Week 3, Term 4 - 2024

Welcome

Dear St James Community,

In 2024 the school has been developing a new School Ethos statement and School Improvement Plan [2025-2028], based on the input from parental surveys and voice, our Mission and School Improvement Reviews and many workshops and conversations with our staff team.

At St James, our School Improvement Plan is more than just a document—it's a living commitment to creating the best possible environment for our students to thrive.  Grounded in the pillars of Believe, Imagine, Serve, and focused on holistic development across Faith, Mission, Social Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Academic Intelligence, and Digital Intelligence, this plan guides us in nurturing well-rounded individuals.

However, this journey towards improvement is not something we can accomplish alone. It requires the active participation of all stakeholders—students, parents, staff, and the wider community. Each of you plays an integral role in shaping the future of our school. By working together, sharing ideas, and contributing to our collective goals, we create a stronger, more inclusive environment where every student can achieve their potential.

Our new Ethos and School Improvement Plan [2025-2028] are below, and we invite you to be part of this ongoing journey, and together, we can ensure that St James remains a place where faith, learning, and community are in harmony, guiding us to a brighter future.

 Below is the link to the Week 3, Term 4 principal's podcast.

Ethos & SIP

Term 4 Camps

School camps are a highlight of the year for many students—and for good reason! These experiences offer more than just a fun getaway; they are an opportunity for students to grow, bond, and learn in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. Whether it’s challenging themselves on a ropes course, working together in team-building activities, or simply sharing stories around the campfire, school camps help develop essential life skills like independence, resilience, and teamwork.

For our students at St James, camp is also a time to deepen friendships and create lasting memories. Away from the usual school routine, they get the chance to connect with peers in new ways, strengthening their sense of community and belonging. The activities are designed not only to be enjoyable but also to promote personal growth, leadership, and confidence in every student.

In Term 4, 6 Grades will have their 2024 camp experience:

Kindergarten: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary visit and extended school stay on November 6th.

Year 1: Paradise Country visit and extended school stay on November 6th.

Year 2: Seaworld visit and extended school stay on November 6th.

Year 3: 1 night stay at Camp Goodenough on November 28th & 29th. 

Year 4: 2 night stay at Tyalgum Ridge on October 28th, 29th & 30th. 

Year 5: 2 night stay at Lake Ainsworth on November 11th, 12th & 13th.

We’re looking forward to seeing the smiles, laughter, and excitement as students embark on their camp adventures this year! It’s an experience that enriches their school journey and leaves them with stories to tell for years to come.

Year 4 Camp

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O'Dwyer Shield & Billy Hardy Shield

Last week, our students participated in a very special sporting event against St Joseph's Primary in memory of two much-loved members of our community, Billy Hardy and Ryan O'Dwyer. This match is not just about competition—it’s about celebrating the values they both embodied: sportsmanship, camaraderie, and a love for the game.

Billy and Ryan left a lasting impact on everyone who knew them, and this annual event is a wonderful way to keep their spirit alive.  The match was a fun and respectful one where our students honoured their legacy while fostering the friendships between our two schools.

O'Dwyer Shield & Billy Hardy Shield

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Kindergarten 2025

We were thrilled to welcome our newest families to St James at our Welcome to Kindergarten BBQ on October 24th! This special event was a wonderful opportunity for our 2025 Kindergarten students and their families to meet each other, connect with teachers, and get to know our school community in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Following the BBQ, the excitement continues with our first Kindergarten Transition Day on November 5th. On this day, the children will visit the school, explore their new learning spaces, and begin to feel at home in what will soon be their new school!

As we prepare for this exciting transition, here are a few simple ways parents can help their children feel confident and ready for school:

• Talk positively about school: Share stories about your own happy school memories and build excitement around the new experiences they’ll have.
• Encourage independence: Practice skills like packing their own bag, putting on shoes, and taking care of belongings to build confidence.
• Read together daily: Sharing books helps develop a love of learning and language skills that will support them in school.
• Establish routines: Start working on consistent bedtime and morning routines to create a smooth transition into school days.

We can’t wait to meet all our new Kindy students and families, and we look forward to helping them start this wonderful new chapter at St James!

Kindergarten 2025 Welcome BBQ

Parent Community Group

Our Term 4 Parent Community Group Meeting was held on Thursday, October 24th. Four parents and two staff members attended the meeting, during which we discussed our Term 4 events and began planning for the 2025 school year.  The agenda and minutes are below for your reference.  We want to grow this important forum and we ask parents to complete the survey below, which will help us build the Parent Community Group.

School Improvement Goals: Fortnightly Update

Short Term Goals

Our short-term goal is, "Together, we will take pride in our school by caring for our shared spaces and belongings, so that our school is clean, organised, and welcoming, making it a place we can all be proud of!"

