Newsletter 23 October 2024
Deputy Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
STARS of ST JAMES
There is a feeling of excitement and celebration within our St James community as our St James Parents and Friends committee organise the Stars of St James. Tomorrow afternoon starting at 4.00pm and concluding at 6.00pm our students will take to the stage to share their talents with the community. Students will also be showing off their talents with baking, Lego and art. I would like to send a huge thank you to the Parents and Friends committee for the organisation of this community event. I would also like to thank the staff for supporting and our wonderful office ladies for their work in this space.
RECONCILIATION
As we head towards the end of week three Term Four, we see some of our students preparing for the sacrament of reconciliation. It is in this sacrament also known as confession, that Jesus’ love and mercy (forgiveness) is made present in our lives. We pray for all our students who are completing this sacrament.
REPORTING SEMESTER TWO 2024
Our student reports will be made available to families on the last day of Term Four. These reports will replicate the semester one reports. They will indicate where students are at compared to students in the same year and according to the Diocese of Sale, Catholic Religious Education curriculum 'To Live in Christ Jesus' and the Victorian Curriculum. Student results drive our teaching and indicate to us as a school where each student is at and where their point of need is. As a staff, professional learning around reporting and assessment is our ongoing work. With the implementation of the new Victorian Curriculum in 2025 there will be changes to the way that we report to families about student learning. This will be shared with families as it becomes available.
ADAM WALLACE
It is with great excitement that we will welcome Adam Wallace to St James in 2025! Adam Wallace is an author who has sold over 10 million books, his mission is to entertain and inspire children from around the world. Adam will be visiting St James to work with our students in Term One 2025. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to work with an author and hopefully be inspired to read a variety of books and write their own stories. As a school we will purchase many of Adam Wallace's books for our library. Students, families and staff will also have the opportunity to purchase Adam's books this year and get them signed when he visits our school in 2025. Please refer to the flyer attached for more information.
Term 4 2024 - Upcoming Events
| Date | Event | |
| Monday | 07/10/2024 | School Closure Day |
| Saturday | 19/10/2024 | Reconciliation Commitment Mass |
| Wednesday | 23/10/2024 | Reconciliation Workshop |
| Thursday | 24/10/2024 | Reconciliation Workshop |
| Friday | 25/10/2024 | St James STARS |
| Monday | 04/11/2024 | School Closure Day |
| Thursday | 05/12/2024 | Carols on the Green |
| Thursday | 12/12/2024 | Grade 6 Graduation |
| Friday | 13/12/2024 | End of Year Mass and Yr 6 Guard of Honour |
Baby news!
It has been a very exciting couple of months for three of our staff members, who now have a new role to play in their lives as grandparents!
A very warm welcome to:
Amara - Mrs Roche's granddaughter
Arlo - Mrs Colvin's grandson
Leo - Mrs Hermann's grandson
RE News
Pope Francis' Message for World Mission Sunday 2024
“Go and invite everyone to the banquet" (Matthew 20:9)
Pope Francis' message of inclusion raises the question of what unites us all and presents a valuable opportunity for growth and unity, as it requires everyone to open their hearts and minds to each other.
Guided by the Gospel, we can find answers to creating ways of inclusion and dialogue.
The Gospel is made to gather and not divide, to invite and not to exclude. This is the message Pope Francis shares, reminding everyone of the importance of sharing the Gospel and, above all, reaching out to all by inviting them to be part of the celebration we call “life,” as we all have a seat at the table.
At St James during Mission Month we will be:
Kicking goals for good
By supporting Catholic Mission Australia's 'Socktober' promotion.
Make your own sockball and be part of the journey!
Last Friday our students worked hard to create their own Sockballs in class groups. We thank all of the families who made donations of recycled materials so that the students could participate in this event. We have coupled this hands-on experience with learning around the topics of Creation, Wellbeing, Opportunity, Service, Peace and Participation as we delve deeper into Jesus' life and mission.
Why Soccer?
Decades ago, a young boy named jorge Mario Bergoglio played with a similar ball on the streets of Buenos Aires. He later became Pope Francis, but he always cherished sport and had a special connection with children from impoverished communities through this shared experience.
"I have a memory ... of the ball of rags, the 'pelota de trapo': leather was expensive and we were poor, rubber was not yet so common, but it was enough for us a ball of rags to have fun and almost perform miracles playing in the square near home." - Pope Francis, 2021
The world game of soccer has the rare power to unify people of all ages and backgrounds, while clearly representing the concept of the "haves and have nots". Nowhere is this clearer than in the balls used to play. Socktober weaves these concepts together, celebrating the values inherent in sport, but reminding students that we have the power to change injustice and imbalance in the world.
By centering Socktober around soccer, we get to bring people together in a fun and relatable way, while also teaching important values like teamwork, resilience, and community spirit.
Crazy Sock Day
To enable us to also make a financial contribution towards the Socktober fundraiser we will be hosting a crazy sock day next Wednesday. Please provide a gold coin donation and enjoy wearing your crazy socks to school. This will conclude our Mission month fundraising
Reconciliation
Remembrance Day
As we approach Remembrance Day on Monday 11 November 2024, our Grade 6 students will be visiting each classroom selling Poppy Pins, Pens and Bracelets each morning. These items raise money for the Poppy Appeal and range from $2 to $5.
Christmas Masses
Emergency Management
As we approach warmer weather, we would like to share with you the arrangements in place for days that are rated Catastrophic.
St James is listed on the Bush Fire at Risk Register (BARR). This means that on days that are rated as Catastrophic the school will be required to close.
Where possible DOSCEL will notify St James Principal 4 - 7 days prior, to enable parents/carers and the community to be forewarned, however this may not always be possible.
Once the decision to close the school is made, it will not be altered, regardless of any changes in the weather forecast. This will assist in limiting confusion and help families plan for how their children will be cared for when the school is closed.
When the school is closed in response to bushfire or grassfire risk, no one, including staff, contractors and other users will be permitted on site.
In the event that the school is required to close for a period of time, Leadership and staff will consult and communicate with families on how student learning will continue.
School Fee Accounts
Final Fee Statements for 2024 have been issued to all families. Please check your emails (including spam/junk email) for these statements.
As we approach the end of the year, we ask that all fee accounts are finalised. If you already have a payment arrangement in place, this arrangement will continue.
We ask that any outstanding fee balances are addressed as a matter of priority. If you have any concerns with the payment of your fees, please contact Bec Kollaris for a confidential conversation.
Year 3/4 Mill Valley Ranch Reflection
The day before the students headed off on their adventure to Mill Valley Ranch was full of questions and predictions. Since returning we have spent a lot of time on reflections. We have compared the way we felt before going to the way we felt after returning. Enjoy reading a snapshot of some of our reflections of a fantastic day out together.
Parents & Friends News
Every Day Counts
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.
DS Sports
From the Community
