Term 4 - Week 1, 2021

Acting Principal's Message

Welcome to Term 4; how wonderful it was to see all of the happy faces on Tuesday reconnecting with friends and enjoying the beautiful weather. What has really stood out to me is the friendliness and lovely manners that the students display every morning as they come to school.
At this stage, we are still under Level 3 restrictions; however, we’re looking forward to the weeks ahead and hoping that we will have you back on the school grounds before the end of the year. Hands joined; fingers crossed.
This coming Sunday is World Mental Health Day, an initiative to raise awareness and mobilise efforts in support of mental health. Taking care of our own well-being and that of our children has never been more important in the past two years. The simple act of asking, "are you ok?" and listening can make a huge difference to someone in need.
Warm regards,
Craig Warnes

Acting Principal

School Photos

Our 2021 school photos will be taken in Week 3 of this Term, on Thursday 21st October. Order forms have been sent home and these MUST be returned before photo day. If you would like a sibling order form, please let us know at school and one will be sent home.

Life Education Virtual Visits

We are excited to be able to participate in Healthy Harold Virtual Classroom visits next Tuesday. Life Education is focused on empowering our children and young people to make safer and healthier choices through education. These visits will be via Zoom, and we have been assured that Healthy Harold will be making an appearance!

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.

We look forward to meeting our new Kindergarten students soon!

Change of Bell Time - Term 4

During the first three terms of this year, we trialed a change of bell times. The decision has been made to change the times back again, meaning our recess break will now be from 11am to 11:25am, and our lunch break will be from 12:45pm to 1:25pm.

Labyrinth

Our Stage 3 students completed a prayer reflection using the new school labyrinth this week,  focusing on how they can make good choices and be close to God.

Garden Club News

After the holidays, the school vegie garden got a day of TLC from the Garden Club. They picked all the broad beans and shared them, then we planted tomatoes, yellow beans, snow peas, lettuce, onions, and marigolds (to keep the white moths away). Thank you to Aurora for donating some mint, Tiernan for volunteering to water the garden every second day, and Greg Darby for digging up the garden before all this work. If anyone has any silverbeet seeds or seedlings they can donate, we would love to plant these as well.

Parenting Webinars

The following webinars are coming up starting in Term 4.

• Talking About Puberty with Michelle Mitchell
• Anxiety in Kids and Teens with Karen Young
• Getting real with Teens about Respectful Relationships with Paul Ninnes

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. 

Canteen

At this stage, due to COVID restrictions we are not permitted to have parent helpers visit the school - unfortunately this means no canteen until further notice. 

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 a 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. 

GLUE

GLUE: "God Loves Us Eternally" (formerly GFS) restarts in Term 4 on Wednesday 6th October. It is held 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.

Lego Legends back for Term 4 at 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

Pink Fundraiser

I don't normally share my personal life too much publicly but this one calls for it. Earlier this year my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The reality of all of this really hit home. My Mum has a journey ahead of her but I know her strength, determination and beautiful smile will get her through this crazy way of life right now. Together with my sisters and our entourage we are raising awareness and money as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
I will be running 5km's a day for all of October and I will also be donating the proceeds from my business in October. 
Below are some Pink Hampers to keep you going too! I would absolutely love your support either by purchasing a hamper this October or making a donation to:
https://fundraise.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/fundraisers/corfecrew/fighting-for-mum---
With lots of love and thanks in advance - Ashlee Turner