Term 3 - Week 8, 2023

Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week I wanted to share a reflection on Gratitude, as it is the first skill we learn about in the Resilience Project. It is the ‘G’ in G.E.M. Working on gratitude helps us to be thankful and appreciate what we have in our lives, rather than focusing on what we don’t have or what we want. When we practise being grateful, we start to scan the world to look for positives – this change in attitude and focus only takes 21 days!

Practising gratitude every day increases our levels of energy, helps us to feel happier and more focused, determined and optimistic. It even helps us have a better sleep, lowers levels of anxiety and depression and we are less likely to get sick. So many benefits – let’s all try to be grateful for the things and people in our lives every day!

In our society of 'easy come and easy go', gratitude is no longer something that comes naturally to many people. It is something that must be explicitly taught. Teaching our children to appreciate what they have and be grateful for it can be as simple as teaching them to say ‘thank you’. It means giving them less and allowing them to have down time so that they can really appreciate it.

If we teach our children gratitude, what they have becomes ‘enough’ and in turn they learn that they too are not only ‘enough’ but amazing. This is something our fast-paced world can take from them as they constantly compare themselves with others and judge themselves to be wanting, leading them to believe that they will be happy when they get the next best thing, only to be disappointed when they get it.

This can be the case with friendships and making friends as well. If we are constantly looking for better friends or other people in our lives, we sell those around us short. One of the great gifts of small schools is that it can help us to learn to get along with all types of people. We learn tolerance and appreciation of difference and this ability to find the good in all makes us much better people.

I will leave you with this Bible verse. I was listening to a lecture a few years ago where it was being used in prayer. We were asked to change the nouns in the scripture by replacing them with our own names (e.g. Sue is patient, Sue is kind. Sue does not envy…. etc.). Doing this caused me to stop and think, and if I’m honest it made me reset my perspectives. I hope it is as powerful for you. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Wishing you all God’s grace this week.

Sue Darby

Acting Principal

Pupil-Free Staff Development Day

A reminder that the last day of Term 3 for students is Thursday 21st September, as there is a pupil-free staff development day on Friday 22nd September. Please mark this date in your calendar.

Weekly Awards

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

Xavier B, Chloe T, Cooper H, Mia G, Piper B, Lakota M-T, Makayla C, Ivy M, Ethan M, Finlay M - For your effort and participation in our school speech competition. Well done on your hard work and organisation.

Natalie M - For being a wonderful participant in class discussions and always sharing your thinking.

Abby T - For great learning in our morning sound lessons - great effort!

Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking Finals

Well done to the following students, who participated in our school Public Speaking competition this week: Ivy M, Makayla C, Finlay M, Chloe T, Mia G, Ethan M, Xavier B, Cooper H, Piper B, Lakota M-T. 

Congratulations to Makayla, Chloe and Finlay, who will be representing our school at the Regional Finals on Monday at St John Paul College. They will be competing against students from all the school in the Clarence region. Good luck!

MultiLit Team Visiting

We are very lucky to have members of the MultiLit team visiting our school on Tuesday next week. It is almost twelve months since we made the change to explicitly teaching the simple and complex code through the InitiaLit program in our school.

The team is coming to see how we have implemented the program, and to support us as we endeavour to cater for the needs of each child, to best support them on their reading and writing journey. They will be sitting in on class lessons and meeting with teachers to discuss what they see. It is a very valuable opportunity for all children and staff.

Bell Shakespeare Incursion

Bell Shakespeare's touring troupe of actors is visiting our school on Wednesday 20th September to present Just Macbeth! (abridged), which features Andy, Danny, and Lisa - characters from Andy Griffiths’ Just! series. The show takes a hilarious and irreverent approach to Shakespeare's classic tragedy, exploring its themes and story through the eyes of Griffiths' much-loved characters. Griffiths is one of Australia's most popular and best-selling children's authors, known best for his 13-Storey Treehouse and Just! series. Packed into a pocket-sized play, Just Macbeth! (abridged) is a really silly version of Shakespeare's great big gory tragedy that will leave both students and teachers in stitches!

This performance is being presented at no cost to the school, thanks to the generous funding of The Scully Fund.

The Players are Bell Shakespeare’s touring ensemble of professional artists bringing Shakespeare to students across Australia in a fun, educational, and engaging way: 

https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/the-players-performances

The incursion includes a 50 min performance paired with a 10 min Q&A at the end - it is an action-packed hour of Shakespeare immersion. Each show comes with its own comprehensive Online Learning Pack to ensure you can make the most of the performance with pre- and post-show resources and exercises. 

