Term 3, Week 2

Important Dates

Principal's Message: Mrs Angela Muller

Kindergarten turn 100!

At the end of last term our Kindergarten students reached a very special milestone… 100 days of learning! What a joy it has been to watch their confidence, friendships and skills grow since their very first day. To celebrate, the children enjoyed a fun-filled day of “100-themed” activities, counting, creating and sharing stories about their favourite moments so far. We are so proud of all they have achieved in these first 100 days.

A big thank you to our Kindergarten teachers and families for the support, encouragement, and partnership that make these achievements possible. Here’s to the next 100 days of growth, discovery, and fun!

Our Learning Framework - We value growth

At our very first school gathering, we spoke about our Learning Framework with students. Our focus this term is on our Growth. After reading student reports at the end of Term 2, many students had a learning goal of seeking challenges, asking for help, and persisting in learning. At our school, we try to develop learners who show great resilience in their learning. Resilience means they keep trying even when tasks feel challenging, using mistakes as opportunities to grow. We want to see students approaching new concepts with persistence, asking thoughtful questions and supporting each other along the way. This determination helps them develop confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Student Focus on: Having a go at tasks, persisting when they are challenging, and learning from mistakes 

What does this look like:

• Using positive self-talk: ‘I can do this’, I can try’
• Replacing ‘I can’t do this’ with “I am learning to do this’
• Asking teachers and other students for help and then trying
• Reminding myself that everyone makes mistakes
• Asking ‘How can I improve?”, “What is my next goal”
• Persisting: Keep on trying, over and over and over 
• Practising everyday 

With the support of staff and parents our students can achieve their goals. 

Leadership Insights: Mr Matthew Gibson

Welcome Back to Term 3

A big welcome back to Term 3! Hopefully some warm weather will start to appear in a couple of weeks but a reminder that our students are to wear their full School Winter Uniform each day except for their sport day. 

This term is a very exciting one for us with many events to celebrate, some of these include:

• The Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven
• Bathurst Eisteddfod
• Year 6 Minifete 
• Grandparents Liturgy and Open Classrooms 
• Father’s Day 

We are very excited to share these events with all within our community. 

Term 3 Behaviour 

As we enter Term 3 we continue to explicitly teach our behaviour expectations of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible which have been re-taught in classrooms and during our whole school assembly in Week 1. This includes, positive conversations, no physical contact to begin or retaliate to any issue and being kind to and about each other always. We appreciate that all parents work with us to instill these values in our school community.

Kindergarten and Year 1 Phonics PD 

Last Monday our Kindergarten team and Year 1 teachers travelled with myself to Sydney to participate in a Systematic Synthetic Phonics Workshop for our Phonics Program Decodable Readers Australia. We looked at how to achieve success in reading for our students from the very beginning of Kindergarten. We have been progressively implementing this program since 2024 into Kindergarten and Year 1 classrooms every day and are excited for where it will take our young readers as they grow. Parents of our Kindergarten and Year 1 students can find some information on how to support your children at home using our phonics program here.

Fire Drill

Last Friday we held an Emergency Evacuation Drill during class time. This practice is to ensure that all of our staff and students understand what to do in the event of an emergency. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of our staff, our students followed directions perfectly and our drill was a success. Later this year we will also complete a Lock-Down Drill so that our students are aware of what processes to follow.

REC News: Mrs Catherine Connor

Welcome Father Nam

We warmly welcome Fr Nam Le as the new chaplain for The Assumption Catholic Primary School. Fr Nam Le has already joined our staff this term, getting to know our school. He will be joining us for our liturgical celebrations moving forward and we are excited to welcome Fr Nam Le to speak to our children, enriching their faith formation. Fr Nam Le is joined by Fr Francis Mahenda and Fr Ephram  as the new parish team for the Cathedral of St Michael and St John in Bathurst.

Sunday, 3rd August 2025: Eighteenth Sunday Ordinary Time - Year C

Luke 12:13-21 - To whom will all this wealth of yours go?

Gospel Reflection

This Sunday’s readings focus on showing us what we truly need to make us happy. Earthly possessions fade into insignificance when compared to eternal life with God. The Gospel brings us yet another reminder that earthly riches are, in the grand scheme of things, of little value. As individuals, as families, groups and as a society, that is an ongoing challenge. How hard is it to let go of earthly wealth, to share it with those who need it, to trust that God's way is the better way?

Gospel Challenge

Ask your child to think of some ways they can be less addicted to material possessions, less selfish, more sharing, more aware of the needs of others. Ask them to think about television advertising – do they really need all of the things that the ads tell them they should get? Do they even need half of those things? Ask them to think of one thing they can do this week that is more focused on Jesus than on possessions. (The don't need to tell you what it is, unless they want to.

Staff Reflection Day

It is important for staff to develop in their own faith as they nurture the faith development of your child. On Monday 4th August all the Assumption Staff will be involved in a day with Dr Dan White working on activities that will help them create dynamic Religious Education spaces for your children.

Special Events for Term 3

Term 3 is always a significant time in the Religious calendar of the Assumption School.

-    Throughout the first couple of weeks of Term 3 a focus is put on the Rosary as a special lead up to the Feast of the Assumption on Friday 15th August.

      Please join us in the Hall at 9:00am on

• Friday 1st August - Joyful Mystery
• Tuesday 5th August - Luminous Mystery
• Friday 8th August - Sorrowful Mysteries
• Monday 11th August - Glorious Mystery

      -    The 8th of August is the Feast of Mary MacKillop – St Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Australia’s first saint, the Charism on which the Assumption school in formed. A special liturgy will be celebrated by the Junior Joeys for this Feast day on Friday 8th August at 2:15pm.

