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- The Changing Face Of Cyberbullying: Help Protect Your Child Online
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Welcome to Term 4!
It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the final term of the year—many have commented on how quickly 2025 is flying by, and I couldn’t agree more!
This week, we were thrilled to welcome our 2026 Kindergarten cohort for their first transition visit. It’s always a joyful occasion, and our newest students had a wonderful time engaging in craft activities and listening to stories. Their excitement and enthusiasm were truly heartwarming.
A big thank you to our parent community for your continued support, especially through the Father’s Day stall, which raised funds for much-needed Mathematics equipment. These new concrete materials will greatly enhance our students’ learning and understanding in the classroom.
As we settle into Term 4, we look forward to a happy and productive few months ahead. A reminder to families that this term includes Semester 2 reporting. Our dedicated staff are busy working through programs and preparing assessments to ensure each student’s progress is thoroughly and thoughtfully reflected.
Please take note of the Parish assembly notification later in this newsletter as you are welcome to attend. I spoke to Fr John this afternoon and he has thoroughly enjoyed his time here in our parish. Fr Joseph is soon to return and we look forward to seeing him.
School Priorities Survey
Thank you for all the responses to the parent survey that was sent out early in October. We will gather the responses and outline the school fundraising priorities early in 2026. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
School Christmas Disco 2025
Save the date… November 27th!! Tickets are for sale on Flexischools. Book tickets individually for each child attending. A big thank you to the parents who are helping to organise such a fun community event and for the parent volunteers. If you can help supervise during the infant and/or primary discos, you email myself directly or admin.
Lastly, I heard from Mrs Boslem yesterday, she is recovering well, and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Here’s to a fantastic Term 4!
Warm regards,
Mrs Debra Petersen
Acting Principal
Luke 18:9-14
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you; this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Reflection on Luke 18:9-14
In his prayer, the Pharisee focused on himself and all he had done. The tax collector focused on God and his great mercy. St Teresa of Avila taught that real prayer is more about loving than thinking. There is a lot of truth in the statement that when we are thinking in prayer, we are with ourselves, and when we are loving in prayer, we are with God. Prayer is all about a special friendship. Do we go to prayer just to ask for things for ourselves and others, or do we spend most of our time staying with the Lord and sharing with him and listening to him?
Term 4 Liturgies and Celebrations:
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Week 3:
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Catholic Mission Day 31st October: Year 5 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 4: |
7th November: Year 4 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 5: |
11th November” Remembrance Day Liturgy 10:50am 14th November: Year 3 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 6: |
21st November: Year 2 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 7: |
28th November: Year 1 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 8: |
5th December: Kindergarten & Year 6 Parish Mass 9:15am
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Week 9: |
10th December: End of Year Mass/Year 6 Awards 9:30am
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Week 10: |
16th December: The Christmas Story, performed by student's 11:30am
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Crazy Sock Day
We will gather as community to raise money for the Catholic Missions through our Crazy Sock Day on Tuesday the 28th of October. The Social Justice leaders will visit classes looking for the MOST outstanding and colourful socks. We hope your child or children are looking forward to joining in.
CatholicCare Giving Tree Initiative
Mrs Paula Dart
Acting Religious Coordinator
Welcome back to term 4. The term is already moving very quickly. We have a lot of events already on our calendar, so please check this regularly to keep your diaries up to date. We look forward to a great term and end of year.
We have started this term with some very hot days. Just a reminder that all students need to have a water bottle so that they can remain hydrated throughout the day. It is great that we now have bubblers close to all our play areas, but a water bottle is a must as we move into Summer. Also, please remember to have all personal items labelled so that if something gets lost it can be easily returned.
BYOD Parent Information Evening:
Monday 27th 5:30pm
This is an online parent session to introduce our new BYOD Portal, which will be a one stop shop for all things BYOD. If you would like to find out about BYOD, please join us on Monday.
