Phone: 6882 2677

Fax: 6884 4500

Email: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au

Fees Enquiries: 6884 8504

Email: dubsjpfees@bth.catholic.edu.au

Term 3 Week 7 August 29, 2016

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 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 Maria Brice Mrs Teagan Hoper

YEAR 1 Mrs Kim English/Mrs Erin Carney

Miss Louise Lindsay Mrs Paula Clifford

YEAR 2 Mrs Gabrielle Jones / Mr David Schwager

Ms Cassandra Hawke

YEAR 3

Miss Anna Veech Mrs Angela Benton/Mrs Sarah Davis

YEAR 4 Mrs Judith Gibson/Mrs Aimee Rose Mrs Laura Emery/Mrs Aimee Rose .

YEAR 5 Miss Emma Bolton/Mrs Amanda Shields

Miss Madelyn Colquhoun YEAR 6

Miss Maddie Redden Mrs Mickaela Wright

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 Amoranto, Mr Trevor

Thomas, Mrs Belinda Montague LIBRARIAN:

Mrs Maree Williams ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

WORKER: Mrs Kristie Daley

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 Mrs Cathy Keevers

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 7. What an

amazing week it was last week

with the presentation of our

Musical Panto production

‘Aladdin Trouble.’ It was a

culmination of a years planning,

6 months of dedicated practise

and rehearsal by some of the

most talented and dedicated students I have had the privilege to see in any school I have

worked in. Every single student is to be congratulated for their enthusiasm and radiant

smiles on stage. What an achievement to have every student in the school given the

opportunity to perform. The main leads were simply amazing. I applaud their talent and

their confidence on the stage. Billy Burden (Aladdin), Isabella Gibson (Jasmine), Dominic

Clifford (Rashar), Jake Egan (who gave the best ‘BAD’

character performance) as Abanazar, Charlize

Mulholland (Wantu), Hebert Hentry and Tamieka

Howey as the Sultan and his wife, Wilson Etcell

(Widow Twanky), Elizabeth and Charlotte Meadows

lit up the stage as Wishy and Washy and Shantel

Mutandwa was simply amazing as the Genie.

The musical could only be made possible with the dedication of the amazing staff at our

school. A huge note of thanks must go to Mrs Dunn whose vision made the musical

possible. I also wish to acknowledge and thank the entire staff for their energy and

dedication to make these events possible. The amazing lights and sound were provided

and coordinated by the Year 11 students from the St Johns College. I thank them for their

time and expertise. I wonder what the next musical will be??

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.

Last Friday was another successful day where the school hall was transformed into a place of collaborative

learning. Mrs Jones organised a successful Olympic themed ‘Challenge Day’. Our students in Years 3 – 6 were

placed in mixed groups to take part in a range of activities researching a variety of countries, science challenges

and sport. Another great day for St John’s Primary. Thanks Mrs Jones.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY – Last week the CEO granted St John’s Primary a staff development day which will be

held on the final day of Term 3. The day is Friday, 23rd of September. The focus of this day will be on STEM

(Science, Technology and Mathematics) and Contemporary Learning Practices. This is a pupil free day.

This week we have another exciting week at St John’s. Our Strings group under the leadership of Mrs Dunn will

be performing in Orange on Tuesday.

Our Year 6 students will be participating in the Gerard Yeo Shield on Wednesday. This is a special day where we

remember Gerard who tragically lost his life in Bali. A range of activities including sport and academic challenges

take place between the four Catholic Dubbo Primary Schools.

Tomorrow evening is the next meeting of our P&F commencing at 7pm. All are welcome.

Gospel and Reflection: Luke 14:1. 7-14

On a Sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him

closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said

this, "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat at the place of honour. A more distin-

guished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you

both may come and say, “Give your place to this man.” And then, to your embar-

rassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a

guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host

comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at

the table will see you are honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be hum-

bled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted."

Then he said to the host, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your

friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by

inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the

lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to

you when the virtuous rise again."

Reflection: Often the consequence of arriving late to Mass, or to a seminar, conference or talk is having to take a

seat in the front row because the seats further back are full. For many people that tendency to choose a place in

the back row makes it rather difficult to relate to the situation Jesus describes, where certain people were vying

to sit in the high places next to the host at the banquet. But at the heart of this parable there is single concept

that is for back row people just as much as it is for those who seek the “high” places.

Jesus uses the word “invited” nine times. Invitation is at the heart of his relationship with each one of us. He

invites us to enter into relationship with him, to enter the banquet room; and then he invites us to come closer

to him.

It is possible to settle down in the back row as an “ordinary Catholic” and to tune out completely the invitation

Jesus offers to come closer to him. The pressures of living can create noise which drowns out the invitation, or

they can make a response seem to be just another pressure.

