ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

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Gerard Henry
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au Term 4 Week 10 December 12th, 2016 S C H O O L M A N A G E R F a t h e r G r e g K e n n e d y S C H O O L C H A P L A I N F a t h e r G r e g K e n n e d y P R I N C I P A L M r A n t h o n y O L

Hoper YEAR 1 Mrs Kim English/Mrs Erin Carney Miss Louise Lindsay Mrs Paula Clifford YEAR 2 Mrs Gabrielle Jones / Mr David Schwager Ms Cassandra Hawke YEAR 3 Miss Anna Veech Mrs Angela Benton/Mrs

1 ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 138 Sheraton Road P.O. Box 4914 Phone: Fax: Fees Enquiries: Term 4 Week 10 December 12th, 2016 S C H O O L M A N A G E R F a t h e r G r e g K e n n e d y S C H O O L C H A P L A I N F a t h e r G r e g K e n n e d y P R I N C I P A L M r A n t h o n y 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 A d a m F o l e y R E C M r D a v i d S c h w a g e r PRIMARY COORDINATOR Mrs Angela Benton TEACHING STAFF: KINDERGARTEN Mrs Maria Brice Mrs Teagan Hoper YEAR 1 Mrs Kim English/Mrs Erin Carney Miss Louise Lindsay Mrs Paula Clifford YEAR 2 Mrs Gabrielle Jones / Mr David Schwager Ms Cassandra Hawke YEAR 3 Miss Anna Veech Mrs Angela Benton/Mrs Sarah Davis YEAR 4 Mrs Judith Gibson/Mrs Aimee Rose Mrs Laura Emery/Mrs Aimee Rose. YEAR 5 Miss Emma Bolton/Mrs Amanda Shields Miss Madelyn Colquhoun YEAR 6 Miss Maddie Redden Mrs Mickaela Wright SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs Patricia Toohey, Mr Adam Foley Mrs Amanda Shields From the Principal s desk. Welcome to Week 10 and the final week of school for St Johns Primary School. What a wonderful year it has been with so many highlights including the wonderful P&F led Fete, the amazing musical Aladdin in Trouble, great results on the sporting fields and academic learning that is truly 21 st Century focused with so many opportunities for ICT and Science / Engineering will certainly be an exciting year for our school. I would like to thank our entire school community for all of their support for our school. I would like to especially thank Father Greg for all of his leadership and advice throughout the year. TEACHER S AIDES: Mrs Deanna Swanson, Mrs Bronwyn Harper, Mrs Tracey Duncan Mrs Maricon Suckling, Mr Trevor Thomas, Mrs Belinda Montague LIBRARIAN: Mrs Maree Williams ABORIGINAL EDUCATION WORKER: Mrs Kristie Daley CREATIVE ARTS: Mrs Maggie Dunn SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION: Mrs Margo Green, Mrs Karen Meredith I wish everyone a Holy and Happy Christmas. I hope you will have time to spend with your loved ones, families and friends. Christmas is not only a time to celebrate family, love and renewal - it's also a time to honour Christ's miraculous birth. Remember, Jesus' birth was a gift to all humanity, the reason we offer presents to each other during his birthday celebration. Keep an eye out for the Mass times over Christmas, sharing Mass at this time is a very special family time. If you are travelling over the Summer, please drive safely and take plenty of breaks. CANTEEN MANAGER: Mrs Cathy Dries GENERAL HAND : Mr Mark Bradford CLEANER: Mrs Kerry Iverach Mrs Cathy Keevers P&F MEETINGS: 2nd & 7th Tuesday each Term PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please note that photographs of students may be used in this publication. Please advise the School Office if you do not approve of your child s photo being used.

Gospel and Reflection: Matthew 11:2-11 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect

Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news

As John s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see?

2 Gospel and Reflection: Matthew 11:2-11 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. As John s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Reflection: Advent is no longer celebrated as a penitential period, but rather as a reflective time of expectation and hope, writes Sister Veronica Lawson rsm. The third Sunday of Advent used to be called Gaudete (be joyful) Sunday. It provided a mid-term break within a period of austerity or penance in preparation for Christmas. Advent is no longer celebrated as a penitential period, but rather as a reflective time of expectation and hope. Today's gospel passage is full of questions. First John sends his disciples to Jesus with a question: "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Jesus responds by directing them to the evidence: "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. He adds a comment about those who take no offence at him: they are blessed. He then turns to the crowds with a series of rhetorical questions about their motivation for going out to John in the desert. His words to the crowds conclude with an identification of John as God's prophet and messenger, his own precursor. He pays an extraordinary tribute to John, but leaves the reader puzzling about the final statement: the least in the kingdom is greater than John. John's imprisonment is a sobering reminder of what can happen to those who are faithful to their mission. As Matthew s Jesus will attest, John is no reed shaken by the wind. This could well be a subtle reference to Herod Antipas' choice of the reed as a symbol on the coins commemorating the founding of Tiberias. Herod has arrested and imprisoned John and later will have him put to death on specious grounds. John is not a fickle reed like Herod, but steadfast and strong. The reader knows that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah or Anointed of God. John is checking it out. He clearly has contact with his disciples whom he sends to Jesus with the question about his identity. Is Advent over or not? The answer to John's question is to be found in what they hear and see. The restorative and healing activity of Jesus is realising the Messianic dream of

the prophet Isaiah (first reading). In a sense, Advent never ends: We might well pray: Strengthen our weak hands, and make firm our feeble knees in the face of such challenges.

I must congratulate the Year 6 students for their commitment to providing student leadership; their willingness to get involved in our school life; their friendship and humour; their creativity and

They have proven themselves to be excellent role models for students coming through our school into our senior classes and we wish them a very smooth transition to high school next year.

