Term 3 Week 4 Newsletter 2024
Important Dates
Aug 12 | Rugby 10s - Chris Gangemi Cup Finals - Sydney |
Aug 15 | Assumption Mass, School Hall @ 12 noon (lead by Year 6) |
Aug 16 | Debating vs St. John's Primary |
Aug 19 | BOOK WEEK commences |
Sept 20 | PUPIL FREE DAY |
Vision Statement:
St. Mary's Primary strives to be a welcoming Christ-centred learning community that promotes a quality holistic
education and trusting relationships in a caring and supportive environment.
Acknowledgment of Country: We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people, who, long before us, lived, loved, educated and raised their children on this site. We pay our respects to elders past and present, and we recognise the young people who are our future. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in our community. We respect their deep physical and spiritual connections to the country through their stories traditions and living cultures.
Character Virtue: P E R S E V E R A N C E
Perseverance is choosing to keep going even when things get tough and we want to give up. Perseverant people see the big picture, like a bird's view and keep the end goal in mind. They never give up even when they feel discouraged because they are patient and place their trust in God. By practicing this virtue, you will become happier and more self-controlled in the long run.
From the Principal
Mr Luke Wilson
Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Week 4.
Special thanks to Mr Keady, Miss Herbert, Mrs Nuttall, and Miss Mitchell, who travelled to Canberra with our Year 6 students last week. Our students had a great three days and displayed outstanding behaviour throughout. Thanks to our Year 4 teachers and students for organising our Mary MacKillop Liturgy on Thursday. This Thursday, we will celebrate Mass in our School Hall for the Feast of the Assumption.
Bullying No Way Week - 12th to 16th August, 2024
St. Mary’s is participating in Australia’s key bullying prevention, which aims to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.
The theme for 2024 is 'Everyone belongs'.
When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness.
Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected and our voices are heard and valued. Students will be doing activities throughout the week.
Sport
Chris Gangemi Cup - Today, our Rugby 10s team competed in the Rugby 10s Finals in the Chris Gangemi Cup at St. Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.
NSWPSSA Boys Netball - Best of luck to Thomas Alley and Jackson O'Connor, who will represent Western at the Boys' NSWPSSA Netball Championships in Penrith this week.
The boys will be competing against netball teams from all over NSW, and we're sure it will be a great experience.
Polding Touch - Well done to Zara Maas and Max Muller, who represented Polding at the NSWPSSA Touch Championships in Wollongong last week.
Western Region Athletics - Well done to all our athletes who competed at Western Region Athletics last Tuesday. Thanks to Mrs Nuttall and Miss Herbert for managing our team.
The following students were successful on the day and will represent the Western region at the Diocesan Carnival:
Willow Scott, Charlie Bell, Polly Hubbard, Solei Grey, Cooper Lew, Isabelle Sommerlad,
Emily Lindsay, Georgie Meyers, Creaden Mallison, Jackson O'Connor, Demi Horstman,
Liza O'Sullivan, Remy Sharkey, Gus Dunn, Millie Walsh, Esther Williams,
Annabelle Mackintosh, Ollie Parkes, Lucy Grattan, Beckham Chapman, Cohen Quigley,
Aidan Good, Buddy Salloum, Zara Maas, Thomas Alley, Diesel Simpson, Roy Larkin,
Frankie Simpson, Slater Gray, Claudia Cook, Eli Willocks, Vin Grey, Amy Cass,
Indie Wilson, Olivia McGlynn, Frankie Wilson, Jake Butcher, Evie Galvin, Thomas Galvin
and Jake Clarke-Lawrence.
Soccer Gala Day - Over 130 of our students made up the ten teams from St Mary’s who participated in the Soccer Gala Day last Friday. Thanks to Mrs Fiander, Mrs Jones, Mrs Scalora, Mrs Walkom, Miss Powell, Miss Davis, and Mrs Patterson, who supervised our students. Special thanks to our generous parents, Kendall Lawson, Robert Pratten, Michelle Brown, Greg Buckley, Cassie Box, Emma Anderson, Natasha Kelly, Gagam Brar, Amanda Cook, Lauren Goodstat, Mel Barrett, Larissa Eagleston, Alex Trimboli and Garry Jones, whose support made it possible for many of our students to enjoy the day.
Soccer Gala Day
Religious Education
Mr Tim Keady
RE Coordinator
Dear Parents,
Feast of the Assumption - The Feast of the Assumption is a Holy day of obligation where we recognise the Blessed Virgin Mary being assumed into heaven body and soul.
