Term 3 Week 5
St John's Primary School
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.
Dates to Remember
Week 5
Monday 18th August - Book Week, Book an Adventure
Thursday 21st August - Book Week Parade - time to be confirmed
Friday 22nd August - Bathurst Primary Diocese Athletics Carnival
Week 6 Monday 25th August - Debating St John's V St Mary's
Wednesday 27th August - Year 2 Wellington Caves Excursion
Principal's News - Mr. O'Leary
Welcome to Week 5 – Mid-Term Update
We have reached the halfway mark of the term, and the pace has been nothing short of amazing. With just the faintest hint of spring in the air, there’s a sense of renewal and energy around the school.
A quick reminder for all families: formal school uniform, including the school tie, must be worn on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have noticed a slight increase in students wearing incorrect uniform items, so we ask for your continued support in ensuring the correct uniform is worn on the designated days. Consistency in uniform reflects pride in our school and sets a strong standard for our students. In relation to change over of summer uniform, I will communicate when change over is on COMPASS and Newsletter.
Assumption of Mary Celebration – Thank You
Last Friday was a truly special day as our school community joined together with St Pius X to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This was a beautiful occasion of shared faith and community spirit.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our wonderful Choir for leading the singing so beautifully, and to Mrs Clifford for her dedication in preparing and coordinating the music. Your efforts helped make this celebration both reverent and uplifting.
Don’t forget that this coming weekend, Sunday 24th of August is the St John’s Primary Mass on Sunday morning at St Brigid’s. It would be great to see you all there - our school family with our Parish family.
P&F Trivia Night – A Great Success
Our sincere thanks to our dedicated and hardworking Parents & Friends Association for organising such a successful Trivia Night last Friday. It was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community connection. Events like this not only raise valuable funds for the school but also strengthen the bonds within our parent community.
Book Week – A Celebration of Reading
This week is one of the most anticipated of the year for our students – Book Week! The joy of literature is alive and well, with activities encouraging our students to explore new worlds and ideas through books.
The highlight of the week will be our Book Parade on Thursday, when students and staff will come dressed as their favourite book characters. We can’t wait to see the creativity and imagination on display.
Year 6 – St John’s College Orientation Day
This Wednesday marks an important step for our Year 6 students as they attend their first Orientation Day at St John’s College. This well-planned program is designed to help our students feel confident and prepared for the transition to high school.
It’s also another wonderful example of the strong partnership between our two schools, ensuring our students’ educational journey is seamless and supportive.
Diocesan Athletics Carnival – Good Luck
This Friday, 22nd August, our talented athletics team will compete in the next stage of the pathway at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at Barden Park.
We wish all our athletes the very best as they represent our school with pride, striving to achieve their personal bests and cheering each other on.
Attendance Focus – Moving Towards Our Goal
Well done, SJP! This week our attendance rate climbed back above 90%, bringing us closer to our school target of 95% attendance every day.
Every day counts in your child’s learning journey, and your support in ensuring consistent attendance is greatly appreciated. Let’s keep aiming high together!
Weekly Gospel and Reflection
Gospel Reading
Luke 12:49-53
Jesus has come not only to bring peace but also division.
Family Connection
Families strive for unity and togetherness. Nobody enjoys occasions when divisions in family life become all too evident. Yet, in this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus says that he has come to bring division and that members of households will be divided.
Talk as a family about the things that you do together to bring about family unity (togetherness), such as sharing meals, going to church together, celebrating special occasions, or sharing family traditions. Explain that all of these things are important and that Jesus wants families to show this kind of love for one another. Point out that this Sunday's Gospel sounds as though Jesus is saying something very different. Tell your children to listen closely as you read aloud Luke 12:49-53.
Explain that sometimes as parents, you have to make decisions that are unpopular with your children. You don't do it to divide the family but because it is the right thing to do. In the short run, such decisions may “divide” children from their parents. In the long run, however, doing the right thing will bring about a deeper unity.
