Week 1, Term 2

Welcome to the first newsletter for Term 2. I hope everyone had a lovelybreak over the holidays and had the chance to spend time with friends and family.  

I would like to welcome our new parish priest to our school community, Fr Harold Camanios. We look forward to getting to know him and celebrating our faith with him. Fr Harold is looking forward to leading our religious celebrations including Masses, Liturgies and Sacraments. His previous parish was the Flinders Parish, which incorporates Quorn, Hawker, Leigh Creek and Carrieton. 

I would like to offer a warm welcome to Blake Ackland along with his parents Chloe and Kez, to the St. James School Community. Blake will be joinging our Reception class.  

Chloe Cunningham, Education Support Officer will be working two extra days in Term 2, meaning that she will be at school from Monday to Friday. 

I am pleased to report that COVID-19 cases in the school community slowed down and reduced to zero late last term. Parents are still asked to report cases to the school, should their child contract COVID-19. From now on, schools are no longer required to report cases to SA Health.

Annual Wood Cut Fundraiser

The Annual Wood Cut Fundraiser took place on Saturday 15th April. Approximately 12 tonnes of wood was cut. I would like to thank the families who assisted on the day and Pete Kitschke for allowing us to access the timber on his farmland. Thank you to Adrian Clark and Luke Clark for organising this fundraiser. 

Wood is available for $260 per tonne. Please contact the front office to put in your order. 

Working Bees - Sunday 30th April & Sunday 21st May 

I would like to thank the families who attended the Working Bee yesterday. We spread bark chips around the new playground and installed the log edging around the site. The logs were also re-installed around the existing nest swing near the sheds. The native hedge near the basketball court was trimmed and the front garden bed was tidied up. This was a well attended working bee and plenty was achieved. Thank you to Adrian Clark for supplying his front end loader to spread the bark chips and install the logs for the playground edging. Thank you also to Tim Flannery for supplying the logs for the playground edging.  

A second working bee is planned for Sunday 21st May from 10am to 12pm to spruce up the school ready for the Blessing and Opening of the new building, which is on the following day. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Andrew’s/Luckraft family on the passing of Ellie's Great Grandma, Dinki Luckraft. 

2nd Hand Uniforms

Just a reminder that we have a fantastic selection of 2nd hand uniforms available to purchase. Some of these will be in the front office this week. Please come and have a look.

Uniform Transition Period - Reminder

For the first two weeks of this term, we have a transition period for  our Summer and Winter uniforms. Therefore, students can wear their summer or winter uniform depending on the weather forecast for the day. From Week 3, Term 2 all students will be asked to wear the winter uniform. Wearing the school hat is compulsory for Term 1 and 4. Please make sure that your child’s hat and jumpers are named.  

Please take the time to check your child’s winter uniform for sizing and place orders through the Flexi Schools App. Uniform orders are collated on Wednesday's and are sent home on Thursday’s. 

Morning Arrival Time

Every morning, our staff provide supervision for students from 8:30am. There is a teacher on duty outside from 8:30am. Teachers are using the time beforethis to prepare lessons and materials for the day. I remind all families that students should arrive between 8:30 and 8:55am. If a family needs to drop their children off early on a once off basis, please contact either the Principal or the APRIM, as occasionally different circumstance arise.

SAPSASA Cross Country 3rd May 

This Wednesday, Ethan McCarthy, Hugh Sutter (Year 5), Ned Clark and Eddie Duke (Year 6) will be competing at the SAPSASA Cross Country at the Wilmington Golf Course from 10am. We wish these students all the best at this event. 

SAPSASA AFL Training 3rd May 

The next AFL Training session for those students who have been selected to compete is this Wednesday from 4-5pm at Gladstone. 

SAPSASA Swimming 5th May 

This Friday 5th May, Harriet Stacey (Year 5) will be representing St. James at the SAPSASA Swimming in Adelaide. Good luck Harriet.

SAPSASA Basketball 

The SAPSASA Basketball competition that was originally scheduled for last term in Jamestown at the Big Shed was postponed due to a date clash for many schools. This has been shifted to the 1st June in Term 2.

Safety Notice

The safety of every student in our district is important. I remind all drivers that when a school bus has its lights flashing, is pulled over and students are entering or exiting the bus, passing vehicles must reduce their speed to 25km/h when passing the bus.

In 2023 St James will be offering mid year enrolments. If your child turns 5 before 31st October 2023, they can start school at St James in Term 3, 2023 and the school fees are free. Children starting in Reception mid-year will have a minimum of 6 terms in Reception. Interest and enrolments are also open for the beginning of 2024. Please contact the school and register your interest and book a discovery school tour. Children who turn 5 on or before 30th April can begin school in Term 1 of 2024.