 -     The 15th of August is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven – a very significant day for the Assumption School. A special Mass will be celebrated for this Feast day on Friday 15th August at 12pm..

 -    The 7th of September is Father’s Day. A special breakfast and blessing will occur to celebrate Father’s Day on Monday 8th September.

 - Friday 12th September we will celebrate our Grandparents in our school’s birthday week with a Grandparents liturgy, morning tea and visit to the classrooms. We have experienced many special times with our Grandparents over the last number of years and look forward to this event again. 

Pre-Eucharist Retreat – 29th August

Our Year 3 students will take part in a pre-Eucharist retreat with the other Catholic schools in Bathurst on Friday 29th August at MacKillop College. This day is led and run by the MacKillop and St Stanislaus Year 9 and 10 students. This is a fabulous faith experience for our young people and filled with fun and great learning experiences as the Year 3 students prepare to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. An Events item will be put out in Compass to get permission from all parents for their child to attend this event. Please look for this and send the positive reply so your Year 3 child can attend.

Sacrament of Confirmation, First Communion and Reconciliation

Congratulations to Sophie who recently made her First Reconciliation. 

Congratulations to Evie and Pippa who recently made their First Communion.  

Please inform the school office, class teacher or myself when your child is making a Sacrament and we can supply you with the robes for Communion and Confirmation and a sash and pin for Penance. We would also love to receive photos so we can publish them in the newsletter.

SACRAMENTS OF PENANCE, EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION 2025

Students in Year 2, Year 3 and Year 6 are prepared and ready to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation.

Now your child/children have completed the Preparation Program for their Sacrament the parents/carers can contact Cathy Brien at the Parish Office on 6331 3066 or cathy.brien@cdob.org.au for coordination of dates and times to make the Sacraments.                                                          
Please inform the school office, class teacher or myself when your child is making a Sacrament. It is also very important to have the student who is receiving a Sacrament in the Parish Mass to be at the Church at least 20 minutes before the Mass and let the priest know you are there. 

The place for children to receive the Sacrament of Penance will be organised by Cathy O’Brien.

Both the school and the Parish office can supply you with the robes for Communion and Confirmation and medal and sash for Penance. We would also love to receive photos so we can publish them in the newsletter.

The process of booking in for the Sacraments.

1. Completed preparation course. 
2. Submit the completed Request Form to Cathy Brien in the Parish Office - making sure that all the relevant supporting documents are attached. 
3. The Confirmation dates have all been filled for 2025. If your child missed being confirmed this year, they can take part in the 2026 Confirmations.

To keep connected to the Cathedral Parish please follow the link to the Cathedral Parish Bulletin.

The Sports Arena: Mrs Alison Hanley

Eastern Region Athletics

The Eastern Region Athletics Carnival will be held at MacKillop College on Thursday August 7th, (Week 3). Thank you to all parents for registering their child using the Compass app. The order of events for the day has been uploaded to the Resources tab on the Compass event and sent home with the students. Students who place 1st, 2nd or 3rd at the Eastern Region Carnival will compete at the Diocesan Carnival in Dubbo on Friday 22nd August. Athletes who are successful at the Diocesan Carnival will be selected to represent the Bathurst team at the Polding Athletics Selection Trials which will be held on Friday 12th September at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre at Homebush.  

Polding Cross Country

Congratulations to Seb from Year 5 who competed at the PSSA Cross Country Carnival on Wednesday 23rd July.  Well done Seb! The Assumption School is proud of your achievements in competing at this very high level.

Student Wellbeing: Mrs Sonia Peck

Wellbeing Focus: Who Are My Safe People?

At our school, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. This term, students across the school are taking part in a special activity called “Who Are My Safe People?”—an important part of helping children feel supported, understood, and safe both at school and at home.

In this activity, students are encouraged to identify a few trusted adults they feel comfortable turning to when they feel worried, unsafe, or simply need someone to talk to. These safe people might include parents, teachers, school staff, family members, or other caring adults who make the child feel listened to, respected, and cared for.

Why is this important?
Helping children name their “safe people” supports their emotional wellbeing and empowers them to reach out when something doesn’t feel right. It reassures them that help is always available, and it helps build their confidence to speak up and seek support. In a world where children are navigating friendships, emotions, and sometimes tricky situations, knowing who their trusted adults are is a vital protective factor.

How can parents support this at home?
We warmly encourage you to talk with your child about the safe people they’ve identified in class.

• Ask them who they feel safe talking to.
• Reassure them that you are always there to listen, no matter what.
• Let them know that it’s okay to ask for help and that everyone needs support sometimes.
• Help them think of other trusted adults they can turn to if needed.

By having these conversations at home, you help reinforce the message that they are surrounded by caring adults who want the best for them. It’s a simple but powerful step in helping your child feel safe, connected, and confident.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support in fostering a strong partnership between home and school in caring for your child’s wellbeing.

Warm regards,

Sonia Peck
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Community Notices

With the Western Women’s season approaching quickly we are excited to announce an upcoming "Come and Try" day for Under 12 Girls, designed to introduce young players to tackle rugby in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. This session will include Tackle Ready activities and some modified small-sided games, helping new players build confidence and skills while having a great time.

 Date: Thursdays 7/8/25 and Thursday 14/8/25

 Location: Cubis Park Eglinton Time: 4:00-5:30pm

Registration link: https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/entity?data=eyJlbnRpdHlJZCI6NjI3NzQyMTAsImVudGl0eVR5cGUiOiJwcm9ncmFtIn0%3D&source=rugby-league