From the Principal’s Desk…

Welcome to Week 2. What a great first week back. The students were very

settled and set back to work with enthusiasm. Well done.

Reflection—Canonisation of Pope

John Paul II and Pope John XXIII

Recently we saw the historic double

canonisation of both John Paul II and

Pope John XXIII. At the canonisation

ceremony in Vatican City Pope Francis

read the formal proclamation: " We

declare and define blessed John XXIII and John Paul II to be saints and we

enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as

such by the whole church."

Today we have a number of students competing in the Cross Country

carnival in Coolah. We wish them well and I am sure they will do their very

best.

ENROLMENT FOR 2015 – ENROLMENTS CLOSE 16th

of May

Enrolment Interviews will take place during May.

Please call into the office and collect an enrolment

pack if your child is ready for Kindergarten in 2015. It

is important that we are aware of any siblings commencing Kinder in 2015.

If you have any family or friends that are interested in coming to St John's,

please pass on our contact details. To process the enrolment application a

copy of your child's birth certificate, baptismal certificate, immunisation

record and any other supporting documentation will be required.

Phone: 6882 2677

6882 2653

Fax: 6884 4500

VISION STATEMENT

St John’s Primary School strives to foster a community of faith that is centred on the teachings of Christ, where

love and concern develops the whole child, empowering each individual to realize his/her potential.

Term 2, Week 2 5th May, 2014

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 M a r k M c Gu i g an

S C H O O L C H A P L A I N F a t h e r G r eg Be l l a m y

P R I N C I P A L - M r A n t h o n y O ’ L e a r y

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 Katrina Isbester Mrs Karyn King / Miss Amber Ryan

YEAR 1 Mrs Kim English

Miss Louise Lindsay

YEAR 2

Mr Michael Quade/Mrs Maria Brice Mrs Michelle Noonan

YEAR 3 Mrs Amanda Shields/ Mrs Gabrielle Jones

Mrs Angela Benton/Mrs Maria Brice

YEAR 4

Mrs Carmen Gain Miss Carmel Reidy/Mrs Maria Brice

YEAR 5 Miss Emma Bolton Mrs Kristy Crosby

YEAR 6 Mrs Judy Gibson

Miss Anna Veech

TEACHER’S AIDES: Bronwyn Harper, Maricon Amoranto,

Lucy Sissian, Tracey Duncan, Trevor Thomas, Belinda Montague

LIBRARIAN: Mrs Maree Williams

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs Patricia Toohey

Mrs Deanna Swanson

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION WORKER:

Mrs Mylisa Smith

CREATIVE ARTS:

Mrs Maggie Dunn SCHOOL SECRETARY:

Margo Green

CANTEEN MANAGER: Cathy Dries

GENERAL HAND :

David Englert CLEANER:

Kerry Iverach P&F MEETINGS:

3rd Tuesday every month PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please note that photographs of students may be used in this publica-tion. Please advise the School if you do not approve of your child’s photo being used.

Yesterday, the 3rd Sunday of Easter, the scripture story tells us that on the road to the town of

Emmaus, Jesus met up with two of his disciples, two friends who thought he was gone forever.

They talked about all the things that had happened; they ate with him; they recognized Jesus

as they shared a simple meal with him. Their hearts were warmed by his presence and there

was no doubt in their hearts that Jesus was alive.

As we reflect on their story this week, we ask ourselves could we say the same - do we believe

He truly lives, and if so, how do we experience His presence?

This Thursday we will be celebrating our Mothers with a special Liturgy at 10am

followed by a special morning tea. All are welcome to this celebration.

NAPLAN Testing will commence in Week 3. I would like to encourage all families to

keep these days as normal as possible. Sometimes the media likes to ‘whip up’ sto-

ries about NAPLAN and the My School Website site. They do have their place but remember

they are simply one piece of information about student performance. I want the children to do

their best without adding undue pressure on them. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit for the

National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test from Tuesday 13 May to

Thursday 15 May 2014.

