Term 3, Week 8

What's On This Fortnight

Principal's Message

Father’s Day Celebration

On Monday, we came together as a school community to celebrate Father’s Day; a time to honour the love, guidance and example that fathers, grandfathers and father figures provide in the lives of our children.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teacher, parent and grandparent volunteers who gave so generously of their time during the Breakfast and the Father’s Day Staff to make these celebrations so meaningful. Your efforts ensured the day was special for both our students and their dads. A special word of recognition goes to Mrs Amy Fulthorpe, our Office Manager, who worked behind the scenes to ensure this event was a success. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us in making Father’s Day a joyful and memorable occasion.

Celebrating Grandparents Day

This week we look forward to celebrating Grandparents Day at our school this Friday. It is a special opportunity to honour the love, wisdom and faith that grandparents bring to our lives. Grandparents play such an important role in our families, passing on traditions, sharing stories and guiding our children with care and experience.

In our Catholic tradition, we also remember the grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim and Anne. Their faith and devotion laid the foundation for Mary’s life and, in turn, prepared the way for Jesus. Their example reminds us of the powerful influence grandparents have in nurturing faith, love and values that carry through the generations.

We are excited to welcome grandparents and special friends into our school for this celebration. It is our way of saying thank you for the gift they are in the lives of our children.

The Importance of Before School Time

Each morning, our teachers use the time before the school bell as an important part of their day. This is when they are busy preparing lessons, setting up learning spaces and meeting with colleagues so that your child’s learning experience is the best it can be.

We kindly ask that, where possible, parents be mindful that teachers may not be able to have lengthy on the spot conversations, as their focus is on preparation for the day ahead. If you would like to speak with your child’s teacher, the best way is to arrange a meeting at a mutually convenient time. Our office team can support you with this. This ensures the teacher can give you their full attention to your discussion and that classroom learning starts on time. Meetings can be arranged via email or phone contact with the school. 

We value your partnership and thank you for your support in making sure every student has a smooth and settled start to the school day. Together, we can make the most of every learning minute.

Yours in Education
Angela Muller

From the Assistant Principal

Reading Fluency 

One of the most important skills that our students can develop is reading fluency. Reading fluency is crucial for students to develop comprehension at progressively higher levels, improving vocabulary and language development and it is a strong indicator of overall literacy development, linking to all Key Learning Areas. Each student completes daily fluency activities every morning to build our students capabilities in this area. It is important that students are reading each night at home to practice their reading fluency as well.

Grandparents Day Open Classrooms  

This Friday we have our Open Classrooms from 11:30am - 12:30pm. During this time it is important that all of our students remain in their own classrooms for visitors. We ask that students not visit their brothers, sisters or cousins classrooms throughout the hour. This is for the safety of all of our students and so our teachers can continue their activities throughout the hour. 

Year 6 Mini Fete

Our Year 6 students are busy preparing for their mini fete to be held on Wednesday of Week 10. For our students to be successful, we are seeking donations of: 

• Chocolate bars for the chocolate toss
• Cakes, slices and baked goods (nut free) with ingredient lists on the day for the Cake Stall 
• Second hand items in good condition for the White Elephant Stall. 

Our community is so generous each year in donating and we thank you in advance for your assistance with this year’s event. It is a fantastic leadership opportunity for our Year 6 students. 

Matthew Gibson 
Assistant Principal

REC News: Mrs Catherine Connor

Sunday, 14 September 2025 - Exultation of the Cross

John 3:13-17  The Son of Man must be lifted up.

Gospel Reflection

The Sundays of Ordinary Time are interrupted this Sunday by the feast marking the Triumph of the Cross. The Cross is more than a well-known symbol, it is a reminder of Jesus' victory over sin and death.

Gospel Challenge

This Sunday’s readings draw our attention to Christ's triumph over death on the cross and his promise of eternal life for all who believe in him. Do your children know how to make the sign of the cross? This might be a good time to go through its meaning with them. 

Year 3 Pre-Eucharist Retreat 

Our Year 3 students took part in a pre-Eucharist retreat with the other Catholic schools in Bathurst on Friday 29th August at MacKillop College. This day was led and run by the MacKillop and St Stanislaus Year 9 and 10 students. It was a fabulous faith experience for our young people and was filled with fun and great learning.

Fathers’ Day Blessing

The breakfast was a special time to celebrate our Fathers, Grandfathers and father figures in our life.

We would especially like to thank Fr Francis Muhenda for joining us and giving the fathers a special Father’s Day blessing. The blessing was heart felt and will be carried by many. 

Grandparents Liturgy

This Friday, September 12th, we have our Grandparents Liturgy. All grandparents are welcome to the hall for our liturgy at 10:15am. Gates will be opened at 10:00am. 