Rugby League Gala Day

Our students have been invited to participate in the Group 2 Greg Inglis Legend 7s Rugby League event in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 20th September.

Garry Stevenson has been coming to school on Wednesday afternoons to run our football skills sessions. He has also been assisting at lunchtimes to work with the team to ensure they know and practice safe and correct tackling skills. On advice from Garry, we will field an Under 10-12 side as children aged 8-12 can play in this division.

A reminder that the bus will depart school at 8am and return by 3pm.

Students are to bring recess, lunch and plenty of water.

Congratulations Patrick M

We would all like to congratulate Paddy, as he received the sacrament of Baptism last weekend at St Augustine’s Church Coffs Harbour. This is a wonderful celebration for Patrick and his family as well as our school community as he is welcomed into our faith family. All our prayers and best wishes are shared with him as he comes to know God’s love more fully.

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

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. 

Rugby 7s Tournament - Coffs Harbour

Join the craze that's sweeping the nation - here's a great opportunity to join the fast paced action packed world of 7s rugby!

With the Rugby World Cup starting in less than 2 weeks, rugby will be on everyone’s minds.

Exciting Announcement from NSW Rugby: Term 4 Spring 7s Tournament - Coffs Harbour

Boys U11s,U12s,U13s,U14s Boys and Girls U12s, U14s, U16s.

• Friday nights starting October 20^th (times to be confirmed with entry numbers)
• Boys & Girls divisions
• $110 entry fee per player for insurance through Rugby Australia and tournament fees- 8 rounds including a crossover gala day on Sun December 3^rd
• Maximum of 6 teams per division so GET IN QUICK

For more information or to join a team please contact Craig Landrigan, Development Officer – Mid North Coast on 0406 884 504 or Craig.Landrigan@nsw.rugby

Dorrigo Drama - Kids on Stage

Hello to all the keen kids aged 5-17 who are wanting the opportunity to get back on the stage with Dorrigo Drama. We have 2 plays that we are looking to put on in November.

Alice in DownUnder Land is a delightful, unique Australian story combining the timeless tales of Alice, Mary and Matilda.... who are they?

The Sword in the Stone is the story of a young Arthur before he became King, his half brother Kai who thinks he should be King, Merlin the magician and of course Guinevere.

For the moment rehearsing will be Mondays at 3.30pm at the Dorrigo Theatre in Hickory Street. If it turns out Monday isn't the best day for rehearsals then we will work out what is.

You can get in touch with Dina via email at dinalucid@gmail.com OR phone on 66572243 - leave a message if necessary and don't forget your phone number.

GLUE & Messy Church

GLUE God Loves Us Eternally KidsClub is held each Wednesday during school 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.

The next Messy Church, which is a community event on a Christian theme for families and children, will be held this Sunday 10th September from 4-6pm - see flyer below.

Dorrigo Highlanders Football Club Presentation

Presentation Night with Dorrigo Highlanders Football Club will be held on Saturday 16th September, 4pm until late. Come celebrate our 2023 teams' great year of soccer. Games, raffle tickets, lucky door prizes, player awards, dinner and drinks. Grab your tickets online at www.dorrigohighlandersfc.com.au or visit the Facebook page for more information.

Dorrigo National Park Kids' Holiday Activities - 'Gondwana Birdsong'

As the days get longer, the air feels warmer and the sounds of incredible birdsong fill the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park. These spring school holidays, we’ll take your curious young explorers under our wing for this season’s Nature Play ‘Gondwana Birdsong’ activity, informed by Ranger Andrew Turbill, our very own bird expert. Learn to find bird nests and to track the movement of predators (goanna, snakes and birds of prey) through the landscape by listening to bird language. 

The ranger-guided session will introduce them to understanding bird language through sensory and hands-on activities and a short guided walk, to connect with the fascinating bird life flourishing in Dorrigo National Park. 

Sessions are running each Tuesday in the school holidays at 10:30am and 12pm for children (ages 5-12), at only $10 per child - places are limited. The early bird catches the worm, so book your spot book at Kids Gondwana nature play: 5 to 12 years | NSW National Parks.

Dorrigo Lift The Lid Walk - Sunday 15th October 2023

School Holiday Activities @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.