For students in Years 3 and 5, there are four tests covering numeracy, reading, writing and

language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar). The NAPLAN test results and the

student reports are released in September.

The results provide information about student achievement that can be used to inform teaching

and learning programs. NAPLAN tests provide point-in-time information regarding student

progress in literacy and numeracy and are intended to complement the wide range of formal

and informal assessments that are already conducted in schools. NAPLAN test results are not

intended to be used in isolation from other school-based assessment programs.

NEWSLETTER SURVEY: The survey we carried out toward the end of last term only re-

ceived 87 replies. As a result, the parents who requested the newsletter via email will begin to

receive them today. The small number of families who requested a hardcopy newsletter will al-

so receive them each week. For the rest of the school community, the newsletter will be avail-

able on our website: www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au

DROP OFF OF STUDENTS: Just a reminder to parents that when dropping off your children

in the mornings, please do not use the Staff Car Park which is located directly in front of the

School Hall. This area is strictly for the use of school staff.

God Bless.

Anthony O’Leary

Religious Education News Term Two, Week Two 2014

Mother’s Day Liturgy

This Thursday 8th May, we will have a Whole

School Liturgy in our school hall at 10am to

celebrate Mother’s Day, followed by a P&F

Morning Tea for mums. Families are very welcome.

Term 2 Masses

Dates for our Grade Masses this term are:

Year 3: Thursday 22nd May

Year 5: Thursday 29th May

Infants: Wednesday 4th June

Year 6: Tuesday 10th June

Year 4: Wednesday 11th June

NAIDOC Mass-Whole School: 26th June.

All Masses commence at 10am and will be held in

either our school hall or classrooms. Families are

very welcome.

Kind Regards, David Schwager (REC)

Conversations with Kindies!

(As told to Mr Schwager)

Name: Sienna Maiden

Favourite Book: Sleeping Beauty.

Favourite Movie: Monster High.

Favourite Food: Prawns

Favourite Game: Noughts and Crosses

What makes you happy? When somebody

gives me a lolly.

What do you like about St John’s Primary

School? Listening to my teacher.

What do you like about Dubbo? The play-

grounds and the show.

What kind of things do you think you can do in

heaven? Eat food and play, and lay down lots!

How do you try to live like Jesus? You need to

die and go to heaven.

What message would you like to give the rest

of the school? Jesus is important, and girls

should wear a princess crown.

This week's REC Award goes to:

Amara Low

” To Live, Love and Learn

In the Light of Christ”

COMBINED CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FEES & FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICE Term 1 statements – Due date for payment of Term 1 statements was 18 March 2014. If you have elected to pay by the term and have not cleared your account yet, please send in your payment as soon as possible.

Please be advised that the School Fees Committee as a Whole, at its Term 1 School Fees Committee meeting on 19 March 2014, has approved the following:

Rejection Fee – increase in the Rejection Fee from $20.00 to $30.00 per rejection. Therefore, if you are on a Direct Debit pay-ment plan, please ensure that there is enough money in your nominated account when the CDF draws the School Fees pay-ment. As soon as the CDF computers are turned on first thing of a morning, this is when the accounts are debited. It is always a good idea to nominate the payment date to take this into account.

Legal Fee – Solicitor’s initial legal letter fee to be increased from $110.00 to $165.00. This is the initial fee you will incur if your account is referred for recovery through the legal process.

Exit Procedure – One week’s notice is required if your child is intending to Exit the system. This means that you must notify the school at least one week in advance of the impending exit, complete the relevant Student Exit form or Clearance form, contact this office to confirm the impact that the exit will have on your school fees account.

