Islas, Marta Ivankovic, Massimo Marando, Sophia Milczarek, Aria Ngo, Rozalia Olic, Jessey Pashley, Rosario Patronaggio, Vincenzo Pelle, Sebastian Rofael, Mateo Sculli, Aulola Sikahele, Gabriel Sulfaro, Siana Tatian, Andrew Tomic, Cove Trajcevski, Daniel Uli and Gianluigi Vaccari who will all represent JB at the Conference 4 Athletics Carnival.  Keep training!

Rugby League

We congratulate our very talented Daniel Uli who will represent JB at the upcoming MacKIllop Rugby League Trials.  Good luck Daniel!

Frances Oliverio  Sports Coordinator

Harmony Day

Harmony Day was celebrated in Week 9 at JB. It was a wonderful start to the day to gather as a school at the Harmony Day assembly. We saw so many students and parents dressed in a splash of orange to celebrate the many cultures within our school and parish community. Thank you to the JB choir who sang beautifully and to the following students who lead the morning assembly, Elara-Jade Khoshaba, Lucas Abdal, Nefnaf Tatian, Marina Toma, Kristiana Otayek, Massimo La Guzza, Hugo Nguyen, Angelee Aguilera- Guenechea, Marcel Gilyana, Marko Zubojna and Capri Rodi.

The EAL/D Team 

Enrolment Information

A friendly reminder to All: if you haven't yet enrolled your child for Kindergarten 2026, the online enrolment portal will be open until Tuesday, 29th April 2025. 

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.

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

Your 2025 school fee statements have been emailed to you. It would be appreciated if your payments are made by the scheduled dates as listed on your statement.

Payments can be made by CompassPay, BPay, Cash, Eftpos or Centrepay.

Your co-operation is greatly appreciated!

CANTEEN

Please contact the school office 9823 5042 for any communication with the Canteen. 

LOST PROPERTY

We have numerous items of clothing collected every day, they are placed in our lost property basket in the office.  All labelled items are returned to the child's classroom and 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 every day 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.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROVIDERS

Parents will need to arrange before and after school care providers directly with the provider.  Camp Australia can be contacted on 1300 105 343 to arrange your child's enrolment with this service.  

Dates to Remember