Term 2, Week 6

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
Parish 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.

Term 2 Dates
Week 6
Tuesday 3rd June - Eisteddfod Choir
Week 7
Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Long Weekend 
Wednesday 11th June - Polding Cross Country
Week 8
Monday 16th June - Eisteddfod (Speech and Drama)
Tuesday 17th June - Eisteddfod (Speech and Drama)
Wednesday 18th June - Eisteddfod (Verse Speaking)
Thursday 19th June - Eisteddfod (Speech and Drama)
Friday 20th June - Eisteddfod (String Ensemble)
Friday 20th June - Kindy 2026 Interviews
Week 10
Tuesday 1st July - SJP Athletics Carnival
Wednesday 2nd July - Semester 1 Student Reports - Live on Compass
Friday 4th July - Final Day of Term 2

Change of Details, have any of your details changed??
Please inform the school office if you have changed address, have a new email or phone contact number, changed jobs, or have different emergency contacts for your child/children.

Compass Announcements - Upcoming Events
Permission notes for the events below have been sent out via Compass. Please ensure you confirm your child's attendance to avoid missing out. 

• Tuesday, 3rd June - 2025 Eisteddfod Choir
• Wednesday, 18th June - Year 2-5, 2025 Dubbo Eisteddfod Verse Speaking
• Tuesday, 1st July - K-6, Athletics Carnival

Welcome to Week 6
Dear Parents, Carers, and Friends of the SJP Community,

Welcome to Week 6! We are already halfway through the term, and there is so much to celebrate, reflect on, and look forward to. This week shines a light on our commitment to reconciliation, our students’ creative gifts, and the importance of honouring Christ’s presence in our lives.

Success of the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass – Friday 30th May
Last Friday, our school community proudly participated in the Diocesan Reconciliation Mass, a powerful liturgical celebration held in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This significant gathering brought together schools and parishes from across the Diocese in a shared commitment to healing, justice, and mutual respect.

Rooted in our Catholic mission, the Mass reminded us that reconciliation is a sacred journey — one that invites us to listen, learn, and walk humbly with our First Nations sisters and brothers. It called us not only to reflect but to take meaningful action in building a more just and compassionate society.

Together, we prayed:
God of Reconciliation,
Give us the courage to build a world of justice, equality, compassion and peace for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers.
Help us now more than ever to understand their hopes and aspirations so that we may all live with dignity and pride in this great land.
Help us now more than ever to build bridges. We pray for your spirit to be upon us as we work towards reconciliation, and we entrust our efforts into your hands.
We make our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen

As a school community, our Reconciliation focus invites us to:

• Learn: Discover more about the deep and enduring cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have cared for this land for thousands of generations.
  
• Reflect: Acknowledge the past and consider how we can be active participants in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future.
  
• Act: Take small, meaningful steps — even as students — to show respect, build understanding, and help our community grow stronger together.
  

We thank our students, staff, Diocesan leaders, and parish representatives who made this Mass a reverent and memorable occasion. May we continue to live out the message of reconciliation in both word and action.

Creative Arts in the Spotlight – Eisteddfod Week
This week, the spotlight turns to our Creative Arts program as over 60 students from Years 3 to 6 prepare to perform in the City of Dubbo Eisteddfod as part of our Primary Choir.

These students have dedicated countless hours to rehearsal under the expert leadership of Mrs. King, with the wonderful musical accompaniment of Mrs. Clifford on piano. Their commitment to excellence, teamwork, and joyful expression through music has been inspiring.

The Eisteddfod is not just about performance — it’s about confidence, creativity, and sharing our God-given talents with the wider community. We are incredibly proud of our choir and wish them all the best on stage. No matter the results, they have already achieved something special by preparing with such heart and determination.

Kindergarten 2026 – Sibling Interviews Underway
Our Kindergarten 2026 sibling interviews are continuing this week, and it’s a delight to welcome so many new faces who will soon become part of our SJP family. Meeting future students and seeing the excitement in their eyes reminds us of the joy and promise each new beginning brings.

We are grateful to our current families who continue to share their positive experiences and warmly welcome others into our community.

A reminder to families that Kindergarten enrolments for 2026 are filling quickly. If you or someone you know is considering joining our school community, we strongly encourage you to collect an enrolment pack from the office or visit our website to begin the process.

