Week 7 Term 1 2025

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.

Week 7
Monday 17th March - St Patricks Day Liturgy 1.00pm - Children can wear green clothes today
Tuesday 18th March - NAPLAN READING
Tuesday 18th March - P & F Meeting 6.30pm School Staffroom
Wednesday 19th March - NAPLAN CONVENTIONS OF LANGUAGE
Thursday 20th March - NAPLAN MATHS
Friday 21st March - Multicultural/Harmony Day liturgy 10.00am Children can wear orange or a national costume

Week 8                                                                                                                                  Thursday 27th March - Science & Engineering Day (selected Year 6 students)
Friday 28th March - Bathurst Do Winter Sport Trials (selected students)

Welcome to Week 7
Today, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, a particularly important occasion in our school’s history. St. Patrick’s School in Dubbo was one of our founding schools before merging with De La Salle to form St. John’s School.

One of our founding charisms is our connection to the Mercy Sisters, who played a vital role in shaping Catholic education in Australia. Founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, the Sisters of Mercy dedicated themselves to serving those in need, particularly through education, healthcare, and social services. Their legacy continues to inspire our mission of faith, learning, and compassion.

St. Patrick’s Day Prayer 

May the strength of God pilot us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the word of God direct us.
May Christ be with us,
May Christ be before us,
May Christ be in us,
May Christ be over all.
May your salvation, O Lord, be always ours,
This day and forevermore.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

NAPLAN
This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students continue their NAPLAN assessments, which are an important part of tracking student progress:

• Tuesday – Reading
• Wednesday – Conventions of Language
• Thursday – Mathematics (Final Assessment)

While NAPLAN provides valuable insights into literacy and numeracy development, it is just one of many assessments we use at St. John’s to understand and support student learning. Alongside classroom-based assessments, teacher observations, Essential Assessment, and DIBELS (for early literacy), NAPLAN helps us gain a well-rounded picture of student progress.

It is important to remember that these assessments are not about ranking students but about identifying strengths and areas for growth to better tailor our teaching and learning programs. Thank you for supporting your child through this process.

Attendance Focus
Regular school attendance is crucial for your child's educational success and overall development. In New South Wales, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of six and 17 years. The Education Act 1990 mandates that parents ensure their children are enrolled in and attend school.

Legal Responsibilities of Parents
As a parent or carer, you are legally obligated to ensure your child attends school every day it is open for instruction. 

The Importance of Arriving on Time
Punctuality is vital for your child's learning experience. Arriving on time:

• Ensures they participate in essential morning lessons.
• Helps establish routines and responsibility.​
• Allows social interaction before classes begin.​
• Minimises disruptions for the entire class.​

Please note, lateness is recorded as a partial absence and requires a valid explanation. 

Reporting Absences
If your child is absent, you must provide an explanation within seven days. Acceptable reasons include:​

• Illness or infectious diseases.​
• Unavoidable medical appointments.​
• Recognised religious holidays.​
• Exceptional family circumstances, such as funerals.

Unexplained or unjustified absences may be recorded if a satisfactory explanation is not provided. 

School and Parent Partnership
Our school is committed to working with you to promote regular attendance. This partnership is essential for your child's academic progress and well-being. We encourage open communication to address any attendance challenges your child may face.​

For more detailed information on compulsory school attendance and your responsibilities, please refer to the NSW Department of Education's guidelines. ​

​education.nsw.gov.au+6education.nsw.gov.au+6education.nsw.gov.au+6

Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring your child attends school regularly and on time.

Harmony Day & Multicultural Day – Friday, 21st March
This Friday, 21st March, we are excited to celebrate Harmony Day alongside our Multicultural Day celebrations! Harmony Day is a special occasion where we recognise and celebrate the rich diversity that makes our school community so unique. It is a day to reflect on the values of inclusivity, respect, and belonging, reminding us that everyone belongs.

At St. John’s, we are blessed to have students and families from many different cultural backgrounds, and this day provides a wonderful opportunity to share and learn from one another. Throughout the day, students will participate in a variety of cultural activities, performances, and discussions that highlight the beauty of our multicultural community.

Let us come together as a school to embrace diversity, promote understanding, and celebrate the many cultures that enrich our community. We look forward to a joyful and meaningful day!

"Everyone belongs."

Kindergarten Siblings - 2026 Enrolments.                                                                      Enrolment applications for sibling families are now open.                                                                                  * Please download all documents included on our website (enrolment tab).                                                    * Ensure you provide all necessary documents listed on page 9.                                                                      * Email the school office -stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au if you would like a pack emailed to you.                                                                                                                                                                     Applications close Friday 30th May - 2025 

P&F Meeting – Tuesday, 18 March, 6:30 PM
Our next P&F meeting will be held tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 6:30 PM. This is a particularly important meeting as we will be forming the 2025 P&F executive and committee to ensure the continued success of the association. We encourage all parents and carers to attend.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to another great week ahead!

