Term 3 - Week 9, 2024

Principal's Message

It's been another wonderful fortnight at Mt St John's, and students are gearing up for the holidays. As you may have heard, we finally poured the slab for the basketball court, and it is fabulous! The students enjoy skipping, dribbling and playing on the nice, smooth surface.

Enrolments

We are currently accepting enrolments for Term 4 and 2025 in all classes. If you know someone who is thinking Mount St John's would be a good fit for their child, please encourage them to give us a call and organise a school tour.

I hope you all get an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather over the holidays. 

Take care,

Deb

Pupil-Free Days

A reminder that there are two upcoming pupil-free staff development days:

• Friday 27th September
• Monday 14th October 

School will resume for students for Term 4 on Tuesday 15th October.

MSJ Mini Olympics

The students have been busy all term with creating their own Olympic 'countries', complete with flag, uniform and national anthem. Next Thursday 26 September (which is the last day of Term 3 for students) we will be holding our School Mini Olympics. We invite parents & grandparents to join us for the afternoon.

We will begin at 12:30pm with a shared lunch provided by school (a sausage sizzle). After lunch we will hold our Olympic events - bring your athleisure wear and prepare to compete with the students, staff and other parents for gold and glory!

Public Speaking Finals

Congratulations to Jinky, Aurora, Finn and Lucca, who have been selected to compete in the Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking Competition Finals on Monday at St John Paul College in Coffs Harbour.

Finalists from St Francis Xavier Woolgoolga, Mary Help of Christians Sawtell, St Augustine’s Coffs Harbour,  St James Yamba, St Mary’s Bellingen, St Joseph’s Maclean, St Joseph’s South Grafton, St Mary’s Bowraville, St Mary’s Grafton and Mount St John’s Dorrigo will be competing. 

 We wish our finalists the best of luck!

MSJ Parent Forum

Last term, we surveyed our parents to determine which of the 2 forms of parent-representative bodies best suited our school. The survey results were 12 in favour of the School Community Group and 1 in favour of the School Community Forum. We are very grateful to the many parents who have given their time and talents over the decades in support of our P&F. Our current community would like to move to the new School Community Group model. To do this, we will hold a meeting to dissolve our current P&F. This meeting will be held next Thursday, September 26th, at 12:00 p.m. (just before our MSJ Olympics).

Right to Disconnect Legislation

You may be aware that a recent change in workplace legislation has introduced the right for employees to disconnect outside of their working hours. This new law will come into effect on 26 August 2024.

Our teachers are committed to providing your children with the best education and support. The new legislation allows them to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related communications outside their scheduled hours to ensure they can maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver their best during working hours.

We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation regarding this new legislation. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Response Time: You are welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you. However, please understand that if sent to a teacher outside their working hours, they may not respond immediately.

• Urgent Matters: If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required, please email deborah.bailey@lism.catholic.edu.au

• Ongoing communication: We will continue to communicate important updates and information in a timely manner. However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important change.

Bullying and Friendships

What is bullying?

Understanding bullying helps students and parents distinguish between regular conflicts and actual bullying. This helps avoid confusion and ensures that the right help is given when needed. It can also empower you as parents to engage in prevention efforts proactively. By teaching your children about respectful behaviour, empathy, dignity, courage, and inclusion, parents can help prevent bullying from occurring in the first place.

Bullying refers to the unwanted, repeated and intentional use of words or actions against a student or a group of students to cause distress and risk to their wellbeing. Watch What is bullying?

Bullying means behaviour that has three (3) key features:

1. It involves the intentional misuse of power in a relationship;

2. It is ongoing and repeated; and

3. It involves behaviours that can cause harm. A student can acquire power through advantage, such as social status, popularity, an advantage in size and strength, number of allies, age, skill, or membership in a socially defined dominant group, which could be based, for example, on wealth or gender.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

1. Mutual arguments and disagreements;

2. Not liking someone or a single act of social rejection;

3. A single episode of hurtful words or actions

4. Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation and/or violence

Indirect bullying (also known as covert bullying) is not always immediately observable and acknowledged as bullying. Indirect bullying can be discreet and anonymous, and the person experiencing the bullying behaviour may not realise it until after it has occurred.

