Week 3, Term 3 - 2023
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
On August 8th, we celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop; to commemorate this day we will hold a liturgy at 8.40am on Monday 7th August; parents are welcome to attend.
Mary MacKillop was an Australian Catholic nun who founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor. Our Stage 3 Learning Community is named in her honour, as is one of our House Teams: MacKillop House (Blue).
Mary’s generosity and kindness remind us that we should “Never see a need without doing something about it” (St Mary MacKillop), which through our Play is the Way methodologies and religious education program we accomplish within our school, parish, and the wider community.
We pray to Mary of the Cross MacKillop that we too may live with courage, trust, and openness and be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation
We congratulate those who were Confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 25th. May the Holy Spirit guide them and fill their heart with wisdom, courage, and love always.
Parent Forum / Fundraising
Our wonderful parent forum assists our school in a variety of ways, and I am most grateful for their presence and support. One aspect of their role is to determine fundraising activities and the expenditure of the funds. Currently, the parent forum has $24,850 in their bank accounts and they've determined that a large portion of these funds will be allocated to purchasing new furniture for the MPC [12 round tables, 8 rectangular tables, and 175 chairs]. The school budget will also input funds. I firmly believe that parent fundraising money should purchase items that all children and/or families can use and appreciate, and the 2023 support certainly does this! We thank the forum, but also every family who has supported our fundraising efforts; it's because of you, that we will have beautiful new furniture in our MPC - well done and thank you!
Staffing Announcement
Mrs Louise Kuhn has decided to retire from teaching after many years in the profession. Louise has been a valued teacher who has impacted many students' learning and well-being during her time at St James. Louise currently teaches in our specialist program (Science & Technology) and she will be retiring on Thursday, August 17th. Mrs Alisha Faga will teach Science and Technology each Thursday [Stage 1] and Mr Anthony Phelps will teach Science and Technology each Tuesday [Stage 2] and Wednesday [Stage 3] for the remainder of the year. At this moment, we thank and acknowledge Lousie's contribution and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Playground - afterschool
It is terrific to have many parents remaining after school to chat and build relationships as members of our 'Family in Christ.' Unfortunately, due to duty of care and supervision legalities, children cannot play on school equipment after school. Parents are welcome to stay and chat, but please ensure children remain off equipment. We thank you for supporting this duty of care matter.
Learning Conferences
The Term 3 Learning Conferences will be in Week 7 [August 29th, 30th & 31st]. A booking link will be sent via Compass next week. The letter concerning Learning Conferences that was recently sent out is attached for your reference.
Play is The Way
Mid Term 3 marks the 4-year anniversary of Play is the Way at St James! This program's practical methodology for teaching social and emotional skills using guided play, classroom activities and an empowering language is helping our children grow into people of good character and decency.
Over this time the children's understanding and use of the life rafts has increased beautifully (It takes great strength to be sensible, Pursue your personal best no matter who you work with, Be brave - participate to progress, Have reasons for the things you say and do, and Treat others as you would like them to treat you),which assists them in continually growing and challenging themselves.
In more recent times I am also seeing the values and virtues of Play is the Way impacting our children's daily lives. An example of this is 'good manners', and I am so impressed with how the children use their manners; when I say good morning at the gate and ask how each child is, I often receive a "Good thank you and how are you?" reply. This is so impressive for such little people!
If you like to learn more about Play is the Way so you can mirror the language in your home, please visit the website: https://playistheway.com.au/
Term 3 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- 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 (stage 2 and 3).
- Wednesday, August 9th: NSW Netball Cup Carnival (stage 2 and 3).
- Friday, August 11th: Needlepoint (Mum's social event).
- Sunday, August 13th: O'Dwyer Shield
-Monday, August 14th - Friday August 18th: Book Fair
- Tuesday, August 15th: Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
- Tuesday, August 15th: Dio Athletics.
- Friday, August 18th: Book Week Dress-up Day / Grandparent's Day.
- Friday, August 25th: Stage 3 Gala Day.
- Saturday, August 26th: Parent Bogan Bingo
- Thursday, August 31: Father's Day Stall.
- Friday, September 1st: Father's Day Breakfast.
- Friday, September 8th: World Literacy Day.
- Saturday, September 9th: Stage 2 Family Mass.
- Friday, September 15th: R U OK Day.
- Wednesday, September 20th: Dio Soccer/Netball.
- Thursday, September 21st: Matilda - The Musical (see information & flyer below).
- Friday, September 22nd: Pupil Free Day.
Our musical spectacular for 2023 is a whole school musical, Matilda Jnr. This will be showcased for all students, families and guests in the Doyle Centre of St Joseph's College on Thursday, September 21st, commencing at 6:45 pm. As we prepare for the event, students who have a lead role will practice with Mr McTaggart each Monday and Friday afternoon in the MPC and if available we'll rehearse in the Doyle Centre from time to time. All other students will practice their parts in their music classes with Miss Ryan. We will be holding whole school practices in the Doyle centre on September 1st, 8th & 15th, and September 20th (if required) from 1 pm-3 pm. Costume information was sent out on July 26th and is also listed below. Further information about arrival times, seating etc will be forwarded closer to the event. We are looking forward to singing, dancing and amazing our audience with this special event!
- Kinder: Colourful mufti. Each child to choose any colour and fully dress in those tones.
- Year 1: School Uniform; no hat, but children may add school jackets, tights, creative hair
styles [in school colour tones] etc.
- Year 2: Pyjamas [children may be creative, e.g.: with hair, dressing gowns etc].
- Year 3: Colourful mufti. Each child to choose any colour and fully dress in those tones.
- Year 4: Army camouflage [children may be creative with face paint etc].
- Year 5: School Uniform; no hat, but children may add school jackets, tights, creative hair
styles [in school colour tones] etc.
- Year 6: School Uniform [Yr. 6 Graduation Polo]; no hat, but children may add school
jackets, creative hair styles [in school colour tones] etc.
- Lead roles: Information about costumes for leading characters was sent home recently.
Advanced notice - Grandparent's Day
Friday, August 18th (Week 5) is our 2023 Book Week dress-up day and Grandparent's Day. Students are encouraged to come to school dressed as a book character and families (especially Grandparents) are invited to come along to school for the fun and festivities of the day!
8:40am: Gather in the Doyle Centre [St Joseph's College].
9 am: Grandparents' Day assembly & Book Week parade.
10:10 am: Classroom visits.
10:40 am: Morning Tea (provided by the Parent Forum].
We invite families to send in a maximum of two photos of students with their grandparents/family for the assembly presentation. Please ensure these are in JPEG format and are attachments to an email that is sent to bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au
Woodwork & Needlepoint
The Term 3 Woodwork event for Dads is on Friday 4th August from 7pm in the MPC with Needlepoint being the following Friday, 11th August. All are welcome!
Thumbs-up
- All parent helpers for their assistance with the student disco.
- All students for their wonderful energy and behaviour at the school disco.
- Our confirmation candidates, who participated with reference and awe.
- Manouk [Isaac] & Elineau [Olivia] Families for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past two weekends.
To conclude
On July 27th our students danced and sang to the beat and tunes at our school Disco. It was terrific to witness the fun and joy as the children relished in the love of music. Many thanks to Amanda and all the parent helpers for organising this for the children.