God Bless and have a great week
Anthony O'Leary
School Fees
Instalment 3 was DUE on Friday, 15th August 2025.
For families making regular, weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments please ensure your payment plan is on track to have your school fees account finalised by 30 November 2025.
If you wish to discuss your account please contact the Fees Office on 6884 8504 or email m.lew@bth.catholic.edu.au.
Religion News - Mrs. Clifford
Sacrament of First Holy Communion/Eucharist
This weekend many of our Year 3 students will receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion. Receiving this sacrament is often regarded as one of the highlights for our Year 3 students - we know that many of them have been looking forward to this moment for quite some time! Congratulations to the following students on receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion – a very special moment in your faith journey to treasure and remember always.
Archer, Benjamin, Charlotte, Tawananyasha, Leo, Sage, Kurt Liam, Scarlett, Daicon, Evelyn, Arlo, Chimdiuto, Zara, Isabella, Vinnie, Harper, Chase, Ella, Jarrod, Viru, Dotti, Rylee, Leo, Reuben, Nydel, Andrea.
Emmanuel Worship Concert
Tomorrow - Tuesday 19th August, our Years 5 and 6 students will attend a concert with Emmanuel Worship from 10am-1:30pm at St. John’s College. Emmanuel Worship are a Catholic Worship Ministry that write and perform music based around their passion for Jesus and spreading the Gospel. We trust that our Years 5-6 students will enjoy this experience, and return to school singing and dancing and spreading the message contained within the Emmanuel Worships songs.
Students will need to bring packed recess, lunch and a water bottle + their school hat and be wearing their formal winter school uniform.
Meeting 4 Mass Date
This coming Sunday morning at 9am, our school will celebrate Meeting 4 Mass at St. Brigid’s Church. SJP is a very proud Catholic school with very close connections to St. Brigid’s, so this Mass gives us the opportunity to be actively involved while celebrating our faith together. Thankyou to the many families who have indicated they will be attending and to the students who are willing to carry out roles such as the Offertory Procession or read a Prayer of Intercession/Prayer of the Faithful. We warmly invite all families to join us at St. Brigid’s for Meeting 4 Mass as we come together in faith, prayer, and community.
Christmas Art
Congratulations to the following Year 5 students who have been chosen to enter their Christmas Artwork in the CEDB Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition:
Paige Taylor, Skyli Perera, Joaquin Jalimao, Molly Rohr and Cali Hodder. Finishing touches are currently being added to the students written scripts which accompany the artworks and will be shared in next week’s school newsletter.
Good luck to all our Year 5 students in the CEDB Christmas Art Exhibition – we are very proud of your creative artworks!
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
REC
Wellbeing News - Mrs. Kenny
SPB4L Focus – Joining In Respectfully (Reminder)
As a reminder, our SPB4L focus is on joining in respectfully across all school activities, including classroom learning, liturgies, Masses, games, and play on the playground.
Joining in respectfully means being present, giving full attention, staying calm, listening to others, and including everyone. By doing this, students help create a positive, safe, and welcoming environment where all feel valued.
Students can show respectful participation by:
- Being present – focusing on the activity and those involved
- Giving full attention – setting aside distractions and looking at the speaker or leader
- Being calm – using quiet, respectful voices and still bodies when needed
- Listening carefully – showing they value what others say or share
Including others – making sure everyone feels welcome and able to join in
When students join in respectfully, they show respect not only for others, but also for themselves, their learning, and the wider school community.
Kindness Challenge – Week 2
We are excited to continue our Kindness Challenge this week! The challenge is a wonderful way for our school community to practise care, respect, and inclusion each day. Small acts of kindness make a big difference, helping to create a safe, positive, and welcoming environment for everyone.
This week’s Kindness Challenges:
- Invite someone to join your game
- Let someone go first today
- Wave and smile at someone in a different class
- Tell your teacher something you enjoy about school
- Sit with someone new at break time or lunch
Library News - Mrs. Whale
