Week 6 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.

WEEK 6                                                                                                                                    Tuesday 19th November - 2025 Captains Speeches 9.15am                                                                        Thursday 21st November -  Kindergarten Orientation Day 9.15am -10.45am                                                  Thursday 21st November  - Year 5 Leadership Day SJC                                                                                  Friday 22nd November - Colour Explosion Run 1.15pm - 2.30pm

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

Welcome to Week 6

Firstly, a huge thank you to our Year 5 staff for their incredible organisation and dedication in planning the recent excursion to Sydney. The students had an amazing time, and their behaviour was exemplary. We are so proud of them! There were countless highlights, including visits to Mary MacKillop Place, surfing at Long Reef Beach, riding the Manly Ferry, enjoying fun and games at Time zone, and exploring Chinatown and the nearby gardens. These experiences have created wonderful memories for everyone involved.

Kindergarten 2025

Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to welcome our new Kindergarten students for 2025, as their orientation begins this week on Thursday, November 21st. The Kindergarten Parent Information Session was very well attended, and a big note of thanks goes to our dedicated Kinder team for all their planning and preparation. It’s an exciting time for our newest learners and their families as they start their journey with us.

2025 Year 6 Captain Speeches

Tomorrow, Tuesday, 19th November, we wish the best of luck to our future Year 6 leaders as the Year 5 students deliver their leadership speeches. We are fortunate to have many fine candidates this year, and we know they’ll all do a wonderful job. Best of luck to everyone involved!

End of Year Uniform Reminder

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to ensure all students are wearing the correct school uniform each day. A huge thank you to the vast majority of our students and families who consistently support our uniform standards. Please make sure your child’s uniform is clean, tidy, and includes all-black shoes. Remember that hats are required daily for sun safety.

Jewellery Guidelines:

• Acceptable jewellery includes one pair of plain studs or sleepers, a wristwatch, or religious jewellery such as a cross or religious symbol on a necklace.
• Smartwatches that can make or receive calls are not allowed without a signed agreement, and communication features must be turned off. These are generally discouraged for school.

Hair Standards:

• Hair should be neat, tidy, and kept out of the eyes. Hair that falls below collar length must be tied back, and hair accessories must be in school colours.
• Extreme hairstyles, such as dyed hair, shaved symbols, or rat's tails, are not permitted.

Thank you for helping us uphold these standards and for ensuring all students represent our school with pride and respect.

Online Safety for Children in a Digital Age

In today’s increasingly digital world, it’s essential to address online safety for our children, who are often engaging with platforms like online games, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat. While these can be enjoyable and educational, they also present risks. By working together as a community, we can help protect our children from online dangers and minimize issues that affect their school experience. 

Snapchat

We have recently seen issues with Snapchat use outside of school impacting students inside the school. Snapchat is intended for users aged 13 and older, which means primary-aged students should not be using this app. Snapchat’s disappearing messages and stories can encourage impulsive behaviour, and children may feel that what they post is temporary. However, these messages and images can be screenshotted or shared, leading to conflicts, rumours, or bullying that spill over into school. It’s crucial to:

• Discourage Snapchat use entirely for primary students due to age restrictions and the app’s nature.
• Teach children to consider carefully what they share and with whom, even in “private” conversations.
• Encourage open discussions with your child about responsible social media behaviour and the potential consequences of impulsive posts.

Online Gaming with Chat Functions

Online games like Roblox and Fortnite are popular among children and offer fun, interactive ways to connect. However, chat functions in these games can expose them to inappropriate content, cyber-bullying, and even online predators. For instance, Fortnite, rated for ages 13+, should be closely monitored if permitted. To enhance e-safety at home, consider:

• Using parental controls
• Restricting chat functions
• Monitoring the games your child plays and the people they interact with

YouTube

YouTube is a valuable platform for learning and entertainment but also has risks. Children may accidentally come across inappropriate content or harmful comments. Using YouTube Kids, a safer version of the platform, can help reduce risks, but it's still best to regularly check in on your child’s activity.

TikTok

TikTok’s creative appeal is strong among young users, but it also carries safety concerns. The app’s algorithm may expose children to inappropriate content, and interaction with strangers is a possibility. TikTok is also intended for users 13 and older, meaning primary-aged students should not be using the platform. We suggest setting accounts to private, monitoring activity, and reminding children not to share personal information.

