Filter Content
- Principal's Report
- Religious News
- From the Assistant Principal
- School Calendar
- From the Sports Desk
- PBL
- PB4L - Positive Behaviour For Learning Invitation
- Maths and Spelling Bee
- From the Social Justice Team: St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal 2024
- P & F News
- Creative Arts Achievement
- Attendance
- Office of Safeguarding
- From the Office
- Notices
As we progress through Term 2 I must congratulate the students on the great achievements across the school. All students at St James' should be proud of their work throughout Term 2. Additionally, so many students have been recognised for reaching goals such as pathway sport, athletics, music, spelling and mathematics. Well done to these students for their accomplishments.
Reports will go live to COMPASS in Week 10. Teachers have been working very hard to assess and write reports for each student. It is always a challenge to succinctly communicate a Semester's worth of learning that is celebratory of achievements / progress and constructive in ways to support the next steps in student learning. I encourage parents to take the time to read the report in detail, especially the curriculum content areas that effectively unpacks the exact learning in each Key Learning Area on which a grade is being awarded. By using focused content, we can be more specific to the exact content or skill set we are reporting to, especially in the subject areas of English and Maths that are so broad.
5 Point Assessment Scale
The important aspect of these focus areas that are unpacked across each KLA is the 5-point assessment scale that teachers then provide parents about their child's achievement in that focus area (Please note this is a 3-point scale for Kindergarten).
The 5-point scale is critical for parents to refer to when reading the report so they can gain clarity on where their child is at. We no longer use letter grades (as it added some confusion) but instead use the following terms to place a child on that scale. The descriptor for each term is provided as well. To achieve the Grade scale SOUND means that the child has been successful in all the grade level learning they have engaged with in that focus area with in the Semester. SOUND is a good place to start to understand where your child is placed. If you read the additional clarification of thorough and extensive, you can see this level of the scale involves the application of the skills to new situations, whether that be all or some situations (extensive and thorough respectively).
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Grade Scale |
Meaning |
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Extensive |
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
|
Thorough |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations |
|
Sound |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
|
Basic |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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Limited |
The student has a limited knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
Areas of Strength and Development
Teacher comments on ‘Areas of Strength’ and ‘Areas for Development’ in Religious Education, English and Mathematics are an important aspect of student progress in these Key Learning Areas. Teachers will focus on two areas of strength and one area for development in each report. These comments provide an opportunity to celebrate what a student is doing well and to identify goals for the following semester of learning.
Standard comments have been developed from the NSW syllabus documents and are aligned to the Literacy and Numeracy Progressions used by all educators to support teaching and learning. Religious Education comments have been developed from Diocesan syllabus documents. These standard comments are used by teachers to provide consistency of feedback and language across Diocesan schools.
Staffing
Mrs Patricia Miller is on personal leave. Mrs Paula Dart has been appointed Acting Religious Education Coordinator in her absence. Congratulations to Mrs Dart for a well deserved appointment.
Mrs Justine Owens has accepted a position at St Columba’s, Adamstown commencing in Term 3. Mrs Owens has been a wonderful teacher on staff and has had a long association with St James. We are very grateful for her time and commitment to our community and wish her all the best for the future. Mrs Amy Gibson has been appointed to the Learning Support Teacher role in a full-time capacity and will work alongside Mrs Larke leading the Learning Support Team at St James’.
Have a great fortnight,
Mrs Sonya Boslem
Principal
This Friday the 21st of June is the Feast Day of St Aloysius Gonzaga and the Gospel is from Luke 12: 32-34
St Aloysius Gonzaga was born into a large family but chose to leave his life as a nobleman to enter the Society of Jesus. It was here that he developed his love of God. St Aloysius was very pious and pure and took his work for the Church very seriously. He volunteered at a Jesuit hospital helping those that were unwell and dying, but sadly he contracted the plague and died when he was still very young.
St Aloysius was named the Patron Saint of the youth by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729, an action confirmed by Pope Pius XI in 1926.
