Term 4 - Week 2, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today we celebrated Pyjama Day (see photos below) and it was great to see the students get behind this initiative. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness and funds for critical projects in needy countries. We are supporting the poorest of the poor through the Catholic Mission organisation, helping support health clinics in Timor-Leste and Thailand. While charity begins at home, it is important we reach out to assist with our global neighbours as well. 

There were plenty of nerves and excitement on Tuesday when we welcomed our new Kindergarten students for 2024. This was the first of three visits before they start next year and is designed to help the children feel at ease as they begin at ‘big school’. If you know of anyone who may be interested in enrolling for next year, in any grade, ask them to contact the school asap as this will assist in planning for classes and staffing.

Assemblies and liturgy dates will change this term due to the swimming program and staff on training courses. Keep an eye on the calendar and we will send out reminders. Grandparents' Day will be held at 9am on Friday 3rd November. Everyone is welcome to attend and morning tea will be provided after a liturgy of thanks. If grandparents cannot attend, feel free to invite a significant friend or relative that fulfils this role. 

School photos will be taken from 12pm on Monday (23rd October), so make sure your child is in full school uniform, hair up and looking smart. Whilst I’m mentioning uniforms, please make sure your child has a school hat as the rule is no school hat, play in the shaded shelter area. 

Have a great weekend,

Peter Watts,

Principal

Child Safeguarding Website

The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL) has launched a Child Safeguarding website as part of our commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. It contains information on Child Safe Standards, our Commitment Statement, a contact form for concerns or inquiries, and other useful links and resources.

The website can also be accessed through the "Parent Information" tab on our school website. We encourage you to visit the website to understand our commitment to building a school where every child feels valued, heard, and protected.

Canteen on THURSDAYS for the Remainder of Term 4

We have decided to change our canteen day to THURSDAY each week until the end of Term 4, as it will clash less with some school events that are coming up. This will mean canteen orders will need to be in by Wednesday mornings at 9am (no late orders can be accepted in future). A reminder will be sent via the Compass app each Tuesday afternoon. If you need to cancel your order, please do so before 9am on Thursday.

2023 School Photos

Our 2023 school photos will be taken this 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

Stage 3 Excursion to Canberra Rebate

Stage 3 students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $135.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. This rebate was factored in to the cost of the excursion to families.

Issue 7 Book Club

Issue 7 Book Club catalogues were sent home last week. Orders are due back by Tuesday 24th 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

2024 school travel applications are now open                                                                                  

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply here. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2024 school year. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, an expiry notification will be sent via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

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.

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.

Student Art Dorrigo Show

Road Safety Message

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.