Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reflect on the recent rain event, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your patience and understanding is very much appreciated.  A big shout out to the children and staff for their resilience as they have supported each other through many days in the classroom unable to play on our green spaces. We hope to see the sun shining again soon so we can get out and play once again!

As we move forward, we eagerly anticipate the celebration of Catholic Schools Week next week. This annual event is a special opportunity to reflect on the mission and values that unite us as a Catholic school community. This year’s theme, "One Call, One Mission," is a powerful reminder that we are all called to serve, learn, and grow in faith together. Through our shared commitment, we continue to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, spiritually, and personally.

A highlight of the week will be the Catholic Schools Week Mass, which will be celebrated at the Cathedral. I will be attending with 4 of our school leaders.  This sacred gathering brings together students, staff, and families from Catholic schools across our region to give thanks, pray, and recommit ourselves to the mission of Catholic education. We invite all members of our community to join us at our special Catholic Schools Week liturgy celebration on Monday, 2nd June at 9:15am in the Hall.

As the colder months settle in, we remind all students and families that our Winter Uniform is now required. The transition to winter uniform ensures our students stay warm and comfortable while continuing to uphold our school’s quality dress standards. Please ensure that all uniform items comply with the school’s guidelines, including appropriate outerwear and footwear. The uniform requirements are included in this Newsletter.  Thank you for your support in ensuring our students are dressed appropriately for the season. If you have any questions or require additional uniform items, please contact the school office.

As we transition into a new chapter with the FACE Forum model, I want to express my gratitude to the P&F association. Over the years, the P&F has been the backbone of our community—organising events, supporting initiatives, and fostering a spirit of connection among families, staff, and students.

Your dedication, passion, and tireless efforts are very much appreciated, and we are truly grateful for the countless contributions you have made. While the P&F may now be dissolved, its legacy of collaboration and commitment continues as we move to the FACE (Family and Community Engagement) model. Thank you to the families who responded to the recent survey that was made available to our families. 81% of the respondents preferred meetings once per term and most families preferred meetings in the evening between 6-8pm and in Weeks 2-4. Meeting topics varied, however, some of the most requested focused on student mental health, parent support and inclusive behaviours. Over the coming weeks I will prepare the format for the Face forum at St James and I will let the community know when the first FACE meeting will be held next term.

Enjoy the weekend,

Mrs Sonya Boslem
Principal

This week’s Gospel is from John 14:23-29

Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe. (NRSVU)

Jesus gently tries to prepare the disciples for the day when he will no longer be present to them in bodily form. Unlike us, who know the story, they did not know what was coming next, so they are confused. God helps us to grow even in times of confusion. Jesus is inviting his followers not to cling to his physical presence, but to be open to a deeper way of being in relationship with Him. Often, we find it hard to let go, and to embrace the new. But in clinging to the past, we are in danger of letting the present become dead to us.

Catholic Schools Week

From 2th to 6th June, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week—a time to honour the vibrant community that we have here at St James. This week highlights the dedication of staff, the growth of students, and the shared mission to nurture each child spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. Catholic education is about helping every student flourish and become the person God calls them to be, through learning that inspires both the heart and mind.

We have much to be proud of and are deeply grateful for our thriving community, where teachers, parents and parish come together in unparalleled levels of care providing safe, supportive and inclusive surroundings which nurture students’ wellbeing, confidence and hope for themselves.

In this Jubilee Year, we are blessed with opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ and remind ourselves that growing in faith builds firm trust in God’s promises. It is our trust in God’s promises that fills us with hope—even in our darkest moments, God's faithfulness never fades. May this week inspire us to live each day with joyful hearts and steadfast hope in the Lord.

We pray together:

Loving God, 

May the God of hope fill us with joy and peace

as together we guide and nurture the minds and hearts of the young. 

May the God of hope grant us wisdom to live with truth, patience to lead with compassion, and faith to inspire with love. 

May we always find strength in the mission to reflect Christ’s light in our days, and may our work bear lasting fruit in the lives of those we love and serve. 

