“Be patient and work generously in the service of our Divine Lord.”
Mary MacKillop 1898

Sacramental Program

Please see the attached pdf for the Sacramental Program dates. If you have any questions, please email maguirer02@dow.catholic.edu.au

Mini Vinnies

Congratulations to the following students who were inducted into the 2023 Mini Vinnies team last Friday:

Mini Vinnies empowers primary school students to become advocates within their school and local community by putting their values into action.  They meet regularly to learn about social justice issues, develop leadership skills and engage with the wider St Vincent de Paul Society.  The Mini Vinnies model of “See, Think, Do” is a great way to get young people thinking and talking about their spirituality and to connect their faith with issues affecting their community through volunteering, advocacy and fundraising. Not only do the students in Mini Vinnies benefit from the experience but also the school and wider community.

Fundraiser for Syria and Turkey

Pope Francis asks for prayers and solidarity for quake victims in Turkey and Syria and renews his appeal for concrete help and prayers for all those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria.

The Mini Vinnies team will be hosting a Mufti Day Fundraising on Tuesday the 21st of February. Students are encouraged to wear mufti clothes (don’t forget to bring a hat and wear enclosed shoes) and to bring in a financial donation, which will be donated to Caritas Australia, who are in contact with Caritas Syria, Turkey and other Caritas agencies on the ground as they assess the scale of the damage and critical needs.

Your donation today will help communities affected by the earthquake.
Thousands of people have been killed after a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Turkey and Syria, followed by another large earthquake only hours later. Sadly thousands of deaths have been reported in Turkey and Syria, and the death toll is increasing by the hour. Freezing winter weather is only adding to the devastation, as the thousands left injured, trapped or homeless are stuck in bitter cold and freezing rain.

A Prayer for those affected by the Syria - Turkey Earthquake
God of Compassion, we call on your name in times of need.
We pray for the thousands upon thousands of our sisters and brothers who at this moment are feeling the terrible impacts of the earthquake.
We remember especially those who have died, those who grieve,
the communities struggling with basic needs, the workers who are trying to help.
We ask that you open the hearts of all people, even those far away, to contribute to the rebuilding of a broken world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, who suffers with all who suffer.
Amen.

Lent

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that begins with Ash Wednesday and concludes at sundown on Holy Thursday, at which point the Easter Triduum begins and Catholics enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion before Easter.

Ash Wednesday is on the 22nd of February. Years 3-6 will attend Mass at 9:30am and Years K-2 will participate in a Liturgy at 12pm. Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of Lent, it reminds us that God loves us. He forgives us when we are sorry for our sins. Lent is a journey that we make each year. It helps us to deepen our faith in God. Lent is a journey we make in faith. It is a journey to Easter.

The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolise penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

Dates for your diary:

• Thurs 16th Feb 11:15am – Reconciliation (Half of Year 6)
• Fri 17th Feb 9:30am – Year 3 Grade Mass
• Fri 17th Feb 11:15am – Reconciliation (Half of Year 6)
• Fri 17th Feb 9:30am – Year 5 & Year 2 Buddies Grade Mass
• Tue 21st Feb – Mufti Day (Fundraising for quake victims in Turkey and Syria)
• Wed 22nd Feb – Ash Wednesday 9:30am Years 3-6 Mass, 12pm K-2 Liturgy
• Thurs 23rd Feb 11:15am – Reconciliation (Half of Year 4)
• Fri 24th Feb 11:15am – Reconciliation (Half of Year 4)
• Fri 24th Feb 9:30am – Year 5 and Year 2  Buddy Mass
• Friday 3rd March 9:30am – Year 1 Mass

Prayer Intentions

We pray for the peoples of all the world, that the Lord may graciously preserve harmony among them,

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.
St John the Evangelist, pray for us.

Renee Maguire
Religious Education Coordinator

PB4L is an evidence-based framework that emphasises school-wide systems of support for all students and staff. These include proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours. Positive behaviour supports are implemented for all students, across all school settings, by all staff, at all times. This continuum of support ensures students’ academic and social outcomes.

All student behaviour expectations are founded on our three school rules – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.

On Friday 10 February, we celebrated a beautiful Liturgy with Father Francis at which our student leaders were officially inducted. Congratulations to the following students:

Thank you to the many children who have returned their Holiday Reading Log. The last day for collection was Friday 10 February. The children who achieved the required reading hours for a reading award will be presented with their certificate during the weekly merit award assembly on Friday, 24th February.

The Carly Ryan Foundation is a certified online safety program provider under the Office of the eSafety Commissioner and delivers online safety and support in the areas of internet safety and crime, cyberbullying, connection to resources and counselling and contributing to law and policy reform.

Please take the time to read through the fact sheets on apps, some of the apps you will be familiar with, however there may be some that you as a parent/carer are unaware of.

Whilst we appreciate parents contacting the office via phone to advise of a student absence, a note must still be produced within 7 days of the occurrence of the absence.  This can be completed on the Compass Parent Portal by adding an attendance note on your home screen. Failure to do so will result in the student absence being recorded as “unexplained or unjustified” in accordance with NSW Attendance Register requirements.  

Parents do not need to apply for an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE for absences of less than 10 school days.  A letter explaining the absence is required by the Principal and the child’s class teacher prior to leave being taken.

Planned absences for more than 10 school days require the completion of an EXEMPTION FROM ATTENDANCE form which is available from the school office or can be downloaded from the school webpage: www.sjddow.catholic.edu.au.  Please note, requests for absences of more than 10 school days during school terms will only be approved for exceptional or extenuating circumstances (this does not include extended absences due to illness). Absences granted by exemption will be included in the total student absences for the year. These protocols are in accordance with Department of Education and Catholic Education Office Policies.

If your child is required to leave school earlier than the afternoon dismissal times, there is no need to complete an attendance note on Compass, the office staff will action this for you.  Please provide a note to the class teacher advising of the time your child is being collected, the reason for their early departure and the name of the person collecting your child. Your child will be sent to the office at this time to await collection. Please be mindful of our recess and lunch times and try to collect your child outside these times as this can cause delays in ensuring your child is ready at the requested time.

Throughout the year, schools are allocated Staff Development Days (pupil-free days). These days are used to assist in the implementation of school improvement priorities, develop staff spiritual formation and for additional professional learning. The following pupil-free days have been set for 2023: 

• Thursday 6 April
• Monday 24 April
• Monday 17 July
• Monday 18 December
• Tuesday 19 December

In the coming weeks, Kindergarten teachers will be hosting parent/teacher meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to provide parents with an opportunity to meet their child’s classroom teacher and for teachers to provide feedback following the Best Start Assessments. Bookings for Kindergarten parent/teacher meetings are now open. All bookings need to be made via Compass, under the 'Conference' tab. The 'Conference' tab can be found under the 'More' tab. Once open, please follow the prompts to make a parent/teacher booking with your child's classroom teacher. If you need assistance, please contact the school office. 

Kindergarten – 1st Day

Kindergarten – Sport, Music, Libary and with the School Leaders