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Dear Parents and Carers,
This last week has been extremely busy; Year 6 Farewell and liturgy, whole school liturgy and assembly, Year 6 Dinner run by the parents, school swimming carnival, Motiva8 Day for Year 6, Guitar concert, along with various other events.
I want to thank you, the parents, staff, and children for the way you have welcomed me into your school community. St James is a beautiful school with talented children and hard working and loving staff. I have enjoyed my short time here and I’m certain that the new Principal Sonya Boslem will also experience the warmth and generosity that you have shown me.
2024 looks set to be a very busy and an exciting year with building works, new students and a renewed focus on quality leaning and student well-being.
I wish you all a most happy and holy Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year. I invite you all to join in with the Parish celebrations and bring your children along to the Christmas Mass, after all there is no Christmas without our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Keep safe and God bless you all.
Mr Duilio Rufo
Acting Principal
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the word was LOVE! That love is creative; the beating heart of the universe. It is a love that brings light to everyone. If I allow it to shine on me, I begin to see everyone from the divine point of view. I see that the potential of each person is to become nothing less than a daughter or son of God!’ John 1:1-5
We come to the end of a year and listen to what God’s word says to us. It helps us look back to learn and look forward in hope. God’s word is a creative word who gives life to all, in love. Jesus is the Word uttered by the Father, the word of hope and promise. Jesus, is God’s message to us - he is our Good News. We know that God loved the world and sent Jesus among us. He is the ‘only Son who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known’. Jesus is the light of the world.
The Lord is very near!
As we draw to the end of our time of waiting and preparation, we focus our attention on the coming of the child and on Mary whose faith and experience inspires us all. Mary is a model for us all to follow as we wait with hope and trust for the coming of our Saviour.
Loving God, we ask you to bless us with the faith and trust which Mary showed when she agreed to become the Mother of Jesus. Help us to be obedient to your will as Mary was, so that we can live our lives as your faithful people. We ask this through Jesus the Lord, Amen.
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Thank you so much for your continued support of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Once again, St James was able to help many of those in our community who are marginalised and bring the shining light of Jesus to them during the Christmas Season. Please keep those who are less fortunate in your prayers over the Christmas break.
"Wonderful hampers! The Social Justice team and the St James Community should be very proud. These hampers will be warmly welcomed by so many families this Christmas."
John Kotara SVDP
I would like to thank each and every one of you, for your support and contribution to the Liturgical life here at St James. 2023 has been a very full year and it is wonderful to have so many families join us at each of our celebrations.
May the blessings of Christmas be with you and may you move into 2024 with Jesus ever present.
Patricia Miller
Religious Coordinator
What a wonderful way to end the year with our Year 6 graduation, school award ceremony and a guitar concert!? There have been so many blessings, fun activities and beautiful memories made throughout this term and the year.
A huge thank you to all the staff for their hard work and support throughout 2024. Congratulations to all our students, Kindergarten to year 6, you have all worked hard to reach personal goals and improve outcomes. To our community and families, working alongside you has ensured our school continues to thrive and succeed.
Support at Christmas Time
The following article was sent to me by the Office of Safeguarding and is written by Julia Edwards, Senior Investigator. She has some wonderful points to consider and resources to use during the festive season if needed. Please remember the safety of our children is everyone’s responsibility.
It can be easy to be wrapped up in the festive season and the joy of Christmas. However, for some people, including children, this can be a time of stress, anxiety, loneliness, sadness, and isolation. For some families, the Christmas season can be a challenging time, particularly for those who are facing a diversity of social issues, such as homelessness, financial pressure, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health, or separation from one another, particularly children who are unable (for many reasons) to live with their parents, family or siblings.
There is a saying that “It takes a village to raise a child,” and this time of year highlights to me the key role we all play in supporting our most vulnerable people and families in the community. I know in the Newcastle/Hunter region a great deal of families are reliant on the critical work undertaken by organisations such as the Catholic Diocese to assist them during this time, and I have seen throughout my career the positive impact this has and will continue to have on families. We may never know the impact our work has had on the people we meet; however, I do know the impact of our work will be felt throughout the wider community for years to come.
