Week 7, Term 3
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Sunday, September 5th is Father’s Day, a time to reflect upon those people in our lives who guide us with strength and humility, and gift us with protection and love.
During the Catholic ‘Rite of Baptism,’ we pray a special prayer for the child’s father, which blesses the Father and helps them to continue their loving and holy vocation for their children.
Baptismal Prayer for Fathers
God is the giver of all life, human and divine. May he bless the father of this child. He and his wife will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they be also the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
We wish all Fathers a very happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father's Day
Staffing announcements
It is with pleasure that I announce two internal staffing appointments in preparation for the 2022 school year:
- Mrs Karen Sanderson has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal: Mission. This new role encompasses Catholic Identity and Pastoral Care (Wellbeing). Karen is a highly experienced educator having held various roles in schools and the Catholic Schools Office, and she will work alongside Rhonda Cree who will be our Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching. This new triad model of leadership between two Assistant Principals and the Principal will provide a new platform of support for our students and management of the school into the future.
- Mrs Kylie Cane has been appointed to the position of Leader of Pedagogy. Kylie is a celebrated teacher and an accomplished educator whose knowledge and skills will support the growth and development of our staff and enable her to impact a greater amount of students in the classroom.
On behalf of the school community, I congratulate both Karen & Kylie on their appointments and I wish them all the very best with their future endeavours. Thank you to Fr Michael Brady, Gary Reen (CSO - Lismore), Tameeka Glass (CSO - Lismore), Rhonda Cree & Jacinta Neville for their involvement and support in the panel discernment processes.
COVID update
As announced Thursday 26th August, the NSW Government has extended the statewide lockdown until September 10th at this stage. Please note the attached letter that informed families of the ongoing arrangements for schooling during this period. We will provide further information concerning learning and teaching arrangements via email. I congratulate and thank everyone for the way we have gone about our business during the recent lockdown; our 'Family in Christ' has certainly wrapped around each other with love and kindness and I am immensely proud of our efforts; thank you!
COVID style learning
Changes to Term 3 Dates/Events
Given the current COVID restrictions and the lockdown across New South Wales, the following changes will be made to the Term 3 events/activities schedule (please note these are subject to change due to COVID guidelines).
The remainder of Term 3:
- Tuesday, August 31st: 3-Way Conferences (postponed until we return to face-to-face learning).
- Wednesday, September 1st: 3-Way Conferences (postponed until we return to face-to-face learning).
- Friday, September 3rd: Father's Day Breakfast (Cancelled).
- Thursday, September 16th: Musical Spectacular (Postponed).
- Friday, September 17th: Pupil Free Day (Cancelled)
- Friday, September 17th: R U Ok Day/Gems in the jar reward day.
3-Way Conferences: Teachers will continue their well-being phone calls with families over the coming weeks during the extended lockdown. The formal 3-Way Conferences will be rescheduled when we have returned to face-to-face learning and we'll celebrate each student's 'glows and grows' and set goals for Term 4 then. We thank you for your understanding of this change.
Thumbs-up
- All students for continuing to learn and engage tremendously well with their teachers and friends during the lockdown period.
- Parents for their unwaveringe support during the lockdown period.
- Teachers and staff for their ongoing dedication and support of our community during the lockdown period.
To conclude
I conclude this newsletter with a prayer for hope and grace; may God bless us all with His abundant love.
God of hope,
our hearts overflow with gratitude for your abiding presence during these exceedingly difficult and troubled times.
May the flames of hope remain aglow among individuals, families, communities and nations during the pandemic.
May our trust in you be affirmed, especially as we continue to navigate each day the challenges that have confronted us.
Let all that we are wait quietly before you, O God, knowing that our hope is in you.
By your Spirit, may we be grounded in the hope that is proclaimed in your word: you are our rock and salvation, our fortress where we will not be shaken.
We pray in the name of One who, by his resurrection, has given us the hope of life eternal, Jesus the Christ, Amen.
With blessings,
Nic.