Term 4 - Week 2, 2024

Principal's Message

Welcome back to Term 4! The year has certainly flown by, and we are deep into preparations for our school review in Week 4, our school Centenary in Week 7, the End-of-Year awards, and Year 6 graduation in Week 9. Last week, we published a 'What's On' for Term 4 so you can add dates to your calendar

Enrolments

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

Take care,

Deb

MSJ School Review

From Monday, November 4th, to Wednesday, November 6th, our school will participate in a review. These reviews occur every three years and are a valuable tool for identifying what is working well and where we can improve. The panel consists of three people: an external expert, a current Principal in the Lismore Diocese, and a staff member from the Diocese of Catholic Schools Office.

The Review panel will speak with all staff members, student leaders, and a random selection of students. They would also love to speak with parents. The panel is available from 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 4th, and is happy to meet with parents in person or over the phone. Your input is invaluable to this process, and we'd love to hear from you! Please call the Office if you can help us with this.

School Disco

Grab your cowboy hats and get ready for some boot-scootin' fun with all your friends!

Date: Thursday 31st October

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Bring: Your dancing shoes and a great attitude!

Grandparents Day

Parent Webinars

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills, and tools to support their children in having safe online experiences.

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school. This webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.

Tuesday, 29 October, 12.30 pm
Thursday, 28 November, 12.30 pm
Registration link 

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you. An overview of The eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children, and young people.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

Thursday, 24 October, 12.30pm
Wednesday, 4 December, 12.30pm
Registration link

Parenting in the Age of Distraction with Angela Lockwood

Angela Lockwood will be presenting to parents at St Mary's, Bellingen on Monday 11th Nov. Parents from our school are most welcome to attend. The flyer is below. 

Enrolling Now!

We are currently conducting enrolment interviews for 2025. If you know of any families considering Mt St John's, please encourage them to reach out and organise a school tour. Spread the word!

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 continues in Term 4. Mini Mounties is open to all students who are enrolled at MSJ for Kindergarten 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 4

After positive feedback last term, we have published a 'What's On' for Term 4. This document is designed to help you plan ahead for Term 4. 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 Effort. Staff have unpacked what Effort means in our school and how we can do our best. 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 1 & 2

Term 4 School Fees

Term 4 school fees have been billed to each family. Term 4 fees are due by Friday 22nd November, unless you are paying by regular direct debit or BPay amounts.  
 
1 student - $318

2 students - $556.50

3 students - $715.50

 Payment options are:  

1. BPay - 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. 

Scholastic Book Club

Issue 7 Book Club catalogues were sent home last week. Orders and money are due by Tuesday 29th October.

A link to the Issue 7 catalogue is below.

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. 

Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival

Farm Safety Awareness Day

Student Art - Dorrigo Show

Community Notices

GLUE 

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.

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.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

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 – go to the link below to apply.