Everyone’s experience of the Christmas season is varied, and for those who are struggling, or know someone who is struggling there is a diversity of assistance available. Some services are listed below:
- Free, private, and confidential helpline for children 5 to 25 years - Kids Helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au
- Mental health support for children between 12-25 - Youth Beyond Blue Beyond Blue https://beyondblue.org.au
- Mental health support for adults - Beyond Blue https://beyondblue.org.au
- How to manage Festive Stress - Lifeline https://wa.lifeline.org.au
- Early intervention mental health support for children aged 12-25 - Headspace https://headspace.com
- Support over the Holidays: Cost of Living - NSW Government – https://nsw.gov.au
- Children at risk of harm over Christmas - NSW Department of Communities and Justice – 132111 or https://dcj.nsw.gov.au
- 25 Christmas Wellbeing Tips to Keep Carers Healthy and Happy - Helping Minds https://helpingminds.org.au
- Coping with Stress at Christmas - Reach Out https://au.reachout.com
- Your Christmas mental health questions answered - Health Direct https://www.healthdirect.gov.au
- Christmas and mental health - Mind https://mind.org.uk
- Where to find mental health support this holiday season – https://sane.org.au
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday with family and friends and a very Merry Christmas!
Endless thanks to all.
Mrs Debra Petersen
Assistant Principal
It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce the following students as recipients of the Premiers Reading Challenge Certificates for the 2023 School Year.
We have had a resounding response to this teaching and learning initiative and we are grateful to those parents who have helped drive this initiative. Reading is like any other skill and improves with practice.
75 Students received a PRC Certificate with a further 7 students qualifying for a Gold certificate meaning that they have completed the PRC challenge every year for the last four years.
I look forward to building on this achievement as a St James School Community in 2024.
Gold Premier Reading Challenge Certificates
Matthew K – 3 White
Darcy L – 3 White
Darcey R – 3 White
Cooper S – 3 White
Thomas R – 3 White
Laura P – 4 Blue
Scarlett H – 4 White
Premier Reading Challenge Certificates
Kinder Blue
Brooks C
Harrison C
Eliza D
Lucy E
Obi F
Carter G
Elliot I
Charlotte K
Hannah M
Erika W
Kinder White
Leo B
Layla B
Mason C
Arlo F
Oscar F
Oliver G
Rhys H
Lauren K
Vinnie K
Josie M
Alfie S
1 Blue
Indie M
Andrew P
Emiliana R
Sage S
1 White
Amelia F
Chayse G
Grace L
Simran S
Adeline W
2 Blue
Atticus F
Rory H
Evie M
Charlee S
2 White
Callum D
Lachlan H
Charlie M
3 Blue
Hailey D
Oliver H
Thomas L
Cooper M
Priya R
Willa T
3 White
Ollie D
Lincoln M
Harriet S
Miles W
4 Blue
Maisie E
Eli M
4 White
Zoe D
Evie L
5 Blue
Mateo B
Zahli C
Xavier C
Leo D
Indriel J
Oliver L
Mae M
Evelyn M
Connor M
Jonah S
5 White
Santino D
Jack H
Lexi M
Aurora M
Jarvis P
Ruby P
Oliver P
Layla R
Madeleine S
Ruby W
6 Blue
Azalee E
6 White
Ashton C
Connor D
Mr Chris Coleman
Teacher Librarian
Thursday 1st February |
First Day for Students in Years 1-6 |
Monday 5th February |
First Day for Students in Kindergarten |
Monday 12th February |
Regional Swimming Carnival |
Tuesday 27th February |
Diocesan Swimming Carnival |
St James’ Swimming Carnival
Congratulations St James! What a fantastic swimming carnival. Not only did individual students record some outstanding personal bests, there were also many examples of good sportsmanship, bravery and resilience on display.
A special thank you to our parent volunteers who helped to make the carnival a success. Thank you Brad McDonnell, Virginia Smith, Jacinta Barnes, Karen Williams, Sarah Fourie, Erin Jordan, Kacey Sofianos, Julie Farrow and Bruce Thornton.
Please find the complete carnival results below.