St. Mary's will come together to celebrate the Assumption of Mary (lead by Year 6) on Thursday, 15th August by celebrating a Mass in our school hall. The Mass is going to be held at 12 noon. Parents and friends are welcome to attend.
Communion Registration - First Eucharist sessions are being held. A reminder that Year 3 children and their parents are required to attend one meeting per week in the lead-up to the sacrament.
| Session 3 | |
| Tuesday - 6.15pm | 13th August |
| Wednesday - 4.15pm | 14th August |
If you have any questions about the sacrament of Communion, please contact Rosie Hosking via email at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au
Mary MacKillop Liturgy - presented by Year 4
| RE Dates for the Calendar | |
| Week 4 | Thursday, 15th August - Feast of the Assumption - noon @ St. Mary's Hall (lead by Year 6) |
| Week 5 | Tuesday, 20th August - Year 5/6 Praise and Worship @ St. Johns College |
| Week 6 | Saturday/Sunday 31st August and 1st September - St. Mary's First Eucharist Weekend |
| Week 7 | Tuesday, 3rd September - NAIDOC Liturgy + activities. (Confirmation of times for events to be confirmed) |
| Week 8 | Wednesday, 11th September - First Eucharist Liturgy - 11.30 am @ St. Mary's Hall (Year 2) |
| Week 9 | |
| Week 10 | Gerard Yeo Shield @ St. Johns College (Year 6 from all Dubbo Catholic Schools) |
Gospel Focus: Living in the Light (John 6:41-51)
Try to love like Jesus has loved you.
ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's: Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church: Sunday - 7.30am
Wellbeing
Mrs Sue Nuttall
Wellbeing Leader
Peer Support Groups
This week we are discussing cooperating and listening as skills to employ while Keeping Friends. Students have talked about the qualities that friends have and the important skill of listening in friendship. One strategy that has been suggested is to show friends that we are listening by looking at them and asking questions. Parents are invited to talk to their children about their own friendships and the qualities they admire in their own friends.
Week 4 Peer Support
Library
Author Visit
St. Mary’s is very fortunate to have an author coming to help us celebrate Book Week on Monday, 19th August. Beckie Plant is the Author and Illustrator of the children’s book ‘Amazing Like You’, a story that encourages children to believe they are amazing and to focus on their strengths.
Phillip Donato Orange MP review
“The essence of this book lies in its artful rhythms and illustrations. Beckie encourages our children to embrace their unique qualities and empowering them to see their strengths. Her book does not merely tell our children of their brilliance, she guides them in comprehending the very reasons that make them exceptional”.
Beckie Plant will give author talks to each of our grades throughout the day and will also be selling her book. Amazing Like You is available on the day for the Author price of $20, or $21.99 at The Book Connection Dubbo, Collins BookSellers Orange, Early Childhood Australia and online with free postage in Australia via rebecca-plant.square.site.
Instagram and facebook: beckie.plant.author
REMINDER: The closing date for the PRC is Friday, 23rd August 2024. To complete the challenge the children in Years 1 and 2 need to have read 20 books from the PRC list and 10 free choice books. The children in Years 3 to 6, need to have read 10 books from the PRC list and 10 free choice books.
Each child must then log onto the website and record the books they have read before the 23rd of August to receive their certificates.
If you are having any problems, please feel free to contact me.
Mrs McKenzie
Awards
STUDENT OF THE WEEK:
| Reggie Curtin - 1B For his enthusiastic participation and effort in classroom activities. |
| Digby Moore - 1G For his improved effort and focus during learning time and trying really hard to complete required tasks. |
| Connah Maas - 4B For his enthusiastic approach to all learning areas and for being a great friend to all. |
| Levi Gilholme - 6B For engaging in the activities at our Canberra excursion with enthusiasm, maturity and respect. |
HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:
| LA SALLE: | McAULEY: | LENNON: |
| Nestor Crasto - 2B | Archer Halliger - 2B | Claudia McNamara - 2B |
| Benji McGhee - 2B | Leo Goodwin - 2B | |
| Jude Sharkey - 2B | Eva Graham - 2B |
ICAS
Dates for students (Years 3 to 6) who have entered the International Competition and Assessments for Schools:
| Subject | Date |
| Science | Thursday, 22nd August |
| Spelling Bee | Thursday, 22nd August |
| Mathematics | Wednesday, 28th August |
School Fees
Term 3 Fees were posted on Friday, 2nd August 2024 and DUE on Friday, 16th August 2024.
