Term 3 - Week 3, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers.

Thank you to everyone who made appointments to catch up with your child’s teacher to check in on progress. It is great to see so many children thriving, both socially and academically. If you couldn’t make it this week, it’s okay to make another time either in person or on the phone; just contact the school. 

On Thursday next week (10th August) at 2pm there will be a Parent Gathering followed by an assembly at 2.40pm. This get-together is to discuss initiatives and issues at school and to get feedback on how we can improve. Afternoon tea is supplied. This week, some information will be shared about the new English curriculum being rolled out here and across NSW and how you can support literacy at home. The assembly will take on a new format and will be held at the back of the Year 4/5/6 classroom straight after the parent meeting. All are welcome to both events.

2024 Kindergarten enrolments are now open and if you are considering sending your child to Mt St John’s, now is the time to submit an enrolment form. If you know of anyone interested in coming to our wonderful school, please let them know about our upcoming information session: 5pm Wednesday 16th August. At this time we will outline what Mt St John’s offers, how we operate and what parents can do to prepare their child for school. 

On Friday at 10.55am next week we will have a ‘Lockdown’ practice as per standard procedure. This is something that will hopefully never be needed but it is always good to be prepared. We will lock all doors and gates so don’t get a shock if it looks like no-one is here. It should only take less than 10 minutes. 

Have a lovely weekend,

Peter Watts,

Principal

Save the date: 

• Book Week dress up parade: 9am Thursday 24 August. The official theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’ which is broad, so come as any book character. All are welcome. 
• Disco 6 - 7.30pm Thursday 24 August (a big day!), with the theme ‘Characters’, which means you can just use the Book Week costume from the morning or you can go for another character if you would like. 

Weekly Awards

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

Ruby F - For working hard during Maths warm-up and developing an understanding of division with remainders.

Ivy M - For application and committment to all tasks and showing an eagerness to improve her abilities in Maths and writing.

2023 Book Week & Book Fair Events

Book Week is fast approaching - it will be held in Week 6 from 21st to 26th August. This year's theme is "Read, Grow, Inspire".

Our annual Book Fair will be held in Book Week. There will be a display of books available for purchase set up in the library during this week. Each Book Fair is designed to give kids access to more books they want to read, from relevant new releases to classic award-winners. Every purchase made will benefit our school, as we receive a percentage of all sales made as free books for our library. Thank you to Kerry Miller and Angela Jackson, who have volunteered to assist with setting up/ packing away our Book Fair in Week 6. If anyone else would like to help, please contact Cathy at the school office.

The students will be visiting Dorrigo Library on Tuesday 22nd August to participate in some sessions with the library staff.

On Thursday 25th August, we will be holding our Book Character Dress-up Parade at 9am - this is great fun, with all students and staff dressing up for the day as their favourite character from a book. Time to start thinking about your costumes!

NRL Development Program

As part of our sports program, Garry Stevenson (a development officer from the NRL) is coming 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.

Project Compassion

We are continuing 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

Issue 5 Book Club

Issue 5 Book Club orders are due by Tuesday 8th August. Below is a link to the Issue 5 catalogue.

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: Rory O, Samo F.

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. 

Dorrigo Drama - Kids on Stage

Hello to all the keen kids aged 5-17 who are wanting the opportunity to get back on the stage with Dorrigo Drama. We have 2 plays that we are looking to put on in November.

Alice in DownUnder Land is a delightful, unique Australian story combining the timeless tales of Alice, Mary and Matilda.... who are they?

The Sword in the Stone is the story of a young Arthur before he became King, his half brother Kai who thinks he should be King, Merlin the magician and of course Guinevere.

There are lots of ifs, whens and whys? at the start of any production, so for the moment rehearsing will be Mondays at 3.30pm at the Dorrigo Theatre in Hickory Street. If it turns out Monday isn't the best day for rehearsals then we will work out what is.

So come along on Monday 7th August at 3.30pm for our first rehearsal - look forward to seeing you then!

You can get in touch with Dina via email at dinalucid@gmail.com OR phone on 66572243 - leave a message if necessary and don't forget your phone number.

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.

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.