Examples of indirect bullying include:

● Spreading rumours: Sharing false or harmful information about someone to tarnish their reputation.

● Gossiping: Engaging in negative discussions about a person without their knowledge.

● Social manipulation: Encouraging others to exclude or reject a person from social groups.

● Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass, intimidate, or spread harmful content about a person.

● Stealing: Discreetly and repeatedly stealing personal belongings

When parents understand what bullying entails, they can effectively communicate with their child about their experiences at school, in the community and online. By using the correct terminology and understanding the dynamics of bullying, parents can encourage open dialogue and provide the necessary support. Watch Bullying and Conflict with your child.

Mini Mounties Transition Program/ Kindy Enrolments

Our Mini Mounties Program for 2024 has started! Mini Mounties in Term 3 is open to any child eligible to start school in 2025. Mini Mounties is an opportunity for preschool students to come to Mt St John's, participate in classes and playground activities, meet some staff, see what Mt St John's has to offer, and most of all, have fun! Parents have the opportunity to socialise and meet new parents. Staff also conduct information sessions for parents to learn vital information about school readiness and are available to chat with parents to address any concerns or answer questions.

Dorrigo Preschool beautifully supports our transition; however, if you know of any other children who would benefit from joining Mini Mounties, please pass this information on!

What's On - Term 3

After positive feedback last term, we have published a 'What's On' for Term 3. This document is designed to help you plan ahead for Term 3. Please be aware that changes may (and probably will!) happen. We will continue to keep you updated via Compass. Here is the LINK. 

Whole School Focus

At Mt. St John's, we have four core values that guide our behaviour: Respect, (Self) Responsibility, Safety, and Effort. These four expectations are our behaviour norms.

Our whole school focus this fortnight is Safety. Staff have unpacked what Safety means in our school and how we can demonstrate safe behaviour. Our teachers and student leaders look for students demonstrating these skills and give out GEM Awards to celebrate.

Class Awards

Congratulations to all our Award Winners for Weeks 8 & 9

Term 3 School Fees

Term 3 school fees are now due unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts. 
 
1 student - $318

2 students - $556.50

3 students - $715.50

 Payment options are:  

1. Good news! We now have BPay facilities. On your most recent school fee statement, there are instructions on how to make a payment using BPay. 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 Term 3 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!

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. 

How to Cancel a Canteen Order

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

Farm Safety Awareness Day

Community Notices

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.

Kids on Stage 2024

Dorrigo Drama Club's Kids on Stage's next production will be Santa Claus: The Panto.

Tickets on sale now! See flyer below on how to book.

Camp Creative 2025

The event isn't until January, but tickets are already on sale.  

There are over 50 courses available for kids and teens in the 2025 program (age ranges vary for each course).  So Camp Creative is a great opportunity for young people to spend an exciting week learning a new skill or craft. There are also 48 courses available for adults, so the whole family can join in!

Camp Creative supports the NDIS, so parents/carers can contact me to create an invoice for their child to attend a course as part of their NDIS package.  We also accept Service NSW Creative/Active Kids Vouchers.

If any parents have any questions, they are welcome to reach out to me via this email or my phone number below.
Nicole Ruigrok

Camp Creative Coordinator - Phone: 0419 379 146

Dorrigo Swim Club

Are you interested in joining Dorrigo All Age Swim Club?

AGM and Information Night - 16th September 2024 7pm at Top Pub
Club Night 5:30pm -7pm Weeknight (to be confirmed)
60 day trial period before membership fees need to be paid
Meeting also via Zoom - details to be advised
For more information, contact Public Officer Dorrigo Swim Club Robin Burley on 0490303082
Please come and show your support and interest!

Play Tennis in Dorrigo - Hot Shots

Taking expressions of interest for Hot Shots Tennis Coaching for Term 3. I am hoping to run groups of 4 to 6 students for 30-minute sessions on Friday afternoons after school during Term 3.

Tennis Australia trained coach and keen player. 

Call Ben Hazlett on 0448 805 336.

School Bus Travel

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply here. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, an expiry notification will be sent via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

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.