Gospel Focus – Luke 24:46–53
This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke recounts the Ascension of Jesus, where He is taken up to heaven in the presence of His disciples. Before departing, Jesus blesses them and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them, he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.”
(Luke 24:50–51)

The Ascension reminds us that although Jesus is no longer physically present on Earth, He continues to guide and strengthen us from His place of honor at the right hand of the Father. As we profess in the Creed each Sunday, Jesus is forever close — not only in heaven but in our hearts, in our prayers, and in our daily choices to follow His way.

Family Faith Connection – The Meaning of Where We Sit
Family life is full of little moments that reflect bigger truths. One familiar moment is when children argue over where to sit — in the car, at the table, or on the couch. These everyday squabbles show how much importance we place on being close to someone, especially someone we admire.

This week’s Gospel offers us a chance to reflect as a family:

• Share a memory: Talk about a time when someone really wanted to sit in a certain spot. Why did it matter?
  
• Read Luke 24:46–53 together: Focus on Jesus’ place in heaven and how we describe it in the Creed.
  
• Reflect as a family: What does it mean that Jesus is “seated at the right hand of the Father”? What does that tell us about His relationship with God — and with us?
  
• Pray as a family: Ask Jesus to help you show love and understanding to one another each day, remembering that He continues to guide us from His place of honor in heaven.
  

These conversations strengthen our faith and bring the Gospel to life in the most meaningful place of all — the home.

As we continue through Term 2, we are blessed with many opportunities for growth in learning, faith, and friendship. Thank you for all the ways you support your children and contribute to the vibrant community of SJP.

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and purposeful Week 6.

Confirmation Preparations Sessions
Parents of Year 6 students who are Catholic and have enrolled in this sacrament, please be aware that preparation sessions begin very soon. Students must attend all 3 sessions with a parent/guardian, which will be held at St. Brigid’s Hall. The sessions will be held over 3 upcoming weeks. Please save the date and time for the following:

Session 1: Tuesday 10th June, Wednesday 11th June, Sunday 15th June
Session 2: Tuesday 17th June, Wednesday 18th June, Sunday 22nd June
Session 3: Tuesday 24th June, Wednesday 25th June, Sunday 29th June

Tuesday sessions are held at 6:15pm, Wednesday 4:30 pm and Sunday 10am 

If you were not aware that sessions were beginning, as you have not yet received correspondence from Sacramental Coordinator Rosie Hosking, please contact her immediately on: sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au

Year 6 Pre-Confirmation Day
This Wednesday our Year 6 grade will experience the opportunity to work with Leader of Faith Elissa Burden from St. John’s College in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This will be a day of learning, group work, singing, interacting with others (St. Laurence’s will be joining with us) and growing in our faith journeys. I have no doubt, Year 6 will enjoy their day spent at SJC.Year 6 will need to bring normal recess, lunch and a water bottle on the day and wear their normal sports uniform including their school hat.

Grade Masses
Beginning next week, each grade will attend a Mass focussing on the late Pope Francis’ Jubilee theme of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’  at St. Brigid’s Church. This will be a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to come together  to reflect, pray, and embrace hope in our shared pilgrimage of faith.

All families are invited to attend a Mass with their child’s class on the following dates:

Wednesday 11th June at 10am: Grades 5/6
Thursday 19th June at 10am: Grade 2
Wednesday 25th June at 10am: Grades 3/4

Wednesday 2nd July at 10:30 Kindergarten/Grade 1 Liturgy at SJP Hall (Please note change of location for this Liturgy)

MASS TIMES
St. Brigid’s Church: Saturday - 5:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday- 5:00pm.
St. Laurence’s Church: Sunday -7:30am and Wednesday 9.30am

Enjoy your week.

Paula Clifford
Religious Education Coordinator 

2025 Dubbo Eisteddfod
We kick off Eisteddfod season tomorrow with our Primary 3–6 choir. We are excited to perform together and celebrate everything we've learned and created as a group this term.

For some students, the Eisteddfod is a thrilling challenge — a chance to strive for first place, to polish their delivery and stand tall under the stage lights. For others, it is about courage. The quiet kind. The kind that says, "I might be nervous, but I’ll do it anyway." Whether it is reading aloud alone, speaking in unison with others, singing in choir or singing a nursery rhyme for the very first time, each child brings something unique to the stage: themselves.

