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Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been wonderful to see so many parents and carers each day as you bring your children to school. The children are very busy across the grades settling into the routines of their new classes. Many families have taken advantage of the Meet and Greet sessions with the teachers. These interview times are an important part of the learning partnership between home and school. If you haven’t already done so, please contact your child’s teacher to organise a time to catch up.
Today we celebrated our Opening School Mass and the blessing of our 2024 School Leaders. Congratulations to our Leadership Team for 2024. We are certain they will make valuable contributions to the school community and be exemplary role models to all students at St James. Thank you to Mrs Miller and the staff of St James for organising the Opening School Mass.
Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t been kind to us and we have had to postpone the Welcome Picnic yet again. We now look forward to celebrating the start of the year with the entire community on Wednesday, 28th February, 5-8pm.
At our recent P&F meeting, the P&F agreed to donate to the school funds to support the purchase of Lego Robotics Kits and 3D printers to the amount of $12 000. Thank you to all parents and families who have have worked very hard to raise funds for items to support the education of our students. We look forward these items arriving at our school very soon. The next P&F Meeting is on Monday 4th March at 7pm. At this meeting the new Parent engagement model will be explained by Diocesan and a Federation representative. All welcome!
The Enrolment Period is about to open for 2025. Our school will be holding an Open Night on Wednesday, 6th March 5-7 pm. We ask prospective families to register online via the link http://mn.shor.tn/StJamesOpenNight . If you know of families in your neighbourhood who have school aged children, please pass on the link.
Thank you to the families that have completed the Survey regarding the building works and changes to pick up from school. If you haven’t completed the survey please do so by Wednesday 28th February. Information and the link is provided later in this Newsletter.
On a personal note, sincere thank you to all the messages of sympathy from the community in the recent passing of my father. It is very comforting that I have so many people praying and thinking of me and my family at this difficult time. I am truly blessed to be leading the St James’ community.
With best wishes,
Mrs Sonya Boslem
Principal
This week’s Gospel is from Mark 9:2-10
“Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling bright, such as no one on earth could brighten them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.”
The story captures the vivid, trembling memory of Peter as he recounted it to Mark: the whiteness of Jesus' clothes, the sudden drop from awe-inspiring visions to seeing no one, only Jesus. This incident on the mountain gets us to look forward either to the resurrection of Jesus or the glory of the second coming. Peter's reaction also gets us to look forward to life with God, so that we will say in eternity, ‘It is good for us to be here'. In prayer we can rest at times and just be glad, happy and content to be with Jesus, in his presence and in his love. The transfiguration was for the benefit of the disciples, for their faith and confidence in the lasting glory of Jesus. at bad times. God's voice still echoes, inviting us to listen to Jesus.
Opening School Mass
This morning, we celebrated the start of the year with our Opening School Mass. It was great to see our community come together in the celebration of our faith and to commission our Year 6 Leaders for 2024. We thank Fr Joseph for celebrating mass with us, we are very appreciative of his support.
Sacramental Program
The Parish Sacramental Program for 2024 is underway. If you have not returned you child’s enrolment form, please do so by Wednesday 28th. Please pray for all our children as they prepare for their full initiation into our faith community. Attendance at one of the face to face classes is required to be eligible to make each Sacrament.
RECONCILIATION PROGRAM: (Term 1: Tuesday, 30 January - Friday, 12 April)
- Enrolment Forms: Please send them to Mrs Miller through the office in hard copy or email.
- Lessons:
- Online lessons: complete at home during 18th February- 3rd March
- Face to face lessons: take place at school
Kotara : Monday 4th March @ 5:00pm
Tuesday 5th March @ 3:30pm
Adamstown : Monday 4th March @ 3.30 pm
Cardiff : Wednesday 6th March @ 3:30pm
Ceremony: Thursday 21st March, St Philip’s Kotara @ 6:00pm.
Parish Mass - Friday 1st March
Year 4 will be attending the 9:15am mass next Friday. We would love to have you join them if you are able.
Patricia Miller
Religious Coordinator
NAPLAN
Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
NAPLAN 2024 will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March.
NAPLAN is one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended. The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests.
Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information).
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.
School TV
To access SchoolTV for St James please go to Home Page SchoolTV | St James' Primary School - Kotara South
This week I encourage parents and families to have a look at the useful information regarding ‘Screen time” available via SchoolTV. To head straight to the site go to Managing Screen Time | St James' Primary School - Kotara South (schooltv.me) On this site, along with clips and other resources is a Key Point page, it is an insightful read that has some wonderful suggestions about managing screentime. To help families I have added this page to our newsletter as an attachment. School TV has many more wonderful resources on a wide range of topics, so, jump on and have a look.
