Newsletter 13 August 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
The Disco was a huge hit! Our kids had so much fun and particularly loved Mr M's remix of the school song and the polaroid photo booth! Thank you to the parents who helped out with decorations and supervision on the night- it was great to see so many new faces supporting our P&F!
Following on from the Disco, we had a PJ and movie day topped off with a live performance to launch Book Week. Using a selection of this year's shortlisted books, the actors were able to discuss with students on how not everyone's the same, has different beliefs and opinions or live in the same environment. It was an entertaining and thought provoking performance which also focused on resilience and having courage to tackle challenges.
This week our F-2 cohort began their swimming program. They have come back exhausted over the last two days, so scheduling the afternoon was a very appropriate decision.
Today we held a very successful evacuation drill, safely relocating everyone to the hall in 3.01 minutes. Our drills are conducted to the highest standard and we were provided with very positive feedback from the DOSCEL OH&S team who were conducting their annual safety audit of the school. Thank you to our staff for preparing our students to manage themselves during a drill without prior notice so that they were calm and had a great sense of safety. One small element of this is the routine of walking to different spaces in roll order.
On Friday, we celebrate 100 days of Foundation where our Foundation classroom will be converted to a nursing home as we welcome 19 centenarians. Please be careful around these elderly people as they navigate their way around our school!
This week's winter sport is against Don Bosco at home.
Uniform update- the first optional item will be the soft shell jackets and the girls blue pants (I am aware of stock shortages for the pants). I am still waiting on the designs to come through for the optional rugby top etc. As soon as it comes in, I will get it to the community asap.
2026 update- We are currently following our usual process to decide the best options for class structures. At this point, it is our intention this year's Year 2 cohort remain together and the current Year 5 cohort also remains together.
Have a great week everyone! Bec
Upcoming events
| Friday 15/08 | 100 Days of Foundation Whole School Assembly - 9am Winter Sport - St James vs Don Bosco commencing at 1pm |
| Monday 18/08 | District Athletics Day - Casey Fields |
| Monday 18/08 - Wed 20/08 | F - 2 Swimming Program (Splash's Berwick) |
| Friday 22/08 | Book Week Parade - 9am - 10am |
| Tuesday 26/08 | Student Progress Meetings (3.40pm - 6pm) |
| Thursday 28/08 | Vicspell Zone Finals Student Progress Meetings (3pm - 5pm) |
| Friday 29/08 | Grandparents Day Mass - 11am Winter Sport - St James vs St Brigid's commencing at 1pm |
RE News
Explore Your Faith Journey. Join RCIA.
Are you curious about the Catholic faith? Do you feel a calling to deepen your spiritual life, or perhaps discover what it means to be part of our Catholic community?
Our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program is a welcoming journey for adults exploring the Catholic Church. Whether you are unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or a Catholic seeking to complete your Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation), RCIA offers a supportive environment to learn, ask questions, and grow in faith.
Discover God's love and discern your path with us.
For more information, please contact Fr Avinash or Loren Bertoncello
Sacrament Dates 2025
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Commitment Mass
| Date | Place | Time |
| Saturday 18 October 2025 | St James Nar Nar Goon | 5.00pm |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 9.30am |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St Joseph's Iona | 11.00am |
Parent/Child Workshop
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 29 October 2025 | St James PS Nar Nar Goon | 5.30pm |
| Thursday 30 October 2025 | St John's PS Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
| Date | Place | Time |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Wellbeing Leader
The Resilience Project - Parent Hub & TRP@Home
TRP@Home - Scan the QR code below to access
Parents & Friends News
Head Lice
There has been a reported case of headlice in the school. Please be vigilant in periodically checking your child's head for headlice. If headlice is detected, please treat your child appropriately, notify the school. Your child can return to school the day after treatment has commenced.
Important Information
Both the PAM and Schoolzine Calendars have been updated with new information.
To access the Schoolzine calendar through the app you will be prompted to enter a password - James4011
This year St James will be using two main platforms of communication with our families - PAM and Schoolzine.
To ensure that you keep up to date with what is happening with your children and within the school please ensure that you have access to these platforms and are familiar with their uses.
If you require assistance with accessing or setting up these platforms, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
From time to time it will also be necessary for emails and text messages to be sent.
Schoolzine App Installation Instructions:
This is an app that you have on your phone and allows for easy reading of the newsletter, as it customises to the screen and translates into many languages if required.
Please click the link below for the instructions on installing the app on your phone.
https://www.schoolzine.com/
As part of the installation, you will be required to enter the following 4 digit passcode -
4011
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions or queries.
Accessing PAM Instructions:
Please use the below link to access your PAM account.
https://pam.stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au
The user name is the email you have provided to the school and if you have not logged on previously, you will be able to set a password.
If you require your password to be reset, please contact the school office.
DS Sports
From the Community
