Term 2 Week 6 Newsletter 2025
Principal's Messages
CELEBRATING NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK AT ST LAURENCE’S
Our students proudly represented St Laurence’s at the National Reconciliation Week Mass held at St Brigid’s Church. This special Diocesan Mass recognised the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and reflected our shared commitment to truth, justice, and reconciliation. Mrs O'Connor and myself were honoured to attend with our Aboriginal students, Year 6 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, K-5 SRC representatives, and AEOs, joining with students and staff from St John’s College, St Mary’s Primary, St Pius X Primary, St John’s Primary, St Joseph’s Gilgandra, St Columba’s Yeoval, and St Mary’s Wellington. Together, we stood in faith and unity.
Throughout Reconciliation Week, our school also took time to honour Sorry Day - an important moment to recognise the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our ongoing journey towards reconciliation. Our Aboriginal Education Officers, Courtney Monaghan and Sarah Goodwin, visited each classroom to deliver special lessons on the significance of Sorry Day. These lessons deepened our students' understanding and respect, reinforcing our commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful community.
See our FaceBook page for more photos.
SOCCER GALA DAY - PARENT HELPERS, SPONSORSHIP & YOUR INPUT NEEDED
Soccer Gala Day is our major fundraiser for the year, and our P&F will soon be calling for volunteers as we begin preparations. This event is a highlight of the school year, with over 700 students from across the region joining us for a day full of fun and friendly competition.
Each class’s students are divided into teams, and we rely on parent volunteers to act as team managers on the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a fantastic group of students and be part of the excitement. The teams will already be set, so no prior training is required. As a team manager, you’ll receive a roster and a list of players to support your team throughout the day. Your role will be to encourage fair play, ensure everyone gets a turn on the field, and help foster teamwork and sportsmanship. If you’re able to help, please let your child’s teacher know.
There are many other ways to help out, including setting up and taking down soccer nets, assisting with making and distributing lunches, manning the pop-up stalls, supporting the cake stall, or baking goods to donate for the cake stall.
More information will be sent home in the coming weeks, including options for you to select your availability and how you can assist.
The P&F Executive is seeking your ideas on how the funds raised this year can best support the students of St Laurence’s School. These funds are an important part of making our school an even better place for all students, and your suggestions - big or small - can make a real difference. We would love to hear your thoughts on how the funds could be used to benefit students in the classroom, outdoors, through new programs, or any other improvements. Please take a moment to complete the brief survey in the link below to share your ideas. Thank you for helping us ensure that every dollar raised has a positive impact on the learning and wellbeing of our children!
Please also see the information in the letter below from our P&F Secretary, Meagan Gunn, regarding sponsorship for our event.
SUPER DIOCESAN SPELLING BEE STARS
Our talented qualifying students from Stage 2 and 3 - Brianna, Harry, Olivia, and Nash - recently competed in the Diocesan Spelling Bee, going head-to-head against students from schools right across the diocese. Both Brianna and Olivia showcased their exceptional spelling skills by successfully making it through the preliminary rounds and advancing into the finals in their respective competitions. We are incredibly proud of all four students for their impressive efforts and determination. Congratulations to Brianna, Olivia, Harry, and Nash for their outstanding performance and for representing our school with such pride!
GARDEN CLUB SUCCESS AT THE DUBBO SHOW
Our Garden Club students recently showcased their gardening skills at the Dubbo Show, entering their homegrown carrots, capsicums, and spinach in the Produce section. Their efforts were rewarded with an impressive 2nd prize for the capsicums, much to the delight of the students. We extend our congratulations to all the Garden Club members for their hard work and a heartfelt thank you to Mrs Dunn and Mrs Gain for their dedicated guidance and support.
STAGE 3 STUDENTS COLLABORATE WITH ST JOHN’S COLLEGE IN ART WORKSHOP
Our Stage 3 students recently enjoyed a fantastic art workshop led by Kirk Watts and talented Year 10 students from St John’s College. During the session, they focused on creating clay wise men sculptures, exploring various artistic media to express their interpretations of scripture passages for the upcoming Christmas Storytelling Art Competition. It is wonderful to collaborate with St John’s College, building strong bonds between our schools and enhancing the K–12 Catholic education experience. We look forward to seeing the creativity and talent our students bring to this special competition.