Looking out for Each Other
The “Nicola Geary Memorial Fund” was established to support families who through times of illness, death or misadventure, find themselves in financial difficulty in addressing their everyday needs. If you believe this fund can help someone in our community please contact our Principal by phone or email.
sonya.boslem@mn.catholic.edu.au
Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you at the Welcome Picnic on Wednesday night.
Mrs Debra Petersen
Assistant Principal
Body language and tone
- Smile at the person
- Look at them
- Use a nice voice
- Use appropriate facial expressions
- Use people's names
- Say hello, how are you?
- Say excuse me, please, and thank you
- Ask a question
- Know when to stop talking and let other talk too!
Safe hands and feet
- Be aware of your own and others personal space.
We all know how important it is to feel safe and to help keep others safe. It is a sign of respect to greet others when we meet them each day. Keeping our hands and feet safe when playing and interacting with each other helps to maintain a positive environment. A focus for Kiara stickers across these two weeks will be “using friendly talk and actions”.
| Tuesday 27th February |
Diocesan Swimming Carnival |
| Wednesday 28th February |
Welcome Picnic 5:00pm - 8:00pm |
| Friday 1st March |
Parish Mass - Year 4 9:15am 2025 Kindergarten Enrolments Open |
| Monday 4th March |
Reconciliation Lesson 5:00pm |
| Tuesday 5th March |
Reconciliation Lesson 3:30pm |
| Wednesday 6th March |
Enrolment Open Night 5:00pm - 7:00pm |
| Friday 8th March |
Parish Mass - Year 3 9:15am Diocesan Cricket |
| Monday 11th March |
Hunter Water Show - Kinder, Year 1, Year 2 |
| Tuesday 12th March |
Diocesan AFL |
| 13th - 22nd March |
Naplan |
| Thursday 14th March |
School Photo Day |
| Friday 15th March |
Parish Mass - Year 2 9:15am |
| Thursday 21st March |
1st Reconciliation Ceremony 6:00pm Harmony Day Liturgy 12:30pm |
| Friday 22nd March |
Parish Mass - Year 6 & Kindergarten 9:15am |
| Tuesday 26th March |
Diocesan Winter Sport Trials |
| Thursday 28th March |
Holy Week Liturgy 11:30am Diocesan Soccer Trials |
| Friday 5th April |
School Cross Country |
| Tuesday 9th April |
Polding AFL |
| Thursday 11th - Friday 12th April |
NSWPSSA Swimming |
| Friday 12th April |
Pupil Free Day - End of Term 1 |
The Regional Swimming Carnival took place on Monday the 12th of February at Mayfield pool. The St James’ team demonstrated talent, bravery, confidence and great sportsmanship during their events. It was also wonderful to see the children cheering one another on throughout the day and celebrating the success of others. Congratulations to all the children involved.
The Diocesan Swimming Carnival will be held next Tuesday the 27th of February at The Forum Aquatics Centre. Good luck to our Diocesan swimming team below.
|
All age 100m freestyle |
Oliver P Sebastian K |
|
11 years 50m freestyle |
Jonah T |
|
12 years 50m freestyle |
Oliver P Sebastian K |
|
11 years 50m breaststoke |
Oliver H |
|
12/13 years 50m breaststroke |
Oliver P |
|
11 years 50m backstroke |
Jonah T |
|
12/13 years backstoke |
Oliver P |
|
Junior 50m butterfly |
Wil M |
|
11 years 50m butterfly |
Jonah T |
|
12/13 50m butterfly |
Oliver P |
|
Senior 200m medley |
Oliver P |
|
Senior 4x50m relay |
Oliver P Sebastian K Soren R Oliver L |
|
All age 100m freestyle |
Madeleine S |
|
9 years 50m freestyle |
Isabel S |
|
12 years 50m freestyle |
Madeleine S |
|
Junior 50m breastroke |
Isabel S |
|
12/13 years 50m breastroke |
Madeleine S Sofia D |
|
Junior 50m backstroke |
Isabel S |
|
12/13 years 50m backstroke |
Madeleine S |
|
Junior 50m butterfly |
Isabel S |
|
12/13 years butterfly |
Madeleine S |
|
Senior 200m medley |
Madeleine S |
Polding Basketball Trials
The Polding Basketball Trials started at 9:00am but everyone had to arrive at 8:30am to get their singlets and numbers on. We trained for about 1hr doing ballhandling, 1v1 and passing, running drills. We started playing games against other dioceses, we versed Bathurst, Lismore, Broken Bay, and Armidale. There were around 30 girls at trials and only 10 got picked. After the games the Polding Selector announced who will be playing in possibles and probable’s, 16 girls got selected to compete against each other for the final team, 6 of them would miss out and the rest would make the Polding team. Finally at the end we all sat down and said a big thank you to all the parents that made this all happen and to the coaches that helped run this trial. They announced the 10 girls who were selected to go PSSA 2024 in Newcastle. It was a great day with lots of competition.