God Bless
Mr. O’Leary

The Lenten Season
Throughout Lent, our staff and students will learn the story of Toefuata'iga. 

Toefuata'iga, (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah) is a 13-year-old, 8th grade primary school student from Samoa. Her primary school in Upolu, Samoa, grapples with severe water scarcity that disrupts education and jeopardises students' health. With our donations to Project Compassion, we can help to overcome the lack of clean water for  Toefuata'iga and her peers.

Over the last week, one child from every family has taken home a Project Compassion box. We ask that you encourage all members of your family to use the Project Compassion box as a way of giving and  following in the footsteps of Jesus. The Project Compassion boxes will be collected in Week 9 of this term.

Year 6 Student Retreat Day
This Thursday our Year 6 students will travel to St. Brigid’s Hall to engage in a retreat day around the theme of respect. Throughout the activities, there will be a strong focus on leadership with opportunities to also nourish spirituality and faith. Students are expected to wear their normal sports uniform, bring their water bottle and morning tea, and arrive in the morning on time in readiness for a 9:10 departure by bus. Students will return by 2:45.

Multicultural Day Liturgy
Our Multicultural Day Liturgy will be held this coming Friday to coincide with Harmony Day in Australia. Our Liturgy will be held at 10:30 and will be led by Year 4 students. 

It is always lovely to see parents attend school liturgies, particularly when it is an occasion that celebrates our very inclusive and culturally diverse school. We are hopeful that many parents can attend on Friday.

Macquarie Conservatorium Lessons
Today, interested students from years 2-6, experienced an instrumental demonstration by Conservatorium staff member Mr Zac Goninan. Parents, if your child arrives home with an enthusiasm towards learning one of the following instruments, (keyboard, vocal, violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, tuba, euphonium, baritone, French horn), please refer to the flyer below if you would like to enrol him/her in instrumental tuition at SJP.

This week we will continue our SPB4L focus of "Listening attentively to the teacher when using the microphone, by pausing our activities and giving our full attention." We have been discussing the importance of listening to the teacher, as they provide essential information, such as the supervisors for different play areas, details about closed play areas, and important reminders about playground safety, such as walking on the pavers.

Book Club Orders close Friday 21st March.

Bathurst Diocesan Swimming Carnival
There was fierce competition at the Bathurst Diocesan Swimming Carnival last Tuesday. 

Thirteen students from our school were part of the Northern Region Team and competed against other students from all across the Bathurst Diocese. Our swimmers competed in a range of swimming races including individual events and relays. Each of our swimmers gave their best in every event. 

We congratulate Georgia, Mia, Oliver and Dotti who placed in an event and will head to the Polding Swimming Carnival in Sydney on Wednesday 2nd April.

Cross Country Carnival
The St John’s Primary annual Cross Country Running Carnival will be held on Thursday 3rd April 2025. St John’s Primary is very fortunate and extremely grateful to St John’s College as we are able to use their wonderful back ovals to conduct this carnival from 9 – 10:50 am on the day, this is very much appreciated by all at St John’s Primary.

Students will compete in the following age groups:

Please note – (Yr 2 students that turn 8 in 2025 are eligible to compete in the 8/9 yr old race over the 2km but this is a matter of personal choice). For students in Yr 3 – 6 participation at the carnival is for all students.

Races will be run one after the other

• Race 1 12/13yr old girls over 3km            
• Race 2 12/13yr old boys over 3km
• Race 3 11yr old girls over 3km
• Race 4 11yr old boys over 3km     
• Race 5 8/9yr old girls over 2km              
• Race 6 8/9yr old boys over 2km
• Race 7 10yr old girls over 2km
• Race 8 10yr old boys over 2km        

At the conclusion of all of the races after the school first break (10:50 – 11:30am) age champions and placegetters will be announced along with the winning House for 2025.

K-2 Fun run
On Thursday the 3rd of April, students in Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two will be taking part in a fun run around the school oval. Parents and guardians are welcome to come and cheer on their child/ren. Approximately 10:15am start.

As a reminder, the meeting to vote on committee members will take place in Week 7, on Tuesday evening at school at 6.30pm. To ensure we have not only enough attendees but also committed individuals to fill the necessary positions, we kindly ask you to confirm your attendance once again.

Additionally, please let us know if you would like to nominate yourself for one of the following roles:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Social Media Specialist
• Clothing pool coordinator

Your involvement is vital in keeping the P&F Committee running successfully, and we greatly appreciate your time and effort.