Week 6 Term 3
St John's Primary School -6882 2677
School Vision Statement: To change the world through our faith in Jesus who is our light.
Phone: 6882 2677 or 6882 2653
Email: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au
Principal: Mr. Anthony O’Leary
School Manager/Priest: Father Greg Kennedy
P&F Meetings: 2nd & 7th Tuesday each term
Parents/guardians-Please note that photographs of students may be used in publication. Please advise the School Office if you do not approve of your child’s photo being used.
Dates to Remember
WEEK 6
Wednesday 28th August - Fathers Day Stall
Thursday 29th August - Debating SJP vs St Pius at SJP
Friday 30th August - Fathers Day Liturgy 1pm School Hall
WEEK 7
Friday 6th September - Year 1 Retreat Day
From the Principal - Mr. O'Leary
Welcome to Week 6
It's hard to believe we are past the halfway mark of Term 3. It is very nice to see the sunshine warming our days and we are enjoying some longer daylight hours. The reports are indicating that we will be having a warm and early spring. With that in mind, we will begin the transition to our Summer uniform (sports each day) from Week 7, commencing Tuesday 3rd of September. This means that from Tuesday the 3rd students may wear either the Winter uniform (formal) or the sports uniform. All students will transition to the sports summer uniform from Tuesday 24th of September.
Congratulations to our amazing staff and students for a wonderful NAIDOC day last week. There were so many highlights. I must make a special mention of Huxley from Kinder. Huxley conducted the Acknowledgement of Country and read so well in front of the entire school. Well done Huxley!
A special thank you to Mr Fernando and Mrs Green for all of the planning. The students learnt so much and had the opportunity to learn from Tim Naden (Goanna Woodworks), students from St John's College and South Campus, Mrs Andriske shared Dreaming stories and so much more. Just a wonderful day!
Father's Day
We celebrate Father's Day this week. We look forward to celebrating with the many fathers and father-figures that make up our St John's community. This Friday commencing at 1.00pm there is a special Fathers Day Liturgy followed by a Pizza lunch for our Dads (pre orders have been requested for catering purposes). We hope to see our families at the Liturgy this Friday in the school hall.
Prayer for Fathers on Father’s Day
Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus, the child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, his foster father. Bless all fathers and grandfathers as they care for their families. Give them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience, give them ability to love in a way that reflects your love.
Support them in the work they have to do, protecting those who look to them, as we look to you for love and salvation. Help us to love them in a way that would bring honour to You and them.
Bless and heal all those wounded by the imperfections of their fathers and grant an eternal rest to our fathers you have called from this life to yourself, through Jesus Christ Lord.
Amen
Upcoming Staff Retreat
In Week 9, Monday 16th of September, our staff, along with the staff of St Michael’s Dunedoo, will be coming together for our annual Religious Education Retreat Day. This day is a pupil free day.
We will be spending the day learning from Rev Dr Elio Capra. Reverend Dr Elio Capra SDB is a lecturer at Catholic Theological College and is a member of the Department of Systematic Theology and the Department of Pastoral and General Studies. He lectures in Liturgy and Sacramental Theology. Father Elio has a passion for teaching about Art in relation to our faith.
Gospel and Reflection: John 6:60-69 - Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[a] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Open our hearts to the wonder of the Messiah I often wonder what would have been my experience of being in the crowd when Jesus speaks of the need to eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have life within. It would have been a difficult teaching to hear, especially if you saw Jesus as a prophet or a teacher. There is a vulnerability and a strength in this reading. Jesus had the strength to say it as it was – he knew and spoke the truth despite knowing how difficult it would be for people to accept.
The Apostles, having experienced what it was like to love Jesus and witness that love through miracles, companionship and teaching, surrendered any doubts in that moment when asked by Jesus if they too would like to leave him.
Their faith in Jesus as the Holy One from God freed them from human thinking and reason and opened their hearts and minds to the wonder of the Messiah. Dear Jesus, help us to see beyond our human restrictions that inform our view of you and the Father, so that we may surrender, over and over again, all doubts and mysteries to you.
