Phone: 6882 2677

Fax: 6884 4500

Email: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au

Fees Enquiries: 6884 8504

Email: dubsjpfees@bth.catholic.edu.au

Term 1 Week 2 February 6, 2017

ST JOHNS PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au

138 Sheraton Road

P.O. Box 4914

S C H O O L M A N A G E R F a t h e r G r eg Ken n ed y

S C H O O L C H A P L A I N F a t h e r G r eg Ken n ed y

P R I N C I P A L Mr Anthony O’Leary

A S S I S T A N T P R I N C I P A L M r A d am F o l e y

R E C M r D a v i d S c h w ag e r

PRIMARY COORDINATOR

Mrs Angela Benton TEACHING STAFF:

KINDERGARTEN Mrs Maria Brice Mrs Teagan Hoper

YEAR 1 Mrs Paula Clifford

Miss Cassandra Hawke

YEAR 2

Miss Madeleine Redden Mrs Laura Emery Mrs Angela Benton/ Mrs Sarah Davis

YEAR 3 Ms Anna Veech

Mrs Kim English/Mrs Erin Carney

YEAR 4

Mrs Judith Gibson/Mrs Aimee Rose Ms Louise Lindsay .

YEAR 5 Miss Emma Bolton/Mrs Amanda Shields Mr George Sayers

YEAR 6 Mrs Mickaela Wright

Mr David Schwager/ Mrs Gabrielle Jones

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs Patricia Toohey, Mr Adam Foley Mrs Amanda Shields

TEACHER’S AIDES: Mrs Deanna Swanson, Mrs Bronwyn

Harper, Mrs Tracey Duncan Mrs Maricon Suckling, Mr Trevor

Thomas, Mrs Belinda Montague, Mrs Paula Campbell, Mrs Kristie Scott, Mrs Megan Jones

LIBRARIAN: Mrs Maree Williams

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION WORKER:

CREATIVE ARTS: Mrs Maggie Dunn

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION: Mrs Margo Green, Mrs Karen Meredith

CANTEEN MANAGER: Mrs Cathy Dries

GENERAL HAND : Mr Mark Bradford

CLEANER: Mrs Kerry Iverach

P&F MEETINGS: 2nd & 7th Tuesday each Term PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please note that photographs of students may be used in this publication. Please advise the School Office if you do not approve of your child’s photo being used.

From the Principal’s desk…. Welcome to Week 2. What a happy and confident start to the new academic year last week. I was

very impressed with all of the classes and the smooth way everyone went about their tasks. It was

delightful to see the smiles on the Year 6 students when they were meeting and engaging with their

new Kinder ‘Buddies’. Well done to all.

This week it is going to be another very hot week, with forecast temperatures edging to the 40-

degree mark outside. We will continue to stay under cover at all times and have the hall open.

Please make sure the children come to school with plenty of cool water. The earlier lunch time

should also help in keeping food cooler and fresher.

This week our school will celebrate the start of the school year with our

opening school Mass. The Mass will be celebrated this Thursday at St Brig-

id’s Church. The celebration will also include the badge ceremony for our

2017 School Leaders. This is always a special time for our student leaders

and their families.

Gospel and Reflection: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes taste-

less, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown

out and trampled underfoot by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. No one

lights a lamp to put it under a tub;

they put it on the lamp-stand where it

shines for everyone in the house. In

the same way your light must shine

in the sight of men, so that seeing

your good works, they may give the

praise to your Father in heaven.’

VISION STATEMENT

To change the world through our faith in Jesus who is our light and hope.

Reflection Jesus warns that people who do “good works” are likely to be noticed. In the best of worlds they will inspire others to praise God and perhaps even to do good works themselves. For the truly humble who think only of the needs of the oth-er person, doing good is not accompanied by any soul-searching. The works are simply and quietly done. When people in leadership or high-profile positions do good works their light does indeed shine. Unfortunately its bril-liance can disturb those who harbor jealousy, envy and unfulfilled ambition, and the response is not praise directed to God, but nastiness directed at the person. Across the spectrum of human activity, from children in the playground to adults in their political or working lives, even in families, the beautiful light emanating from someone who is doing good can trigger negative reactions in others. Being attacked by others is not a pleasant experience, and it has the power to cripple our future response. If its effects cannot be overcome it leads to fear of being noticed and limits our ability to respond to the promptings of the Spirit when faced with the opportunity to do good or to take a leadership position. Sports-goods manufacturer Nike has the saying “Just do it” printed on some of its products. As a saying it doesn’t form a total philosophy of life but it can be thought-provoking when considered in the light of the gospel above. When we know what Christ would do, then, as Nike says, we should “just do it”, after making sure that our motives are pure. Shrinking from being “the light of the world” is not an option for Christians. We also have an obligation to examine our own responses to the good done by others. Rejoicing in their achievements, supporting and encouraging their good works and always thanking God who gives us both gifts and good people - all lead to giving praise to our Father in heaven. Responding joyfully to the light which shines through others is as important as being the light ourselves. (Bishops Coun-cil)

