Term 1 Week 1 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

WELCOME BACK FOR THE 2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Welcome back to school, everyone! I am very excited about the year ahead. I look forward to working with each and every one of you to create an environment where our students can learn, grow, and thrive. Welcome to our Kindergarten children and to all the new families that are joining our school community. We look forward to building a strong partnership with each of you and thank you for placing your trust in us as a school community.
We also look forward to continuing our partnership with our returning families. Over the first couple of weeks, the teachers will spend time getting to know their students. The students will spend time learning about classroom expectations to ensure a smooth and high-performing classroom setting. We focus on being 'Ready for Learning,' which assists all students in building their knowledge of classroom expectations and routines, enabling a smooth, predictable working environment.
Once again, we will ensure that our students are familiar with the language of the Zones of Regulation, which provides a common language we can all use to assist students in recognising and naming how they are feeling. We will send a copy of the chart that outlines the language home to every family.

2025 CORE VALUE - HOPE

This year our school core value focus will be hope. This focus connects beautifully with the Jubilee Year theme, "Pilgrims of Hope", which invites us to journey together with trust in God’s love and a positive outlook for the future.

A Jubilee Year in the Catholic tradition is a special time of renewal, reflection, and celebration. It is an opportunity to strengthen our faith and come together as a community to focus on the things that matter most—our relationships with God and one another.

Hope is about believing that, even in difficult times, there are brighter days ahead. It’s about teaching our children to face challenges with courage and to trust that good things are possible. As parents and educators, we play an important role in showing them how to keep moving forward, even when life feels uncertain.

The words of Desmond Tutu capture this so well: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Let this be a year where we work together to bring that light to each other and to our children, so they can grow with confidence, kindness, and faith in their future.

EVERY DAY COUNTS: WHY 95% ATTENDANCE IS KEY TO YOUR CHILD’S SUCCESS

Students are expected to have above a 95% school attendance rate because days missed can add up to years lost. That’s why making sure your child comes to school every single day (unless genuinely sick) is important.

Maintaining a high school attendance rate, ideally above 95%, is crucial for a student’s academic success and overall development. Here are several reasons why consistent school attendance is important:

• Continuous Learning. Regular attendance ensures that students are consistently exposed to new information and lessons. This continuity is essential for effective learning, as concepts build upon each other over time.
• Development of Learning Skills. School attendance is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing essential learning skills. These skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, are honed through active participation in the learning process.
• Establishment of Routine. Consistent attendance helps students establish a routine, promoting organisational skills and time management. These skills are transferable to various aspects of life and contribute to overall success.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PHOTOS: KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

As we begin another school year, many families love to capture and share those special first-day moments. However, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is reminding parents and carers to be mindful of online safety when posting back-to-school photos.

The first day of the school year is an important milestone families often celebrate with happy snaps of smiling students in their new uniforms.

But AFP Commander Helen Schneider said before sharing those images on social media, it was important to be vigilant about what information they contained and who might have access.

"It is an unfortunate reality that innocently posted pictures have been taken, shared and altered by those who have less-than-innocent intentions," Commander Schneider said. "The AFP has seen non-explicit pictures of children and young people become the target of highly sexualised and inappropriate comments or role play, which our investigators define as text-based child abuse material. While these incidents are rare, the sad reality is they do happen, which is why we are urging families to be proactive with keeping their child's information safe as the 2025 school year gets under way. Small actions can mitigate big risks. Something as simple as blurring or obscuring the logo of your child's school on their uniform or in the background of an image can help ensure they don't become a target. Seemingly innocuous details - such as a child or young person's favourite hobby or a street address visible on the front door - can enable offenders to build a profile of the child with the intent of grooming them, or even manipulating parents or carers to gain access or leverage. I also urge parents and carers to check their privacy settings to ensure pictures and information can only be accessed by trusted friends and relatives."

A privacy check-up should include the following:

• Check your privacy settings and make sure your social media accounts are secure and set to private or 'friends only';
• Check the privacy settings on the device you are using;
• If another person is taking photos of your child, talk to them about how the photos will be used and how they will be shared;
• Ensure the background doesn't give away your address or location. Don't post your location or 'check in';
• Keep your child's uniform logo hidden; and
• Don't publicly share your child's full name and age.
  

Top tips for parents and carers:

• Keep your child's personal information including full name and age private
• Ensure the background of photos or videos doesn't give away your address or location, (and don't post your location or 'check in')
• Avoid posting photos in school uniform
• Only share images of your children with people you know and trust
• For community accounts, consider having a closed group with approved members and ensure you have strong privacy settings in place.

