Newsletter 21 June 2023
Principal's Message
Term 2 is almost a wrap. Although a short term, we have once again managed to fit a lot into it. Students across the school have been involved in an inquiry into Health and how they can make thoughtful decisions to support their own and the health of their environment. This was integrated in all areas of the Curriculum.
We also managed to provide the following opportunities for our children:
Participation in the ANZAC Dawn Service
Whole School Cross Country
Mother’s Day breakfast and Mass
Class Masses
Walk to school Day
District Cross Country
Catholic Education Week; Year 5 excursion to SFX and Catholic Identity leaders celebrated Mass at SFX
Open Classrooms Afternoon
Reconciliation Week Liturgy led by Year 6 Catholic Identity Leaders
First Eucharist preparation and celebration of the Sacrament
Year Fives visited Nar Nar Goon Kinder
STOMP Hip-Hop incursion
AFL Play Incursion
Fun Food Fridays run by Year 6 leaders
Interschool Sports Gala
Jump Rope for Heart
Responsible Pet Ownership
STEM Open Morning
Staff professional learning around English and Maths, RE and Inclusive Education
Introduction of new Before and After School Providers
This averages out to two activities per week which is exciting and also challenging for staff around timetables and accommodating adequate time for ‘normal’ learning. No wonder our children (and) staff are tired and looking forward to a rest, recharged and ready to return for Term 3. Every activity we have been fortunate to participate in has supported a specific curriculum area and the Catholic Identity held proudly by our community.
We look forward to a wonderful Term 3 working together and continuing the learning, energy and connectedness at St James.
Congratulations to Sophie S and Amayah D who represented St James at the Regional Cross Country Event held in Hastings last Wednesday. You both worked hard to reach this level and represented St James proudly.
Congratulations also goes to our Inter School Sport Gala Netball Team who took the overall win on the day! Thankyou to all the St James students who represented the school to a high level of sportsmanship in Netball and Football.
On behalf of staff, I wish you a safe and happy break. To the staff, I would like to express the appreciation and respect I have of each them and thank them for their tireless efforts to ensure the best learning and outcomes for our children.
Bec Kollaris, Principal
St James Parish News
Please note:
Saturday Mass at St James will be at the new time of 5pm beginning on Saturday 17 June and continuing for the Winter Months.
Religious Education News
Prayer for Creation
Loving God, You created us to live with the birds of the air, animals of the land and sea, trees, flowers, plants and our brothers and sisters around the world. Open our minds, touch our hearts and guide us in ways of care and concern for all you have gifted us. We ask this in Your name.
Amen.
First Communion St James
A special congratulations to those children of St James who made their First Communion last Saturday. We pray that the Eucharist will be a source of spiritual nourishment in their lives as they grow and change through the years.
School TV
A SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.
NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.
This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://stjamesnng.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week
From the Year 6 Students
Fun Food Friday
Jump Rope for Heart
Congratulations to all students at St James we have raised the immense amount of $1,213.
These funds will help support innovative research and programs that can transform Australian lives.
From the Office
End of Term Arrangements
This Friday 23 June (last day of term), students will be dismissed at 2.30pm to ensure that families utilising the bus service will be able to do so. If you are unable to pick up your student/s at 2.30pm staff will continue to supervise until 3.30pm.
Please complete the belwo link to indicate your families arrangments.
https://forms.gle/
Fee Statements have been issued. Thankyou to the families that have already made payments towards their school fees. Direct Debit arrangements can be set up at any time. Please contact the office to obtain a Direct Debit form.
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 applicaiton 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
Schoolzine App
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.
School Bus Mangement System
Important update for students who are approved for travel on the School Bus Program: Upgrades
are being made to the School Bus Management System (SBMS).
To make this important change, the SBMS will be unavailable from COB Friday 5 May 2023 for a
period of time.
If you need help during this time, you can email the School Bus Program team on
schoolbus@education.vic.gov.au or call on 1800 338 663.
Recycle, Earn & Play
Parents and Friends News
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Planning has begun for our Family Fun Night. Lock in your calendars Friday 27 October 2023.
Parents and Friends need your help. To make the night a great success we are seeking sponsors to help cover some of our costs for the night. If you have a business or know of a business that would like to contribute, be it a prize or cash donation please let us know and we can send out a donation letter.
If you are interested in joining the organisational committee for the fun night or have something you would like to contribute please complete the form below.