Tomorrow evening, (Tuesday) our dedicated P&F will be holding their next meeting

and AGM. Everyone is invited to attend and will be made to feel very welcome. I am

sure that any contribution that you can make to the team will be much appreciated.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Parking areas:

As we are all aware, parking on Sheraton Road can be an issue in the peak afternoon and morning periods. We are fortunate

that we do have a pick zone within our school, and also a wonderful new shelter.

However, it is needs to be noted that the pick up zone is signposted as a ‘Drop Off

and Pick Up Zone Only’ at the specified times (8:00—9:30am and 2:30-3:30pm).

Please ensure you do not park and leave your car unattended during these times.

This causes congestion within the school and as a result an unsafe environment

for the most important part of our school – the children.

If you do need to park to attend an appointment with the class teacher or would

like to escort your children in to their classrooms, you can park inside the school grounds along the northern fence between

our school and Bunnings.

Have a wonderful week and God Bless

Anthony O’Leary

Important Dates to Remember

Feb 8 P&F AGM 7pm in the Staff Room

Feb 8 Visit by Manly Warringah Rugby League Players

Feb 9 Opening School Mass 10am at St Brigid’s Church

Feb 9 School Clothing Pool will be open from 8:30am—9am

Feb 24 Northern Region Swimming Carnival in Gulgong

Mar 1 Ash Wednesday Mass 10am at St Brigid’s Church

Religious Education News Term One, Week Two 2017

Opening School Mass

This Thursday 9th February, the whole school will attend our first Mass of the year at St Brigid’s Church at 10am.

Children will travel to and from school by bus. Families are very welcome to come along and join-in this celebra-

tion. At this Mass our school leaders for 2017 will be inducted. It is important that a family representative is able

to attend for the School Captains, Sport Captains and SRC members to stand with your child, and to assist with the

pinning on of badges. If no family member is able to attend, please let me know so a staff member can assist in

your place. Our theme for the Mass is “Let’s change the World!”.

Ash Wednesday Mass

Also on Wednesday, 1st March at 10am, we will be attending St Brigid’s Church again for our Ash Wednesday

Mass. St Pius X staff and students will be joining us for this Mass. Families are very welcome to attend.

Enjoy your week, David Schwager, Religious Education CoOrdinator

Music Matters

Learning an instrument- now is the time to enrol with the Macquarie Conservatorium tutors! Those students already enrolled know that lessons begin next week commencing Feb 13-17. Macquarie Conservatorium ph 68846686 info@macqcon.org.au

SJP Orchestra will resume next on Thursday mornings 8am - 8.50am in the school hall.(16th Feb) A high level of commitment is required for this specialised team work! Plus it's fun!

Re K-6 music/drama classes. My creative Arts time will happen on Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays. Years 3-6 will be issued with special music exercise books and K-2 with mini project type books. All will need to be colour-fully covered and clearly labelled as soon as they arrive and are sent home. Perhaps your child/ children, can cover it with drawing/ felt pieces/ material/ pics of their favourite things. As long as each book is unique!

Recorders are working well in years 3-6. New students in these years will be issued one. These are kept at school. If a spare recorder was at home for 5 minute quiet practice - it would really help. Practicing silently is both effective and fun. Students simply place the mouthpiece of their home recorder on their chin and place their left hand thumb on the back thumb position, say the letter names as they slowly put fingers down in a special position to make the sound of that letter name. No blowing required:) Conclude silent practice with a little performance with gentle blowing through the recorder!

Great concerts to save the date to attend with family and friends…

Our Macquarie Conservatorium has an excellent Concert Series 2017

This term the Seraphim Trio Friday 3rd March 7.30pm and

The Grigoryan Brothers Tuesday 4th April 7.30pm.

Happy Music Making

Mrs Maggie Dunn

m.dunn@bth.catholic.edu.au

St. John’s Primary Summer Holidays Reading Program

We hope your child was able to continue their efforts in reading over the holidays. Teachers are anticipating that students who were able to do this, may have maintained their reading levels and hopefully established a consistent and enthusiastic approach towards reading without re-garding it as ‘Homework’! We ask that if your child was able to complete their 20 entries on their Reading Log, they return it to school by Wednesday of this week. Why? Because students who were able to do this, will be rewarded with:

Kinder-4 will be rewarded with movie and popcorn party session at the end of

Week 3.