WELCOME NEW FAMILIES

We welcome a number of new families to our school community this year:

Jason & Karen Robertson - Jack (Kinder); Timothy & Erin Barrett - Abby (Kinder); Jesse & Kim Bloink - Connor (Kinder); Mark & Lynn Rayner - Thomas (Kinder); Robert & Angela Harley - Molly (Kinder); Leonard & Julia Darlington - Sidney (Kinder); Jestone & Mae Ann Billocog - Elyon Cody (Kinder); Sarah & Diarmaid O'Shea - Cliodhna (Kinder); Peter Haswell & Lauren Williams - Aria (Kinder); Danielle & Rory Hampstead - Flynn (Kinder); Sean & Hannah Walkom - Lane (Kinder); Scott & Jessica Burnett - Hudson (Kinder); Emma Trudgett - Frankie-Jay (Kinder); Anthony & Anabelle Nei - Aaron (Kinder); Sam Mason & Tanya Forster - Harry (Kinder); Sarah Mosley - Airlie (Kinder), James & Jessica Wood - William (Kinder); Matthew & Jenna Canobie - Lachlan (Kinder); David Whitling & Diane Tattersall - David (Kinder); Anthony Webber & Trish Crisante - Julian (Year 6)

2025 STAFFING

We welcome a new staff member to our Admin team. Hannah Ogilvie joins us as a new Administration Assistant. We know that all she will make a positive contribution to our school community.

KINDER - Carmen Gain
YEAR 1 - Kellie Rowe
YEAR 2 - Claire Bynon
YEAR 3 - Monique Donoghue (Mon, Tues, Wed) & Jo Trimboli (Thurs, Fri)
YEAR 4 - Alicia O'Connor (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri) & Jo Tegart (Thurs)
YEAR 5 - Jack Inglis
YEAR 6 - Andrew Long

SUPPORT & WELLBEING - Robyn Harvey

EALD - Gemma Masters

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL & TIER 2 - Amanda Shields

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR - Alicia O'Connor

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION OFFICERS - Sarah Goodwin (Mon, Tues, Wed) & Courtney Monaghan (Thurs, Fri)

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS - Jan Matterson, Lara Winterton, Courtney Monaghan (Mon, Tues, Wed), Ella Stewart, Michelle Dickerson, Kim Dunn, Leanne Ravot

RELEASE FROM FACE TO FACE - Melinda Puckeridge

ADMINISTRATION - Susan Alley, Cara Grey, Hannah Ogilvie

CANTEEN - Keira Job

CLEANER - Kym Johnson

MAINTENANCE - Peter Fahy

CHARTER FOR SCHOOLS, PARENTS & VOLUNTEERS - TO BE COMPLETED ON COMPASS

We use COMPASS to distribute the 'Charter for Schools, Parents, and Volunteers' to parents for review and acknowledgment. By digitally accepting this agreement, you confirm that you agree to the terms outlined in the charter. You will receive an alert in the next week or so, which will present as a green bar with the words, Course Confirmations. PLEASE NOTE there will be no payment or service charges required to complete this agreement. If you have any trouble with accessing or completing the agreement, please contact the school for assistance.

1. Select the green alert bar
2. Select 2025 Student Course link
3. Select NEXT
4. Select the blue document link and read through the policy, then close the document and go back to COMPASS
5. Select the relevant selections for parent agreement
6. Completed

WE LOVE PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We warmly welcome and encourage parents to actively participate in our vibrant school community. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved and make a meaningful contribution. Whether it’s helping in the classroom, assisting in the canteen, supporting sporting or extracurricular activities, or joining our P&F Association, there are many opportunities to be part of the St Laurence's experience. We invite you to consider sharing your time and talents in one or more of these activities and becoming an integral part of our school community.

COMMUNICATION AT ST LAURENCE'S

At St Laurence's, we foster a culture of open and respectful communication that promotes collaboration and strong partnerships between staff and families. All staff members share their email addresses with families to make communication easier.

While email is a quick way to send a message, it may not always be the fastest way to get a response. If your matter is urgent, please call the office and ask for the message to be relayed to the teacher, as teachers often do not have time to check emails during the day.

Please note that staff emails are not expected to be monitored between 5pm and 7am. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring effective communication.

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

Jubilee Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope

Welcome to 2025, a Jubilee year. It is a special year of grace and conversion, involving prayer, pilgrimage and sacramental repentance, held every 25 years, or during other years as called for by the Pope. Through a series of concrete rituals, acts and commitments, the goal of a Jubilee year is to inspire and encourage holiness of life among the faithful and therefore to strengthen the Church’s witness to God’s loving mercy in and for the world.

