Term 2, Week 4

What's On This Fortnight

Principal's Message: Mrs Angela Muller

Catholic Schools Week

Last week, we proudly celebrated Catholic Schools Week with the theme Guided by Faith. Inspired by Hope. Committed to Learning. At the heart of our school is a deep faith that shapes how we learn, serve and grow together. Hope inspires us to nurture each child’s potential and celebrate their unique gifts. Learning at our school is not just about knowledge. It is about shaping hearts and minds to be compassionate, dedicated and thoughtful. We are grateful for our Assumption Family which is a strong, supportive community of students, families, staff, and parish members. Thank you for being part of this shared journey of faith and education.

Celebrating Student Learning

It has been incredible to watch our students grow this year. Growth is often quiet and steady. We encourage our students to keep trying, ask thoughtful questions, or learn from mistakes. These moments show us that learning is a journey, not a race. Our classrooms are full of students building confidence, stretching their thinking and discovering what they can achieve. We are proud of the effort they put in each day. We know growth looks different for everyone. Thank you for supporting and celebrating these milestones at home. Together, we are helping our students become strong, curious, and capable learners. This week I had the privilege to visit our Infants classrooms.

Mother's Day: A thank you to our volunteers

A huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers, teachers and family members, who helped make our Mother’s Day Breakfast such a warm and memorable event. From setting up tables to serving food with a smile, your time and care did not go unnoticed and truly made everyone feel loved and appreciated. 

What you did was more than just helping with an event. This was a beautiful example of living our faith through service. In giving your time and hearts so generously, you show our students what it means to build a caring, Christ-centered community.

A special thank you to Natalie Fagan, Harry’s Aunty also from The White Place Events, who supplied our gorgeous setting for our Mother’s Day photos. We love being able to give each family their special photo to celebrate this special occasion.

I also take the time to acknowledge the behind the scenes work by our wonderful groundsman, Mr Mark Fulthorpe.

Yours in education,
Angela Muller

Message from The Assistant Principal: Mr Matthew Gibson

New Staff at Assumption

We are very excited to announce that we have had two new staff members join us over the past two weeks. Mrs Laura Locke will be joining 1 Green, Monday to Wednesday, and Miss Ella Barrett will be joining 4 Yellow and Year 1, Monday to Friday, as Learning Support Officers. We are very excited to welcome them to Assumption in their new roles and we know you will make them feel welcome if you see them about our school.

We are also very lucky to have Ms Maddison Wheeler joining us in Year 1 Yellow, two days a week. Maddison is completing her Certificate IV in School Based Education Support through TAFE. Maddison will be working with Mrs Morris and students in 1 Yellow to build her skillset and support students in their learning. We wish her a successful placement with us. 

What's on at Assumption

At Assumption we pride ourselves on the myriad of opportunities that we are able to provide for the students both inside and outside the classroom. A little snapshot into some of the amazing opportunities that our staff have or will be planning this term alone include:

• Junior Joeys - Social Justice Faith group 
• Our Voice - Student Representative Voice 
• Gardening Club 
• Chess Club 
• Voices of Hope - School singing group 
• Christmas Art - Stage 3 enrichment art opportunity
• Stage 3 Enrichment Mathematics Competition 
• Grow Your Minds Podcast - encouraging positive wellbeing 
• Music Lessons in conjunction with Mitchell Conservatorium 
• Sport Gala Days, Carnivals and Pathway events. 
• Year 6 Christian Living Camp 
• Year 5 Canberra Excursion 
• Year 1 Miss Traill’s House Excursion 

None of these activities are able to happen without the many talents of our dedicated staff who strive to make sure that these activities are available each year for our students. We look forward to celebrating these activities with you throughout the term. 

Behavior

At Assumption, we continue to follow three core behaviour principles of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible. Our students are explicitly taught and regularly reminded of these expectations. Our focus areas within these principles this term are: 

• Follow all adult instructions as they are there to keep us safe and teach us 
• Assumption is a hands off school always, this includes all parts of our body 
• Use kind words when speaking to or about another person

All of our students are able to articulate these expectations and we encourage these to be reinforced between school and home so that our students understand how to safely and sensibly interact with all people in our community. 

REC News: Mrs Catherine Connor

Sunday, 11 May 2025 - Sixth Sunday of Easter  - Year C

John 14:23 - 29,  The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.

Gospel Reflection

Whenever we act in a kind and loving way, and go out of our way to help others, it is God's presence in us, through the Holy Spirit, that compels us. In next Sunday’s gospel Jesus is reminding his disciples of the essence of everything he has tried to teach them. Even though he is leaving them he reassures them that they won't be left alone. The Holy Spirit will help them and guide them in their mission. In our busy lives we sometimes ‘tune out’ to God, but the Holy Spirit is always there, if only we pause to listen.

Gospel Challenge

Talk to your child/children about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. When we find ourselves responding to a desire to do something nice for someone, we are responding to the urging of the Holy Spirit. Encourage your child/children to listen to that inner desire and let the Spirit work in them.

Year 6 Christian Living Camp

Year 6 had a wonderful experience at their Christian Living Camp at Burrendong Sport and Recreation Centre a few weeks ago. Chris Doyle led these young men and women in reflecting on the Holy Spirit in their lives. Fr Cong from Mudgee joined them on Thursday 8th May to celebrate a special Mass focusing on the Sacrament of Confirmation as many students will be Confirmed in the coming months.

