Newsletter 23 April 2025
Principal's Message
Welcome back to Term 2, I hope that you were all able to share some time with family and friends over the Easter break. This term we celebrate Catholic Education Week During Catholic Education Week, we will again be journeying as Pilgrims of Hope to share in Eucharistic Celebrations at St Francis Xavier, Beaconsfield and St John’s Koo Wee Rup. Keep an eye out for Luce throughout the year, the official mascot of the Pilgrims of Hope celebrations throughout the year.
We remember with a mixture of sadness and joy Pope Francis, a man not only of God but of the people, regardless of their position in society, their colour, creed or race.
Pope Francis was the 266th pope of the Catholic Church. He wasn’t just a Church leader – he was a voice for justice, a friend to the forgotten, and a champion of young people. His heart beat with love for all creation. He reminded us that faith isn’t about power – it’s about service, simplicity, and love. And so, we remember him – not like a distant figure in Rome, but as someone who truly walked with us.
Pope Francis didn’t lead the Church from a throne. He led from the streets. From refugee camps, prisons, slums, and soup kitchens. He walked with the poor. Sat with the broken. Listened to the young. He reminded the world that the Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. That faith isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being real, being kind, being brave enough to care. Pope Francis didn’t just talk about love – he lived it. Love for creation. Love for the forgotten. Love for the whole human family. He’s gone now. But his mission? That’s not over. It’s ours to pick up. So, let’s not just remember Pope Francis. Let’s live like he did. With heart. With hope. With courage. That’s how we honour his legacy – not with statues or silence, but with action.
Loved by God, Friend to the Margins, Pilgrim of Hope
God of mercy and mission,
We thank you for Pope Francis,
a teacher of truth, a friend of the poor,
a shepherd who walked with courage and joy.
As educators, give us a heart like his:
Open to wonder, brave in justice,
ready to listen, slow to judge,
and always leaning toward love.
May his legacy echo in our homes and communities,
not just in words, but in the way we teach, serve, and lead.
Amen.
Micah 6:8
“This is what the Lord asks of you:
Only this – to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.”
This verse captures so much of what Pope Francis lived and taught: justice with
compassion, love without condition, and humility grounded in deep faith.
Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord.
Let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
A liturgy for Pope Francis will be held in the Church on Monday April 28 at 9.15am
Morning arrivals: A gentle reminder that the student pedestrian gate does not open until 8.30am each morning when staff commence morning yard duty. Students who arrive before this time (with the exception of those needing to use the school bus service) are therefore not supervised until 8.30am. DS Sports is available for students requiring care before school.
Keep an eye out for Felicity, Lachlan and Maggie at the Dawn Service as they will be laying a commemorative wreath on behalf of our community. Thank you to these senior students for taking part in this and representing us proudly.
We will be holding a short ANZAC ceremony tomorrow morning at the flag poles at 9am.
Have a good week, Bec
Upcoming events
| Thursday 24 April | ANZAC Day Ceremony - 9am |
| Friday 25 April | ANZAC Day |
| Monday 28 April | Year 4/5/6 Excursion - ANZAC Legacy Shrine Ceremony Liturgy for Pope Francis - Nar Nar Goon Church - 9.15am |
| Tuesday 29 April | St James Open Morning - 9am - 11am |
| Friday 2 May | Parents & Friends Meeting - 2pm |
| Monday 5 May | Year 5/6 JD visit to Nar Nar Goon Kinder F - 2 Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion |
| Friday 9 May | Mothers Day Breakfast Whole School Mass |
RE News
Caritas Australia would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support of Project Compassion this Lent. Your generosity this Lent is helping to empower the world’s most vulnerable communities, enabling them to overcome challenges and lift themselves out of poverty.
Together, we are creating a better tomorrow, helping vulnerable communities build stronger futures for themselves and empowering them to break free from the cycle of poverty. Thank you for standing with us!
Congratulations St James on raising $698 in support of Project Compassion and a special mention to our Foundation class for having the longest coin line. We hope you all enjoyed your hot chip lunch in recognition of your generosity!
Sacrament Dates 2025
Sacrament of Confirmation
Commitment Mass
| Date | Place | Time |
| Saturday 3 May 2025 | St James Nar Nar Goon | 5.00pm |
| Sunday 4 May 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 9.30am |
| Sunday 4 May 2025 | St Joseph's Iona | 11.00am |
Parent/Child Workshop
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 14 May 2025 | Columba PS Bunyip | 5.30pm |
| Thursday 15 May 2025 | St John's PS Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Confirmation
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 4 June 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 5.00pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Commitment Mass
| Date | Place | Time |
| Saturday 18 October 2025 | St James Nar Nar Goon | 5.00pm |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 9.30am |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St Joseph's Iona | 11.00am |
Parent/Child Workshop
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 29 October 2025 | St James PS Nar Nar Goon | 5.30pm |
| Thursday 30 October 2025 | St John's PS Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
| Date | Place | Time |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Wellbeing Leader
Whole School Approach to Positive Behavour Support
Lost Property
Each day a number of items are brought to the office as "lost property". If names are on items they are returned to the child, however there is a large amount that do not have names or have names of past students. This is a timely reminder to ensure that you are naming all your children's garments.
A lost property box has been put in the Admin Foyer. Parents are welcome to check this at any time. At the end of each term, this box will be emptied and items donated to the second hand uniform shop.
Important Information
Both the PAM and Schoolzine Calendars have been updated with new information.
To access the Schoolzine calendar through the app you will be prompted to enter a password - James4011
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 -
4011
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.