Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

MAKING JESUS REAL WITH PETER MITCHELL – YEAR 6 FAITH IN FOCUS

We were once again blessed to welcome Peter Mitchell back to St Laurence’s, as part of our ongoing commitment to the Making Jesus Real (MJR) framework. Peter has been visiting our school for several years now, supporting the faith development of both students and staff in his engaging, practical and spirit-filled way. His recent visit saw him spend time with our Year 6 students in a reflective session, which invited them to consider how they experience and share the Spirit of Jesus (SOJ) in their daily lives.

The students were asked a series of thoughtful questions designed to encourage them to reflect on the small, meaningful ways they can live out Gospel values in their homes, friendships and classrooms. Their responses were honest, uplifting and inspiring - clear evidence that they are learning to be compassionate, kind, and faith-filled leaders within our school community.

QUESTION 1: WHO SHOWED YOU THE SPIRIT OF JESUS IN THE LAST WEEK AT HOME OR AT SCHOOL?

I saw the SOJ when …and the gospel message I got from my story was…

• When Layla and I were at the shops and a little boy dropped his bag of chips and she ran over and picked up the bag for him. (Thoughtful)

• When my hand started to bleed and Flynn and Iggy ran over and got me a wet paper towel. (Compassion)

• When Oscar said a cheerful “Good Morning” to Mr Long. (Welcoming)

• At soccer when an opposition player fell over and Miles went and picked him up. (Sportsmanship)

• When Sophie played with Flynn in Year 1 because he was sad as his friends weren’t there. (Empathy)

• When we were all supporting Ethan at touch football. (Encouraging)

QUESTION 2: WHAT DID YOU DO TO SHOW THE SPIRIT OF JESUS TO OTHERS OVER THE LAST 3 DAYS?

I saw the SOJ in me when I …and the gospel message I showed was…

• When I made a cup of tea for my mum when she was tired. (Giving of yourself and TAH)

• When Hudson fell over and was hurt and I helped him get back up. (Caring)

• When I asked Josh to join in our game of basketball. (Including)

• When our MJR books were being given out I thanked the person and used their NAME who gave me mine. (TAS being a team member at school)

• When I held a door open for a girl with sight issues. (Considerate)

• When I asked a small girl if she was ok when she was crying. (Empathy)

QUESTION 3: WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BE A BETTER TEAM MEMBER OF HOME (TAH)?

• By saying “THANK YOU” to my parents at least 3 times every day.

• By being more aware of the Spirit of Jesus happening in my home.

• By doing as I am asked and to do things more cheerfully.

• Less moaning, groaning and complaining at home. 

• By being more cheerful at home and keeping my room tidy.

• By using more positive and encouraging words to family members.

• By doing my chores cheerfully without being reminded.

• By being more of a “giver” than a “taker” at home.

• By saying thanks to my parents for the love and sacrifices they have made for me.

QUESTION 4: WHAT CAN I DO TO BE A BETTER TEAM MEMBER IN MY YEAR 6 CLASS (TAS)?

• By giving full attention to directions and working to the best of my ability in my classes.

• By saying a personal good morning and a personal good afternoon to Mr Long.

• To be more aware of the Spirit of Jesus in Yr 6 and in the playground with the smaller kids.

• To use more encouraging and pleasant words when speaking to our Yr 6 class.

• Ask other kids to join in games if they are not playing with anyone.

• By thanking a person and using their NAME…especially in Yr 6.

• By coming to school with a smile on my dial to say hello to Yr 6 class members.

• To have a positive attitude and to believe in myself more.

QUESTION 5: AFTER REFLECTING FROM PAGES 6 TO 24 OF YOUR MJR BOOK, NAME 2 ATTITUDES THAT YOU WISH TO TAKE INTO YOUR LIFE.

• Jesus lives in me in the little things I say and do each day.

• Build a bridge and get over my problems.

• I am in charge of my attitude to people and my life.

• DEPENDS WHICH SPIRIT I FEED. I want to keep feeding the positive spirit within me.

• To be determined – not to give up or feel sorry for myself.

• To be able to take the good with the bad things that can happen to me.

• To be more aware of the spirit and “OH YEAH” moments in my life.

