Term 4 Week 4 Newsletter 2024
Important Dates
Nov 05 | Melbourne Cup Day - students are permitted to wear a fancy hat to school |
Nov 06 | Year 2 - Reconciliation Retreat - 9.30 am to 1.00 pm @ St. Brigid's Church |
Nov 07 | Kindergarten 2025 Transition Program - Session 4 |
Nov 22 | Splash & Dash - P&F Fundraiser |
Nov 28 | Kindergarten Farm Excursion (NOT the 29th November as previously advertised) |
Dec 03 | Christmas Concert - 6.00 pm @ St. Johns College |
Dec 09 | End of Year Mass @ 10.00 am - St. Brigid's |
Dec 13 | Year 6 Tunnel @ 2.30 pm |
Dec 18 | LAST DAY OF TERM 4 |
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: T E M P E R A N C E
Temperance is having self-control of our thoughts, words and actions and saying no to things that we enjoy but are excessive or wrong for us. This can be not saying something nasty, eating well or limiting our use of social media. Many of the saints practiced temperance, which says no to temptation and puts you in control.
From the Principal
Mr Luke Wilson
Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Week 4.
We look forward to welcoming our 2025 Kindergarten students back to school this Thursday for transition. Thank you to our wonderful kindergarten staff who have planned and coordinated the transition program for our new students.
Please continue to keep our Year 2 students in your prayers as they continue their First Reconciliation preparation. Thank you to our families who have been attending the Parish Preparation Program and to our teachers who have been running these sessions.
Melbourne Cup Day - Tomorrow - Students are permitted to wear a fancy hat to school.
Enrolments & Classes 2025 - To finalise enrolment numbers for 2025, we need to be aware of any students leaving our school at the end of this year. Parents are asked to contact the office and complete the appropriate Student Exit Form if this is the case. Over the next four weeks, classes for 2025 will be formulated. Completing these class lists requires a lot of time and careful consideration. Classes will be finalised by Friday, 22nd November. If any parents have requests or information relevant to their child’s class placement for 2025, please notify me via email by Friday 8th November. Any requests will be considered but not guaranteed. Students will be informed of their class placement on Up-Class Day in December.
Medical students for 2025 - In the coming weeks, we will send home 2025 paperwork for all students with asthma, allergies, etc. We hope that by doing this, we’ll give parents time to make doctor/specialist appointments so their doctors can sign off on the paperwork for next year as per CEDB Policy. All 2025 paperwork must be submitted before this year's end.
Dubbo Junior Drama Group - Congratulations to the students from our school who performed in the Dubbo Junior Drama Group’s presentation of FROZEN over the weekend.
A wonderful achievement showcasing your talents and love of performing. Well Done!
SPLASH & DASH - P&F Fundraiser
Friday, 22nd November
Commencing at 11.30 am
We encourage our students to set up their fundraising page for our Splash and Dash.
All money raised will be used by our P & F to improve our playground.
As of Friday 1st November over $11,097 has been raised. What a huge effort from our community.
This is wonderful news for our P & F, but to admit not so thrilling for me. I got slimed!!
(photos below)
Our next goal is $15,000. If we raise this amount by Friday, 8th November, Mr. Keady will get slimed!
VOLUNTEERS:
For our Splash and Dash Day to be successful and enjoyable for our students we need
assistance from our parent community.
Please open the link below if you are considering lending a hand and getting involved.
Thank you.
I hope everyone has a great week.
Thank you, Miss Nell O'Brien - Assistant Principal
Religious Education
Mr Tim Keady
RE Coordinator
Dear Parents,
Year 2 Reconciliation Retreat - Wednesday, 6th November (9.30 am to 1.00 pm) our Year 2 students will be going to St. Brigid's Church to participate in a pre-reconciliation retreat. During this day Year 2 from St. Mary's and St. Laurence's will participate in a range of team building and reflective activities in preparation for their Reconciliation coming up later in November. Year 2 will need to wear normal sports uniform on the day and bring a packed lunch. They will catch a bus to and from the church on the day.
