Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter 2025
Important Dates
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK | |
May 12 | Primary Athletic Field Event Trials (Years 3 to 6) - Sports Uniform to be worn |
May 12 | Term 2 Scholastic Book Club - ORDERS DUE |
| May 14 | CSW Grade Mass: 11.40 am - Year 1 and Year 5 |
May 14 | CSW Grade Mass: 12.15 pm - Kindergarten, Year 3 and Year 6 |
May 15 | CSW Grade Mass: 11.30 am - Year 2 and Year 4 |
May 16 | Bathurst Primary Rugby Trials |
May 18 | Meet 4 Mass - St. Brigid's at 9 am |
May 19 | P&F Meeting - 6.00 pm (Rescheduled) |
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: H O N O U R
What it looks like: Honour is doing what is right, even when it is hard, doesn't suit you or no one is watching.
What it means: Honour means we stick to our word and keep our promises and commitments.
Why it is important: Honour is important because Jesus taught us to speak and act carefully so that we treat all people with honour, love and respect they deserve.
From the Principal
Mr Luke Wilson
Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Week 3.
Last week, we sent two teams to the Netball Schools Cup Gala Day on Monday. Both teams played very well, with our A team winning the day and moving on to the regional finals.
On Tuesday, Mrs Nutall and Mrs McKenzie took our talented cross-country team to compete in the challenging course at Coolah and had some great results.
Then on Friday, it was wonderful to see so many mums, grandmothers and friends join us for our Mother’s Day Breakfast.
This week is Catholic Schools Week.
To celebrate the Year of Hope, we will have stage Masses throughout the week.
Kindergarten Enrolments 2026
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 are open. Parents wishing to enrol their child are asked to contact the school to receive a copy of the St. Mary’s Enrolment Policy and the current Enrolment Application Form. Forms can also be accessed via our school website. A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Immunisation Record, and any other supporting documentation will be required to process your enrolment application.
Enrolment interviews for all new families will commence on Monday, 26th May.
Kindergarten 2026 parents will be emailed letters this week.
Little brothers and sisters of current students commencing Kindergarten next year should have submitted their enrolment application by now.
Parenting Ideas - Helping Children Thrive at School (Dr Justin Coulson)
The following factors generally matter most when it comes to your child doing well at school:
1. Reading | If there is only one thing that you do with your children for their education, read to them. This should start as young as possible and continue through toddler years, preschool years, and into big school. Read to them – and have them read to you – as they go through their early primary years. And keep books around right through high school. Reading is one of the best predictors of children’s academic success, and it is associated with increased resilience, particularly for kids from challenged or traumatic backgrounds. |
| 2. Be Involved | Research shows that parents who ask about school, check in on what students are learning, talk with the school teacher from time to time, and continue to monitor and stay up to date on what is happening at school have children who do better academically when compared with students whose parents are uninvolved. Getting involved shows you care. |
| 3. Relationships with Peers | Children who enjoy a sense of school belonging, according to Dr Kelly Allen at Monash University, do better at school. They also have higher levels of life satisfaction. |
4. A sense of progress | These are two separate things, but I’m including them together because they often follow one another. When our children make progress, they feel competent and capable. This increases their motivation and makes school feel purposeful. If parents can work to help children see the progress they’re making, it will boost their desire for more progress, and the work will become easier and more enjoyable. |
| 5. People who love them | There is no way around this fact: kids do well for those they love. When a student loves his science teacher, science becomes the best subject ever, and he tries hard as a result. The same goes with PE, English, or any other subject. Helping children feel like they are known, numbered, and missed, combined with teachers who are enthusiastic about their topics, helps kids do better at school. |
Often people will say, “But what about my child?” So many parents are dealing with ADHD, autism, ODD, sensory issues, depression, or other additional health or developmental needs. My response is always the same: those points above become even more vital. Read, be involved, help them make friends, challenge them to progress, find purpose, and ensure someone loves them.
By Dr Justin Coulson - Dr Justin Coulson is a dad to 6 daughters. He is the parenting expert and co-host of Channel 9’s Parental Guidance, and he and his wife host Australia’s #1 podcast for parents and family: The Happy Families podcast.
Winter Uniform
Officially, the children are to wear their formal winter uniform after the June Long Weekend, but if your child is feeling cold, they may wear their winter uniform from the commencement of Term 2.
Sport
Cross Country
On Tuesday, Mrs Nutall and Mrs McKenzie took our talented cross-country team to compete on the challenging course at Coolah. We had some great performances, with some of our children achieving a top-eight finish and gaining a place in the Diocesan Cross Country team.
Congratulations to our 9-year-old boys' team: Cooper, Charlie, Maddix, and Donny, who won the team event.
Congratulations to the following students who will represent the Bathurst Diocese at Eastern Creek in the coming weeks: Cooper, Charlie, Maddix, Lexi, Roy, Lucinda, Slater, Emily and Maggie.
Rugby Union Trials
Best of luck to Leo, Jackson, Diesel and Jake, who will be trialling for the Diocesan Rugby team this Friday.
Also, best of luck to Maggie, who will be trialling for the Polding Girls Rugby 7s squad at Santa Sabina College this Friday.
Athletics Skills/Trials & School Athletics Carnival (Years 3-6)
Our School Athletics Carnival will take place at Barden Park, Dubbo, on Monday, 23rd June. In preparation for this carnival, students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 have attended the Athletic Field Event Skill Session and Athletic Trials in various field events. The Athletic Field Event Trials took place at Barden Park today.