Jesus said to his disciples:
“My little group of disciples, don’t be afraid!
Your Father wants to give you the kingdom.
“Sell what you have and give the money to the poor.
Make yourselves moneybags that never wear out.
Make your treasure safe in heaven,
Where thieves cannot steal it and moths cannot destroy it.
Your heart will always be where your treasure is.”
St Aloysius Gonzaga reminds us that love is found in the simplest places, not in possessions. We find love in the simplicity of nature, in reading, resting and laughing with our family and friends. We teachers often find love in your children’s stories, in their smiling faces and bright eyes.
As we near the end of term and are getting tired St Aloysius reminds us to go gently and find joy and love in our young ones and in helping those in our community that are less fortunate. I challenge you to turn the TV off and enjoy a meal and a simple boardgame with your family – it will restore.
Friday Parish Mass – 9:15am at St Philip’s
Week 8: 21st June-Year 6 and Kinder
Week 9: 28th June –Pupil Free Day
Week 10: 5th July –Year 1 and 5
We would love to have you join them if you are able.
Religious Education
- We keep Mrs Patricia Miller in our thoughts as she takes some personal leave. We look forward to welcoming her back into our community shortly.
- Our St James’ Staff Retreat is happening soon. During Week 9 on the evening of Thursday the 27th and throughout Friday the 28th of June our staff will retreat away together. Mark Spencer from the CSO will be facilitating our Professional Learning on our Mercy Charism. This charism is where our school values are drawn from and what our Positive Behaviours for Learning are based on. The Mercy Charism is also what our School Vision and Mission statements are connected to. The purpose of this retreat is to revisit this for our current staff with the intention to, in time, reflect on strengthening our school community moving forward.
Weekend Mass
St Philip's Saturday night vigil mass will be held at 5:00pm during winter and then return to 5:30pm in the warmer months.
Mrs Paula Dart
Acting Religious Coordinator
Hello St James’ community, I hope this newsletter finds you well and you are enjoying the winter days.
School TV
I thought I would bring to everyone’s attention the “CyberSafety Series” on our SchoolTV site. The topics included in this series are:
Managing Screen Time
Internet Addiction
Digital Reputation
Cyberbullying
If this is of interest to you please have a look, you may find some helpful hints and information. Our SchoolTV link is https://kotarasouth.catholic.schooltv.me/
Reports and Parent/Teacher Conferences
Staff have been busy writing reports and these will go live to parents and families via Compass on Monday 1st July. Families will then be given the opportunity in Term 3 to book a Parent/Teacher conference with your child/ren’s teacher/s. These conferences will take place in Week 4 of next term. The dates are Monday the 12th August to Friday 16th. Teachers will make themselves available during this week. I will communicate with families when the bookings are open.
Please note that Mrs. Wallington will be on Leave during this time, therefore she will hold P/T conferences for 2W in Week 1 of Term 3. Again, I will inform families when you are able to make a booking.
ICAS
Thank you to the many families who have nominated for their child/ren to complete an ICAS assessment. If you are interested in giving your child, this opportunity please follow the information below.
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (com/products-icas/)
- Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.
- Read the terms and conditions here: (com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf)
- Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: (icasassessments.com/pages/pps)
- Enter our school’s access code –VSP042
- Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.
The parent code for all subjects Years 3-6 is below:
Your school access code is: VSP042
Your parent page link is: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
I have included a timetable with dates of the ICAS assessments. This may help when entering your child. And a ‘How to” instruction page to make it easier.
Office of Safeguarding
With the holidays approaching quickly, it is important to remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety of our children. The Office of safeguarding have some wonderful resources as I have show in previous newsletters. The link below is another great example of services that are there to help families and children. The Padlet has a variety of resources for Parents and Carers and can be found on the following link https://padlet.com/childprotection/resources-for-parents-carers-jqddlxahc0zswvk4
Teachers will also be reading the “My Underpants Rule” book to students in class, a funny book with a great message to help protect our children.
