Newsletter 7 February 2024
Principal's Message
We have had the most amazing start to 2024. As I mentioned at assembly yesterday, I cannot commend our children and staff to you highly enough as they continue to work together to create an engaging learning culture based on genuine relationships at St James.
Please see bleow for clarification of the morning routine. We invite parents both before and after school to visit classrooms and share in your child's learning.
BEFORE SCHOOL ROUTINE
Now that the 'first days' are over and the back-to-school routines are emerging, it is timely to note the following morning routines.
- Students are not to be on the school site before 8.25am (the exception to this is the students that arrive at school by bus)
- Any student dropped off at school by their parents or carers prior to 8.25am should be in Before School Care. If parents choose not to use this option, the students must wait at the top gate and will remain the responsibility of their parents or carers. Students will NOT be supervised by school staff before 8.25am.
- Classroom doors open at 8.45am
- Between 8.25am and 8.45am students will be supervised under the Grey Roof.
- Once classroom doors open at 8.45am, students are able to unpack their bags and get ready for the day.
Due to a number of new families and staff commencing at St James, we are providing you with family labels for your car, if you are using the car line. This is to help staff to identify cars and to support staff to move children safely through the car park. Please put these where they are clearly visible on either your Dash or Visor.
Bec Kollaris
From the Deputy Principal
Dear families of the St James community,
Welcome to week two. It has been wonderful catching up with our new and present students and families and hearing about the wonderful adventures they have had over the Christmas break. I would also
like to say a prayer for those families that have been faced with difficult times during this
break.
Learning to Learn:
During week one and week two our whole school focus is on Learning to Learn. Our classes
have worked on our school wide expectations Responsible, Respectful and Safe and have
begun to set routines and expectations. I would like to acknowledge the consistent approach
that we have observed from staff and students.
Class Newsletter:
As a school we are starting up (once again) class and specialist newsletters that will be made
available on PAM each term. We hope that this will give families a brief outline of important
events and the focus of the learning for each term. Included in this newsletter is a section
titled ‘At Home Practice.’ This will be slightly different for each year level, however at this
point we are asking all students to read or be read to daily.
Assessment and Reporting:
In term one and three we have Student Progress Meetings (formerly Parent Teacher
Interviews). The change in name is important as it indicates the purpose of the meeting, ‘to
discuss students’ progress. This student progress meeting will be a collective conversation
between teachers, parents/carers, and students. Students are encouraged to attend these
meetings as a strong partnership between home and school is essential in supporting our
students with their learning.
Please note: For those families that usually attend a PSG (Parent Support Group Meeting) for
their child or children the Student Progress Meeting do not take there place, these will be held
later in term 1.
Kathy Zanonda
Religious Education
SHROVE TUESDAY
To celebrate Shrove Tuesday (13/02) students will receive 2 x piklets each. Toppings will be plain, margarine and/or jam.
Please email the school office if your child has any dietary requirements.
Parents & Friends News
Welcome back to 2024!
Parents and Friends had a very successful year fundraising for the school whilst making new friends. We would love to keep the momentum going!!
Friday February 16th is our Annual General Meeting at 9.15am.
We would love to see some new fresh faces come to our meetings. You are more than welcome to bring toddlers and babies. All are welcome to join, mum, dad, grandparents.
If you have any futher queries please contact the office.
Important Information
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 -
3675
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.
Second Hand Uniform
If you have any St James Uniform that you no longer need, the second hand uniform shop is the place to take it to! We are specifically requiring bigger sizes of any items, however will take whatever you may have.
Parenting Matters
From the Art Room
Fun Food Friday
Year 6 JD News
From the Office
School Fees
2024 School Fees will be raised to all family accounts in the coming week and statements will be emailed (please check your junk/spam folder if not received).
Payment of fees can be made directly into the school account, via EFTPOS in the office, or via Direct Debit. Direct Debit arrangements can be set up at any time and include options for fortnightly, monthly or per term payments. Please contact the office to obtain a Direct Debit form.
Please ensure any outstanding fees are brought up to date or a payment arrangement is in place.
If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact rkollaris@stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au to have a confidential discussion.
If you hold a Pension or Health Care card, please contact the office to obtain the relevant paperwork to be completed and returned. Eligibility will then be assessed and an application for assistance to reduce your school fees will be applied for.
Updating Details
Please ensure your contact details are current and up to date. This includes contact numbers, email address, home/postal addresses and emergency contact details. If you need to update your information, please email office@stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au
DS Sports News
Community News
