Week 9, Term 2 - 2023
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire community for contributing to the success of our school term. With your unwavering support and dedication, we have achieved significant milestones and created an environment conducive to learning and growth. Your involvement, through volunteering and partnering with us to support student learning, has positively influenced each child's educational experience. As we celebrate the successful culmination of this school term, let us cherish the knowledge we have gained and the experiences that have shaped us. Together, we have achieved great things, and I am truly grateful for the part each of you has played. The final day of Term 2 is Friday, June 30th and we recommence school on Monday, July 17th.
Term 2 Photos
School Improvement
School improvement is crucial for ensuring that schools provide the best possible education for students. It focuses on maximizing student achievement, promoting equity, and creating an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By continuously striving for improvement, schools can meet the evolving needs of students and prepare them for success in the future. At St James, we believe that school improvement is a community consideration, something we all need to strive for. So, to help us all stay on track with our aspirations a new sign is being installed at the front entrance; each year the sign will outline our school improvement aspirations so that we can continue to work together toward the same goals.
This year our goals are around achieving academic success, enhancing our Catholic mission, and building stronger partnerships with families. I am pleased to share that some gains have been made in each area.
- NAPLAN 2023 continues to illustrate growth of students.
- Tell Them From Me survey results indicated that students in Years 4-6 believe that learning through religion and attending celebrations enhances their connection to Christ and how to be active Christians in the world.
- Parental involvement in our school is developing as illustrated through our recent Learning Conferences, 2023 Fete attendance and the breakfasts/school celebrations.
- Tell Them From Me parental survey reports place St James in positive space in domains of the survey; we are at or above the regional average (the snapshot below has the region mean in grey and our school's position in blue). 109 parents completed the survey. This information also illustrates which aspects could be our next foci of development.
Learning Conferences and Reports
Recently Parents/Students/Teachers attended the Term Two Learning Conference, which was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate achievements and look toward future goals in learning and social/emotional well-being. Teachers call this aspect of assessment, formative assessment as it forms an understanding of the next steps in learning. I am particularly pleased with how well the children were able to express their understanding of learning and where they need to go next. Our model of involving parents through regular conferences in student learning creates a collaborative and supportive ecosystem that positively impacts a student's academic progress, well-being, and overall development. It promotes a shared responsibility for education and enhances the likelihood of success for students.
To further enhance the process we included the Insight report for students, and recently families were sent a Compass invitation to gift their child/ren with feedback on their successes and growth; this will form part of the Semester report, which will be distributed on Tuesday, June 27th. Teachers call this report a summative assessment as it evaluates where students are at in their learning against standards and benchmarks.
In essence, the formative assessment (glows and goals/grows) and summative assessment (report), along with the Termly Learning Conferences are forming a positive partnership in learning between students, teachers, and parents. Leading educationalist John Hatties references parent partnerships in learning, along with student involvement as having a significant impact on student outcomes and the potential to accelerate learning. Thank you for partnering with us and sharing the learning journey and responsibility together.
Vocal events!
Our students have opted into some vocal events over the past week. Firstly, we congratulate students who attended the Murwillumbah Eisteddfod in Week 8; they presented their poems with brilliant articulation and precision, and achieved the following results:
- Kindergarten: 2nd place
- Stage 1: 3rd place
- Stage 2: 2nd place
- Stage 3: 2nd place
We also have several students participate in the selection for the upcoming Tweed Heads Public Speaking. Stage-based entries deliver their speeches to the stage grades and the winners will be selected by teachers to represent St James Primary at the event to be held in Term 3.
Vocal events
Staffing Announcements
Please note the following staffing announcements:
- Recently, one of our administration staff members, Mrs Sarah Stanton departed from her position in the school office due to family reasons. Sarah had been with us for five years where she enriched the administrative environment of our school and supported families and staff in various ways. We sincerely thank Sarah for her service and wish her all the best with her future endeavours. We are in the process of reviewing the needs of the office and will advertise a position vacant in due course.
