Term 2, Week 4 - 2025

Principal's Message

Hi everyone,

We are so pleased to be back together at school after the recent closure due to the severe weather event. It’s always a joy to hear the buzz of learning and laughter return to our classrooms and playground. We missed the students during the brief closure and are grateful for their smooth and positive return.

I would like to sincerely thank our families and wider community for your understanding and support during this time. Decisions to move to the school to 'supervision only' are never made lightly, and I am very aware of the impact this has on families’ routines and responsibilities. Your patience, cooperation, and care for the safety of all is deeply appreciated.

Tell Them From Me Survey 

As part of our focus on school effectiveness, Mt St John's will participate in an online survey for students and parents—Tell Them From Me ® (TTFM®). Schools in Australia and around the world have used the Tell Them From Me survey to help them improve. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey until FRIDAY 30th MAY on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/6685x

Kind regards,

Deb

School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP)

One of our SAIP goals this year is to ensure that parents are consistently informed about classroom learning. To support this, we’ve introduced a new homework policy and commenced regular homework in all classes. We’ve also held Reading Workshops for each class, designed to give parents practical strategies to support their child’s reading at home. Coming up, we’re excited about our Spelling Bee on Monday, 23rd June. Word lists will be sent home this week so families can begin practising together in preparation for the event.

Looking ahead, we’ll soon be calling for volunteers to help with our Athletics Carnival on Friday, 13th August. Events like these are a great opportunity to come together as a school community, and we always appreciate your time and support. We also welcome your ideas about how you’d like to be involved in school life and would love to hear any suggestions for parent education opportunities that you’d find valuable. Your partnership makes a big difference in supporting student learning and wellbeing.

Student Awards

Congratulations to this fortnight's Award Winners.

Stage 3 Excursion Fundraisers

To raise money for the upcoming Stage 3 excursion to Sydney and Canberra, the school is holding a few different fundraisers. Thank you for supporting us in these efforts!

Mega Lamb Raffle, which will be drawn on Wednesday 3rd July. Tickets are on sale at school for $5 each or 5 for $20.

1st prize - 1 whole cut up lamb

2nd prize - 1 whole cut up lamb

3rd-6th prize - 1/2 cut up lamb

Our huge thanks go to the local businesses who have made this raffle possible:

Lamb donated by Maxwellton Angus (Bill & Jenny Maxwell) and Angus & Jess Watters

Slaughtering & Processing generously covered by Harley & Jade Gibson

Chilled transport to Dorrigo Butchery donated by VBS Mechanical

Expert butchering services donated by Ben & the team at Dorrigo Butchery

Wood Raffle Fundraiser, which will be drawn on 1st June. Tickets are on sale at school for $5 each or 5 for $20.

There are 8 loads of wood to be won, all donated very generously by parents & friends of the Stage 3 students.

Silly Socks Fundraiser - We have assorted fun socks to buy at school. Sizes XS & S are $8 per pair, sizes M, L & XL are $12 per pair. These have been selling really well; they are beautiful quality and in fun prints.

Thank you to Lisa Lowe for organising this fundraiser.

Our Shining Light Award

This year, we introduced a new award: the MSJ Shining Light Award. Nano Nagle, the Lady of the Lantern and founder of the Presentation Sisters, inspires this award. We recognise students who actively live out the values we promote at Mount St John's: kindness, respect, courage, empathy, and excellence.

Congratulations to Seth Haley. Seth is a shining light at Mt St John's. He is compassionate and acts with integrity, always striving to do what is right for the benefit of others.

Goori Group News

This week, Uncle Al presented the school with a completed Indigenous Cross. The designs on the cross were created by our Goori Group from 2024 and represent the members of the group, our school and community. It is stunning and an important representation of the pride we have in our Indigenous heritage and our commitment to celebrating this resilient and strong culture.

Aunty Shanara

What's On in Term 2

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

2025 Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Visiting Author

We are very much looking forward to our visit from Jacqueline Harvey next Wednesday 4th June. Jacqueline is this year's visiting author as part of the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival.

Jacqueline is one of Australia’s most popular authors for children with a reputation for creating books that are filled with adventure, mystery, humour and heart. She has written more than 60 titles, including the bestselling Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose, Kensy and Max, and Willa and Woof series. Her picture book The Sound of the Sea was a CBCA Honour Book in 2006.

She has recently released several new picture books, including Kevin the Sheep, Kevin Saves the Show, The Daring Tale of Glora the Great and That Cat, all illustrated by one of her former students, Kate Isobel Scott.

Her latest offering is the first book in an exciting middle-grade series called The Girl and the Ghost, released in May 2025, with the second book to follow in October 2025.

Jaqueline has narrated more than 30 audiobooks, and her Alice-Miranda series has been made into two animated feature films now available on Stan and Amazon Prime.

Living Safely With Pets Program

In Week 8, on Tuesday 17th June, we will be welcoming a pet educator to our school!

The Living Safely With Dogs interactive program teaches pet safety and responsible ownership using suitability-tested dogs, storytelling, song, dance, and role play.

2025 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 22, 2025.

Congratulations to Sophie R, Zahli B, Kenzie C, Henry M, Phoebe S, Sophie C, Vasja F, Natalie M, Skylar W, Charlotte W, Elle W, Rokko B, Charlotte B, Evie J, Ryan B, Valentino D and Ivy J, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge!

2025 School Fees

Please be advised that the 2025 school fee billing has been completed and the amount owing for the whole of 2025 will be now showing in your Compass account. A statement has been issued which will include your BPAY details and this will also provide you with your nominated payment plan. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

In 2025, annual school fees are as follows:
 
1 student - $1396 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

2 students - $2458 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

3 students - $3186 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

 Payment options are:  

1. BPay—Instructions on how to make a payment using BPay are on your most recent school fee statement. This is our preferred payment method.
2. 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. 
3. cash at school 
4. EFTPOS at school

Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your school fees by the due 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. Alternatively, you can call the Office to discuss your individual circumstances with the Principal.

Thank you!

School Bus Travel

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

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 – click on the link below to apply. 

Publicity for Schools Program Authors signing sessions

GLUE & Messy Church

GLUE God Loves Us Eternally KidsClub is held each Wednesday during school term time from 3-5pm at the Anglican Church 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.

The next Messy Church, Messy Friends of Jesus, will be held on Sunday 15th June from 4pm - 6pm - see flyer below.

eBike Safety