Term 4, Week 4 - 2025

Principal's Message

Hello everyone,

I can't believe I'm writing to you from almost halfway through Term 4!

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the grandparents and special guests who joined us for our wonderful Grandparents Day celebration last week! It was a truly memorable occasion, filled with joy, laughter, and lovely moments as you spent time with your grandchildren and got a glimpse into life at MSJ. Your support and enthusiasm made the day a huge success, and we sincerely appreciate the time you took to be with us.

Enrolment at MSJ

If you know of any families interested in enrolling a student at MSJ for the 2026 school year, please encourage them to contact the school office soon to organise a personal school tour and discover all that MSJ has to offer!

Gospel Reflection: Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time is about humility versus pride, as told through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The reflection focuses on the tax collector's humble prayer for mercy, which was answered by God, while the Pharisee's prayer of self-justification was not. The core message is that "whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted". 

Warm regards,

Deb

Staffing 2026

I am pleased to announce our Class Structure and Staffing for 2025.

Kindergarten - Ms Eleanor Kerr

Stage 1 - Mrs Louise Sprowles

Stage 2 - Mrs Carmel Beaumont

Stage 3 - Miss Zoe Griffiths

Due to class sizes, Kindergarten will combine with Stage 1 after English and Mathematics, Ms Kerr will then provide Release From Face to Face for all other classes.

At the end of the year, we will farewell Miss Indiana Mulzer as she explores other opportunities. We are so grateful to have had Miss Mulzer as part of our community since mid-2024. Her passion, commitment and humour have made her a vital part of our school, and we will miss her!

School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP)

As part of our Annual School Improvement Plan (SAIP), we are collaboratively developing school values that include learning, faith, and wellbeing. After gathering input from parents, teachers, and students—and carefully aligning this feedback with the values of the Catholic Church and the charism of the Presentation Sisters—we have finalised our school values: Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Resilience. 

This fortnight at Mt St John’s, we are focusing on Respect for our environment. This is one aspect of respect that parents valued highly. Together, we can help our students understand the importance of this value.

Respect is one of our core values, and it helps our school be a safe, happy, and welcoming place for everyone. At Mt St John’s this fortnight, we are focusing on showing respect in 4 key ways:

We

• Make our own choices.
  
• Own our decisions.
• Act with honesty.
• Lead with integrity.

Grandparents' Day Photos

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Mini Mounties

Our Mini Mounties prgram continues in Term 4, and is held each Wednesday from 9:30am - 12:30pm. It will run until Week 8, with the final session being held on Wednesday 3rd December.

There are still places available, so if you know anyone with a school-aged child starting Kindergarten in 2026, encourage them to come along to Mini Mounties and see what Mt St John’s has to offer.

Student Awards

Congratulations to this fortnight's Award winners!

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 Larney Francis. Larney demonstrates RESILIENCE. He works hard, takes on feedback and persists to improve in all he does. Well done, Larney!

What's On in Term 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Headphones / Earbuds Needed

As from the beginning of 2026, families will be asked to provide a set of headphones or earbuds for each child to bring to school. They will be labelled and kept for the use of each individual child.

In the meantime, if any familes have a spare set of headphones or earbuds, it would be great if they could be sent in to school to be used for the rest of the term.

2025 School Fees

Please be advised that the amount owing for the whole of 2025 will be showing in your Compass account. Statements are issued at the end of each month which will include your BPAY details, and these 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 - $1,396 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

2 students - $2,458 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

3 students - $3,186 (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.

Financial Assistance
We recognise the financial pressures that families may face and strive to offer flexible payment options to accommodate different circumstances. For enquiries about fee assistance, please contact the Diocesan Fee Support Team at feeassist@lism.catholic.edu.au

School Uniform Shop - 2026

For those families wishing to purchase school uniform items for 2026, they can be purchased from school the Friday before school starts (Friday 23rd January) from 9am to 2pm. Payment can be made by cash or EFTPOS.

School hat - $20

Polo shirt - $25

Skort - $20

Shorts - $20

Rain jacket - $50 

Year 6 shirt - price TBA

Dorrigo Show Student Art Entries

Social Media Age Restrictions

School Bus Travel

Applications are now open for 2026 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. 

Dorrigo Dramatic Club - Young Drama

The Dorrigo Dramatic Club is excited to be running a Young Drama program. The weekly program will be offered to primary school aged children and will focus on developing skills for the stage through a variety of activities and games. Lodge your interest for the program using the link below, and we will be in touch in the coming weeks with further information and so you can confirm your child's involvement.

Young Drama will run on Monday afternoons after school. Families will need to be members of the Dorrigo Dramatic Club in order for their child to participate. To become a member, or renew membership, please email membershipddc@gmail.com 

Jewellery Making & Eco-Musical events at Dorrigo Rainforest Centre

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.