Upcoming Events

*31st July- School Photo’s.

*8th July-Mary of the Cross Liturgy.

*14th August-Kinder and Year 5 Mass at St Laurences.

*15th August- Assumption of Mary Liturgy.

*20-22nd August-Year 5 Excursion.

*26th August-Father’s day Brekky.

*26th August- Father’s day Stall.

*26th August– Mufti day for the fete.

*27-29th August-Year 6 Excursion.

*6th September-

St John’s Primary Fete.

www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au

www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au

ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

S c h o o l M a n a g e r F a t h e r M a r k M c G u i g a n S c h o o l C h a p l a i n F a t h e r G r e g B e l l a m y P r i n c i p a l - M r . O ’ L e a r y A s s i s t a n t P r i n c i p a l – M r . F o l e y R E C – M r . S c h w a g e r

Contact Detai ls :

138 Sheraton Road DUBBO NSW 2830

Ph. : 0268822677

stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.cathol ic.edu.au

Welcome to Week 3.

What a wonderful and exciting week we had at St Johns Primary School last week. Last Thursday was an exciting day. We had the privilege of hosting a mini concert with Jason Owen and Amber Lawrence. Both of these young performers were outstanding and their message of setting your goals and working hard for your dreams was inspirational. I sincerely thank them for their time. The sun was shining for the Northern Region Athletics carnival. Our school was responsible for the organization of the carnival and I must thank our staff and Year 6 students who assisted in the running of the carnival. Mrs Gain and Miss Bolton need to be congratulated for their outstanding organization of the event. On this day I was in a meeting with colleague Principals, the Bathurst CEO Director Mrs Jenny Allan, and other CEO staff with the task of reviewing Professional Learning in the Diocese. This was a most productive day. And I would like to thank Julie Webster for catering. I am most fortunate to work with wonderful staff, parents and students – I feel it is always to acknowledge and thank the people who make our lives better – the power of a simple ‘thanks’ is something we can all do.

The beautiful words of the Lord’s Prayer are given to us in the Gospel. When Jesus was asked by one of the disciples to teach them how to pray, He gave them this prayer and it is as important to us now as it was to the disciples then. We all pray for different things and in different ways, but the Lord’s Prayer

holds so much significance for Christians all around the world.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus goes on to say to the disciples that they should ask and they would receive, they should seek and they would find. When we pray it is often because we too are asking for something or seeking guidance.

The question of what we ask for and what we receive is an interesting one. I have heard people pray for a win in a raffle, a parking spot, to pass an exam or the most amusing: when two teams face each other in a fierce sporting contest and each asks for God’s help to win.

As adults, we have a greater capacity to look around us and to appreciate all of God’s gifts. That doesn’t mean that we don’t experience hard times, but it means that in the midst of our difficulties, we must seek the truth as the disciples were urged to do by Jesus. If can cope with adversity knowing we are loved by God, that gift is one we can share with our children so they are able recognised when God has answered their prayers.

The issue of Bullying is one that I know is important to all. It is our goal to make our learning environment a safe and happy place for all. As a school we have a sincere commitment to learning and empowering our students. As part of this

process our students will be working with Centacare staff on a program of identifying Bullying and working through ways to deal with this problem. Attached to the newsletter are 2 pdf parent information sheets produced by Centacare. I encourage you to read these and discuss Bullying with your children. As the year progresses there will be other proactive programs that our students will be working with, including Powerful Futures and Gracie Bullyproof. More information on these programs will be sent home.

God Bless, Mr O’leary.

General School Reminders

School Uniform – I take great pride in how ‘smart’ our students look when they are dressed correctly in their

uniform. I will be visiting each of the classes this week to determine the best dressed class. A few children are taking liberties with the school uniform with:

The wearing of short sport style socks

Incorrect school colored hair ties

Rolling up of sleeves

I would appreciate your support in ensuring our students are wearing their uniform with pride.

