ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

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1 ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Contact De tai ls: 138 Sheraton Road DUBB O NSW Ph.: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au 9th September 2013 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 Upcoming Events * Monday 9th September- School Disco. *11th September -Yr 1 excursion to workplaces. *12th September -Milo Blast Cricket. *17th September P&F Meeting 7pm. * 19th September- Footy colors Mufti Day. * 19th September- Last Day of Term 3. Welcome to Week 9. Let me commence this week with a sincere and heartfelt thanks to our entire school community for their participation at our school fete last Friday. It was just wonderful to see so many families enjoying themselves together. The fete was such a success due to the dedicated work of the Fete Committee. On behalf of our school I would like to publicly thank Mrs Duncan and her entire team for what they do for our school. Once again thanks for a great event. On Tuesday 10th September at 7.00pm at St Brigid's Church, there will be a Parent Information Night for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If your child is in Year 2 or older and would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation please come to the information night. Over the last few weeks, Luke s gospel has been challenging us about what it takes, what it costs, to be a disciple. We are challenged to make following Jesus the most important thing above all else, above everyone else. We have to give up our possessions and take up our cross to follow him. Back when Luke was writing, becoming a Christian could mean a martyr s death literally taking up a cross. Family and friends may have been the ones who actually turned you in so leaving family behind was also a reality. But there must be a deeper meaning. I was reading a commentary from Father Richard Leonard on this gospel which made sense and which clarified how this gospel can operate for me as a disciple in 2013: We often think we could never live without most of the things to which we have become accustomed or attached. But we can. We know from people who have lived through some of the worst events of last century that there are very few things that are essential to a happy life: human dignity; meaning and purpose; love of others; a sense of security. These are the essentials. Each person has a right to them and we have obligations to do our bit to see that they enjoy them. Everything else, as good as it might be, is icing on the cake. Father Richard then put the idea of giving up things into the context of because we need to give things to others. The more that we have, the more we have a responsibility to help those who do not. Continued over the page.

2 He talked about the crosses we bear in For some it comes through mental, physical or spiritual ill health. For others it can be in our homes where we have to deal with illness, dysfunction or violence. It can be in our places of employment where we are overworked, undervalued or bullied. Maybe we are the lucky ones, but we can be the Simon s who help others to carry their crosses. As always, the gospel message has great relevance for us today. You can visit sundaynights/stories/s htm for more of Father Richard. School Dance Our School dance will be held tonight. Mrs Crosby and the SRC have done a great job organizing the dance. I am sure all of the children (and teachers too!) will have a great social time together. Excursions this week we have 2 grades undertaking an adventure on Wednesday. Year 1 will be visiting local Workers in our community and Year 3 will be visiting the Warrumbungles as part of their study on Australia s National Parks. I am sure both grades will have an enjoyable experience. Have a great week God Bless Anthony O leary Don t miss the Spring Dance tonight (Monday): K-2: 4.00 to : 6.00 to 7.30 Photo Makers have supplied us with a new catch up date: Wednesday 18th September.

3 For your Diary: Welcome to the Sacrament of Reconciliation Evening: Tuesday 10 th September 7pm Reconciliation Facilitators Meeting: Tuesday 17 th September Reconciliation Enrolment Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays 14 th and 15 th, 21 st and 22 nd September Sacrament of Reconciliation The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments of the Church and consists of the confession of sin to a priest, expression of sorrow for having offended God and neighbour, and the priest s proposal of an act of penance and prayer of absolution. The Church has always taught that Christ s death and resurrection brought reconciliation between God and humanity and that the Lord entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church which exercises it first through baptism, and also through the sacrament of reconciliation. All catholic children who are in Year 2 or older are invited to participate in our parish s 2013 Sacrament of Reconciliation Program, which will commence shortly. A Welcome to the Sacrament Evening will be held tomorrow at St Brigid s Church, commencing at 7pm. This evening if for parents only, and will give information about the Preparation Program and Enrolment Procedures. Computer Appeal Donations of computers, mice, keyboards and other computer accessories are sought for sending to the Phillipines for charitable purposes. If able to assist, please contact Geoff Higgins, or wairewa7@tpg.com.au Wishing you all a good week, David Schwager (REC)

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5 ACADEMIC OLYMPICS On Wednesday 4 th September 12 students from Year6 travelled to James Sheehan Catholic High School in Orange to participate in the Academics Olympics. It was a competition between students from Years 6-8 competing in different subjects. The different subjects included English, Maths, Engineering, Drama, Art & Poetry, Forensics, Science, Music, General Knowledge, Code Breaking, and Strategy. Although the questions were difficult we did very well. The team consisting of Jorgia, Adeline, Tiarna, James, Tobias and Charlie got a score of 663. The other team of Hannah, Gemma, Zoe, Callum, Harry and Stuart got a score of 641 We made some new friends, learnt new skills and had a great time. Although no places were won we are very proud of all our efforts and would like to say thank you to all the people who drove us to Orange and a very special thanks to Mrs Jones for helping throughout the day. Jorgia, Adeline and Tiarna I would like to thank Kylie Lydford, Kristi Scott and Wendy Goodridge for transporting and accompanying the students to Orange on Wednesday. The students put in a big effort and it was great to see them mixing with students from other schools during the lunch break. They did a fantastic job representing St John s Primary.

