Term 4 Week 5 Newsletter 2024

Principal's Messages

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS FOR 2025 - CHANGES

Recently, our staff reviewed the process for electing Year 6 school leaders and Student Representative Council (SRC) members for each class. Traditionally, this voting has taken place at the start of Term One, prior to the Opening School Mass and Induction Ceremony. However, staff have agreed that holding elections at the end of Term Four will allow more time to prepare and to notify parents, giving them ample opportunity to arrange attendance at the induction ceremony. This updated process will apply to the election of Year 6 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as SRC members from Years 1–6. Voting for Kindergarten representatives will continue to occur at the end of Term One. Elected members will be notified once voting concludes, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles in the upcoming year.

P&F MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent P&F meeting at the South Dubbo Tavern. We’re pleased to share a summary of the exciting updates and initiatives that were discussed, as well as a link to the Principal’s Report for further details.

• Successful School Review: We had a very successful School Review, which occurs every five years to assist with school improvement planning. We received very positive feedback about our curriculum and systems, reinforcing the quality of our educational practices.
• NAPLAN Results: Our 2024 NAPLAN results were very positive, reflecting strong growth across proficiency levels. Our Year 3 and Year 5 averages are at or above state, national, and diocesan levels.
• Student Wellbeing Initiatives:
  • Girl Talk Program: Year 5 girls have been participating in weekly sessions led by Counsellor Amy Wellbourne, with excellent feedback from both students and parents. A parent session for Years 4–6 was also well-attended.
  • Armed for Life Workshops: On 6th December, Year 5 and 6 boys will engage in workshops on respectful relationships and peer influence, led by an engaging presenter and sportsperson.
    

School Facilities & Completed Works

Our ongoing improvements aim to enrich the school environment:

• Completed Works: Recent refurbishments include the admin office, verandah resurfacing, Jubilee St playground and steps (with a memorial plaque in appreciation of the P&F), new soccer goals, and continued development of the Yarning Circle and Indigenous garden.
• Pending Updates: The Year 4 classroom and primary toilets are in the final design stages with architects to ensure compliance with building standards.
  

P&F Fundraising Initiatives

The support from our P&F through fundraising efforts has had a tremendous impact on our school:

• $26,000 toward the tiered seating on the Jubilee St field
• $7,000 for an all-weather table tennis table
• A donation for the Year 6 Graduation dinner
• Soccer goals and nets for the Jubilee field

We also conducted a final review of the Soccer Gala Day and the funds raised through this successful event, along with planning for the Crazy Camel Art fundraising initiative for 2026.

Community Engagement

The P&F reviewed recent parent survey results regarding a proposed change to the sock colour for boys’ and girls’ uniforms. A detailed analysis of the survey data will be provided in next week’s newsletter. We also discussed plans for the End of Year BBQ and Christmas Carols evening on Tuesday, 17th December, as well as the Welcome BBQ at the start of Term One next year. We look forward to celebrating with you at these events!

For further information, please refer to the full Principal’s Report below:

2025 START DATES

Please note the start dates for the 2025 school year:

• Students in Years 1–6 will begin on Tuesday, 4th February
• Kindergarten Best Start testing will be conducted on Tuesday, 4th and Wednesday, 5th February
• Kindergarten's first full day will be on Thursday, 6th February.

We look forward to welcoming all students back for an exciting new year!

2025 ENROLMENTS

As we finalise our enrolments for 2025, we kindly ask that any families with students not returning to St Laurence’s Primary School in 2025 contact the office to complete a student exit form.

2026 KINDER SIBLING PROJECTION

If you have a sibling commencing Kindergarten in 2025, please inform the office via email at stlaurencesdubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au or by phone at 02 6882 2129.

YEAR 2 STUDENTS - SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION

Our Year 2 students will celebrate God's gift of forgiveness in the Sacrament of First Reconciliation at St Brigid's Church this week. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, as it marks their first opportunity to seek forgiveness and experience God's mercy. Through this sacrament, they learn the value of confessing their sins, receiving absolution, and striving for spiritual growth. It's a beautiful step in their faith formation, teaching them the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the enduring grace of God's love. Please keep our Year 2 students and their families in your prayers.

YEAR 2 STUDENTS - FAITH FORMATION RETREAT

Last Wednesday, our Year 2 students gathered with the Year 2 students from St Mary's for a special faith formation retreat day centred around the theme of reconciliation. Through Mass, reflection, and shared activities, the students celebrated the gift of friendship, recognising the importance of love and connection in their lives at home, school, and within the Church community. This meaningful day emphasized the beauty of nurturing friendships as gifts from God, encouraging students to appreciate and cherish the relationships they have with others.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES DRILL THIS WEEK

Each term we practice an emergency drill as part of our WHS process. These processes then become routine for our students and once they have done this for a couple of years they really know what to do. This week we will practice our Fire Drill. Our teachers will explain the process to the students prior to the drill and ensure that any students who may be anxious know that they will be safe and there is no danger. We do not talk about any horror stories or allow students' imaginations to wander in terms of scenarios in order to maintain a calm and orderly process and ensure students are not alarmed by the process.

2024 ICAS RESULTS

Congratulations to all students who participated in the ICAS Assessments this year. St. Laurence’s students demonstrated strong performance, and we commend everyone for their efforts.

Merit awards are given to students who placed within the top 50%, Credit awards to those in the top 25%, Distinction awards to those in the top 10%, and High Distinction awards to students who ranked in the top 1% of all students across Australia who sat the test.

