Week 5, Term 1 - 2025

Welcome

Dear St James Community,

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, our school community has embraced this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with faith-filled hearts. This journey began with the joyful celebration of Shrove Tuesday, followed by a reflective Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of our spiritual preparation for Easter.

On Shrove Tuesday, the school was filled with joy and community spirit as students enjoyed delicious pancakes, following the tradition of using rich ingredients before the Lenten season of fasting. A heartfelt thank you to our Stage 3 teachers, parents, and Amanda, who worked tirelessly to make this a special and meaningful experience for our students.

While we had planned to gather for an Ash Wednesday Mass, the unfolding weather conditions meant we were unable to do so. However, our school community still embraced the significance of the day with reverence and reflection. We are grateful for everyone’s patience and support as we navigated the challenges of the weather, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

As Pope Francis reminds us in this Year of Hope:

"Hope does not disappoint. It is a virtue of the heart that does not close in darkness, that does not stop at the past, but looks to the future."

In this spirit, we continue our Lenten journey with hope and trust in God’s plan. We ask for His blessing upon our school community and the wider community during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. May He watch over all those affected, keeping them safe and strengthening them in this time of uncertainty.

Thank you once again for your understanding, resilience, and faith. May this Lenten season bring us closer to Christ and to one another.

Beginning our Lenten journey

2026 Kindergarten Enrolments

Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 are now open; the school open day tours and Principal's presentation will be on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, with enrolments closing on Friday, April 4th.

Join Us for a Fun-Filled Community Bush Dance!

Get your dancing boots ready—our Community Bush Dance is coming up on Friday, March 21st, and we’d love for you to join us!  (Note the change of date from March 28th - due to the availability of the provider: Bushwazee).  During the day, the talented team from Bushwazee will be at school, teaching students a variety of bush dances. Then, that evening, we’ll come together for a lively family bush dance, where everyone can join in the fun!  It’s a fantastic way to connect as a community, enjoy great music, and share some laughs. No dance experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm. All the details are on the attached flyer.  We hope to see you there!

Student Learning Conferences - Term 1

At St James Primary, we believe in fostering a strong partnership between students, parents, and teachers to support each child’s learning journey. A key part of this commitment is our Student Learning Conferences, which provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their progress, celebrate achievements, and set new learning goals.

Term 1 Conferences will be held next week on March 11th, 12th & 13th. We encourage all families to take part in this valuable experience, as your involvement is one of the most important ways to support your child’s growth and promote learning as a lifelong adventure.

Throughout the year, our reporting process ensures that parents stay informed about their child's progress:
✅ Student Learning Conferences take place in Terms 1 & 3 (20-minute meetings [10 minutes with the child and 10 minutes with the parents only if required or requested]).
✅ Formal A-E Reports, including written statements and grades, are published in Terms 2 & 4.
✅ Celebrations of Learning through Seesaw which provide moments to showcase achievements.

In 2025, we are reintroducing Seesaw to enhance communication between home and school. This platform will allow teachers and students to share learning progress and wellbeing achievements throughout the year. Teachers and students are currently collaborating to build shared beliefs and best practices around digital literacy, ensuring Seesaw is used effectively.

You will receive an invitation to connect to Seesaw early next week from your child's teachers with instructions on connecting to Seesaw.  We encourage all families to connect as soon as possible so that your child can share their goal-setting in readiness for Learning Conferences.  Moving forward, your child will share evidence of their growth and celebrate their successes as they strive for new heights in their learning journey.

At St James, we are proud to place the child at the centre of the learning conversation, ensuring that each student’s journey is supported with meaningful communication and reflection.  Thank you to our dedicated staff for their commitment to this process and to our wonderful parents for actively engaging in their children’s education.

We look forward to seeing you at the Term 1 Learning Conferences next week!

NAPLAN

At St James Primary, we take great pride in the learning progress of our students, and NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is one of the many ways we reflect on their growth and success. Each year, students in Years 3 and 5 participate in NAPLAN, which assesses key skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy.

NAPLAN is not about passing or failing—it is an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned and to build confidence in their abilities.  While these assessments provide valuable insights for teachers and families, they are just one part of a student’s learning journey.  At St James, we know that our students are so much more than a test result—they are creative thinkers, problem solvers, and compassionate individuals with talents that go beyond the classroom.

2024 NAPLAN Results

According to the latest My School data, our school has performed well in the 2024 NAPLAN compared to statistically similar schools, demonstrating the dedication of our students, the expertise of our teachers, and the ongoing support of our families.  Locally, we are incredibly proud to have received top results, highlighting the strength of our teaching and learning programs at St James and in the Tweed district.

As we prepare for the 2025 NAPLAN tests, we encourage our students to approach them with a positive mindset—to try their best, stay calm, and see this as an opportunity to shine.  Every student at St James is a success story, and their growth, resilience, and effort are what truly matter.

A heartfelt thank you to our teachers and families for their ongoing commitment to student learning.  Together, we continue to provide an environment where every child can flourish and achieve their best.

Parent Community Group

Our Term 1 Parent Community Group meeting was held on Thursday, February 27th, and we were delighted to have 15 parents and 4 staff in attendance.  A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us to support our school and strengthen parental engagement—it was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and commitment!

