Term 2 - Week 10, 2023

Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As another term comes to an end, it always amazes me how much the children have grown and learnt in just 10 weeks. For our last Term 2 newsletter in Peter’s absence I thought I would share some of my highlights from this term.

In Kinder and Year 1 it has given me great pleasure to listen to the children talking about ‘the olden days’ and finding such joy in the games their grandparents and great-grandparents played - games like marbles, quoits and hopscotch. I am reminded how children really need very little in order to have hours of fun. I was also a little amazed that I could still play hopscotch! It was delightful to read their stories and see the images of what they will be doing and look like when they are 100 years old.

This was then reinforced as I watched the Year 2/3 students making clouds, building anemometers to measure the wind, flying kites, and then in turn designing their own kites. With their kites, the students went through the design process of testing, modifying, trying, failing, trying again and then flying them. In both these projects, listening to the conversations and the encouraging words and seeing the satisfaction gained from persevering as they pushed through to achieve great results is what education is all about.

This enthusiasm and delight was echoed across the quadrangle in Years 4/5/6 as they had a plethora of 'Granny grass heads' adorning their windowsill, where students tested which soil type on the plateau grew the best crop of feed and teasing out what factors influenced their success.

All of these things are so good for our children, as they encourage them to develop a genuine curiosity about the world around us through engagement in the Sciences. This, combined with the challenges that keep pushing each student to achieve through writing, reading, mathematics, PDHPE and religion, are why teachers love their jobs so much.

Gratitude is being able to find joy in the moment. This was evident throughout the term in abundance, and I hope it is prevalent for each of you during your term break. In the words of St Teresa of Calcutta, "We can’t all do great things, but we can do small things with great love". May this quote inspire you to spend time together making memories and sharing your love, so that in two weeks' time we can all return for Term 3 refreshed and ready to do it all again.

Best wishes,

Sue Darby

Zone Athletics Carnival

Yesterday we had 21 athletes travel to Coffs Harbour to compete at the Zone Athletics carnival. Our Zone includes 8 other schools from Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Grafton, Yamba and Maclean. We had a great day and experienced perfect weather and conditions for athletics.

The events our students competed in included 100m, 200m, 800m, long jump, shot put and relay. Our students gave 110% effort in their events, showed great sportsmanship and encouraged each other enthusiastically. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Jules, who made it through to Diocesan Carnival for the 100m. It has been quite a few years since we have had a student make it through for this event! We wish him well for this carnival, which is to be held next term in Coffs Harbour.  

Congratulations to all our athletes who competed, who were: Hunter, Samo, Ethan, Jules, Reuben, Patrick, Aurora, Keira, Lakota, Eden, Finlay, Rosie, Mia, Reid, Clay, Makayla, Jordan, Ruby, Jinky, Chloe and Hayley.

Thanks also to the parents who helped out on the day by getting children to their events, taking photos and getting coffee for the teachers! Your help was greatly appreciated!

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Weekly Awards

Congratulations to the following students, who received awards this week:

Brianna B-G - for awesome whole-body listening in the classroom. Great job!

Elle W - for creating detailed and colourful drawings that match your writing

Charlotte B - For awesome effort when writing stories and when re-telling what has happened. Love your work!

Chayse B - for your focus and willingness to share your ideas in learning time

Tate M-T - for helping others in our class with technology

Samo F - for taking pride in our classroom by cleaning and organising without having to be asked

Hayley M - for application to all writing tasks this term, especially when creating your slam poem on 'Moving House'

GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) awards went to:

Abby T - for always looking for ways to help others and for being a kind friend.

Aurora W - for being grateful for the nature she sees around her

Project Compassion

We will continue to collect toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, sanitary items, shampoo, deodorant, washing powder and warm items like socks and beanies, all of which will be donated to Pete's Place in Coffs Harbour to help homeless people in our local area.

St Vincent de Paul are also looking for any 2nd-hand drink bottles such as kids' drink bottles (not plastic PET water bottles). 

Please help if you can - there is a basket at the front office in which to place your donations.

Thank you!

Louise Sprowles - LOSEC

Mini Vinnies Jumper Drive

Thank you to all those who supported our Mini Vinnies Jumper Drive this term. We collected lots of woolly jumpers which we will pass on to St Vincent de Paul. 

2023 Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. You must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge. The Challenge closes for students on Friday August 18, 2023.

Congratulations to the following students, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge: Clay B

NAIDOC Week Events in Bellingen Shire

There are two great events coming up in Bellingen Shire for NAIDOC Week 2023 (2-9 July) - see flyers below for more information. 

• Sunday 2 July – NAIDOC event in Maam Gaduying Park 1:00pm-4:00pm – Welcome, smoking ceremony, dance, weaving, storytelling and chai. 

• Monday 3 July – NAIDOC Concert at Urunga Riverstage – 3:00pm-6:00pm - Live music, dance, BBQ, damper & soup. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Come along and be part of something special on Gumbyanggirr country.

Polding Trials - Girls Rugby 7s

See flyer below for information regarding Polding trials for Girls Rugby 7s. Those who nominate must be of representative standard. Please see Kim Brady if you are interested.

