Term 3 - Week 5, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers.

Thanks to everyone who made it to the Parent Gathering before our assembly last week.

Just a quick follow up and clarification of a few points. The Parent Gathering is school-based and will now replace all previous parent structures such as the P&F. Although it is informal, meetings will be an opportunity for people to have their say, come up with ideas and give feedback. It will also be a time where we can share new initiatives and communicate developments in education. If there are events, such as the Colour Run, subcommittees will form to organise these and report back to the Parent Gathering. I realise this is a bit confusing but there is also another group called the Parent Assembly which is a different body - its focus is on representing the school at a regional and Diocesan level. Our next Parent Gathering will be before the assembly at 2pm Thursday 31 August. 

Next Thursday 24 August will be a big day. At 9am we will have the Book Week dress up parade, which should be a lot of fun. The official theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’ which is broad, so come as any book character. All are welcome!

Later that day we will have the Disco, starting at 6pm and finishing at 7.30pm 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. There will be a simple BBQ dinner available that evening, so dinner is sorted. You can drop your children off or stay if you like (but just remember to take them home at the end of the night!). 

There is a fair bit coming up, so keep an eye on the Compass app for updates. 

Kind regards,

Peter Watts,

Principal

Weekly Awards

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

Sophie C - For awesome writing about our green and gold day and having a go at writing unknown words.

Chayse B - For your great idea in Science when learning about forces. Keep it up!

Ryan B - For concentrating when spelling words by saying the word, then counting the sounds, writing them and then checking.

Rory O - For staying focused when reading the fast way so that you read accurately. Well done!

2023 Book Week & Book Fair Events

We’re setting up! The cases are here, and the books are calling. Come by next week Monday 21 August – Friday 25 August at Mt St John’s Library to buy your favourites! This Book Fair we’re aiming to reach $1,000. Every book you buy supports our school and brings more free books to our pupils. 

There is a lot happening next week - here are some reminders:

• Monday 21 – Thursday 24 August – Complete your colouring in competition
• Tuesday 22 August – Class visits to the Dorrigo Town Library to participate in some sessions with their library staff.
• Thursday 24 August – Book Week Character Dress Up day
• Thursday 24 August – We look forward to welcoming all parents, carers, and families in for our book parade from 9am. Winners of the colouring in competition will be announced after the parade.

Each class will visit the Book Fair in the library on Monday and children will bring home a "wish list" to show their parents. 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 Angela Jackson and Clare Beckett, who have been busy today setting up the Fair, and to Kerry Miller who has volunteered to assist with packing away on Friday . 

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

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.

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.

The next Messy Church is on Sunday 10th September from 4-6pm - see flyer below.

NSW Govt Mobile Service Centre

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.