Term 2 Week 1 Newsletter 2024
Important Dates
May 03 | Polding Selection Trials, Tamworth (Netball, Rugby League) |
May 06 | Catholic Schools Week commences |
May 07 | Primary Cross Country, Coolah |
May 07 | Rugby League Gala Day (Years 3/4 Boys and Years 5/6 Girls) |
May 08 | Mother's Day Liturgy / Lunch / Open Classrooms |
May 10 | PSSA commences |
June 17 | Kindergarten to Year 6 - School Photos - Full winter uniform to be worn |
Vision Statement:
St. Mary's Primary strives to be a welcoming Christ-centred learning community that promotes a quality holistic education and trusting relationships in a caring and supportive environment.
Acknowledgment of Country: We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people, who, long before us, lived, loved, educated and raised their children on this site. We pay our respects to elders past and present, and we recognise the young people who are our future. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in our community. We respect their deep physical and spiritual connections to the country through their stories traditions and living cultures.
Character Virtue: GRATITUDE
Having gratitude means that you are thankful to God and others for the good things in your life and look for the good side in every situation. You thank people when they help you and don't take your friends, parents or teachers for granted.
From the Principal
Mr Luke Wilson
Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to all the students and families for Term 2. I hope all the students had an enjoyable holiday. Thank you to all of our families who took the opportunity to participate in the Dubbo ANZAC Day March last Tuesday. Seeing our school so well represented at this important community event was great.
Night of the Notables - We had a wonderful night on the last Tuesday of last term and I’d like to thank all of our parents, grandparents and friends who came along and supported our students. Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students who all looked the part and more importantly were able to present lots of engaging information on their notable. Thanks to Miss Herbert, Mr Keady and Mrs Mead, who worked tirelessly to help our students prepare for the evening.
Night of the Notables
Catholic Schools Week - We will celebrate Catholic Schools Week next week, with our main event being our Mother’s Day Liturgy and lunch next Wednesday. Catholic Schools Week aims to raise awareness and celebrate Catholic schools' strengths and distinctiveness. It provides an opportunity for schools to celebrate their Catholic identity, their fundamental role within their local community, and the many positive learning experiences that take place daily. Catholic Schools Week is also about supporting relationships between all who have a stake in Catholic schools - students, staff, families, parish, and wider community members.
Mother’s Day Liturgy, Open Classrooms and BYO Picnic Lunch - All parents but especially the Mothers in our school community are invited to our school for the annual Mother’s Day Liturgy, BYO Picnic Lunch and Open classrooms that will take place next Wednesday, 8th May.
12.00 pm - Mother's Day Liturgy
12.30 pm - Open Classrooms
1.00 pm - BYO Picnic Lunch
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2025 are open - Parents wishing to enrol their child are asked to contact the school to receive a copy of St. Mary’s Enrolment Policy and current Enrolment Application Form. Forms can also be accessed via our school website. A copy of your Child’s Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Immunisation Record, and other supporting documentation will be required to process
your enrolment application. Enrolment interviews for all new families
will commence on Monday, 13th May.
House Award - Morning Tea - Congratulations to the students in Lennon who gained the most points for Term 1 on the Class House Award Chart. KG were our Term 1 Line Award winners. They will receive their special morning tea this Thursday. Students are awarded points for demonstrating excellent behaviour, doing their best school work, effort, attitude and being model students. Ultimately, the House with the most points at the end of 2024 will be awarded the Annette Storer Shield in Term 4.
REMINDER: Notes for Change of Routine
Parents are reminded that notes are required from parents/guardians with accompanying explanation:
- For students to be exempt from Friday sports activities.
- For permission for children to leave the playground accompanied by parent/guardian.
- For ANY change in the usual routine for a child returning home from school.
- For a child to leave school before lessons finish accompanied by parent/guardian
- For a child to attend an appointment, during school hours, accompanied by parent/guardian.
Annual School Improvement Survey - The survey will be sent to Staff, Parents, and Students on 2nd May. The survey will be 'live' for two weeks from the initial 'open' date. Its closing date is 16th May. The purpose of this survey is to provide all stakeholders in our school community with a 'voice' in how our school operates. The survey is straightforward, and your responses are collected, collated and used to inform the school where we are operating well and areas where we may need to improve. this is an important tool that all schools in our Diocese participate in each year. Data from it forms and guides our annual improvement plans for the following year.
Winter Uniform
Officially, the children are to wear their formal winter uniform after the June Long Weekend
on Tuesday, 11th June but if your child is feeling cold,
they can wear their winter uniform from the commencement of Term 2.
School Photographs
School Photographs will be held on Monday, 17th June, 2024.
Children are to wear their formal winter uniform.
Sport
Polding Trials Representatives - Best of luck to the following students who will be trialling for selection in Polding teams this Friday in Tamworth in their respective sports:
Netball: Willow Scott and Taylor Nichols
11 Years Rugby League: Fletcher Pilon, Jake Clarke-Lawrence, Jackson O' Connor and Thomas Alley
12 Years Rugby League: Vin Grey and CJ Gordon
PSSA Competition - The Dubbo District Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) Winter Sports Competition will take place in Term 2 and involve our students in Years 4-6. This competition involves students from the various government primary schools in Dubbo, St Pius X School, and ourselves. Games are held from 11.30 am - 1.00 pm each Friday at various venues throughout Dubbo. Nomination notes will be sent home this week.