See our FaceBook page for more photos.
WINTER UNIFORM CHANGEOVER FROM TODAY
June 2nd marks the day when students will begin wearing the winter uniform. Please ensure your child is dressed according to the uniform requirements from this date onwards to stay comfortable and maintain our school’s standards.
Wearing the correct school uniform is an important part of our community spirit. It helps build a strong sense of pride and belonging among students, connecting them to our school’s values and each other. When students wear their uniform with pride, it reflects respect for themselves, their peers, and the wider school community.
Girls’ Winter Uniform (Wednesdays):
Navy sloppy joe with school logo
Navy vest with logo (optional)
Navy jacket with logo (optional)
Maroon tunic with fawn tights OR maroon trousers with fawn or white socks
Fawn long-sleeve shirt
School tie
Black school shoes
Boys’ Winter Uniform (Wednesdays):
Navy sloppy joe with school logo
Navy vest with logo (optional)
Navy jacket with logo (optional)
School blue long-sleeve shirt
Grey trousers with grey socks
School tie
Black school shoes
Sports Uniform (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday):
Navy/sky polo shirt with logo
Navy track pants with blue stripe
Navy rugby top with logo (optional)
Navy vest with logo (optional)
Navy jacket with logo (optional)
White socks
Joggers
Important Reminders:
Hats should be the navy/sky bucket hat with the school logo.
Black school shoes must be leather, polishable, classic style with a low heel (no boots or black joggers).
Socks should be standard styles; cutaway or no-show socks are not permitted.
Grey trousers must be poly/viscose only - no cargo, corduroy, or jeans-style trousers.
Sport shorts should not be Canterbury brand or made from polycotton/cotton blends.
Thank you for supporting our school community by ensuring students are dressed appropriately for the season starting June 2nd. Wearing our uniform proudly helps us create a positive and united school environment.
100 NIGHTS OF READING SUPERSTARS
More students happy to be checking off 100 nights of home reading last week! We love celebrating reading at St Laurence's and encourage our students to develop a love and enthusiasm for reading. When students achieve 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 nights of Home Reading they are rewarded with a special book prize from my Book Box.
THE POWER OF BANTER IN FAMILY LIFE
Here’s another useful article summary from parenting expert Michael Grose that I wanted to share with you this week. Over the past few weeks, I’ve included these insights in the newsletter as a way to support families in the day-to-day challenges and joys of parenting. This one is about something light-hearted - but surprisingly powerful - banter.
Banter is that playful, easy back-and-forth we often share with our kids. It’s not teasing, mocking, or putting someone down. In fact, when done well, banter is a wonderful relationship-builder and a key to opening up deeper conversations - especially as children grow older.
Why is banter important?
1. It builds connection
While it’s often dads who are more naturally playful, this isn’t about gender - it’s about making time for light-heartedness. Banter helps form bonds with children and teens, and it allows us to connect in a relaxed, non-confrontational way.
2. It shifts the mood
If things are tense at home or everyone’s feeling flat, some light-hearted banter can lift the energy in an instant. Grose reminds us that “as a parent, you need to be the mood you want in your family.” If we want more joy and ease at home, we can lead the way by keeping things playful.
3. It opens the door to meaningful conversations
Parenting expert Dr Tim Hawkes suggests that families who banter together are better at talking about tricky topics - like relationships, alcohol, or online safety. Banter helps drop our guard, build trust, and create the kind of open communication we want with our kids as they grow.
Using banter well
Like anything in parenting, banter works best with a little thought. Here are Grose’s three golden rules:
Right time and place – Not during serious moments or when it could cause confusion.
Playful tone – Banter should feel like fun, not sarcasm or control.
Know when to stop – Be mindful and responsive. If it’s not landing, change gears.
Without banter, life can become a little too serious. With it, family life becomes more joyful, connected, and open.
As Grose says, “Banter helps us all live a good life.” And I think we can all agree - that’s what we want for our kids and for ourselves.
