2025 Newsletter Term 3 Week 1

Letter form 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 one new student and her family yesterday. We would love to welcome Layla and the Denny  family to our school community. We hope that you enjoy your journey with us at All Hallows. 

R.E. Matters

The theme for 2025 is…

All Hallows - People of Hope  
2025 is a Year of Jubilee!

SCHOOL MASSES / 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 2: Grandparents Day Liturgy: Monday 28th  July

Week 2: First Reconciliation: Thursday 31st July

Week 3: Mary MacKillop Liturgy: Thursday 7th August

Week 4: Feast of Assumption Mass: Friday 15th August

Week 5: First Holy Communion: Sunday 24th August

Week 7: Father’s Day Liturgy: Friday 5th September

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 

A reminder to keep our First Holy Communion children, Kurt and Rosie in your prayers and thoughts as they continue their preparation for their special day on Sunday the 24th August, 2025.

FEAST of St JOACHIM and ANNE - GRANDPARENTS LITURGY 

This week is the Feast of St Joachim and St Anne. Joachim and Anne were Mary’s parents and the Grandparents of Jesus. They were greatly honoured by God who gave them a daughter conceived without sin who was to become known as the Mother of God! It would seem that they performed parenting responsibilities with great grace.

Their feast day on the 26th July is a day to honour them and all grandparents for their contribution to our lives as they continue to serve their families.

Next Monday we will host our Grandparents and special seniors in our lives with a Grandparents Liturgy and Morning Tea. The Grandparent’s Liturgy will be held in the church at 10.30am, led by Year 2. Following the Liturgy everyone is invited to Morning Tea at the school. It is a special event each year at All Hallows. 

Our Book Fair will be held on Monday to coincide with our Grandparents Day celebrations from 11 am. The Book Fair will be set up in the school hall.

SPORT

NORTHERN REGION ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 

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

REMINDERS                                                                                                                           

Northern Region Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 30th July, 2025.  

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

START TIME: The carnival starts 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. Snack sized portions seem to work better than a recess and lunch, as they can eat smaller portions between events. They will need two water bottles.            

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 Ms Statham know if you can help. We wish our athletes well and thank them for representing the school so proudly.  

Book Fair and Grandparents Day

Our Book Fair will be held next Monday 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 10.30am 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.

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!

Staffing

I would like to announce that Jacinta Thatcher is joining the staff in the role of Learning Support Officer for the remainder of 2025. Some of you may remember Jacinta teaching at All Hallows prior to 2019. We are excited to welcome Jacinta back and know that she will work very hard for the students at All Hallows.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Next Monday and Tuesday teachers will be available for parent/teacher meetings to discuss Semester 1 reports and talk about learning goals and priorities for your child for the remainder of the school year.

Bookings can be made through Compass. Once in the app please head to the conference tab and you should be able to make bookings for your children. When making your bookings can you please allow a 10mins gap between class bookings. If you have any difficulty please contact the office or Brad for help.

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. 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. 

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.

KOALA Club - Kindergarten 2026 Transition and Orientation

We have planned our ‘Koala Club’ transition dates and parent information sessions for people that have students that will be starting in Kinder in 2026. 

Key Dates: 

Term 3: 

• Koala Club 1 - 28th August 9.30am - 12.30pm
• Koala Club 2 - 11th September 9.30am - 12.30pm
• Koala Club 3 - 18th September 9.30am - 12.30pm

Term 4: 

• Koala Club 4 - 16th October 9.30am - 2.30pm
• Koala Club 5 - 30th October 9.30am - 2.30pm
• Koala Club 6 - 13th November 9.30am - 2.30pm
• Koala Club 7 - 27th November 9.30am - 2.30pm
• Kinder Readiness / Information Meeting 27/11/25 2.30pm (School Hall)

2026 New Enrolments and Kindergarten

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, colours or jewellery could be taken care of quickly please.

P&F Uniform Shop Opening 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.

School Beanies

The school is now selling beanies for $18. They are available from the Uniform Shop and the School Office. 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.

Student Wellbeing

Merit Awards - Wk 10 Term 2

Kinder  Finnley L, Clay D

Year 1    Winter K, Jack B       

Year 2   Hattie B, Maisy S       

Year 3    Harper B, Alexis S  

Year 4     Amber-Lilly S, Reid k, Lincoln D, Georgia T 

Year 5      Eloise B, Adalynn H

Year 6      

Halos:   Maisy S, Ryan P, Michaela W, Charlotte H, Lukas H, Hattie B, Kurt H, Claire H, Carter W, Harper B

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