Welcome to the Week 5 newsletter. During Week 0 all staff attended a training day about incorporating Nature Play into the curriculum. Each class has been embracing our Nature Play time each week. We have been exploring the old school oval, across the road from the school and the students have found many treasures and activities to keep themselves interested and occupied. A recent highlight was watching many of the students building tree branch huts and converting them into banks. These students have been using pine cones of various sizes as currency. The creativity is amazing. The students interests from the time spent in nature, is now being incorporated into other curriculum areas back in the classroom. The level of student engagement with their learning has increased, which has been pleasing to see.
The Year 5/6 Class will head off on their annual this week. The camp will be at Urban Camp School, Warradale in Adelaide. They will attend the Halogen Student Leadership Day and take part in Surf Life Saving Lessons. The class will depart this Wednesday morning at 6am and return to Jamestown on Friday. I look forward to attending this camp with this class.
Students and staff recently enjoyed pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Thank you to Shona Simpson, Annie O’Reilley and Rebecca Home for cooking the pancakes – it was much appreciated by all who enjoyed the tasty treats.
We would like to wish to Home family all the best on their trip around Australia. A big thank you to Ben for his contribution to the School Board and maintaining the sprinkler system for the last two years and to Sophie for all of her P&F contributions, especially her tireless work with uniforms. We look forward to your return to St James.
Our Class and Sports Captains were inducted and blessed on Friday 23rd February. These students were elected as they have shown great leadership skills. The Class and Sports Captains are as follows;
- Reception / Year 1 – Zephyr A and Isaac P
- Year 2/3 - Wilbur A and M S
- Year 4 – Macey L and Fletcher W
- Year 5/6 – Hamish S and Patrick C
- St James (Red) - Alayla K, Charlotte R, Indy F and Roseanna R
- St Mary’s (Blue) – Pippa C, Ethan Mc, Hugh T and Bentley C
- St Joseph’s (Gold) – Lucy L, Sophie B, Patrick C and Eddie D
We have held two fundraising activities for Project Compassion. Thank you for your generosity and support in helping your children to understand that Lent is a time of giving. During class and prayer times, children are hearing stories of the work Caritas Australia do, and the projects their money is going towards.
Staff were commissioned by Fr Harold at Mass on Sunday 18th February. It was a lovely way to share the school’s commitment to ‘live as a presence of Christ among His people, loving and serving them.’
Our first meeting of Mini Vinnies was held last week. We have a large and enthusiastic group of students looking to serve others. Their first job was to spend some of their time in the Pop-Up Op Shop, sorting donations - they did a great job. The group will meet once a fortnight on Friday. To begin with, it will be for students in Year 4, 5 and 6, but we hope later in the year to offer some involvement for the younger children. The executive committee are Harriet and James (Presidents), Lottie and Pippa (Secretaries), Bentley and Indy (Treasurer), and Hugh T and Alayla (Media)
We will be holding a Family Mass on Sunday March 17th, which is the same weekend as the Op Shop. Please see Ms O’Reilley or let the office staff know, if your children would like to be involved in reading, serving, processions or helping with the computer and music.
World Day of Prayer is being celebrated on Friday, March 1st. This year there will be an ecumenical prayer service in the Lutheran Church at 7pm. There will be a special focus on praying for Palestine.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN testing takes place this term. All Year 3 and 5 students are expected to participate. The Nationally coordinated practice test takes place this Tuesday 27th February. The NAPLAN Testing Window is between 13th - 25th March. The school has scheduled NAPLAN activities for the 13th, 14th, 18th and 19th of March, with the remaining days of the testing window being used as catch up days for students who maybe away.
NAPLAN provides parents with reliable information about how their child is performing compared to national standards. It also provides information to the school about how our students are performing, what they are succeeding with, and any areas the school needs to address. If any parents of Year 3 or 5 students have any questions or concerns about their child taking part in NAPLAN, please contact the Principal.
Clean Up Australia Day
All students will take part in Clean Up Australia Day next Monday 4th March. It will give students the chance to show care for the environment. Pope Francis has a deep yearning for all to take care of our planet and this is one way we can help towards this mission. All students are asked to wear the sports uniform on this day.
Photo Day – 12th March
School Photo Day takes place on Tuesday 12th March. Details about how to order photos were sent to families recently via Operoo. If your family has missed this or have any questions about ordering, please contact the office staff. Family photo order forms can be found in the office OR contact the office to request a form to be sent home with your child.
All students are expected to wear the traditional summer uniform.
Uniforms
Our students wear the school uniform with pride. We remind all families to ensure their child is in the correct uniform everyday. All students need to wear the correct socks and shoes. Girls are asked to wear the correct hair accessories, earrings and jewellery. If your child is out of uniform, please send an explanation note to your child’s teacher.