School Arrival and Departure

A reminder that it is vitally important for all children to be at school by the time the first bell goes. There are way too many children who straggle in sometimes up till 9.30am. The children miss out on vital notices for the day. It is difficult for the children who arrive late to ‘catch up’ on the work as the first lesson of the day is where many instructions are given. The rest of the class is then disturbed from their learning with this interruption. Equally it is important that children remain at school until the end of the day at 3.00pm. I understand that on occasions it is necessary for medical appointments and the like throughout the day but these should be the exception. I know that it develops stronger work habits if little things like this are followed at an early age. If for some reason you are running late, please remember you must bring your children into the school via the office and fill out a late note slip. This is a legal and safety issue.

Parking

Unfortunately the parking, especially of an afternoon, is always a problem. I know it is difficult but we need to work together to ensure the surrounding areas are safe for our children. Please remember

the following:

The school staff car park is not a place where the children should be dropped off and should not be used by any par-ents unless permission has been given.

Please only park in the designated areas, not in bus stops, drop off zones or too close to corners. Park with respect of others and try and only take up the one spot you need, not two parking spaces.

Please do not ask your children to run to your car whilst you pull up into the school driveway. I understand that some families have younger siblings and it is difficult to unload them but our children here are of utmost importance.

I know that many of you are just picking your child up and will only be a minute but all families are in the same situa-tion and we need to respect the needs of all in the community, specifically the safety of all our children.

School Photos

Our annual School Photos will be held on this Wednesday, 31st July. All children are required to wear their full winter school uniform.

God Bless, Mr O'Leary.

For Your Diary:

Confirmation Home Groups: Continue this week.

Reconciliation: Years 4 and 5: Friday 2nd August 9am and 11.20am

St Mary of the Cross: Whole School Liturgy Thursday 8th August

Reconciliation Year 3: Monday 12th August 9am

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Whole School Liturgy Thursday 15th August

Yr 6 Confirmation Discussion with Fr Greg: Monday 19th August 9am

Confirmation

At our weekend Parish Masses just concluded, many of our Year 6 Confirmation candi-dates took along Prayer Cards which they distributed to the parishioners to ask for their prayers during this special time of preparation. Home Group lessons continue this week.

Reconciliation

Fr Greg will be visiting the school over the next several weeks to give our Primary students the sacra-ment of Reconciliation. These liturgies will be held in our school library, and the timetable can be seen above in ‘For Your Diary’.

2013 REC Conference

This week I will be attending the annual Diocesan REC Conference in Orange on Wednesday and Thursday. Our facilitator this year is Professor Richard Rymarz from the University of Alberta, Cana-da, who will lead us in exploring Pedagogy and Religious Education.

Local Vocals!

I am keen to start a simple and fun singing group called ‘The Local Vocals’, who will learn and practise a range of songs from various CDs. These would include Hymns, Traditional Australian Songs and Contemporary Hits. Songs might then be performed at liturgies or other school celebrations. At this stage, I am inviting interested students from Years 4 and 5 to let me know

if they are keen, and are willing to give up their Friday lunchtimes.

A Prayer from St Mark

Almighty God, Bless all your people. Give your help and love to all,

That we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one Spirit,

In one hope of our calling in your divine and boundless love.

Amen

Wishing you a good week,

David Schwager

Canteen News

Hi Everyone,

Another shout out to Brooke Whiteley, Mark Polley and Julie Webster who all helped out on Thursday-we had 3 functions and you guys are amazing in your generosity!! Thanks Cathy

0458550747

Friday helpers for this week are:

Bridget Boreham

and

Michelle Young

Tidbits of information for Parents!

1.There are still some classes with no parent helpers, we would be happy to sign you up!

2.Notes will be coming home soon for the Father’s Day Stall, please send $5 back ASAP so we can get

organized.

3.School photos this Wednesday 31st July 2013.

4.Please return all portfolios to class, ready to have more of the children’s work put into them.