National Reconciliation Week 27th May to 3rd June

Sorry Day Liturgy - Tuesday 27th May at 10:30am

Please join the Assumption School on Tuesday 27th May at 10:30 am in the Hall to acknowledge National Sorry Day. National Sorry Day acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture. National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. Further information about National Reconciliation Week this year is available on the Reconciliation Australia website

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

Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist & 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.

Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Confirmation and Confirmation Process 2025

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 - remembering that the Bishop will only be available for Confirmation on the following dates:
   • 7th and 8th June
   • 29th June
   • 9th and 10th August

If none of the above dates suit a family for Confirmation, contact the Cathedral Parish Office on 6331 3066 and alternative arrangements will be organised for the child's reception of the Sacrament.

CWA Speech Finals Orange

Next week on Monday through to Thursday Pippa, Maycee, Amarli and Joe will represent The Assumption School at the CWA Speech finals in Orange. These students were chosen from their grade in a school competition and we wish them every success in the competition which attracts entries from all over the Bathurst Diocese and from all Department of Education schools as well.

The Sports Arena: Mrs Alison Hanley

Assumption Athletics Carnival 

The Assumption Athletics Carnival will be held next week (Week 5) on Wednesday 28 May at MacKillop College. 

Year 2-6 students will be attending the carnival for the entire day. These students will travel by bus to and from MacKillop College. Attendance at the Athletics Carnival is expected as a normal school day. 

Kindergarten and Year 1 students will attend between 11:45am and 12:30pm for tabloid events and will also travel by bus to and from the carnival. 

There will be no canteen available on Wednesday 28 May, all students will need to pack recess, lunch and water. 

Parents are welcome to attend and watch throughout the day. It is a requirement from MacKillop College that all visitors sign in at the visitor's register upon entering the carnival. 

An approximate order of events will be sent out before the carnival. Please understand that due to the nature of school carnivals, we are unable to give an exact time of events. 

Stage 2 and Stage 3 League Stars Gala Day

On Tuesday 13th May, The Assumption School had 60 students from Yrs 3,4,5 and 6 competing in the League Stars Gala Day. The day was  run by the NRL Development team at Jack Arrow Oval. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in the game of rugby league and it included players with experience and also those who had never played before. We had such a fun day of football! Thank you to all the staff members who ran teams: Mr Hayes, Mr Gibson, Mrs Martinez and Mr Martinez. Well done to all of our students who participated and played with such sportsmanship. Congratulations to the students who were named as most valuable players in their team: Brock, Etienne, Willow, Noah, Kiantaye, Ben, Harper and Mina.

League Stars Gala Day

Girls Rugby 7s Polding Trials

On May 16th Harper and Amelia  (Yr 6)  travelled  to Santa Sabina College in Strathfield to try out for the Polding Girls Rugby 7s team. The level of competition was incredibly high and congratulations goes to Amelia for making the Polding team. Amelia will now compete at the PSSA Carnival which will be held at Blacktown on June 5th and 6th.

Diocesan Rugby Trials 

On May 16th Ben, Alex, Nixon, Isaiah and George tried out for the Diocesan Rugby side at St Stanislaus College. Congratulations to Ben who was successful. Ben will now compete at the PSSA Carnival at Forbes on June 30th. 

Paul Kelly Cup- Central West  Final

The Central West final of the Paul Kelly Cup is to be held in Orange on Monday May 26th. Our Year 5 and 6 Girls team will be competing. We are looking forward to playing AFL again and hope that we can kick some more goals and continue on with our successful campaign!

Student Wellbeing: Mrs Sonia Peck

Combating Bullying and Fostering Kindness at
The Assumption School

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."  – St Teresa of Calcutta

As educators and families working in partnership, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and supported. One of the most important ways we uphold this responsibility is by actively working to prevent bullying and promote a culture of kindness and respect.

"The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion." – Paulo Coelho

Bullying is more than occasional unkindness or conflict between peers, it is repeated, intentional behaviour that aims to hurt, humiliate, or isolate another person. It can take many forms, including physical aggression, verbal insults, exclusion and online harassment. We take all incidents of bullying seriously and follow clear procedures to address them with care, compassion, and appropriate action.

We see Christ in every person. Jesus taught us to love one another, forgive and stand up for what is right. These teachings guide how we address bullying - not only by responding to negative behaviour but by proactively building a community where empathy, compassion and reconciliation are central.

We believe in creating a school culture where kindness is the norm, not the exception. This begins with modelling respectful relationships, explicitly teaching social and emotional skills and celebrating acts of kindness in our classrooms and on the playground. Students are encouraged to reflect on how their actions affect others and how they can be a source of support and encouragement to their peers.

"We rise by lifting others." – Robert Ingersoll

How Parents Can Help: Parents play a vital role in reinforcing positive behaviour at home. 

• Talk About Bullying: Discuss the importance of kindness and the impact of bullying with your child.
• Encourage Empathy: Teach your child to consider others’ feelings and to stand up against bullying.
• Stay Informed: Keep open communication with your child and the school about any concerns.

Together we strive to create an environment where every child feels safe and loved, where bullying has no place, and where kindness becomes a habit of the heart.

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."  – Amelia Earhart

Sonia Peck
Leader of Student Wellbeing

Term 2: Important Dates