Term 2 Week 8 Newsletter 2025

Principal's Messages

ST LAURENCE’S SCHOOL BAND WINS FIRST PLACE AT DUBBO EISTEDDFOD

We are incredibly proud to share the exciting news that the St Laurence’s School Band has been awarded First Place in the Primary School Band category at this year’s Dubbo Eisteddfod!

Our talented band, made up of students from Years 1 to 6, delivered an outstanding performance of The Mickey Mouse March and Monsters Unite. Their confident playing, creativity, and teamwork left a lasting impression on the adjudicator and the audience alike.

This wonderful achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Zac Goninan from the Macquarie Conservatorium, who teaches and conducts our band. Zac’s passion for music and commitment to our students has been instrumental in their success, and we thank him sincerely for all the time, energy, and expertise he brings to our school.

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs Jo Tegart for her ongoing support and assistance with our music students. Her encouragement and behind-the-scenes help ensure that our band continues to grow in skill and confidence.

A big thank you, too, to our amazing parent community for your continued support - especially for those early morning drop-offs and your encouragement of your child’s musical journey.

Congratulations to all involved - we are so proud of your efforts.

CHESS CHALLENGE BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN OUR STUDENTS

Congratulations to the students who recently represented St Laurence’s in the NSW Primary Schools Chess Competition, proudly hosted by St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. Our chess team demonstrated impressive skill, enthusiasm and sportsmanship as they took on schools from across the region in a highly competitive and challenging environment.

This event provided our students with a valuable opportunity to stretch their strategic thinking, build resilience under pressure, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with team-based competition. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school.

A sincere thank you to Mr Jack Inglis for his organisation, coaching and support of the team. His guidance and encouragement helped ensure our students were well prepared and able to make the most of the opportunity.

CELEBRATING CREATIVITY ON THE PRINCIPAL’S FEATURE ARTIST WALL

Each term at St Laurence’s, one special piece of artwork from every class is chosen to be displayed on the Principal’s Feature Artist Wall in the office. It’s a lovely way to celebrate the creativity of our students and give them a moment to truly shine.

The selected artworks are framed and hung proudly for everyone to see, and the students are absolutely thrilled to spot their creations on the wall. Their beaming smiles say it all - it’s a proud moment they won’t forget.

Congratulations to: Clio, Sophie S, Del, George D, Willa, Connor C, Sophie T

This initiative rotates each term, giving different students the chance to be featured. It’s a simple but meaningful way to acknowledge their efforts and encourage a love of creativity and self-expression.

We can’t wait to see which beautiful artworks will be on show next!

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.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE BUILDS STRONGER FRIENDSHIPS AND SOCIAL SKILLS

When students attend school consistently, they have more opportunities to develop and maintain positive friendships. 

Regular attendance in primary school provides the consistency and continuity necessary for students to develop, nurture, and maintain positive friendships. These friendships contribute not only to the social aspects of primary school but also to the overall wellbeing and personal growth.

Consistent Presence in Social Settings. Regular attendance ensures that students are consistently present in school, providing them with ample opportunities to engage in social settings. Daily interactions with peers in classrooms and common areas foster the development of friendships.

Building Trust and Reliability. Consistent attendance contributes to building trust and reliability among peers. Being present regularly shows a commitment to friendships and helps establish a sense of dependability and mutual support.

Development of Social Skills. Engaging with peers on a daily basis face-to-face contributes to the development of essential social skills. These skills include communication, empathy, teamwork, and conflict resolution, which are valuable for building and maintaining positive friendships.

NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS AND OFFICIAL OPENING OF YINDYAMARRA

As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, we are proud to officially open Yindyamarra – our new Yarning Circle and Aboriginal garden space – on Thursday 3rd July.

Yindyamarra means "a place of honour and respect," and this space has been brought to life through a beautiful collaboration between our Aboriginal students, families, staff, and the wider community. It represents our ongoing commitment to recognising, respecting, and embedding Aboriginal culture and perspectives within our school environment.

The day will begin with a special opening ceremony at 9:15am, including a liturgy, Welcome to Country, and Smoking Ceremony. This will be followed by morning tea and a variety of cultural activities for our students to enjoy throughout the day.

We warmly invite all parents, carers, and families to join us for all or part of this special event as we celebrate NAIDOC Week and acknowledge the rich culture, history and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We look forward to sharing this important milestone with our school community.

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.

BUILDING CONFIDENT, INDEPENDENT CHILDREN: THE POWER OF HIGH AGENCY

As parents and educators, we all want our children to grow into confident, capable, and independent adults. I recently read an insightful article by parenting expert Michael Grose, who highlights the importance of developing high agency in children - the ability to take initiative, make choices, and act on them. This concept is crucial because it helps children believe their efforts matter, that they can influence their world, and that they have the power to create positive change in their lives.

High agency doesn’t develop from simple praise alone, nor does it come from leaving children entirely to their own devices. Instead, it requires intentional parenting and teaching strategies that encourage children to solve problems, make decisions, and take responsibility for themselves. Children with high agency are more confident, resilient, motivated learners and experience greater well-being.

Parents can play a vital role in fostering high agency by:

• Offering choices appropriate to their child’s age, helping them feel empowered without overwhelming them.

• Encouraging problem-solving by guiding children to identify issues and brainstorm solutions rather than immediately fixing problems for them.

• Supporting their interests and passions, providing encouragement and resources without becoming overly invested in the outcome.

