Term 3 - Week 1, 2024
Principal's Message
Welcome back to Term 3!
It's been a beautiful start to the term with blue skies and gorgeous winter days. It is lovely to see all the children back after the holidays, looking rested and raring to go.
On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for your understanding, thoughts and prayers over the last month. I am thrilled to say that after a lengthy stay in hospital and some surgery, my son Jack has recovered well and is back to business as usual. A special thank you to our amazing staff, who kept everything going and showed me such kindness and compassion. I am truly blessed to be part of the Mt St John's community.
School Improvement Review
This term, in Week 5, Mt St John's will participate in a 3-year School Review Process. During the school review process, expert guidance from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) specialists helps schools assess their current practices, implement the tool with fidelity and monitor the improvement of the school over time. A panel of reviewers will be in the school for 3 days, reviewing school documents and speaking with staff, parents and students. As a result of the review, our school will be given commendations and recommendations for how we can continue to improve over time, ensuring we provide the very best education possible. If you have any questions about this process or would like to speak to one of the Reviewers throughout their visit, please contact me.
Changes to our Friday Timetable
Sport
This term, Mrs Carmel Beaumont will take each class for sport. Carmel is passionate about sport and the importance of getting us all off our screens and moving. Carmel will teach a number of different skills, culminating in a Sports afternoon at the end of the term.
Assembly
After feedback from the parents and staff, we are shifting our assemblies back to Friday afternoons. This ensures we keep our core learning time available for English and Mathematics. Assemblies will run for approximately 30 minutes from 2:40 pm and follow the same format as this term, with each class hosting the assembly and sharing some of the things they have been learning.
Parent Cafe
Each Friday, we will host a Parent Cafe from 2:00 pm - 2:40 pm. This will be an opportunity for parents to catch up with others over a cuppa and engage in some education opportunities. Our first session is Friday 9th August at 2:00 pm, focusing on understanding and managing school anxiety.
Buddy Teams
One of our School Improvement Goals for 2024 is "All students will feel safe at school and connected to our community." To help students build stronger, more diverse connections, we are implementing 'Buddy Team Time' for 30 minutes each Friday afternoon from 2:10 pm - 2:40 pm. Students will work collaboratively in small groups (7 - 8 people) with students from other classes during this time. This term, to celebrate the Olympics, teams will choose a country and design a flag, uniform, medal, anthem and sport! At the end of the term, our Buddy Teams will compete against each other in the Mt St John's Olympics - be careful; you may be recruited to participate!
Zone Athletics Carnival
Good luck to all the students who have qualified for the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival next Tuesday at C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for more of this beautiful weather!
Please navigate to the Compass parent portal for more information about the Zone Athletics Carnival and to give permission for your child to attend this event.
Father's Day Celebration - Save the Date
Make sure to add Friday, 30th August, to your calendar! We are planning something special to celebrate all the amazing male role models in our lives.
Mini Mounties Transition Program/ Kindy Enrolments
I am very excited to say that it is time to start our Mini Mounties Program for 2024. Mini Mounties in Term 3 is open to any child eligible to start school in 2025. Mini Mounties is an opportunity for preschool students to come to Mt St John's, participate in classes and playground activities, meet some staff, see what Mt St John's has to offer, and most of all, have fun! Parents have the opportunity to socialise and meet new parents. Staff also conduct information sessions for parents to learn vital information about school readiness and are available to chat with parents to address any concerns or answer questions.
Dorrigo Preschool beautifully supports our transition; however, if you know of any other children who would benefit from joining Mini Mounties, please pass this information on!
What's On - Term 3
After positive feedback last term, we have published a 'What's On' for Term 3. This document is designed to help you plan ahead for Term 3. Please be aware that changes may (and probably will!) happen. We will continue to keep you updated via Compass. Here is the LINK.
Have a lovely weekend,
Deb
Deborah Bailey
Principal
Olympics Dress-Up Day
Whole School Focus
At Mt St John's, we have 4 core values that lead how we behaviour: Respect, (Self) Responsibility, Safety, and Effort. These 4 expectations are our behaviour norms.
Our whole school focus this fortnight is Respect. Staff have unpacked what Respect - All are Welcome means in our school and what to do when you feel you are being disrespected. Our teachers and student leaders look for students demonstrating these skills and give out GEM Awards to celebrate.