From Evie L and Evie M
Winter Sports Trials
On Thursday 22nd February, the Winter Sports Trials were held across the region. Students were sent from St James to trial for the regional teams in netball, soccer and cricket. The following students were selected into the regional teams; Addison was selected in the regional netball team and Mateo, Oliver and Gianluca were selected for the regional soccer team. A massive congratulations to all children involved! The Diocesan trials will be held in late March.
Bus Safety Week
This week was bus safety week. In classrooms, students learnt about the essential safety measures around buses and cars. The key bus safety messages are:
- Take a seat quickly and buckle up if the bus has seatbelts.
- Place large bags or bulky items under the seat. Avoid placing any items in the aisle that might cause a hazard.
- Stay alert and avoid being distracted by mobile devices and earphones.
- Press the button before you want to get off the bus so the driver has enough time to stop.
- Stay in your seat until the bus has completely stopped.
- Always hold on if you are standing.
- Use the handrail to get on and off the bus.
- Wait until the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross the road.
SafetyTown is a fantastic website for students and families to inform how we can keep our children safe around buses and it also includes interactive and age levels activities. You can access SafetyTown: https://www.safetytown.com.au/families/
Tegan Fry and Renee Pettet
Sports Organiser
School Fees
We have now commenced the billing process for the 2024 School Fees which will be an ongoing process in February. Commencing from March, monthly statements will be emailed directly from the Catholic Schools Office.
Please note:
- 2024 School Fees are invoiced for the full school year. School Fees for Year 6 will also include their Canberra Excursion and Sport Shirt.
- If paying fees by instalment, your weekly, fortnight or monthly frequency needs to commence in March, and fees are to paid in full by 30 November
2024. - If paying fees ‘in full’ as one payment, please finalise prior to 30 June 2024.
- Our preferred method of payment is either BPay or direct debit. It is preferred if payments were not made via the Compass app due to high fees.
- For Fee Payers wishing to establish a new Direct Debit, please complete the form on the Catholic Development Fund
website www.CDFmn.com.au. - For those families experiencing financial hardship, or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements, please contact the school office to arrange an
appointment with the Principal.
If you are a Healthcare/Pension Card holder, the following 2024 Fee HCC Discount Application Form is required to be completed and returned to school with a copy of your Health Care/Pension Card for a discount on your Tuition fees. Can you please return as soon as possible.
Compass Attendance Notes
Please be aware that adding attendance notes in Compass is for 'Whole Day' absences.
If you are bringing your child to school late due to an appointment etc, you will receive the text message. Please disregard this if the child is with you. Then upon bringing them into the office, you will need to sign them in through the Compass Kiosk. This then adjusts the class roll in real time.
If you are collecting your child early, please DO NOT add a note in advance, can you please sign out through the Compass Kiosk. Can you please come to the office and we will call the class/es for your child to meet you at the office.
Medication
If your child will requires scheduled medication to be administered at school, can you please notify the school office once you are aware as there is paperwork that will need to be completed prior.
Lost Property
Can you please ensure all items that are bought to school are clearly labelled e.g drink bottles, lunch box, jumper, jacket. If they are returned to the office, we are then able to return to your child's class for them. All other items will be placed in the wire baskets in the passive play area.
Volunteer
Please see the below link if you would like to register to volunteer at St James. Our school is always in need of volunteers in our school canteen or for many other school activities. We will let you know once we receive your clearance from your registration, this must be received prior to volunteering.
Volunteer Registration Form
Thank you and kind regards
Carolyn Hanley
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.
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
A reminder to please update your child's class on Flexischools to ensure their order goes to the correct classroom. There have been a couple of new items added to the menu including Margarita Pizza (Mon & Wed) and yoghurts.
Playgroup
