From the Principal’s Desk…

Welcome to Week 11 and the final week of Term 1. I can’t quite believe that the first term

of the year is nearly over. Although it has been a long term, time

has certainly flown.

‘May the spirit of unity and love reign amongst us’

St Mary MacKillop (1884)

This quote of St Mary MacKillop beautifully sums up this term

and how we have worked together as a community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Greg and

Father Mark and the parish for all they do for the school; our

students for all their hard work this term; our parents for their

continued support; and the staff for their dedication to the students and the school.

As this is the last newsletter before the holidays I hope that all of our families have a

Happy Easter and a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Gospel Reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent (April 6, 2014) John 11:17-18, 19-27

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had

come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that

Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus,

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that

whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.”

Reflection - As Lent draws to a close, the Church gives us the Gospel of the raising of

Lazarus. At Christ’s word, the dead man comes forth, bound in burial cloths, a reminder

that it is never too late to seek new life that comes from Christ. There is no death, no loss,

no corruption, that Christ’s powerful word cannot sweep away. Martha, the loving sister

of Lazarus, is another sign of hope. In her, we find a model of mature faith, a faith that

“comes to believe,” a heart that persists in prayer, even when all hope is lost, and trusts in

God in the face of death itself.

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 1, Week 11 8th April, 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 Erin Carney

Mrs Kristy Crosby

YEAR 6

Mrs Judy Gibson Miss Anna Veech

TEACHER’S AIDES:

Bronwyn Harper, Maricon Amoranto, Trevor Thomas, Belinda

Montague, Lucy Sissian, Tracey Dun-can

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.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, when we feel troubled by our sins, when we are burdened with grief, when we are lost in our

doubts, call us forth with your word of power, set us free and give us life in your presence.

You live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen.

Dr Bill Rogers - Yesterday was an excellent day during which our staff were fortunate to work with Dr Bill Rogers,

who is a world renowned expert in developing positive behaviour management strategies. It is my hope that this

professional development day will be the impetus for some positive changes to our policies and practices, some-

thing I will be encouraging parents to have a significant role in developing. Dr Rogers focused on a number of key

areas. These are:

•Positive Correction: the basic premise that teachers and schools should adopt a non confrontational approach

to discipline, based on positive teacher-student relationships, respect for the dignity and rights of individuals,

choices about consequences of behaviour and encouragement for student self-discipline.

•Prevention: planning for good behaviour; teaching the routines and the rules.

•Consequences: have a clear structure that students understand and use to inform the choices they make.

•Repair & Rebuild: the tools to work hard to build and repair the damage that is done when things don’t work

out.

I am looking forward to the process of developing initiatives after Dr Rogers’ visit.

Kindergarten Enrolments 2015

Enrolments are currently being taken for Kindergarten in 2015. Families who have children wanting to be en-

rolled next year are requested to submit their application as soon as possible. Enrolment forms can be obtained

by phoning the school office or via download from the school website.

Winter Uniform

Children may return in Term 2 in either summer or winter uniform, dependent upon weather conditions. Howev-

er if winter uniform is chosen, the full winter uniform must be worn (which includes long sleeved shirts & ties).

All children are to be in full winter uniform by Monday 2nd June, 2014.

School Newsletter

I would ask everyone to fill out the survey form on page 6 of this newsletter, so that we are able to determine

the most effective way to distribute future newsletters.

Have a safe and Holy Easter. If you are driving, please take plenty of breaks.

Classes will resume for Term 2 on Monday 28th April.

God Bless,

Anthony OLeary

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

Holy Week 2014

The Betrayal. The Passion. The Resurrection.

On Palm Sunday we begin Holy Week: the most spiritually intense week of the Catholic Calendar. Throughout Holy Week there are many opportunities for us to reflect, pray and open ourselves up to the life-changing presence of Christ. In the sacrament of Penance we allow Christ to take our sins away and heal past hurts and regrets. On Holy Thursday we contemplate Christ’s love as he washes the apostles’ feet and as he gives us the Eucharist and the priesthood. On Good Friday we are awe-struck by the spectacle of Christ wiping away our sins with his very blood and we kneel in adoration before the cross: the ultimate sign of God’s love for us. On Holy Saturday we wait in desolation before the tomb. And at Easter the light breaks forth into the world as the King triumphs forever over sin and death.

I invite you to generously enter into the Holy Week liturgies. The times and locations are printed in this newsletter. If you have not attended them before, you may be able to find the time this year. This is a week of betrayal and passion but ultimately resurrection. May it be a time of blessing and renewal for each of us.

Fr Greg Bellamy

School Chaplain

Religious Education News Term One, Week Eleven 2014

First Communion

Don’t forget First Communion Enrolment Packs

must be handed-in to the Parish Office by this

Friday 11th April if you would like your child to

participate in the First Communion program this

year.

ANZAC March

Our school has marched in the Dubbo community’s

ANZAC March for the last four years, and we always

receive positive feedback. If you are interested in

your child marching with us on this important day,

please return the note in this newsletter, so we

have an idea of numbers. All students from Kinder

to Year 6 are very welcome.

