Term 2 Week 7 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

KINDER SHINES AT DUBBO EISTEDDFOD NURSERY RHYMES PERFORMANCE

Our wonderful Kindergarten students recently took centre stage at the Dubbo Eisteddfod in the Nursery Rhymes in Costume section. Dressed in delightful costumes ranging from adorable little sheep and spooky spiders to sparkling stars and cheerful scarecrows, the children captivated the audience with their charm and enthusiasm. Their carefully rehearsed performances truly brought classic nursery rhymes to life, showcasing their creativity and energy. We are so proud of their fantastic efforts and the joy they shared with everyone in attendance.

We are incredibly thankful for Mrs Carmen Gain’s tremendous support and guidance in preparing both the students and their families for this special performance. Her dedication ensured the children felt confident and ready to shine. We are also very grateful to Mrs Jo Tegart for sharing her musical talents and beautifully accompanying the students on the piano. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Miss Lara Winterton, Miss Courtney Monaghan, and Mrs Jan Matterson for their support of both the students and Mrs Gain throughout the preparation and performance.

Well done to all involved on such a joyful and memorable experience!

YEAR 6 PRE-CONFIRMATION RETREAT PROMOTES FAITH AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Our Year 6 students recently had the wonderful opportunity to join their peers from St John’s Primary for a special Pre-Confirmation Retreat day, hosted at St John’s College. This retreat was designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation, helping them to reflect thoughtfully on the significance of the Holy Spirit and how they can live out its gifts in their everyday lives.

The retreat was thoughtfully facilitated by senior students from St John’s College, who guided our Year 6s through a range of faith-based activities, discussions, and reflections. It was a meaningful day that encouraged not only spiritual growth but also fostered new friendships and strengthened the bond between our schools.

We are very thankful to Mr Andrew Long and Ms Michelle Dickerson for accompanying the students on the day and for their support in nurturing the students on their faith development journey.

Events like this are invaluable in supporting our students’ faith journeys and in building a connected Catholic education community, as our schools work together to provide a rich K–12 experience. We will keep our Year 6 students in our prayers as they continue to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in early August.

We look forward to more collaborative opportunities that nurture both the spiritual and personal development of our students.

SOCCER GALA DAY - PARENT HELPERS, SPONSORSHIP & YOUR INPUT NEEDED

Soccer Gala Day is our major fundraiser for the year, and our P&F will soon be calling for volunteers as we begin preparations. This event is a highlight of the school year, with over 700 students from across the region joining us for a day full of fun and friendly competition.

Each class’s students are divided into teams, and we rely on parent volunteers to act as team managers on the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a fantastic group of students and be part of the excitement. The teams will already be set, so no prior training is required. As a team manager, you’ll receive a roster and a list of players to support your team throughout the day. Your role will be to encourage fair play, ensure everyone gets a turn on the field, and help foster teamwork and sportsmanship. If you’re able to help, please let your child’s teacher know.

There are many other ways to help out, including setting up and taking down soccer nets, assisting with making and distributing lunches, manning the pop-up stalls, supporting the cake stall, or baking goods to donate for the cake stall.

More information will be sent home in the coming weeks, including options for you to select your availability and how you can assist.

The P&F Executive is seeking your ideas on how the funds raised this year can best support the students of St Laurence’s School. These funds are an important part of making our school an even better place for all students, and your suggestions - big or small - can make a real difference. We would love to hear your thoughts on how the funds could be used to benefit students in the classroom, outdoors, through new programs, or any other improvements. Please take a moment to complete the brief survey in the link below to share your ideas. Thank you for helping us ensure that every dollar raised has a positive impact on the learning and wellbeing of our children!

Please also see the information in the letter below from our P&F Secretary, Meagan Gunn, regarding sponsorship for our event.

100 NIGHTS OF READING SUPERSTARS

More students happy to be checking off 100 nights of home reading last week! We love celebrating reading at St Laurence's and encourage our students to develop a love and enthusiasm for reading. When students achieve 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 nights of Home Reading they are rewarded with a special book prize from my Book Box.

