Week 5, Term 3 - 2024
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
Today we celebrated Grandparents Day & Book Week Dress-up Day. It was wonderful to have so many visitors in our school honouring the love and friendship across the generations. It was also wonderful to see the myriad of costumes linked to books, supporting our students' engagement in reading as a lifelong adventure. We thank all involved in creating this memorable event.
In their hearts, there’s a warmth like the sun,
With each grandchild, their joy has begun,
Through stories they share,
And with love in the air,
Grandparents make life full of fun!
Book Week & Grandparent's Day
Confirmation
We are filled with joy and pride as we celebrate the students who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church on Thursday, September 5th. This significant milestone marks a deepening of their faith and a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ. Through the guidance of their families, teachers, and parish community, these young people have prepared their hearts and minds to welcome the Holy Spirit more fully into their lives.
As they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray that they continue to grow in wisdom, understanding, and courage, becoming strong witnesses of God’s love in the world. Congratulations; may your Confirmation be filled with joy, love and faith.
Father's Day
During Week 6 we will hold our Father's Day stall on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings [August 27th-29th] outside of the front office from 8am-8:30am. Students can purchase a gift for their Dad on any morning for $5. Then on Friday, August 30th, Dads and Father figures, along with all students and family members are invited to our annual Father's Day breakfast [7:30am-8:30am].
Sporting news
In recent weeks our students have been immensely busy with their sporting endeavours.
- We congratulate Violet C, Cooper D, Emilia DS, Lucia DS, Emily G, Lacey G, Ezekiel I, Maya PM, Grace R, Junia R, Eden S, Jessica V, Liam W and Ava W on their efforts and tremendous sports-person-ship at the recent Diocesan Athletics Carnival. Well done kids! We especially acknowledge: Eden S who will now travel to Sydney for the Polding Athletics Championships, early in Term 4.
- In the coming weeks our senior students will attend the NSW Netball School Cup [Tuesday, August 27th] and the Stage 3 Tweed Gala Day [Friday, September 6th]; we wish them all the best and hope the fully enjoy these opportunities.
Diocesan Athletics
Safety Reminders
Safety is a vital part of schooling, as such, we need all of our community to promote the following:
- The gates open at 8am; students are not to arrive prior to this time. At 8am all students must sit under the Covered Outdoor Learning Area (COLA) until the duty teacher commences at 8:10am. Please note that from 8am-8:10am, students are not directly supervised.
- Collection of students is 3pm. Students are supervised for bus collection and car pick-up and they may wait outside of the office until 3:15pm (sitting on the grass) for siblings coming from the College. There is a growing number of students who are waiting in and around the school until around 3:20pm for collection from parents; we respectfully request that this does not occur in the future.
- Whilst there has been a great improvement in the management of traffic and adherence to driving protocols within the school grounds, we still have some issues, please note:
1. Do not park on nature strips.
2. Do not cut through the bus thoroughfare zone.
3. When using the car pick-up/drop-off zone do not get out of the car (children must be able to get in/out of the car and buckle in themselves) and do not allow children to get in the car until the car is adjacent to the footpath collection area.
Our teachers assist with traffic management each day, and this supervision helps immensely, but we also need all families to play their part so we can continually teach our students to play safe and be safe! I ask that all families reiterate these important rules with their children at home.
Right To Disconnect
You may be aware that a recent change in workplace legislation has introduced the right for employees to disconnect outside of their working hours. This new law will come into effect on 26 August 2024.
Our teachers are committed to providing the best education and support for your children. To ensure they can maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver their best during working hours, the new legislation allows them to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related communications outside of their scheduled hours.
We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation regarding this new legislation. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Response Time: You are of course welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you to the bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au address, however, please understand that if sent outside of working hours, teachers and staff may not respond until they are back on duty.
- Urgent Matters: If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required the principal does monitor the email system regularly and will respond if it is truly urgent or critical.
- Ongoing communication: We will continue to communicate important updates and information promptly through our standard communication channels (newsletter, grade blogs, Facebook, Compass etc). However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important change.
Mrs. Elaine Ryland
Mrs. Elaine Ryland, the foundation Principal of St James Primary School passed away peacefully last week. Mrs. Ryland was the first principal of the school and a passionate educator; she is the patron of our green house, Ryland and her legacy will live on in our community.
We entrust the soul of our beloved Mrs. Ryland into God's loving and merciful hands. In Your infinite compassion, welcome her into the peace and joy of Your eternal kingdom where she can rejoice in Your presence forever.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May their soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
School Improvement Goals: Fortnightly Update
Short Term Goals
Our short-term goal is; "Students will maintain a high standard of school attendance to build stronger connections with their teachers and peers."
Long Term Goals
One of our longer term goals is to build partnerships with our families and parents; this was evident at the recent School Community Group meeting, where the investment, support and conversations helped our school achieve good outcomes for our children.
Term 3 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- August 27th - 29th: Fathers Day Stall (8am-8:30am each day).
- August 27th: Netball Gala Day.
- August 27th - 29th: Learning Conferences.
- August 30th: Father's Day Breakfast - Volunteers if you are able to assist please email bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au
- September 5th: Sacrament of Confirmation.
- September 6th: Stage 3 gala day.
- September 10th: Student Disco.
- September 12th: Safe of Socials incursion
- September 20th: R U OK day.
- September 26th: Final day of Term 3 & School Spectacular (evening event)
- September 27th: Pupil Free Day.
Adults only event theme and date is currently being coordinated by the school, with parent support.