St James’ Kotara 2023/2024 Swimming Carnival Results |
|
100 metre freestyle open- girls |
Madeleine S Isabel S Evie M |
100 metre freestyle open- boys |
Oliver P Sebastian K Oliver L |
50 metre freestyle- 8 year girls |
Indie M Charlee S |
50 metre freestyle- 8 year boys |
Nate M Elijah W Louis T |
50 metre freestyle- 9 year girls |
Isabel S Matilda E Alex P |
50 metre freestyle- 9 year boys |
Thomas I Leon M Kyle H |
50 metre freestyle- 10 year girls |
Claire M Priya R Ava G |
50 metre freestyle- 10 year boys |
Wil M Angus B Cooper M |
50 metre freestyle- 11 year girls |
Evie L Zahli C Charlotte W |
50 metre freestyle- 11 year boys |
Jonah T Jaxson K Oliver H |
50 metre freestyle- senior girls |
Madeleine S Evelyn M Addison G |
50 metre freestyle- senior boys |
Oliver P Sebastian K Soren R |
50 metre breaststroke- junior girls |
Isabel S Claire M Anna D |
50 metre breaststroke - junior boys |
Wil M Mannix P Cooper M |
50 metre breaststroke - 11 year girls |
Evie L Georgie E Maggie F |
50 metre breaststroke - 11 year boys |
Oliver H Ace H Jaxson K |
50 metre breaststroke - senior girls |
Madeleine S Evelyn M Sofia D |
50 metre breaststroke - senior boys |
Oliver P Oliver L Sebastian K |
50 metre backstroke- junior girls |
Isabel S Pippa T Claire M |
50 metre backstroke- junior boys |
Wil M Angus B Cooper M |
50 metre backstroke- 11 year girls |
Evie L Charlotte W Georgie E |
50 metre backstroke- 11 year boys |
Jonah T Jaxson K Oliver H |
50 metre backstroke- senior girls |
Madeleine S Evelyn M Evie M |
50 metre backstroke- senior girls |
Oliver P Soren R Oliver L |
50 metre butterfly- junior girls |
Isabel S Claire M Ava G |
50 metre butterfly- junior boys |
Wil M Cooper M Angus B |
50 metre butterfly- 11 year girls |
Evie L |
50 metre butterfly- 11 year boys |
Jonah T Ace H Jaxson K |
50 metre butterfly- senior girls |
Madeleine S Evelyn M Evie M |
50 metre butterfly- senior boys |
Oliver P Sebastian K Oliver L |
Senior medley- girls |
Madeleine S Sofia D Evie M |
Junior medley- boys |
Wil M Cooper M Lachlan T |
Senior medley- boys |
Oliver P Sebastian K Jonah T |
Junior girls relay |
Isabel S Claire M Priya R Ava G |
Junior boys relay |
Wil M Angus B Cooper M Mannix P |
Senior girls relay |
Madeleine S Evelyn M Addison G Evie M |
Senior boys relay |
Oliver P Sebastian K Soren R Oliver L |
The Regional Swimming Carnival will be on Monday, 12 February 2024 (Information will be sent out at the beginning of term 1)
The Diocesan Swimming Carnival will be Tuesday, 27 February 2024.
Year 4 Bike Awareness Day
On Bike Awareness Day, we learnt a lot about all the different necessities when riding a bike. From fitting the helmet to oiling the chain and many more. We put on a play about different categories of bike riding. We also got to ride around the school near the cola and driveway. We got told to show awareness about the dangers that can happen when bike riding if you do not have the proper equipment while riding. Like if you are not wearing bright clothes when it is dark, some cars might not see you and will likely injure you or worse. It was such an amazing day to spend time with friends and ride and learn.
By Grace T and Jack B
On Wednesday the 6th of December 2023, Year 4 participated in a Bike Awareness Day at school. It was a new experience for many of us, one we will not forget.
Some activities we did were...
- Riding our bikes or scooters around in the school grounds
- Making our own bike safety adds
- Naming bike parts
- Discussing how to maintain our bikes
- And fitting our helmets properly.
Everyone had a great day, with Year 4 describing it as thrilling, exciting and fun. We appreciated Bike Awareness Day and thank our parents and teachers for giving us this wonderful experience.
By Darcy S and Georgie E
Tegan Fry
Sports Organiser
In our first term of using Kiaras 375 were awarded to children across the school from Kindergarten to Year 6. There have been lots of celebrations for positive behaviour and yesterday the whole school had extra play with some added excitement of water play in acknowledgment of this great achievement. Look below to see just how much fun we had!
As we wrap up the school year, a big shout-out to our fantastic Year 6 crew!
Year 6, your energy, sense of fun and good humour has made every day enjoyable. Whether exploring our nation’s capital or wowing us on stage with your awesome dance moves and voices, you've left a lasting impression, and we will miss you next year.
To our graduating Year 6 stars, your future is bright! As you move on to your next journey at high school, take the good vibes, friendships and laughter with you. Enjoy the break, and we look forward to hearing about you and success in the years to come.
Last week, Year 6 students participated in water activities ran by Motiv8 Sports. The children had loads of fun and demonstrated exceptional participation, teamwork and leadership. Times like these are memories that will last a lifetime. Take a look at their action and water filled day. The children thought it was only fair that Miss Pettet and Mrs Taylor got their fair share of water too!