Week 3 Term 4, 2024

Welcome to the Week 3 Newsletter. Last Friday, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day. We thank them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower learners. We thank our teachers for their service to the students, the ongoing training they complete and for the care, compassion and kindness they display to students and their families. Our teachers are all wonderful professionals that display great dedication. Thank you to the Parents and Friends for the morning tea that was supplied last Friday, it was very much appreciated.

Staffing Update

Joanne Daly – Cleaner will be taking some well earned leave for the remainder of year. We welcome back Colleen Broad, who will take on Joanne’s duties in her absence.

Family Engagement

We understand that parent / caregiver engagement goes hand in hand with student wellbeing and success and productive communication with parents / caregivers is an essential feature of a positive school culture.

Digital technologies have greatly assisted in this regard and the use of parent / caregiver information apps, social media (for general school information), school website and the use of email communication directly with staff is now routine.

We appreciate that parent / caregiver expectations as to staff accessibility have evolved in the context of enhanced digital communication practices. While representing efficient modes of communication, the breadth of digital communication options can create ‘availability creep’ where school employees become more accessible in locations and at times of the day, weekends and during periods of leave when they should be able to disconnect from work.

Indeed, recent laws have taken effect which provide school employees a right to disconnect. In the interests of respecting the rights of our staff and recognising the importance of facilitating and promoting healthy communication, we are introducing the following as standard protocol during term time:

• Noting our staff spend a significant amount of their workday focussing on teaching or other activities applicable to their roles, staff will endeavour to respond to parent / caregiver communications requesting a response within 48 hours, noting staff will discern whether an urgent matter requires a shorter response timeframe; and
• Parents / caregivers are encouraged to contact the school front office in the first instance for general information.

We ask that parents and caregivers be mindful and supportive of the above. Thank you for your understanding.

SAPSASA Girls AFL

Last week Pippa C, Indy F, Alayla K played in the North Eastern Region SAPSASA AFL Girls Team. The team had 4 Wins and 5 Losses. We're sure they had lots of fun.

Trainings  

• 30th October - Girls & Boys Cricket Training @ Jamestown 4-5.30pm 
• 12th November - Tennis Training @ Crystal Brook 4-5pm 

Carnivals

• 4th - 6th November - Girls & Boys Cricket State Carnival 
• 20th - 22nd Novmeber - Tennis State Carnival 

Hots Shots Tennis Carnival - Year 3-6

All Year 3-6 students will head down to the Jamestown Tennis Club in Week 5 on Wednesday 13^th November for a tennis carnival. Our students will be playing against students from other schools in the area. More details will be sent out via Operoo.

Catholic Athletics - Year 3-6

A team of Year 3-6 students have been selected to represent St James at the Catholic Athletics in Adelaide on Wednesday 6^th November. Information about the event will be sent out to families of the students that are participating via Operoo. We wish the team all the best.

We have such a supportive parent community at St. James. Over the past month, we have requested several donations, and families have generously given their time and contributions—thank you very much!

CFS Catering Weekend

A special thank you to Billie Thomas for organising the catering for the CFS training weekend. We also appreciate Bel Heness, Evan and Bek Wrobel, Claire Sheridan, Ellie Stacey, Shona Simpson, Kerry Sutter, Ashtyn and Billie Thomas for taking time out of their weekend to serve at the event.

Tuck

Jodie Thompson, Kerry Sutter, and Bernadette McCarthy will be working in the tuck kitchen for the last time this term. Their contributions over many years will be missed, and we thank them for their commitment to keeping this service running for our families. With three people leaving the tuck roster next year, we are seeking others who might volunteer on a Monday from 9:30 – 1:30. Although it may sound daunting, once you learn the routine, it becomes quite easy, you will be well supported and most of the work involves simply heating food. Please see Suanne Redden if you would be willing to spare just one Monday a term.

Term 4 Meeting

Our next meeting will take place this Tuesday, October 29^th at 6:30pm in the Learning Centre. We will be discussing our end-of-year celebrations and planning for 2025. Everyone is welcome to join us in building a supportive school community.

Term 4 Assembly Dates 

There are two Afternoon Whole School Assemblies planned during Term 4 to showcase the learning that has been taking place. All parents and grandparents are most welcome to join us. The assemblies dates are;

• Friday 8^th November – Year 2/3 Class – 2:40pm
• Friday 22^nd November – Reception / Year 1 Class – 2:40pm

Enrolments are open for the beginning of 2025 and for the 2025 Mid Year Intake. 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 2025.

Carols in the Park – Sunday 15th December the Jamestown Lions’ Club “Carols in the Park” will be held at 8pm, in the Jamestown Memorial Park. Choir practices will be held weekly, in the Jamestown Uniting Church from 4 to 6pm, starting on Sunday 27^th October. Musicians and singers are most welcome. Guest artists are also welcome. Ring Margie on 0428 818 752 if you have any queries.  We hope to see you there.

YCS dates for Term 4

29th October 

19th November 

3rd December