Term 3 Week 1 July 23, 2019

www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au

From the Principal’s desk….

Welcome back to all of our families and students – I hope you have enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing break. This term looks to be another busy time of learning at our school for both the students and the teachers. Acceptances for our Kindergarten grade for 2020 have been sent to all families. Enrolments for Kindergarten 2020 remain open. Please encourage families and friends you know with children ready to begin school to come and visit us and see what St John’s has to offer. First Holy Communion Preparation Starts this weekend. The word 'communion' means to be united with; Catholics believe that in Holy Communion we are united in a special way with Jesus Christ. At his last supper, Jesus said of the bread that he shared among his followers, "Take and eat, this is my body." When we receive Holy Communion, Catholics believe that in a mysterious way we are sharing in the body and blood of Christ. Holy Communion and the whole celebration is also known as Eucharist, from a Greek word meaning thanksgiving. First Eucharist is a special occasion - a further step in becoming one with Christ and united with the People of God. For most people first Eucharist takes place at about the age of seven. Children should have an understanding of the sacrament that is appropriate to their age. Hopefully, this understanding will develop over the years. The church affirms that parents are the first educators of their children in the faith. You are handing on your faith to your children all the time. You have the wonderful responsibility of preparing your child to receive the Eucharist for the first time. I will be joining you this Sunday for the first session after Mass.

As we commence our new term it is timely to remember the need for patience when driving around Sheraton Road, particularly in the afternoon. Please ensure you keep an eye on your speed and where the no stopping zones are. The NSW Police do patrol the area regularly to keep us all safe. I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Weekly Gospel and Reflection: Luke 10:38-42

At the Home of Martha and Mary

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet lis-tening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and up-

set about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Mary has chosen

what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

VISION STATEMENT

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

SCHOOL MANAGER/CHAPLIN Father Greg Kennedy PRINCIPAL Mr Anthony O’Leary

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.

‘She has chosen the better part.’ Today’s two stories of hospitality give us much to meditate on. Abraham meets his guests and gives all of his atten-tion to their need for food, drink and comfort. He even waits on them as they eat – and his reward is the promise of a longed-for son. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, but becomes distracted by preparations. Her sister Mary listens, sitting ‘at the Lord’s feet’. Martha’s frustration perhaps belies a desire to do the same. How do we relate to the wisdom of a listening heart? Do we give time to listen to our friends’ needs, give attention to our child’s tales of success, hear the plea of a stranger? Or are we caught up in our own busyness? Be awake, be aware: we may miss an opportunity that may never come again. Let us resolve to be good listeners and so give love to those we meet. God Bless and have a wonderful term Anthony O’Leary

Important Dates to Remember Week 1 Term 3 July 23 - First Day Back for Term 3.

Week 2 Term 3 July 30 - Book Week Parade 10.00am

August 1 - Northern Region Athletics Carnival Barden Park

August 1 - 3Blue Visit to Masonic Village

Week 3 Term 3 August 6 - Stage 3 Maths Day St Mary’s Wellington

August 7 - Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Finals Orange

August 8 - Mary McKillop Liturgy 9.10am

August 8 - Year 3– 6 Christian School Performance

CDF BANKING

Our next rostered banking will be Wednesday

July 24.

Our banking parent for this week is

Brooke Whiteley

Please ensure that child’s banking is sent in to

school before Wednesday .

CANTEEN NEWS WEEK 1 TERM 3

Welcome back for another term.

This weeks Friday helper is Robyn Ryan

Have a great week

Cathy Dries

Religious Education News: Term 3, Week 1

Welcome back: And just like that ...the holidays are over!

A big welcome back to all of our families. I trust you found moments to spend some quality

time with family members over the last couple of weeks and were also able to recharge the

batteries for another busy term.

Sacrament of First Holy Communion: This weekend will see the start of the first week of

preparation for this sacrament. Just like all sacraments which are coordinated by St. Brigid’s

Parish Dubbo, candidates and at least one parent are expected to attend a preparation session each week over the

next 3 weeks. Preparation times and sessions are listed below. Please ensure you schedule in on your weekly family

planner, a time to ensure you attend a session each week.

