Week 3, Term 2 - 2023
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Sunday, May 14th is Mother’s Day. We extend our best wishes and love to all Mothers and Mother Figures. Today we held our special Mother’s Day breakfast at school and we hope everyone enjoyed this celebration, as we gathered to give thanks and love to our Mothers. We thank all of the parent helpers who cooked, served, and cleaned for our mums!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mother's Day Breakfast
Staffing announcement
Miss Matilda Regan will be leaving our school at the end of Term 2; she has accepted a new teaching position at Holy Family School, Skennars Head, which is closer to her home and family.
Miss Regan has been an integral part of the school community and has made a significant contribution to the Kindergarten students’ education during her time here. We would like to thank Matilda for her dedicated service and commitment to our students.
We are currently in the process of finding a suitable replacement for Miss Regan and will keep you informed of any developments. In the meantime, we will ensure that the Kindergarten students' education is not disrupted, and we will do our best to make this transition as smooth as possible.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this time of change.
Sporting News
We congratulate Liam W, Lennox C, Cruz S, Junia R, Beau D, Ethan M, Emi D, Jessica V, Lacey G, Hazel L, Zoe A, Sophie W, Hype G, Jake M, Max C, Spencer N, Tex L, Vincent P, Lucia D, Tahlia F, Kayla W, Mikayla F, Elspeth M, Layla W, Lucas C, Sunny E, Billy D, Iziah C, Lukis M, Bethany I, Sienna P, Millie Fairall, Savanna C, Cade F, Cormac T, Beau K, Brodie J, Hudson B, Zane C, Zane Z, Isobelle C, Indi D, Josie M, Gabriella D, Brooklynn H, and Ruby R who participated in the Zone Cross Country on May 5th; they all did an amazing job representing our school and running their distances with energy and enjoyment. We had a number of individual age winners: Lucia 10 yrs, Hype 10yrs and Cade 12 yrs with Cormac as runner-up. Billy, Jake, Emi, Isobelle and Liam were also successful in proceeding to the next stage of this event and they will represent the Tweed zone team at the Diocesan event on Tuesday 23rd May; good luck!
St James Fete
The 2023 School Fete will occur on Sunday, May 28th - save the date! It will be a fun-filled day for families and visitors and gives us a wonderful opportunity to build our 'Family in Christ.'
Grant success
The Albanese Government, with Justine Elliott MP has gifted St James Primary with an 'Upgrading and new equipment' Grant to the value of $25,000. We sincerely thank the Federal Government for this additional funding that will be used for Information Technology & Communication (ICT) needs in the school.
Introducing our Peer Support Program
Friday 12th May, our students will commence our Peer Support Program with Session 1 - Feeling Safe Being me! For the next 8 weeks they will be involved in groups of approximately 8-10 students to work with two student Peer Leaders and supervising teacher on Stronger Together - a module that aims to support positive relationships amongst students. Starting week 3, we will talk to students about their strengths and their resilience. We will discuss positive relationships or friendships and what to do if they experience harmful and hurtful behaviours. Our Peer Leaders have been trained and have planned their session using the materials we have from Peer Support Australia that are specially designed for student-led sessions. Our Supervising/Class Teachers will prepare students, supervise sessions and check understanding at the end of the session.
Our session this week includes activities for the members of the group to get to know each other by
using a range of social skill interactions that promote diversity and engagement in a sensitive yet
productive manner. It also establishes a safe learning environment where the peer group feel able
to join in, share and contribute to developing a sense of belonging, to better protect themselves from the effects of bullying. Find your safe place.
Peer Support Australia provides reading and resources specifically for parents.
Visit www.peersupport.edu.au and use the parent tab
Woodwork
Our second Dad's Woodwork event is scheduled for this evening (Friday 12th May, 7pm) in the MPC. All Dads are invited to come along and watch professional sporting events, and play pool, darts, and cards, whilst meeting other dads from our community. The AFL, NRL, and Basketball will be on the three screens for your viewing pleasure!
The first event was a great success and it was terrific to see new relationships form, laughs shared, and to find out who was the "pool shark" of the St James community!
Term 2 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for the remainder of Term 2.
- May 28th: School Fete
- May 30th: Pupil Free Day
- June 6th, 7th and 8th: Parent Teacher Student Conferences
- June 9th: School Athletics
- June 12th: King's Birthday Public Holiday
- June 14th-15th: Murwillumbah Eisteddfod
- June 23rd: School Athletics backup day
- June 30th: PiTW Championships / Term 2 celebration of learning day / Final day of Term 2
Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement
Our school as part of the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL), like all child-safe organisations, is implementing the Child Safe Standards. As a part of this work, we share our Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement which reinforces our dedication to the safety and wellbeing of all children.
Please take the time to read the commitment statement and if you have any questions please discuss them with the school leadership team. We will continue to engage with you on this important matter.
Congratulations
We extend our congratulations to Mr Michael Keating (Year 6 Teacher) and his wife Teegan on the birth of their third child, a son Ziggy. His two big sisters Cali and Naia, and mum and dad are doing well! Welcome to the St James family, Ziggy.
Thumbs-up
- Mrs Karen Sanderson and Mrs Kylie Cane for being terrific Acting-Principals during my recent absence.
- Parents who assisted with our Mother's Day stall and Mother's Day breakfast.
- All parents who completed the Tell Them From Me survey.
- Parents who nominated St James when purchasing school shoes at Tweed City Athletes Foot. We have received $500.00 earnt from a total of 100 pairs of shoes sold during the period April 22 to March 23 as part of the Athletes Foot Tweed City School Donation Program.
- Athletes Foot Tweed City for supporting our school.
To conclude
Recently students and families have engaged in Religious Education and evangelisation events that have helped individuals explore their own beliefs, values, and spirituality, leading to personal growth and self-discovery. The St James Feast Day and our whole school retreat have helped spread the message and teachings of Christ to everyone in our community, which is central to the mission of St James Primary. It was a pleasure to see everyone engaging in thoughtful discussions and activities that promoted learning and spiritual growth. The children's engagement is inspiring and serves as a valuable contribution to our community.
With blessings,
Nic.
Religious Education Events