Year 2 Reconciliation Registration - First Reconciliation is fast approaching.
All students wishing to register for Reconciliation this year must attend the three preparation sessions.
If you have any questions about Reconciliation, please contact Rosie Hosking via email at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au.
| Preparation Sessions for Parent / Child | |||
| Tuesday 5.45pm | Wednesday 4.30pm | Sunday 10.00am | |
| Week 3 | 5th November | 6th November | 10th November |
Thank you to all who attended the All Saints Day Mass last Friday.
| RE Dates for the Calendar | |
Week 4 | Wednesday, 6th November - Year 2 Reconciliation Retreat @ St. Brigid's - 9.30 am to 1.00 pm |
Week 5 | Monday, 11th November - Remembrance Day Service @ COLA @ 11.30 am |
Week 6 | Monday, 18th November - Reconciliation Liturgy @ 12.30 pm @ St. Mary's Hall (Year 1) |
Week 9 | Monday, 9th December - End of Year Mass @ 10.00 am - St. Brigid's |
Gospel Focus: The Greatest Commandments (Mark 12: 28-34)
Love others and treat them as you wish you to be treated.
ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's: Saturday - 6pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 6pm
St. Laurence's Church: Sunday - 7.30am
Wellbeing
POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM
FREE STEPPING STONES TRIPLE P SEMINARS:
School-Link at The Children's Hospital at Westmead invites parents to attend our upcoming free online Stepping Stones Triple P seminars. These seminars are for parents of children aged up to 12 years of age who have autism or intellectual disability.
** Seminar: Changing Problem Behaviour into Positive Behaviour,
Wednesday, 6th November 6:30 pm -8:00 pm Registration link: https://shorturl.at/
Places are limited. You will need to sign up to the webinar if you plan to attend. Read more on the flyer here.
BEHAVIOUR TIP SHEETS:
Awards
STUDENT OF THE WEEK:
| Max Bourchier - 2B For an amazing, focused, ready attitude to lessons. |
| Nora Smith - 2G For being such a kind, considerate member of our class who displays genuine sincerity to all. |
| Zoe Taylor - 4B For her fantastic attitude and persistence in completing all class tasks. |
HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:
| LA SALLE: | McAULEY: | MOORE: | LENNON: |
| Cooper Lew - 2B | Maddison March - 2B | Ned Parkes - 2B | Kala Squires - 2B |
| Jude Sharkey - 2B | Amity Smith - 2B | Indigo Coyle - 2B | |
| Annelise O'Brien - 2B | Taejin Morris - 2B | Charlie Mackintosh - 2B | |
| Owen Fitzgerald - 2B | Max Bourchier - 2B | ||
| Beckham Chapman - 2B |
School Fees
Thank you to all families who have paid and finalised their 2024 fees.
For those families who are paying their fees by the Term, please note that Term 3 fees were due on 16th August 2024 and are now overdue. Please ensure prompt payment is made to settle your account.
For those families who are making regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments, please check that your payment plan is on track. If you have not adjusted your payment schedule this year to ensure your fees are cleared by the end of November 2024, please contact the School Office and we can help you to work this out and alter your payments for you.
If you have any questions or queries or wish to discuss your School Fees Account, please contact the School Office on 02 6882 4790.
Thank you.
Attendance
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:
Haddie Green, Annabelle Mackintosh, Phoenix Wheelhouse,
Leo Goodwin, Samantha Edwards, Irish Salloum, Brandon Seton,
Noah Cook, Miss Molly Lindsay, Miss Nell O'Brien and
Mrs Fran Caldbeck. We hope you enjoy your birthday!
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School student travel information for parents and students
School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30 am and 7.00 pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
School Uniform
Canteen
Canteen Roster
TUES Nov 05 | Joanna Wiatkowski |
WED Nov 06 | Melissa Barrett and Ros Dixon |
THURS Nov 07 | Jordana Pearson and Emma McNamara |
FRI Nov 08 | Victoria Meyers and Jackie Pratten |
MON Nov 11 | Cassie Carney |
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.