Year 5-6 will be involved in choosing a suitable (upper primary) reward with

their teacher.

Only students who return their reading Log to school which shows evidence

of reading for 20 nights during the holidays will participate in the rewards sessions.

CDF BANKING

Our banking volunteer for next week is Tracy Letfallah.

How Would You Like to Receive Our School Newsletter?

Don’t forget, this will be the last week that every family will receive a hardcopy of

our school newsletter.

Please complete the form below and send it back to school before the end of this

week (Friday 10th February) to indicate how your family would like to receive the

newsletter for 2017. After that date, only those families who have indicated that they would prefer a

hard copy, will receive one. It will be assumed that all other families who have not replied are happy to

view the newsletter online or via the Skoolbag App.

However, for families who were receiving their newsletter via email during 2016, there will be no change

and they will continue to receive the copy each week electronically.

For the 2017 school year I would prefer to receive the school newsletter:

OPTION 1 By email to ……………………………………………………………………………….(please quote email

address) My youngest child’s name is……………………..……………………………….(name) in Class……………...

OPTION 2 I would prefer to receive a hard copy of the newsletter to be sent home with my

youngest child …………………………………………………………..(name) in Class……………………………………...

OPTION 3 By viewing it on the school website (www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au) or

via the Skoolbag App

Canteen News

Hi Everyone, please ensure that you have a 2017 menu as prices have changed.

They are available from the front office as well as the canteen.

Thank you to all those wonderful people who have sent in forms to help out in

canteen. This year we need help on Fridays from 9am til midday. If you would like

to go on the roster, please send in the form below or simply send me a text.

Thanks in advance,

Cathy Dries

Canteen Manager

0458 550 747

Yes I am able to help in the Canteen this year on Friday this year!

Name:……………………………………………………………………………………………

Child’s Class:………………………………

Sports News:

Last Thursday 2nd Feb, St John’s Primary held our Annual Swimming Carnival. The day was a great success with some great

swimming and a lot of fun had by all in attendance. Special thanks must go to all of the parents & helpers who volunteered on

the day to help out with things such as the timekeeping. Without parent helpers who can give up some of their time, sporting

carnivals would not be able to be run as smoothly. Your help with this is very much appreciated.

There was some great racing at the Carnival and St John’s Primary now has a very strong team to take to the Northern Region

Carnival which will be held in Gulgong on Friday 24th February.

At the Northern Region Swimming Carnival, our swimmers will be competing against swimmers from St Laurence’s Dubbo, St

Michael’s Dunedoo, Sacred Heart Coolah, All Hallow’s Gulgong & St Matthew’s Mudgee. Swimmers who place 1st, 2nd or 3rd at

this Carnival or 1st & 2nd in the Team Relays will become part of the Northern Region Swimming Squad to compete at the

Bathurst Diocesan Primary School Swimming Carnival on the 8th March here in Dubbo.

St John’s Primary Swimming Age champions on the day were as follows:

Jun Girl – Abby Osborne

Jun Boy – Connor Hallford

11 yr Girl – Aspen Moore

11 yr Boy – Reef Martin

Sen Girl – Eva Osborne & Xanthe Mara

Sen Boy – Josh Burton

Winning House – LaSalle

Special Note – 11yr Girl Champion Aspen

Moore had numerous record breaking

swims at our carnival which is a fantastic

achievement, some of these records have

stood for a very long time -

NEW Record set by Aspen on 2/2/2017 Old Record Holder & Year

Girls 100mFreestyle – 1.09.60

1.12.40 H. Clatworthy 1971

11yr Girls 50m Free – 31.16

33.66

G. Henley 2004

11yr Girls 50m Backstroke -39.08

44.06

G. Brown 2002

11yr Girls 50m Butterfly – 36.69

39.35

J. Moore 1995

11yr Girls 50m Breaststroke – 43.52

44.82

R. Dawson 1997

Girls 11-13yr 200m IM – 3.04.16

3.10.64

O. Mulholland

2011

Helen Clatworthy visited St John’s Primary today to

congratulate Aspen on her great effort.

Aspen broke Ms Clatworthy’s record for the 100m

Freestyle swim by 2.8seconds.

SKOOLBAG APP

St John’s Primary has a

Skoolbag App which is a great

source of communication.

Download the app on your

phone today and receive your

newsletters, updates on return

from children’s excursions,

events, etc.

You may also send change of

address/contact details.