UPDATED DATE FOR SCHOOL PHOTOS – TUESDAY 5TH AUGUST

Please note that there has been a change to the originally scheduled date for our school photos due to a staffing issue with the photography company. School photos will now take place on Tuesday 5th August.

To ensure all students are looking their best for these important school memories, we kindly ask that all students wear their full formal winter uniform on the day, not their sports uniform.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with this change and thank you for your ongoing support.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR STRONG ATTENDANCE AND THRIVING LEARNERS

As the winter season settles in, we understand that the colder weather often brings with it a few more sniffles, coughs, and seasonal bugs. At St Laurence’s, the health and wellbeing of our students is always a top priority, and we’re incredibly grateful to our families for the care and consideration you show in keeping our school community safe.

To help everyone stay healthy and ensure our students can continue learning in a consistent, settled environment, we’d like to gently remind families of a few times when it’s best to keep children at home to rest and recover:

• If they have a fever of 38°C or above

• If they are vomiting or have diarrhoea

• If their eyes are pink, red, and crusty (which could be a sign of conjunctivitis)

Of course, we know that from time to time, children will need a day at home to get better - and that’s completely understandable. If your child does need time away from school due to illness, we encourage you to keep in touch with us so we can offer support where needed. If absences become frequent, prolonged, or unclear, we may request a doctor’s certificate, just so we can ensure everything is in place to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.

While we care deeply about health, we also know how important regular school attendance is. We’re working together to help every student reach an attendance rate of 90% or above throughout the year. Every school day is a building block in your child’s learning journey - academically, socially, and emotionally. When children are here, they are growing, learning, connecting, and thriving.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and for all you do to support your child and our school community. We’re here to work alongside you and support your family in any way we can.

HOW TO HELP KIDS OVERCOME SCHOOL REFUSAL AND THRIVE

Here’s another helpful article for families, continuing the series of parenting insights I’ve been sharing in our newsletter over the past few weeks. This one focuses on an issue that affects many families at some point: school refusal. It’s a challenging topic, but with understanding and the right strategies, it’s something we can work through together.

What is school refusal?

It's more than just a child saying “I don’t want to go to school today.” School refusal is a complex emotional and behavioural response where a child experiences significant distress or anxiety about attending school - often leading to ongoing or repeated absences. Think of it as a sign that your child is feeling overwhelmed.

How does school refusal show up?

Children may:

• Complain of stomach aches, headaches, nausea

• Cling to a parent, cry persistently, or refuse to leave home

• Show distress about specific events, like tests, presentations, or social interactions

Why does it happen?

There are several common causes:

1. Anxiety and Separation Anxiety
   Especially in younger children, fear of being away from parents can be intense. Watch how your child behaves at drop-off - persistent distress may signal deeper separation anxiety.

2. Social Anxiety
   Worries about friendships, group work, or being judged can make school feel like a threat.

3. Academic Pressure
   Some children - particularly first-borns or perfectionists - may fear failure or feel overwhelmed by schoolwork.

4. Specific School-Related Fears
   This might be a fear of a subject, classmate, or even something like the school bus.

5. Major Life Changes
   Events such as moving house, family separation, or the death of a loved one can impact a child’s emotional wellbeing and lead to school refusal.

6. Underlying Mental Health Concerns
   Conditions like anxiety disorders or depression can be at the root of refusal. If a child is also showing changes in appetite, sleep, or mood, it’s worth seeking support.

What helps?

Here’s a supportive and structured approach you can take as a parent:

1. Listen and Validate

Start with empathy. Let your child know you understand and believe their feelings are real.

2. Work With the School

Teachers, counsellors and principals often have experience with this. Partner with them to make a plan tailored to your child’s needs.

3. Seek Professional Help

Psychologists or counsellors can provide valuable tools and therapies to support your child.

4. Gradual Return

Rather than an all-or-nothing approach, begin with shorter school days and build up.

5. Morning Routine

A consistent, predictable morning routine helps children feel more in control.

6. Praise Effort

Acknowledge small wins. Even showing up for part of the day is a brave step forward.

