2025 Newsletter Term 2 Week 1
Letter from the Principal - Brad Toole
Dear Parents,
Welcome back for Term 2!! I hope that everyone enjoyed the Easter Holiday period and made the most of the beautiful weather that we were experiencing. We have a very busy start to Term 2 with lots of exciting activities coming up.
I was extremely proud of the number of students who turned up to march with our school at the ANZAC Day March on Friday. Thanks to all the families for ensuring that this happened and continuing into future years.
Have a great term everybody!
R.E. Matters
The theme for 2025 is…
All Hallows - People of Hope
2025 is a Year of Jubilee!
Many thanks to Mrs Buckle and our students for creating our beautiful hall display.
Message from Bishop McKenna on the death of Pope Francis.
When I heard that Pope Francis had died, my first prayer was from Matthew’s Gospel:
“Well done, good and faithful servant! ...Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Just a day before he died, the Pope left his convalescence to come to St Peter’s square and bless the Church and the world on Easter Sunday. Faithful to the end.
In the coming days, much will be written and said about this consequential papacy and the man who served in it. For now, let us pray for our brother, that the risen Lord will carry him to the common resurrection. And may his prayers join with ours that the cardinals will be guided by the Holy Spirit as they prepare to call a new Bishop of Rome.
+Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst
Easter Season
Easter is the most important season in the Church’s calendar.
The Easter season is 50 days long, with the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit, marking its end. Ascension Thursday occurs 40 days after Easter Sunday. Readings during the Easter season focus on Jesus’ teaching after the Resurrection.
The Liturgical colours used during the Easter season are white and gold.
School Masses/Liturgies Term 2
Please join us for our special celebrations this term where our school community gathers to give thanks and pray. Liturgies are held at school and masses in our church- St John the Baptist.
Keep a record of these dates. More details for each will be in future newsletters.
Wk 2 – Friday 9th May: Mother’s Day Liturgy@ 10.30am
Wk 3- Sunday 18th May: Confirmation Enrolment Mass @ 10.30am
Wk 4- Monday 19th May: Catholic Schools Week
Wk 4- Tuesday 23rd May: Mary Help of Christians Assembly Prayer
Wk 8 – Sunday 22nd June: Confirmation Mass @ 11.00am
Wk 10- Wednesday 2nd July: NAIDOC Liturgy
2025 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Sacrament | Parent Meeting | Commitment Mass | Date of Sacrament |
Confirmation Yr 6 Class Teacher: Kylie Statham | Confirmation Wednesday 14th May 3.30pm | Confirmation Sunday 18th May 10.30am | Confirmation Sunday 22nd June 11.00am |
First Reconciliation Yr 3 Class Teacher: Meg Kelly | - | - | First Reconciliation Thursday 31st July 12.15pm |
First Holy Communion Yr 3 Class Teacher: Meg Kelly | First Holy Communion Wednesday 25th June 3.30pm | First Holy Communion Sunday 29th June 10.30am | First Holy Communion Sunday 24th August 10.30am |
These are the important dates for our Sacramental Program this year. Please contact your child’s teacher or
Ms Statham (REC) if you have any questions or want to know more about Catholic Sacraments.
CONFIRMATION
A meeting for parents/guardians of children making their Confirmation will be held on WEDNESDAY 14th May , 2025 at 3.30pm in the School Library. Students in Yr 6 who will be making their Confirmation this year must have a parent attend this meeting please.
CONFIRMATION will be held on SUNDAY 22nd June 2025.
Christian Living Camp
We wish our Year Six students a fun time at their Christian Living Camp next week.
They will take time out to reflect on ‘Living an Authentic Christian life’ now and in their future. Held at Lake Burrendong Sport and Rec, it is always a highlight for our seniors. They will be joined at the camp by Yr 6 students from St Michael’s Dunedoo, Sacred Heart Coolah, St John’s Baradine and Assumption, Bathurst.
Mother's Day Liturgy
Please join us for our Mother’s Day Liturgy next Friday 9th May at 10.30am. This will be followed by a ‘High Tea’ for all our Mothers, Grandmothers and important woman in our lives. Kindergarten are organising the Liturgy and High Tea.
Thankyou to Mrs Menchin and Kinder parents.
ANZAC Day
On Monday members from the Gulgong RSL Sub- branch joined the school community for our ANZAC Liturgy. The students were reverent and respectful as we commemorated this important day. Students from Yr 6 proudly led the liturgy with all students involved in the singing and praying. Mr Marsh, Sub-branch President, addressed the school and presented prizes for our ANZAC themed artwork. A highlight was Mr Kruger playing the Last Post and the Rouse on the bugle. We thank all our parents, grandparents and servicemen and women for joining us for this special liturgy.