Please see Microsoft Teams details below:
Meeting ID: 461 326 001 040 3
Passcode: Gz99uB2h
Zing Dance
This term all students K-6 will take part in a dance program. They will explore elements of dance, fundamental movement skills as well as social and interpersonal skills. This week was the first lesson and the feedback from students and teachers was very positive. At the end of the term the students will perform the dances that they have learnt. A date for this will be sent through once it is confirmed.
NAPLAN 2026
Dates for NAPLAN 2026 have now been published. If you have a child in Year 3 or 5 in 2026, you might like to add these to your calendar. NAPLAN will be held from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026.
Staff Professional Learning
On Tuesday evening staff will engage in a Twilight Professional Learning. This will be based around meeting the needs of students and case studying particular learning needs in a case management forum. We will also be developing a Grammar and Punctuation Scope and Sequence for St James, to embed a sequential sequence into out English programs K-6 for 2026.
School TV
School TV has some wonderful articles on positive body image and positive thinking. Check out the below site for further articles and parent information.
https://kotarasouth.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter-external-resource/6-ways-be-body-positive
Mrs Patricia Miller
Acting Assistant Principal
Touch Football Gala Day
On Tuesday 21st October, nearly 60 enthusiastic students from Years 3 and 4 represented St James at the Touch Football Gala Day. It was a fantastic day filled with fun, skill-building, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our students showcased great determination and spirit, proudly representing our school throughout the event. A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful parent volunteers who supported us on the day—your help made it all possible!
Summer Sports Trials 2026
The Summer Sports Trials for 2026 will be taking place in Term 4. We would like to wish the following students the best of luck for their upcoming trials in Tennis and Basketball; Suni H, Kyle H, Wil M, Louis R, Jack G, Arlo M, Leon M and Oliver F.
Regional Cricket Trials
Last Thursday, Leo D, Miles W and Harry K attended the Regional Cricket Trials in Lambton. Congratulations to Leo who was successful in making the regional team. He will attend Dio trials in November.
Australian All Schools Swimming Championships
Isabel S will be in Ballarat to represent St James at the Australian All Schools Swimming Championships next week. She will compete in he 200m Medley, 50m Butterfly, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay and the 100m Butterfly. The event begins on Sunday, with races held throughout the week. We wish Issy the very best of luck. Swim strong and enjoy every moment of this incredible achievement.
Swimming Carnival
Mrs Tegan Fry & Miss Renee Pettet
Sports Organisers
| Tuesday 28th October |
Mission Crazy Sock Day - Gold Coin Donation |
| Wednesday 29th October |
Year 5 Leadership Day Regional Tennis Trials |
| Friday 31st October |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Year 5 |
| Monday 3rd November |
Regional Basketball Trials |
| Wednesday 5th November |
Year 1 Excursion - Newcastle Museum Kindergarten 2026 Transition 9:30am |
| Thursday 6th November |
Trinity College School Tour - Year 6 |
| Friday 7th November |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Year 4 |
| Tuesday 11th November |
Rememberance Day Liturgy 10:50am |
| Wednesday 12th November |
Story Dogs Fundraiser: Donated Book Sale Diocesan Cricket Trials |
| Thursday 13th November |
Interrelate - Year 6 |
| Friday 14th November |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Year 3 |
| Tuesday 18th November |
Kindergarten 2026 Transition 9:30am |
| Thursday 20th November |
Interrelate - Year 6 |
| Friday 21st November |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Year 2 |
| Thursday 27th November |
Interrelate - Year 6 School Disco |
| Friday 28th November |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Year 1 Diocesan Basketball and Tennis |
| Friday 5th December |
Parish Mass 9:15am - Kindergarten & Year 6 |
| Wednesday 10th December |
End of Year Mass & Year 6 Awards 9:30am |
| Thursday 11th December |
End of Year Awards / Kindergarten - Year 6 |
| Friday 12th December |
Swimming Carnival / Year 1 - Year 5 Motiv8 Sports / Year 6 |
| Tuesday 16th December |
The Christmas Story - 11:30am |
| Wednesday 17th December |
Year 6 Clap Out Last Day of School for Students |
Book Club News
Issue 7 of Book Club went home this week. The due date for orders is Friday 31st October. All orders must be placed through LOOP online; no orders are to be sent into the school. Below is a link explaining how to use LOOP.
