Term 4 - Week 4, 2024
- Principal's Message
- Congratulations Mia!
- International Counsellor Appreciation Day
- Parent Webinars
- Parenting in the Age of Distraction with Angela Lockwood
- Enrolling Now!
- Peaceful Problem-Solving
- Mini Mounties Transition Program/ Kindy Enrolments
- What's On - Term 4
- Whole School Focus
- Class Awards
- Term 4 School Fees
- School Facebook Page
- How to Cancel a Canteen Order
- Farm Safety Awareness Day
- Student Art - Dorrigo Show
- Mara! Big Band - Sunday 17 November 2024
- Community Notices
Principal's Message
Thank you to all students and parents who gave feedback to the ACER School Review and Improvement Team this week. Staff have been given some preliminary feedback, and we will receive a final report next fortnight. This report will contain commendations for things that are working well at Mount St John's and recommendations to help us improve. Both these parts of the review will form the foundation for our School's Strategic Plan and help shape the future of our school. One of the most significant pieces of feedback we received was that our school community is positive, highly relational and underscored by respect. What a wonderful thing to hear!
Class Structures for 2025
I know this is one of the most eagerly awaited pieces of information, so here it...
In 2025, we will implement a 'Junior School' model for Kindergarten to Year 2. The 22 students in this cohort will be supported by three professionals—a ratio of 1 adult to 7 students, which is the envy of the Diocese! The inclusion of an Instructional Leader (an experienced teacher with expertise in pedagogy and curriculum) into the well-established team of Louise and Kim will ensure every student is seen, heard, valued, and supported at their individual point of need.
Year 5 and Year 6 will be separate classes in 2025. However, Carmel and Zoe will work collaboratively, building on each other's strengths, and potentially operate as a team at times throughout the day. Students will have opportunities to work together across classes when appropriate while still allowing on-grade content to be taught.
K-2: Teachers - Louise Sprowles, Instructional Leader (currently being recruited), Teacher Assistant - Kim Brady.
Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4): Indiana Mulzer, Teacher Assistants - Sue Wesche & Wendy White.
Year 5: Carmel Beaumont, Teacher Assistant, Eleanor Kerr (shared with Year 6).
Year 6: Zoe Griffiths, Teacher Assistant - Eleanor Kerr (shared with Year 6).
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this or anything else.
Take care,
Deb
Congratulations Mia!
Congratulations to Mia Gilbert, who has been selected to play in the NSW PSSA Girls Cricket team! She will compete in Adelaide at the national championships in December.
This comes off the back of the PSSA carnival in held Bathurst last week, in which Mia was part of the 6th-placed Polding team. It was her left arm spin and solid batting that secured her selection in the NSW team.
Well done on this wonderful achievement!
International Counsellor Appreciation 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!
Peaceful Problem-Solving
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 on RESPECT and EMPATHY. We are reminding each other to use kind words that lift each other up, not put others down. 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 Week 4.
| Principal's Award | Lucas Jackson | For using feedback and demonstrating self-control when things got tricky! |
| Kindergarten | Zahli Bailey | For your awesome attitude towards learning and your focus in class! |
| Jack Morgan | For coming into class ready to learn and focus. | |
| Stage 1 | Brianna Bosshard-Guest | For making great attempts with spelling unknown words when writing about her 'muddled animal'. |
| Skylar Way | For making a great effort with spelling when writing her story about her "muddled animal". | |
| Stage 2 | Sasha Downs | For displaying an extensive understanding of how to read and represent fractions greater than 1 whole. |
| Tate Miller-Thompson | For being able to avoid distractions and striving to improve your multiplication facts in Maths | |
| Aurora Williams | For striving to improve the quality of your oral history presentation. | |
| James Beaumont | Displaying an extensive understanding of how to read and represent fractions greater than 1 whole. | |
| Stage 3 | Reuben Carter | For determination in sounding out new or challenging words during guided reading groups. |
| Matilda McCoy | For excellent focus and effort in completing cloze passage activities. | |
| Cooper Harrison | For excellent focus and effort in completing cloze passage activities. | |
| Talia Shipman | For taking time and effort in your comprehension work during reading groups. |
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- cash at school
- 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
Student Art - Dorrigo Show
Mara! Big Band - Sunday 17 November 2024
Free tickets for school students! See flyer below.
Mara! Big Band @ Bellingen Memorial Hall7:30pm Sunday 17 November 2024Book via https://events.humanitix.com/
The Mara! Big Band, as the name suggests, is an expanded version of the dual ARIA winning Mara! Quintet. Featuring a who’s who of Australian jazz and world music royalty, this dynamic new 13-piece ensemble hovers between the Eastern European Gypsy brass band and jazz big band traditions to produce a breathtaking performance and ‘a stellar musical experience’. The suite ‘Zashto?’ is 60 incredible minutes of original music, features texts in Bulgarian, Farsi, Irish Gaelic and English.
“All-star music line-up delivers a triumph and a treat” SMH 2022
“… impossible harmonies … wonderfully complex horn arrangements … If you can, go and see them for an evening of some of the most exciting music you’re ever likely to hear.” Canberra City News 2022
“… The Snare … joins Henry Lawson’s Past Carin’ as being among the most moving songs in the Mara! canon. … the project is wildly ambitious, but meets its own challenges with flair and conviction…” SMH 2023
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.
The final Messy Church for 2024 will be held on Sunday 1st December
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.