General Online Safety Tips

• Open Communication: Maintain an open dialogue with your child about their online activities. Encourage them to talk to you if they encounter anything uncomfortable.
• Set Boundaries: Establish screen time rules and limits on content. Don’t hesitate to say “No” even if your child claims “everyone else is allowed.”
• Educate: Teach your child about internet dangers and the importance of protecting personal information.

By taking the time to engage with our children about online safety, we can create a secure environment for them to explore the digital world responsibly, enjoying its benefits while minimizing risks. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our children safe online and supporting a positive school environment.

For additional resources and guidance on online safety, please visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website at esafety.gov.au/parents. This website offers valuable information on helping children stay safe online, with tips on managing screen time, setting boundaries, and using parental controls effectively. It also provides advice specific to various platforms and apps to help parents stay informed and proactive in protecting their children online.

Leaving Families

Any families who know that they will be leaving St John's at the end of the year (except for year 6) can you please notify the school as soon as possible. We do have an exit form that will needs to be completed prior to you leaving. See our school office for this form.

Colour Explosion Day

Finally, this Friday is our much-anticipated Colour Explosion Day! The children are set to enjoy a fantastic day filled with water play, massive slides, and, of course, the excitement of the run while getting covered in colourful dye. It promises to be a memorable and joyful day for all.

Have a wonderful week and God Bless.                                                                                                           Anthony O'Leary

Gospel and Reflection Mark 13:24-32 24 

“But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’[a]26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Family Connection

Many things in our lives and in our world are subject to change. Yet all of us find security in relationships and values that endure. Foremost among these are our family relationships. We can confidently accept change if we know that we will continue to be loved by our family and by God. We help impart this sense of trust and confidence in our children with our daily assurances to them that nothing can change our love for them.

As you gather as a family, look through several family photo albums. Observe and talk about things that have changed in your family life over the years. Talk also about the things that have stayed the same. We do not need to fear changes in our family life because we know that the most important aspects of our family life do not change, such as our love for one another. The same is true with God and God’s love for us.

Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal

Can you believe it is already that time of the year again!? Christmas preparations also mean we begin our Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal. For many years now, SJP has contributed in a large way to the wellbeing of local Dubbo families who are in need of support at Christmas time through the donation of food hampers. This has been greatly appreciated by St Vincent de Paul and the families who have been the recipients of the approx. 300 hampers. Once again, in 2024 we will continue this tradition of generous giving. 

SJP generously participate in the appeal by asking all students to purchase one grocery item to make a class hamper. When everyone contributes, 1 large hamper is collected from each class. 

Parents, we ask that you please understand our willingness and enthusiasm to assist those families who appreciate our support at Christmas time. Parents are asked to 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. If your child has not brought a Vinnies Hamper note home within the next couple of days, please contact your child’s teacher.

Year 5 Leadership Day

This Thursday 21st November,  our Year 5 students will have the opportunity to meet with Mrs Burden and several Year 10 St. John’s College students to foster discussion about their leadership role as Year 6’s in 2025. We know from previous years, this Leadership Day provides our students with opportunities to explore how students can use their skills and qualities as leaders. A particular focus will be on serving the school community - with the theme and focus being to serve and lead as Jesus did. We know our Year 5 cohort will enjoy this day and hopefully it will begin to prepare all of them, to be leaders of our school next year.

St. John’s Primary Mass

Next Sunday, 1st December, 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 is also the Mass we have selected for our Term 3 Meeting 4 Mass. Students will all receive a Meeting 4 Mass invite from class teachers over the next week and 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.

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

As this busy year draws to a close soon, I would like parents to be aware of a couple of important end of year events:

• Whole School End of Year Mass at St. Brigid’s, Monday 16th December @10am. All parents are welcome to attend.
  
• Year 6 2024 Graduation Mass at St Brigid's Church and Dance at St Brigid's Hall starting @ 5:30, Tuesday 17th December. Year 6 students and parents to attend.

Mass at St. Brigid’s Church

Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm

Enjoy your week!                                                                                                                                                Paula Clifford                                                                                                                                                  Religious Education Coordinator

SPB4L

Our SPB4L focus was introduced at our fortnightly assembly and the focus is ‘using kind and appropriate words towards others’. We discussed 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 also discussed how these kind and appropriate words make others feel. 

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.