Term 4 - Week 9, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

It was wonderful watching and listening to the Bellingen Youth Orchestra down the mountain today. It was great to see all different ages performing after no doubt many hours of practice.

Preparation is well underway for our final Awards Assembly on Tuesday from 9am, with the children excited about the event and looking forward to singing some Christmas carols. Every child will be receiving an award and there will be additional awards for students who have gone above and beyond. There will also be a cuppa afterwards and as always, everyone is most welcome to attend. 

Unfortunately school fees will need to increase next year, due to rising costs of operations. The Catholic Schools’ Office have written a letter that is included below in the newsletter that has information and a Q&A. The final figure looks like an increase of $2.50 per week, although this will be confirmed next year. If you are struggling to pay fees, please contact the Principal to confidentially discuss options.

On Monday we will officially farewell the Year 6 students with a liturgy at school and a special ‘High Tea’ for these students at the Canopy Cafe later in the day. Moving to high school is one of the big transitions in life and we wish them all the best on their paths next year and beyond. Godspeed. 

We have a busy week coming up with all the events above and the Urunga beach day on Thursday. It will also be my last week as Principal as my contract here is finished and I’m heading back to my old school. All going well, the new leader will be announced shortly. I’d like to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me and patiently taught me over the last 9 months. It’s been an absolute pleasure teaching your children and getting to know Dorrigo and the plateau. It’s a fantastic school with great staff and lovely families so I have been very fortunate and privileged to be a part of the place. I hope to return next year a few times to assist the new Principal and say hello to the kids.

Peter Watts,

Principal

Christmas Giving Tree

Mt St Johns are doing their Giving Tree again this year. There is a Christmas tree in the foyer with some gift tags on it. Each tag has the age and gender of a child written on it. If you are able to help a family in need, please ask your child to choose a tag from the tree and buy a gift for a child that age. Gifts must be returned to school by Wednesday 13th December. Please sticky tape your tag to the gift and the gifts will be distributed by St Vincent de Paul. Thank you!

We are also collecting toiletries for the homeless. All donations are gratefully accepted.

Weekly Awards

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

Clay B - For showing responsibility and a good work ethic in class.

Dorrigo Handmade Markets

We are holding a stall at the Dorrigo Christmas Market tomorrow, Saturday 9th of December. The students have been busy making sleighs and baskets to hold homemade Christmas treats/baking to sell. We would greatly appreciate any donations of Christmas treats and baking for this. If you are able to bake something for the stall, please send in your items to school by Friday 9th December, or drop them off at the stall in the morning, making sure to attach a list of the ingredients used.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Louise Sprowles

Beach Day - Thursday 14th December

To round out the school year, we are taking MSJ students to Morgo Street Reserve in Urunga on Thursday 14th December. 

Students will travel by bus to Urunga. We will allow students to swim in the lido under the close supervision of staff. Students will also be able to play games on the beach and use the play equipment. Information for students is listed below:

Wear: free dress
Bring: swimmers, rash shirt, towel, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, recess and lunch
Bus departs school: 9.10am
Bus returns to school: 3.05pm

There is no cost for this excursion. 

There is no canteen at the Reserve, so no money is required. We usually have treats for the students such as iceblocks, cake and watermelon. 

Please complete the permission consent in the Compass app by Monday 11th December.

If your child is NOT going to be at school on that day, please inform the school with a reason for the absence in the questions section. 

Term 4 School Fees

Term 4 school fees are now due, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
 
1 student - $290
2 students - $507.50
3 or more students - $652.50
 
Payment options are:  

1. using the Compass app - You can check your school fee balance and pay fees through the Compass app. Select more - school fees - next - and enter your credit card details. You have the option to pay in full or pay a portion of your fees. 
2. cash or cheque at school 
3. direct deposit to the school's bank account (see instructions below)

When using internet banking, please use your child’s surname as a reference.
Banancoast Community Credit Union   
BSB no. 533-000
Account no. 3282 0430                 
Name: Mt St John’s Primary School
 
Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your Term 4 school fees by this date, some financial assistance may be available from St Vincent de Paul - to make an appointment with them, call 0472 718862. You will need to take your school fee statement with you to your appointment.

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

Leaving Students Access to Compass Portal

Parents of students who are leaving school at the end of year and not continuing their education within the Diocese of Lismore, will lose access to their Compass portal on the 31st December 2022. Therefore parents should download their child’s reports in Compass prior to the 31st December.

Parents of students who are continuing their education within the Diocese of Lismore will still be
able to access their child’s reports through their Compass portal.

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 Now Closed for Holidays

The library is now closed for the year. Please make sure all library books and class readers are returned to school before the holidays.

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. 

"Kids on Stage" Performances

The Dorrigo Dramatic Club's “Kids on Stage” end of year production features 27 kids aged from 5 to 15 years from all the schools of the Dorrigo township, including our own students Aurora, Ivy, Xavier, Samo, Elle, Darcy, Charlotte W, Sophie, Ruby, Jordan and Finn. 

Two plays are being performed - grab your tickets now!

Alice in Downunder Land by Judith Prior

A delightfully unique Australian story combining the timeless tales of Alice in Wonderland, Mary had a Little Lamb, and Waltzing Matilda. Set in the Australian bush and performed entirely by children; the story is designed to appeal to audiences young and old.

Music, and lots of energy, maybe some sing-a-longs and audience participation, comedy and suspense combine as we follow the story of Alice who has lost her pet lamb, Jumbuck.

AND 

The Sword in the Stone is the first part of the story about how Arthur became king…. 

A battle, some magic from Merlin the magician, a pike named Spike, and who will marry Guinevere ?   Did someone mention Wedding dresses??

 All dates, performance times, and ticket prices are on the poster below - 6 performances only

Community Carols - 10 December

Free School Holiday Events at Your Library

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.