www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au - St John's Catholic Primary School Dubbo

www.stjohnsprimarydubbo.catholic.edu.au
Week 7 Term 2                                                                                                June 9th, 2020
                                                 School Vision Statement
                               To change the world through our faith in Jesus who is our light
                                                     …
Welcome to Week 7. I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and had some time to enjoy
spending time with family and the winter sunshine. We really do live in a wonderful part of the
world.
This week, although a shorter week will be a productive one. Tonight (Tuesday) commencing at
6:30pm we will be coming together as a community for the next P&F meeting. The P&F do an
amazing job and you will be made feel very welcome if you wish to come along for the meeting.
The meeting is held in the staffroom. School is now more or less back to normal and it’s like the
children have never been away. The canteen is also open and with the turn of the weather and
the lower temperatures this week it is nice to have had the option of something warm at lunch.
Student Absences: Please be on time to school every day. We need to remember that Partial
absences = missed learning. Let your children know that every day counts by recognizing
punctuality, with good and improved attendance.
Absences add up. Do you know that being 10 minutes late each day can lead to 6 missed days
per year. Missing 2 days of school each month means over an entire year of missed learning in a
child’s school life. Each day missed puts your child behind and makes it harder for them to catch
up and can lead to lower achievement in reading, writing and numeracy.

It's enrolment time!

Just a reminder that it is enrolment time for 2021! We already have a number of enrolments with
new families looking to join the St John’s Primary community. Just a reminder if you have a
child looking to start Kindergarten in 2021 to jump on our website and complete an enrolment
form. Don’t forget to share this with friends and family as we welcome their enrolment.

SCHOOL MANAGER/PRIEST:Father Greg Kennedy                                                               PRINCIPAL:Mr Anthony O’Leary
P&F MEETINGS:
2nd & 7th Tuesday each term.

Parents/guardians
Please note that photographs of students may be used in publication. Please advise the School Office if you do not approve of your child’s photo being used.

As a school community we have done an amazing job dealing with the Covid 19 crisis. The
children have continued to settle into the normal routines and expectations of school. As we
enter the normal fly season it is timely we remember the following requirements to maximise
the health of everyone.
COVID 19 Procedures for Students
Students are to:

     ●   Wash their hands when arriving at school
     ●   Wash hands after recess, lunch and sport activities
     ●   Bring their own water bottles.
     ●   Sneeze or cough into their elbow
     ●   Not share cups, food, drinks or utensils

COVID 19 Procedures for Parents

     ●   Do not enter the school. Please drop children at the gate.
     ●   If you have been given permission to enter the school, sanitise hands before entry.
     ●   Late arrivals and early leavers will be entered by the office staff.
     ●   Keep students at home if unwell.

                      Gospel and Reflection: Tuesday 9th of June - Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light

13
     “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14                                                                               15
     “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.        Neither do people light
a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in
              16
the house.         In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.

Reflection of today’s gospel: - ‘Your light must shine in the sight of all’

The readings of today share a spirit of encouragement. St Ephrem the Syrian (306-373CE) was a great
Christian teacher and shepherd. His lifetime saw massive political and religious upheaval, as the world of
the Roman Empire collapsed.

Nevertheless, he steadily proclaimed the Christian faith through writing hundreds of hymns and prayers,
still used in the Eastern churches today. The psalm assures us that our voice is heard when ‘in the morning
Lord, . . . I lay my requests before you, and wait expectantly.’ Elijah encourages the widow and her son to
have the same calm faith in God’s providence – that the oil jar will not empty, nor will the flour run out for
them as they wait in faith and hope upon the Lord.

In the Gospel, Jesus warmly encourages us to be light to the world – to shine like lamps, so that in us,
God’s goodness is revealed ‘to everyone in the house.’ When we offer what we have, no matter how
seemingly small, God does great things through us.

God bless and have a wonderful week.
Anthony O’Leary

Religious Education News: Term 2, Week 5
                         Mass with Fr Greg: It was such a pleasure to be able to celebrate Mass
                         again with Fr Greg last week. All of our classes will have this opportunity over
                         the next several weeks. We are very grateful for Fr Greg’s spiritual guidance
                         especially during difficult times.

Vinnies Winter Appeal: Over the next 3 weeks, we ask families to think about
those in Dubbo who are less fortunate than ourselves and consider if you could
donate to our annual Vinnies Winter Appeal. Please see the attached page
about the Winter Appeal and ask yourself:
  “What can our family give to the Vinnies
                 Appeal?”

Update on St. Brigid’s Mass Celebrations: Parishioners are asked if you are
interested in attending a Parish Mass to please ring the Parish Office on 6882 4233
and book in. Confession is available on Saturday from 9-9.20am and from
10.30-10.50am in the Blessed Chapel. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel will be open for
private prayer Monday-Friday 9am to 3pm. Hand sanitiser must be used on the way in
and out and your seat sprayed with Glen-20 after use. The Chapel will be monitored
from the Parish Office via CCTV.
Weekday Mass times will now resume to normal, except for Sundays
which will still be live streamed until further notice.

Take care,
Paula Clifford
Religious Education Coordinator
(p.clifford@bth.catholic.edu.au)

St. John’s Primary School Vinnies Winter Appeal 2020

For the next 3 weeks, SJP will be coordinating an appeal for our local St Vincent de Paul Store.

Now, more than ever, vulnerable people within our community could use some assistance, whether it
be financial or through goods that would get them through the cold Dubbo winter.

We ask that all SJP families:

  ●     Make a gold coin donation on any given day throughout Weeks 7, 8 or 9 (Christian Ministers
        will collect daily)

                                   OR

  ●     Donate goods that are highly sought after during winter, example: blankets, shoes and slippers,
        jackets, scarfs, beanies, gloves, hoodies or basic kitchen utensils eg saucepans for heating
        food during cold winter months

If you choose to donate winter goods please be aware of the following information from the St.
Vincent de Paul website:

“Decided it’s time to declutter? Or the kids have outgrown their clothes but they’re still in
excellent condition? By donating your pre-loved items to Vinnies they will get a new life,
support Australians doing it tough and reduce landfill and the impact on the environment.
Vinnies shops need your good quality items to help fund Vinnies programs across the country
that support 1.3 million vulnerable Australians each year.

      What can I donate?: When considering whether something can be donated to
       Vinnies, our rule of thumb is if you’d give it to a friend, then it’s ok to give to Vinnies.

What can’t I donate?: It takes a lot of money and volunteer hours for the thousands
      of tonnes of items we get that aren’t sellable. Please do not donate any of the following:
          Ripped, torn, soiled or stained clothing/blankets, cracked or broken homewares”

So how can you donate your items?
Please send all items to Mrs Clifford’s classroom (second room in the green block) with your child.
Items will then be pooled together and a drop off to Vinnies organised.
Please ensure your items have been donated by: 26th June (Friday, Week 9) AND please can I
stress that all items must be in good condition.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries regarding our Winter
Appeal.

Many thanks for your support and generosity,
Paula Clifford
Religious Education Coordinator

Important Dates to Remember

Week 9 Term 2 - 23rd,24th,25th Kindergarten SIBLING interviews for 2021
                Enrolments

              -   Friday 26th June Final Day for Vinnies Winter Appeal
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Please ensure you are referring to the current COVID menu when
placing orders
With thanks,

Cathy Dries 0458 550 747
Canteen Manager.

                           CDF Banking 2020