Dear Parents and Carers,

The school choir recently took centre stage at the Civic Theatre, delivering an entertaining performance for all. A huge thank you to Mrs Carr for her exceptional guidance and hard work in preparing the students for this special event. Congratulations to all of our 84 choir members on an outstanding achievement!

Last Thursday, our school community came together under sunny skies for a fantastic Athletics Carnival! From cheering crowds to energetic events, it was a day full of spirit and fun. A huge thank you to Mrs Fry and our hardworking staff for making it run so smoothly, our generous parent helpers for their support, and a big congratulations to our Kindergarten students for taking part in their first-ever carnival. Well done to all!

This past week also saw our staff engage in two enriching professional learning days. The first focused on well-being, offering time to reflect and recharge as a team. The second day centred around drafting our updated school Vision and Mission statements—a meaningful project that will continue with the guidance of Fr Joseph. We look forward to sharing the final version once it’s reviewed and ratified by Bishop Michael in the coming months.

Today we say farewell to Mrs Claire Rowlings who has now commenced parental leave before the birth of her third child over the coming weeks. We thank Claire for her work in Year 5 and her contribution to St James’ over the past 2 terms. We wish Claire and her family all the best as they welcome their new baby into the world. 

I am pleased to announce that Ms Phoebe Parker has been appointed to Year 5 Blue (Thursdays and Fridays). Phoebe is also class teacher on 6 White each Monday and Tuesday. Currently working and collaborating with the teachers across Stage 3, Phoebe has excellent knowledge of Year 5 expectations, programming and planning required.

As Mrs Madeleine Ireson is soon to commence parental leave, I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Ebony Hanley to Kindergarten White. Ebony has held positions in the school on a temporary basis and is a regular casual teacher across the classes. Ebony has worked in Kindergarten White on several occasions this year, is aware of the learning needs of the students and most recently accompanied the students on their excursion to the Hunter Wetlands and the Athletics Carnival. I congratulate Ms Parker and Miss Hanley on their success.

We’re also excited to invite you to Ricky’s Guitar Group Concert, happening next Friday at 2:00pm in the Hall before our regular fortnightly assembly. Come along to support our talented student musicians as they showcase their skills in what promises to be a toe-tapping afternoon of music and fun!

Next term we will commence our Family and Community Engagement (FACE) meetings. Our first meeting will take place on Monday 11^th August at 6:30pm. From the recent survey that parents completed it was evident that parents would like more information on Child Mental Health. I’m pleased to announce that Stacey Mortimer, our school counsellor will be presenting at this meeting. More information to come!

And lastly, a reminder that student reports will be available via Compass next Friday. Please keep an eye out for the release and take a moment to celebrate your child’s achievements and growth this term. A big thank you to all staff for their time and commitment to the children of St James’.

I thank you for being such an engaged and supportive school community. All the best for the weeks ahead!

Mrs Sonya Boslem
Principal

The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) is celebrated two weeks after Pentecost Sunday. Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus which is given to us in the Most Holy Eucharist, is a profound, prophetic and powerful Solemnity in the liturgical year of the Catholic Church.

 
This Solemnity honors Jesus Christ, Really, Truly and Substantially Present under the appearances of bread and wine. This Presence happens through the change which the Church calls transubstantiation (“change of substance”), when at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over bread and wine, “This is My Body,” “This is the chalice of My Blood,” “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

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

^“When the crowds found out about it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be cured.

The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to lodge and get provisions, for we are here in a deserted place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” They did so and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled, and what was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” (NRSVU)

In this Gospel we hear something about God's kingdom and about how we are to work together with Jesus and with one another to bring about the kingdom. Jesus tells us we can't expect him to do everything. When Jesus and his disciples are surrounded by thousands of people, the disciples just want to send the people away. They don’t really want to put in any effort. But Jesus tells the disciples: 'You give them something to eat'. Jesus is telling the disciples that they have a role to play in bringing about the kingdom.

The disciples give their bread and their fish which Jesus blesses and breaks and gives back to the disciples to distribute. We are asked to give of ourselves too. How might you reach out to those who are hungry, or to those who need your friendship, or attention, or kindness?

BISHOP’S Flood Appeal

Next week on Thursday 26^th June we will celebrate National Ice-cream Day at St James. Children may come to school dressed in the colour/s of their favourite ice-cream flavour, in return for gold coin donation to the Bishop’s Flood appeal. At lunch time on this day, we will also be selling ice-cream cones in the Cola for $2 each. All proceeds from the donations and ice-cream sales will go to the Bishop’s flood appeal. Your kindness will help families, schools, and parishes begin the long journey of recovery after the floods. Every donation will make a real difference. We look forward to a fun, colourful day!

Term 2 Liturgies and Celebrations:

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