God Bless and have a wonderful week

Anthony O'Leary

Important Dates to Remember

Aug 30 P&F Meeting 7pm

Aug 31 Year 4 Mass at St Laurence’s

Aug 31 Gerard Yeo Shield (Year 6)

Aug 31 Parent Information Evening for Reconciliation 6pm in St Brigid’s Church

Sept 1 Father’s Day Breakfast 7:30am

Sept 1 Primary Chess Competition—Dubbo Christian School

Sept 2 St John’s College Yr 7 2017 Placement Testing

Sept 9 St Laurence’s Gala Soccer Day (Year 3)

Sept 11 Special First Holy Communion Mass 11am at St Brigid’s Church

Sept 23 PUPIL FREE DAY

SCHOOL FEES

Thank you to all those families who have paid 2016 fees or who have made arrangements to pay by an

approved payment plan to clear before the end of the school year.

If you are not on an agreed payment plan, the due date for payment of Term 3 fees has now passed. If you

have opted to pay by the term and have not finalised your account as yet, could you please do so as soon

as possible.

If there is any reason you cannot finalise your account, please ring 6884 8504 to discuss or email

dubsjpfees@bth.catholic.edu.au

Apologies to Nicholas Peters!

In last week’s newsletter, in our Sports News, we forgot to mention that

Nicholas was also announced as Junior Boy Reserve Champion at the Di-

ocesan Athletics Carnival.

Well done, Nicholas!

Term 4 Bird Study Group

If there is any parent interested and willing to help out with a potential Bird

Study Group in Term 4, please contact Mr Schwager.

The parent would need to be willing to drive several students in their vehicle

on Wednesday afternoons, (approximately 1pm to 2pm)to local locations

and help students with field study and identification of bird species. Mr

Schwager will also be taking his vehicle and students.

There is the opportunity for this to be an exciting extra-curricular activity for

those Primary students with an interest in nature, particularly birdlife. Please

note, at this stage the children involved will be from Grades 5 and 6.

Religious Education News Term Three, Week 7 2016

Yr 6 Religious Education Test Success!

Recently, our school received the results from the annual Year 6 Religious Education Test,

and St John’s is to be congratulated on the outstanding results achieved! Our average

score was 37.8 out of 50 which compares very well to the diocesan average of 31.2. Well

done to all the students and teachers at St John’s Primary!

Certificate of High Distinction:

Connor Callan, Grace Clarke, Elizabeth Meadows, Eoin Quigley, Hebert Hentry,

Harry Callan, Louis Russell, Indianna Bealing, Aswin Gurung, Eva Lordan,

Jade McKeown, Charlotte Meadows, Daniel O’Sullivan, Milla Polley, Elijah Amoranto,

Blake Fox, Zara Fuller, Paige McMahon

Certificate of Distinction:

Samantha Barnes, Lily Crowley, Tamieka Howey, Elle Mulholland, Archer O’Mally, Keira Bussey, Damion Collins, Patrick Davis, Emily Hangan, James Monaro, Noah Smith,

Makayla Tink, Sarah Arragon, Jack Cowper, Nicola Hartley, Nicholas Hayden, Emily Murray, Natahlia Behn, Charlize Mulholland, Joe Pearson, Connor Armstrong,

William Burden, Shyanne Daley, Isabella Gibson, Hannah Maynard

Certificate of Credit: Caitlin Ashcroft, Dominic Clifford, Rubie Cole, Beau Greentree, Shantel Mutandwa,

Charlie Tudor, Laughlin Wilshire, Henry Minney, Keaton Butterworth,

Louise Macfarlane, Justin Scott, Mia Johnston, Broden Konz

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Today, Year 2 parents will receive a detailed note about the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Program which is about to commence. The Parent Information session is on this

Wednesday 31st August at 6pm in St Brigid’s Church. Facilitators for Home Groups are

urgently needed so please consider taking on this important role.

Yr 4 Mass

Yr 4 will be attending the parish mass at St Laurence’s Church at 9.30am this Wednesday.

Families are very welcome to join us.

Wishing you all a good week,

David Schwager (Religious Education Coordinator)

Religious Education News Term Three, Week 7 2016

Congratulations to Connor Callan who “topped” the Year 6 Religious Education Test with a score of

46 out of 50.

We wish Rubie Cole, Keira Bussey, Eva Lordan and Sarah Arragon (absent from photo) the best of luck

as their artworks are now competing in the annual Diocesan Christmas Artwork Competition.

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with Merit

Awards at the School Assembly at the end of Week 4. Certificates awarded at

today’s Assembly will be included in next week’s newsletter.

Kinder Gold Chase Bland, Eva Taylor

Kinder Blue Nullah Baker, Joshua Miles

Year 1 Gold Marshall Brydon, Sommer Pipe

Year 1 Blue Charlie Hayden, Poppy Riley

Year 1 Red Ada Robinson, Leanne Galang

Year 2 Gold

Year 2 Blue James Ray, Naarah Childs

Year 3 Gold Braith Hocking, Elly Mathieson, Preston Winters

Year 3 Blue Ashton Howey, Lachlan Weir

Year 4 Gold Ella Graham, Nicholas Peters, Jonty Winsley

Year 4 Blue Joseph O’Brien, Grace Herbert

Year 5 Gold Mathew Morrow, Jorja Stiles

Year 5 Blue Jorja Edwards, Kye Hutchins, Isla Cole

Year 6 Gold Bianca Simpson, James Monaro

Year 6 Blue Broden Konz, Connor Armstrong, Douglas Foley, Keaton Butterworth

Well done, everyone!