6 Well done to Makenna Polley, Hayden Campbell, Annabelle Whitely, Jamison Auld and Kayla Strudwick for their efforts at the Polding Carnival in Newcastle. Congratulations to Kayla Strudwick who came 3rd in the Junior Girls High Jump event at Polding Carnival in Newcastle. She will now go on to the next level of Carnival at Homebush. Well done Kayla. We gathered round and made a plan, a Fete we thought would be just grand, A committee was formed of mums so keen, Teachers and P&F what an awesome team. We concocted an itinerary of fun and food, games and a ride, with Laser Tag too, There was laughter and donations in the hall, lucky dips purchased and wrapped for one and all. Notes went home and notes came back, Pre-paid tickets were purchased along the track. Then, it happened Fete day dawned, Mrs Duncan arrived with a smile and a yawn. The children were helpful moving tables here and chairs over there, parents were rushing they had stalls to prepare, The Teachers were frantic with all there was to do, classes to teach, excitement to contain and prepaid tickets to review. It was 11am and the Fete began, so many smiling faces as the children explored stalls and to their favourites they ran! The food was fresh, the Fairy Floss sweet and the activities were fun and kept parents on their feet. The sun was shining so jelly was gobbled, the ducks gave prize after prize as in the water they bobbed. Before we could blink in all of our fun, the Fete was over 2 o çlock had come. The time had come to clean the school, everyone helped, especially when we emptied the pool. So, now it is over the Fete is done, another year down but back it will come. Thank you to everyone for working so hard, the Fete is so much fun and the next one will be the best by far!~ The End.

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9 On Thursday 5 th September our debating teams participated in the third round of the Dubbo Catholic Primary Schools Debating Competition at St Mary s Primary. The topic was certainly an appropriate one That Elections are a Waste of Time. Team A (Tharusha Ediweera, Andy Dickerson, Angus McDonald and Michael Butler) argued the negative and won with their convincing arguments. Team B (Laura Sewell, Jessica Lawrence, Bridie O Dwyer and Hannah McCarthy) was the affirmative and unfortunately St Mary s were too strong and St John s were unable to convince the adjudicator that elections are a waste of time. Well done to both teams. All the debaters over the term have done a wonderful job. Now we continue on to the Grand Final, date to be confirmed. Gabrielle Jones

10 Canteen News Hi Everyone, what a great day the Fete was, great company, food, weather and entertainment!! Not long left to try our term 3 special a Cheeseburger for only $3. Try one before they are gone. Thanks Cathy Friday helpers for this week are: Bridget Boreham, Brooke Whiteley and Nadene Mulholland. 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 COMBINED CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FEES AND FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICE Term3 Invoice/Statements are currently being processed and will be posted by the end of next week. Yr 12 (HSC) 2013: Please remember that these accounts must be cleared by 18 September The only exception to this is if you are on an approved payment plan. Reminder: Direct deposits there are still a large number of families who are not direct depositing correctly. If you do not reference correctly with your School Fee account number first the CDF will not know it is your money. Therefore if you have a direct deposit set up to come out automatically, could you please check that you have referenced correctly. If you do as a one off payment you also need to ensure it is referenced correctly. Family Support: Please let us know if you are genuinely struggling to meet your school fees commitments. The reasons for this can be varied and are individual to each family such as loss of employment, illness or any other unforeseen circumstances that may be impacting on your ability to pay. This office has a very strong focus on pastoral care of families and adheres to a Mission Statement that is underpinned by Christian values, the overriding ones being Justice and Compassion. Every family s privacy is protected at all costs. Term 3 Combined Catholic Schools Fees Committee Meeting: The next meeting will be held last week of this term. Karen Meredith Manager k.meredith@bth.catholic.edu.au

11 It s that time of year again. Are you ready to run, jump and throw with your friends? Come and join our club at Bob Dowling Ovals (the Touch Footy fields) where we will be for this season. Our registration days will be at Barden Park on: Wednesday 11 th September pm 7.30pm Wednesday 18 th September pm 7.30pm Starting time for this season will be 5.45pm and competition starting at 6pm due to the fact that we will have no lights for this season. Our first two weeks (13 th & 20 th September) are trial nights then competition officially starts 11 th October Please come along to our registration nights with proof of age and then join us for the first competition night 13 th September with a parent/guardian for an exciting evening.

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13 SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM Monday 23 rd September to Friday 4th October am to 5.30pm Program based at St John s Primary, Sheraton Road, DUBBO NSW 2830 HERE S HOW TO BOOK: Complete Enrolment Form (Lifetime Registration Fee of $50 child or $100 per family) if it has not already been paid. 2. To Book please tick the box on the left side for each day you wish to secure. 3. Child Care Benefit Register with the Family Assistance Office (FAO), , to receive Child Care Benefit (CCB) and/or the 50% Child Care Rebate. 4. To Secure your booking submit your Enrolment form (If you are a new family), Booking sheet and Payment form to the Vacation Care Office. BY littlelearners.10@bigpond.com BY FAX: IN PERSON: The Vacation Care Office at Little Learners Long Day Care Centre at 480 Wheelers Lane between 9am & 2.30pm. Once processed by Active Kids Club- Daily Fees, Excursion and Workshop costs are Non-Refundable and Non-Transferrable. Credit will not be granted for absences. Bookings will not be secure and Children will not be accepted at Active Kids Club unless the booking has been made first with the Active Kids Club Director Kim Jones or our Vocational Care Certified Supervisor, Hannah Cunningham, and all fees and/or outstand- IMPORTANT INFORMATION Children must be at St John s Primary signed in by 10am on excursion days, to ensure they are accounted for and prepared and ready to go by the departure time.