Term 4 Week 6 Newsletter 2024
Principal's Messages
STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE TO DUBBO SQUARE REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
Last Monday, Year 6 student Archie gave a moving performance of the Last Post at the Dubbo Square Remembrance Day service. His brother, Harvey, also contributed to the service by delivering the introduction for the minute of silence over the speaker system. Many community members approached Archie afterward to commend him on his beautiful performance and to thank him for his contribution to this important occasion. Well done to both Archie and Harvey for their involvement in honouring those who have served. Your efforts exemplify the spirit of service and respect that Remembrance Day inspires.
YEAR SIX LEADERS REPRESENT ST LAURENCE'S AT REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
On Remembrance Day, our Year 6 Public Relations Minister, Harriet, and Deputy Minister, Rubi, proudly represented the St Laurence’s community at the Commemoration Service of the Fallen at Victoria Park. As part of the solemn ceremony, Harriet and Rubi respectfully laid a wreath on behalf of our school, symbolising our collective gratitude for the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their participation serves as a reminder of the importance of reflecting on the courage and sacrifices of those who have shaped our nation’s history. Well done, Harriet and Rubi, for representing our school with such respect and dignity on this significant occasion.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY REFLECTS ON REMEMBRANCE DAY
Last Monday, our school community came together to honour those who have lost their lives in wars and to pray for peace in our world. The Remembrance Day Mass, celebrated with St Laurence’s parishioners, was a solemn and meaningful occasion. It was beautifully led by our Year 2, 3, and 4 students, who guided us in prayer and reflection with great respect and reverence. A special thank you to Aiden, an ex-student of St Laurence’s now attending St John’s College, who generously took time out of his day to perform the Last Post. His moving performance added a poignant and reflective element to the service. Thank you to the students and staff who prepared this special Mass, reminding us of the importance of peace and the sacrifices made by so many.
KINDER TRANSITION DAY THREE
This week, our future Kindergarten students had a wonderful time engaging in creative activities that both reinforced their learning and developed new skills. They worked on building houses using 2D shapes, and also completed a fun colour-matching activity to create a pizza picture. These activities helped to enhance their understanding of shapes and colours, while also supporting the development of their fine motor skills. In addition to their learning activities, the Kindergarten children enjoyed a delightful fruit break with their Year 4 buddies, which allowed them to feel more connected and comfortable within the school environment. The morning concluded with a relaxed recess, shared with the whole school, providing a positive and inclusive transition experience for our youngest learners.
CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ST LAURENCE O'TOOLE AND SUPPORTING CATHOLIC MISSIONS
Last week, our school community gathered to celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, St Laurence O'Toole. Both our school and church are named after this remarkable figure, known for his dedication to helping others. To mark the occasion, Year 5 students, along with their Kinder buddies, led us in a beautiful liturgy in the church, reflecting on St Laurence’s life and the values he embodied. St Laurence’s life was one of constant selflessness and compassion. Despite facing hardship and suffering, he always said ‘yes’ to God, choosing to help others even when it was difficult. If St Laurence were alive today, he would encourage us all to be prayerful peacemakers, sharing kindness and love with everyone we meet.
To celebrate our patron saint’s feast day, we also held our annual Mini Market Day, which serves as our Feast Day event. In the weeks leading up to the event, our students worked hard to plan and prepare a variety of stalls, all aimed at raising money for Catholic Missions. This year, the focus was on supporting the people of Mongolia, where Catholic Missions provides essential services, including shelter, food, medical care, and safe spaces for those experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. The students took time in class to learn about the work Catholic Missions does, understanding the real impact their efforts will have on communities in need.
We are thrilled to announce that Mini Market Day raised an impressive $1990.10 for this worthy cause. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our parents, grandparents, and friends for their incredible support of the event. It was wonderful to see so many of our school families joining us to make this event such a success. Thank you to all involved for your generosity and commitment to helping others, living out the example set by St Laurence O'Toole.
2026 KINDER SIBLING PROJECTION
If you have a sibling commencing Kindergarten in 2026, please inform the office via email at stlaurencesdubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au or by phone at 02 6882 2129.
CHRISTMAS THEME OUT OF UNIFORM DAY - COINS FOR SANTA SACKS FUNDRAISER
On Wednesday, 4th December, our Year 5 and Kinder students will hold a special charity fundraiser in support of Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids, an initiative founded by local singer Jason Owen from Albert. This will be our third year of participating in this wonderful cause. Students will dress in Christmas-themed attire for a gold coin donation, with the money raised going towards purchasing Santa sacks filled with gifts for children living in rural Australia, ensuring they experience the joy of Christmas, even in remote communities. We look forward to the fun the children will have on this day, as well as the continued generosity and support of our school community in making this fundraiser a meaningful way to give back during the festive season.
RESULTS OF THE UNIFORM SOCK CHANGE SURVEY
Thank you to the families who participated in the recent survey regarding the potential change of sock colour in our school uniform. We appreciate your time and input. The results were discussed at the recent P&F meeting, and we would like to share the outcomes with you.
Out of a possible 150 families, we received 65 responses, which gives us a 43% response rate. Of those who responded, approximately 57% expressed support for the change from white to navy socks, while 43% were opposed to the change.