God bless and have a wonderful week Anthony O’Leary.
Religion News - Mrs. Clifford
St. John’s Primary Mass
On Sunday 8th September, St John’s Primary School will coordinate St. Brigid’s 9am Mass. Our staff will carry out many of the roles throughout the Mass: Eucharistic Ministers, Commentators, Readers, Choir, Accompanist etc. This Mass is also the designated Mass for SJP students from Year 3 who will receive the Eucharist for the first time - a very special occasion for these students. This is also the Mass we have selected for our Term 3 Meeting 4 Mass. We trust our SJP community understands the importance of this occasion and can attend Mass with us. If students would like to sit with staff and contribute to the Choir, they are more than welcome. Alternatively, students will also be able to sit with staff members and the rest of the congregation. We look forward to seeing many SJP families at Mass on Sunday 8th.
Praise and Worship Concert
Last Tuesday our Year 5 and 6 students attended the annual Praise and Worship Concert, hosted by CEDB. Emmanuel Worship had us singing, dancing, praying, reflecting and connecting with Jesus throughout the day. We had a great time at the concert and many of us enjoyed the opportunity to listen to the Band members stories and embrace the day through praise and worship. Please see images below of some of us enjoying the concert.
Praise and Worship Concert
Father’s Day
This coming Friday, we welcome all of the Dads, Grandpas, and Pops of our school community to be treated in a special celebration of the important role they play in the lives of our students. Year 3 will present the Liturgy in our school hall at 1pm. All family members are warmly welcome.
Mass at St. Brigid’s Church
Saturday - 5:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 5:00pm Parishioners, please note: Weekday Masses have now returned to St. Brigid’s Church at 5:45pm.
Enjoy your week! Paula Clifford Religious Education Coordinator.
Wellbeing News - Mrs. Kenny
SPB4L This week our SPB4L focus was introduced at our fortnightly assembly. Our SPB4L focus is on ‘playing and moving safely around the playground’. During our assembly, we discussed how we can be safe on the playground for ourselves and others. Below are some ways as a school we can demonstrate safe behaviours on the playground:
- Walking on paved/concrete surfaces
- Walking between areas to get to another play area
- Playing in areas where a teacher with a vest can be seen
- Watching where we are walking to reduce bumping into someone
- Keeping our hands to ourselves
Breakfast Club Breakfast Club is now available at school between 8.20 - 8.40am Monday - Friday. Breakfast club will offer the following
- A slice of toast with either vegemite or jam and a hot milo for $1
- Extra slice of toast is 50c
As this is a wellbeing initiative there is no provision for the use of Flexischools to order. This is a cash only purchase.
Kindness Challenge We also started a ‘21 Day Kindness Challenge’ on Friday which aims to promote kind interactions between students. Each morning, students will find out the new challenge for the day. Our challenges for the past week have been:
- Say please and thank you
- Ask someone about their day
- Tell a classmate something you like about them
- High five a friend
- Play with someone new at break time
Library News - Mrs Whale
What a magical Book Week!
Last week we continued to celebrate Book Week by participating in activities to recognise the official Book Week of Australia. Each class has been involved in a special Book Week lesson. These sessions have included information about settings, the writing process and author's craft such as figurative language and adjectives.
We have also had live lessons with illustrators explaining the process and teaching us some of their tips and tricks.
The students have also been involved in competitions: drawing something magical, designing a bookmark and guessing what teachers and staff favourite books are.
Results: Guess the Teacher/Staff members book: (Book and lunch with Mr. Foley)Year 2: Harper and William (equal score)Year 3: Jeneiva, Year 4: Cali, Year 5: Ryder.
Draw something Magical: (a book)KG: Willow KB, Harlee 1B, Daixi 1G Isla.
Bookmarks: Will be taken to Macquarie Library for judging.
Cultural News - Mr. Fernando & Mrs. Green