Part way through the year, there will be a uniform review, which takes place every five years. This will provide parents, students and staff the opportunity to provide feedback about the current uniform and the policy.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews are planned for Week 8 on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March. Each family will receive an email via Operoo, with information about how to book interview times. This will provide parents an opportunity to pass on information about their child and for class teachers discuss how students are performing at school so far this year. Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews are compulsory for all parents.
YCS
All Year 6 students are invited to attend YCS on;
Week 6 – Monday 4th March
Week 9 – Monday 25th March
School Card
A reminder – have you checked your 2022/23 income to see if you are eligible for School Card?
If you qualify, families are given a 40% reduction on their school fees. It is worth checking, as the threshold has increased significantly this year, and you may be eligible.
Applications can be submitted online, or paper copies are available from the front office. If you think you might be eligible, please contact the front office as soon as possible. Click on this link for further details.
EFTPOS Now Available
The school now has an eftpos machine in the office. It can be used for paying fees, camps and excursions. We ask that Tuckshop and Uniform purchases to continue through the Flexischools app. Second hand uniform payments are to be made with cash.
School Board Annual General Meeting
The School Board AGM takes place on Monday 18th March at 7:30pm. All parents are welcome to attend. If you are interested in nominating or you wish to nominate a member of the school community, please contact the Principal, Evan Wrobel or the School Board Chairperson, James Redden. We will require at least 3 new board members.
Mid Year and 2024 Enrolments
In 2024 St James will be offering mid year enrolments. If your child turns 5 before 31st October 2024, they can start school at St James in Term 3 2024 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 2025. 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.
Second Hand Uniforms Available
St James has a great range of 2nd Hand Uniform items available for families to purchase at significantly reduced prices. Please see staff at the front office for assistance with this.
AGM
The Parents and Friends AGM is being held this Tuesday 27th February at 6:30pm in the Learning Centre. Please come along and hear about the wonderful works of this committee and consider joining in. It is also a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other and support each other.
Pop Up Op Shop
We continue to sort and prepare for our annual event being held on March 15th, 16th, and 17th. If you have time to spare, we are looking for volunteers to help with sorting donations. If you would like to sort with others, there are people in the hall sorting on Wednesday mornings from 9am and Wednesday nights from 7pm. Any help you can give would be much appreciated.
This term in Year 4, we have been exploring the many areas in our school curriculum in lots of exciting and experiential ways. In English, we have been looking at how to correctly write a recount. To give our texts some inspiration, as part of our nature play lessons on Wednesdays, we have been practising coming back to our class and jotting down the key points from our visit across the road. Using these, we have then turned the dot points into a full recount and we have bravely shared our recounts in front of the class.
In maths we have been excelling at developing our number sense, particularly with place value. The students have come a long way in just a few weeks and are all developing their confidence in maths rapidly. Very soon, we aim to be able to identify the value of each digit in numbers up to 7 digits (into the millions!)
In Year 4 we have also identified the importance of being a classroom family. What this means is that the students understand that theirs is a shared space, and one where they should all be able to walk in and feel comfortable and safe. We have spoken about gratitude and thanks for all that we have, as well as partaking in activities designed to enable us to accommodate our peers all across the school and the wider community who are neurodivergent. We have explored in detail the ways in which we can help to assist all other students in achieving their best and feeling comfortable and cared for in their Year 4 classroom.
The start of 2024 has been great fun so far, and we are looking forward to the rest of an excellent year!
Important Dates
P & F AGM - 6:30pm
Yr 5/6 Camp Wed - Fri
Guess the lollies - Project Compassion Fundraiser
Lenten Prayer - 9am
YCS - 3:15pm
Clean Up Australia Day
Sports Day - Morning Event
Adelaide Cup - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
School Photos
NAPLAN Testing -13th-25th March
Pop Up Op Shop - Fri - Sun
Ice Cream Suprise - Project Compassion Fundraiser
Whole School Lent Mass led by Yr. 2/3 - 9:30am
Family Mass - 9am
School Board AGM - 7:30pm
St Joseph's Day Mass led by Yr 5/6 - 9:30am
Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:30-7:30pm
Harmony Day
Parent Teacher Interviews - 3:30-6pm
Lunch time disco - Project Compassion Fundraiser
SACPSSA Swimming Clare - 11am-1pm
Lenten Prayer - 9am
Volunteer Induction Session - 6pm
We acknowledge the Ngadjuri people, traditional custodians of this land.
Tuck Roster
MONDAY 4TH MARCH
Convenor: Annie O
Worker: Kelly K
Cakes: Vanessa D & Billie T
MONDAY 12th MARCH
Convenor: Tammi K
Worker: Sarah P
Cakes: Helen L & Narelle R
Parish Mass
SUNDAY 3rd MARCH
Welcomers: Carmel F
Servers: Eddie D, Hamish S & Hazel H
SUNDAY 10th MARCH
Welcomers: Mick & Sharyn O'L
Servers: Lucy L, Sadie R & Colbie C
The Southern Cross
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