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 3 Week 10 14th September, 2015

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 Teagan Hoper. Mrs Karyn King / Mrs. Sarah Davis

Mrs Maria Brice

YEAR 1

Mrs Kim English/Mrs Paula Clifford Miss Louise Lindsay

YEAR 2 Mrs Gabrielle Jones / Mr David Schwager

Mrs Michelle Noonan

YEAR 3

Miss Anna Veech Mrs Angela Benton/Mrs Amanda Shields

YEAR 4 Mrs Judith Gibson/Mrs Aimee Rose

Ms Carmel Reidy/Mrs Paula Clifford

YEAR 5

Miss Emma Bolton Mrs Katrina Isbester

YEAR 6 Miss Maddie Redden Mrs Mickaela Wright

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Mrs Patricia Toohey, Mr. Adam Foley

Mrs Amanda Shields. Mrs Deanna Swanson

TEACHER’S AIDES: Mrs Harper, Mrs Sissian, Mrs Duncan

Mrs Amoranto, Mrs Montague, Mr Thomas, Mrs Campbell, Mrs.Scott, Mrs Mehta and Mr Doolan

LIBRARIAN: Mrs Maree Williams

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION WORKER:

Miss Kristie Daley.

CREATIVE ARTS:

Mrs Maggie Dunn SCHOOL SECRETARY:

Mrs Margo Green CANTEEN MANAGER:

Mrs Cathy Dries

GENERAL HAND :

Mr. Mark Bradford CLEANER: Mrs. Kerry Iverach

P&F MEETINGS: 3rd Tuesday every month PARENTS/GUARDIANS Please note that photographs of students may be used in this publication. Please advise the School if you do not approve of your child’s photo being used.

From the Principal’s desk…

Welcome to Week 10 and the final week of

Term 3. I must congratulate and give thanks

for all of the dedicated work that has occurred

from our teachers, wonderful students and

very contributing parents. I hope everyone

enjoys the Spring holiday and renews their energy for what will be a fast paced Term 4.

Last week was a significant week for our school as we held the Bathurst Diocesan Art

Show. We welcomed Bishop Michael McKenna and our Executive Director of Schools, Mrs

Jenny Allen, on Thursday for the official opening. It was a wonderful occasion, and I would

like to acknowledge the Year 6 entries from our school. A special well done must go

to .Jamison Auld - 1st Place in Year 6 , Madalyn Sampson - Encouragement Award Year 6

and Daniela De Vera - Catholic Development Fund Award. I must acknowledge the out-

standing work of Miss Lindsay, Miss Redden and Mr Schwager once again for their

leadership and vision. This event was significant, not only for our school but for our

Diocese.

Weekend of 13 September 2015 - 24th Sunday in Ordinary

Time | Year B Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples left for the villages around Caesarea

Philippi. On the way he put this question to his disciples,

‘Who do people say I am?’ And they told him. ‘John the

Baptist,’ they said ‘others Elijah; others again, one of the

prophets. ‘But you,’ he asked, ‘who do you say I am?’ Peter

spoke up and said to him, ‘You are the Christ.’ And he gave

them strict orders not to tell anyone about him.

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer

grievously, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and scribes,

and to be put to death, and after three days to rise again; and he said all of

this quite openly. Then taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with

him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said to him,

‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but

man’s,’

He called the people and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce

himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who

loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will find it.’

Reflection - Peter makes an inspired leap in faith and then shows he does not really understand the practical

implications of his insight. Peter stated his belief that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah Israel had waited so long

for. While he understood who Jesus was, his thinking was still influenced by common ideas about the Messiah as

being a victorious ruler and earthly king.

When Jesus started talking about suffering, being put to death, and rising again, it was a long way from Peter’s

idea of what the Messiah would be. Peter may have been horrified at what Jesus was saying, and have seen it as

his duty to prevent these awful events from befalling Jesus whom he loved. He tried to persuade Jesus not to talk

in this way, and to take steps to protect himself.