• I want to be a W.E.S.T. Person: to Welcome people, Encourage people, to say Sorry if I have upset someone, and to say Thanks three times every day.

• To be known as a “Grinner and a Winner” rather than a “Moaner and a Groaner.”

• To be more of a “Giver” than a “Taker.”

• To be more grateful for the things I have … that so many other people haven’t got.

• Not to be a “WIIFM” (What’s In It For Me) person – linked to being more of a Giver than a Taker in our class.

These simple but powerful insights show that our students are truly engaging with the core messages of MJR and striving to be W.E.S.T. people – Welcoming, Encouraging, Saying Sorry, and Saying Thanks.

Peter praised the Year 6 students for their openness, enthusiasm, and depth of reflection, noting that their responses show just how strongly the Spirit of Jesus is present in their words and actions. He also acknowledged the positive culture fostered by Mr Long and the staff at St Laurence’s, who continue to support students in their faith journey.

We thank Peter for his continued partnership with our school community and for inspiring both students and staff with his message of everyday Gospel living.

HEAR OUR HEART BUS VISITS ST LAURENCE’S

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the Hear Our Heart Bus to St Laurence’s, along with 26 enthusiastic medical students who generously volunteered their time to visit Dubbo.

The team delivered engaging and informative lessons focused on ear health and understanding hearing loss. Using puppets, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive activities, they captured our students’ attention and made learning both fun and memorable.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Hear Our Heart team and the visiting medical students for sharing their knowledge and supporting our students in learning how to care for their hearing.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL CELEBRATES TEAM SPIRIT AND TALENT

We had another fantastic day of fun, friendly competition, and team spirit at this year’s Athletics Carnival! Students gave it their all across a range of track and field events, including marching, sprints, long jump, high jump, discus, and shot put — with impressive effort and enthusiasm on display throughout the day. It was a true celebration of participation and achievement, and the cheering from the sidelines made it even more special.

A huge thank you to Miss Donoghue for her outstanding organisation, and to all our staff for running events and supporting students. We’re also very grateful to Karina Howlett for her work as timekeeper and to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped with events and in the canteen. It was a brilliant team effort.

Check out the highlights and photos from the day on our Facebook page!

TERM TWO CATHERINE MCAULEY AWARDS

We gathered last Friday for our last assembly for the term to give out the Catherine McAuley Awards. The recipients were recognised for the way in which they live out the values that are central to our beliefs as Catholics. Catherine McAuley founded the Mercy Sisters, who then, so very generously, endeavoured to live out their lives by enriching the lives of many. Our school was founded by the Mercy Sisters. The Catherine McAuley awards enable us to recognise and highlight the link between the works of the Mercy Sisters and Catherine McAuley and the words and actions of our students. The students were recognised for the way they care for others and are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of those around them. It was wonderful to listen to the accolades shared by their teacher regarding each individual student. It is important that we respond and celebrate as a school community the wonderful gifts that each of these students have and acknowledge how they enrich our school community.

Congratulations to the following students who received the Catherine McAuley awards last Friday:

• Kinder - Jordan
• Year 1 - Ashton
• Year 2 - George
• Year 3 - Lucy
• Year 4 - Max
• Year 5 - Tessa
• Year 6 - Flynn

NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS AND OFFICIAL OPENING OF YINDYAMARRA THIS THURSDAY

As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, we are proud to officially open Yindyamarra – our new Yarning Circle and Aboriginal garden space – this Thursday 3rd July.

Yindyamarra means "a place of honour and respect," and this space has been brought to life through a beautiful collaboration between our Aboriginal students, families, staff, and the wider community. It represents our ongoing commitment to recognising, respecting, and embedding Aboriginal culture and perspectives within our school environment.

The day will begin with a special opening ceremony at 9:15am, including a liturgy, Welcome to Country, and Smoking Ceremony. This will be followed by morning tea and a variety of cultural activities for our students to enjoy throughout the day.

We warmly invite all parents, carers, and families to join us for all or part of this special event as we celebrate NAIDOC Week and acknowledge the rich culture, history and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We look forward to sharing this important milestone with our school community.

100 NIGHTS OF READING SUPERSTARS

Another student 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.

