Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday took place last weekend. It is a day that commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem and it marks the beginning of Holy Week.
Eternal God,
May we always welcome Jesus into our hearts with joy. Help us to see Christ in all people and to make them feel welcome. We make this prayer to you through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome to the Week 9 newsletter. There is much excitement around the school as Easter nears. Classes are preparing for Holy Week and Easter Plays. They are learning about the most important Church season of the year, Easter. This includes the events that took place in Holy Week, the Easter story and the many symbols used at this time of the year.
Classes are also practicing for Sports Day, which will now take place on Friday 5th April from 9am to 12:30pm. We hope to be blessed with good weather this time around.
There is a school closure day planned for this Thursday, 28th March. Staff will take part in a curriculum day, which will include a visit to St. Mark’s College, Benedict Campus, before working at the Port Pirie Catholic Education Office for the remainder of the day.
I would like to congratulate the Year 3 and 5 students for completing the NAPLAN tests recently. They all worked so hard and gave their best during this time. Results are shared with schools and parents later this year.
The St James Church painting works have now been completed by Programmed Maintenance Services. The finished product is stunning and is now ready for Easter Church Services. Therefore, all Church services will now be held in the Church. The carpets were also steam cleaned and new lighting has been installed. I would like to thank the Parish Pastoral Council and Sean Murphy for managing the painting project and lighting upgrades.
I will be taking leave after Easter, for the last two weeks of this term. Josh Page has been appointed as the Acting Principal for the rest of this term. Mr Page is the current Assistant Principal – Religious Education & Mission at Whitefriars Catholic School in Adelaide. He will visit our school today and tomorrow for handover and to meet staff and students.
Pop Up Op Shop
I would like to congratulate the Parents and Friends and the many helpers who contributed to the success of our major fundraiser, the Pop Up Op Shop. There was an amazing and dedicated team of volunteers who set up the Church Hall in preparation for the weekend. The Hall looked terrific. There were also many parents and students who helped with sales. It was terrific to see so many of our school families, past students and families and members of the community support the Op Shop with donations and by making purchases.
Thank you to the following businesses who supported our Pop Up Op Shop; Leesong Electrical, Glasgow House, JEM Engineering and Event Hire Jamestown. The Op Shop was once again well supported by the community and everyone that shopped, went home with many bargains. Thank you also goes to Mr Broad and Mr Thompson for making stands for the clothing displays.
Thank you to Sarah Pammenter for coordinating the Trading Table sales of baked goods and to the many families who donated goods for the Trading Table. Also, thank you to Rhett Heness for managing the BBQ and drink sales throughout the weekend.
Finally, the success of the Pop Up Op Shop was due to the large contributions of time in setting up, by the following volunteers; Billie Thomas, Jemma Tabone, Rebekah Sweet, Shona Simpson, Annie O’Reilley, Peta Caulfield, Tash Downing, Belinda Heness, Anna Simon and Debbie Moore.
Project Compassion
A big thank you to families for your support of our Project Compassion fundraisers. This year we raised $679. This is an incredible amount for such a small school and can pay for 3 local health workers to attend to the needs of their community in Philippines.
First Communion
Last week children in Year 4 received a letter from Fr Harold about First Communion. The letter outlined the process for families. The celebration of the Sacrament will be Sunday, June 2nd.
Chrism Mass
Thanks to Sadie, Hugh, Harriet, and James who represented our school at the Chrism Mass in Port Pirie last week. This special Mass takes place each year and it is where the chrism oils are blessed and distributed to each parish for Baptism and Confirmation.
Stations of the Cross
Thanks to the Year 2/3 Class who made the Stations of the Cross for our school yard. Last Friday each class spent their prayer time reflecting on the pictures and their own lives.
Reconciliation
Children who have made their First Reconciliation were given the opportunity to receive the sacrament during lunch today. We thank Fr Harold and Fr Ranjith for making themselves available and for always supporting our children in their faith.
Holy Week Plays
It has been a tradition in our school for many years, that in the lead up to Easter, each class act out a part of the Holy Week story. Today the R/1 class told us the story of Palm Sunday. On Wednesday at 10:30am the older classes will continue the story and when we return to school after Easter, the Year 2/3 class will lead the celebration of the Resurrection on Tuesday at 2:45pm. Thanks to the Parents and Friends Committee, who will supply the school with hot cross buns as a recess treat this Wednesday. Parents and friends are welcome to stay at the conclusion of the Last Supper play and enjoy a hot cross bun and a cuppa while they wait for the Yr 5/6 Stations of the Cross play to begin.
