Term 3 Week 8 Newsletter 2025

Important Dates

Character Virtue:  R E S I L I E N C E
What it looks like:   Resilience is the ability to recover from challenges and upsetting events without letting them crush you.
What it means:  Resilience means that you view obstacles as a chance to learn and grow in your character. 
Why it is important:  Every setback is an opportunity for you to see that God is present in the everyday circumstances of your life. 
You only have to ask for help.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 8.

It was great to see so many dads join us for our Father's Day Breakfast on Friday morning.  A big thank you to our staff who gave up their time to prepare and serve the croissants.  Kindergarten put on a beautiful liturgy for Mary's Birthday on Monday, and it was wonderful to see so many parents and friends join us for the celebration. 
This weekend, the majority of our Year 3 children will celebrate their First Holy Communion. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, and we hope it is a special weekend for them and their families. We will have our First Holy Communion Liturgy next Monday.

I've noticed in writing this week's newsletter that I've had a number of opportunities to thank parents for their support. I'd like to thank all of our parents and carers for your ongoing engagement and support. Your active involvement in your child’s education makes an incredible difference in their success and the overall spirit of our school community. Whether attending events, volunteering, helping in the canteen, helping with homework, or simply encouraging your child to do their best, your partnership means the world to us.

School Dances
Our school dances will be held in the School Hall, as follows:
INFANTS - Tuesday, 16th September - 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm
PRIMARY - Wednesday, 17th September - 6.00 pm - 7.30 pm

Religious Education

2025 First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion continues on the 13th and 14th of September, with many St. Mary’s students making their sacrament this weekend. Please come along to help our Year 3 class celebrate. 

Term 3 Meet4Mass
Our Term 3 Meet 4 Mass will be held on Sunday, 14th September, in conjunction with our Year 3s’ First Eucharist weekend. We are also looking for volunteer student readers to read a prayer of the faithful on the day. If your child is interested in reading, please speak to Mr Keady. 

Mary’s Birthday
We celebrated Mary’s Birthday on Monday, 8th September.  A special thanks to Kindergarten and their teachers for leading us in this very special liturgy. 

Reconciliation Enrolment
Reconciliation enrolment will continue on Saturday and Sunday, 20th/21st September. If your child is making their first Reconciliation this year, they will be required to attend a Mass to enrol. If you are unable to attend, please email myself or Rosie Hosking, our sacraments coordinator at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au

New Saints in the Catholic Church
Pope Leo XIV canonised Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in Rome. While the ceremony was in Italy, the celebration – and the lessons – reach right into Australian Catholic schools.

His extraordinary life, although very short, has impacted millions of people, particularly young people. Carlo was born 3 May 1991 and died on 12 October 2006. He was only 15.

He was the only child of wealthy, educated Italian parents who were not particularly religious. Carlo first learnt about God through his nannies and tutors.

Even as a toddler he showed amazing awareness of the love of Jesus and was drawn to attending Mass. He was educated in Catholic schools and showed kindness to those kids who were being picked on. He always defended them.

He loved nature, soccer and was active in clean-up campaigns. He also loved video games and became a web designer to help at his local church and also to continue to spread the Word of God, particularly about the Eucharist. His parents were encouraged to attend Mass. He never shied away from spreading God’s love to everyone.

ST. BRIGID'S PARISH - MASS TIMES: 
St Brigid's:  Saturday - 6pm, Sunday - 9am and Sunday - 6pm
St. Laurence's Church:  Sunday - 7.30am

Sport

Netball NSW Schools Cup
Well done to our netball girls who came second at last week's Schools Cup in Orange. An outstanding effort! Thanks to the parents who went along and supported our girls.

Year 2 League Tag
Our Year 2 students had a great day at the League Tag Gala last week, thanks to our wonderful parents who came along and helped us by either coaching a team or just giving their support.

Diocesan Athletics Carnival
Best of luck to the following athletes who travel to Newcastle for this Friday's Polding Athletics Carnival: Thomas, Lucinda, Jake, Maddix, Evie, Thomas, Lucy, Slater, Tanner, Roy, Emma, Maggie, Buddy, Diesel, Frankie, Esther, Frankie, Aidan, Rio, Ella, Ollie, and Leo. Congratulations to all of you for reaching this level of competition.

Premier's Reading Challenge

REMINDER
The closing date for the PRC is Friday, 19th September 2025.
To complete the challenge, children in Years 1 and 2 need to have read 20 books from the PRC list and 10 free-choice books. The children in Years 3 to 6 need to have read 10 books from the PRC list and 10 free-choice books.

Each child must then log onto the website and record the books they have read before 19th September to receive their certificates.

If you are having any problems, please feel free to contact me.                           

Mrs McKenzie - Teacher Librarian

Awards

STUDENT OF THE WEEK:

HOUSE AWARDS:
Congratulations to the following students for gaining 10 points for
their Sports House for exemplary behaviour:

Wellbeing

PEER SUPPORT:

This week, children discuss the importance of showing gratitude. Children reflect on positive aspects of their lives, including people. Activities give children the opportunity to thank someone who helps them. During the week, encourage your child to appreciate/thank people.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attendance

Community News

BIRTHDAYS:
Celebrating their birthday this week are:
Chloe, Monika, Frankie, Bashie, Elias-Ali, Louie,
Mrs Clare Weir and Mrs Pixi Vincent-Cross.
We hope you enjoy your birthday!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * *

Canteen

MunchMonitor - We encourage all families to use the MunchMonitor online program for lunch orders. 

We Are Allergy Aware

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. We want to do our best to keep those at risk, as safe as possible. We have several children at our school who have allergies to peanuts and tree-nuts.
It is important for the safety of these children that we ask that you don't send any nuts or nut products to school.
This includes foods such as peanut butter, Nutella, hazelnut spreads, trail mix or muesli bars/biscuits that contain nuts.

Please help us maintain the health and well-being of all our students by considering this information when packing lunches for your child.

We appreciate your support.

The Clothing Pool

Bus Information