On the day, Friday 25th April children are to meet

me in front of the CWA building in Wingewarra St,

(next to the RSL), at 10.15am to begin marching at

10.30. Children should wear their full summer

uniform. A hat, sunscreen and water are essential!

Josh and Nathaniel

Please keep Josh Kearns and Nathaniel Dries in

your thoughts and prayers throughout the

Easter season. Both boys are facing their illness

with bravery and determination.

Bulb Fundraiser

Our bulb orders have now been finalised and

sent off. Thank you to those who joined-in this

simple fundraiser for Project Compassion. We

are now able to add $307.00 to our school’s

donation. Bulbs will be distributed as soon as

they arrive back at school.

Caritas Australia/Project Compassion

It is great that we are already beginning to

receive Project Compassion Boxes that families

have kindly filled with loose change over the

last few weeks. These donations to Caritas

Australia help to build self-reliance through

development programs that enable poor

communities in many countries to help them-

selves out of poverty. It also gives financial

assistance to allow quick response to

emergencies by providing shelter, nutrition and

healthcare. Please return boxes by Week 1 of

next term.

Poetry Winner: Stage 1

I like to write, I like to play

I like to see my friends all day.

I like my teacher, he is cool,

He teaches us to share.

I like my school, it is cool,

It’s a place where we all care!

By Abby Osborne

This week's REC Award goes to:

Harry Meadows

” To Live, Love and Learn

In the Light of Christ”

Religious Education News Term One, Week Eleven 2014

Holy Week

Next week is Holy Week; the week before Easter

Sunday. It is the last week of Lent and recalls the

suffering of Jesus Christ. It begins on Palm (or

Passion) Sunday and ends with the beginning of the

Easter Triduum.

Palm Sunday

This Sunday at Mass we celebrate Passion Sunday.

At this Mass, palm leaves are blessed and carried in

procession to recall the time when Christ entered

Jerusalem and the people called him a king.

Way of the Cross

A great way for families to participate in Holy Week

is by joining-in the annual Parish ’Way of the Cross’

walk on Mugga Hill on Good Friday, 18th April at

10am. This is a popular and thought-provoking

liturgy in a tranquil bush setting. Really keen

walkers can start at 8.30am, leaving from St Brigid’s

Church. Classes will be participating in our own

school ‘Way of the Cross’ this Thursday in our

school hall.

ANZAC Liturgy

In preparation for ANZAC Day, all classes will be

coming together in our school hall this Friday at

11.30am for a simple ANZAC prayer Liturgy.

Families are very welcome to join us.

Washing of the Feet

I am still hoping a parent and child from our

school will nominate this week to represent St

John’s at the Washing of the Feet at our parish

Holy Thursday Mass. It is very simple and in-

volves no speaking. I would hope that students

that nominated for leadership roles in our

school this year, give it serious consideration.

Holy Week Prayer

God our Father,

During this special time, guide our minds and

direct our understanding of the wonder of the

events of this week. May our lives be strength-

ened by the example of Jesus as He demon-

strates his total love for all people. Amen.

I wish everyone a happy, holy and safe Easter

break. Please give consideration to attending

some of the important liturgies and masses

that are occurring in our parish. I look forward

to seeing many of our students at our ANZAC

March.

David Schwager (REC)

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with Merit

Awards at last week’s School Assembly:

Well done to everyone!!

Kinder Gold

Kinder Blue

Year 1 Gold

Year 1 Blue

Year 2 Gold

Year 2 Blue

Year 3 Gold

Year 3 Blue

Year 4 Gold

Year 4 Blue

Year 5 Gold

Year 5 Blue

Year 6 Gold

Year 6 Blue

Amelia Winsley, Grace Ballard

Lilliarna Salmon, James Ray

Andrew Gavrielatos, Holly Bowden

Lilly Isbester, Caitlin Scott

Tori Kearns, Charlotte Ryman

Mia Ovrahim, Lachlan Chapman

Isla Cole, Charlie Saunders

Kate Foley, Jade Turner

Hebert Hentry

Billy Burden, Elizabeth Meadows

Elisa Haynes, Jessica Francis, Ashleigh Young

Charlie Logan, Savannah Ovrahim

Max Walsh, Jeramy Hanna, Belle Lawry

Caitlin Ryman, Felicity Jeresano

ANZAC DAY MARCH

My child, …………………………………… in Class …………. will be available to march with the St

John’s Primary Squad in the Anzac Day March on Friday 25th April, 2014. I will collect my

child from the Cenotaph at the conclusion of the Ceremony.

Signed………………………………………………………..

Important Dates to Remember

*9th April—Healthy Harold Merchandise available for purchase *11th April-Last day of Term 1

*13th April—St John’s Primary Portrait Fundraiser *25th April—ANZAC Day March *28th April First Day Term 2 *1st May—Clothing Pool 8am

*5th May—Cross Country Carnival in Coolah *8th May—Mothers Day Liturgy & Morning Tea 10am

*12th-15th May—NAPLAN *21st May—Netball Development Skills K-2

*22nd May—Netball Development Skills Yrs 3-6 *12th—15th August Year 6 Canberra Excursion

SJP Clothing Pool Open Thursday 1st May at 8:00am

The clothing pool welcomes quality donations.

