Term 2 - Week 5, 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents,

Many thanks for your support of the Resilience Project. At the Parent Evening it was emphasised that modelling positive behaviours influences kids' mental health. One of the ways that works is through expressing gratitude, regularly pointing out to the kids the good things; e.g. family, friends, living in this brilliant environment or just the smell of a warm dinner on a cool night. 

In a bit over a week (Monday 5 June) we will be participating with St Mary’s Bellingen at the Athletics carnival. It will be held at Bellingen High School and family and friends are welcome to come along and cheer for your children and the school. Save the date!

Unfortunately bullying is an ugly side of human nature that can flourish without intervention. It can happen at school, on the bus, at sport, work, basically anywhere people gather. The important part for children is to discuss with them and empower them to call it out. Negative behaviour that is repetitive, intended to cause harm and involves a power imbalance are signs that something needs to change. If this is happening with your child in any context or location, contact the school and we will work together to solve the issue. 

Enjoy the lovely weather,

Peter Watts,

Principal

Weekly Awards

Congratulations to the following students, who received learning awards this week and last week:

Conrad G - for using great mathematical thinking when noticing how collections of shapes have been grouped.

Lawson E - for great work when sounding out and writing unknown words! Love your work!

Abby T - for amazing effort and learning in Maths when doubling numbers. Keep it up!

Rokko B - for great work when learning about your sounds and always being ready for learning.

Aurora W - for her amazing effort in writing a persuasive text about saving koalas.

Samo F - for a great effort in your Initial Lit lesson and amazing handwriting.

Xavier B - for his enthusiasm in Maths warm up tasks and his ability to simplify fractions.

Reuben C - for his efforts and improvements in group reading.

Jinky W - for application and effort in learning how to simplify fractions and read 24 hour time.

Reid G -  for engaging in Maths warm up tasks and showing a great effort in simplifying fractions.

Ivy M - for her participation and noted improvement in simplifying fractions and reading and understanding timelines in 24 hour time.

GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) awards went to:

Rosie W - for taking care of others and showing great empathy. Well done! 

Jules F - for being polite and using his manners.  

Makayla C - for always being happy to include and help others who are feeling left out.

2023 Parish Athletics Carnival

Our 2023 Parish Athletics Carnival with St Mary's of Bellingen will be held on Monday 5th June at Bellingen High School - see the Compass app for more information and to provide consent for your child to attend. There is no cost for this event.

Who - whole school
Where - Bellingen High School oval
When - Monday 5th June
Time - Bus will depart school at 9am and return in time for after-school pick-up.

St Mary's School will be running a sausage sizzle for lunch on the day. A separate order form has gone home for this. Students should ensure to pack recess and plenty of water.

We welcome parent spectators and volunteers on the day - please indicate on the Compass consent form if you are available to help out.

Project Compassion

We are continuing to collect toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, sanitary items, shampoo, deodorant, washing powder and warm items like socks and beanies, all of which will be donated to Pete's Place in Coffs Harbour to help homeless people in our local area.

St Vincent de Paul are also looking for any 2nd-hand drink bottles such as kids' drink bottles (not plastic PET water bottles). 

Please help if you can - there is a basket at the front office in which to place your donations.

Thank you!

Louise Sprowles - LOSEC

Term 2 School Fees

Term 2 school fees have been billed to each family. These fees are payable by Friday 2nd June, unless you are paying by regular direct debit amounts.
 
1 student - $290
2 students - $507.50
3 or more students - $652.50
 
Payment options are:  

1. 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. 
2. cash or cheque at school 
3. direct deposit to the school's bank account (see instructions below)

When using internet banking, please use your child’s surname as a reference.
Banancoast Community Credit Union   
BSB no. 533-000
Account no. 3282 0430                 
Name: Mt St John’s Primary School
 
Remember, if you feel you will be unable to finalise your Term 1 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!

2023 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 18, 2023.

Congratulations to the following students, who have completed this year's Premier's Reading Challenge: Finlay M, Ivy M.

How to Cancel a Canteen Order

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

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. 

Library Day - Wednesday

Library day for all students is Wednesday - please make sure your child brings in his or her cloth library bag on this day. Each student may borrow four books per week. 

School Bus Travel

Applications for student travel can be made online. Apply here 

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. 

GLUE

GLUE "God Loves Us Eternally" KidsClub is held each Wednesday during term time from 3-5pm at the Anglican 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. COVID-safe practices will apply.

North Dorrigo Pony Club Pie Drive

North Dorrigo Pony Club is holding a pie drive as a fundraiser - see order form below. Please phone Melissa on 6657 2032 to place your order. Orders are due by Monday 5th June and pies will be available for pick-up on Wednesday 21st June at the SDA Hall.

Australian Government Mobile Service Centre visit to Dorrigo, Thursday 1 June

Australian Government Mobile Service Centres travel extensively throughout rural and regional Australia.  

Staff from Services Australia travel with the Mobile Service Centres and can assist people with Centrelink and Medicare payments and services. Information about Department of Veterans’ Affairs programs and support services for veterans and their families is also available. 

Our Mobile Service Centres have disabled access and customer Wi-Fi to assist in creating myGov accounts and accessing online services.

Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival Free Children’s Events

Games afternoon @Dorrigo Library

Healthy Lunchbox Website

Cancer Council’s Healthy Lunch Box website is your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box.  For recipes, information and health tips please visit the website below.