Below, you’ll find the minutes from the meeting for those who couldn’t attend.

Looking ahead, our next meeting will be held in Term 2 on Thursday, May 22nd, at 7:00 PM. Let’s aim to grow our numbers even further—we’d love to see more parents getting involved in this fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas, and support our school community!

School Counsellor Support at St. James

At St. James, the school counsellors play a vital role in supporting the emotional and social wellbeing of our students. This service provides short-term support, typically up to six sessions, to help students navigate challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

Parents are an essential part of this process.  If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please speak with their teacher. If needed, the teacher will submit a wellbeing request to the Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Team for review. If appropriate, the school counsellor will then contact parents to discuss the next steps and arrange support for the child.

We are committed to working together to ensure the best outcomes for our students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Upcoming Events

Please note the following events/dates scheduled for Term 1.

- March 11th, 12th & 13th: Term 1 Student Learning Conferences.

- March 12th - 24th: Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN.

- March 14th: Cross Country.

- March 14th: Assembly (2:15pm - Year 5 presenting).

- March 21st: Harmony Day.

- March 21st: Welcome to the school year family event - Bush Dance.

- March 28th: Assembly (2:15pm - Year 3 presenting).

- April 7-10th: Year 6 Camp.

- April 11th: Holy Week Liturgy (11:30am - MPC).

- April 11th: Assembly (1:45pm - Easter Raffle).

- April 11th: End of Term 1.

Please note our pupil-free days for 2025: 

- June 5th & 6th, September 26th, November 13th & 14th, and December 18th & 19th.

Please note the 1 public holidays that fall in this year's school calendar:

- June 9th: King's Birthday

Please note the Parent Community Group Meeting dates for 2025:

- May 22nd, August 14th & November 6th (7pm - MPC).

Thumbs-up

- Parents for coming along to our Parent Community Group meeting.

- Students for their behaviour and engagement with the Ash Wednesday Mass.

- Stage 3 parents, teachers and Amanda for their efforts at the Shrove Tuesday community breakfast.

-  The Smith & Callard families for caring for our chickens over the past two weekends.

To Conclude

At St James Primary, we take great pride in offering a rich and diverse range of extra-curricular opportunities, giving our students the chance to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships.

We are thrilled to announce that our 2025 school musical, High School Musical Junior, has officially commenced production!  Our talented leads have been chosen, and as rehearsals begin, all students will have the opportunity to take part in various ways, ensuring a whole-school celebration of creativity and performance.  The excitement is already building as we work towards the big performance on Thursday, August 21st—mark your calendars!

In addition to the arts, our students are also embracing sporting opportunities, with the Friday morning Running Club off to a fantastic start!  Over 50 students have been turning up bright and early each week to train, building their endurance and fitness in preparation for the upcoming Cross Country on Friday, March 14th.  It’s wonderful to see so many students committed to their wellbeing and striving to achieve their personal best.

These incredible opportunities would not be possible without our dedicated, talented, and generous staff, who willingly give their time to ensure our students can grow, excel, and enjoy a well-rounded school experience. Their passion and commitment to enriching student life beyond the classroom are truly inspiring, and we are so grateful for all they do.

As a school community, we celebrate the enthusiasm, effort, and achievements of all our students across the arts, sports, and beyond.  With so much to look forward to, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year at St James!

With blessings,

Nic.

Upcoming events.....

Parenting support & learning.....

Upstander Behaviour

An upstander is a student who actively steps in when they witness bullying by intervening, interrupting, or speaking out against it. Their role is vital, as the absence of an upstander often leaves the person being bullied feeling isolated and unsupported. When bystanders remain silent, it can reinforce the belief that others are indifferent or even condone the bullying behaviour.

Why Teach Your Child to Be an Upstander?

• It encourages empathy and kindness.
• It helps create a safer and more inclusive school environment.
• It empowers children to speak up against unfair or hurtful behaviours.
• It shows others that bullying is unacceptable.

How Can Kids Be Upstanders?

Children need to be encouraged by their families and teachers to be upstanders. Give them some practical tips for ways to help others by discussing the following ideas with them:

Directly address the bully:

‘Stop it! That's not fair.’        ‘Leave them alone. Picking on people isn’t cool.’

Support the person being bullied:

‘I'm here for you.’     ‘Let's go play together.’   ‘I'll walk with you to get help.’

Tell an adult:

‘I'm worried about [student’s name]. I think they're being bullied.’

Snitching

Children often worry about being labelled a 'dobber,' 'tattler,' or 'snitch' when dealing with bullying situations. This fear can make them hesitant to be an upstander or report incidents to you or teachers.

 Let your child know that their feelings and fears are valid. Reassure them that you understand their concerns about being labelled negatively and that you will navigate the situation with care.

Help your child understand that reporting bullying is not about ‘snitching’ on someone but about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of a peer. Explain that it's important that teachers are aware so that we can take appropriate actions to stop the bullying behaviour. Help your child see this important action as Responsible Reporting.

Talk to your child about being an upstander both in person and online. By taking action, they can help create a school environment where everyone feels safe and respected.

At the heart of our school lies the principle that every person is created in God's image and is worthy of the dignity that God gives to every person.

Build the Habit of Regular Attendance

What is your top reason for coming to school?

Bike Safety

Other information.....