Congratulations to the following St John’s Primary Students who participated in the recent ICAS Writing

Competition Assessment as well as ICAS Spelling Competition Assessment.

Writing : Merit – Yr 4 Abby Osborne

Credit – Yr 4 Ella Graham

Distinction – Yr 5Georgia Brydon,

Distinction – Yr 4 Isabelle Russell

Distinction – Yr 3 Miika Bibb

Spelling: Credit – Yr 4 Isabelle Russell, Abby Osborne, Carrigan Baker

Credit – Yr 3 Jake Hodges, Miika Bibb

Distinction – Yr 4 Nicholas Peters.

Well done everybody.

Library News

The winners of the Children’s Book Council of Australia 2016 Shortlist have been announced!

Younger Readers: Soon - Morris Gleitzman

Soon continues the incredibly moving story of Felix, a Jewish boy still struggling to survive in the wake of the liberation of Poland after World War Two. “When I first met Felix and realised what this young boy was going to be up against, I wanted to equip him with all the personal resources I credibly could. So he became a storyteller. A creative thinker, capable of imagining more than one possible outcome for every situation, no matter how dire. It’s this remarkable capacity for hope and optimism that keeps him going most of the time. Even in his darkest days a glimmer usually remains and no matter how devastating the events around him, Felix always manages to find his way back, sooner or later, to full hopefulness.” Mor-ris Gleitzman

Early Childhood – Mr Huff – Anna Walker

Bill is having a bad day. Mr Huff is following him around and making everything seem difficult. Bill tries to get rid of him, but Mr Huff just gets bigger and bigger! Then they both stop, and a surprising thing happens… Gentle and poignant, affirming and wise, Mr Huff is a story about the clouds and the sun-shine in each of our lives.

Picture Book – Flight –Nadia Wheatley & Armin Greder

Tonight is the night. The family has to flee. They’ve been tipped off that the authorities are after their blood. As the fugitives set off in search of a new home, an ancient story becomes a fable for our times.

These and the other shortlisted books are on display in the library.

CANTEEN NEWS

The Sydney Markets “Fresh for Kids” campaign starts today and runs until the end of term . It’s the same as last year—buy any fresh fruit or salad item and get a sticker. When you have 2 stickers, complete an entry form and you get a free pencil and eraser.

Thursday helper this week is Michelle Brown and Friday’s helper is Tony Simic.

Thanks,

Cathy Dries

St John’s Olympic Challenge Day

This day was held last Friday. Every student from Years 3-6 participated in activities throughout the day. I was

most impressed with the group work and creativity shown throughout the day. The students made flagpoles to

raise and lower their flags, Olympic torches, balancing gymnasts, speed tubes and created a motto and emblem

for our Olympics. They also invented some great new sports for the 2024 Olympics!

Well done. You were all winners on the day.

Gabrielle Jones

Learn to Swim and Water Safety 2016

As part of the PDHPE program at St John’s Primary, students in Kindergarten and Years

1,2 & 3 will be participating in Learn to Swim and Water Safety Activities in Term 4.

Years 1 & 2 in Week 7 which is November 21—25,and

Kindergarten and Year 3 in Week 8 which is November 28 –December

The program will be conducted at the RSL Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Children will

participate in ability group lessons that will be conducted by Austswim qualified

instructors provided by the RSL’s award winning Swim School. The swimming ability

groups will range from the non-swimming ability category through to the capable swim-

mer.

Students will attend each day for one week of 5 intensive swimming and water safety

lessons. The cost of the lessons will be $75 which includes transport by bus to and from

the pool each day. This amount is not covered in your class charges and would be a one

off payment for each child attending the intensive swimming program.

Payment for the Water Safety program will be due by Monday the 7th November.

Permission notes and information in regards to your child’s/childrens swimming ability

will be sent home soon for you to fill out and return to school.

If you have any queries, concerns or would like to discuss any aspect of the program

please do not hesitate to contact the school.

“Bring a Dad to Breakfast to Celebrate”

Children, we invite you

to bring along a Dad,

Step-Dad, Uncle or

Grandpa to

St John’s Primary to

celebrate a great

Father’s Day Breakfast

Date: Thursday, 1st

September

Time: 7.30am — 8.40am

You and your children will

feast on Egg and Bacon Rolls,

Tea, Coffee and Juice Poppers

Bacon and Egg Rolls $3.50

Juice Poppers $1.00

Tea/Coffee FREE

We hope you can come and join us

For catering can you please RSVP by 30/8/2016. Please indicate if you are coming and how many Bacon & Egg Rolls your family would like (orders can be emailed to stjohnspandf@gmail.com):

(DO NOT SEND IN MONEY. PAY ON THE DAY)

Family Name: ____________________________ Quantity: ________

We require some helpers, serving and cleanup. Please tick if you are able to help.

It is greatly appreciated.

Claim the Date

St John’s Baradine

Horse Sports Day

Friday 21st October 2016

At Baradine Showground

Entries due Friday 14th October

Nominations forms are available at

your school office

This day will be followed by the

Baradine Pony Club Blanche Trophy

On Saturday 22nd October 2016