Term 1 - Week 5, 2023

Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

This week we celebrated the beginning of Autumn and the first week of Lent, two events that have a major impact on our environment and which can have a major impact on our lives.

Lent can be an amazing opportunity for all of us to take stock of our lives as we are encouraged to fast, give alms and pray. These three things align so beautifully with the learning we have been doing in each class with the Resilience Project around Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness. This is no coincidence!

1. It is well researched that people who are happy are grateful for what they have. They practise gratitude on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we are often not grateful for something until we no longer have it, hence during Lent we are encouraged to Fast. This gives us the opportunity to be grateful for something without losing it forever.
2.  People who are happy feel for others and have empathy. If we have empathy for others we want what is best for them. We are willing to help them and give them the things they need - Almsgiving.
3. People who are happy know what is important. As our lives get busier it is hard to remain focused on what is most important. Happy people stay focused by stopping and being still. This allows them to take stock of their lives, reset the focus and move on with a clear understanding of what is most important. They practise mindfulness - they Pray.

Wishing you all the joy of the Lenten season and all the beauty of Autumn.

Regards,

Sue Darby

Instructional Leader

Farewell Salena!

Yesterday was Salena's final day working at MSJ School. Thank you for all your hard work, love and care for us over the past 10 years. We will really miss you.

Year 2/3 Bridge Excursion

The Year 2/3 students participated in an excursion today to visit different bridges in our local area. Below are some photos of them at the Rainforest Centre. Our thanks go to Mr Greg Darby, who drove the bus for this excursion.

Canteen on THURSDAY next week

Please make sure you get your canteen order in next week by 9am Wednesday. Thank you!

Project Compassion

As this is the start of the Season of Lent we have been talking to the children about what they can do to be more like Jesus. We have sent a Project Compassion Box home with each family to collect donations that we as a school community can send to Caritas, which provides assistance to underprivileged communities throughout the world and in Australia.

We are also beginning an ongoing collection of toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, sanitary items, shampoo and deodorant. Other items that would be welcome are washing powder and warm items like socks and beanies, all of which will be donated to Pete's Place in Coffs Harbour to help homeless people in our local area. Please help if you can.

Thank you!

Louise Sprowles - LOSEC

Important Dates

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:

Conrad G - for great work in Maths, when finding the combinations of five.

Abby T - for great work when learning about the sound 'ch' and showing great effort.

Rory O - for great work in continuing patterns in Mathematics.

Jules F - for a great effort in writing his circular narrative.

Makayla C - for your great effort in ensuring your written tasks are edited correctly and using quotation marks correctly.

Clay B - for showing initiative with lunchtime activities and for engaging enthusiastically in writing tasks.

Mt St John’s School Colour Explosion

There are three weeks to go and we are one-third of the way to our fundraising goal of $6,000 to help build our Basketball/Netball Court and assist our students for the Stage 3 Canberra Camp. Now is the time to join forces and achieve great things!

Most importantly, make sure you visit the link below to create your profile page and share with family and friends to spread the word!

Don’t forget, if you can help volunteer on the day, please return your expression of interest slip to school, or call on 6657 2552.

St Patrick's Day

Friday 17th March is St Patrick's Day. St Patrick is the patron saint of the Lismore Diocese. To celebrate this day and to raise money for missions, students and staff may wear GREEN mufti (non uniform) to school on this day for a gold coin donation.

Term 1 School Fees

Term 1 school fees have been billed to each family. These fees are payable by Friday 17th March, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts. Please note that Term 1 fees include a $50 resource fee per student.
 
1 student - $340
2 students - $607.50
3 or more students - $802.50
 
Payment options are:  

1. 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. 
2. cash or cheque at school 
3. direct deposit to the school's bank account (see instructions below)

When using internet banking, please use your child’s surname as a reference.
Banancoast Community Credit Union   
BSB no. 533-000
Account no. 3282 0430                 
Name: Mt St John’s Primary School
 
Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your Term 1 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!

Term 1 Swimming Lessons each Thursday

Our Term 1 swimming program continues 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. 

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. 

School Bus Travel

Applications for student travel can 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. 

GLUE

GLUE "God Loves Us Eternally" KidsClub is held each Wednesday during term time 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.

Circus in Bellingen

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.