Term 4 - Week 10, 2024

Principal's Message

A final note from me to end our 2024 school year. After a busy term, it is time for us all to have a well-earned break! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for your generous welcome, kindness and compassion this year. 

I offer this prayer for you all over the holiday season:

"As the wise men were filled with great joy, fill us up to overflow with the wonder of Your birth, Jesus. Restore the sparkle to our eyes and the joy of salvation to our hearts as we seek You, today and every day. You alone are worthy of all our adoration, and we worship You alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Have a happy and holy Christmas,

Deb

Thank you Sue

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Mrs Sue Darby (and let's not forget her ever-helpful husband, Greg!), who retires after 34 years of service to the community of Mt St John's. 

Sue, your contribution to this community goes beyond words, yet we will try to express just a fraction of our gratitude.

For over three decades, you have shared not only your passion for teaching but also your unwavering dedication to our faith. You have walked beside countless children, guiding them in their learning and discovering who they are and who God calls them to be. You've turned every lesson and interaction into an opportunity to inspire and nurture, embodying what it means to teach from the heart.

Sue, you have always gone above and beyond. Whether it was staying late to support a struggling student, creating rich learning experiences, or lending a listening ear to a parent or colleague, you have poured yourself into this community with generosity and grace. Your kindness, perseverance, and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on all of us.

Most importantly, you have been a cornerstone of our shared faith journey. Your efforts to help our children grow academically and spiritually have immeasurably enriched our school. You've ensured that faith is not just something we talk about but something we live and experience together.

Today, we celebrate you, Sue. We thank you for your passion, your dedication, and your many years of tireless service. You leave behind a legacy of love and faith that will continue to ripple through the hearts and lives of all you've touched.

Thank you, Sue, for everything. Mt St John's is better because of you.

Farewell & Thank you from Mrs Darby

It is hard to believe that I only have 5 days left in a career that has spanned nearly 40 years. When I say this out loud, I feel my Dad smiling down on me. He always laughed when he thought of me still at school because I was a child who HATED school. It was Dad’s job to get me on that bus every day in the early years. It was then that I had modelled the importance of tough love from a parent. I think I tried every trick in the book to stay at home but he had an answer for everyone of my excuses, so ‘thanks Dad’.

In my 40 years, many things have changed, and probably the biggest one, which needs most of our attention and vigilance, is technology. It is a wonderful gift, but one that needs careful management by the adults in our children’s lives. This vigilance is essential if we want them to have the opportunity to grow up to be happy, healthy leaders in the future.

Something I have always valued as a teacher and as a parent was other parents who were not afraid to go against the tide to hold fast to their family values. I am a firm believer in the phrase “ the standard we walk past is the standard we accept, and I know for my own children and every child that I have taught, the standards have always been very high, and they have never let me down.

It is with excitement and great joy that I now face the next chapter of my life. 

Teaching is a big job, and now that we have become grandparents, our focus has changed. We now want to be part of Maizie's life and we want her to be part of ours, and this will take time.

I have several rules I have always tried to live by in my life that I would like to share with you. They have sustained me over the last 40 years, and I’m sure they will help you too. Living by these ideals has helped me love every day and has held me in good stead in tricky times.

• Never steal a child’s struggle, it is what builds character and self belief. It lets their light shine and grow from a tiny spark to an amazing glow.
• Never allow a child to give up. It takes all of us a different amount of time to shine, and there is always more than one way to achieve. To use a sporting analogy, ‘we miss every shot we don’t take’. Remember, things always seem impossible until they are done, so don’t let them play small.

Staffing News - Welcome Mrs Deb Mullins

I am very excited to announce that Mrs. Deb Mullins will join the Mt. St John's Staff in 2025. In light of Mrs. Darby's retirement, she will take on the roles of Instructional Leader and Leader of Pedagogy. She will work with Mrs. Sprowles and Kim Brady in our K-2 space to ensure that every student learns and thrives and is seen and known. 

Mrs Mullins is passionate about early education. She believes children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and challenged at school and when home and school work together. 

Mrs Mulllins is an experienced educator with over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood and Primary education in Queensland and New South Wales. She has held numerous Leadership positions, including Leader of Inclusion and Leader of Mission and Evangelisation. Most recently, she has been Leader of Learning and Leader of PedagogyJoseph'soseph's Primary School, Maclean.

Her passion, dedication, experience and expertise will undoubtedly enrich our school community, fostering a positive and dynamic learning environment where students and staff flourish. We are thrilled to welcome Mrs Mullins toJohn's John’s and look forward to the incredible impact she will have students'udents' learning journeys.

I know our community will welcome Mrs Mullins as warmly as you all welcomed me!

Important Dates

2025

Thursday, 30th January - Staff return

Monday, 3rd/ Tuesday, 4th February - Maths Assessment Interviews by appointment through COMPASS

Wednesday, 5th February - Students return for Term 1

Thursday, 6th February - Zone Swimming Trials @ Dorrigo Pool

Thursday, 10th April - Final day of Term 1 for students

Swimming Trials

Please note that the Swimming Trials for Zone Selection will be held on Thursday, 6th February. The nomination form will be sent home via Compass on Monday 4th February.

Make the most of the warmer weather and get practising!

End-of-Year Sponsored Awards

Congratulations to all our award-winners for Weeks 7 & 8.

Term 4 School Fees

Term 4 fees are now due unless you pay by regular direct debit or BPay amounts.  
 
1 student - $318

2 students - $556.50

3 students - $715.50

 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 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. Alternatively, you can call the Office to discuss your individual circumstances with the Principal.

Thank you!

Dorrigo Swim Club

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.

Last session for 2024 (which is the Christmas Party!) is on Wednesday 4th December.

The final Messy Church for 2024 will be held on Sunday 1st December, with a theme of Messy Celebrations.

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.