Week 7 Term 4

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.

Compass notes
Please ensure your Compass Event Notes are approved prior to the Event taking place.

• Year 3 and 4 Swim to Survive
• Year 5 and 6 Swim to Survive
• Choir and Cultural Dance Group-RSL visit

Up to date information
It is of utmost importance that you keep your information up to date.  If any of your details have changed and you haven't updated it, please email the school office stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au your new information. This also includes emergency contacts, change of living arrangements, change of work and email address.

WEEK 7
Wednesday 27th November - House Captains Speeches
Wednesday 27th November - Year 7 Orientation Day at St John's College
Wednesday 27th November - Year 1 Masonic Village Visit
Wednesday 27th November - Puff and Blow demonstration 1pm Year 1 - 4
Thursday 28th November - Kindy 2025 Orientation Day 9.15am - 10.45am
Thursday 28th November  - Year 3 and 4 Swim to Survive

WEEK 8
Wednesday 4th December - Choir and Cultural Dance group to RSL
Thursday 5th December - Year 5 and 6 Swim to Survive
Thursday 5th December - Kindy Orientation 9.15am - 10.45am

Welcome to Week 7

Colour Explosion Success!
Firstly, a huge thank you and well done to our amazing P&F, especially our very own Mrs. Stanford, for the incredible effort in organizing and running the Colour Explosion last Friday. What a wonderful day filled with laughter, joy, and vibrant fun!

The slides and water play were a big hit, and the explosion of colour was simply spectacular to see. A heartfelt thanks to our parent community for your generous sponsorship of the day. The total amount raised – over $14,000 – is truly remarkable! These funds will ensure that a new cold water cooler will be installed for the children. Thank you, everyone, for making this possible!

P&F Meeting – Tomorrow Night
Our next P&F meeting will be held tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM. The P&F plays a vital role in the life of our school, but we need your support! Attendance at the last meeting was quite low, and unfortunately, a quorum could not be formed.

This meeting is particularly important, as I will be sharing:

• The 2025 Annual Improvement Plan
• The updated draft of our Anti-Bullying Policy

Please come along to have your say, share your input, and support this vital part of our school community. The P&F is a wonderful avenue for collaboration, and with your involvement, it can only get better.

St John’s Primary Parish Mass
This Sunday is our St John’s Primary Parish Mass. We warmly invite you and your family to join us at St Brigid’s Church to celebrate as a school community and support our parish. We look forward to seeing you there!

Advent 2024 Commences

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we prepare to enter the holy season of Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Advent marks the start of a new liturgical year and is a time of joyful anticipation and preparation as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." During this season, we reflect on the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love while preparing our hearts to welcome Christ anew.

What Does Advent Mean for Us?

• Hope: The first candle on the Advent wreath symbolizes hope, reminding us of the promises of God and the coming of the Messiah.
• Preparation: It is a time to prepare our hearts and minds through prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness.
• Celebration of Light: The lighting of the Advent wreath candles week by week symbolizes the growing light of Christ coming into the world.

As we begin this beautiful season, let us remember the words of Isaiah:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." (Isaiah 9:2)

May this Advent season fill your hearts with hope and joy as we prepare to welcome Christ into our lives.

Staff Announcements: Exciting Appointments for 2025
We are delighted to announce the permanent appointments of Miss Grace McIntosh and Mrs Nicole Stanford to our teaching staff at St. John's Catholic Primary School, Dubbo. Both Grace and Nicole will join us in 0.5 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) positions, with each taking on a full-time teaching load in 2025.

• Miss Grace McIntosh
  Grace, who has been teaching Year 5, has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and expertise in her role. Her knowledge of the new NESA English Syllabus has been invaluable, particularly in the development of Literacy Learning Blocks for our students. Grace’s commitment to high-quality teaching and learning has had a significant impact, and we are thrilled to have her continue as part of our team.
• Mrs Nicole Stanford
  Nicole, who has been teaching Year 2, brings with her a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set that will greatly enrich our school community. Her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment aligns beautifully with the mission and values of St. John’s. Nicole’s contributions will undoubtedly support the growth and success of our students.

Please join us in congratulating both Miss McIntosh and Mrs Stanford on their well-deserved permanent appointments. We are excited about their continued contributions to the growth of our students and the broader St. John’s community in 2025 and beyond!

🎭 Special Announcement: 2025 School Musical 🎭
We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 St John’s School Musical will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! 🍫✨

This exciting production promises to be an amazing opportunity for all students to shine, showcasing their talents in singing, acting, and dancing. With memorable characters, magical moments, and a story that warms the heart, we can’t wait to see who will find the Golden Ticket!

Kinder 2025 Orientation: Session Two
We are excited to welcome our future Kinder 2025 students for their second orientation morning this Thursday!