Donations can be dropped to the SJP office anytime.

The Clothing pool is located inside the library; it is a volunteer service

of the P&F.

Prices vary: $2 for boys shirts, $3 for boys shorts, $2 for girls summer dresses.

Community News:

RSPCA Million Paws Walk

Dubbo Branch of RSPCA is conducting the Million Paws Walk on

Sunday 18th May 2014 at Ollie Robbins Oval from 10am-2pm. Registra-

tion is online www.millionpawswalk.com.au or on the day.

The walk will take place along the Tracker Riley path on the banks of the

Macquarie River. There will be activities after the walk with hot food and

drinks available.

How Would You Like to Receive Our School Newsletter?

Over the last 3 weeks, a hardcopy of our school newsletter has been distributed to every

family within our school. We would now appreciate some feedback from families, so that

we are able to produce the newsletter in a way that best suits the majority of our school

community.

With that in mind, it would be very much appreciated if each family could complete the

following survey and send it back to school before the end of this week. This will

determine how the newsletter is distributed from the beginning of Term 2.

From the beginning of Term I would prefer the receive the school newsletter:

OPTION 1 By email to ……………………………………………………………………………….(please quote email

address)

OPTION 3I would prefer to receive a hard copy of the newsletter to be sent home with my

youngest child …………………………………………………………..(name) in Class………..

OPTION 2By viewing it on the school website

(Please note that even if Option 1 or 2 has the most responses, the newsletter will still be available on

the school website)

Dear Parents,

In Term 2, St John’s Primary will be commencing the “pre” production of “Alice the Musical” by Mark and Helen Johnson.

It’s full of imaginative and colourful characters with a varied musical score to delight both participants and audiences.

There are;

8 main singing leads Alice, White Rabbit, Mouse, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Mock Turtle, Gryphon, King of Hearts

2 narrators

15 minor characters (some with dialogue) Lory, Dodo, Fish and Footman, Duchess, Cook, March Hare, Dormouse, Two, Five and Seven of Hearts, Knave of Hearts.

Dancers (minimum of 7)

Singers for the Chorus-about 15

Each year group will take part in at least one special song, to be inclusive and create a whole school experience.

We hope to stage the show towards the end of term 3.

If you wish your child to audition for a lead /minor part in the musical, please complete and return the lower portion of this form to school asap so that a digital excerpt of a song/dialogue may be forwarded to you for your child’s preparation in the vacation. Auditions will begin at lunch times term 2.

The commitment to the musical is demanding and should not be considered lightly. We want to create the best produc-tion with the talented students, teachers and parents but this will only happen with a sincere work ethic, consistent en-thusiasm and diligent cooperation with the production team.

As well as lunchtime rehearsals, we may need an occasional block of time for the leads on a weekend. Plenty of notice will be given for these additional rehearsals.

Signing this form is only for an audition.

Yours faithfully Mr Anthony O’Leary

Mrs Maggie Dunn Principal

CA SJP

m.dunn@bth.catholic.edu.au

0438498099

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

My Child ______________________ in class_________ has permission to audition for the SJP production Alice the Musi-cal.

Signed_________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Printed Name_____________________________________

Email_________________________________________________________________________________

Mobile__________________________________________

6.00pm Saturday Vigil Mass – Ballimore

6.00pm Saturday Vigil Mass – St Brigid’s

7.30am Mass - St Laurence’s

9.00am Mass – St Brigid’s

6.00pm Mass—St Brigid’s

Sacrament of Penance

2nd Rite of Reconciliation Tuesday April 15th day: 12.30pm St Laurence’s

evening: 7.00pm St Brigid’s

1st Rite of Reconciliation Wednesday April 16th day: 12.30 - 1.00pm St Brigid’s

evening: 6.00 - 7.00pm St Brigid’s

NOTE: The Sacrament of Penance is not celebrated between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday.

7.00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Followed by Veneration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Agape meal will be held in the Hall following the ceremonies

10.00am Public Stations of the Cross – Mugga Hill, Dunedoo Road

* Make a pilgrimage by walking from your home to the Stations at Mugga Hill or join with pilgrims who will leave St Brigid’s car park at 8.30 am

3.00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion - St Brigid’s

10.00am Morning Prayer of Waiting

7.00pm Easter Vigil

Mass 7.30am St Laurence’s

9.00am St Brigid’s

10.00am St Laurence’s

6.00pm St Brigid’s

Baptisms 10.30am St Brigid’s

Mass 9.00am St Brigid’s

St Brigid’s Parish Dubbo

Passion Sunday April 13th

Holy Thursday April 17th

Good Friday April 18th

Holy Saturday April 19th

Easter Sunday April 20th

Easter Monday April 21st