Long Term Goals

One of our key school improvement goals is to strengthen partnerships with parents, recognising that a strong school community is built on collaboration between home and school. We took a significant step toward this goal with the Kindergarten 2025 Welcome BBQ, where families were welcomed into our community in a warm and relaxed setting. This event allowed parents, teachers, and future students to connect and begin forming the relationships that will support their child’s learning journey.

Additionally, the recent Parent Community Group Meeting provided another valuable opportunity for parents to share their voices, ideas, and hopes for the school. Through these collaborative efforts, we are building a strong foundation of trust and engagement with our families, ensuring that together we can support every child's success at St James.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to creating meaningful, lasting partnerships with parents as key stakeholders in our school’s mission and vision.

Term 4 Dates & Events

Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 4. 

• November 5^th: Kinder 2025 Transition 1.
• November 6^th: Year K-2 Camp.
• November 7^th & 8^th: Pupil Free Days.
• November 11^th: Remembrance Day.
• November 11^th – 13^th: Year 5 Camp.
• November 12^th: Kinder 2025 Transition 2.
• November 19^th – 21^st: Learning Conferences.
• November 26^th: Kinder 2025 Transition 3.
• November 28^th & 29^th: Year 3 Camp.
• December 2^nd – 6^th: K-6 Swimming.
• December 3^rd: Kinder 2025 Transition 3 & Whole School Step-up.
• December 5^th: Year 6 Graduation.
• December 9^th – 14^th: K-6 Swimming.
• December 10^th: Swimming Carnival.
• December 11^th: Semester 2 reports published.
• December 12^th: Christmas Carols.
• December 16^th: Year 6 Celebration Day 1.
• December 16th: Kindergarten Graduation.
• December 17^th: End of Year Liturgy.
• December 17^th: Year 6 Dinner Dance.
• December 18^th: Final Assembly & End of Term 4/2024 school year.
• December 18^th: Year 6 Celebration Day 2 & Guard of Honour.
• December 19^th & 20^th: Pupil Free Days.

Thumbs-Up

- To our Year 6 student leaders, our staff and all families for supporting our recent Mission Fair.

- Katie Vidler, Joanne Vidler and Janine Della-Sale for helping with the Kinder 2025 BBQ.

- To all families for supporting our upcoming Pupil Free Days.

- To the Parent Community Group with a special mention to Jacinta Neville for the lovely staff morning tea that celebrated World Teachers Day.

- To the Smith Family for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past weekends.

To conclude

As a Catholic school, the beginning of November is a sacred time for us to come together as a community in remembrance and celebration. On November 1st, we observe All Saints' Day, honouring the countless saints, both known and unknown, who have lived lives of deep faith and service. These holy men and women inspire us to follow their example of love, charity, and devotion to God.

On November 2nd, we commemorate All Souls' Day, a time to remember and pray for all those who have passed from this life. As a school, we take this day to honour our loved ones and all the faithful departed, trusting in God’s mercy and the promise of eternal life.

Throughout these special days, we encourage our students to reflect on the lives of the saints and the importance of prayer, not just for the souls in heaven but also for those who are still on their journey to God. In the classrooms, we learn often about different saints and their stories, offering students a deeper understanding of their faith.

As a community, we invite you to join us in prayer during these holy days, whether by attending Mass, lighting a candle for a loved one, or simply taking a quiet moment to reflect on the saints’ example and to remember those who have gone before us.

May the saints inspire us, and may our prayers for the departed bring comfort and hope.

With blessings,

Nic.

Be You Family Survey 2024

Welcome to the Be You Family Survey for 2024.

This survey will help us know what you experience as a family of children attending St James. Your responses can help highlight what we are doing well, and where we can do better. 

• This survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes 27 statements. 

• In this survey, the terms ‘learning community’ and ‘learning environment’ refer to your child's school. Teachers and support staff are described as ‘educators’. 

• Your responses are anonymous and only summarised results are used to help us better understand how to improve mental health and wellbeing in our learning community. 

• The survey is not compulsory and you can skip questions if you want to. 

• If you have several children attending this learning setting, please respond to questions based on an overall perspective. 

• When choosing your responses, please consider how you were feeling over the last week. If you need more information about this survey before starting, please contact Karen Sanderson via the school office.

Be You survey link - https://beyou.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8BrqyFHxHoJ4DXv?survey_id=11730332905

Thank you for your support

Karen Sanderson - Assistant Principal Mission.

Upcoming events.....

Please note the following upcoming events......

Parenting support and learning.....

Please note the following parenting supporting & learning items.....

Webinars for Parents and Carers - eSafety

Please share the Term 4 free webinars for parents and carers with your school community.

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills, and tools to support their children in having safe online experiences.

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school. This webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.

Tuesday, 29 October, 12.30 pm
Thursday, 28 November, 12.30 pm
Registration link 

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you. An overview of The eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children, and young people.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

Thursday, 24 October, 12.30pm
Wednesday, 4 December, 12.30pm
Registration link

School Student Travel

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Keeping our Kids safe on Social Media

Other information.....

Please note the following additional information.....