Term 2 - Week 5, 2024
Principal's Message
Hi everyone, and welcome to our Week 6 Newsletter.
Yesterday, along with 430 other staff members from Catholic schools in the Clarence (Yamba to Macksville), we came together to renew our faith and celebrate the unique and honoured position Catholic schools hold in our communities. Over the course of the day, we were encouraged in our mission by our Director, Adam Spencer, inspired by Dr. Maeve Heany (theologian from the Australian Catholic University), challenged by Roby Curtis (Director of Emmanuel City Mission), and lifted up by the music of Wildfire. The end ended with a narrated Mass, celebrated by Fr. Joe D'Souza of St Augustine's Parish.
It was a day of spiritual renewal and connection, and we are so very grateful for your support of our Staff Development Day yesterday. I understand how difficult these days are for parents, and I truly appreciate the complexities of working out what your children will do when the school is closed!
Proclaim Staff
What's On - Term 2
At the end of Term 1, we published a comprehensive What's On for Term 2. Here is a LINK in case you missed it.
The Resilience Project - Connected Parenting Webinar
Don’t forget our Connected Parenting Webinar on Monday night. Dinner and Babysitting are included. Join us for a Connected Parenting Webinar on Monday, June 3rd, from 6:00 pm to 7:45 pm!
What you can expect...
This Connected Parenting Webinar offers valuable tools for parents and carers aiming to raise children through positive connections and communication. Tips for parents and carers will include;
- Guiding our children to become resilient adults.
- Practical strategies to build stronger connections with your children.
- Ideas to support your children when they are frustrated or going through challenging situations.
- Simple ways to create co-operation.
- Dealing with our own triggers as a parent.
- Understanding big emotions and feelings and assisting your kids in becoming emotionally resilient.
Dinner and babysitting will be provided. RSVP via this GOOGLE FORM by 5:00 pm Saturday, 1st June.
Finally, today, we farewelled Mr Ben Hazlett from our school community. Ben has been at Mt St John's since mid-last year, and during that time, he has had a significant impact on students, staff, and the wider community. We are grateful for his valuable contributions to our school and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.
Have a lovely weekend,
Deb
Deborah Bailey
Principal
Whole School Focus
Our whole school focus this fortnight builds on our focus from the previous fortnight. This week we are learning to THINK before we speak. Our teachers and student leaders look for students demonstrating these skills and give out GEM Awards to celebrate.
Class Awards
Congratulations to all our Award Winners for Week 2 and Week 3.
| Week 4 | ||
| Principal's Award | Jules Francis | For being honest and standing up for what is right. |
| Kindy | Sam Garnock | For your amazing ability to ask questions that engage with your peers. |
| Phoebe Sheridan | For your great writing and drawing about 'Chip'. | |
| Stage 1 | Lawson Ellis | For his 'can do' attitude in regard to all tasks in class. Well done! |
| Skylar Way | For her enthusiasm and great idea in creating a boat to show balance in Mathematics. | |
| Stage 2 | Hunter Gibson | For using adjectives to enhance your information description about alpine dingoes. |
| Lucca Laughlin | For application to all writing tasks and paying attention to the correct spelling of words. | |
| Stage 3 | Chloe Thomas | For improved attitude, being positive and working hard. |
| Ruby Francis | For being an excellent role model and applying herself in all activities. | |
GEM Awards
Congratulations to our GEM Award winners
| Week 5 | |
| Whole School | Colby Gibson |
| Kindy | Ziggy Carter-Sims |
| Stage 1 | Brianna Bosshard-Guest |
| Stage 2 | Jules Francis |
| Stage 3 | Tom Beaumont |
Term 2 School Fees
Term 2 school fees have been billed to each family. Term 2 fees are due by Friday 14th June, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
1 student - $318
2 students - $556.50
Payment options are:
- 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.
- cash or cheque at school
- 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 2 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.
Thank you!
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.
How to Cancel a Canteen Order
If you need to, you can cancel canteen orders before 9am on canteen day. 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.
Community Notices
GLUE
GLUE God Loves Us Eternally KidsClub is held each Wednesday during school term time from 3-5pm at the Anglican Church 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.
Government Mobile Service Centre to visit Dorrigo
Dorrigo Rangers Rugby
NSWCPS Girls 7s Rugby
School Bus Travel
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).
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.
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.