5.Parents please remember to sign in and then back out when visiting the school. Thank you.

6.Chicken pox is about in Dubbo at the moment.

7.Children only need a late note after 9.15 am.

8.Cath Dries can always use some help in the canteen.

9.If you have any school uniforms that you no longer need, we can use them in the clothing pool.

A message from Father Greg:

ABLAZE takes off Wednesday 31st July

ABLAZE is gathering for students in Years 5 & 6 It is an hour and a half of games, music, prayer, discussion … and food!

Kick-off will be in the ‘Old Church’ at St Brigid's on Wednesday 31st July, 6-7.30 pm (rego. from 5.45-6pm). Cost is $5 or $10 for families (covers pizza).

Registration is essential. The registration form covers all of 2013 and can be collected at the back of the Church, on arrival, or downloaded from www.bathurstcatholicyouth.org. Either drop the form into the parish office or bring it along on your first visit. Parents, please walk your child into the Church and collect from inside the Church at the end of the evening.

WARNING: it is essential you bring lots of

energy and a willingness to have fun!

Save the Date:

St Johns Primary School Fete

Friday 6th September 2013

On Thursday 26th July we had a large number of students represent our school at the Northern Region Athletics Carnival.

A big congratulations to each of those students for representing our school so beautifully.

Thank you to everybody who helped to enable the Carnival to run smoothly.

St John’s Primary school came away with 3 Champions for the day!

Junior boys Champion-Jamison Auld Junior Girls Champion: Julie Goodridge

Senior Girls Champion: Claudia Mulholland

Bathurst Diocese Athletics Carnival: Friday 9th August

A big congratulations to these students who are going through to the Diocesan Carnival in Bath-

urst:

Julie Goodridge, Laura Sewell, Claudia Mulholland, Jamison Auld, Thomas Bush,

Angus McDonald, Callum Auld, Hannah Luffman, Brooklyn Crain, Colby Huckel, Harrison

Connell, Annabelle Whiteley, Isabella Stevens, Ellie Mulholland, Milla Birchall, Beth Clarke,

Isabelle Lordan, Dylan Beddingfield, Joe Pearson, Benjamin Hart, Kayla Strudwick,

Makenna Polley, Georgie Saunders, Takedzwa Chifamba, Harry Eggleton, Jacob May

Leonard, Hayden Campbell.

On Friday 26th July St John’s Primary School hosted the first round of the Dubbo Catholic Primary School’s debating

competition.

St John’s were up against St Laurences and two hard fought debates were conducted. The topic for the debate was

that Country Life is better than City Life.

In Pool A St John’s were victorious and in Pool B St Laurences came out the winners.

Thank you to Mrs Narelle Lloyd who was our wonderful adjudicator for the day.

The St John’s Primary team members were:

Pool A: Tharusha Ediriweera, Andrew Dickerson, Angus McDonald, Callum Etcell, Michael Butler.

Pool B: Lucy Smith, Isobel Smith, Tiarna Adams, Laura Sewell and Bridie O’Dwyer.

Charlotte Harper, Ahlia Amoranto, Grace Osborne

Congratulations!

Week 2 Merit Awards

Ethan Letfallah, Samantha Miller, Abby Osborne, Grace Herbert, Hannah Bush, Phoebe

Spora, Lavinia Bolton, Torah Martin, Emily Hangan, Makayla Tink, Ruby Tudor, Jude Ryan,

Charlie Forster, Miranda Simpson, Connor Palmer, Joe Pearson, Erin Berkery, Mackenzie

Davis, Connor Mathieson, Julia Dickerson, Brianna Foster, Will English, Indianna Ray,

Kyla Rich, Chloe Egan, Callum Etcell, Tharusha Ediriwera, Michael Butler, Jackie Muekedja,

Jessica Lawrence, Georgie Saunders, Charmaine Daly, Bryanna Saffy, Adeline Duncan,

Sam Parish, James Debus.