The gaps between belief and action disturb, they niggle away in the background and require constant

rationalisation of actions which do not accord with belief, or adjustments to beliefs to justify actions. Being

aware of niggles is a good sign, and one that needs to be followed up. When there are no longer any niggles, then

either belief and action have become a seamless continuum, or our desire to do what we want has led to the

abandonment of a particular belief. Both situations can be present at the same time with regard to different

aspects of our faith.

Change of School for 2016 - To estimate enrolments for 2016, it would be appreciated if the school could be

notified in writing of any children who may be leaving St John’s at the end of the year, from grades other than

Year 6. It would be appreciated if this can be done by the end of Week 1 Term 4.

Student Return: Children will return to school on Tuesday 6th October in summer uniform.

Learn to Swim information for our K - 3 students is in this edition of the Newsletter. This is a wonderful

opportunity for our students.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and rest. I know an exciting Term 4 awaits our return.

God bless,

Anthony O’Leary

Important Dates to Remember

14th –16th September - Christmas Art Exhibition - St John’s Primary School Hall

16th September - Year 2 Mass- St Laurence’s Church (full winter uniform please)

18th September - Term 3 Concludes

6th October - SCHOOL RESUMES FOR TERM 4

13th-15th October—Year 5 Sydney Excursion

COMBINED CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FEES & FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICE We are in the process of finalising the preparation for the Term 3 statement run. You should receive yours in the mail the first week of September. Please open and check your statement and if you have any concerns please ring or email me. It is also a good idea to check against your bank statement. We do not keep copies of statements. Therefore, it is very important that you file in a safe place for future reference.

Yr 12 must be cleared by Graduation Date unless you are on an approved payment plan.

Remember, you now have the option to pay by BPay. If you currently pay by direct deposit from your end you might consider transferring to BPay. Your BPay reference for your individual account is shown at the bottom of your statement. The BPay Biller Code is 178103.

If you are still to do your latest Tax Return, please be reminded that the Capital Works Levy cannot be claimed on your tax as it is a Compulsory Levy.

Please also be advised that this office will be relocating to St John’s Primary in the near future whilst major building work is being undertaken on the Administration area of St Johns College. I will notify via the newsletter when this has happened. Phone, fax and email contacts will remain the same.

If you are experiencing any sort of difficulty meeting your fees commitments it is very important that you let me know as soon as possible. All contact of this nature is confidential.

Regards

Karen Meredith k.meredith@bth.catholic.edu.au Manager 6882 6152

Canteen News Week 10

This is our last week of the ‘Fresh Fruit For Kids’ pencil give away promotion.

All fruit will be 50c this week until sold out.

Have a great school holiday break!

This week’s helper is Mark Polley.

Thanks,

Cathy 0458550747

Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition

Now in its third year, the Bathurst Diocese Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition has become a much-loved tradition in the lead up to competing with other students from the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Diocese of Wollongong. Students from Year 5 and 6 from different schools throughout the Bathurst Diocese are encouraged to create artworks and written reflections on Advent and the meaning of Christmas from their studies in Religious Education. Students from St John’s Primary in Year 6 have been

working vigorously on their artworks over the past 3

months and they should be congratulated on their

outstanding art creations! Approximately 200 students

participated and entered artworks into the competition. We were fortunate enough to have

some of our students receive awards at the Art Exhibition Presentation which was held

last Wednesday at St John's Primary School. The day began with a delightful, reverent

Liturgy followed by the Presentation. The artworks that received an award will now

compete in the Sydney Art Exhibition Competition. All the students should be very proud

of their art works and skills. Well done to the award winners below:

Jamison Auld - 1st Place in Year 6 Madalyn Sampson - Encouragement Award Year 6

Daniela De Vera - Catholic Development Fund Award

2015 Christmas Storytelling - Art Competition Diocesan Exhibition

School Liturgy

Week 10 Library News All library books are now due. Please remind children to return all library books to the library.

School Holidays are a wonderful time to catch up on some reading! Dubbo Theatre and Convention Centre presents a fantastic opportunity for children to meet some of Roald Dahl’s amazing characters.

Saturday 3 October 2015, 6.30pm.