Those in favour of the change cited that navy socks would be easier to keep clean than the current white socks. On the other hand, the main concerns from families who did not support the change were the higher cost of navy socks and the fact that they are more difficult to source than white socks.
Given that the response was not overwhelmingly in favour of the change, we have decided not to pursue this further at this time. The process for changing the school uniform is a multi-step process that requires approval from our parish priest, followed by the Executive Director of Schools, and ultimately the Bishop. Since the results of this survey did not demonstrate strong support for the change, we will not be taking further steps toward changing the sock colour.
Thank you again to all who participated in the survey and to those who shared their feedback. We value your input and will continue to listen to our school community as we make decisions that best serve our students and families.
LAURIES GOT TALENT - WEEKS 8 & 9
As the name suggests, Laurie’s Got Talent is our annual talent quest and a highlight of the school calendar. This fun event is set to begin on Thursday, 5th December (Week 8). Nominations will be open to all students very soon, and we encourage everyone to have a go! Students can perform individually or as part of a group, with the supportive audience always creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere. Laurie’s Got Talent will take place in the afternoons on scheduled days during Week 8 and Week 9. Our Year 6 students run the event and provide feedback to all the acts. They consistently do a fantastic job, offering encouragement and praise to every participant. We look forward to seeing the wonderful talent our students share this year!
CYBERSAFETY - APP CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS
Are your children eager to explore new apps, but you're concerned about their safety? You can check out the eSafety Commissioners app checklist for parents, designed to ensure a safe and positive online experience for your family. You can keep your little ones protected as they navigate the app store with these simple steps:
- Check the age rating and requirements
- Consider privacy - what info does the app ask for?
- Check the permissions and other settings - does it have parental controls?
- Safety check - how easy is it to report
- Do your own research - use the eSafety guide
See the following checklist for more information.
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.
KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE IN THE ROAD ENVIRONMENT
2025 STUDENT RESOURCES NEEDED FOR CLASSES
Religious Education
Alicia O'Connor - RE Coordinator
Gospel Focus
Christ The King
On the Solemnity of Christ the King, we celebrate Jesus as our King—not in the way we often think of kings with crowns and thrones, but as a King who leads with love and service. Jesus shows us that true leadership isn’t about power or riches but about compassion, humility, and putting others first. He came not to be served, but to serve, and He invites us to do the same. As we honour Christ the King, let us remember His words: “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.” May we follow His example by loving and serving one another with open hearts, building His kingdom of peace and kindness here on earth.
Reconciliation
Congratulations to the students who completed their Sacrament of Reconciliation recently.
Year 2 will come together and have cupcakes this Friday to celebrate.
Christmas Hampers 2024
Each year, our school supports the St Vincent de Paul Society by donating Christmas hampers to those in need. Your child has been sent home with a note specifying an item to contribute to the hamper. Please ensure the item is brought to school as soon as possible. Remember, all items must be unopened/ unused, non-refrigerated, non-frozen, and not homemade.
Thank you once again for your generous contributions. We are so blessed to be part of such a caring and giving school community.
Mini Market Day
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all students and parents for the time and effort you put into preparing for Mini Market Day. Your dedication played a key role in making the day a resounding success, and we appreciate the commitment and support of our families in this endeavour. The video below demonstrates the positive impact this money has on the people of Mongolia.
Term 4 Events
| Week 6 | Christ the King and World Youth Day (Sunday 24th November) |
| Week 8 | Christmas Hamper items are due back. Hampers will be made up this week. THANKYOU! (Monday 2nd of December) |
| Week 8 | Year 5 and Kinder Charity - Coins 4 Santa Sacks (Wednesday 4th of December) |
| Week 9 | Assembly and Catherine McAuley Awards (Friday 13th of December) |
| Week 9 | End of the Year Graduation Mass at St Laurence's Church |
MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 6:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 6:00pm.
St. Laurence’s Church: Sunday - 7:30am
Sports
Summer Sports Trials
Well done to all the students who represented our school at the Bathurst Diocese Summer sports trials last week. A big Congratulations to Uriah who was successful in making the Bathurst Diocese Team for Basketball at the Summer sports trials last week. We wish her all the best at the Polding trials early next year.
2025 Swimming Carnival
Save the Date! Our 2025 Swimming Carnival will be held on Monday 17th February.
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 toilets.
Being safe in the toilets means:
- We wash our hands using soap and water after using the toilets
- We keep the floor dry
- We have only one person per cubicle
- We leave our food outside
- Games are for the playground
Being responsible in the toilets means:
- We move away from the toilet area when we are not using them
- We use the toilets appropriately
- We flush the toilet after we have finished
- We turn taps off
- We wait for friends outside
- We return to class promptly
Being respectful in the toilets means:
- We respect other people’s privacy
- We clean up after ourselves
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 5
Year 5 have been presenting their Speak out pieces over the last week. Topics have varied from famous people and places to animals. Students have presented their speeches with commendable public speaking skills and a demonstrated understanding of interesting key facts to keep the audience engaged.
Awards
Happy Families
Community News