- We will welcome Mrs Alisha Faga back to school from maternity leave in Term 3; Mrs Faga will be teaching each Thursday and Friday where she'll undertake a learning support role for students across the school. Welcome back, Alisha!
Play is the Way Championships
The Celebration of Learning Day for Term 2 will be held on Friday, June 30th. We hope that many parents and friends can join us for the events and lunch.
- 11:30am-1:20pm: Play is the Way showcase and Championship.
- 1:20pm: Shared lunch (parents & students can order from the Canteen via Compass or cash before 9am).
School Chickens
Our school chickens (Rosalind, Henrietta, Marigold & Petunia) have settled into our school beautifully; we are getting around 4 eggs each day! To support the care of our chickens we are inviting parents to go on a weekend and/or holiday roster.
Weekend roster:
- Attend school on Saturday and Sunday and feed the chickens food scraps from home and give them some seed (provided). Check the eggs and take them home to enjoy some yummy scrambled, poached, or fried eggs!
Holiday roster:
- Attend school for a period of days during the holiday break (according to the roster) and feed the chickens food scraps from home and give them some seed (provided). Check their water and feeder. Check the eggs and take them home to enjoy some yummy scrambled, poached, or fried eggs!
Families who join the roster will have access to the school with a key for the side gate and an outline of what to do. The rosters will be changed each term so families can opt in or out as desired. If you'd like to join the upcoming holiday roster or the Term 3 roster, please email the school by Wednesday, June 28th (bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au) to indicate your interest dates. In advance, thank you for helping us take care of our little chicks!
Term 3 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- Monday, July 17th: First day of Term 3.
- Thursday, July 27th: Student Disco.
- Friday, July 28th: Zone Athletics.
- Friday, August 4th: Woodwork (Dad's social event).
- Tuesday, August 8th: Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
- Tuesday, August 8th: Tweed Rugby League Carnival.
- Wednesday, August 9th: NSW Netball Cup Carnival.
- Friday, August 11th: Needlepoint (Mum's social event).
- Sunday, August 13th: O'Dwyer Shield
- Tuesday, August 15th: Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
- Tuesday, August 15th: Dio Athletics.
- Friday, August 18th: Book Week Dress-up Day and Grandparent's Day.
- Friday, August 25th: Stage 3, Gala Day.
- Saturday, August 26th: Parent Trivia Evening
- Thursday, August 31: Father's Day Stall.
- Friday, September 1st: Father's Day Breakfast.
- Friday, September 8th: World Literacy Day.
- Saturday, September 9th: Stage 3 Family Mass.
- Friday, September 15th: R U OK Day.
- Wednesday, September 20th: Dio Soccer/Netball.
- Thursday, September 21st: Matilda - The Musical (music spectacular).
- Friday, September 22nd: Pupil Free Day.
Thumbs-up
- Students who participated in the school's public speaking events.
- Students, parents, and staff for engaging in this term's Learning Conferences.
- All families, staff, and students for sharing a wonderful Term 2.
To conclude
On June 11th, the Church celebrated 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 and on Sunday 25th June Lilly B, Leonard B, Jed C, Violet C, Bryce C, Max C, Thiago D, Sabrina D, Tahlia F, Mikayla F, Austen F, William H, Cooper H, Tex L, Lucy O, Lachlan P, Vincent P, William S, Summer S, Kingston T, Jacinta W and Lainey W will receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time. We congratulate you all and continue to hold you in our prayers.
Heavenly Father, as these children approach this holy sacrament for the first time, we ask You to fill their hearts with reverence, awe, and understanding. Open their minds to grasp the profound mystery of Your presence in the bread and wine, and help them to grow in their love for You through this blessed sacrament. May this sacrament deepen their relationship with You, nourish their souls, and grant them the grace to live as faithful witnesses of Your Gospel. Lord, we entrust these children, their families, and our entire faith community into Your loving care. Guide us always, strengthen our faith, and help us to live as disciples of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