Take care,
Mrs Debra Petersen
Assistant Principal
| Monday 24th June |
Ricky's Guitar Concert 2:00pm |
| Wednesday 26th June |
Winter Appeal Pyjama Day |
| Friday 28th June |
Pupil Free Day |
| Wednesday 3rd - Friday 5th July |
Year 6 Canberra Excursion |
| Thursday 4th July |
Kinder Excursion - |
| Friday 5th July |
Parish Mass Year's 1 and 5 / 9:15am |
| Monday 22nd July |
Pupil Free Day |
| Tuesday 23rd July |
First Day for Students Term 3 |
| Friday 26th July |
100 Days of Kindergarten Celebration |
| Monday 29th July |
NSWPSSA Netball Aspire Week |
| Thursday 1st August |
Year's 5 & 6 Excursion to Aspire |
| Tuesday 6th August |
NSWPSSA Touch |
| Wednesday 7th August |
Diocesan Athletics Carnival |
| Thursday 8th August |
School Disco |
| Monday 12th - 16th August |
Parent / Teacher Conferences |
| Monday 19th - 23rd August |
Book Week |
| Thursday 22nd August |
Kindergarten 2025 Orientation |
| Friday 30th August |
Father's Day Liturgy |
| Tuesday 3rd September |
NSWPSSA Softball |
| Monday 9th September |
Water Safety Talk |
| Friday 20th September |
Grandparents Day |
| Monday 14th October |
Pupil Free Day |
| Tuesday 15th October |
First Day Back for Students Term 4 NSWPSSA Cricket |
School Athletics Age Champions
On Monday, we celebrated our students who received age champions at our school athletics carnival. Congratulations to these students:
Junior Girls Age Champion - Ava G
Junior Boys Age Champion - Lincoln M
11 Years Girls Age Champion – Zoe D
11 Years Boys Age Champion – Mateo B
Senior Girls Age Champion – Madeleine S
Senior Boys Age Champion – Cruz M
Regional Athletics Carnival
On Thursday 13th June, we attended the Central Regional Athletics Carnival at the Fearnley Dawes Athletics Track. We were so proud to represent our school. Everyone encouraged and cheered each other on as we competed in our events. It was a very cold day, but we all till tried our very best. Some of us are now going to the Diocesan Carnival to represent our school at a higher level, and we are very excited.
Evie M and Addi G, 6W
Futsal Championships
Mrs Tegan Fry and Miss Renee Pettet
Sports Organisers
For the remainder of the term, we will continue to focus on the RESPONSIBLE pillar, with the expectation of cooperate to continue through Week 8. We are cooperative when we think of others in our interactions with them. We can show we are cooperative by:
- asking others to play and playing by the rules of the game
- sharing equipment when we are learning
- waiting in line at the canteen
- listening to the person who is speaking
- talking turns
- following instructions from our parents and teachers.
The expectation of Learn and allow others to learn will guide us through Weeks 9 & 10 to the end of the term. When we learn and allow others to learn we all have equal opportunities to grow and experience success. We can show this action through:
- listening to the opinions and ideas of others
- treating everyone fairly and with consideration
- taking turns
- respecting the feelings of others and
- working collaboratively towards the same learning goals.
We would like to extend our congratulations to the following students who represented St James' this week at both our Regional Spelling and Math’s Bee held at St. Joseph’s Merewether and St Patrick’s Wallsend on Wednesday.
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Maths
|
Spelling
|
|
Stage 1 - Oscar F
Stage 2 - Harry G
Stage 3 - Jarvis P
|
Stage 1 - Louis T
Stage 2 - Matthew K
Stage 3 - Evie L
|
It is that time of the year again when we ask for your assistance in helping others. The Year 6 Social Justice team are encouraging everyone to contribute to this year’s Winter Appeal, to help support local families during this time. On Wednesday 26th June, in return for donating an item of food, children can wear their pyjamas to school.
The Social Justice team will be collecting donations from the classroom up until June 27th. St Vincent de Paul will then sort the items into hampers to be delivered to local members of the community.