ROAD SAFETY - SCHOOL ZONES

A reminder to all parents that school zones remain in effect for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days — that is, every day the school is open, including pupil-free days.

For our school, school zones will end on Friday 4th July and resume on Monday 21st July.

LEARNING RIGHT TO THE END

As we approach the end of term, we remind families that every day counts - including the final week! Our students continue learning right up to the last day, with important lessons, assessments, and meaningful classroom experiences still taking place. Please ensure your child is at school every day so they don’t miss out. 

Regular attendance helps students develop discipline and a sense of responsibility. It prepares them for future commitments.

Regular school attendance is a fundamental aspect of character development that prepares students for the responsibilities and commitments they will encounter in various facets of their lives. The habits formed through regular attendance contribute to the overall success and wellbeing of students in both their academic and future professional journeys.

If you are concerned about your child’s attendance you can seek advice from NSW ParentLine 1300 1300 52.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE: TEACHING, NOT PUNISHING

Discipline doesn’t mean punishment - it means teaching. And the most effective discipline strategies aren’t about yelling or time-outs - they’re about connection, consistency, and emotional growth.

I recently read an article by parenting educator Michael Grose, titled “12 Best Discipline Tools Every Parent Should Know (That Actually Work)”, and I thought it was full of practical, easy-to-use strategies worth sharing with our parent community. These tips are backed by research and aim to help raise emotionally intelligent, resilient children - without shouting or shame.

Here’s a summary of the key ideas:

1. Connect Before You Correct
   Kids are more likely to listen when they feel seen and safe. Make eye contact, use a calm tone, and show empathy before giving instructions.
   
   
2. Be Clear About Expectations
   Before new situations, remind your child what’s expected. “At Grandma’s, remember to say hello and use your manners” helps prevent problems later.
   
   
3. Give Simple, Calm Instructions
   Use short, clear statements like, “In this family, we pack up before dinner.” Using “we” builds a team mentality.
   
   
4. Praise the Behaviour You Want to See
   Be specific: “I saw you stop and think before speaking - that showed great self-control.” Kids thrive when we notice the effort.
   
   
5. Let Natural Consequences Do the Teaching
   Forgot the lunchbox? Feeling a bit hungry will leave a stronger impression than a lecture.
   
   
6. Use Time-Ins, Not Just Time-Outs
   Instead of isolating a child who’s upset, sit with them. “Let’s breathe together until you’re calm” teaches emotional regulation.
   
   
7. Offer Limited Choices
   “Would you like to brush your teeth before or after pyjamas?” Giving small choices within your boundaries helps reduce power struggles.
   
   
8. Use ‘When/Then’ Language
   “When you’ve packed your bag, then you can play outside.” It’s a clear, fair way to show how responsibilities come before privileges.
   
   
9. Use Countdowns and Visual Cues
   Transitions are tricky—use timers or 5-minute warnings to help kids move between activities more smoothly.
   
   
10. Model the Behaviour You Want to See
    Children copy us. Narrate your emotions and how you manage them: “I’m feeling frustrated, so I’m going to take a breath.”
    
    
11. Use “I” Statements Instead of Blame
    “I feel worried when I don’t know where you are,” is more effective (and respectful) than “You never listen!”
    
    
12. Repair and Reflect After Conflict
    We all make mistakes. Apologising and talking things through teaches responsibility, empathy, and that it’s okay to mess up and try again.
    

Discipline doesn’t need to be harsh to be effective. Calm, connected, respectful strategies help children learn, grow, and make better choices - even when no one’s watching.

You don’t need to be perfect - just present. Every small step makes a big difference.

Source: “12 Best Discipline Tools Every Parent Should Know (That Actually Work)” by Michael Grose, published on Parenting Ideas.
👉 Click here to read the full article https://michaelgrose.substack.com/?utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus sends out his followers to share peace, hope and healing with the communities they visit. He reminds them that their mission matters — not because of fame or power, but because they are part of something bigger: building God’s kingdom of love. As we celebrate NAIDOC Week and reflect on the theme of strength, vision and legacy, we are reminded of the courage and wisdom of First Nations peoples, especially those who have led with faith and resilience through generations. Like the disciples, we too are called to walk together with purpose — listening, learning, and lifting others up. The next generation, our students, carry this legacy forward with strength in their voices, vision in their hearts, and pride in who they are. Let’s keep that fire burning, and rejoice in the good we can do when we walk together.

