Term 2 - Week 3, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Resilience Project introduction last night. Good mental health is vital to the success of every person. This program is a simple and achievable way to boost your child’s resilience and wellbeing and is backed by research from Australian universities. I admit, I thought it was a bit ‘fluffy’ to begin with, but after reading more I believe it is a sound, evidence-based model for every size and shape of family. The focus is on GEM: Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness. Each week I’ll put out some information highlighting a particular focus. For those who missed last night, check out the first video on modelling below.

We welcomed our new school counsellor last Monday, Tania Miller. Tania is a skilled therapist who has a broad experience and we are fortunate to have her at our school. Her role is to provide short- to medium-term support for children and she will be here on Monday and Tuesday each week. If you would like your child to visit Tania, contact the school then we will send out permission forms.

Finally, happy Mothers’ Day to all mums and grandmothers out there. It’s the most difficult and the most rewarding job in the world. We also had a wonderful Mother’s Day celebration at school, with scones from Kerry and lovely prayers of gratitude from the children. 

Grace and peace,

Peter Watts,

Principal

Mothers' Day Fair

Thank you so much to all those who supported our Mothers’ Day stall yesterday; it was a great success! The students loved having the chance to shop for their mothers, grandmothers and special maternal figures in their lives. A huge thank you also to Emma and Sharnee, who spent the day organising the stall and wrapping the gifts for the students.

The stall made $250, the proceeds from which will be sent to support Pregnancy Care in Coffs Harbour. We plan to run a similar event for Father’s Day later in the year.

Thank you for your support with this event!

Sue Darby

Weekly Awards

Congratulations to the following students, who received learning awards this week and last week:

Charlotte W - for great listening and learning during your sound lessons. Keep it up!

Billie T - for coming back to school and being ready to learn; what a great way to start your week!

Ryan B - for producing great writing in English and taking pride in its presentation.

Aurora W - for great work in balancing number sentences in Mathematics.

Chloe T - for collaborating with a peer to create an emotive poem based on the theme of ANZAC.

Rosie W - for your continued effort during our Maths warm-up to improve your understanding and recognition of multiplication facts and number patterns.

Ivy M - for collaborating with a peer to create an emotive poem based on the theme of ANZAC.

GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) awards went to:

Piper B - for being considerate of other people's feelings whilst solving a problem.

Lakota M-T - for always showing gratitude though using manners and a beaming smile.

Cormac O - for being firm with expectation but fair and kind in setting good examples.

Cormac O (again!) - for stepping up and showing great leadership with helping the Year 2/3 students set up their stamina reading.

Emergency Management Planning Information for Parents

Project Compassion

We are continuing to collect toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, sanitary items, shampoo, deodorant, 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.

St Vincent de Paul are also looking for any 2nd-hand drink bottles such as kids' drink bottles (not plastic PET water bottles). 

Please help if you can - there is a basket at the front office in which to place your donations.

Thank you!

Louise Sprowles - LOSEC

Term 2 School Fees

Term 2 school fees have been billed to each family. These fees are payable by Friday 2nd June, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
 
1 student - $290
2 students - $507.50
3 or more students - $652.50
 
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!

How to Cancel a Canteen Order

If you need to, you can cancel canteen orders before 9am 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 - 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. 

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 in Years 1-6 are welcome, as are newcomers. For more info, ring Gwenneth on 6657 2135. COVID-safe practices will apply.

Australian Government Mobile Service Centre visit to Dorrigo, Thursday 1 June

Australian Government Mobile Service Centres travel extensively throughout rural and regional Australia.  

Staff from Services Australia travel with the Mobile Service Centres and can assist people with Centrelink and Medicare payments and services. Information about Department of Veterans’ Affairs programs and support services for veterans and their families is also available. 

Our Mobile Service Centres have disabled access and customer Wi-Fi to assist in creating myGov accounts and accessing online services.

Games afternoon @Dorrigo Library

NRL Wheelchair Come & Try

On Friday 19^th May 4pm – 8pm, Wiigulga Sporting Complex, Woolgoolga, will host an NRL Wheelchair Come n Try and Exhibition match.

NRL Wheelchair is an inclusive game for all. It is a variation of the running game, where people with and without disabilities can participate.

The evening will start with a Come n Try, followed by an Exhibition match.

Please follow this link to see a recent Come n Try event. Come n Try Event

To register your interest, follow the below link.

Registration Link

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.