Visit to the Symonds Wing
Last week the Mini Vinnies made their first visit to the residence of the Symonds Wing. We hope to make many more visits during the year to share games and stories with each other.
2024 Board Members
The School Board Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 18th March. Thank you to those who attended. The School Board is responsible for the oversight of the strategic direction of the school, ensuring the Catholic Identity remains authentic, and oversight of the school’s finances, work health and safety responsibilities and community engagement.
I would like to thank the outgoing board members including James Redden, the outgoing Chairperson, who was on the board for six years, as well as Belinda Heness and Ben Home. Nominations were put forward, accepted and all positions were filled. The School Board Members for 2024 are;
Mathew Hale – Chairperson
Kelly Kelly – Vice Chairperson
Luke Clark – Treasurer
Vanessa Duke – Secretary
Natasha Downing – Parents and Friends representative
Anna Simon – Committee member
Tamara Wilson – Committee member
Ryan Simpson – Committee member
Kelly MacPherson – Committee member
Claire Sheridan – Staff representative
Fr Harold Camonias – Parish Priest
Evan Wrobel – Principal
Parents and Friend 2024
The Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting was held on 27th February. Thank you to the parents who attended. The Parents and Friends Officer Bearers for 2024 are;
Billie Thomas – President
Sarah Pammenter – Vice President
Peta Caulfield – Treasurer
Annie O’Reilley – Secretary
Kerry Sutter – Assistant Secretary
Billie Thomas, Peta Caulfield, Jemma Tabone and Rebekah Sweet - Fundraising Representatives
Contact Person for Funeral Catering - TBA
Mel Hughes – Second Hand Uniform Coordinator
Suanne Redden & Colleen Broad – Tuckshop Coordinators
Natasha Downing – Parents and Friends representative
Working Bee
A Working Bee is scheduled for Sunday 28th April, the day before school resumes for Term 2. It will run from 10am to 12pm and it will be for Year 3-6 families. The list of jobs to be completed include spreading bark chips in the playgrounds and garden beds, pressure washing outdoor furniture, pruning roses and the native garden bed near the basketball court and cleaning up garden beds. It would be great if many families attend – many hands make light work.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews were held last week. If you missed out meeting with your child’s teacher, please make a time to see them. Parents are welcome to book parent teacher interviews at any time of the year.
School Closure Day – 28th March
Our school will have a school closure day this Thursday 28th March. This is the day before the Good Friday Public Holiday. This will be staff curriculum day. The remaining School Closure Days are;
Term 2 – Week 5 – Friday 31st May
Term 3 – Week 1 – Monday 22nd July
Term 4 – Week 1 – Monday 14th October
Term 4 – Week 9 – Friday 13th December (last day of the school year)
YCS
All Year 6 students are invited to attend YCS this afternoon, Monday 25th March with Sr Kerry and Fr Harold.
Wood Cut Fundraiser - Saturday 13th April
The annual Wood Cut fundraiser will be held at Pete Kitschke's Farm between 8:30am and 2:30pm on Saturday 13th April. Lunch will be provided on the day. Please bring along your chainsaw, gloves, ear and eye protection (if you have it, otherwise it will be made available) and any other equipment that may be useful. This is a wonderful fundraiser for our school, and we hope to have plenty of helpers to make the day a success. Please contact Ryan Simpson on 0408 642 413 for any questions. Thank you to Ryan Simpson for organising this fundraiser.
An Operoo note will be sent out soon, inviting families to attend.
If you would like to order wood, please contact Judy or Peta in the office.
Uniforms – Transition Period
For the last two weeks of each term and the first two weeks of next term, we have a transition period for uniforms. Therefore, after Easter students can wear either the summer or winter uniform, depending on the weather forecast for the day. From Week 3, Term 2 all students will be expected to wear the winter uniform. Wearing the school hat is compulsory during Term 1, 3 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 sent home on Thursday’s each week.
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.