Religious Education
Alicia O'Connor - RE Coordinator
Gospel Focus
This weekend we celebrate Pentecost – the moment the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples like wind and flame, filling them with courage and joy to share God's love with the world. Just like the first followers of Jesus, we too are called to live with hearts full of hope, trusting that God's Spirit is with us in all we do. At this special time, we offer a blessing for our students who have enrolled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. May the Holy Spirit guide you, strengthen you, and fill you with the gifts you need to follow Jesus bravely and faithfully. As a school community, may we continue to live our value of hope by looking for the good in each day and believing in the light God places within each of us.
This week, our Year 6 students will take part in a Pre-Confirmation Retreat — a special opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation, strengthen their relationship with God and others, and reflect on how they can live out the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their everyday lives. Students from both St Laurence’s and St John’s Primary School will come together for this meaningful day, which will be facilitated by students from St John’s College (SJC) and held in the Barbara Amos Hall. We are truly grateful to the SJC teachers and students for the time, thought, and effort they put into preparing this retreat to ensure it is a rich and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Term 2 Events
| Week 7 | KING’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY (Monday 11th of June) |
| Week 7 | Preparation Sessions for Confirmation (Tuesday 10th of June @ 6:15pm after 5:45pm Mass, Wednesday 11th of June @ 4:30pm & Sunday the 15th of June @ 10am after 9am Mass to be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 8 | Making Jesus Real (MJR) Visitor - Peter Mitchell (Tuesday the 17th of June) |
| Week 8 | Year 6 RE TEST (Wednesday the 18th of June) |
| Week 8 | Preparation Sessions for Confirmation (Tuesday 17th of June @ 6:15pm after 5:45pm Mass, Wednesday 18th of June @ 4:30pm & Sunday the 22nd of June @ 10am after 9am Mass to be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 8 | Enrolment for First Holy Communion (Saturday 21st and Sunday the 22nd of June be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 8 | Whole School Meet 4 Mass (Sunday 22nd of June to be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 9 | Preparation Sessions for Confirmation (Tuesday 24th of June @ 6:15pm after 5:45pm Mass, Wednesday 25th of June @ 4:30pm & Sunday the 29th of June @ 10am after 9am Mass to be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 9 | Enrolment for First Holy Communion (Saturday 28th and Sunday the 29th of June be held at St Brigid’s Church) |
| Week 10 | NAIDOC Day and Celebrations: Liturgy (Thursday 3rd of July to be held in St Laurence’s Church @ 9am) |
| TERM 3 | Celebration of Confirmation 26th/27th July with Bishop Michael McKenna 2nd/3rd August with Parish Priests |
MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 5:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 5:00pm.
St. Laurence’s Church: Monday- 9:30am, Wednesday - 9:30am, Friday -12 noon and Sunday - 7:30am
ATTENDANCE
MAGGIE DENT EVENT
Sports
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Our school Athletics Carnival will be held on Wednesday 25 June (Week 9). We are looking forward to a great day of participation, teamwork and friendly competition.
Event nomination forms for students in Years 2–6 have been sent home. Please ensure these are completed and returned to school by this Friday 6 June to assist with event planning.
More details about the day will be shared closer to the event.
SOCCER GALA DAY
Our annual Soccer Gala Day will be held on Friday 8th August. Nominations are now open for parents wishing to be a Team Manager on the day.
Being a team manager involves ensuring your team gets to their designated fields on time for games and rotating subs. Please email your class teacher if you wish to be a team manager in 2025!
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 the playground.
Being safe on the playground means:
- We use equipment for intended purpose
- We stay in bounds
- We keep our hands, feet and other objects to ourselves
- We wear our hats
Being responsible on the playground means:
- We put our rubbish in the bin
- We put our equipment away when we have finished playing with it
Being respectful on the playground means:
- We follow adult directions
- We play on the fields allocated to us
- We play by the rules of the game
- We play fairly, take turns and share
- We include others in our play
- We speak kindly to others
- We solve problems calmly together
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 the coming weeks is below.
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.
A note for Term 3 volunteers will go out in the coming weeks. 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 is currently in the process of planning and preparing for their Christmas art. The students were lucky enough to have Mr Watts from the college visit and lead a special clay sculpting workshop. During the session, students learned how to use clay tools to design and sculpt their very own wise man. They thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience and were pleasantly surprised by what they were able to create. Many students discovered talents they didn’t know they had!
Awards
