Week 1, Term 4
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Welcome to Term 4; I trust that everyone has enjoyed their holiday break and have returned to school refreshed for the final part of the 2022 academic school year.
On October 4th, during the break, our Church celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi. St Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. Francis was born in 1181 in Italy and after his canonisation, he became the patron saint of animals and the environment. St Francis’ peace prayer reminds us that goodwill, love and harmony are aspirational elements of life that we all need to action……...we pray:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Settling into Term 4
Our students have settled back into Term 4 very calmly and positively; I especially acknowledge our Year 6 students who have commenced their final Term of Primary School and I wish them well as they journey with excitement (and some sadness) towards ending their time with us.
Welcome back
Mission Fair & Crazy Sock Day
Next Friday, October 21st we will hold our annual Mission Fair and Crazy Sock Day. This day is a fun experience for all students, where they explore the joy and games of the fair, which is fully organised and operated by our Year 6 leaders. Our senior students work tremendously hard with their stalls because they know that all proceeds go to those in need of our financial support, which supports the dignity of the human person and the common good of people. All students are invited to bring along some spare change to join in and donate towards our missionary efforts.
Camps
In Week 3 our Year 3, 4 & 5 students attend their camping experiences.
- Year 3: Overnight to Camp Goodenough (Carool)
- Year 4: 2 nights to Tyalgum Ridge
- Year 5: 2 nights to Burleigh Heads
We wish all campers a safe and joyful adventure and we look forward to hearing their tales upon their return to school - have fun kids!
Term 4 Dates and Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 4:
- Monday 17th October: Catholic Mission Liturgy, 8.40am MPC
- Friday 21st October: Mission Fair & Crazy Sock Day
- Monday 24th - Wednesday 26th October: Year 4 Camp
- Wednesday 26th October: Kindergarten 2023 Welcome BBQ, 5.30pm Adventure Playground
- Wednesday 26th - Friday 28th October: Year 5 Camp
- Thursday 27th - Friday 28th October: Year 3 Camp
- Wednesday 2nd November: Kinder / Year 1 / Year 2 Camp Day
- Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th November: Pupil Free Day
- Thursday 10th, 17th & 24th November: Kindergarten 2023 Transition sessions
- Monday 28th, Wednesday 30th November & Friday 2nd December: Swimming program [K-3]
- Monday 28th November & Friday 2nd December: Swimming program [4-6]
- Tuesday 29th November: Yr 6 Graduation Mass, 6pm St Joseph's Church, Tweed Heads
- Thursday 1st December 1st: Kindergarten 2023 Transition & K-5 step-up 2023 class
- Monday 5th, Wednesday 7th & Friday 9th December: Swimming program [K-3]
- Monday 5th & Friday 9th December: Swimming program [4-6]
- Tuesday 6th December: Swimming Carnival [Y2-Y6] @ Murwillumbah Aquatic Cnt
- Thursday 8th December: Christmas carols, 6.30pm
- Wednesday 14th December : Kindergarten Graduation, 9am MPC
- Thursday 15th December: Celebration of Learning & End of Year Liturgy, 11.30am Doyle Cnt
- Thursday 15th December: Year 6 Dinner Dance, 6pm MPC
- Friday 16th December: Final School Assembly / Last day for 2022
Thumbs-up
- All students for returning to school with positive attitudes;
- Our maintenance crew who worked tirelessly during the break to ensure our learning environment is clean and tidy.
To conclude
We acknowledge World Teacher's Day on Friday, October 21st, which is an opportunity for us to give thanks to the dedicated people who gift our community with care, support and education of our students. At St James, we are very blessed to have staff who ensure that our children are safe, known and loved each day as valued members of our ‘Family in Christ.’ On behalf of our community, I thank our staff for the dedication and joy they bring to our community.
Mr McTaggart returns to school on Monday, October 17th; we look forward to his return, and I thank you for supporting me and the staff during his absence.
With blessings,
Rhonda.