Sports Day – Week 10 – Friday 5th April
Our Sports Day will now take place on Friday 5th April at the end of Week 10. The schedule for the day is;
8:55am - Students JCS Oval and meet their class teachers
9:15am – Welcome, Prayer Service and Health Hustle
9:30am – Long distances running races
10:00am – Tabloid events
11:00am – Sprints
11:30am – Relays and Team events
12:00pm – Trophy Presentations
12:30pm – Conclusion, pack up and dismissal of students
*Please note that while every effort will be made to adhere to the timetable set out in the Sports Day program, we may run ahead of or behind time.
Volunteers needed
We are always thankful for the assistance that parents provide at our Sports Day. Please contact Judy Walkington or Peta Caulfield at the front office if you are able to assist on the day with any of the following - Photography, marshalling, judging, scoring tabloids and help with a trailer/ ute Thursday afternoon before Sports Day and at the conclusion of Sports Day to help return items to the school. Thank you in advance!
Sports Day Uniform
Students will need to wear their school PE uniform shorts with a plain POLO SHIRT in their team colour. Hats are compulsory on sports day so please make sure your child has a hat.
ST JAMES – RED ST MARY’S – BLUE ST JOSEPH’S - GOLD
Coffee Van
A Coffee Van will be at the Sports Day on Friday 5th April. It will be parked just outside of the JCS oval gate.
Sports Day Tops
A reminder that your child will need a polo top in their team colour for Sports Day. There are quite a few that have been donated from past years, that are available to borrow – particularly in the smaller sizes. If you require one, please call into the school office. (We are always happy to increase our sustainability and accept donations if your child outgrows theirs).
Football and Netball SAPSASA Reminder
Football (boys) and Netball (girls) trials are tomorrow (Tuesday 26th March - Week 9) from 10.00am - 2.00pm. Students should already be registered to participate in these trials. Please wear comfortable training attire and bring necessary snacks and water. Please remember that it is the responsibility of the parents to get students to and from SAPSASA trials and events.
SACPSSA Swimming
A big congratulations to our SACPSSA Swimming Team (Wilbur A, Archer C, Denzel F, Daisy H, Frankie H, Fletcher W, Ethel A, Elkie C, Bentley C, Hamish S, Indy F, Rosie R, Eddie D, Harriet S, Alayla K, Hugh S and Sadie R) who last Friday won the MN/YP SACPSSA Swimming Carnival in Clare. A great carnival with wonderful sportsmanship from our students and support from our parents. A special thank you to Lenny Amey for his full day of assistance as the Place Martial. An extra congratulations goes to Harriet S for taking home the Individual Champion Medal for Year 6 and the Year 4 Team (Frankie H, Fletcher W, Ethel A and Elkie C) for winning the most successful Year 4 team on the day. Well done to everyone involved.
We have had a big term so far in Reception and Year One! We have enjoyed exploring, building, creating and writing. Our focus this term has been on working as a community, being kind to ourselves and to others. Our 7 Receptions have done a wonderful job settling into the routines of school and our Year ones have been brilliant leaders.
We loved having Zoe Sheridan join our class last week and teach us about meditation and well-being. It teamed well with our nature time we have enjoyed this term which has also helped build resilience, problem solving, creativity and connection.
Important Dates
YCS - 3:15pm
Netball & AFL SAPSASA Trials Jamestown - 10am to 2pm
Year 4 Class - Last Supper Play 10:30am (Change of time)
Year 5/6 - Stations of the Cross Play - 11:20am
Hot Cross Buns -Recess
SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY
Good Friday - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Easter Monday - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Yr 2/3 Resurrection Play -2:45pm
Netball & AFL SAPSASA Trials - 4pm
Sports Day
SAPSASA Swimming State Championships
Orienteering Visit - Mon & Tue
SAPSASA Basketball Carnival
Last Day of School - 2:15pm, Casual Day
Wood Cut Fundraiser - 8:30am - 2:30pm
1st Day of Term 2
We acknowledge the Ngadjuri people, traditional custodians of this land.
Tuck Roster
TUESDAY 2ND APRIL
Convenor: Tammi K
Worker: Kate L
Cakes: Hayley C & Tash D
MONDAY 8TH APRIL
Convenor: Jodie T
Worker: None required
Cakes: Kelly M & Debbie M
Parish Mass
SUNDAY 31st MARCH (Easter Sunday)
Welcomers: Anne R
Servers: Charlotte R, Rosie R & Frankie H
SUNDAY 7th APRIL
Welcomers: Alice P & Family
Servers: Indy F, Alexis F & Grace S
Social