Term 2 - Week 6, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

The home-school partnership is an important aspect of success for your child at school. This has many parts but one component is the formation of a parent representative body. After recent years of disruption it is time to create a new model. The Diocese suggests two alternatives:

• The P&F group with monthly meetings and official positions; OR 
• The School Community Group, which meets regularly but is less formal and more flexible. 

Next week a form will be sent home asking for your opinion on the models, with more detail, so time to have your say!

The focus this week for the Resilience Project is Empathy. To be empathetic is to feel and see what others are going through; to put ourselves in the shoes of others. We practise this by being kind and compassionate to others and this fits with the gospel command to ‘Love one another’.

One of the opposites of empathy, kindness and compassion is racism. Thankfully it is becoming more rare now, but it can come up either with hurtful words or in lots of subtle ways. Racist language has no place at school or in the community - it is the worst of human nature, leading to long-lasting hurt. It would be appreciated if this message can be reinforced at home as together we strive to grow children of strong character.   

Don’t forget the Athletics Carnival on Monday. School uniform is to be worn as normal (with running shoes); however if you want, your child may wear a shirt in their house colour. Water bottles and hats are essential. Rain is forecast but please assume the carnival will go ahead until we make the call - a message will be sent via COMPASS before 8am on Monday.  Our backup day for this event is next Friday 9th June.

Peter Watts,

Principal

Weekly Awards

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

Patrick M - for his enthusiasm to learn and his ability to accept feedback.

Hunter G - for teaching us what "fragmentation" is when writing about 'Saving Koalas'.

Ethan M - for great reading with excellent expression during Group Reading.

Reuben C - for your application to reading tasks and your commitment to your Geography task of comparing Australia to another country.

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

Samo F - for being kind to his classmates and calm during mindfulness time.

2023 Parish Athletics Carnival

Our 2023 Parish Athletics Carnival with St Mary's of Bellingen will be held next Monday 5th June at Bellingen High School - see the Compass app for more information. There is no cost for this event.

Who - whole school
Where - Bellingen High School oval
When - Monday 5th June
Time - bus will depart school at 9am and return in time for after-school pick-up.

St Mary's School will be running a sausage sizzle for lunch on the day. Students should ensure to pack recess and plenty of water.

We welcome parent spectators and volunteers on the day - please indicate on the Compass consent form if you are available to help out.

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 are due today, 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!

2023 Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. You must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge. The Challenge closes for students on Friday August 18, 2023.

Congratulations to the following students, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge: Sophie C, Archer D, Larney F, Skylar W, Charlotte W, Elle W, Piper B, Lakota M-T, Patrick M, Hayley M, Jinky W, Cooper H, Makayla C.

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.

North Dorrigo Pony Club Pie Drive

North Dorrigo Pony Club is holding a pie drive as a fundraiser - see order form below. Please phone Melissa on 6657 2032 to place your order. Orders are due by Monday 5th June and pies will be available for pick-up on Wednesday 21st June at the SDA Hall.

Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Free Children’s Events

Games afternoon @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.