Second Orientation Day Yr 7 2017 St John s College 9:30 11:00am Jan 30 2017 Classes Years 1 6 resume Jan 31 2017 Kindergarten commence Feb 2 St John s Primary Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 SCHOOL FEES

3 the prophet Isaiah (first reading). In a sense, Advent never ends: We might well pray: Strengthen our weak hands, and make firm our feeble knees in the face of such challenges. Year 6 Graduation: Our Year Six class of 2016 will be celebrating their graduation tonight. I must congratulate the Year 6 students for their commitment to providing student leadership; their willingness to get involved in our school life; their friendship and humour; their creativity and initiative have all been aspects of this class that have shone through their senior year and their graduation Mass last week. They have proven themselves to be excellent role models for students coming through our school into our senior classes and we wish them a very smooth transition to high school next year. God Bless and have a wonderful Christmas Anthony O Leary Important Dates to Remember Dec 12 Year 6 Graduation Dinner Macquarie Inn) Dec 13 Year 6 Pool Party Dec 16 Term 4 Concludes Dec 19 Second Orientation Day Yr St John s College 9:30 11:00am Jan Classes Years 1 6 resume Jan Kindergarten commence Feb 2 St John s Primary Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 SCHOOL FEES Have you finalised your school fees for 2016? If you think you are going into credit, and have no children returning to St John s Primary for 2017, please contact me before the end of this week. Thank you Karen Meredith THANK YOU! A huge thank you to Adrian & Jane Driscoll from Poolwerx Dubbo who have kindly provided a KidsAlive resource kit to each child from Kindergarten to Year 3 who participated in the recent School Swimming Program. We are sure the children will enjoy reading the stories and watching the DVD. Many thanks!

4 Religious Education News Term Four, Week Ten 2016 St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers Thank you for your terrific support of this worthy cause. On Wednesday, St Vincent de Paul will be able to collect 30 Christmas Hampers from our school, which will be delivered to families in need in our local community. The real Spirit of Christmas is alive and well! End of Year/ Graduation Mass Thank you to everyone that made our final Mass of the year such a success. It was a great way to say thank you and farewell to our Year 6 students, and to families that are leaving us. Beginning Year Mass 2017 Our Beginning Year Mass for 2017 is scheduled for Thursday 9th February at 10am. This is also the Mass where the new student leaders of our school are inducted into their roles. Moving Up Classes This Thursday at 10.30am, students will have the opportunity to move-up to their new classroom for This allows them to meet their new classmates and, in most cases, their classroom teacher as well. Finally, I would like to say thank you to all the school community for your support of Religious Education at St John s Primary throughout the year. Special thanks to Fr Greg who has really immersed himself in the life of our school and who makes an effort to get to know each and every student in our care. Wishing you all a happy and holy Christmas, David Schwager (REC) NOTICE FOR PARENTS/CARERS/GRANDPARENTS! Practice for the Children s Vigil Christmas Mass will be held 5.00pm Wednesday 14 Dec Please just rock along with your child or children.

Tecknow Topics Technology News: And the school year is over! What an exciting year it has been in many learning areas, especially in our integration of technologies for learning.

Teachers unanimously agree having this technology has revolutionised learning; through using technologies in purposeful ways, our students are not passive users of technologies, but actively create

A parent information evening will occur in Week 2. Technology Safety: Good digital citizenship is a lifelong habit that all users of technology need to practice at all times.

5 Tecknow Topics Technology News: And the school year is over! What an exciting year it has been in many learning areas, especially in our integration of technologies for learning. At the beginning of the year, we rolled out nearly 190 1:1 chromebook devices to our Year 4, 5 and 6 students. Teachers unanimously agree having this technology has revolutionised learning; through using technologies in purposeful ways, our students are not passive users of technologies, but actively create and write digital content to express their ideas and fully participate in and influence our ever modernising world. First term 2017 will see our new Year 4 receive their devices. A parent information evening will occur in Week 2. Technology Safety: Good digital citizenship is a lifelong habit that all users of technology need to practice at all times. Parents are encouraged to discuss digital citizenships with their children regularly, to develop shared understanding and expectations about how good digital citizens interact in online environments. Every keystroke forms a piece of your digital footprint; students need explicit teaching, guidance and clear boundaries to learn and practice online manners and safe behaviours. Many experts recommend that children should use devices in family areas, have time limits set and that parents always monitor online activities. Tip: Safety tips and good digital citizenship here. A bit of fun here. Santa Tracker!! Have a safe, happy and spiritual Christmas. Judy Gibson Canteen News Hi everyone! All the best for a wonderful Christmas and New Year. To celebrate our last day of school, we will be having a Hot Dog Day this Friday. They will be available over the counter at recess for $2, but by lunch-order only for lunch. Thank you to everyone for a great 2016 Cathy Dries Canteen Manager Instrumental Tuition at St Johns Primary 2017: MUSIC MATTERS If you are interested in your child/children learning an instrument next year, please complete the attached forms and return them to the Macquarie Conservatorium. Group tuition will be limited to afternoon sessions at school starting from noon and therefore it is essential that you make your decision as quickly as possible. After school instrumental tuition will only happen at the Macquarie Conservatorium of Music Cnr Buljte and Darling Streets. I recommend that after one year of group tuition, you make the commitment to move to an individual lesson time for your child s progress. Forms have been sent home with each student who tried out an instrument. If those forms have been misplaced, please find them on the following pages. Wishing all a very peaceful and refreshing Christmas. Happy Music/Drama making! Mrs Maggie Dunn

ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER 138 Sheraton Road P.O. Box 4914 Phone: 6882 2677 Fax: 6884 4500 Email: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au Fees Enquiries: 6884 8504 www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au