Term 4 Week 3

School Vision Statement: To change the world through our faith in Jesus who is our light.
Phone: 6882 2677 or 6882 2653
Email: stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au                    
Principal: Mr. Anthony O’Leary
Parish Priest: Father Greg Kennedy           
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.

Term 4
Week 3
Friday 31st October - Soctober
Week 4
Wednesday 5th November - Year 5 depart on Sydney Excursion
Friday 7th November - Year 5 return from Sydney Excursion
Week 5
Tuesday 11th November - Rememberance Day Liturgy at 10:20am

Change of Details, have any of your details changed??
Please inform the school office if you have changed address, have a new email or phone contact number, changed jobs, or have different emergency contacts for your child/children. 

Attendance Notes
If your child is absent from school, could you please ensure that attendance notes are submitted through Compass in a timely manner. If you are experiencing difficulties in submitting attendance notes in Compass, please contact the school office on 02 6882 2677 or stjohnsprimarydubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au 

Welcome to Week 3
Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 3! Thank you for the way you continue to support our students, staff, and community — it’s been a wonderful start to the term.

Families Leaving in 2027
If your family is planning to leave St John’s at the end of the year, please contact the office as soon as possible to assist us with forward planning.

Class Considerations for 2026
We are currently beginning the process of forming our draft class lists for 2026.
Parents are invited to write to me regarding any considerations you would like us to keep in mind, such as friendship groupings or particular learning needs.
Please note that requests for specific teachers cannot be considered, as staffing is still being finalised and class allocations are made based on the needs of all students and teams.

If you feel this is something you’d like to discuss, please email me at a.oleary@bth.catholic.edu.au by Friday, 31 October.

Thank You – Sponsor Child Disco
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Sponsor Child Disco last week! It was such a joyful event, and the turnout was fantastic. Your generosity helps us continue to support our sponsor child, Stephanie, and make a real difference in her life.
A special thank you to Mrs Clifford for coordinating our link with Stephanie and helping our students understand the importance of compassion and global citizenship.

Kindergarten 2026 Orientation
This Thursday, 30 October, will be our first Kindergarten 2026 Orientation Day, following on from last week’s Parent Information Night.
We can just imagine how excited our new Kindergarten students must be,  and we are equally excited to welcome them!
A big thank you to the Kindergarten Team for the care and quality planning that has gone into making this experience so special for our newest learners.

World Teachers’ Day – Friday, 31 October
This Friday we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a time to say thank you to the amazing teachers who inspire, support, and empower our students every single day.

At St John’s, we are truly blessed with a dedicated and caring team who continually give so much,  both during the school day and beyond.

As Principal, I feel so grateful to work alongside such committed educators.
Let’s celebrate them this Friday by showing our appreciation in small ways, a kind word, a note of thanks, or even a creative “hats off” selfie!

You can find thank-you card templates and ideas for celebrating at aitsl.edu.au/worldteachersday.

All Saints Day
This week is also a special and significant day in the Catholic calendar — All Saints Day. SJP will be celebrating Mass for All Saints Day on Friday, commencing at 10:00am and all are welcome.
All around the world, the Church gathers to remember the saints, both known and unknown, who have lived lives of extraordinary faith, courage, and service.

Traditionally, All Saints Day honours those who have lived virtuously and shared God’s love with the world, followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd, when we remember all who have gone before us.
Throughout November, the Month of Remembrance, we take time to reflect, pray, and give thanks for those who have inspired us by their faith and example.

Wishing everyone a joyful and faith-filled week ahead.
Thank you for all that you do to make St John’s the wonderful, welcoming community it is.

Warm regards,
Anthony

Thank you!
A big thankyou to all of the families who supported our fundraising disco for our sponsor child Stephanie last week. While the disco moves were perfected and lots of singing and great fun was had, we also raised $1160. This is a fabulous result and helps to brighten Stephanie’s future. Thankyou to all involved!

Sacrament of Reconciliation Preparation Sessions
Preparation sessions 2 will be held this week at the following times. Parents, please be aware that you and your child are expected to attend all 3 sessions.

Socktober
This week all classes will be learning about Catholic Missions and how in 2025, support is going to Zambia. We will learn about a family who rely on maize (corn) and in particular their struggle to feed themselves yet sell enough to make a living. This coming Friday all students are encouraged to wear crazy socks and sunnies. Yes in the past we have invited our students to wear crazy hair however this often becomes an issue when trying to wear a school hat. Therefore in 2025 we will continue with the Socktober theme of Crazy Socks AND Sunnies! 

Students are asked to give what they can by bringing coins to school inside a clean sock. We would be super appreciate if the sock could be an odd sock, so we can use it to help make class sockballs. Sockballs inevitably fall apart when we play soccer with them, however it gives our students a glimpse of our very lucky they are to live in Australia where proper soccer balls are easily accessible and affordable. Please see the poster that follows for more details.

All Saints Mass
This coming Friday 31st October, we will also celebrate a special day for the Catholic Church. All Saints Day is held every year on the 1st November, and commemorates people who have devoted their life to God and the teachings of Jesus. We will celebrate this day together with a Mass in our school hall. All members of the SJP community are warmly welcome to attend the Mass with us which will begin at 10am.

Year 4 Retreat Day
This Thursday our Year 4 students will gather together to reflect on the theme of identity and acceptance as they celebrate their grade retreat. The day will give the students an opportunity to reflect on their own uniqueness and how to show gratitude towards others who have different strengths from their own. We know Year 4 will thoroughly enjoy this day which they will celebrate at St. Brigid’s Parish Hall. Year 4 parents, please keep an eye out for communication from Year 4 teachers regarding this day.

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

Enjoy your week.
Paula Clifford
Religious Education Coordinator

SPB4L Focus
This fortnight, our SPB4L focus is on revisiting some of the key expectations we have learned and practised throughout the year. By reinforcing these important areas, we are helping students finish the term positively and continue making respectful and responsible choices.

Our reminder focuses include:

• Listening carefully to teachers and friends.
  
• Wearing hats when outside to stay safe in the sun.
  
• Placing rubbish in the bins to keep our school clean and welcoming for everyone.
  

Taking time to revisit these expectations helps strengthen positive habits and ensures our school remains a safe, respectful, and caring environment for all.

Polding Girls Rugby League Trial
Last Friday, some of our Year 5 and 6 girls attended the inaugural Polding Girls Rugby League Trial in Toukley. 

The girls who attended participated in a tackle safe session run by NRL Development Officers, NRLW and Harvey Norman Cup players. They then played trial games for the opportunity to be selected into the Polding Team. 

We would like to congratulate Manaia for being selected for the Girls Rugby League Polding Team by showcasing her outstanding football skills and teamwork throughout the day. She will now play MacKillop in an exhibition match at the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence, Homebush, on 9th December.

Well Done Manaia — What a fantastic achievement!

Monty’s Colour Fun Run
Monty's Colour Fun Run is coming 

14th November 2025! (Friday Week 5)

Remember to create a profile page at www.myprofilepage.com.au and share your profile to family & friends to receive online donations.

Mix and Match prizes or send the donations to one of the causes available – The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Carbon Neutral, OzHarvest, The Smith Family and Dolly’s Dream.