2024 Newsletter Term 3 Week 1

From the Principal - Brad Toole

Dear Parents, 

Welcome back to Term 3!

I love the sense of joy and excitement that the first day of a new term brings as the kids see their friends for the first time in a few weeks. On Tuesday morning it was great to see so many smiling and happy faces. I trust the students, parents and teachers have returned refreshed ready for the term ahead and any challenges that it throws our way. 

We were joined by 6 new students and their families yesterday. We would love to welcome Aalayah, Bailey, Zaydan, Evie, Issy and Aliyah to our school community. We hope that you enjoy your journey with us at All Hallows.

Readiness for School 

A friendly reminder to ensure that your child is coming to school prepared for the day.

This includes that they are in their appropriate uniform, have their hats, water bottle, crunch and sip and enough food for them to get through recess and lunch. This will assist the child to be prepared for learning in the classroom.

Uniform 

Thanks to those students that have returned in the correct uniform. Please ensure that your child has their correct uniform on including correct socks, shoes and tie. It is important that students take pride in their uniform. It would be appreciated if any inappropriate holiday cuts and colours could be taken care of quickly please.

Student Attendance

As we begin a new term it is important to remind you of the importance of having good attendance percentages at school. All absences must be explained to the school in writing via a note to the teacher, email or through the Compass Parent Portal. All unexplained absences are viewed by the Diocesan Office and no doubt they will be contacting us if the absence needs to be explained by you. It is so important that the children attend school every day unless there is sickness or extenuating circumstances. 

The goal is for all students to be at school at least 90% of the time. Please stay in communication with the class teachers regarding any absences that your child may have from school.  Our Term 2 attendance data was 89%.  Some small changes will help us achieve our goal.

Please note that the Compass Parent Portal must only be used for FULL DAY ABSENCES. Partial absences (arriving late, picking up early, must be submitted through the Kiosk at the school office.

** A new procedure has started this term. An automated notification of non-attendance (without reasoning) must be reported to parents/carer via SMS at 10am and a reason for absence requested. This started yesterday. 

R.E. Matters - Walking in the Light of Christ

This term our focus is…

SERVE – ‘LIGHT THE WAY’

Our theme 'Walk in the Light of Christ', will be focusing on the ‘SERVE’ part of our school motto this term as we are encouraged to 'Light the Way' for others in our school community and families. This will be implemented throughout our lessons, liturgies and assemblies this term.

To be the light means; in times of darkness, you offer hope, encouragement, kindness and compassion.

In times where others are struggling you offer a way to help them to regain their glow and to shine. To see the good and the beautiful - it is in this, that God’s truth is re-established.

School Masses and Liturgies

Please join us for our special celebrations this term where our school community gathers to give thanks and pray. Liturgies are held at school and masses in our church- St John the Baptist. Keep a record of these dates. 

More details for each will be in future newsletters

Week 1: Grandparents Day Liturgy : Friday 26^th July – Led by Yr 2

Week 3: Mary MacKillop Liturgy      : Thursday 8^th August - Led by Yr4

Week 4: Feast of Assumption Mass : Thursday 15^th August- Led by Yr 3

Week 6: Fathers Day Liturgy: Friday 3oth August – Led by Yr1

Grandparents Day and Book fair

Our Book Fair will be held this Friday, the 26th of July, to coincide with our Grandparents Day celebrations. It is a day that brings great excitement to the students. Books will be available for purchase at recess and lunchtime on the day in the school hall. Children will have the opportunity to look at the books prior to Grandparents  Day on Thursday. 

Our Grandparents Liturgy will take place at 10.15am in the Church with Morning Tea to follow in the front playground. Grandparents are more than welcome to pay a visit to the classrooms to see the wonderful work that the students have been doing.

Book Week Parade - 16th August

It's time to start planning Book Week costumes for our Book Week Parade which will be held on Friday 16th August at 9.00am.

The theme this year is "Reading is Magic".

More information will come home over the coming weeks.

Northern Region Athletics Carnival

Next Monday our School Athletics Team will represent All Hallows at the Northern Region Athletics Carnival to be held in Dubbo. 

REMINDERS The carnival will be held at DCL Barden Park Athletics Complex, North Dubbo.

START TIME: The Carnival will start at 9am with prayer and then the running of the 1500m running events.

TRANSPORT: The bus to Dubbo will leave school at 7.00am. and return by 4.15pm.