The aims of the Dubbo District PSSA competitions are for the children to:
* Enjoy the sport.
* Develop a positive, sportsmanship attitude.
* Develop skills in various sports in a competitive situation.
* Attain higher standards of behaviour.
* Mix with students from other schools through sports.
Religious Education
Mr Tim Keady
RE Coordinator
Dear Parents,
Rise - RISE Youth Festival is for young people in Years 6 to 9 (anyone in Years 10-12 can be involved as a youth team member). The Diocesan Youth Ministers facilitate a festival full of fun, friendship, small group challenges, workshops, games, music and lots of opportunities to encounter Jesus. Register HERE.
Rego is open (even though it's not until July holidays) - St. Brigid’s Parish will subsidise the cost to bring the participant's contribution to $50. We'll also try to arrange transport or carpooling.
Mother’s Day Liturgy, Open Classrooms and BYO Picnic Lunch - Year 6 will lead us in celebrating the amazing efforts of the significant women in our lives on Wednesday, 8th May (Week 2). We will host a Liturgy in our school hall from 12 pm followed by open classrooms. We also invite families to bring along a picnic lunch to share with their children if they would like to.
Confirmation - Confirmation will be held on the 1st/2nd June and 8th/9th June
Preparation Meetings will occur early in Term 2. Families need to attend one meeting each week but can choose different time slots according to what works best. (three sessions in total)
Sessions are as follows:
Sunday after 9am Mass @ 10am 5th May/12th May/19th May
Tues after 5.45pm Mass @ 6.15pm 7th May/14th May/21st May
Wednesday 4.30pm 8th May/15th May/22nd May
Confirmation practice Tuesday 28th May @ 6.15pm
Confirmation will be held on 1st/2nd June with Bishop McKenna.
Parish priests will lead Masses on 8th/9th June.
Confirmation Masses on Saturday @ 5 pm (changed due to the Winter timeslot), Sunday at 9 am and 5 pm
Gospel Focus: Jesus The True Vine (John 15:1-18)
When we stay close to God, our lives will be fruitful and productive.
ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES:
St Brigid's: Saturday - 5pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 5pm
St. Laurence's Church: Sunday - 7.30am
Awards
HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:
| LA SALLE: | McAULEY: | MOORE: | LENNON: |
| Chelsea Meyers -KG | Isabelle Brown - 3B | Ivy Carney - KG | Hank Dunworth - KG |
| Ari Yeo - 3B | Austen O'Connor - 3B | Quinn Wiatkowski - KG | Mollie McNamara - KG |
| Hunter Dixon - 4B | Millie Morris - 4B | Archie Chippendale - 3B | Matilda Walkom - KG |
| Reet Brar - 6B | Zander Rowe - 6B | Heidi Taylor - 3B | Zarlia Neville - 4B |
| Jessica Comber - 6B | Gracie March - 6B | Lily Thornton - 3B | |
| Ruby Barrett - 6B | Connah Maas - 4B | ||
| Anne Campbell - 6B |
Attendance
Students are expected to have above a 95% school attendance rate because days missed can add up to years lost. That’s why making sure your child comes to school every single day (unless genuinely sick) is important.
Maintaining a high school attendance rate, ideally above 95%, is crucial for a student’s academic success and overall development. Here are several reasons why consistent school attendance is important:
- Continuous Learning: Regular attendance ensures that students are consistently exposed to new information and lessons. This continuity is essential for effective learning, as concepts build upon each other over time.
- Development of Learning Skills: School attendance is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing essential learning skills. These skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, are honed through active participation in the learning process.
- Establishment of Routine: Consistent attendance helps students establish a routine, promoting organisational skills and time management. These skills are transferable to various aspects of life and contribute to overall success.
Students are expected to have above a 95% school attendance rate because days missed can add up to years lost. That’s why making sure your child comes to school every single day (unless genuinely sick) is important.
PARTIAL ABSENCES:
Parents must attend the school office to use the Compass Kiosk to complete a PARENT DROP-OFF or PARENT PICK-UP if arriving late or leaving early.
FULL DAY ABSENCES:
A Note should be submitted via Compass for a FULL DAY absence from school.
Reminder: Parents to submit an attendance note within 7 days of absence. Thank you.
Community News
BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are:
Archie Whiteman, Anne Campbell, Lachlan Hattenfels,
Cohen Quigley, Braily Wellman, Harrison O'Brien, Indya Bagrain, Nate Box, Kai Gleeson, Joseph Conte, CJ Gordon, Emily Jones and Mrs Sue Nuttall. We hope you enjoy your birthday!
Glasses FOUND - pick up from the school office.
Canteen
Canteen Roster
TUES Apr 30 | Michelle Brown |
WED May 01 | Alli Sykes, Amanda Cook and Cara Grey |
THURS May 02 | Ash Bower, Tara Taylor and Claire Curtin |
FRI May 03 | Jenna Cooper and Lisa Cowden |
MON May 06 | Zoe Madgwick |