Please see the list below for the items being asked for each class:
|
KB – Oats/ Breakfast Cereal |
KW – Oats / Breakfast Cereal |
|
Year 1 – Crackers / Vita-wheats etc |
|
|
Year 2 – Spreads (jam, honey, vegemite) |
|
|
3B – Canned fruit (small tubs for lunch boxes) |
3W – Canned vegetables (corn, tomatoes, peas, etc) |
|
4B – Canned soup / packet soup |
4W – Canned spaghetti / baked beans |
|
5B – Long life milk / long life juice |
5W – Baby Food |
|
6B - Packet ready meals / noodle cups |
6W – Dried pasta, rice |
|
Staff: Milo/tea/coffee and toiletries |
|
We have already seen a drop in temperature and this year especially, there are many people who will not have items to keep them warm through the cold. If you are able to donate any of the following, please drop them into the school office and we will pass them on to St Vincent de Paul for distribution to those in need:
- blankets
- hoodies or jumpers
- beanies
- socks
A couple of points to note when donating items:
- To uphold the dignity of those receiving the goods, please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for 6 months. All items must be non-perishable.
- Look out for packaged food with a Health Star Rating of 3.5 or above. The more stars, the better!
- Clothing needs to be new or as new condition.
Thank you in advance for your kind support.
Year 6 Social Justice Team
P&F Meeting
Next meeting Monday, 1st July at 7pm in the Parish Hall. All welcome.
Canteen
There has been Food Safety Changes for all school canteens. If you are a volunteer in the school canteen, can you please follow the below link to ensure compliance of the new NSW Government Food Authority Standard 3.2.2A.
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/retail/school-canteens
Playgroup
Congratulations to Penelope S (yr 3) who was successful in her audition for a part in the upcoming Hive production of 'The Little Mermaid Jr'. Penelope will be playing the character of 'Chef Louis'.
Thank you to our parents for the support and value that you place on your child being at school each day. Regular school attendance plays a critical role in ensuring that every student has access to the same learning opportunities. When students are not at school, are late to school or leave school early, they are missing out on so much that can impact on their future learning.
The following Attendance Guidelines are based on current legislative requirements, research on attendance and best practice.
✔ Attendance affects a child’s academic achievement and their overall wellbeing.
✔ There is NO safe threshold of absence – everyday counts.
✔ School attendance patterns are established early in a child’s schooling
✔ The effects of school absenteeism accumulate over time and affect children’s development now and into the future.
✔ Daily punctuality is important. The early part of each day is critical. Important learning is scheduled during this time when children are rested and receptive. Key concepts are built up in the time.
✔ Sporadic absences can affect academic achievement as much as absences over consecutive days.
✔ We ALL need to work together with our children’s best interest in mind to ensure that students are at school every day that they are well enough to attend.
Compass Unexplained Absences
Unexplained absences are required to be explained within 7 days of the absence on Compass. A weekly email will be sent to parents to alert of any unexplained absences that can be updated on Compass. Please note that if the absence is longer than 7 days, the absence is then unable to be explained by parents or school.
Road Safety
A friendly reminder that when dropping off and picking up your child/ren from St James' to please consider the safety of your own family and others by following road rules and signage.
Complaints and Grievances
The CSO has formal written protocols in place to address complaints and grievances. These protocols are in line with the Diocesan Complaints Resolution Policy, developed to provide a consistent approach for all diocesan schools. This policy aims to address the concerns of parents and carers and the wider community. These concerns may include children’s learning, behaviour and welfare, school organisation and management, student health and safety issues.
To lodge a complaint with the Catholic Schools Office please click here.
You can access the Catholic Schools Office Complaints and Resolutions Policy and resources here.
School Fees
A reminder to parents that have elected to pay their 2024 School Fees in full annually, the payment is due by 30th June.
Uniform Shop
Second Hand Uniforms along with a limited supply of new uniforms are available from the Uniform Shop on a Thursday from 8:20am - 8:50am. If you are unable to visit the Uniform Shop at that time, please email the items you would like and if available the items will be sent home on a Thursday.