• Assigning responsibilities such as age-appropriate chores to build competence and a sense of contribution.

• Focusing on effort rather than just outcomes, praising persistence and creativity to emphasise the value of hard work.

• Allowing mistakes to happen and creating a safe space for learning from failure.

• Gradually fostering independence by letting children make more decisions and take on new challenges safely.

• Modelling agency by sharing your own decision-making and problem-solving processes with your child.

• Teaching process thinking by involving children in multi-step activities like cooking, gardening, or household tasks to help them understand that worthwhile goals take time and effort.

In today’s world, where communities are less interconnected and life more complex, it’s essential that we consciously promote agency. By empowering our children to take control of their actions and decisions, we lay the foundation for their lifelong success and happiness.

As a school community, we look forward to continuing to work with families to support our students in developing these essential skills and attitudes - equipping them to thrive now and into the future.

If you would like to read the full article by Michael Grose, please visit:
https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelgrose/p/the-secret-to-raising-children-with?r=5729yh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS

Religious Education

Gospel Focus

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus took five loaves and two fish, gave thanks, and fed a crowd of thousands. It’s a powerful reminder that when we offer what little we have with love and generosity, God can do something amazing with it. Jesus didn’t send the crowd away—He welcomed them, taught them, and provided for them. May we teach our children to do the same: to share what they have, to care for others, and to trust that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference when done with love.

Preparation Sessions for Confirmation Begin This Week

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

• Tuesday, 17th June at 6:15pm (following the 5:45pm Mass)

• Wednesday, 18th June at 4:30pm

• Sunday, 22nd 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.

First Holy Communion Enrolment – Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June
Enrolment for First Holy Communion will take place during Mass at St Brigid’s Church on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June.
Students in Year 3 are especially encouraged to attend Mass this weekend as part of their preparation.

Reminder: Our whole school Meet 4 Mass is happening this Sunday morning – we look forward to seeing many of our families there!

MJR Visitor – Peter Mitchell

This week we are excited to welcome Peter Mitchell to our school on Tuesday, 17th June. Peter will be helping us to Make Jesus Real (MJR) through his inspiring message and practical encouragement to live out Gospel values in our everyday lives. We look forward to a meaningful and uplifting visit!

Year 6 RE Test – Wednesday, 18th June

This week, our Year 6 students will be completing the Religious Education Test, which is conducted across the diocese. We wish all our students the very best as they take part in this important opportunity to share their learning and understanding of the Catholic faith.

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

PARENT EVENTS

Council of Catholic School Parents - CCSP

Parent Webinars

Parents and carers of tweenagers and teenagers, these two webinars are for you! 
PLEASE JOIN CCSP’S FREE WEBINARS IN TERM 2 Register using the link - see you online!

PARENTING TWEENS: WHAT KIDS NEED NOW, BEFORE THE TEEN YEARS
For parents and carers of primary school students 8+
Presented by Michelle Mitchell
Tuesday 24 June
7pm - 8pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARENTING TWEENS

PARENTING TEENS: STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH THE TEEN YEARS
Parents of high school kids 12+
Presented by Michelle Mitchell
Wednesday 25 June
7pm - 8pm
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PARENTING TEENS

Sports

Polding Cross Country

We are very proud to share that two of our talented students, Lawson and Lucy, recently represented both St Laurence’s and the Diocese of Bathurst at the Polding Cross Country event, held at the Sydney Eastern Creek Equestrian Centre.

Reaching this level of competition is no small achievement. It is a testament to their dedication, perseverance and the training they’ve committed. Competing against some of the best runners from across the state, Lawson and Lucy gave their all and demonstrated outstanding determination and school spirit.

Congratulations to both athletes on this incredible accomplishment!

Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics carnival will be held next week on Wednesday 25th June. Permission notes are to be completed on Compass to attend. 

All students are to be dropped at DCL Park (Barden Park) between 8:20 - 8:50. When students are dropped off they will need to be signed in by a parent /caregiver.

Sign in sheets will be located at the entrance of Barden Park. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours. A reminder that school hats are compulsory.

Further details can be found on the Compass event.

Soccer Gala Day

Our annual Soccer Gala Day will be held on Friday the 8th August. Some classes are still looking for team managers for the day. If you are able to assist please email your class teacher.

Good Luck Uriah

Good luck to Uriah this week as she competes at the PSSA girls Basketball. Uriah gained selection in the Polding basketball team earlier in the year. We will be cheering Uriah and the Polding team on!

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 the play equipment.

Being safe on the play equipment means:

• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves
• We wear our hats
• We walk on the soft fall areas
• We use the play equipment correctly

Being responsible on the play equipment means:

• We use the equipment sensibly
• We cooperate with others
• We take turns and share

Being respectful on the play equipment means:

• We include others in our play
• We speak kindly to others
• We solve problems calmly together

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.

Volunteer nomination notes for Term 3 went home last week. Please return notes ASAP to plan our Term 3 roster.

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

Pre-Confirmation Retreat

Recently, students from all of the Catholic schools came together for a special Pre-Confirmation Retreat, where they had the opportunity to grow in faith, friendship, and understanding of their Christian beliefs. During the retreat, they engaged in a range of faith-related activities, from soulful singing sessions and team-building games to small group reflections and prayers. These shared experiences fostered a strong sense of community and encouraged the students to appreciate both their own faith journeys and the support they receive from their friends, families, and the Catholic schools community as a whole.

Awards

Happy Families

Community News