Week 9, Term 3 - 2023
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
At our school, we place a great emphasis on student well-being and one of our central beliefs is that 'we don't come to school to be better than others. We come to school to better ourselves by being able to work with others'. As such, we aim to foster wellness, self-confidence, and self-worth, which assists students to have a greater capacity to learn and grow in God's love.
Wellbeing at St James is promoted and supported in many ways: whole school relationships, programs such as Play is the Way, sharing joy, personnel such as our Wellbeing Team and School Counsellor, peer support program, and student leadership.
Each year we celebrate 'R U OK Day', which occurred today at school. By focusing on R U OK Day we aim to build a mentally strong community of learners both here at St James and into the future of our country. This also promotes asking this important question every day.
We also hosted a Talk-And-Walk-A-Thon to acknowledge R U OK Day and Say No to Bullying Day.
It's important that our children feel safe, connected, and supported at school and within the wider community. The Talk-And-Walk-A-Thon has been designed to strengthen feelings of connection and a sense of belonging, allowing students to get to know other students at school.
Students stretched their legs on the bottom oval and talked about topics from how they spend their weekends to how they want to change the world. These topics encourage peer engagement, help strengthen bonds, and allow students to feel connected with people they see every day but may not necessarily know.
The Talk-And-Walk-A-Thon is an initiative by Peer Support Australia, a not-for-profit that has been helping Australian schools build student well-being for 50 years.
St Dymphna is a Catholic saint associated with mental health and well-being, we pray:
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
R U OK Day?
Finishing Term 3/Matilda Jnr Musical
The final day of Term 3 is Thursday, 21st September, with Friday, 22nd September being a pupil-free day. On Thursday evening (6:45 pm) we are presenting Matilda Jnr The Musical. This is being showcased in the Doyle Centre (Hall) of St Joseph's College. Doors open at 6:15 pm and we ask that all students be seated with their teachers at the front of the Doyle centre by 6:30pm.
Preparing for Matilda Jnr - Musical
NAIDOC Week
St James Primary celebrated NAIDOC Week during Week 8. This was an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. The students' presentations and engagement in activities were terrific.
NAIDOC Week
Diocesan Soccer
We offer our best wishes to our soccer team who will compete at the Diocesan Soccer Carnival in Grafton on September 20th - good luck kids!
Term 4 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 4.
- Monday, October 9th: Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday, October 10th: First day of Term 4
- Wednesday, October 18th: Kindergarten 2024 Welcome BBQ
- Friday, October 20th: Mission Fair & Crazy Sock Day
- Friday, October 20th: Australian Teacher's Day
- Monday, October 23rd - Wednesday, October 25th: Year 4 Camp
- Thursday, October 26th - Friday, October 27th: Year 3 Camp
- Tuesday, October 31st: Kindergarten 2024 Transition session
- Wednesday, November 1st: K/1/2 Camp
- Thursday, November 2nd: Pupil Free Day
- Friday, November 3rd: Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday, November 7th: Kindergarten 2024 Transition session
- Tuesday, November 14th - Thursday, November 16th: Term 4 Learning Conferences
- Friday, November 17th: Woodwork & Needlepoint Social Gatherings
- Monday, November 20th - Wednesday, November 22nd: Year 5 Camp
- Thursday, November 23rd: Kindergarten 2024 Transition session
- Saturday, November 25th: Stage 1 Family Mass
- Monday 27th, Wednesday 29th November and Friday, December 1st: Swimming Program
- Tuesday, November 28th: Yr 6 Graduation Mass, 5:30pm @ St Joseph's Church
- Thursday, November 30th: Kindergarten 2024 Transition & K-6 step-up session
- Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th and Friday December 8th: Swimming Program
- Tuesday, December 5th: Swimming Carnival [Y2-Y6] @ Murwillumbah Aquatic Centre
- Thursday, December 7th: Christmas Carols
- Monday, December 11th: Yr 6 Celebration Day
- Tuesday, December 12th: Kindergarten Graduation
- Thursday, December 14th: End of Year Liturgy & Yr 6 Dinner Dance
- Friday, December 15th: Final School Assembly, Yr 6 celebration day & final day for 2023
Thumbs-up
- To everyone for sharing a wonderful term.
- In advance....to all families for attending the school musical and to the lead role students for their work in preparing for the show!
- Families for engaging in our Term 3 Learning Conferences.
- Stage 2 families who attended the Year 3/4 Parish Family Mass.
- Turner [Ivy & Avery] & Long [Murphy] Families for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past two weekends; and the Henze Family [David] for looking after them this weekend.
To conclude
Next Thursday we will arrive at the end of a busy and successful Term; we acknowledge the spirit of kindness, giving, sharing, support, learning, and joy that has been present in our school during our time together. We are particularly proud of our students and all they have achieved.
May God’s blessing of peace be with everyone during the holiday break; we look forward to a safe return to school on Tuesday, 10th October.
With blessings,
Nic.
Term 3 Reflections