Tues

The World's number 1 storyteller! Think you know the stories of The Three Lit-

tle Pigs, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood,

Snow White, Goldilocks and Jack and the

Beanstalk? Think again!

Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty

Beasts bursts off the page in a spectacular

new live show, taking the world's best-loved

fairy tales and rearranging them with some

unexpected and hilarious twists. A visual

feast that combines a rocking sound track,

immersive lighting design, dance, song,

shadow puppetry and four of the country's

best comic actors who bring over 40 charac-

ters to life.

Seriously funny and frighteningly silly, Roald

Dahl's Revolting Rhymes & Dirty Beasts is

the perfect family entertainment especially

for children 5 to 105.

''You'll laugh, squirm, delight, smile and

thoroughly enjoy the smorgasboard of

Dahl's terrific and twisted tales that have

been lovingly adapted for the stage.'' - Stage

Online

More information is

available at

www.drtcc.com.au

Saturday 3 October 2015, 6:30pm

Tuesday 6 October 2015, 10:00am

Tuesday 6 October 2015, 12noon

Presented by Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre

Adapted for staff by shake & stir theatre co.

Looking for more holiday entertainment? Why not visit the Macquarie Regional Library!

Children are invited to come and listen to stories, make art and craft, meet new friends and have lots of

fun!

Happy Reading and enjoy your spring holiday!

Maree Williams

Librarian

Learn to Swim and Water Safety 2015

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

Years 1,2 & 3 will be participating in Learn to Swim and water safety activities in Term 4

during Week 8 for Years 2 & 3 and Week 9 for Kinder & Year 1.

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

conducted by Austswim qualified instructors provided by the RSL’s award winning Swim

School.

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

lessons. The lessons will cater for all swimming abilities from the non-swimmer to the

capable swimmer. The cost of the lessons will be $65 which includes transport by bus to

and from the pool each day . This amount is not covered in the school fees and will be a

one off payment. Permission notes, further information and payment slips will go out

early in Term 4 and are due back to school by the beginning of Week 6 Term 4.

To help with the smooth running of the program class teachers would be most

appreciative of parent assistance with supervision whist at the pool. Parents willing to

help will need to indicate on their child’s permission note. They may also need to

complete a working with children volunteers declaration form if they haven’t already

done so. These forms are available at the school office.

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

please do not hesitate to contact the school.

MUSIC MATTERS

END OF TERM 3

St Johns Primary Instrumental Students have really made progress this Term!

Our School Concert Band and String Ensemble represented Dubbo in the Primary sections in the

Orange Eisteddfod! This was both a learning and a fun day. 13 Strings travelled with St John’s

College Strings on Tuesday 1st Sept and 19 members of the Concert Band on Friday 4th Sept.

Our groups were able to watch many other great school ensembles which should help lift the bar

of expectations. You can expect more personal training at home!!!

Both groups also performed in the small ensemble class Strings and attained 2nd place in their

presentation of Wynken, Blinken and Nod and Concert Band Highly Commended for Music, Music,

Music. In the larger class, our Strings attained a Highly Commended for The Dark Island and Band

performed commendably Beethoven’s Ninth.

Thank you to all parents for your support and to those who were able to transport gear.

Next term we will hold an INSTRUMENTAL TRY OUT DAY for children who would like to commence

tuition on an instrument. In the first year of tuition we recommend group lessons. These may take

place at school or at the Macquarie Conservatorium.

As some students accelerate faster than others, you may find that your child can work more

effectively with a paired or a private lesson. I will be able to help guide you in matters of music. As

soon as your beginner instrumentalist has enough control of their instrument, we recommend

joining one of the school performance groups because it is in these teams that the magic can

happen! Motivation, discipline, teamwork and leadership roles help grow

an entity such as a Concert Band or a String Ensemble.

Stay Tuned!

Happy Music Making

Mrs Maggie Dunn

0438498099

m.dunn@bth.catholic.edu.au

Community News

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN.

The Earn & Learn promotion has now

finished. Please send your stickers in by

this Wednesday so that our submission can be finalised.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed. We will let you

know what resources the school receives.