We will then have a shared morning tea on the basketball court where you and the grandparents can bring some food to share with your own grandchild/children. There will be seating available. 

After the morning tea we will have our open classrooms from 11:30am - 12:30pm. All students will need to stay in their own classrooms during this time and visitors are welcome to move between classrooms to visit their children. Any child leaving at the end of open classrooms will be required to sign out at the school office. 

Christmas Art Exhibition

The official opening of the Exhibition is Friday, 12th of September 2025 at 11:00am at the Cathedral School Hall.

Parish Mass

This Sunday evening, 14th September at 6:00pm the school choir, Voices of Hope, will be leading the congregation at the Parish Mass, in the music and singing. All the choir members are asked to be at the church early so Mrs Lynch, who will be leading them and Mr Gibson, who will be play can organise them.

All members of our school community are very welcome at this Mass. There will be pizza to share with the community after Mass.

Saints in our Times 

Last weekend Pope Leo XIV canonised Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in Rome. While the ceremony was in Italy, the celebration – and the lessons reach right into Australian Catholic schools.

Carlo Acutis - His extraordinary life, although very short, has impacted millions of people, particularly young people. Carlo was born 3 May 1991 and died on 12 October 2006. He was only 15. He was the only child of wealthy, educated Italian parents who were not particularly religious. Carlo first learnt about God through his nannies and tutors.

Even as a toddler he showed amazing awareness of the love of Jesus and was drawn to attending Mass. He was educated in Catholic schools and showed kindness to those kids who were being picked on. He always defended them. He loved nature, soccer and was active in clean-up campaigns. He also loved video games and became a web designer to help at his local church and also to continue to spread the Word of God, particularly about the Eucharist. His parents were encouraged to attend Mass. He never shied away from spreading God’s love to everyone.

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

Sacraments of Penance & Eucharist 2025

Congratulations to Charlotte who made her Sacrament of Penance.

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.

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.

Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist Process 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.

When your child/children has 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.

Please note: 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.

The process of booking in for the Sacraments.

1. Completed Sacraments preparation course. 
2. Obtain a Request form from Cathy Brien at the Cathedral Parish Office cathy.brien@cdob.org.au or phone 6331 3066.
3. Return the completed Request form to Cathy Brien, ensuring that all the relevant supporting documents have been attached. 
4. Cathy will then coordinate the requests with the available dates.

The Sports Arena: Mrs Alison Hanley

Polding Athletics

We wish all the best to our talented Assumption athletes who will represent the Bathurst team at the Polding Athletics Selection Trials which will be held on Friday 12th September at Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale.

Well done to Harper (12 years Girls 800m ), Thea ( 8-10 years Girls High Jump, Nixon (12 years Boys High Jump), Oliver (12 years Boys Long Jump) and Archie ( 8-10 years Boys Discus). 

We congratulate you on achieving success at this elevated level of competition!

Flames Basketball Visit for Year 6 Students!

The Assumption School is very excited to announce that we are hosting a visit from the WNBL team, the Sydney Flames on the afternoon of Friday, 19th September. Members of the team will be running a 30 min session on court running drills and taking part in skill challenges with the Year 6 students followed by 30 min signing sessions. We are extremely fortunate to be able to have the Flames visit our school and promote the sport of basketball. 

Student Wellbeing: Mrs Sonia Peck

R U OK? Day – 11 September 2026 

Why It Matters
A simple, caring check-in can make a powerful difference. Research shows that nearly 90% of people who are asked 'Are you OK?' feel supported, heard, and better able to manage their situation. The act of speaking with empathy encourages people to connect and seek help early. It’s about noticing, listening, and caring. 

At Our School
R U OK? Day offers a valuable opportunity to weave social-emotional learning into our daily routine. We invite students to join classroom conversations, acts of kindness, and reflection activities that remind us all of the power in simply asking a caring question. 

How You Can Bring It Home
- Ask your child: “What does asking ‘Are you OK?’ mean to you?”
- Model it: Use the phrase with your family. Check in throughout the week - not just on the day.
- Share a conversation: Even a brief, heartfelt chat can open doors to meaningful connection. 

Remember: Every Day Is R U OK? Day
While 11 September is a special moment for community awareness, R U OK? advocates remind us that any day can be the day to reach out. Building a habit of caring conversations goes a long way toward creating a culture of connection, belonging, and support for all.

Sonia Peck
Leader of Student Wellbeing

First Nations Education: Dhurany (News): Mrs Kylie Booth-Martinez

With School Holidays and Bathurst Schools NAIDOC week approaching, I thought the flyers below this might be of interest to our school community!

With yindyamarra and mandaang (respect and thanks in Wiradyuri),

Mrs Kylie Booth-Martinez & Mr Max Martinez
Aboriginal Education Officers

Term 4: Important Dates