Certificates and medals will be handed out at an assembly in Week 6.

Writing

• Distinction: Sarah B (Y4), Eugene P (Y5)
• Credit: Georgia D (Y3), Brianna P (Y5)
• Merit: Matilda D (Y5)

Digital Technologies

• Distinction: Georgia D (Y3), 
• Credit: Sarah B (Y4), Matilda D (Y5), Brianna P (Y5), Harry B (Y6)

English

• High Distinction: Sarah B (Y4)
• Credit: Olivia G (Y3), Georgia D (Y3), Matilda D (Y5)

Science

• Distinction: Matilda D (Y5) 
• Credit: Georgia D (Y3), Harvey W (Y3), Sarah B (Y4)

Spelling

• Distinction: Eugene P (Y5), 
• Credit: Georgia D (Y3), Sarah B (Y4), Matilda D (Y5), Harrison McL (Y5), Harry B (Y6)
• Merit: Brianna P (Y5)

Maths

• Distinction: Sarah B (Y4), Brianna P (Y5)
• Credit: Georgia D (Y3) 

AUSTRALIAN MATHS TRUST (AMT) COMPETITION

Kangarou Sans Frontieres (KSF)

In Term 1, some students competed in the Kangourou sans Frontières (KSF). It is inspired by the Australian Maths Trust’s Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and is now the largest mathematics competition in the world, with more than six million participants each year. Held in March, the KSF was a great opportunity for students to experience mathematics in a competition environment prior to the AMC in August. Students completed 30 multiple choice questions of varying difficulty and were awarded based on their performance compared to all Australian participants.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Credit:

• Sarah B (Y4)
• Harry C (Y6)

Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)

In August, some of our students competed in the AMC. This competition is one of the largest educational mathematics competitions in Australia. It is an engaging problem solving experience that demonstrates the importance and relevance of mathematics in students’ everyday lives.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a Credit:

• Sarah B (Y4)
• Brianna P (Y5)
• Matilda D (Y5)
• Harry C (Y6)

100, 150, 200 & 250 NIGHTS OF READING SUPERSTARS

More students happy to be checking off 100, 150, 200 and now 250 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.

ST LAURENCE'S FEAST DAY LITURGY & MINI MARKET DAY THIS THURSDAY

We warmly invite our parents and school community to join us in celebrating our School Feast Day with a special liturgy honouring Saint Laurence O'Toole, our patron saint. The liturgy will be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, 14th November, in St Laurence's Church. We look forward to sharing this meaningful occasion with you all.

Following our School Feast Day liturgy, we invite everyone to join us for our annual Mini Market Day, which will begin after recess at 11:10 am. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, and we look forward to seeing you there!

PRIMARY STUDENTS MAKING A SPLASH AT SWIMMING LESSONS

Primary students have been enjoying their weekly visits to the RSL indoor pool on Fridays for their Swim and Survive program. This program focuses not only on learning competitive strokes but also on developing important skills in personal survival, water safety, and basic rescue techniques. Each week, our expert RSL swim instructors teach essential aquatic survival skills that students can use in emergency situations, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident in the water.

KINDER ORIENTATION - DAY 2

Last week our future Kindergarten students had an exciting day filled with engaging activities! They enjoyed listening to the beloved story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle, and then had fun sequencing the story using picture cards. After a delicious fruit break, they had some quiet time with their buddies, who read them a book in the playground. To wrap up the day, they joined the whole school for recess. It was a wonderful day of learning, friendship, and fun, and we look forward to seeing all the amazing things they will do this week.

KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE IN THE ROAD ENVIRONMENT

Religious Education

If you have any questions about Reconciliation, please contact Rosie Hosking via email at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au

Term 4 Events

Gospel Focus

The stars will fall from heaven and the powers in the heavens will  be shaken.
In this week’s Gospel from Mark 13:24-32, Jesus speaks about the coming of God’s kingdom and urges us to stay alert and be ready. He uses the image of the fig tree, whose budding leaves signal the arrival of summer. This reminds us to be mindful of the signs of God’s presence in our lives every day, even in the smallest things. Jesus encourages us to live with hope, knowing that no matter what happens, God’s love is constant and enduring. Let us encourage one another to stay faithful and trust that, even in uncertain times, God’s promises will come to pass.

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

St. Laurence’s Church: Sunday - 7:30am

Sports

Diocese Summer Sports Trials

Good luck to the following students who will be representing our school at the Bathurst Diocese Summer Sports Trials later this week: 

Touch Football - Uriah, Evie C, Tessa & Archie C  Basketball - Uriah, Maddie, Evie C, Georgie S & Polly Cricket - Eldho,     Finn D & Miles  Tennis - Leo K

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 assembly.

Being respectful at assembly means:

• We stop talking and listen to the person on the microphone
• We are active listeners
• We enter and leave the hall quietly and in an orderly manner
• We use manners when receiving awards
• We clap politely
• We join the end of the line

Being responsible at assembly means:

• We stop playing when the music plays
• We are lined up before the bell
• We say our School Prayer and sing the National Anthem sensibly 

Being safe at assembly means:

• We sit with our legs crossed and hands in our laps
• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
• We walk quietly in two lines to class
• We finish our food before assembly

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 4 is available by clicking the link below: CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS ROSTER - TERM 4 2024

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 4

This term, we have been engaged in many areas of learning. One key focus has been on representing numbers, understanding place value, and exploring fractions. In one activity, the students practiced identifying like fractions and then worked together to arrange themselves in the correct order.

Fantastic Fractions

Awards

Happy Families

Community News