Karen Meredith

Manager

6882 6152

k.meredith@bth.catholic.edu.au

LIBRARY NEWS

Premier’s Reading Challenge

A reminder to the children who are participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge to continue to use the PRC website www.schools.nsw.edu.au/premiersreadingchallenge to access the Booklists, Challenge Rules, Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful Tips as well as entering the books they have read. If children have lost their username and password please come and see me in the library. There are displays of PRC Books in our library marked with the appropriate level PRC label available for borrowing. Children are able to use the computers in the library to access the PRC website and our Library Catalogue. If children need assistance in selecting these books please see me at lunch time.

Scholastic Book Club

The Term 2 Issue for Scholastic Book Club was sent home last week. If you would like to order a book simply fill in the form, include the correct money or cheque and return it in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and class clearly marked on the front of the envelope and on the order form. Ashton Scholastic also offers credit card payment to parents, simply follow the directions at the bottom of the Student Order. Orders are due on Friday 9th May.

Mrs Williams

Project Compassion Boxes

Please return boxes by this Wednesday so we can finalise a cheque from our school. Your

kind donations are greatly appreciated.

School Spelling Bee Final

Congratulations to Eva Lordan, Elijah Amoranto, Robert Foster and Julia

Dickerson who won the finals of our Spelling Bee last week. These 4

children will now represent the school in the Diocesan Spelling Bee in

Wellington later this term.

Important Dates to Remember

*8th May—Clothing Pool Open 8:15—9am *8th May—Mothers Day Liturgy & Morning Tea 10am *9th May—Polding Winter Trials in Tamworth *12th May-15th May—NAPLAN *20th May—ICAS Computer Competition *3rd June—Basketball Skills Session K-3 (SPORTS UNIFORM TO BE WORN) *10th June—Basketball Skills Session K-3 (SPORTS UNIFORM TO BE WORN) *17th June—Basketball Skills Session K-3 (SPORTS UNIFORM TO BE WORN) *18th June—School Photos (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE) *12th—15th August Year 6 Canberra Excursion

Music and Drama News

Students learning both Strings and Band instruments can really develop a greater appreciation of Music, as well as the theory of music, by being a part of a band or ensemble. Discipline and team-work are part of what happens!

Music played with others, is a vital extension of learning an instrument and developing continuity across age groups. Concert Band, String Ensemble and Choir, are additional experiences which allow our children to shine individually and as a collective.

This term, St Johns Primary will run Concert Band, with the assistance of Mr Paul Dunn, on Wednesday mornings from 8.15am each Wednesday of the term in preparation for eisteddfods and school presentations. All students learning Brass, Woodwind, and Piano are invited to belong. Last term, many good piano players began and I hope to see even more join this term. Piano/Keyboards need to experience playing together. In Band, they will play the Glockenspiels and Xylophones as well as keyboards.

String players from past years and current learners are encouraged to develop their skills by joining our String Ensemble which will run each Monday of term 2. Strings will run in school time but on a rotational timetable. Next week 2 it will be at 10am for 45 minutes in the hall. All Violins and Cello players are to bring their instruments to school on Mondays for this combined rehearsal.

Choir for term 2 will also run each Monday in school time and follow a rotational timetable. Choir Children must have a love for singing and good self-discipline. They will be preparing for the Eisteddfod. A Stage 1, 2 and 3 Choir will be formed should there be enough interest. Last term the students in the senior and junior choir really enjoyed our mini rehearsal period. Term 2 will be more consistent being weekly rehearsals and those from Term 1 will be again invited to represent the school in these choral groups. Week 2 Stage 1 Choir-yrs1/2 11.20am, Stage 2 Choir-yrs3/ 4 12.15pm and Stage 3 Choir yrs 5 / 6 1.45pm. Each week I will rotate them around to avoid students missing the same session.

Alice the Musical ……Save the Date for the Musical … Next Term 3…. …….Wednesday evening 27 and Thursday evening 28 August …2014

Thank you for the support you have shown for our school musical. We are currently running through over 60 auditions at lunchtimes, asking students to sing scales, melodies and recite dialogue, so that we may select the students for particular lead parts in Alice. These will continue next week. Once students have been selected for a part, both the student and parents will be contacted.