If you'd like to start up a Payment Plan to manage your school fees, please phone the school office. Thank you.
Attendance
Attendance Matters - Ensuring that students arrive at school on time every day is crucial for their academic success and wellbeing. Parents play a crucial role in instilling the importance of punctuality in their children. Here are some strategies for parents to make getting students to school on time every day a top priority:
- Establish a Consistent Routine. Set a daily routine that includes specific times for waking up, getting ready, having breakfast, and leaving for school. Consistency helps children and develop good habits.
- Model Punctuality. Children often learn by example. Demonstrate the importance of punctuality by being on time for family events, appointments, and other commitments.
- Limit or Have No Screen Time in the Morning. Minimise distractions such as excessive screen time in the morning. This helps your child stay focused on getting ready for school without unnecessary delays.
Identify any specific challenges or barriers that may be contributing to lateness. Whether it is difficulty waking up or disorganisation, addressing these issues can help improve punctuality.
Automated Attendance Notification:
CEDB has set up Automated Attendance Notifications for our school.
Attendance Tracking: Teachers will record attendance as usual.
Automated Alerts: If your child is marked absent without a known reason, an SMS will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Immediate Action: You can take immediate action by contacting the school if the absence is
unexpected or unaccounted for.
Ensure Your Contact Information is Up-to-Date: Verify and update your mobile number with the school office.
Communicate Absences: Notify the school in advance if your child will be absent.
Stay Alert: Look out for SMS notifications from the school.
PARTIAL ABSENCES:
Parents must attend the school office to use the Compass Kiosk to complete a PARENT DROP-OFF or PARENT PICK-UP if arriving late or leaving early.
FULL DAY ABSENCES:
A Note should be submitted via Compass for a FULL DAY absence from school.
Reminder: Parents to submit an attendance note within 7 days of absence. Thank you.
Community News
BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are:
Amya Frankland, Alice Sykes, Isabella Anderson, Isabelle Sommerlad, Thea Casey,
Beau Edwards, Ari Shepherd and Mrs Helen Tobin.
We hope you enjoy your birthday!
SO MUCH LOST PROPERTY....
As students warm up, they often remove layers of clothing. It is much easier to return items that are clearly labeled. We currently have quite a few track pants and jumpers that we cannot return because they are not labeled. Additionally, some labels are hard to read due to repeated washing. Proper labelling not only helps us return items promptly but also ensures that students don't lose their belongings. Please ensure that all clothing is clearly labeled so we can return it to its rightful owner.
Canteen
Canteen Roster
TUES Aug 13 | Amanda isbester |
WED Aug 14 | Zoe Fox |
THURS Aug 15 | Chris Catelotti and Jackie Pratten |
FRI Aug 16 | Michelle Howarth, Hayley Lee and Tiffany Single |
MON Aug 19 | Kristy Hubbard |
REMINDER:
MunchMonitor cut-off time for placing lunch orders - 9.45 am.
LATE LUNCH ORDERS:
9.45 am - 11.00 am - Parents are welcome to phone the school office to place a lunch order.
After 11.00 am - Students have an option of a Vegemite Sandwich, Cheese Sandwich
or Cheese and Vegemite Sandwich only.
Year 6 Canberra Excursion
Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER)
Students from our school have undertaken an education tour of the National Capital on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of August. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the National Capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing
funding of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.
The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Last week our Year 6 students headed to Canberra as part of our annual History unit, ‘Australia As a Nation’. During our time we were fortunate enough to visit such places as the National Capital Exhibition Centre, CSIRO, TreeTops High Ropes Course, Australian Institute of Sport, Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the Australian Portrait Gallery, Questacon, Mount Ainsley, The National Museum of Australia, Museum of Australian Democracy and The National Arboretum. Everyone had a fantastic time and are to be congratulated on their participation in all activities. A special thank you to Mrs Nuttall and Miss Mitchell for giving up their time and coming along on the excursion with us.
Year 6 Canberra Excursion
Year 4 Student News...
Last Wednesday, Year 4 was fortunate to have St. Mary's ex-student Courtney Taylor visit our classroom to speak about animal adaptations. Through her work at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Courtney was able to share many interesting and fun facts about how some of the animals she looks after are specifically adapted to their environment.
