Term 1 - Week 3, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
It was so good to see you all at our Welcome BBQ. It certainly was a celebration of community as the children played and the parents socialised after meeting the teachers. My thanks go to Kerry Miller, our Canteen Manager, for providing dinner. My thanks also go to the staff who attended to ensure the night ran smoothly. I’ve attached some photos from this event below.
Welcome BBQ
At the Welcome BBQ, we also shared two documents regarding how we set up class agreements and our School Improvement goals for this year. I have attached them below for any parents who may not have attended.
As part of my ongoing formation, I am travelling to Los Angeles on Sunday to attend the Religious Education conference next weekend. As such, I will be away from school for the next two weeks. Sue Darby will be in charge in my absence. Please reach out to Sue or the class teachers if you need any support while I am away.
Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday, 22 February. Lent is the season of reflection and preparation before Easter, and its observance culminates in the solemn celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil which lie at the heart of the Catholic year. In Catholic tradition Lent is marked by fasting, reflection, giving to others and deepening our sacramental living, especially in Reconciliation.
Regards,
Nathan Trezise,
Principal
Important Dates
These dates were shared via Compass earlier this week.
Please note these upcoming dates for community gatherings:
- Friday 24th March - Mt St John’s Colour Run 1:30 - 3:00pm
- Monday 27th March - Cross Country Carnival 1:30pm - 3:00pm
- Thursday 30th March - First 50 Days Celebration of Learning 5:00 - 7:00pm
- Wednesday 5th April - Dance Fever Showcase Assembly 2:30pm
- Thursday 11th May - The Resilience Project Parent Information Session 5:00 - 7:00pm
Pupil free days for 2023:
- Thursday 6th April - Staff Spirituality Day
- Monday 24th April - Term 2 Staff Development Day
- Thursday 1st June - Staff Proclaim
- Monday 17th July - Term 3 Staff Development Day
Term 4 - Staff Development Day (to be confirmed - we may align this day to the Dorrigo Show).
These dates have been added to the calendar and should be visible in Compass and on the school website.
Weekly Awards
Congratulations to the following students, who received learning awards this week:
Evie J - for being a kind and caring member of your class and helping those around you.
Aurora W - for showing empathy towards others.
Piper B - for being grateful and considerate of others.
Hayley M - for being a responsible and reliable student by completing given tasks independently.
Finlay M - for being an enthusiastic learner with a willingness to strive to improve the quality of your work.
Mt St John’s School Colour Explosion
Our School Colour Explosion Fun Run is being held on 24th March from 1:30pm to help raise funds for a new basketball/netball court and the Stage 3 Canberra Excursion. All family and friends are welcome to join in this fun-filled afternoon, so mark it in your diary!
Don’t forget to create your online fundraising profile. Those students who create it by Monday 20th February will receive a prize. Simply head to www.australianfundraising.com.au. You can also follow the instructions in your child’s sponsorship booklet which you should have received earlier this week.
All donations must be in by 24th March 2023. Every child can earn incentive prizes. You only need to raise a minimum of $10! Students can order up to a total of 5 prizes based on their donations received. They can even mix and match!
For further assistance or to help create your child’s fundraising profile please contact the school on dorp@lism.catholic.edu.au or 02 6657 2552.
Term 1 Swimming Lessons each Thursday
Our Term 1 swimming program has commenced for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Swimming is a compulsory part of the PDHPE curriculum.
Students will need to bring swimmers, a towel, goggles, caps (the school can provide swimming caps for those students who don't own one), and sun shirts to school each Thursday for their lesson. There is no extra cost for swimming lessons, as the school covers the pool entry fees and payments to the swim teachers.
Students will walk to and from the pool. Please note, K - 1 students are to be collected from the pool at the end of the day each Thursday as their lesson will finish at 3:05pm. Kinder & Year 1 students catching buses will do so from Dorrigo Public School, supervised by our staff.
How to Cancel a Canteen Order
If you need to, you can cancel canteen orders before 8:30am on Friday mornings. 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.
Thank You Letter from Pete's Place
Issue 1 Book Club
Issue 1 Book Club orders and money are due back TODAY.
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 - Tuesday
Library day for all students has changed to Tuesday - please make sure your child brings in his or her cloth library bag on this day. Each student may borrow four books per week.
GLUE
GLUE "God Loves Us Eternally" KidsClub returns on Wednesday 15th February 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.
The first Messy Church is Messy Lent, which will be held on Sunday 19th March from 4-6pm in the Anglican Hall including dinner. Please look out for posters around town nearer the time and postcards that you can take with all our dates for 2023.
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.
