Term 4 - Week 1, 2023

Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back! What a wonderful week we have had. It is so easy to show gratitude when we are lucky enough to have teachers and principals who are willing to give up their time (and probably their sanity) to take students to Canberra, by bus for four nights. I’m sure you will all shower them with thanks on their return. 

It is easy to show gratitude for staff who organise swimming lessons so that all children have the opportunity to be safe around water and learn to swim. Truly a gift for life.

It is easy to show gratitude also for staff who organise excursions and special experiences for their students every day, helping them to see the good in the world and in each other. Another wonderful gift, a positive attitude and ‘can do’ mindset.

It is easy to show gratitude when we are encouraged to see the good in each other. But as our children’s body clocks adjust to daylight savings and they start to feel tired and a little grumpy, that is when our gratitude for being parents can sometimes wobble. Remember - down time is important, we all need it. Time to do the things we love, to help us reset. So before we schedule every waking moment of Term 4 let’s make sure we put the big things (family time, down time and time to help others) in first. Then we are ready for whatever comes.

I found this little verse and it was a timely reminder for me, I hope it is for you too.

Respond to your children with love in:

• their worst moments,
• their broken moments
• their angry moments
• their selfish moments

It is in their most unlovable human moments that they most need to feel loved.

By LR Knost

A Bible thought to carry you through the week from the letter of St Paul to the Corinthians 4: 6-9

‘There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it in prayer and thanksgiving, and the peace of God, which is much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.’

And doesn’t the world need peace now more than ever. Wishing you peace for the term ahead.

Sue Darby

Acting Principal

Socktober Pyjama Day

To raise money for missions, we are having a Pyjama Day this Friday 20th October. For a gold coin donation, students and staff may come to school dressed in their pyjamas.

Canteen on THURSDAY next Week

Canteen will be on Thursday next week. Please make sure to order online by Wednesday morning.

2023 School Photos

Our 2023 school photos will be taken on Monday 23rd October. Ordering is via the Compass app. Please make sure your child is is neat and tidy and in full school uniform on this day.

Term 4 Swimming Lessons each Thursday

Our Term 1 swimming program has commenced for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Swimming is a compulsory part of the PDHPE curriculum. 

Students will need to bring swimmers, a towel, goggles, caps (the school can provide swimming caps for those students who don't own one, but if you do own one you are encouraged to bring it), and sun shirts to school each Thursday for their lesson. There is no extra cost for swimming lessons, as the school covers the pool entry fees and payments to the swim teachers. 

Students will walk to and from the pool. Please note, K - 1 students are to be collected from the pool at the end of the day each Thursday as their lesson will finish at 3:05pm. Kinder & Year 1 students catching buses will do so from Dorrigo Public School, supervised by our staff. 

Swimming lessons will take place each Thursday in Term 4 (weather permitting) at the following times:
Years 4/5/6 at 1pm
Years 2/3 at 1.40pm
K/1 at 2.20pm

Dutton Trout Hatchery Excursion

Year 4 were treated to an excellent excursion to Dutton Trout Hatchery on Tuesday this week, where they were immersed in the world of fish husbandry.  The students learned about the breeding programs, growth cycles and gained an appreciation for the scale of the operation and the care needed to grow the fish. 

The students were able to help feed the fish, and they enjoyed this so much that they wanted to keep feeding them after the fish were satisfied. The fish can be very energetic when eating and their movement splashed water over the rim of the tanks, raining down on the surprised students. Laughing, one student said “Look, I’m too wet! Let's do that again.” Some warm sun, a sausage sizzle and a game of French Cricket warmed everyone up.  

Back at school the students are using the experience and knowledge to compose both a creative response and an informative text.

Many thanks to the Dutton Trout Hatchery staff for accommodating us so well and special thanks to Greg Darby for driving the bus.

Weekly Awards

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

Ryan B - For his focused effort in Mathematics. Your ability to try your best and not give up is TERIFFIC!

Tate M-T - For making a big effort with his Cold Write on Crocodiles. Great work!

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

Lucca L - For teaching others in the school a new skipping game.

Piper B - For always considering others and making them feel included.

Issue 7 Book Club

Issue 7 Book Club catalogues were sent home this week. Orders are due back by Friday 20th October.

Please click on the link below to order.

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

Clarence Zone Summer Sports Trials

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 Cricket Club Registration

Dorrigo Cricket Club is looking for players for the 2023/24 season. We will be entering an U16s,U12s and a Blast program for children aged 6 to 10.

Under 16s play on Friday nights, Under 12s on Saturday morning. The Blast program for children aged 6-10 will be held down at the Dorrigo Stadium on a weekday yet to be decided. There will also be a senior team playing on Saturday afternoons.

If you are interested in playing, please register at https://www.playhq.com, then search Dorrigo Cricket Club, then go to register.

If you have any questions, please call Justin on 0447 575308.

Rugby 7s Tournament - Coffs Harbour

Join the craze that's sweeping the nation - here's a great opportunity to join the fast-paced, action-packed world of 7s rugby!

Exciting Announcement from NSW Rugby: Term 4 Spring 7s Tournament - Coffs Harbour

Boys U11s,U12s,U13s,U14s Boys and Girls U12s, U14s, U16s.

• Friday nights starting October 20^th (times to be confirmed with entry numbers)
• Boys & Girls divisions
• $110 entry fee per player for insurance through Rugby Australia and tournament fees- 8 rounds including a crossover gala day on Sun December 3^rd
• Maximum of 6 teams per division so GET IN QUICK

For more information or to join a team please contact Craig Landrigan, Development Officer – Mid North Coast on 0406 884 504 or Craig.Landrigan@nsw.rugby

Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival

The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival is a three day celebration of local, national and international acoustic folk, bluegrass and old-time music. The festival is a boutique, family friendly event with concerts, workshops, dance and jam sessions. Patrons have opportunities to perform and learn from the best traditional, contemporary and exploratory acoustic music exponents of these genres. 

With the festival now recognised across the globe, it attracts artists from the USA, Canada, UK and NZ  and Australia, presenting a full program from 6pm Friday evening through to 5pm Sunday. It is the longest-running folk festival on the Mid North Coast. All venues are alcohol, drug and smoke free zones. Environmental sustainability is actively promoted. There are workshops across the weekend to cater for young and old, including a full program of children’s workshops and activities including the much loved Pitts Family Circus. 

You can book tickets and camping or find out more at: https://www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au/

The Dorrigo Old-Time Music School takes place before the festival. Three full days of workshops emphasize the cultural heritage that informs the music and how it sounds.  Tutors in 2023 are Foghorn Stringband (USA/CAN), Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones (USA),  and Ian Alexander (AUS),  collectively representing a wealth of knowledge, tradition and exceptional skills as acknowledged exponents of the genre. This year's Old-Time Music School is currently fully booked and we are accepting prospective participants to our waitlist.

Dorrigo Lift The Lid Walk - Sunday 15th October 2023

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.