The first orientation session was a wonderful success, with so many confident and happy young people playing with their friends in our hall before heading off to the Yellow Block for their Kinder class time. It was heart warming to see their enthusiasm and readiness for this exciting new chapter.

A big thank you and well done to our Kinder team and Admin staff for their dedicated work in making this experience so positive for our new students and their families. Your efforts truly set the stage for a smooth transition into school life.

We look forward to another fantastic morning this Thursday and can’t wait to see our future Kinder stars back in action!

Class Teachers for 2025
We are thrilled to share the teaching teams for 2025 at St John’s Catholic Primary School, Dubbo. Our talented and dedicated staff are ready to embark on another exciting year, continuing their commitment to providing a high-quality Catholic education and fostering a supportive, nurturing environment for all students.

Here’s a look at the teaching teams for next year:

Kindergarten - Mrs McFetridge, Mrs Kenny and Mrs Carney

Year 1 = Miss Anderson and Mrs Pugh & Mrs Wright and Mrs Carney

Year 2 = Mrs Stanford and Mrs Peters

Year 3 = Mrs Single and Mrs Pugh & Mrs Emery

Year 4 = Mrs Mylecharane and Mr McIntosh

Year 5 = Mrs Lees and Miss McIntosh

Year 6 = Mrs Clifford & Mrs Jones and Miss Veech

Mrs King will continue to lead our rich Creative and Performing Arts programs during Release time and Mrs Whale will be continuing her role in the Library, bringing literature to life.

The organisation of our other roles will be finalised in the near future. 

Social Media Reminders: Working Together to Support Our Students
As a school community, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students both in and outside of the classroom. Social media plays a significant role in the lives of our young people, and while it can offer great opportunities for connection and creativity, it also comes with challenges that require our collective vigilance and care.

Monitoring Social Media Use
We remind families of the importance of monitoring their child’s social media activity. Online interactions outside of school hours can sometimes lead to issues that affect relationships and learning within the school environment. Non-school-related group chats and messages have been known to cause misunderstandings or conflicts that carry over into the classroom, creating unnecessary tension and stress.

Bullying Online Is Never Tolerated
At St John’s Catholic Primary School, bullying in any form, including online, is not tolerated. Social media platforms should never be a space for hurtful comments, exclusion, or negative interactions. It’s essential to remind children of the importance of respectful and kind communication at all times, whether in person or online.

Communicating Concerns with the School
If your child is experiencing challenges related to social media or online interactions, please communicate with the school. Working together, we can address issues early and provide the necessary support to ensure your child feels safe and valued. A strong partnership between home and school is vital to resolving these challenges effectively and fostering a positive environment for all.

eSafety Resources for Parents
The eSafety Commissioner provides an excellent suite of resources to help parents navigate the challenges of social media and online safety. Topics include:

• Setting up parental controls.
• Recognizing and responding to cyberbullying.
• Tips for having conversations about online safety.

Visit the eSafety website at www.esafety.gov.au for a range of helpful tools and guides tailored to parents and caregivers.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 25:31-46

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Reflection
This week’s Gospel reminds us of the importance of service, kindness, and compassion. Jesus speaks of the final judgment and highlights that our actions towards others—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick—are, in fact, actions towards Him.

At St John’s, this Gospel inspires us to reflect on how we treat those around us, particularly those in need. As we journey through the school term, it’s a wonderful opportunity to teach our children the value of simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s sharing a smile, including someone in a game, or helping a friend, these small gestures reflect the love of Christ.

As we approach the season of Advent, this message resonates even more strongly. Let us encourage our students and families to live out Gospel values through service to others and to see Christ in everyone we encounter.

Prayer
Lord,
Help us to see You in the faces of those we meet,
To serve with love and compassion,
And to remember that every act of kindness brings us closer to You.
May our school community continue to be a place of welcome, care, and hope.

Amen.

Reminder: Student Departures for 2025
If your child is leaving St John’s Primary School in 2025 (excluding Year 6 students), please notify the office as soon as possible to complete an exit form.

We currently have waiting lists for places in most grades, and knowing exact numbers helps us greatly with whole-school planning and ensuring smooth transitions for all students.

God Bless and have a wonderful week

Anthony O’Leary

Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal
Well done to all of the parents who have purchased the Christmas item allocated to your child and well done to children for remembering to bring it in! There will be a competition for the class that completes their hamper first with the winning class enjoying zooper doopers, which will be a nice treat as the summer weather warms up. (At this stage, some of our staff might actually win as their hamper is almost finished)! 

When everyone contributes their hamper item, 1 large hamper is donated. This year SJP will donate 17 hampers. Parents are asked to please place the requested items on your shopping list and send them into school as soon as practical. All hampers will need to be finalised by Tuesday of Week 8.

