Term 1 Week 6 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

BEGINNING OUR LENTEN JOURNEY TOGETHER

This past week, our school community came together to mark the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, renewal, and preparation.

On Shrove Tuesday, students enjoyed a feast of pancakes, embracing both the tradition and the deeper spiritual significance of this day in our Catholic faith. Shrove Tuesday is a time to reflect on our actions and prepare our hearts for the season ahead. It reminds us of the importance of self-discipline, gratitude, and generosity as we enter Lent.

The following day, our students joined parishioners for Ash Wednesday Mass, receiving ashes as a sign of repentance and renewal. This solemn and meaningful occasion called us to reflect on our faith, seek forgiveness, and focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during the Lenten season.

As we journey through Lent together, we encourage our students and families to embrace this time of spiritual growth by showing kindness, making sacrifices, and deepening their relationship with God. May this season be one of reflection, renewal, and preparation for the joy of Easter.

Please see our FaceBook page for more photos.

PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION MEETING – JOIN US!

Our first Parents & Friends (P&F) Association meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday, 18th March at 6:30pm via Zoom. All parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.

The P&F plays a vital role in building our school community, supporting events, and enhancing opportunities for our students. Attending these meetings is a great way to:
✅ Stay informed about school initiatives and upcoming events
✅ Have a voice in discussions about school improvements
✅ Contribute to fundraising efforts that directly benefit our students
✅ Connect with other parents and staff in a welcoming environment

Whether you are a regular attendee or joining for the first time, we would love to see you there! A Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.

We look forward to working together to make 2025 another great year for our school community!

NAPLAN 2025: SUPPORTING STUDENT GROWTH AND LEARNING

At St Laurence’s, we are committed to fostering the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of every student. As part of this, students in Years 3 and 5 will be sitting NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025. NAPLAN is a nationwide assessment that measures essential literacy and numeracy skills, providing valuable insights into student progress and helping to inform teaching strategies.

NAPLAN Testing Schedule
To ensure your child can participate fully, please avoid scheduling other commitments on the following test days:

• Wednesday 12 March – Writing
• Monday 17 March – Reading & Conventions of Language
• Tuesday 18 March – Numeracy

What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN is just one part of a school’s assessment process and does not replace the ongoing evaluations made by teachers. While it provides a snapshot of student progress in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy, it is not the sole measure of ability. The results allow parents to see how their child is progressing against national standards and help teachers identify strengths and areas for improvement.

At St Laurence’s, we approach NAPLAN with a supportive mindset, encouraging students to do their best while recognising their broader talents. Open conversations with your child about NAPLAN’s purpose can foster confidence, and regular communication with teachers ensures we are collectively supporting their learning journey.

SUPPORTING WELLBEING THROUGH EMOTIONAL REGULATION

At St Laurence’s, our school focus statement is ‘High levels of learning and wellbeing for all’, and we recognise the important link between student wellbeing and learning. In Weeks 6 and 7, we will be focusing on wellbeing, building on the learning students have engaged in over the past five weeks.

Each class has been developing knowledge and skills in emotional regulation using the Zones of Regulation program. This approach helps students identify their emotions and develop strategies to manage their actions when they are not in the Green Zone. As part of this learning, every student has created their own toolbox to support their emotional regulation.

To further understand this approach, it's essential to explore key concepts related to regulation:

Regulation refers to the ability to manage one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in response to internal and external stimuli. This skill enables individuals to adapt to various situations, maintain focus, and achieve personal goals.

Dysregulation occurs when there is a breakdown or difficulty in managing these thoughts, emotions, or behaviours, leading to responses that may be inappropriate or ineffective in a given context.

Self-regulation is the process by which individuals monitor and control their own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors without external assistance. This includes skills like self-discipline, anger management, and emotional control. 

Co-regulation involves the supportive interactions between a child and a caregiver, teacher, or peer that help the child learn to manage their emotions and behaviours. Through modelling, prompting, and reinforcement, adults can guide children toward developing their own self-regulation abilities.

Understanding these concepts and their distinctions is vital in fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and emotionally.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be visiting classrooms as part of Wellbeing Week to check in with students and discuss how their toolboxes are helping them.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - WEEK 8

Parent-Teacher Conversations are scheduled to occur in a couple of weeks' time (Week 8). All parents from Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to meet with teachers to facilitate our partnership as we endeavour to share as much as we can about each student and build positive relationships fostered by a deep understanding of each individual. Bookings for parent teacher conversations will open on Friday 14th March. Bookings will close on Friday 21st March at midday. Please refer to instructions below on how to make a booking via Compass online or Compass app.

MOORAMBILLA VOICES DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AT ST LAURENCE’S

Our students were recently given the opportunity to take part in the Moorambilla Voices Development Workshops right here at St Laurence’s. These workshops, led by Founder and Artistic Director Michelle Leonard OAM, provided students with a hands-on and engaging experience in music, singing, and body percussion.

Moorambilla Voices is a highly regarded program that nurtures young talent and fosters a love for the arts. The workshops are designed to align with the Years 3–12 music syllabus, giving students the chance to develop their skills in a practical and joyful setting. These sessions not only enhance students’ music literacy but also build confidence, creativity, and collaboration.