The word "jubilee" is derived from the Hebrew word jobel, which means "ram's horn"; since it was precisely that horn which was used as a trumpet, whose sound indicated to everybody the beginning of the jubilee year.

Term 1 Events

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm.

St. Laurence’s Church: Monday- 9:30am, Wednesday - 9:30am, Friday -12 noon and Sunday - 7:30am

Sports

GOOD LUCK URIAH AT POLDING BASKETBALL TRIALS

We are excited to share that Uriah will be representing St Laurence’s School at the upcoming Polding Basketball Trials, taking place in Tamworth this Friday. 

We know Uriah will give her very best effort and represent our school with pride. The entire St Laurence’s community is behind you, Uriah, and we wish you the best of luck at the trials. Go Uriah!

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our swimming carnival will be held on Monday 17th February (Week 3). Year 2 through to Year 6 Students will participate in the swimming carnival whilst students in Kindergarten and Year 1 will come to school as normal. 

We encourage all students to attend the carnival as we have events that cater for all swimming abilities including our non swimmers. Please make sure you let your classroom teacher know if your child is a non-swimmer.
Children are asked to be at the pool by 8.50am as the carnival will begin at 9am. Children will need to make their
own way to and from the pool. The carnival will conclude at 2.50pm. Please ensure you sign your child out
before leaving. Children will need to be collected from the pool at this time.

No child will be allowed to stay in the pool unless they have been signed out and supervised by a parent. If
someone else is picking up your child please provide a note to the class teacher so we know they have your
permission to do so.

The carnival will commence with the 100m events followed by the age 50m freestyle races. Before each 50m
event, there will be a 25m race for each stroke and noodle races for the non-swimmers. We cannot provide a
more detailed outline with a time frame as it is difficult to tell how many heats will be run in the various age
groups.

Children who come first, second or third in their individual events (not heats or 25m events) will move on to the next carnival,
which will be held in Gulgong on Tuesday 25th February. The relays will be made up of the four fastest
swimmers in the junior and senior divisions.

Lunch will be at approximately 12 noon. Canteen will be available at allocated times throughout the day. We will hold the highly
anticipated Belly Flop competition during the lunch break. This is where the Year 6 students have the
opportunity to make a big splash and participate in a noodle race which is always a highlight!
We do require assistance from parent helpers as we need more time keepers. If anyone is available to help
please send me an email. m.donoghue@bth.catholic.edu.au or meet at the pool by 8:45 am on the day.

Please pack sunscreen, hat, water, recess and lunch. The canteen will be available.
We hope you can join us. If you have any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact the school.

DATE: Monday 17th February
WHO: Yr 2 - 6
WHERE: Dubbo Aquatic and Leisure Centre
TIME: 8:50am - 2:50pm
COST: Covered in class charges - you do not need to pay pool entry
WEAR: Children wear their sport s uniform but are encouraged to wear their house colours;

Norton - Red
McAuley - Yellow
Mackillop - Blue

Nominations for events will go out this week.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

As part of our ongoing commitment to Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) each class spends time reviewing and learning about the expectations in specific areas. The focus can be developed from feedback and data. This week our focus is being respectful, responsible and safe in the classroom.

Being respectful in the classroom means:

• We raise our hand to speak and wait our turn
• We stay on task
• We behave respectfully for all staff
• We do as we are asked straight away
• We show respect to all by actively listening
• We wait until others finish their conversations before speaking
  

Being responsible in the classroom means:

• We stay seated so we understand the task
• We unpack bags quickly and quietly bringing what we need inside
• We zip our bags up and put them away neatly
• We are organised and ready to learn
• We use the bathroom during break times
• We put whiteboards face down with everything out of our hands until it is time to use them
• We work independently and come prepared and complete the work set

Being safe in the classroom means:

• We use the furniture and spaces as they are intended 
• We walk in and out of all areas quietly and follow directions

Library

Canteen

Our canteen reopens for business on Monday 10th February 2025.

The roster for Term 1 is available by clicking the link below: CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS ROSTER - TERM 1 2025

Helping in the canteen involves serving students at the canteen window, helping sort and organise the lunch orders, cooking food for lunch orders, washing up and cleaning up.

Our meal break times are:
Recess 10:50 - 11:10am;
Infants Lunch 12:40 - 1:20pm;
Primary Lunch 1:10 - 1:50pm.

Any assistance will be much appreciated to ensure our canteen is able to continue functioning for our students.

Dates to remember

Birthdays

Community News