Save the Date! Two Great Concerts to attend…

The Macquarie Conservatorium is presenting a fabulous Vibes Virtuoso- Nick Parnell on Tuesday 13th May 7.30pm at the Con. More info contact 68846686 or www.macqcon.org.au

* The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will be performing in Dubbo this term!!

The evening concert is on Tuesday 27th May and will be an excellent concert to attend. Please show your support for our theatre and our leading Australian Orchestra. Tickets are available through the DRTCC.

A 2006 graduate of St Johns College, Sebastian Dunn, will be performing with the SSO!

On Wednesday the 28th May, will be taking selected Instrumentalists from our school to attend the Schools performance at 10am! Details to follow.

Happy Music Making!

Mrs Maggie Dunn

ANZAC DAY 2014

George Murphy in Kindergarten Blue drew an impressive picture depicting the ANZAC Day March.

Well done, George!

St John’s Primary Clothing Pool

Our clothing pool will be open this Thursday 8th May inside the library from 8:15am until 9am.

With the winter weather upon us, we thought we should make mention that we do have in stock some

NEW school tracksuits which, if purchased as a full tracksuit, are almost $50 cheaper than the price at

Lowes.

Tracksuit jackets are $55 and we have stock available in Sizes 4, 10, 12, 14 & 16.

Tracksuit pants are $35 and there is stock available in Sizes 4, 6 & 16

Prices for secondhand uniforms are:

$3-00 girls & boys winter shirts

$15-00 girls winter tunics

$5-00 winter pants for girls & boys

$5-00 polar fleeces

All enquiries for the clothing pool can be made to Catherine Osborne

on 0407 386 769.

Our Friday canteen helper for this week is Katie Young.

Have a great week! Mrs Dries & Mrs Whiteley

Community News:

Charity Gold Day

The Good Guys and Burnside Charity Golf

Day will be held on Sunday 18 May 2014.

Interested golfers are asked to contact the

Dubbo Golf Pro Shop on 6882 2201 to book

their place.

The 4 Person Ambrose 18 Hole Handicap

Competition is a noon shot gun start and

costs $25 per player.

The Galloway novice 9 Hole competition

tees off from 9am. Cost is $15 per player.

Raffle tickets are available on the day. Cost

is $2. First prize is a 40” LCD TV. Lots of

great prizes are on

offer on the day.

Enquiries to St John’s

College on 6841

5162.

Members of the Dubbo St Vincent de Paul Society will be

making up baby packs to support women from poor social

circumstances who are transported to Dubbo Base Hospital

in an emergency.

Anyone who is able to help by providing any of the following

good quality secondhand baby items are asked to leave their

donation at the Vinnies centre, 126 Brisbane Street between

9am & 4pm. Or to arrange pick up phone 6882 6972.

Baby wraps, bunny rugs, baby singlets size 0000 & 000, baby

jumpsuits size 0000 & 000, cot/bassinet sheets and blankets,

baby jackets and hats.

Go4Fun is a ten-week healthy lifestyle program targeting over-

weight children aged 7—13 years and their families and delivered throughout Western and Far West

NSW. The program is funded by NSW Ministry of Health as part of the Healthy Children’s initiative.

The program is offered FREE to families. Local, trained leaders use the MEND education program to

combine three essential elements necessary for safe, effective weight management and sustained life-

style change.

Exercise and physical activity

Good nutrition

Behaviour change

A program is scheduled to run in partnership with Dubbo Sport & Recreation, Western Medicare Local

and the NSW Knockout Health Challenge 2014 team in Term 3.

Parents/carers can register their child by calling 1800 780 900 or online at www.go4fun.com.au.

Families registering themselves will assist in encouraging personal responsibility, heightened motivation

and display a commitment to the program.