All students wishing to receive the Sacrament of First Communion this year, should have already enrolled in the sacra-

ment at St. Brigid’s Church. However if this has not been done, you will need to contact St. Brigid’s Sacramental Coor-

dinator Rosie Hosking and inform her that you were unable to attend the enrolment Masses, however if you still wish

for your child to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Term 3. Rosie can be contacted on: sacra-

ments.dubbo@cdob.org.au or 68824233.

Preparation Sessions are offered: Sunday and Tuesday and Thursday each week. You only

need to attend one of these each week.

Social Justice Expo: In the last week of term two, our Year 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to visit St. John’s

College and learn about issues in Social Justice. From all reports, our students found this a valuable experience and

were given great opportunities to learn about issues within our community, how to deal with these issues and to also

grow in their understanding of how to support those in our community

who

are

most in

need.

RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a program developed to encourage community members who would like

to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of our Catholic Faith. If you are interested in finding out more about

the program, please go along to an Inquiry Night being held on Wednesday 7th August at 7:30 at the St. Brigid’s

Presbytery. If you would like any more information you could also contact Geoff and Bridget Mann at the Parish Office

on 68 824233.

Take care,

Paula Clifford Religious Education Coordinator (p.clifford@bth.catholic.edu.au

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s Church: Monday and Friday - 7am, Tuesday and Thursday - 5.45pm

Saturday - 10.00am, Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday-6:00pm.

St. Laurence’s Church: Sunday -7:30am and Wednesday 9.30am

READING IS MY SECRET POWER! BOOK WEEK 2019!

Term 3 is the highlight of the year in the library when we celebrate Book Week. This annual event highlights the im-portance of reading, and draws on the joy of stories and creativity of Australian books. Book Week is about encouraging students to

read; to learn about new books, to share favourite authors and illustrators; to look again at old favourite books in maybe a different

way; to take time to be alone and just read!

The Children’s Book Council of Australia was established in 1945 with the first CBCA Book of the Year Award being presented in 1946.

The slogan for the first Children’s Book Week was United Through Books and there has been a slogan every year since. From the small

list of books entered in 1946, entries have now grown to over 400, highlighting the strength and richness of Australian publishing for

children, and the talent of those who create the books.

The slogan for CBCA Book Week 2019 is Reading is My Secret Power and Bob Graham’s theme poster, rendered in pastel and water-

colour, depicts a bird of paradise leaping triumphantly from the imagination of a little caged bird. Describing his creative process,

Graham said, “After playing around with, I guess, more predictable ideas of children sitting on large piles of books I had numerous

thoughts to do with aspirations and the freeing of ideas and how a certain empowerment and release might come from reading.’ Bob

Graham, a Kate Greenaway Medal recipient and multiple CBCA Book of the Year Winner, won the 2017 Picture Book of the Year for

Home in the Rain. His illustrations exude warmth, playfulness and gentle humour and are known for their celebration of the everyday.

A copy of Bob Graham’s art work and posters are on display in the library.

We begin our celebration of Books and Reading in Week 2.

On Monday we welcome to our school author Gabriel Evans who will be talking to the children about writing and illustrating children’s

books and bringing advanced copies of his new picture book Ollie and Augustus which is due to be released by Walker Books in Sep-

tember.

To encourage a love of reading in our school our library is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair on Tuesday 30th July . A Scholastic Book

Fair is a unique and rewarding experience bringing children into contact with affordable, quality books and providing access to exclu-

sive editions, the newest titles and award-winning books. Everyone in the family will find wonderful books and other exciting products.

Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to encourage your child’s reading and support our library at the same time. Books

may be purchased before school and at lunch time as well as before and after the Book Character Parade on Tuesday.

A major celebration will be our BOOK CHARACTER PARADE on Tuesday 30th July. Children come to school dressed as a book char-

acter. Parents, grandparents and friends are invited to attend the Book Week Character Parade at 10am and to stay for morning tea

with their child. Everyone is also invited to visit the library to view the Book Week Displays and decorations and support the Book

Fair.

Please join us as we celebrate our secret power of reading at St Johns and especially in our library!

Premier’s Reading

Challenge

A reminder that the PRC closes on 30th August. Students must complete their on-line Student Reading Records by Friday 30th

August. If you need extra books to complete the challenge please come and see me in the library. The Macquarie Regional Library also

has many books on the PRC Booklist.

Happy Reading!