FOOD: Students will need to pack enough food for the day.    

PARENT HELPERS: To enable the regional carnival to run smoothly each school is asked to provide teachers and parents to help run events. This is just the same as when we host Northern Region Swimming. All Hallows needs to provide three parents to assist with judging events throughout the day. Please let Mrs Kelly or Mr Toole know if you can help.

We wish our athletes well and thank them for representing the school so proudly.  We look forward to hearing their results next week. 

Soccer Gala Day

The St Laurence’s, Soccer Gala Day will be held on Friday 9th August, 2024 (Wk 3).

The day is for all students from Years 2,3,4,5 and 6.

The day is held at Lady Cutler Ovals Bligh St, Dubbo and students will be travelling by bus to Dubbo. 

We will be leaving at 7.00am and will NOT be back in time for the afternoon buses.  We expect to return to school at 4.45pm.  The cost of the bus will be $15.

Parents if you have not completed the registration note on Compass could you please do so this week, thankyou.

School Beanies

The school is now selling beanies for $18. They are available from the Uniform Shop. They can  be worn on cool days. I would advise students to have their hats in their bags so they can change later in the day if it warms up. 

Uniform Shop Hours

Our P&F uniform Shop is open on Tuesday mornings 8.30am - 9.15am.

Should  you need  items outside this time please message through the P&F Facebook page and someone from the P&F will arrange a collection from the office for uniform items. 

Pupil Free Days

Advanced warning that our 2nd and 3rd Pupil Free Days for the year will be held on:

Monday 2nd September - Monday Term 3 Week 7

Friday 25th October - Friday Term 4 Week 2

Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Kids

Learning outcomes are improved for students when they are feeling strong, safe and healthy. There are a number of factors that contribute to assisting children feel this way and therefore set up for success at school. 

This term we are challenging students to do their bit for their schooling too. We are asking students to consider what their bodies need and to ensure that they arrive at school each day ready for learning. It is important that the students know that what they eat throughout the day must sustain them until they get home. 

Throughout the term we encourage you to engage in conversations with your children about what they are eating and drinking and discuss their habits around sleeping, devices and exercise. 

Some questions to discuss with your child include:

• Are you sleeping between 9-11 hours per night? 
• Active for at least 1 hour per day?
• Have your devices turned off for 1 hour before bed? 
• 2 Hour maximum device time per day (This includes school time) 
• Having a healthy breakfast to energise you for the day? 
• Packing fruit for crunch and sip? 
• Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day. (You must bring a drink bottle to school)
• Packing a healthy recess and lunch. 

Improving in these areas will help you to reach your learning goals in the classroom! 

Canteen

We are desperate for more canteen helpers at the moment. Helpers are required to be in the canteen from 10.30 - 1.30pm. If you’re able to help, can you please email the school office or speak to Brad. 

**We have taken milkshakes off the menu.

KOALA Club - 2025 Kindergarten Transition

Garden Club News

Welcome back! We hope you are well rested from holidays! Last term we finished with a bang, planting some native bush tukka plants in our garden space during NAIDOC week. We also were able to spend some time with Linda Dipper from OzTukka, who taught us all about some of our native plants, how to grow them, how to harvest them and most importantly how to prepare them for eating - what a special experience! 

During the holidays, on July 14, we celebrated Saint Kateri’s saint day. Saint Kateri was the first American Indian to become a Saint and she is the Patron Saint of Environment and Ecology. Saint Kateri is another one of the saints we have named our garden beds after. If you would like to know more, come along and read her sign in our garden club space.

This week we had some new students join us, welcome all, and we had a tour of the garden.

We fed our worms who were very hungry after the holiday break, watered our roses and herbs and planted some more beautiful seeds.

We are so excited to be back!

Happy gardening, Miss Norris and Mrs Watts

Merits - Week 10 Term 2

Kinder:  Willem C, Indy-Rose C

Year 1:  Jayce O, Connor, Bonnie, Bella, Lukas, Alice

Year 2:   Oliver W, Jane T

Year 3:   Kaitlyn H, Ruby T, Ned L

Year 4:  Rory K, Hartley S, Cambell F, Liam J

Year 5:  Brooklyn H, David H, Noah W, Pippa

Year 6:  Hope S, Sophia B

Halos:  Bonnie - Blue, Millie, Blair, John, Hunter B, Bella, Hunter L, Jane, Ryan, Tom

Calendar Term 3

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