Newsletter 6 September 2023
Principal's Message
Congratulations!
Well done to our Year 3/4 campers who represented our school so beautifully last week at their Roar and Snore Zoo Camp. They had so much fun and came back to school full of stories and tucked into their hot chip lunch. On Friday they enjoyed a well earned rest! A HUGE thank you to the staff who attended camp and to the staff for their thorough planning. It really is a unique experience to be able to glamp at the Zoo and see what happens after dark. If you missed the video clip posted to our Facebook page, it's well worth a look.
Last Friday our Foundation students celebrated 100 days of school. They dressed up as students from 100 years ago. It was a fun day spent with their year 5 and 6 buddies and had a delicious shared hot chip lunch.
We have spent the last two days in Review. This is a cyclical review which occurs every 4 years and supports us to look at our processes around learning and teaching, curriculum, child safety, staff development and learning culture. The Reviewers were very impressed with our school and spoke with each staff member and a cohort of students and parents. They confirmed that we are in a space of strategic improvement and the goals set by the leadership team place St James in a positive and strong position of continued improvement.
Kind Regards, Bec Kollaris
National Child Protection Week
National Child Protection Week
Dear Parents and Carers,
National Child Protection Week
3 – 10 September 2023
Information and resources below
National Child Protection Week is a campaign held annually across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention. The objectives of the week are to raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection and promote a whole of community response to the protection of children.
Child Safety Week in the Diocese of Sale will coincide with National Child Protection Week, and Safeguarding Sunday.
The main theme is:
Every child, in every community, needs a fair go
In 2023, The Diocese of Sale focus is on:
Child Safety in Action in the Diocese of Sale
At St James Primary School Nar Nar Goon, we have zero tolerance for child abuse. We work to ensure that we promote and sustain a child safe culture and respond with compassion and care if concerns are raised.
Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.
You can find our child safety policies and procedures on the School Website. This includes information about what to look out for and how to raise a concern about child safety and wellbeing.
A video message from the Bishop and Director, featuring schools’ child safety projects, is available via the following link: Child Safety in our Schools and Parishes.
Parent Support Materials
We would like to share the below resources to assist you in keeping children safe.
- Personal Safety Tips for talking to children about personal safety - NAPCAN
If you or your family need support in relation to a child protection concern, you
- Contact 000 in case of emergency
- Contact local police
- Contact DFFH Child Protection to make a report about child abuse
o During hours: 1300 655 795
o After hours child protection emergency service: 131 278
- Access support from one of the following services
o 1800RESPECT:
National Domestic Family Violence and Sexual Violence counselling service.
Call 1800 737 732 or visit Home | 1800RESPECT
o Bravehearts:
Prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.
Call 1800 272 831 or visit Welcome to Bravehearts
o Raising Children:
An Australian parenting resources website.
Visit Services: families | Raising Children Network
o Parentline:
A phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. Offering confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
Call 13 22 89 or visit Parentline - DFFH Services
o Kids Helpline:
Young people can access help any time for any reason.
Call 1800 551 800 or visit Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800
Staff Training
All staff and other adults who work with students at St James are regularly trained in child safety (promoting the safety and wellbeing of young people) and child protection (recognising and responding to indicators of harm to young people). During Child Protection Week, a number of resources are shared with staff, and these are also promoted through the year in order to maintain a child safe culture within our school.
If you have any questions about Child Safety and Wellbeing, including child protection, please contact myself or our Child Safety Champion – Julianne Dell’Oro who can assist.
Kind Regards
Bec Kollaris
Principal
NCCD
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
Each year the NCCD prompts schools to identify students with disability and to review their processes and practices. It records the adjustments already undertaken in schools to support students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing work of the staff at St James who continue to make adjustments for all our students so they can be successful in their learning.
The document below outlines what NCCD is and how the data is used.
