Term 4 - Week 2, 2021

Acting Principal's Message

We have been blessed this week with some much-needed rain. Although the rain has been magnificent, I am sure the children are very much looking forward to the sunny forecast of the weekend to get outside and exert some of that pent up energy from their time indoors this week. 
October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Rosary is a beautiful, meditative prayer, and I find it's a great way to channel thoughts and emotions intentionally. 
For more information on how to pray the Rosary, here is a helpful link: https://rosarycenter.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary
Warm regards,
Craig Warnes

Acting Principal

School Photos POSTPONED

Due to the Level 3 restrictions, which state that external providers not directly related to educational outcomes and support are not permitted on school grounds, our school photos have been POSTPONED to Week 8 – Friday 26^th November 2021.

The order forms which have already been returned will be kept safely at school until this date. A reminder that all order forms 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

Students enjoyed participating in Healthy Harold Virtual Classroom visits via Zoom on Tuesday. Although the students missed the excitement of going into the Life Ed van and meeting Healthy Harold in real life, the sessions were still enjoyable and definitely worthwhile. Life Education is focused on empowering our children and young people to make safer and healthier choices through education. 

Mini Mounties 'Big School' Experience

We are VERY excited to be able to hold our Kindergarten Orientation sessions in the coming weeks. These will be held from 9:30am to 11am on Wednesday 20th October, 3rd November, 17th November and 1st December.

All children who will be starting Kindergarten in 2022 are welcome to attend. Please call the school on 6657 2552 to confirm your child's attendance.

Crazy Sock Day- Friday 29th October

The Mini Vinnies group decided at our last meeting that we will be running a CRAZY SOCK day. On this day we are asking children to wear CRAZY socks, and bring a gold coin donation. This fundraiser is to support our neighbours in Thailand. If we can raise $35 we can buy school supplies for a child for one year; if we raise $102 we will be able to pay for snacks for one kindergarten student for a whole year. Please help us to help others as we have some fun at the same time.

Thank you for your support,

The Mini Vinnies Group

Silkworms

Ryleigh brought her silkworms in to school on Tuesday and shared her knowledge with the other students.

2022 Enrolments Now Open

We are taking enrolments 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!

Book Club

Issue 7 Book Club catalogues were sent home last week. Orders and money are due back at school by Wednesday 20th October.

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.

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)

Fish

This game is called ‘Fish’. It is a card game that at its most simple level builds number identification as each player tries to build up their number of pairs by asking others for the number they need. It can be extended by making the pair you need to make another number. For example to have a pair the cards need to total 10. So if I have a 6 I will ask my partner for a 4, or I might add my 5 and 3 to make 8 and ask for a 2 from other players. This way we increase the complexity of the game. Have fun and be creative.

Stage 1 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Grow the Rows

Each player rolls a 6-sided die and makes a row with this many items. Next they each roll their die again and imagine making an array with this new number of rows (e.g 6 rows of 4), Next each player predicts the total number of items needed to make the array and proves the solution to their partner. If correct, each player earns a point. The first player to reach 5 points is the winner.

Stage 2 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Even Groups

Stage 3 - Mathematics Games (see video below)

Beat the Pack Multiplication Game

Using a pack of cards, turn a pair of cards over and multiply them together. The picture cards could be Jack = 11 points, Queen = 12 points, King = 13 points, Ace = 1 point.

Parenting Webinars

The following webinars are coming up in Term 4.

• Anxiety in Kids and Teens with Karen Young
• Getting Real with Teens about Respectful Relationships with Paul Ninnes
• Supporting Children Through Change and Uncertainty 

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

We will be able to re-open the canteen for the next few weeks! There will be a slightly limited menu as we need to use up the stock which was ordered prior to the COVID lockdowns. If you are available to help out in the canteen one or more Fridays, please call Alicia on 0488 280683.

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.

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) 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