Additional tips to try at home:

• Create a calm sleep routine for better rest

• Teach anxiety-reducing strategies like deep breathing

• Role-play school situations your child finds hard

• Help identify triggers and patterns

• Encourage social skills through play or structured programs

• Avoid reinforcing avoidance (like staying home for comfort)

• Stay consistent with expectations and follow-through

And remember - look after yourself too.

Supporting a child through school refusal is emotionally tough. It affects the whole family. Make sure you have support around you, and allow yourself time to rest and reset.

In summary: School refusal is difficult but not insurmountable. With calm, consistent support and a collaborative approach involving school and, if needed, professionals, your child can gradually regain confidence and comfort in the school setting.

As always, I hope this article provides reassurance and practical ideas. Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss any concerns you have. You're not alone in this.

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we don’t have to understand everything all at once. He says, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Instead, He promises the Spirit of truth, who will guide us gently and faithfully over time. As we grow—in age, in faith, and in understanding—we learn to listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in our hearts. Let’s encourage our children to be open to that voice, to ask questions, and to trust that God is walking with them every step of the way.

Preparation Sessions for Confirmation Begin This Week

Students and a parent are asked to attend one of the following Confirmation preparation sessions:

• Tuesday, 10th June at 6:15pm (following the 5:45pm Mass)

• Wednesday, 11th June at 4:30pm

• Sunday, 15th June at 10:00am (following the 9:00am Mass)

All sessions will be held at St Brigid’s Church Hall.
Thank you for your support as we journey together in preparing our students to receive this special sacrament.

Term 2 Events

MASS TIMES: St. Brigid’s: Saturday - 5:00pm, Sunday - 9:00am and Sunday - 5:00pm.

St. Laurence’s Church: Monday- 9:30am, Wednesday - 9:30am, Friday -12 noon and Sunday - 7:30am

Sports

CROSS COUNTRY

Good luck to Lawson and Lucy W at the CPS Cross Country being held at Eastern Creek this week.

An amazing achievement for both students to make it to this level!

We will be cheering you both on!

Rugby Union Gala Day

A note has been sent home to individual students interested in participating in the upcoming 10-a-side Rugby Union gala day. Students are welcome to put in an expression of interest, these students may be placed in combined teams with players from other schools to participate in the gala day being held on Tuesday 24th June.

If your child has shown interest in attending, please complete the note and return by Tuesday 10th June so we can coordinate entries and player positions. 

Please note: Parents are responsible for arranging transport to and from the Emus Rugby Fields in Orange on the day.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

As part of our ongoing commitment to Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) each class spends time reviewing and learning about the expectations in specific areas. The focus can be developed from feedback and data. This week our focus is keeping Wally safe at school.

• We put all food scraps in the bin
• We help keep Wally calm 
• We are safe, responsible and respectful with Wally in the classroom
• We are kind to Wally in the playground
• We give Wally praise and rewards

Canteen

Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who have heard our call for help and put their hands up to volunteer on Friday's in our school canteen.

The roster for Term 2 is below. A note for Term 3 volunteers will be sent home this week.

Helping in the canteen involves serving students at the canteen window, helping sort and organise the lunch orders, cooking food for lunch orders, washing up and cleaning up.

Our meal break times are:
Recess 10:50 - 11:10am;
Infants Lunch 12:40 - 1:20pm;
Primary Lunch 1:10 - 1:50pm.

Any assistance will be much appreciated to ensure our canteen is able to continue functioning for our students.

Dates to remember

Birthdays

Curriculum Corner

Dubbo City Eisteddfod – Kindergarten Nursery Rhymes

Our Kindergarten students recently took to the stage at the Dubbo City Eisteddfod, delighting the audience with their wonderful Nursery Rhyme performances. Dressed in vibrant and creative costumes, each child shone with confidence and joy as they sang with enthusiasm and pride.

The level of talent and teamwork displayed was truly impressive, and every student should be proud of their efforts. A special congratulations goes to our winners on the day – what a fantastic achievement! A big thank you to Mrs Tegart for accompanying the children on the piano.

Class 1000A: 1st Elyon, 2nd Jordan, 3rd Will

Class 100B: 1st Molly, 2nd Harry, 3rd Ollie

Well done to all involved for representing our school so beautifully. It was a memorable experience for everyone!

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