Term 2, Week 6 - 2025

Principal's Message

Hi everyone,

It has been another glorious week up on the plateau. Being able to get outside and run around has made a huge difference for the students.

Athletics Carnival

We’re excited to remind you that our Athletics Carnival will be held next Friday at Dorrigo High School. This is always a fantastic day of fun, participation and school spirit, and we can’t wait to see our students giving their best in a range of events.

We would love to see as many parents and family members there as possible to cheer on the students and help make the day a success. We’re still looking for volunteers to assist with timekeeping, running events, and cooking the BBQ. If you’re available to lend a hand—even for part of the day—your support would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the school office if you’re able to help, or fill in the question section in the Compass permission form.

Let’s make it a great day for our school community!

Mini Mounties

We are excited to announce that we are now advertising and accepting enrolments for our Mini Mounties Transition Program.

This program is designed to support children as they prepare for Kindergarten, offering a gentle and engaging introduction to school life. If you or someone you know has a child starting school in 2026, we encourage you to get in touch with the office for more information or to secure a place. Everyone is welcome - come and see what Mt St John's has to offer!

Kind regards,

Deb

School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP)

As part of our ongoing School Improvement journey and our focus on Enlivened Catholic Identity, the staff have been working together to realign and refine our whole-school approach to pastoral care and behaviour management. This work is grounded in our core school values of Respect, Kindness, and Learning, ensuring that every aspect of student wellbeing and behaviour support reflects the kind of community we strive to be.

We are currently refining our framework to support positive behaviour and nurture each child’s sense of belonging and responsibility. Early next term, we will share a draft version of this new approach with families and invite your feedback. Your voice is important in shaping a shared vision for how we support all students to flourish, both personally and as learners.

Student Awards

Congratulations to this fortnight's Award winners!

Stage 3 Excursion Fundraisers

To raise money for the upcoming Stage 3 excursion to Sydney and Canberra, the school is holding a few different fundraisers. Thank you for supporting us in these efforts!

Mega Lamb Raffle, which will be drawn on Wednesday 3rd July. Tickets are on sale at school for $5 each or 5 for $20.

1st prize - 1 whole cut up lamb

2nd prize - 1 whole cut up lamb

3rd-6th prize - 1/2 cut up lamb

Our huge thanks go to the local businesses who have made this raffle possible:

Lamb donated by Maxwellton Angus (Bill & Jenny Maxwell) and Angus & Jess Watters

Slaughtering & Processing generously covered by Harley & Jade Gibson

Chilled transport to Dorrigo Butchery donated by VBS Mechanical

Expert butchering services donated by Ben & the team at Dorrigo Butchery

Wood Raffle Fundraiser, which will be drawn this Tuesday 10th June. Tickets are on sale at school for $5 each or 5 for $20.

There are 8 loads of wood to be won, all donated very generously by parents & friends of the Stage 3 students.

Silly Socks Fundraiser - We have assorted fun socks to buy at school. Sizes XS & S are $8 per pair, sizes M, L & XL are $12 per pair. These have been selling really well; they are beautiful quality and in fun prints.

Thank you to Lisa Lowe for organising this fundraiser.

Our Shining Light Award

This year, we introduced a new award: the MSJ Shining Light Award. Nano Nagle, the Lady of the Lantern and founder of the Presentation Sisters, inspires this award. We recognise students who actively live out the values we promote at Mount St John's: kindness, respect, courage, empathy, and excellence.

Congratulations to Abby Thomas - Abby is a shining light at Mt St John's. She demonstrates a growth mindset and persists even when things are challenging.

Goori Group News

Stage 1 & 2 continued their art on they symbol "campsite", some children made physical campsites. We began to explore how to write about our campsite and tell the story of our paintings.

Stage 1 & 2 coloured some symbols, we drew some symbols in the sand and made games up with the pieces of nature we found. We also started our LOTE - Gumbaynggirr language (numbers 1-10) and we made up a game and song to remember.

The girls also made headbands.

Aunty Shanara

Visiting Author - Jacqueline Harvey

On Wednesday we welcomed Jacqueline Harvey, our visiting author from the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival. Jacqueline presented sessions which were extremely interesting and entertaining. She has sold over 2 million books!

One interesting fact she shared was that she used to be a Kindergarten teacher, and in her class was a little girl who was a really good artist. Jacqueline told her "One day I'm going to write a book and I'll get you to illustrate it" and now, that girl (who's grown up now) illustrates all her books!

What's On in Term 2

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Living Safely With Pets Program

In Week 8, on Tuesday 17th June, we will be welcoming a pet educator to our school!

The Living Safely With Dogs interactive program teaches pet safety and responsible ownership using suitability-tested dogs, storytelling, song, dance, and role play.

2025 Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. You must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge. The Challenge closes for students on Friday August 22, 2025.

Congratulations to Jack F, Sam G, Isla M, Ziggy C, Ember D, Abby T, Isaiah D, Ahlia H and Darcy R, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge!

2025 School Fees

Please be advised that the 2025 school fee billing has been completed and the amount owing for the whole of 2025 will be now showing in your Compass account. A statement has been issued which will include your BPAY details and this will also provide you with your nominated payment plan. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

In 2025, annual school fees are as follows:
 
1 student - $1396 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

2 students - $2458 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

3 students - $3186 (includes $60 resource fee per student)

 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 school fees by the due 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.

Financial Assistance
We recognise the financial pressures that families may face and strive to offer flexible payment options to accommodate different circumstances. For enquiries about fee assistance, please contact the Diocesan Fee Support Team at feeassist@lism.catholic.edu.au

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.

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 – click on the link below to apply. 

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 next Messy Church, Messy Friends of Jesus, will be held on Sunday 15th June from 4pm - 6pm - see flyer below.

MOVIE SCREENING - There will be a movie afternoon showing The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at St Stephen's Anglican Church Hall on Saturday 28th June, 2pm. Familes are welcome to come along and enjoy a movie, food and friendship.