Term 3 - Week 1, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back! It promises to be a busy term with lots of new initiatives happening. An especially warm welcome to our new students starting this week: Colby, Lucca and Talia.

We have quite a few new events happening this term and I encourage you to keep an eye on the calendar. 

Whole school liturgies: The whole school will be participating in a Liturgy every three weeks, starting  on Thursday 3rd August at 2.40pm. 

School assemblies: There will be a new format to school assemblies and these will happen three times a term, beginning on Thursday 10th August at 2.40pm. The assembly will have some formalities, awards and will showcase some student work. 

Parent gatherings: Before each assembly there will be a Parent Gathering at 2pm to have a cuppa, discuss new initiatives, gain feedback and share ideas for improving the school. Whilst there is a structure, it will be relaxed and open to all parents. I realise the time is not ideal for everyone, however you are welcome to email your thoughts to be discussed. 

Other events: Some other significant events coming up (save the date): 

• 2024 Kindergarten Information Night - Wednesday 16th August. For parents considering MSJ for their child in 2024. All welcome, child minding available. 
• Book Week parade - 24th August
• School Disco - on the evening of 24th August
• Father’s Day Breakfast - 1st September
• Japanese Cultural Days - 28th August and 4th September (TBC)
• Regional Speech Competition  - 11th September 
• It’s a way off but Grandparents' Day will be held on Friday 3rd November. 

This week we welcomed Mr Ben Hazlett who will be teaching at MSJ for four weeks, with a focus on extension and enrichment activities in English and Maths. Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and we’re fortunate to have him here. 

Peter Watts,

Principal

Parent / Teacher Meetings

The half-yearly Parent/ Teacher meetings will be held in Week 3, from 31 July until 4 August. Timeslots to book in will be available next week via the Compass app (we will notify parents as soon as they are open).

If you can't make it to your Parent/ Teacher meeting in person or if it is more convenient, your meeting can be held over the phone or via Zoom.

We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to check in on your child's social and academic progress. 

NRL Development Program

As part of our sports program, we will be having a development officer from the NRL come to Mt St John's for skill development coaching. These 30 minute sessions will be run for each class group on Wednesday afternoons for approximately 8 weeks. We look forward to participating and learning new skills.

2023 Book Week & Book Fair

Book Week is fast approaching - it will be held in Week 6 from 21st to 26th August. We would love to have some helpers to assist with setting up our Book Fair, so if you're available help please contact Cathy at the front office.

More information about Book Week activities to follow in next week's newsletter.

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

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 23rd August, 2024.

Congratulations to the following students, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge: Zahli, Ziggy, Sam, Henry, Phoebe, Ryan, Sasha, Hunter, Tate, Rory, Tyson, Aurora, James, Piper, Samo, Jules, Oliver, Ivy, Lucas, lucca, Lakota, Paddy & Darcy.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.