Term 3 Events Upcoming

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CHANGES TO MASS TIMES
Due to Fr Nam not being replaced, there will be a couple of changes to weekday Mass. From 1st July there will be no Mass on Mondays. Saturday morning Mass will only be celebrated on the 1st Saturday of the month. These small changes will allow Fr Greg to have a day off each week.

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 5:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 5:00pm.

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

35TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER 
Tuesday 1st July 6:15pm
Cost $10 (Cash only)
Theme: “Christmas in July”
Please phone the office by Tuesday 6882 4233

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE ST BRIGID'S BALL

Tickets $120pp
on sale now via 123tix
Black Tie
3 course meal by Modern Foodie

Entertainment Emily Hayes ~ Sam Coon
Sponsors:
The Western Star Hotel Avalon Drafting
Active Earth Landscaping Supplies JT Building
Medley Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Electrical
Henderson & McColl Accounting Peppercorn Childcare

Discover Connect@home – A Daily Companion in Faith

Have you heard of Connect@home? Many haven’t – but once discovered, it quickly becomes a treasured part of the day.

One parishioner recently shared:

“I now receive it and read it daily. I am most impressed by the short reflections written by our clergy. They are brief, to the point, and thought‑provoking… Connect@home has been a best‑kept secret – I can't ever recall reading about it in a Church bulletin.”

Connect@home is a daily email from the Diocese of Bathurst offering a short, meaningful reflection written by local clergy. It’s especially appreciated by those who may not be able to attend Mass regularly but still want to stay connected with the faith community.

 Whether you're housebound, busy with life, or simply looking for a moment of spiritual reflection – Connect@home is for you.

 Sign up today by visiting
https://bathurst.catholic.org.au/connecthome-bringing-scripture-into-the-heart-of-your-day/

Let’s spread the word – it’s time this “best‑kept secret” became well known!

Sports

Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics Carnival was a wonderful day filled with fun, friendly competition, and encouragement.

We had 4 records broken on the day! Lawson broke the 2017 Senior Boys 800m record and the Senior boys 1500m by 24 seconds. Arianna broke the Junior girls 1500m record by 30 seconds and Evie broke the 11yr girls long jump held since 2013 by 40cm jumping 3.72m. Congratulations to all students!

Results from the day:

Northern Region Athletics Carnival

The Northern Region Athletics Carnival will be held at Barden Park on Wednesday 30th July (Week 2, Term 3).

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing St Laurence's: Lusia A, Hollie A, Penny A, Jack B, Edward B, Flynn B, Eldho B, Sophia B, George C, Max C, Archie C, Connor C, Thea C, Maddie C, Evie C, Iggy C-W, Georgia D, Tilly D, Oscar D, Pippa F, Wyatt F, Kortlyn F, Uriah F, Sophia G, Oscar G, Ruby G, Lawson G, Elsie H, Mary H, Rigby J, Tucker J, Willow K, Tessa L, Miles M, Hunter M, Sophi McB, Oliver McK, Harry McL, Isaac M, Oscar M, Evie O'N, Eugine P, Akshera P, Kian R, Arianna S, Georgie S, Fred T, Kenzie T, Sophie T, Eli W, Bella W, Harvey W, Hudson W, Lucy W, Eden W, Dom W.

A compass event has been sent to students who have progressed to the Northern Region carnival. Please see the compass event for further details and event acceptance. 

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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 lunch area.

Being respectful while eating lunch means:

• We stop talking and listen to the teacher on duty

Being responsible while eating lunch means:

• We eat our lunch first before we have the snacks
• We wait for the teacher to tell us to put our rubbish in the correct bin 
• We pack up our area and put our lunch boxes in the designated areas

Being safe while eating lunch means:

• We remain seated in our set areas while eating our lunch
• We eat our own food

Canteen

Thank you to our volunteers for Term 2. Our Term 3 volunteers roster will been sent home this week. Thank you to our Term 3 volunteers - we are still looking for volunteers if you are able to assist please contact the office.

Dates to remember

Birthdays

Community News