Term 3 - Week 5, 2021

Acting Principal's Message

What a wonderful community Mt St John's Dorrigo is! I have thoroughly enjoyed my week here and see evidence of a highly committed and competent staff serving students who have been enthusiastic, friendly, welcoming and keen to learn.

I loved the message from Kindergarten at Monday's assembly, when they reminded us to trust in God and to gain strength in times of difficulty by holding onto love. For more great encouragement can I recommend to all our readers this excellent fortnightly newsletter called The Soul. Produced by our Catholic Schools Office, there is always great scripture, prayers, music, editorial and resources for an adult audience. This week The Soul invites us to a place of stillness, honesty and courage as we journey together and counteract uncertainty with hope. It might be tempting to understand courage as the absence of fear or even the desire to be fearless amidst our current circumstances. Instead, we take our cue from Jesus who, like us, experienced immense fear but still continued to boldly step forward into the darkness and filled it with light. This week, let us take courage in knowing that we are not alone and that our trust is well placed in the one who has gone before us into the unknown. Take heart, we journey together.

Mrs Liz Watts will take up the role of Acting Principal next week, until the end of the term. I'm sure she will be made welcome as I have this week.

God Bless 

Matt de Dassel

Acting Principal

2021 Book Week & Book Fair

Our 2021 Book Fair will be held in Week 7 of this term, from Monday 23 August to Friday 27 August. This is always a fun week, with visits to our local library planned on Tuesday 24 August and a Book Character dress-up parade on Thursday 26 August (COVID restrictions permitting). 

Thank you to Ashlee Turner and Melinda MacDonell, who have volunteered to help out with the organisation of the Book Fair (again, COVID restrictions permitting). This entails helping set up the Book Fair in the library and assisting with promoting Book Fair & Book Week. 

What Matters Most

Last Sunday's scripture resonated with me and so I wanted to share it, and my thoughts, with you. It also linked to a lot of the work we have been doing and will continue to do in Kindergarten this term as we are learning to be friends and teaching each other how we like to be treated. This takes practice, it requires courage, trust and perseverance because we all make mistakes and need to try again. But if we want to be a good friend, and if we want to have good friends, then it is work we need to do.

This scripture from Ephesians 4:30-5:2 gives us a great road map to help us navigate this learning.

‘Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.’

In these times of lockdowns, uncertainty and fear, we need to make every interaction with others count. We need to bring our best selves to each conversation. God created us all to live in communion with one another; we were not created to live in isolation, yet so many of us find it difficult to walk in the shoes of others, to put others first. These are skills that we need to teach our children every day if we want them to grow up to be happy, successful adults in the future. They are also skills we need to bring to each conversation, email, text or tweet because the messages we give create ripples. What ripples do you create? What do these ripples say about you? What do these ripples teach your children about the world they are about to inherit?

Hard conversations require trust, perseverance and courage, but most of all they require love. Qualities that are required to be a friend and indeed to be a parent which is the hardest and most important job in the world.

Please keep each other in your prayers and the Gilbert family as they grieve the loss of Mr Bill Gilbert, a long-time member of our parish and school, a man who lived his life in service to his family, the church and his friends.

Sue Darby

Crazy Hair Day

We will be holding a Crazy Hair Day next Thursday as a fundraiser for our Mini Vinnies group. For a gold coin donation, students and staff are encouraged to come to school with crazy hair - colour it, plait it, curl it, crimp it, tease it.... just make sure it's CRAZY! See below for some inspiration from past years.

2022 Enrolments Now Open

We are taking enrolments for Kindergarten for 2022. Children are eligible for Kindergarten if they turn 5 by July 31 of that year. All children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday. To enrol at Mt St John’s, follow these three steps:

1. Collect an enrolment form from the school office.
2. Return the completed enrolment form to school office.
3. Attend an enrolment interview with your child.

In Term 4, students who are enrolled for 2022 can attend our formal Kindergarten transition sessions. We look forward to meeting our new Kindergarten students soon!

Weekly Awards

This week's class awards went to:

Abby M - for always staying focused and getting tasks done.

Jules F - for working hard in writing. You are putting so much effort into sounding out your words.

Chloe T - for working hard in reading. You are sounding out, re-reading and thinking about if it makes sense.

Rosie W - for great learning in Maths and showing persistence in challenging tasks.

Reid G - for extending your understanding in Maths by giving challenging tasks a go.

Ryleigh M - for excellent teamwork skills and being able to collaborate on a presentation in R.E.

Holly S - for excellent teamwork skills and being able to collaborate on a presentation in R.E.

Zoe B - for being a responsible and self-directed learner - your completed R.E. tasks are presented neatly and are of a high standard. Well done.

Big School Experience session cancelled

During term 3, we were hoping to welcome our local pre-school children to join in experiencing 'big school'! We have had one session, but unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, this week's session was cancelled. Hopefully we can hold the sessions booked for later in the term on 24th August & 14th September. Children will need to bring a hat and a water bottle. Call the school on 6657 2552 for more information.

The Importance of SLEEP

Staff have noticed lately that some students are coming to school very tired. As we all know from our own experiences (remember when your own children were babies?), being tired makes it difficult to concentrate and be productive. It can also lead to irritability and an unwillingness to learn. Sufficient sleep is particularly important for children, as good sleep has been shown to improve problem-solving skills and enhance memory performance of both children and adults.

So.... your homework for this week? Go to bed early and get plenty of sleep; 9 - 11 hours if you are between 6-12 years of age.

Below is a link to a great website with more information about the importance of sleep.