Canteen Helpers Required
Please email the school office if you’re able to help in the canteen on a Tuesday or Thursday between 10 - 2.00pm. We will be putting a roster of volunteers together to help Emma in Term 2.
SPORT
Diocesan Cross Country
Next Tuesday is the Diocesan Cross Country, hosted by Sacred Heart in Coolah. The team will travel by car / bus to Coolah. A reminder for parents to register their child on the CSNSW Sport Website and complete school online compass permission and payment if they have not done so already.
The bus will leave school at 9.00am sharp and will be back in time for buses. Students will need to wear Sports uniform and bring their recess, lunch and two water bottles.
Our runners have been training well and we wish them all good luck in their event.
UNIFORM POLICY
We will have a two week transition into Winter uniform at the start of next term.
Students need to transition into their Winter uniform including tie by the Monday of Week 3 at the latest. We don’t want students mixing and matching the summer and winter uniforms together. Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the uniform changeover.
The Uniform Shop will be open Tuesday mornings and if you need other times please private message the P&F facebook page.
Uniform Policy
As we head into Term 2 I thought I would remind you of our uniform policy.
Boys Winter Uniform - Grey Pants, Light Blue Long Sleeved Shirt, Tie, Grey Socks, Black Shoes or Boots (Whole shoe must be black and no other colours), School Bucket Hat, Maroon Jumper or Navy Jacket.
Girls Winter Uniform - Maroon Pants or Pinafore, White Shirt, Tie, White Socks, Black Shoes, Maroon or White Ribbons, School Bucket Hat, School Bucket Hat, Maroon Jumper or Navy Jacket.
Sports Uniform - School Sports Uniform, White Socks, Sports Shoes, Blue Jumper or Navy Jacket.
All uniform items must be clearly labelled with full name or initials clearly marked on the clothing item.
Hair
Hair should be neat and tidy at all times. Shoulder length hair should be tied back and not in the eyes. Radical/Trendy haircuts such as mullets/ mohawks etc or colours which may cause the student to be the object of ridicule are not permitted. If in doubt the school should be contacted before the child’s hair is cut.
Jewellery
Jewellery is not part of the uniform. Students may wear small stud or sleeper earrings only and there may be occasions during sport where these must be removed for safety sake. One bangle or signet ring is permitted. Costume jewellery is not appropriate for wearing at school.
Make-up and Nail Polish are not to be worn at school.
All Hallows Spelling Bee
This week Mrs Buckle will be conducting our All Hallows Spelling Bee for 2025 in the school hall. The Spelling Bee is open to all students from Years 3-6. Students will be split into a 3-4 division and a 5-6 division. The top two students will qualify to represent our school at the Diocesan Spelling Bee in Wellington later in Term 2.
Thanks to Mrs Buckle for coordinating the Spelling Bee.
Year 6 Grip Leadership Day - Dubbo
On Monday 12th May our student leaders and Ms Statham will attend the Grip Student Leadership Program Day in Dubbo. The GRIP Student Leadership Conference is unique in that it concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role as school leaders. The style, topics, and content of this conference all focus on what the students can do right now.
School Fees
Term 2 School Fee Statements have been emailed out this week. The 2nd instalment is due Friday 25th May.
If you are making regular weekly/fortnightly payments by direct debit, in most cases you can ignore the overdue amount showing on your statement as you will catch up over the course of the year. We do ask that you ensure you have enough funds in your account to cover your payments so that your account is paid by the end of the year.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and wish to discuss fee relief options or would like to set up a payment plan, please contact the office.
School Improvement Surveys
Once again our school will be conducting surveys to gather your knowledge, beliefs and experiences regarding our school. This survey is part of a suite of annual surveys we are conducting with staff, parents and students. We are collecting this data to capture the experience of all key stakeholders in our school. The results and analysis of the data will assist our school leaders to drive school improvement.
This week you will be sent an email with a direct link to the survey. It is important that we have your current email address in our school administration system. Please contact us if you have recently changed your email address.
Your participation in this questionnaire is voluntary and confidential. All analysis of data will be done in such a way that your identity will remain anonymous. We would greatly value your participation and input.
Merit Awards - Term 1 Week 10
Kinder: Carter, Joey, Malia, Eevee
Year 1: John, Hilary
Year 2: Winifred, Cooper
Year 3: Indie, Hunter, Marley
Year 4: Madden, Aiden, Charlotte
Year 5: Liam, Anna
Year 6: Olivia, Lexi, Dakota
Halos: Logan, Maisy, Hilary, Marley, Audrey B, Claire F, Claire H, Harper, Lennon, Ryan
Student Wellbeing