PICKUP SHELTER

This was the P&F major

fundraiser for 2016. It could

not of been achieved without

the help of:

* Castlereagh Hotel

* David Funt Building

* McNamara’s Landscaping

* Metroll Steel

* School Families & extended

community from our 2016

Fete and Trivia Night

St John’s Primary P&F AGM

Tuesday 7 February 2017, 7pm, Teachers Staff Room

EVERYONE Welcome

We extend a warm welcome to all the existing and new families of St John’s Primary

to the P&F AGM.

Please view the link to the following:

Constitution - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwPLjfAgGWkOcFRHc1Y2X2NyTUk

Meeting Procedures - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwPLjfAgGWkOZERyOW9wX3BYS00

Roles and Responsibilities - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwPLjfAgGWkOakNkWFEwQXZiYUE

The Council of Catholic Parents School - https://drive.google.com/open?

id=0BwPLjfAgGWkOUzZfR0dNRWNXakU

During the AGM please discuss what outcome you would like or 2017 by way of fundraising, resources

for the school, school community events so this can be all brought to the new panel. Please go to the

anonymous link - https://drive.google.com/open?

id=1YZRZ6cMUYFYxBbIwQVXQ1fBOnHhq0ibnWJJbNN8x1Zw

If you would like to receive a copy of the P&F minutes each month please email: stjohnspandf@gmail.com

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING the P&F or ATTENDING

MEETINGS:

1. Money raised in school fundraisers is often used to pay for those little extras that can make a school a bit special, be

it an interactive whiteboard, reading resources, iPads, blinds in classroom etc.

2. Knowing that they can (within reason) predict a certain level of fundraised extra income each year will allow your

school to plan an effective and realistic budget.

3. Helping at P&F fundraising events helps you get to know your child's teachers better and understand the way the

school works.

4. Being part of the P&F helps you get to know other parents and their children. This is important for school matters

but also great for a more active social life!

5. By joining the P&F you have the chance to promote and enhance your school's standing within your local communi-

ty and with school appraisal teams.

6. Although occasionally embarrassed, most children do actually like to know that you are there for them, taking an

interest and sharing their experience.

7. Talking to other parents helps you and them. Sharing experiences and parenting tips helps us all.

8. The commitment is not too much. The occasional evening meeting and the odd function or school fundraiser.

9. Everyone has different talents and skills they can bring to the school and parents are a great interface between the

school and the 'outside world'. Very handy for raffle prizes, sponsorship or professional help.

10. It’s actually quite fun to run the 'splat the rat' stall at the school fete. Or watch the kids enjoy themselves at the

school disco . Isn't this what it’s all about—part of the whole parenting package.

Belinda Tink

P&F President

Dubbo District Girl Guides Come Try Guiding

Come for a free visit and try Girl Guides - Sunday 5th February 2017 from 2-

4pm at West Dubbo Guide Hall, Cnr Howard Avenue and Baird Drive.

We have vacancies for all age groups:

Junior Guides (ages 6-10) Guides (ages 10-14) Senior Guides (ages 14-17)

Girl Guides is about having fun, making friends, learning skills and being part of the wider community. For more information, call Amanda Manderson on 0409 918 217. You will find there’s a lot more to Girl Guides than you realise!

“Empowering girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsi-

ble, community members”

St. John’s Junior Rugby League Registration Day – New Players

New players aged under 11-16s can express their interest in playing with the club by emailing

stjohnsddjrl@live,com or attending the new players registration afternoon.

When: Friday 10th February

Time: 4pm – 5pm

Where: Junior League Club House – Apex Oval

Cost: $185 per child or $310 family

Players from last year and new under 6s-10s need to register and pay online. They do not need to

attend.

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/club_info.cgi?c=7-2466-96419-0-0&sID=23996

COMMUNITY NEWS:

RSL YOUTH SOCCER CLUB REGISTRATION

Saturday 11th February 11am– 1pm at Orana Mall (near Urban Beach)

Sunday 19th February 11am– 1pm at McDonalds in Cobra Street

Contact details Danielle (Registrar) 0405 127 331

SIP

Spirituality in the Pub The first SIP for 2017 in Dubbo will be held on

Wednesday 22nd

February

at the Commercial Hotel, Brisbane St.

“BUILDING COMMUNITY

Finding your place”

We start with a meal at 6:30 -

alternate meals of fish or chicken for $15, paid at the door.

Speakers will commence at 7:30

followed by a short break and then question time until 9pm.

We need numbers by Sun 19th Feb.

Contact St Brigid’s

Phone: 6882 4233 email: office.dubbo@cdob.org.au

or place your name on the board

in the church foyer the weekend prior to 22nd