Week 1, Term 3
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Welcome to Term 3! We hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break and is ready for the learning, spirituality and joy that awaits us throughout Term 3. It was beautiful to have our students return to school on Monday filled with enthusiasm and energy; we have had a terrific start to the term and all students have engaged positively throughout the week.
Term 3 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- Monday, July 18th: First day of Term 3.
- Tuesday, July 26th & Wednesday, July 27th: Murwillumbah Eisteddfod.
- Friday, July 29th: Zone Athletics.
- Tuesday, August 2nd: Netball Gala Day.
- Friday, August 5th: Tweed Public Speaking Final.
- Monday, August 8th: Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
- Wednesday, August 10th: Diocesan Athletics.
- Monday, August 15th - Friday, August 19th: Book Fair.
- Friday, August 19th: Book Week Dress-up Day & Grandparent's Day.
- Tuesday, August 23rd: Stage 3 Gala Day.
- Saturday, August 27th: St James Cabaret (Parent social event).
- Friday, September 2nd: Father's Day Breakfast.
- Friday, September 9th: R U OK day.
- Thursday, September 22nd: Musical Spectacular (Final day of Term 3)
- Friday, September 23rd: Pupil Free Day.
Mr McTaggart will be taking 5 weeks leave in late Term 3/early Term 4. Mrs Cree and Mrs Sanderson will be co-acting principals during this period.
Play is the way championships
On Friday, July 1st we held our Term 2 celebration of learning day. This event focused on our Play is the Way methodology and many parents and friends enjoyed playing the games and learning more about the life rafts with our students. It was a great way to end our Term and share all we've learned about Play is the Way and how this helps us to be more resilient and empathic people of good character and decency. For the second year running the 'Play is the Way Championship' winner was Ryland House, but as I reminded our students on the day, we don't come to school to be better than others, we come to school to better ourselves!
Championships Day photos
Good luck!
During weeks 2 and 3, several students will be representing our school at various events:
- Murwillumbah Eisteddfod.
Over 130 students from across the school.
- Zone Athletics Carnival.
Connor A, Cooper B, Isobelle C, Lucas C, Iziah C, Tyla C, Clifford C, Max C, Cohen D, Billy D, Lucia D, Gabriella D, Millie F, Tahlia F, Cade F, Hype G, Bethany I, Oliver J, Hazel L, Maya M, Kiana M, Grace M, Ethan M, Max N, Domenic P, Olive R, Willow R, Daisy S, Edward S, Eden S, Cormac T, Milla T, Yohanna U, Jessica V, Asthton V, Kayla W, Liam W, Ava W and Zane Z.
- Netball Gala Day.
Charlie B, Savanna C, Violet C, Stella D, Millie F, Tahlia F, Keira F, Maisy G, Rose H, Tayla H, Bethany I, Mila M, Kiana M, Ella M, Isabel M, Elspeth M, Leena N, Evie N, Macy N, Baylee P, Georgia P, Zivah P, Orlanda P, Ruby R, Torika R, Pippa S, Audrey S, Daisy S, Eden S, Milla T, Summer T, Kayla W, Lily W, Jacinta W, Lainey W and Ava W.
- Tweed Public Speaking.
Kinder; Evie B and Aiden J, Stage 1; Josh J and Violet P, Stage 2; Vincent P and Isabel M, Stage 3; Lily W and Ajay A.
We wish all of these students the best, and we acknowledge their efforts and diligence in representing St James with pride.
A warm welcome & staffing news
We have welcomed four new students recently to St James, and we hope they settle well into their new educational home and quickly make many new friends. I have been very impressed with the lovely welcome that our current students have offered; this is a great example of 'treating others the way you'd like to be treated.'
At the start of Term 3, we also welcomed Mrs Quinton to the Year 5 classroom and Mr Goulding to Physical Education and Science and Technology. In addition, we farewell Miss Clarke this week (School Counsellor); Cindy has kindly offered to assist students in the Mullumbimby area who were devastated by the floods earlier this year. A new school counsellor for St James will be appointed as soon as possible.
Letters of offer for Kindergarten enrolment went out at the end of Term 2 and this grade for 2023 is at capacity. Many prospective families talked about our school's reputation in the community, which comes from the hard work of staff, the engagement of our children and the lovely way parents feel and talk about the school to family and friends. Thank you!
St James ethos
A new sign has been installed just inside the main gate of the school. This sign details the ethos of St James and expresses all we believe and aspire for as a community. It will remind us that as we enter our beautiful school, we are coming into a place of joy, learning, faith and hope.
Thumbs-up
- All students, parents and staff for returning to school positively.
- Our maintenance crew for their work during the holidays.
- Our students for being so welcoming to our new students who have recently joined our school.
To conclude
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish priest and theologian, who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became its first Superior General. Ignatius is remembered as a talented spiritual director, who was beatified in 1609, and then canonized, receiving the title of Saint on March 12, 1622. His feast day is celebrated on July 31.
Our current Pope, Francis, who is the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State is a Jesuit priest, and the first Jesuit to be pope.
St Ignatius – pray for us.
St Francis – pray of us.
I look forward to our time together in Term 3 and to working in partnership with you as we build our ‘Family in Christ.’
With blessings,
Nic.