Well done!

P&F News

The Fete is only 6 weeks away!

Things parents could help with:

Donate books for the book stall.

Donate items for the Trash and Treasure Stall.

Create craft items for the Gift Stall.

Put time aside to help on the day.

Suggest somewhere to hire a commercial fairy floss machine.

Donate small prizes for the chocolate wheel, games etc.

Help the children save their money to buy prepaid tickets in week 5.

Start potting up plants to sell.

Please email any suggestions/offers of help to: stjohnspandf@gmail.com

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE OUR FETE GREAT!

Kindy Blue:

Kim Geale, Lauren Hawkins,

Carmen Armour.

Kindy Gold:

Lucy Spora,

Jade Neville,

Trudy Bowden

1Blue:

Justine Foley

1 Gold:

Paula Clifford,

Erin Haynes

2 Blue:

Belinda Tink

2 Gold:

Therese Quigley,

Bec Smith

3 Blue:

Evelyn Meadows,

Jolene Davis,

Julie Webster,

Karen Isbester.

3 Gold:

Paula Clifford

4 Blue:

Justine Foley

4 Gold:

5 Blue:

Karlie Harris

5 Gold:

Cath Osborne

6 Blue:

Linda Saffy.

6 Gold:

Saint John’s School Fete Week 8 Friday 6th September

One of the stalls that Year 4 will organise at the fete this year is a ‘Bottle Delights’ Stall. We would like as many plastic bottles of vary-

ing size and shape to be filled with ‘DELIGHTS’ of your choice. These may include lollies, small toys, marbles, hair

accessories, erasers, pencils, bath salts, make up, buttons, beads, ribbons, lolly pops etc. All bottles can be sent straight to the Year 4

Classrooms.

With thanks Teachers and Students of Year 4

Lauren Hare and Amber-Lea Ryan from Charles Sturt

University are at St John’s Primary as interns. They are

in their 4th year of University.

Lauren is in 2 Blue and Amber is in 3 Blue for 5 weeks

this term.

Welcome ladies.

ALL NEW CLASSES FOR Term 3

* Martial Arts Beginners starting during July for

the whole family – Wednesday 5:00pm

* Taekwondo * iKiFiT * Bully BuStErS

* Grappling

* Little Tigers Martial Arts for children each

Tuesday & Thursday 4pm

St Johns Primary School Hall

Sheraton Road

Come along and enjoy classes in a family friendly

atmosphere.

Phone Anthony – 0419 629 528

Don’t forget the Dubbo Stampede is on September 1, 2013.at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

At St John’s we are encouraging teachers, parents, students and their family and friends of all ages to participate in the 5.5 km

Dingo Dash, the 10 km Cheetah Chase or the 21.1 km Zebra Zoom.

The School’s Challenge will see the awarding of a cash prize of $300 and a trophy to the school with the most partic-

ipants.

For more information and to register visit www.dubbostampede.com.au

We need everyone to get involved. It is a great way to spend the day with your family and friends while being active and out-

doors. What a great way to begin spring! Remember to register and select St John’s Primary School.

Let the fitness regime begin!

Principal Awards

This weeks Principal Awards go to 3 of our dedicated

Stage 3 students. From Year 5 we recognise Indianna

Ray and Oscar Robinson. Tiarna Adams from Year 6 is

recognised for her efforts with the Debating team.

Dubbo Touch Association: Juniors Competition 2013

Dubbo Touch is organising a Junior competition for 2013 beginning with registration days on Tuesday 23rd July, Tuesday 30th July and Tuesday 6th August. At the river bank ovals between 4.30pm and 6pm.

The age groups are for girls, boys and /or mixed under 7’s, 9’s, 11’s, 13’s and 15’s.

The competition will run for 14 rounds from Monday 12th August until Monday 2nd August.

Cost is $40 per player.

Further information: www.dubbotouch.com or email donnacurtis67@bigpond.com