- Value Books in Issue 7:
- #010 Excuse me, Santa! $3
- #101 The Speedy Sloth $3
- #304 A Christmas Carol $3
- #401 The Dragonet Prophecy $3
If anyone has questions or concerns about the ordering process, please do not hesitate to contact me: sueanne.churches@mn.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Sue-Anne Churches
Library Assistant and Book Club Co-ordinator
Our school rule is: At St James we are respectful, responsible and resilient. Our PB4L expectations help us to achieve this rule.
Students are continuing to work towards our St James’ PB4L framework to be Respectful, Responsible and Resilient. Throughout Term 4 teachers and students within each classroom are identifying areas of need for their specific class to work towards.
We congratulate those students meeting our PB4L milestone awards and thank them for making our community a happy and safe place.
A reminder that school fees are due to be finalised by 30 November 2025, unless there is an alternate fee arrangement in place. If you are paying by instalments, can you please check that your fees will be finalised by this date. Please contact the office if you wish to discuss.
Thanks very much.
Carolyn Hanley
Administration
Dear Parents and Carers,
Story Dogs is an Australian non-profit organisation that trains volunteers to work with their dogs to provide one-on-one reading support to primary school aged students. The program aims to build children’s reading skills and confidence by having them read to a dog in a non-judgmental and supportive environment.
Mrs Keating volunteers with Story Dogs to support our St James Year 2 students in literacy.
To show our appreciation for the organisation we will be holding a second handbook sale to fundraise for Story Dogs.
If you can offer any second handbooks in good condition to add to our fundraiser stall, we would appreciate it. Students can bring them to their classroom any day up until the day of the stall. Books will range in purchase price from 50c up to $2.
The Story Dogs fundraiser will be held on Wednesday the 12th of November at both lunch and recess under the COLA area. In addition to the book stall, the Social Justice leadership team will be offering a lolly guessing competition. The lolly guessing will be 50c per guess or 3 for $1.
Kind regards,
Claire McWilliam
Pastoral Care
Presented by the eSafety Commissioner
For parents and carer of young people in primary and secondary school
AI tools are evolving fast – and some are being misused in ways that can harm or exploit children and young people, including through the creation of deep fakes and digitally altered images. This 45-minute webinar covers how these technologies are being used, their impact and how to support and protect your child. It’s suitable for parents and carers of upper primary and high school students.
Regards,
Cath Garrett-Jones
Executive Director
There has been Food Safety Changes for all school canteens. If you are a volunteer in the school canteen the below online course needs to be completed, you can follow the below link to ensure compliance of the new NSW Government Food Authority Standard 3.2.2A. Once this has been completed, could you please email your certificate through to admin@kotarasouth.catholic.edu.au
https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/training/food-handler-basics-training
Volunteers
Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, we really appreciate your time. If you would like to volunteer and haven't registered, please click on the link below and submit your forms. Once you have clearance the CSO will contact us to advise you have been cleared to volunteer. We are in need of volunteers on Friday 14th November, if you are available on this day please let the office or Katie Bates know, thank you.
https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/
Playgroup
Entertainment Book
If you would like to order an Entertainment Book valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, please order via the below link:
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Program for the Day:
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2:30PM – Parish Assembly begins with a welcoming cuppa and afternoon tea (scones provided — yum!)
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5:30PM – All Saints Feast Day Mass
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6:30PM – Parish Dinner Celebration in the Hall (BBQ meat supplied)
A reminder that all children are expected to be in class at 8:50am each day. Children coming to school after this time will be marked as partially absent. Please ensure that your child is at school on time each day.
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 on Compass within 7 days of the absence. A weekly email will be sent to parents to alert of any unexplained absences that need to 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.
Please click the below link to view Parents and Carers resources:
https://officeofsafeguarding.org.au/parents-and-carers/#
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.
Registration can be made via our Facebook page and clicking on the link, or at the link https://forms.gle/AZvvxQuLGwFxQavg8