Term 2 School Fees

Term 2 school fees are now due, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
 
1 student - $290
2 students - $507.50
3 or more students - $652.50
 
Payment options are:  

1. using the Compass app - You can check your school fee balance and pay fees through the Compass app. Select more - school fees - next - and enter your credit card details. You have the option to pay in full or pay a portion of your fees. 
2. cash or cheque at school 
3. direct deposit to the school's bank account (see instructions below)

When using internet banking, please use your child’s surname as a reference.
Banancoast Community Credit Union   
BSB no. 533-000
Account no. 3282 0430                 
Name: Mt St John’s Primary School
 
Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your Term 1 school fees by this date, some financial assistance may be available from St Vincent de Paul - to make an appointment with them, call 0472 718862. You will need to take your school fee statement with you to your appointment.

Thank you!

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Please visit the website below for information about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).

How to Cancel a Canteen Order

If you need to, you can cancel canteen orders before 9am on Friday mornings. If you know your child is going to be away you can go into Compass Canteen and select "cancel order".

The refunded money goes back into your Compass "wallet" so you can use it next time you order - when you get to the Confirm & pay screen, click on the down arrow and select Compass Credit. 

School Facebook Page

Check out our school Facebook page! It is wonderful to be able to share the good news of our school with our families and community. 

Library Day - Wednesday

Library day for all students is Wednesday - please make sure your child brings in his or her cloth library bag on this day. Each student may borrow four books per week. 

School Bus Travel

Applications for student travel can be made online. Apply here 

School Drive Subsidy

The School Drive Subsidy is available for eligible school students where there is no public transport available for all or part of the journey. If you have to drive your child more than 1.6km to a school bus stop, you may be eligible for this subsidy – go to the link below to apply. 

GLUE

GLUE God Loves Us Eternally KidsClub is held each Wednesday during school term time from 3-5pm at the Anglican Hall. Afternoon tea, games, fun worship and craft. All primary kids in Years 1-6 are welcome, as are newcomers. For more info, ring Gwenneth on 6657 2135.

The last Glue Club for Term 2 is this Wednesday 28th June at 3pm. Glue will recommence in Term 3 on Wednesday 19th July.

Music in the Regions - Duo Blockstix 'Sylvan Soundscapes'

Music in the Regions will be visiting NSW’s Mid-North coast in July/August, bringing with us the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer, Anne Boyd, performed by the vibrant Duo Blockstix. Ticketed performances will be in Coramba, Dorrigo, Nambucca Heads, Kendall, and Tuncurry, in addition to several community programs that will also take place along the way. 

Tickets for under 18s are FREE (at all but Nambucca Heads), making for a great opportunity to get young people involved in classical music!

To book, scan the QR code on the poster below, or click on the link below.

Art as Therapy Exhibition

Feeling a little “blue”? Art facilitates wellbeing and healing through expression. 

You are invited to participate in this exhibition to be held at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre Exhibition Space, Dorrigo National Park, Dome Road, Dorrigo: 10 - 29 October 2023. 

“Art as Therapy” is part of the Dorrigo Neighbourhood Centre’s Blue Tree Project, which aims to turn Dorrigo blue, with bunting, lighting, yarn-wrapped objects, etc. for the month of October (https://www.bluetreeproject.com.au/), in order to help spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns: “By spreading the paint and spreading the message that "it’s OK to not be OK", we can help break down the stigma that’s still largely attached to mental health”.

The exhibition is open to residents of the Dorrigo Plateau and includes all people affected by mental health – either personally or as a support worker.  There is no entry fee for this exhibition, with a limit of 2 artworks per artist.

If you are interested in participating, please reply to Chris Fahey (Cc’d), Curator, Rainforest Centre Exhibition Space: E: cfahey25@yahoo.com.au   M: 0439 482 662

Service NSW Returning to Dorrigo

Service NSW is returning to Dorrigo on Tuesday 4^th July 2023 in our Mobile Service Centre.

A friendly reminder that our dedicated Service NSW team on board can provide support across a broad range of services: 

• Roads & Maritime Services (including licence and registration renewals and applications). 
• Processing of NSW Fitness to Drive Medical Assessments and Mobility Parking Applications. 
• Processing of RSA and RCG cards. 
• Undertaking Driver Knowledge Tests.  
• Births, Deaths and Marriages (including birth, marriage, death and change of name certificates).  
• Application and Renewal of Working with Children Checks on behalf of Office of Children’s Guardian 

Our Mobile Service Centre is a cashless facility and will accept payment by credit/debit cards or cheques.   

If you require any further information on our service locations or opening hours, visit 
service.nsw.gov.au/msc or contact us on 13 77 88. 

North Coast Health Connect

North Coast Health Connect is a free new service providing health support and advice from registered nurses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays. If you are a resident or visitor to the North Coast, you can speak or live chat with a nurse. The nurse will ask some questions to understand what’s troubling you and then provide advice on what your next step should be.

This may include self-care advice to help you to manage your health (or that of a loved one) from home, or the nurse may recommend a GP appointment or a consultation with a pharmacist. The nurses are able to book an appointment for you directly with a local general practice or pharmacy or if appropriate, can transfer you to a 24/7 GP telehealth service. If the nurse believes you need to attend an emergency department or see a different health service, they will let you know.

Visit the link below for more info and save as a contact for when you need it by visiting https://qrco.de/bdkiJm or by scanning the QR code below.

School Holiday Activities @ Dorrigo Library

Games afternoon @Dorrigo Library

'Shark Cage' Womens Group

Healthy Lunchbox Website

Cancer Council’s Healthy Lunch Box website is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box.  For recipes, information and health tips please visit the website below.