Lost School Jackets

Some navy school jackets have gone missing recently - please check the name tag in your child's jacket and make sure he or she hasn't taken home someone else's jacket by mistake.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal

We are gathering donations again this year for our Winter Appeal. Please help us if you can. We need toiletries (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, moisturizer, deodorant, toothbrushes), scarves, beanies, blankets, jumpers, socks etc. Whatever you have to spare would make a real difference to someone in need.

Thank you for your  support,

The Mini Vinnies Group

School Facebook Page

We have launched our new school Facebook page! It has been wonderful to be able to share the good news of our school with our families and community. 

Mathematics Games Video Tutorials

Each week, students are encouraged to play some mathematics games at home to help support their learning at school. Our classroom teachers take students through the homework tasks and to assist families to play at home, we are including a video tutorial in the newsletter. 

Kindergarten - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Quick as a flash - recognising quantities using the ten frames.

This game can be played in several ways. The parent can flash the ten frame and the student says how many. The idea is to build knowledge of the ten-ness of the number by spaces filled as well as empty spaces; e.g. 7 spaces filled can be seen as three empty spaces on the tens frame. It can also be played like a game of snap. Watch the video for more ideas.

Stage 1 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Calculator Counting

Use the constant function on a calculator to generate twos, fives and tens number sequences, starting at x. Students write the number sequence on a number chart/line. Imagine what the next number that would be displayed on the calculator is. Say the number. Prove it. Imagine the next three numbers. What would they be? Prove it.

Stage 2 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Take Ninety (100-1000)

What you will need:

• Marker

• Whiteboard

• Number line

Choose a number between 100 and 1000 and record on an empty number line. Subtract 90. Predict the answer. Ask partners to agree or disagree and explain why. Prove your answer; if you are right, you get a point. The first to 5 points wins!

Handy Hint: You can change the number to 100 - 500 if this is a bit too challenging, or if you’d really like to challenge yourself you could make the numbers higher!

Stage 3 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Addition square

Children make a nine grid square. Put any sized random number in each square. Children add all 3 numbers in each column and in each row. They also add the diagonals. Then they eliminate answers that are the same. The children are then required to mentally calculate the remaining answers. They will come up with a whole total. If you are doing this you could have a competition as to which person has the largest total. The game can increase in complexity by using larger numbers in each square.

Connect and Reflect - Parent Gathering POSTPONED

We are disappointed to announce that these events will be postponed. Lockdowns throughout the diocese and difficulties with presenters travelling have made the logistics of these events too difficult to arrange. The safety of our parent community is a priority and we want to make sure we can host these events in a way that ensures everyone's health and wellbeing. We look forward to a time when we can re-schedule these events, but until then, keep an eye out for Parent Assembly hosted webinars which will be advertised soon.

Regards,

Christine Morrison, Parent Assembly.

Parent Assembly Recruitment

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. 

Canteen

If anyone is available to volunteer in our canteen one or more Fridays per term, please contact our canteen co-ordinator Alicia on 0488 280683. If we have no volunteers available we will have to cancel canteen for that week.

A reminder to place your canteen order before Thursday night each week.

Please note - if you top up your canteen account via bank transfer, the funds will take a week to clear so you will not be able to order canteen immediately. 

Please send your lunch wallets into school and we will keep them here.

Dorrigo Show 2021

Below are some exciting competitions that the Show Society will be holding this year. The Show organisers are encouraging students to participate and make a wonderful display. Please note that this year's Show will be held on Friday 26 November and Saturday 27 November. Check out the Dorrigo Show website for more information. 

Little Athletics Information Session

Vision Screening Clinics

School Bus Travel

Applications for student travel can now 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. 

Instrumental Music With Hazel

We have music tutor available to teach instrumental music through private tuition. Hazel Buchanan is interested in working with our students. Hazel can teach flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, percussion and bass guitar.

The school owns a flute and a clarinet, which are available for families to borrow long-term at no cost. The payments for lessons are billed each term and paid directly to Hazel. An Essential Element Band Book will be supplied by the school too.

Students wishing to learn these instruments can do so in individual lessons or in small groups depending on the instrument chosen. It is hoped that one day, we can start a small ensemble or band for instrumental students to play together. 

If you are interested in taking up this opportunity, please contact Hazel directly on 0458 572 525.

Lessons will take place on Fridays. 

Term 3 School Fees

Term 3 school fees are payable by Friday 27th August, unless you are paying by regular direct debit.

Several payment methods are available; 

• Regular direct deposit payments (see suggested amounts below).
• Lump sum direct deposit
• Cash
• Cheque

1 student - Term 3 - $276.00

       $46.16 per fortnight (x 25 fortnights)

       $23.08 per week (x 50 weeks)

2 students - Term 3 - $483.00

       $81.28 per fortnight (x 25 fortnights)

       $40.64 per week (x 50 weeks)

3 or more students  - Term 3 – $621.00

       $105.36 per fortnight (x 25 fortnights)

       $52.68 per week (x 50 weeks)

If you would like to arrange a regular direct debit payment from your Bananacoast Credit Union account into the school’s account, the BCU Credit Union in Dorrigo will organize this for you.

When using Internet banking, please use your child’s surname as a reference.

Bananacoast Community Credit Union   BSB no. 533-000

Account no. 3282 0430                 Name: Mt St John’s Primary School

GLUE

GLUE: "God Loves Us Eternally" (formerly GFS) is on each Wednesday from 3-5pm at the Anglican Hall. Afternoon tea, games, fun worship and craft. All primary kids welcome, as are newcomers. For more info, ring Gwenneth on 6657 2135. COVID-safe practices will apply.

Messy Church

After-School Lego @ Dorrigo 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.

Nutrition Snippet