Term 3, Week 8 - 2025

Principal's Message

Hi everyone,

What a fortnight it has been at MSJ! We loved celebrating Father’s Day together and were delighted to welcome The Australian Native Bee Co. to our school. They shared their wisdom with the Junior Mounties and Year 5 about the importance of bees and even gifted us a native bee hive to care for. Our garden continues to grow too—students voted to add an orange and a nectarine tree alongside our peach tree, and we were all so excited to collect our very first eggs!

It is heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of our students as they nurture creation and take pride in our shared journey of sustainability. In doing so, they are living out Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to care for our common home, showing gratitude and responsibility for the beautiful world God has entrusted to us. As one student said with a big smile, “It’s so cool that we planted new fruit trees and got chickens and bees—it feels like we’re helping the planet.”

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross is the greatest sign of God’s love for us—through it, Jesus gave His life so that we might share in the promise of eternal life. While the Cross reminds us of suffering, it is also a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and new life. When we make the Sign of the Cross, we remember that God is with us in all things, giving us strength, courage, and love.

Let us pray:
Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of the Cross, the sign of Your endless love.
Help us to carry our own crosses with patience and faith,
and to share Your hope and love with others.
May we always look to the Cross as a sign of victory and new life.
Amen.

Kind regards,
Deb

School Annual Improvement Plan (SAIP)

As part of our Annual School Improvement Plan (SAIP), we are collaboratively developing school values that include learning, faith, and wellbeing. After gathering input from parents, teachers, and students—and carefully aligning this feedback with the values of the Catholic Church and the charism of the Presentation Sisters—we have finalised our school values: Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Resilience. 

This fortnight at Mt St John’s, we are focusing on Respect.

Respect is one of our core values, and it helps our school be a safe, happy, and welcoming place for everyone. At Mt St John’s, we are focusing on showing respect in 4 key ways:

• We do what the teachers say the FIRST time.
• Speak to others with kindness.
• Say please and thank you.
• Answer when we are spoken to.

Together, we can build a culture where Respect is not just a word but something we live every day.

Thanks, Mowers & More Coffs Harbour!

Thank you “Mowers and More’, Coffs Harbour for kindly donating a drink bottle to the Dad’s of Mt St John’s for Father’s Day they were very much appreciated by our families.

At Mowers & More Coffs Harbour, they don’t just sell mowers- they live and breathe outdoor power equipment! Since August 2007, they have been proudly serving the Mid North Coast, helping locals keep their lawns pristine, their gear running smoothly, and their jobs done faster. 

Footy Colours Day

Get ready to finish the term on a high note!

On Thursday, 25th September, students can wear 'footy' colours to school at no cost! The canteen will have a day of specials - think sliders and footy food- and in the afternoon, we will participate in some footy-themed activities. 

Fathers' Day Breakfast

Thank you to all the dads, grandpas and special men in our lives who joined us on Friday morning for our special Father's Brekkie and Liturgy.

It was lovely to see everyone out enjoying the sunshine with a coffee and a bacon and egg roll, chatting and playing with the kids. We are so pleased we could take this time to acknowledge the important role you play in the children's lives. We hope you enjoyed your special gifts on Sunday.

Mini Mounties

We have welcomed our Mini Mounties students for the past couple of weeks, and there is so much excitement every Wednesday at “big school"!

There are still places available, so if you know anyone with a school-aged child starting Kindergarten in 2026, encourage them to come along to Mini Mounties and see what Mt St John’s has to offer.

Student Awards

Congratulations to this fortnight's Award winners!

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 Jack Fitzgerald. Jack demonstrates respect, kindness and curiosity. He brightens the day of everyone he meets.

Save the Date - "Words Matter" Launch Party

📅 Save the Date!
We are excited to announce a special community event to launch our new school song, “Words Matter,” on Monday, 20th October, from 5:30 pm.

🎶 School Concert & Song Launch
🍽️ Dinner provided for all families
✨ A great night of music, community, and celebration!

Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to share this joyful evening with you!

What's On in Term 3

Week 9

Week 10

Week 1, Term 4

2025 School Fees

Please be advised that the amount owing for the whole of 2025 will be showing in your Compass account. Statements are issued at the end of each month which will include your BPAY details, and these 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

2026 School Fees

We have been informed by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited that there will be a slight increase in school fees in 2026 - see letter below.

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. 

RUOK Day Walk

RUOK Day is the second Thursday in September each year. A walk on RUOK day was started two years ago with a walk from Coronation Park (the log park) to Dangar Falls and return.

The walk starts from 4 pm through 6.00 pm and return transport from Dangar will be available for those only wanting to walk one way. The Lions Club will be selling sausage and steak sandwiches at Coronation Park on return.

This is a great opportunity to come and participate on your own and walk with whoever you meet or bring a friend, a group, or your dog. This is a free event; however the Lions Club will be charging for their food. It all starts with a conversation and you never know just who you may help and start a great friendship.

Australian Government Mobile Service Centre

Australian Government Mobile Service Centres travel extensively throughout rural and regional Australia. A Mobile Service Centre will be visiting our area soon. 

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. 

The attached factsheet includes further information about the services available.

Free EmergencyRedi Workshop in Urunga

Dorrigo Dramatic Club - Young Drama

The Dorrigo Dramatic Club is excited to be running a Young Drama program from Term 3, 2025. The weekly program will be offered to primary school aged children and will focus on developing skills for the stage through a variety of activities and games. Lodge your interest for the program using the link below, and we will be in touch in the coming weeks with further information and so you can confirm your child's involvement.

Young Drama will run on Monday afternoons after school. Families will need to be members of the Dorrigo Dramatic Club in order for their child to participate. To become a member, or renew membership, please email membershipddc@gmail.com 

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.

Messy Church is on this Sunday 31st August from 4-6pm - see flyer below.