In every rehearsal, there are moments of real growth. A student who finally speaks loud enough to be heard. A group that finds perfect rhythm in their verse. A Kindergarten child who bravely remembers every word of their rhyme. These are victories just as meaningful as any award.

Through this process, students are building more than performance skills. They are learning resilience, teamwork, expression and confidence. They are discovering how to commit to something, to practise with purpose and to see it through - even when it feels hard. They are learning that creative expression is a strength and that bravery comes in many forms.

We are proud of every student taking part and grateful to our teachers and families who continue to champion the arts in our school. Your support helps nurture confident, creative learners who know how to find their voice and use it.

If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming performances across the grades, please contact me directly via email.

Mrs King
k.king1@bth.catholic.edu.au

Please take note of the following venue details:
🎭 Events at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre do require tickets to be purchased. (3-6 Primary Choir, Years 2,3 and 5 Verse Speaking, String Ensemble)
🏫 Events held at the St John’s Primary School Hall are free and do not require a ticket. (Kindergarten Nursery Rhymes, Year 1, 4 and 6 Reading Solos, Musical Scenes)

The Programs for the Eisteddfod can be accessed here. You can see the session in which your child will be performing : https://www.dubboeisteddfod.org.au/2025-programs

Admission (DRTCC)
Tickets went on sale last Thursday 22nd May @9:30am and can be purchased from DRTCC Box Office or ordered online – please see details below

Admission: $6 (adults, seniors, pensioners and children 6 years and over) Order your tickets online at:

1. https://drtcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/sales
2. Type in Search - Eisteddfod
3. Select which session you wish to attend
4. Payment of your tickets. (Please note: you will have 20 minutes to complete your transaction)

The Dubbo City Eisteddfod organisers have also asked that we make you aware of the below information for events held at The DUbbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS
For the safety and privacy of all participants — especially minors — and in compliance with child protection laws, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices is strictly prohibited during

performances at our events. This policy is in place to protect children at risk, safeguard privacy, and ensure adherence to legal requirements regarding image and video recordings.

Attendees are strictly prohibited from taking photos or videos during performances. Failure to comply with this policy may result in removal from the venue.

Entry to the DRTCC or any other Eisteddfod venue signifies your acceptance of these terms and conditions.

• MOBILE PHONES, SMART PHONES and PAGERS are to be turned to silent whilst in the venue.
• NO FOOD OR DRINKS PERMITTED INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTRE OR THEATRE.
• PUBLIC TOILETS ARE NOT TO BE USED AS DRESSING ROOMS.
• PARKING- Parking around the DRTCC is TIME LIMITED. Please be mindful of parking restrictions. Parking at Number 1 oval may be available.
• REFRESHMENTS – Coffee, food, snacks and cold drinks are available in the Oxley Room.

SPB4L Focus: Appropriate Use of School Toilets
This fortnight, our SPB4L (School-wide Positive Behaviour for Learning) focus is on encouraging responsible and respectful toilet behaviour. Using the toilets properly helps create a safe, clean, and private space for everyone at school.

We’ve been discussing the following key expectations with students:

• Games are for the playground—not the toilets.
• Use the toilet when needed, then move away promptly.
• Wait for friends outside the toilet area.
• Keep food and drinks out of the toilets.
• Only one person per cubicle.
• Always flush after use.
• Wash hands with soap and water, and turn off taps.
• Keep the floor dry and avoid wasting toilet paper.
• Return to class quickly and quietly.
• Respect others’ privacy at all times.
  

By following these simple steps, students help make our school a safe, clean, and respectful place for everyone. Thank you for supporting these positive behaviours at home.

Healthy Lunchbox
A healthy lunchbox gives kids the energy and nutrients they need to learn, play, and grow. It supports concentration, physical activity, and overall wellbeing. Include wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and a calcium-rich food. Water is best to drink—freeze it to keep lunch cool. Limit sugary snacks and drinks. See the attached pamphlet photos for more tips and ideas.