Year 6 visit to SJC
This Wednesday our Year 6 cohort will attend an Orientation Day at SJC between 9:30am - 2:30pm. All students attending St. John’s College must attend this day. This day will give our students a greater insight into how a typical day at SJC looks. Students will become more familiar with the whereabouts of classrooms and following a timetable. We know our Year 6 students will enjoy this day.

Masonic Village visits
Last week, our Year 2 students delighted in visiting the elderly residents by chatting with them, reading and playing card games. This annual visit for each class has become a key event that many students look forward to. This week our Year 1’s will entertain the residents through song. No doubt many students and teachers will experience that heartwarming feeling of connecting with others and bringing some joy and happiness to the residents day.

St. John’s Primary Meeting 4 Mass
A reminder that this Sunday, 1st December, our 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. Students are encouraged to participate in the Offertory Procession if they are Kinder-Year 3, or could offer to read a Prayer of the Faithful if they are in Year 4-6. If there are any singing enthusiasts, we encourage these students to join the choir with our teaching staff. Thankyou to the families who have returned their RSVP slip, will be attending and have nominated their child to assist in the Mass.

We trust our SJP community understands the importance of this occasion and takes up the invitation to attend Mass with us. We hope to see many families on Sunday.

Seniors Christmas Morning Tea at Dubbo RSL
Next Wednesday, a large number of our students - SJP Choir and a Cultural Dance Group will attend the Seniors Christmas Morning Tea at Dubbo RSL. All Seniors from our Local Government Area are invited to celebrate the Christmas Season at this event, therefore this invitation is extended to the elderly of our own school community. Please see the poster that follows with details about rsvp to attend the event. We know our students will bring happiness to the seniors of our community as they entertain them with Christmas Carols and dancing.

Mass at St. Brigid’s Church
Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm

Enjoy your week!

Paula Clifford                                                                                                                                              Religious Education Coordinator

St Brigid’s Christmas Eve Mass Nativity Play
Every year, the 6pm Christmas Eve mass at St Brigid’s includes a Christmas Nativity play presented by children of the parish.  If your child would like to be part of the Christmas Nativity please contact the organisers.  Practice dates are as follows...

Nativity Practices: Please allow up to one hour per practice. All costumes will be supplied - except the angels’ white dresses (wings and halos supplied)

If more information is required, please contact: Jeanette Hannam - 0409 846 611 or Jo Taylor - j.taylor@bth.catholic.edu.au

Macquarie Conservatorium Instrument Demonstrations
The Macquarie Conservatorium will visit SJP next Wednesday for their annual ‘Puff Blow n Bow Instrument Demonstration’. At this time, students from Years 1-5 will listen to a short demo of a variety of woodwind, brass and string instruments. This year, the Conservatorium are offering a wider variety of instruments for students to learn which is great to see. Students have been advised of music tuition opportunities in 2025 and posters placed in classrooms. Please find more details about the possibility of your child learning an instrument from Conservatorium teachers in 2025 on the following page.

SPB4L
Our SPB4L focus this fortnight is ‘using kind and appropriate words towards others’. We have been discussing the types of kind words that can be used such as of course you can play, that was an amazing artwork that you completed and thank you for helping me zip up my bag. We have also been discussing how these kind and appropriate words make others feel.

CEDB Summer Sports Trials
Well done to the following students who have been selected as members of Bathurst Diocesan Summer Sports Teams. 

Boys Touch Football - Harvey,  Chad and Ryder 

Girls Tennis - Manaia 

Boys Tennis -Vassic 

Borrowing                                                                                                                              There will be no more borrowing for the remainder of the year. Please get your child to return their library books as soon as they have finished reading them. Books can be returned at any time during the day. If no one is in the library then simply leave the books in the returns box.

Overdue Books                                                                                                                      Many thanks to the families that have returned books. There are many students who currently have overdue books. Most are only a few weeks overdue but there are some that are overdue by several months.  

Please look for the books and return them before the last week of school so that they are back on the shelves before the holidays.

Please see information from Macquarie Library. A great way to keep cool during the Summer Break.

Hi Everyone,

We’re looking for parents and friends of our school community who might be interested in helping us offer more cultural activities, especially those that celebrate our Indigenous heritage. If you have skills or knowledge to share in areas like song, language, dance, or art, we’d love to hear from you!

This doesn’t have to be on a volunteer basis (though we’d certainly welcome that if you’re able to donate your time). If you’re part of a business and would like to get involved, we’re keen to explore how we can work together to create engaging cultural experiences for our students.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please send us an email at stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au. Let us know what you could share with our school community and whether you’re volunteering or offering your services through a business.

As the year is quickly wrapping up, we’d really appreciate hearing from anyone keen to help out by the end of this year, so we can start planning for 2025.

Thanks so much for considering this, and we look forward to hearing from you.