Religious Education
Gospel Focus: The Good Shepherd
John 10:27-30
Follow Jesus.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
This week Catholic Schools across the Diocese are celebrating Catholic Schools Week.
St. Mary’s would like to warmly welcome you to our Class Masses to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope as part of our special week.
* Year 1 and Year 5 will be celebrating Mass at 11.40 am on Wednesday
* Kindergarten, Year 3 and Year 6 will be celebrating Mass at 12.15 pm on Wednesday
* Year 2 and Year 4 will be celebrating Mass at 11.30 am on Thursday
Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate the incredible value our schools bring to students, families, and the wider community. It’s a moment to reflect on our rich history and embrace the exciting journey ahead - a time for connection and celebration.
The combined theme for this year’s celebration embodies who we are and what you can expect from a Catholic school - Guided by Faith, Inspired by Hope, and Committed to Learning.
Guided by faith, Catholic schools instil core values that inspire young students to grow into compassionate and responsible individuals. Our students understand and take action to support others with care and respect, recognising their duty to protect and uplift those in need. Following Christ’s example, every student is supported and valued as part of a caring school community.
Inspired by hope and in honour of the 2025 Jubilee, we are called to reflect on challenges facing our world - war and conflict, the lasting effects of the pandemic, and the urgent need to address climate change. Hope is more than optimism; it’s a spiritual force that gives us the strength to endure, the courage to rebuild, and the resilience to address the challenges that we face. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Hope is a gift from God that fills our hearts with joy.” By embracing this gift, our school communities are beacons of positive transformation.
Committed to learning, our highly qualified and dedicated teachers nurture individual student gifts and potential, inspiring a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Catholic Schools Week is a special time to celebrate this commitment - honouring our dedicated educators, the inspiring curiosity of our students, and the invaluable partnership of families who support learning as a lifelong endeavour.
Meet 4 Mass
Our Term 2 Meet 4 Mass has been scheduled for Sunday, 18th May 2025. Mass will commence at 9 am at St. Brigid’s. We would love to see you all there.
2025 Sacraments
A reminder of important dates coming up for the 2025 Confirmation class:
Confirmation enrolment Weekends are on the 18th/19th May and 24th/25th May. (Families need to attend one of the Masses over these weekends to enrol).
Preparation Sessions are as follows. Families need to attend one session per week and are able to change times/days across the weeks.
These sessions are held at St. Brigid's Hall:
Week 1 - Tuesday 10th June @ 6.15pm, Wednesday 11th June @ 4.30pm or Sunday 15th June @ 10am
Week 2 - Tuesday 17th June @ 6.15pm, Wenesday 18th June @ 4.30pm or Sunday 22nd June @ 10am
Week 3 - Tuesday 24th June @ 6.15pm, Wednesday 25th June @ 4.30pm or Sunday 29th June @ 10am
Confirmation Practice is scheduled for Tuesday, 22nd July @ 6.15 pm at St. Brigid's Church.
If you have any questions please feel free to email Rosie Hosking (Sacramental Coordinator) or myself at;
Rosie - sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au
Tim - t.keady@bth.catholic.edu.au
Thursday Night Dinner
Thank you to Hannah, Tom, Evie, Lucas, and Livinia who volunteered their time at last Thursday’s Parish Dinner. They did a great job supporting our parish, and we are extremely proud of their community commitment.
ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's: Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church: Sunday - 7.30am
Awards
STUDENT OF THE WEEK:
| Mackenzie - 2B For consistently making positive choices in her learning and listening! |
| Jack - 2G For working hard to create a piece of persuasive writing. |
| Beckham - 3G For great improvement in focus and for making positive behaviour choices. |
HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:
| LA SALLE: | McAULEY: | MOORE: | LENNON: |
| Jude - 3B | Maddix - 2G | Oakley - 2B | Charlie - 2B |
| Wyatt - 2G | Ari - 2B | Reggie - 2G | |
| Max - 3B | Mackenzie - 2B | Cora - 3B | |
| Maddison - 3B | Gracie - 2B | ||
| Will - 2B | |||
| Lottie - 2B | |||
| Ari - 2B | |||
| Jamarni - 3B |
Attendance
School Fees
Term 2 Statement date: 9th May, 2025 and instalment due date 23rd May, 2025
Term 3 Statement date: 1st August, 2025 and instalment due date 15th August, 2025
Community News
BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are:
Jack, Isabelle, Brodie, Diesel, Naksh and Eleanor.
We hope you enjoy your birthday!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Canteen
CANTEEN ROSTER | |
| Tuesday, 13th May | Michelle Brown |
| Wednesday, 14th May | Alli Sykes, Amanda Cook and Cara Grey |
| Thursday, 15th May | Tara Taylor and Ash Bower |
| Friday, 16th May | Jenna Cooper, Cassie Box and Carly Casey |
| Monday, 19th May | Natasha O'Neill |
A big thank you to Mrs Jackie Pratten and the staff members who volunteered their time
helping prepare for our Mother's Day Breakfast on Friday.
I'm hoping our St. Mary's mothers and grandmothers had a beautiful Mother's Day.
Thank you, Jo O'Sullivan - Canteen Manager
MunchMonitor - We encourage all families to use the MunchMonitor online program for lunch orders.
School Uniform
