Week 7, Term 3
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Sunday, September 4th is Father’s Day, a time to reflect upon 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 also be 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
Student Attendance
It is pleasing to report that student attendance across the school has improved over the past few weeks; thank you and well-done everyone!
High expectations and consistency are the keys to attendance, which leads to improvements in student outcomes. However, if a child is genuinely sick, then they need to be at home, but if they are "sick" (meaning having a sickie!), then they need to be at school....sometimes it's hard to tell the difference! As for COVID rules; if a student has COVID they're mandated by the NSW Government to remain in isolation for 5 days from the date of the positive test, even without symptoms. If symptoms persist, you are asked to return once a negative test is reached or until you are well enough to attend school.
Whole school reward
The children have filled the 'Gems in the jar' for Term 3 by being 'Respectful, Learners and Safe.' Their reward will be mufti-dress and some free time in the classrooms on Thursday, September 22nd. The year 6 students were consulted on this choice and their maturity and understanding of democracy with this matter was excellent! Well done kids!
Musical Spectacular
The School Musical Spectacular will be held on Thursday, September 22nd at 7pm in the Doyle Centre of St Joseph's College. This year's theme is Australiana and it's set to be an exciting evening of singing, dancing and celebrating all things Australian!
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is an Australian observance that celebrates culture, reconciliation and inclusion, the acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Students at St James shared activities and learning related to NAIDOC on Friday, August 26th; it was a wonderful day that helped everyone to 'Get-up, stand-up & show-up!'
NAIDOC Week
Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- Thursday, September 8th: Parent Teacher Student Conferences.
- Friday, September 9th: R U OK day - Walk and Talk A Thon.
- Thursday, September 22nd: Musical Spectacular (Final day of Term 3). 7pm, Doyle Centre at St Joseph's College.
- Friday, September 23rd: Pupil Free Day.
Please note the advance notice for Term 4 pupil free days.
- An additional Pupil Free day has been allocated from the Catholic Schools Lismore, which will be taken on Monday, October 10th.
- Pupil Free days are also allocated for Thursday, November 3rd and Friday, November 4th.
St James Trivia Event
Thank you to all parents and friends who attended our recent trivia event fundraiser. We had a tremendous evening of laughter, and we raised $2,150, which is terrific.
Our Parent Forum has worked very hard to build our community and to provide little extras for the children's learning and well-being experiences at school. To this end, the forum funds will be used on the following things that enhance St James.
1. Shade sale over the nature play; costing $7,540. School to contribute $3,040 and forum to contribute $4,500.
2. Chicken coop; costing approximately $5,000 [paving, coop, miscellaneous items and chickens]. Forum to contribute $3000, with school contributing $2,000
3. MPC furniture; costing $16,500. Forum to fund approx $7,500 for chairs and school to fund $5,000 for chairs. Forum to fund approx $2,000 for tables and school to fund $2,000 for tables.
Trivia night
Thumbs-up
- Everyone for sharing a lovely Father's Day breakfast; thank you to all the helpers!
- Sarah Reynolds (McKenzie Y1) and Woolworths Tweed City for donating the bacon at our Father's Day breakfast.
- All parent helpers involved in the trivia event.
- Our community for their tremendous fundraising efforts.
To conclude
Friday, 9th September will be my final day of the term; I am taking Weeks 9 & 10 (Term 3) and Week 1 (Term 4) as Long Service Leave. I sincerely appreciate your support of my leadership and this time of leave. Mrs Cree will be Acting-Principal, and she will be supported by Mrs Sanderson, our Asssitant Principal Mission - you're in capable hands!
I look forward to my return to school on Monday, 17th October.
With blessings,
Nic.