Thumbs-Up
- Our community for sharing a special Grandparent's Day and Book Week dress-up day.
- Parents who supplied and served the morning tea on Grandparent's Day.
- Parents, friends and students for celebrating a lovely Mass on the Feast of the Assumption.
- Langan and Elineau Families for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past two weekends.
To conclude
As Father’s Day approaches, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the fathers and father figures in our school community. Your unwavering support, dedication, and love shape the lives of your children in countless ways. From early morning drop-offs to helping with homework, attending school events, and being there for all the highs and lows, your presence makes a world of difference.
Thank you for the sacrifices you make, the lessons you teach, and the example you set. On this special day, we celebrate you and all that you do.
May your day be filled with love, joy, and the appreciation you so greatly deserve.
Happy Father’s Day!
Upcoming events.....
Please note the following upcoming events......
Parenting support and learning.....
Please note the following parenting supporting & learning items.....
Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson
Wednesday 11 September from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health needs of children and young people. The session will include:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible.
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children.
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal.
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child’s wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers.
- Creating a margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness.
To register, click here.
eSafety Parent Webinars Term 3
Understanding how to support your child with online gaming
Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and early secondary school.
Tuesday, 30 July, 12.30pm
Tuesday, 3 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Consent and online boundaries: How to support your primary-aged child
Suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.
Tuesday, 13 August, 12.30 pm
Wednesday, 11 September, 12.30 pm
Register here
An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies
Suitable for parents and carers of children and parents in primary and secondary school.
Wednesday, 24 July, 2.30pm
Thursday, 5 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Anita Heiss Reads Bidhi Galing
This is a special invitation to our parent and carer subscribers to register for a free online literacy event and receive a free book!
'Anita Heiss Reads Bidhi Galing'
An online literacy event for all families to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day!
Wednesday 4 September, 7pm – 7.30pm
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has a limited number of books to give away so families can read along with Anita, so register now to receive a copy of the book in the mail! We’ll include a Home Reading Tipsheet and fridge magnet too!
Go to the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT website to REGISTER.
Or use the QR code:
Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September and is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures and Languages (find out more here: (https://www.
To celebrate this year, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has organised a wonderful online evening event open to all families in our schools.
We are delighted that Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss will read her book Bidhi Galing. Dr Anita Heiss AM is a proud member of the Wiradyuri nation of central New South Wales and one of Australia's most prolific and well-known authors publishing across genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children's fiction.
Her book Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) tells the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852 and the Wiradyuri heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky who paddled bark canoes through raging floodwaters, risking their lives to save countless others. Primary school students aged 7–12 – and their families! – will love this story and the beautiful book illustrations. It’s a chance to sit down together and enjoy a nice, quiet time listening and reading, which is a wonderful way to support children’s literacy skills at home.
Item 9: Developing your Child's Social Skills
Social skills are the essential behaviours and communication abilities that enable
individuals to engage effectively and harmoniously with others in various social situations.
Improving your child's social skills is an ongoing process that involves practice, patience,
and support.
Here are some strategies to help enhance your child's social skills:
Encourage Play: Encourage your child to engage in unstructured play with peers, which
allows them to practice social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating. Provide
opportunities for both one-on-one and group play experiences.
Teach Conversation Skills: Help your child develop conversation skills by teaching them
how to greet others, ask questions, listen actively, and maintain eye contact. Practice
having simple conversations with your child and provide feedback on their communication
skills.
Role-Play Scenarios: Use role-playing to help your child practice social interactions in
different situations. Role-play common scenarios such as introducing themselves to a new
friend, asking for help, or resolving conflicts peacefully. Offer praise and constructive
feedback to reinforce positive behaviours.
Promote Empathy: Teach your child to understand and empathise with the feelings of
others. Encourage them to consider how their words and actions may impact others and to
show kindness and compassion towards their peers. Model empathetic behaviour in your
own interactions.
Practice Sharing and Cooperation: Encourage your child to share toys, games, and other
resources with their peers. Teach them the importance of cooperation and teamwork
through collaborative activities such as building projects, group games, or working on a
task together.
Provide Social Opportunities: Arrange playdates, join clubs or extracurricular activities,
and participate in community events to give your child opportunities to interact with peers
outside of school. Exposure to diverse social settings can help broaden your child's social
skills and build confidence in social situations.
Set Realistic Expectations: Be patient and understanding as your child learns and
develops their social skills. Recognise that progress may take time and that setbacks are a
natural part of the learning process. Celebrate small victories and offer encouragement
along the way. Praise your child for demonstrating positive social behaviours such as
sharing, being inclusive, using polite manners, and showing empathy.
When a Friendship Issue Happens: Issues amongst friends that don’t constitute bullying
often occur as children navigate their social world. As a parent, it is important to avoid:
● jumping in to fix the friendship drama,
● dismissing your child’s feelings about it, or
● advising them to ‘find new friends’.
Instead, listen, ask open-ended questions, empathise, and ask your child if they want you
to help them brainstorm possible ideas. Sometimes, your child might just want a listening
ear. Keeping calm when your child describes their friendship issues is an important way to
model emotional regulation.
If you have concerns about your child's social development or if they are struggling
significantly in social situations, consider seeking guidance from the school. If there are
ongoing concerns after the implementation of strategies at home and at school, a referral
from your GP may assist you in exploring any underlying issues so your child can
experience social success and navigate social interactions with confidence.
Other information.....
Please note the following additional information.....
