Newsletter 28 February 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Congratulations to our District Swimming Team for the manner in which they competed last week showing great sportsmanship, resilience and positivity.
You will notice a few changes in our yard in addition to the new playground. Thanks to the P&F and their fundraising efforts, we now have two outdoor kitchens for our budding Master Chefs to use. It was also a great opportunity for us to support a small local business. To help 'kit out' our kitchens, old cooking equipment (pots, pans, spoons etc) will be gratefully accepted and can be put in the basket outside the library.We have had to remove the old chicken shed and vegetable garden as it was home to several snakes and an OH&S issue. This will now be re-seeded and provide another shady spot for our children to use.
The STEM will focus on the garden beds in the central area of the school. If we have any green thumbs who can help Mrs Veldman out, please contact her- jveldman@stjamesnng.catholic.
Please see the following important information regarding school fees:
SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS - please be advised that current Fee Statements were emailed on 13/02/2024 to the fee payers email address on file. Can you please check your emails (including spam/junk folders) for a copy of your current Fee Statement.
If you need another copy of your statement emailed, please contact the school office.
DIRECT DEBITS - Can we please ask that all families on a Direct Debit arrangement check your current arrangement against your fee statement. Given the gradual increase of fees over the years, existing deduction amounts may need to be increased. It is an expectation that fee accounts are settled in full by the end of the school year, therefore we ask that you address this and advise if your Direct Debit deductions are to be increased.
CONCESSIONS - If you hold a current Health Care Card, you may be eligible for a fee concession. Please contact the school officer for relevant forms and further information.
For any family experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to the school for a confidential discussion with me.
Year 5/6 Camp for 2024 - Melbourne Camp - Tuesday 30 April to Wednesday 1 May.
Year 3/4 Long Day Experience 2024 - Mill Valley Ranch - Wednesday 9 October.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2024
Kind Regards, Bec Kollaris
Deputy Principal's Message
Dear St James Families,
Each year students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are given the opportunity to complete the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The testing window for 2024 begins on Wednesday 13 March and runs through until Monday 25 March.
Please see below Timetable for this year.
As a school we use student data to drive our planning to improve student outcomes and will therefore support our students by:
- revising curriculum content taught in literacy and numeracy
- share example NAPLAN questions
- discuss strategies needed to understand the formatting of NAPLAN questions
- discuss how to answer multiple choice questions
- practice answering questions using a Chromebook
- minimise student anxiety by maintaining school routines
- support students to do their best
If you have any questions or concerns about your child/ren sitting NAPLAN please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards, Kathy Zandona
Date: | Wednesday 13/03/2024 | Thursday 14/03/2024 | Friday 15/03/2023 | Monday 18/03/2023 | Thursday 21/03/2024 | ||
Time: | 9.15am | 9.15am | 11.45am | 11.45am | 9.30am | 11.45am | 9.15am |
Test: | Writing | Reading | Writing Catch Up Session | Language Conventions | Numeracy | Catch up Session | Catch up Session |
Year Level: | 3 and 5 | 3 and 5 | 3 and 5 | 3 and 5 | 3 and 5 | ||
Religious Education
Kind Regards, Julie Veldman
Fun Food Friday
Whole School Athletics Day
Wednesday 20 March 2024
Please note change of date for our Whole School Athletics Day!
Please log into your PAM account to acknowledge the change of date.
If you are able to assist on the day please complete the below link -
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.
Year 6 JD News
Mud Kitchens
This week we had two mud kitchens installed. The children are having a ball enjoying this area!