Religious Education News
We are praying especially for St James Confirmation candidates who have been preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation at St Joseph's Iona this Saturday:
| Antonio Cecere | Chloe Langley |
| Kaleb Panetta | Imelda Rongoni |
| Ben Watts |
Prayer for Confirmation candidates:
Heavenly Father, God of power and of love.
We pray for all the children who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. May your Holy Spirit help them to grow in faith, hope and love and may they come to know you as the one true God who loves them without limit.
May their hearts welcome you gladly; May their ears hear your voice in the scriptures; May their eyes see you in all things; And may they proclaim your glory as they walk in the ways of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
End of term arrangements
On Friday 15 September (last day of term), bus students will be dismissed at 2.30pm to ensure that families utilising the bus service will be able to do so. DS Sports will be commencing their Afterschool Program from 2.30pm on this day if parents wish to utilise the service; please contact DS Sports directly for any bookings. If you are unable to pick up your student/s at 2.30pm staff will continue to supervise until 3.30pm.
If you have not already done so, can you please complete the link below to indicate your intentions for the last day of term.
https://forms.gle/QYNiFwH2834uEWRb6
Fathers Day celebrations
Fun Food Friday
ZOOPER DOOPERS
R U Ok Day?
Next Thursday we are asking students and staff to come to school with a splash of yellow, this is in recognition of R U Ok Day. This could include a yellow ribbon, t-shirt or socks.
R U OK? inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
Parents & Friends News
Family Fun Night - planning is underway!
The first meeting will be held:
Thursday 7th September
7.30pm
Cardinia Club Pakenham
Everyone welcome. Come along and help plan the 2023 Family Fun Night on Friday 27th October.
Here at St James, we have always prided ourselves on putting on a good spread!
Breakfasts, morning teas and lunches, we know good food! We even produced a cookbook with our favourite family recipes from the school community.
Some of the food we had at our Grandparents day was absolutely amazing. The effort families went to was above and beyond and we were so thankful for all your hard work to make the day so special for kids and grandparents.
However, with dwindling number able to commit to P&F the reality is that these amazing spreads may have to be reduced.
We understand that not all parents are able to come to meetings and be involved in the organisation of events, however we are asking for your support at school catering events.
Serving food and cleaning up afterwards are a huge part and we would appreciate any time you have spare on the day of the event to help.
Washing dishes afterwards can often take an hour with only 2 people, but with a few extra it can be done in half the time. As they say - many hands make light work.
As always, we really appreciate your support with this.
For Father’s Day we will be cooking some Egg and Bacon rolls for the Dads and special people, there will also be cereal offered for the kids as well.
Lamont Book Fair
MONDAY 4 SEPTEMBER - FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Lamont Book Fair will be running all of next week. Payment for books can be made via EFTPOS and online payments. The online payment portal opens the first day of the book fair and works similar to a voucher. The students browse the book fair and fill out their "wish lists", which they then take home for the payment to be made online. Online payment instructions will be on the back of the wish list. Online orders will be delivered to St James on Monday 11th September. The payment portal will close on Friday 8th September at 12pm.
Students will visit the book fair with their teachers, however it will also be open for parents at the following times:
| Date | Time |
| Tuesday 5th | 8.15am-9.00am 3.00pm-5.15pm |
| Wednesday 6th | 8.45am-10.00am 3.00pm-4.00pm |
| Thursday 7th | 8.15am-9.15am 3.00pm-4.00pm |
| Friday 8th | 8.15am-9.15am |
Premier Reading Challenge
From the Office
Current Fee Statements have been issued to all families. Thankyou to those who have made payment towards their school fees.
Please note, Term 1 and Term 2 fee payments are overdue and payable. 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 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
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 Management 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.
First Aid
With the end of the term fast approaching and a change in seasons we are experiencing a number of student illnesses.
We remind parents to keep their child/ren home if they are unwell.
Please refer to the below table regarding exclusion periods for infectious diseases.
DS Sports
From the Community
