Newsletter 5 February 2025

Principal's Message

Thank you to everyone for a calm start to the year.  It’s been great to see our kiddies back, ready to learn, ready to play and ready to build relationships with their teachers and peers.

Welcome!

Louie, Malakai, Luther, Bailey, Rylee, Max, Myah, Eli, Elizabeth, Zahri, Lincoln, Maisie, Mavis, Darcy, Spencer, Phoebe, Hazel, Patrick, Rhys, Gia, Aston, Ella, Wynter, Violet, Cooper, Celeste, Paris, Kai and Oliver. 

Mr Gonsalves (Albert) is joining us as an Education Support Officer working across different classes. He will be working in the senior space to backfill Mr M’s position when he is approved for Permission to Teach in the Technology curriculum.   We welcome all of our new kiddos, parents and staff. I know you will all welcome them with open arms.

Sharing the journey with parents: “It takes a Village to Raise a Child”

Many of you will have personally or from children’s previous schools experienced different versions of Principals, leadership and teaching teams.  When I was at school I had several Principals, however two stand out and not for the best reasons.  Mr Worm and Mr Crowe (I get the irony) were all about power over kids and what parents “should” do, they didn’t walk the walk or talk the talk, they were administrators not educators.  There was no understanding or empathy for family or student context and corporal punishment and power over was still accepted as the norm.  Please be assured that St James, we have a few “live to by” rules~

• We are ALL 100% committed to doing the best for you kids! They are amazing, precious, loved individuals who make the world a richer and better place!
• Relationships are key – our staff work tirelessly to build these every minute of every day and are genuinely committed to the development of genuine, professional and inclusive relationships~ with students and families
• We never give up on kids, no matter how tricky their responses to us might be: every behaviour is a form of communication and absolutely has a purpose, it’s our job as adults to interpret and process this communication.
• There is no such thing as “ivory tower” leadership – if our staff our doing it, expect our leadership team to be doing it too: if I’m in a classroom, I’m picking up the chalk and am in it with our amazing team!
  

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL DROP OFF/ PICK UP:

Please remember that students (other than those travelling by bus) are not supervised until 8.30 am when the gate opens.

Adult toilets: please use the toilet next to the year 4/5 classroom and not the disabled toilet if needed.

Our gorgeous oak tree in the centre of the car line has a heritage overlay.  This means it is our collective responsibility to care for it.  Please do not park under the oak tree as it will result in damage to the roots and the general health of the tree. It also means that students and parents are crossing across the traffic flow rather than the recently installed pedestrian crossing and not using it poses a safety risk, especially given the additional traffic and buses. We encourage you to use the front paddock, we appreciate it may take an additional five minutes; however the safety of our families is paramount.

Have an absolutely amazing week, in cooler conditions!

Bec Kollaris, Principal

Upcoming events

RE News

The Parable of the Mustard Seed Luke 13: 18-19

 18 He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

Scientifically, the mustard seed may not be the absolute smallest, but it was certainly considered diminutive in Jesus' time. Yet, some mustard plants can reach astonishing heights, growing as tall as 4.5 meters. This remarkable growth from such humble beginnings serves as a powerful metaphor.

When we reflect, we realize that almost everything starts small. Families begin with a single couple, academic journeys commence with a single class, and even great institutions like schools and companies all have humble origins.

The mustard seed, however, grows disproportionately large. Jesus wasn't primarily teaching us about starting movements, though that's certainly a valid application. Instead, He highlights how His kingdom operates – often beginning small and unexpectedly blossoming into something magnificent. Our role is to participate in this ongoing work, even when it feels insignificant.

As the St. James team returned to school last week, we centered our reflections on the Parable of the Mustard Seed from the Gospel of Luke. We discussed the powerful message of how even the smallest seeds can grow into something extraordinary.

To further embody this message, each staff member planted a seed in the St. James garden. While planting, we intentionally and explicitly prayed for specific areas of our school and community. This act of planting and praying served as a reminder of our shared intentions and our collective desire for a successful and fruitful year.

2025 is a Jubilee Year

In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee is a special year of grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Celebrated every 25 years, it's a time for renewal and a deeper connection with God, others, and creation.

The Theme: "Pilgrims of Hope"

Pope Francis has chosen "Pilgrims of Hope" as the theme for the 2025 Jubilee. This theme invites us to:

• Renew our hope: To rediscover our faith and trust in God's plan for humanity.
• Embrace a vision of a better future: To work towards a world where everyone has access to the fruits of the earth and all of creation is respected.
• Recognize ourselves as "pilgrims on earth": To understand our role as stewards of creation and to live in harmony with the planet.

This Jubilee Year is an opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with God, to work for justice and peace, and to embrace a spirit of hope and renewal.

Insert video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yia25rOML2Q

Throughout the year our local parishes and school communities will be hosting events to celebrate the Jubilee year. I will share these details in the newsletter and at assemblies. 

Upcoming Jubilee events:

Jubilee of Artists 23rd February

What: St Joseph’s Warragul and St Ita’s Drouin & St Ignatius Neerim South parishes are hosting the Diocesan Jubilee of Artists.

• Artists are invited to submit photographs of up to three art works which speak to the Jubilee theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. That is a church which brings about a New Creation where people can live in peace and justice.
• Artists are asked to include a brief profile of themselves and the impulse behind their works.

Why: Our contribution to Pope Francis’ Jubilee of Hope.

• That we may rejoice with gratitude at the creative insights artists bring to human life.
• That sacred art may reveal true beauty, a glimmer of the Spirit of God, which opens the human soul to a sense of the eternal.

Where: Marian Room at St Joseph’s Church, Warragul.

• Jubilee Celebration Mass at St Joseph’s 11 am,
• Bishop Greg’s blessing of the exhibition 12pm,
• shared lunch at Teachers Centre 1pm.

When:

• a) Photo of work(s) [and profile] submitted via email by 4pm Mon 10th Feb,
• b) delivery of work to Marian Room by 2pm Fri 21st Feb,
• c) Exhibition date – Sunday 23rd February 2025

How: Exhibits of paintings, sculpture and other mediums as selected by the Committee need to be delivered to the Marian Room between 10am and 2pm on Thursday 20th Feb and Friday 21st Feb.

The Committee will mount and display one work from each contributor. (easels welcomed)

School Photos

School Photo Day is on Monday 31 March 2025.

Wellbeing Leader

Author Visit - Adam Wallace

Parents & Friends News

Fee Statements

Fees are yet to be raised to family accounts.  This process will be completed over the coming week and statements will be emailed to families.

A Fee Information Booklet will also be emailed to families, this will have attached relevant concession forms and a direct debit form. 

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/szapp-installation
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