Week 7, Term 2
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Family-school partnerships are collaborative relationships based on mutual trust and respect and shared responsibility for the education of our children. Research demonstrates that effective schools that have high levels of parental and community involvement have improved student learning, attendance and behaviour.
I am especially pleased with how our community has come together in the past weeks to reunite and refocus our energies and efforts on the learning and well-being of our kids. I am looking forward to us continuing on this path and I encourage parents to strengthen this by.....
- Attending school events, such as assembly, social gatherings and liturgies.
- Come into the school grounds in the morning during drop-off and pick-up times.
- Network with teachers during the open classroom period each morning (from 8:30am).
- Reading and actioning all school-home communication.
- Contribute to the learning of children through things like home reading and attending 3-Way conferences.
- Take up opportunities that give parents a voice in our school's procedures and directions.
Our partnerships with families are key to our success and we indeed thank you for journeying with us in unity as we achieve fullness of life for all.
Staffing news
Mrs Faga (Year 5 teacher) is expecting her 3rd child late July, and she will commence maternity leave from the beginning of Term 3. We informed our Year 5 parents recently that Mrs Quinton will move from Science and Technology to teach Year 5 full-time for the remainder of the year. Due to this change, a new teacher, Mr Joel Goulding has been appointed as Science and Technology teacher and he will join Mrs Robinson in this co-teaching environment. A formal opportunity to thank Alisha for her work and dedication will occur towards the end of Term 2, and we welcome Kate and Joel to our school community in their new roles.
In other staffing news, the interviews for our new Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching will occur on June 21st and I hope to have an announcement about this appointment shortly after. Please keep the selection panel and candidates in your prayers as we search for a new key leader of our school.
O'Dwyer Shield
Students in Year 3-6 participated in the O'Dwyer Shield on Sunday, June 5th; they represented St James with pride and a joy-filled spirit. We congratulate the children on their efforts and thank the staff and parents involved in the event.
3-Way Conferences
We have completed two of the three 3-Way Conference evenings, with the third scheduled for Tuesday, June 14th. It's been terrific to have parents and students sharing their glows and grows and focus on how we can continue to develop each child spiritually, socially and academically. This semester has marked the first occasion we've used student-led conferences in Years 5 & 6; we have seen amazing conversations about learning that are led by the students. John Hattie, a leading educational researcher found that this type of activity assists student progression and our results thus far attest to this!
Sharing learning
Term 2 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for the remainder of Term 2.
- June 13th: Queen's Birthday (Public Holiday).
- June 14th: 3-Way Conferences.
- June 20th: Public Speaking Finals.
- June 22nd, 23rd, & 24th: Mr McTaggart attending a Principal's Meeting, Coffs Habour.
- July 1st: Play is the Way Championships (Celebration of Learning Day for Term 2).
Thumbs-up
- Parents, Teachers & Students for engaging in the 3-Way Conferences.
- Students for their participation in the School Athletics Carnival.
- Everyone involved in the O'Dwyer Shield event.
To conclude
On June 16th, the Church celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi, which commemorates the immense gift of the Eucharist in our lives and in the Church. In Latin, Corpus Christi means Body of Christ and on this day, we focus solely on celebrating the presence of Christ – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in the bread and wine at the Eucharist table where we are nourished by God’s presence in our lives.
This feast coincides with the sacrament of First Communion, where many of our students will receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time, on June 19th. We pray for Callum A, Georgie B, Lucas C, Joseph C, Gabrielle C, Myles C, Iziah C, Billy D, Millie F, Cleo F, Gabriel F, Jayden H, Ivy H, Ryder J, Georgia P, Mila M, Isabel M, Aoife M, Macy N, Kalan P, Sienna P, Helah P, William R, Aria S, Banjo S, Pippa S, Scarlett S, Edward S, Luca T, Emma V, Kayla W, Layla W, and Willow W; may the eucharist they receive nourish them and bring them closer to Christ.
With blessings,
Nic.