2024 Book Week & Book Fair Events
Our Book Week & Book Fair is fast approaching - it will be held in Week 4 from 12th to 16th August. This year's theme is "Reading is Magic". (We are having our Book Week activities a week earlier than the official Book Week, as our School Review is booked for the following week)
A display of books will be available for purchase set up in the library this week. Each Book Fair is designed to give kids access to more books they want to read, from relevant new releases to classic award-winners. 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, who has volunteered to assist with setting up/ packing away our Book Fair in Week 4.
On Wednesday, August 14th, we will be holding our Book Character Dress-up Parade at 11:30 a.m. This is great fun, with all students and staff dressing up as their favourite character from a book. I'm looking forward to seeing some great costumes!
Pyjama Day Thanks
On behalf of Mini Vinnies, I would like to thank our whole school community for your kind and generous donations for our launch of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, which was our Pyjamma and Soup Day last term. We raised over $200 (plus many donations of winter clothing), which will be donated to Pete’s Place in Coffs Harbour to help homeless people who are doing it tough sleeping rough in the cold weather this winter season.
Thank you once again, we are sure that what we have raised will be much appreciated.
Louise Sprowles
LOSEC
Class Awards
Congratulations to all our Award Winners for Weeks 8, 9 and 10.
| Principal's Award | Sophie Carter | Principal's Award - for her consistent role modelling of our behaviour norm of RESPECT. |
| Kindy | Jack Morgan | For your awesome re-telling skills when learning about The Very Hungry Caterpillar |
| Phoebe Sheridan | For your outstanding writing and drawing about The Very Hungry Caterpillar. | |
| Stage 1 | Lawson Ellis | For his ideas and contributions to class discussions. On fire!! |
| Rokko Bailey | For being engaged and always ready to learn. | |
| Stage 2 | Piper Boutell | For working well in Maths and being able to use partioning to solve multiplication problems. |
| Aurora Williams | For making valuable contributions to our History discussion on what Australian Indigenous life was like before European settlement. | |
| Oliver H | For using great manners! | |
| Stage 3 | Tom Beaumont | For being welcoming and using polite manners. |
| Malachi Fell | For excellent reporting skills in our celebrity interview for the student news. | |
| Ruby Francis | For always doing your best in all aspects of school life. |
GEM Awards
Congratulations to our GEM Award winners
| Whole School | Piper Boutell |
| Kindy | Ziggy Carter-Sims |
| Stage 1 | Skylar Way Natalie Macey |
| Stage 2 | Rory O'Leary |
| Stage 3 | Finn Moffatt |
Term 3 School Fees
Term 3 school fees have been billed to each family. Term 3 fees are due by Fridy 6th September, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
1 student - $318
2 students - $556.50
3 students - $715.50
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 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. Please note we have recently changed bank accounts and are now with the Commonwealth Bank. Our updated details are below (however our BCU account will remain active for a few more months).
Commonwealth Bank
BSB no. 062-000
Account no. 20926245
Name: Mt St John’s Primary School
Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your Term 3 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!
Information about the NCCD for parents
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.
Kids on Stage 2024
Dorrigo Drama Club's Kids on Stage's next production will be Santa Claus: The Panto.
See flyer below for more information or call Dina on 6657 2243.
Camp Creative 2025
The event isn't until January, but tickets are already on sale.
There are over 50 courses available for kids and teens in the 2025 program (age ranges vary for each course). So Camp Creative is a great opportunity for young people to spend an exciting week learning a new skill or craft. There are also 48 courses available for adults, so the whole family can join in!
Camp Creative supports the NDIS, so parents/carers can contact me to create an invoice for their child to attend a course as part of their NDIS package. We also accept Service NSW Creative/Active Kids Vouchers.
If any parents have any questions, they are welcome to reach out to me via this email or my phone number below.
Nicole Ruigrok
Camp Creative Coordinator - Phone: 0419 379 146
Play Tennis in Dorrigo - Hot Shots
Taking expressions of interest for Hot Shots Tennis Coaching for Term 3. I am hoping to run groups of 4 to 6 students for 30-minute sessions on Friday afternoons after school during Term 3.
Tennis Australia trained coach and keen player.
Call Ben Hazlett on 0448 805 336.
Dance Classes for Kids in Dorrigo
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.