Congratulations to our superstar Spelling Bee contestants; Ranumi, Deliz and Gavin!
On Wednesday the 28th of May, these three students travelled to St Mary’s, Wellington, where they competed against other students from our Diocese in the Spelling Bee Competition.
Ranumi and Deliz competed in the Stage 2 division. Congratulations to Deliz on making it to the finals. A special congratulations to Ranumi who won the entire Stage 2 competition! Well done on this outstanding achievement.
Gavin competed in the Stage 3 division. Congratulations to him on his efforts throughout the day. It was a fantastic day out and I thank the parents who took their child to this event.
Well done Super Spellers! SJP is very proud of your achievements.

Primary Athletics Carnival 2025 – Important Information
Our annual Primary Athletics Carnival is fast approaching, and we are looking forward to an exciting day of sportsmanship, competition, and fun for all students in Years 3–6.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, 1st July 2025 (Week 10)
• Venue: Barden Park on Fitzroy Street

As the carnival is part of the PDHPE program, attendance is compulsory for all students in Years 3–6.
Please note that buses will not be running for this event.

• Drop-off: Students are to arrive at Barden Park between 8:20 am and 8:45 am
• Pick-up: Students can be collected from the venue at 2:30pm

Events & Participation
All students will participate in their age group’s 100m race. 
The other running events that students can enter include the 200m, 800m, and 1500m races. These will be grouped as follows:

• Juniors: 8, 9 & 10 years

• 11 Years

• Seniors: 12 & 13 years

Field event eliminations for Shot Put, Discus, Long Jump, and High Jump will be held at school prior to the carnival. The top 7 competitors in each event will go on to compete in the finals on carnival day.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in both track and field events will qualify to represent St John’s Primary at the Northern Region Athletics Carnival, also at Barden Park, on Wednesday, 30th July.

Parent Helpers Needed
To ensure the day runs smoothly, we are seeking parent helpers to assist with timekeeping and field events. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all volunteers.Please email Mrs Emma Mills if you can assist throughout the day e.mills1@bth.catholic.edu.au

K-2 Athletics Carnival
We are excited to announce that the K–2 Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 1st July 2025 at Barden Park. This fun-filled day will give our youngest students the chance to enjoy a variety of physical activities and showcase their energy and enthusiasm!

Students will travel to Barden Park by bus, departing school at 11:00 am and returning by 2:00pm. 

A special note for Year 2 students turning 8 this year: These students will be participating in their age races and are eligible to try out for field events at school. A Compass post with more information was sent out last Friday. 

 Any year 2’s who have qualified for the field events from the school trials  will need to make their own way to Barden Park and be there after 8:30am. 

We are seeking parent helpers to assist on the day. If you're available and willing to lend a hand, please contact the school office or email Mrs Mills e.mills1@bth.catholic.edu.au.

Paul Kelly Cup Finals
Huge congratulations to our girls AFL team — now crowned Central West Champions!

They braved the cold, wet, and windy conditions in Orange yesterday and delivered some outstanding performances. We’re so proud of their determination and teamwork.

Next stop: Sydney for the Paul Kelly Cup Finals next term🙌🏻

Beanie for Brain and NRL Jersey Cancer Day
Our school is proud to be hosting Mark Hughes Beanie for Brain Cancer Day on Friday 27th of June. 

Our school’s goal is to raise $1000 for the Mark Hughes Foundation. This foundation raises money to support critical research through the Mark Hughes Foundation, which is working tirelessly to improve treatment options, fund research, and ultimately, find a cure for brain cancer.

We have set up a ‘SJP Dubbo’  fundraising page where donations can be made. 

https://mark-hughes-foundation.grassrootz.com/beanieforbraincancer2025/sjp-dubbo

The 2025 Mark Hughes Foundation beanies are here! Check them out at the retailers below if you would like to support the cause or simply grab a cozy new beanie!

• IGA South Dubbo has them available to purchase for $29
• Mark Hughes Foundation site to purchase beanies and other items (caps, scarves, socks, hoodies etc) 

https://shop.markhughesfoundation.com.au/collections/all-products

*note - you do not need to purchase a specific Mark Hughes Foundation beanie to participate in the fundraising day.

Keyboards with Kindergarten Gold
Mrs Lees spent time with our Kindergarten Gold class, introducing them to the keyboard and what an exciting session it was! From discovering where the letters live to typing their names, the room was filled with enthusiasm and curiosity. The children were absolutely buzzing and are already looking forward to Mrs Lees’ next visit for more learning and fun. This week, Mrs Lees will be working with Kindergarten Blue.