Amen.

Please come and join us on Monday 2^nd June at 9:15 am in the hall to celebrate Catholic Schools week with liturgy at 9:15 am in the hall.

Term 2 Liturgies and Celebrations:

Week 5	Year 4 Friday Parish Mass 9:15am
Week 6	Catholic Schools Week Liturgy Monday 2nd June 9:15am in the hall.
Week 7	Year 3 Friday Parish Mass 9:15am
Week 8	Kinder and Year 6 Friday Parish Mass 9:15am
Week 9	Year 2 Friday Parish Mass 9:15am
Week 10	Year 1 Friday Parish Mass 9:15am

St James Vision and Mission Renewal

In 2025, as part of our strategic plan, within the Catholic Identity goal we will be working on renewing our vision and Mission statement for St James. This will be done through professional development as a staff in consultation with all stakeholders: staff, students, parents and carers, and parishioners.

School Vision and Mission statements relay the purpose and guiding principles of a school to the community. They are the “why” and “how’ of a school community. They are written in collaboration with the whole community and reflect what the community is to achieve. Vision and Mission statements are reviewed and renewed approximately every 10 years. St James’ Vision and Mission was last reviewed in 20 and it is timely now, with staff changes over the past few years, new families enrolled and the changes happening to our physical environment that we undertake this task in 2025.

All parents and carers are asked to complete the survey below, which will give you the opportunity to have your voice in the renewing of our Vision and Mission for St James.

https://forms.office.com/r/FAUKNnQAez

National Reconciliation Week is on the 27th May to 3rd  June.

The National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

In class teachers will be having a conversation with their students about what Reconciliation Week means and participating in a colouring in that was created by a Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw. The native plants − which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to working together.

For more information please visit the following website National Reconciliation Week - Reconciliation Australia

Ms Phoebe Parker

ATSI Teacher

In a new initiative to assist our Kindergarten and Year 1 students, I have undertaken to read 20 Premiers Reading Challenge listed books to the students within library lessons. This is all of the Premiers Reading Challenge books required to satisfy the challenge requirements. If parents can read 10 other books to their student [these 10 books do not have to be Premiers Reading Challenge listed books] then that will satisfy both categories and your student will receive a Premiers Reading Challenge Certificate at the end of the year.

I will email a list of the Premiers Reading Challenge listed books that I have read to the students of Kindergarten and Year 1. This will help students complete their individual logs prior to the cut-off on August 21st.

Last year we were very proud to present over one hundred Premiers Reading Challenge certificates to our students as well as Five Gold certificates to students who have earned and received four consecutive annual certificates. This is up over 30% over previous years. We are again, very keen to eclipse this amazing achievement in 2025. 

Also, please note that this year’s kindergarten students have been issued with their log-in details at the start of this term via email.

From The Learning Hub Team

Mr Coleman, Mrs Churches and Mrs Farley

Just some ideas to help keep children moving and off devices.

Pop some of these onto your TV and let them dance along.

"The Stomp Clap Dance Song" ??/// Danny Go! Kids Songs

Just Dance 2018: Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) - 4 players

Just Dance Fanmade Mashup - Bye Bye Bye by *NSYNC (Boy Bands)

Mrs Cate Larke & Mrs Amy Gibson

Learning Support Teachers

St James’ Primary School is committed to providing a positive, safe environment for all staff and students. There are occasions, however, when members of our school and wider community are concerned about something happening at the school that may appear to be unsatisfactory or unreasonable.

In the first instance, please contact the school to discuss any types of grievance resolution as the first point of contact to help with these matters.

Additionally, the Catholic Schools Office 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. The complaints 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.

These links and resources are also available on our website under the Parent Information/Complaints Resolution tab.

We ask that parents and carers follow these guidelines and take the appropriate steps in resolving any issues.  All members of the St James’ community are asked to remember that using other channels such as social media to voice complaints and grievances is not the appropriate method when issues arise.

Canteen