A special highlight of the program is that students who show potential during the workshops may receive an invitation to attend the Moorambilla Voices Annual Residency Camps in Baradine. These camps bring together over 300 students from across western NSW to explore singing, drumming, composition, dance, and visual arts alongside professional musicians, composers, choreographers, and artists.

Moorambilla Voices is celebrating 20 years of creative excellence, and we are proud to be part of this rich tradition that continues to provide unique artistic opportunities for students across the region. Thank you to Michelle Leonard and her team for inspiring our students and bringing the joy of music to our school!

KEEPING KIDS SAFE ON ROBLOX: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

Roblox is one of the most popular online gaming platforms among children, offering a vast ecosystem of user-created games and experiences. With real money, users can purchase in-game currency (Robux) to buy items, enhancing their gameplay. While the platform has continued to improve its safety features and parental controls, concerns remain regarding mature content, online interactions, and financial risks.

What Should Parents Be Aware Of?

• Mature Content & Online Risks: Despite safety updates, inappropriate content, bullying, and grooming still occur. Parents need to be vigilant about the games their children access and the interactions they have.
• Roblox Gambling & Dance Clubs: Some games within Roblox promote gambling-like mechanics, and virtual dance clubs expose children to experiences they may not be ready for.
• Clip It Feature: This new feature functions like TikTok but within Roblox, allowing users to share short-form videos. Even if a child doesn’t have TikTok, they may still be exposed to similar content through Clip It, including material that may not be age-appropriate.
• SEC Investigation: Roblox is under scrutiny regarding financial practices, including issues related to in-game spending. This highlights the need for parental awareness around in-game purchases and financial safety.

What Can Parents Do?

• Understand the Platform: Before allowing children to play, explore Roblox yourself to understand its breadth and potential risks.
• Utilise Safety Features: Enable parental controls, limit chat features, and monitor friend lists and game choices.
• Discuss Gambling Risks: With the rise of online gambling, including within gaming platforms, have open discussions with children about why people gamble, the risks involved, and the potential for addiction.
• Stay Engaged: Ask your child about the games they play and who they interact with. Maintaining an open dialogue can help keep them safe online.

By staying informed and involved, parents can help ensure their child’s Roblox experience is both fun and safe.

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

In Luke 9:28-36, we witness the incredible moment of Jesus’ Transfiguration, where His divine glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John. This event reminds us that God’s presence is always with us, even when we may not see it clearly. Like the disciples, we sometimes struggle to understand God’s plan, but through prayer and faith, we can open our hearts to His guidance. As we journey through life, may we take time to pause, listen, and recognise the beauty of God’s light shining in our lives. Let us be inspired to reflect His love in our words and actions each day.

The Transfiguration was a moment when Jesus’ appearance changed, shining with divine light. His disciples saw His true glory, and God’s voice declared, “This is my Son; listen to Him!” This event reminded them—and us—that Jesus is truly the Son of God. 

GENERAL RE INFORMATION

Thank you to the families who attended Mass recently to register for one of the Sacraments for this year. If your child is in Year 2 they can register for Reconciliation, in Year 3 for Communion and in Year 6 for Confirmation. If your child has missed a sacrament then please register them for the sacrament this year.

For those who were unable to attend any of the sessions, you will need to contact the Presbytery on 6882 4233 or email Rosalie at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au  in order for you to begin the registration process. 

Term 1 Events

PROJECT COMPASSION

Project Compassion 2025 reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. As St Pope John Paul ll said, "The future starts today, not tomorrow." Together, we can make a difference now, and For All Future Generations.

Your family would have recently received a Project Compassion box to support Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help support vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations. If an online donation is easier for you we have an online platform available below. 

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

Year 7 SJC Enrolments 2026

Enrolment packs have been sent home to families. Please ensure that you complete your enrolment application and drop to St. John's College by 11th April 2025. With your completed application we will need you to kindly provide the following documents:

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Immunisation Records
• NAPLAN Report
• Your child's last two school reports.

Additionally you may need to provide other supporting documentation that you may have eg: Visa's / Learning Needs

Please note: Late applications will be placed on a waitlist.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Sports

Dio Swimming Carnival

Good Luck to the following students who are attending the Diocesan Swimming carnival tomorrow;

Sophia B, Max C, Archie, Polly, Maddi, Georgia, Kortlyn, Uriah, Lawson, Lucy M, Isaac, Oscar M, Patrick O, Eugene, Sophie T and Lucy W.

We will be cheering you all on! Good Luck!

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 play equipment

Being safe on the play equipment means:

• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
• We wear our hats
• We walk on the soft fall areas
• We use the play equipment correctly

Being responsible on the play equipment means:

• We use the equipment sensibly
• We cooperate with others
• We take turns and share

Being respectful on the play equipment means:

• We include others in our play
• We speak kindly to others
• We solve problems calmly together

Library

Canteen

Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have heard our call for help and put their hands up to volunteer on Friday's in our school canteen.

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

Curriculum Corner

Year 5

Year 5 have been working on how to measure angles with Protractors. Students have learnt the different types of angles and how to estimate a measurement of an angle. They have practiced using protractors to find the exact angle on a range of different vertices. 

Awards

Happy Families

Community News