29 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

Our Mission @ SJM

St James’ Primary School community excel in education through living and learning in Christ.

Quote

There is no greater power than community.

Principal’s Message

Last week the four executive – Shannon Hall, Jane Jacobs, Eloise Hand and myself attended two professional development days in Newcastle. We worked with Professor Lyn Sharratt on Leading, Learning Collaborative (LLC). As part of the LLC, we support our teachers to collaborate and co-learn to improve student achievements in our targeted area of writing.

As a part of our professional learning last week, we closely examined how assessment literacy is at the heart of our school system and school Improvement. From there we looked at the components of Assessment, including ‘Learning’ and ‘Bump It Up’ walls to support student learning and achievement. We also unpacked high-impact instructional strategies and discussed the importance of teacher feedback and student voice. This was a highly engaging two days and I know the executive and I look forward in working with our teachers to bring assessment to life at SJM next term. Stay tuned for more details.

Holy Week & Easter

This week we journey through Holy Week. This is a very sacred time of the year, as we commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus' life on this earth.

In 2019, I travelled to Israel and Jordan for a pilgrimage with other leaders from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. During the final day in Jerusalem, we walked the Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is a narrow, stone path believed to be the route Jesus took to His Crucifixion nearly 2000 years ago. It is also known as "The Way of The Cross". This path finished at the Holy Sepulchre, the place where Jesus was crucified, died, prepared for burial and laid in a tomb. This is where the resurrection of Jesus took place. Within the Holy Sepulchre is the Edicule. This is a small structure that encloses the remains of a cave that has been revered since at least the fourth century A.D. as the tomb of Jesus Christ. Walking the Via Delarosa was such a moving experience. One that I will never forget. As we enter Holy Week and Easter, I remember my pilgrimage and the Via Delarosa and how this has strengthened my beliefs. I truly believe my pilgrimage has made be a better person, a better husband, a better father, a better person to lead SJM.

I encourage you this Holy Week and Easter to take your child to some of the Church Services available here within our Parish. Please see the details below.

PB4L @ SJM

At St James’ we are all responsible for developing a safe, respectful and inclusive community to support our quality learning environment.

Inappropriate behaviour is behaviour that challenges the day to day functioning of our school and is contrary to our “School Rules and Behavioural Expectations”.

Our PB4L, or Positive Behaviour for Learning, is an important part of the day to day running of SJM. We have four baseline behaviours. These are the minimum expectations we have four our students. These are:

1. Respect ourselves, each other and the environment
2. Kind words, Kind actions
3. Stop, Think, Act
4. Right time, Right Place, Right task

Here at SJM we support the growth of the whole child. Supporting our students with our PB4L is an important part of this process.

Over the last few weeks, we have sent out surveys to our community. In this time parents, students have staff have completed surveys.

I would like to share some of the survey data with you.

Students:

• 90% of students stated they know the baseline behaviours
• 87.5% of students stated that the ‘End of Term’ reward is an incentive to improve their behaviour.

Parents:

• 73% of parents stated the four baseline behaviours are clear and simple for all to follow.
• The ‘End of Term’ reward is an incentive for my child to improve their behaviour
  - 55% agreed
  - 27% neither agree or disagree
  - 18% disagree
• 73% of parents stated that the ‘End of Term’ rewards are an effective way of recognising positive student behaviour.

Staff:

• 100% of staff agree that the four baseline behaviours are clear and simple to follow.
• 100% of staff stated that their class reviewed the baseline behaviours at the start of the year.
• 79% of staff stated that ‘End of Term’ Rewards are an incentive for my students to improve their behaviour.
• 93% of staff stated that ‘End of Term’ rewards are an effective way of recognising positive student behaviour.

It is great to have data that supports the importance of PB4L in our school.

There was the opportunity too, for staff and parents to share their comments on the program.

One area that was discussed as part of our staff meeting last Tuesday was around the reward and what clothes students should wear on this day. We have received feedback from several people that tell us how students that don’t get the reward feel excluded because they have to wear school uniform, whilst others wear casual clothes.

As a staff we have reviewed this part of our PB4L and have decided that ‘casual clothes’ will no longer form part of the reward. On the reward day, we will ask all students to come to school in their sports uniform. This is effective immediately and will begin tomorrow with our circus skills ‘End of Term’ reward.

We would like to thank you for your feedback, and we hope this change will assist in supporting all students at SJM.

Catholic Schools Week

As you know, Catholic Schools Week has been moved to Term 2. This has been designed so that we can welcome more people in our schools since COVID-19 restrictions have now eased.

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated within the Diocese in Week 3: Monday 3rd May – Friday 7th May.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week in 2021 is ‘Faith in our Future.’ This year, the Maitland – Newcastle Diocese joins with dioceses and Catholic education systems and schools across the country to celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

I strongly believe we have an important role in education, just as the early pioneers did 200 years ago.

As we are inching toward the completion of the infants’ classes I have made the decision to move our SJM Catholic Schools Week celebrations to Friday 28th May (Week 6). This will give us ample time to set up in our new rooms.

We are excited to get in there and to share them with you.

Holy Week and Easter Hat Parade

We are very excited to commemorate Holy Week with you this week, as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. IF you haven’t already I encourage you to book via the links below.

On Wednesday we will be coming together in two groups for our Easter Hat Parades. We have increased the number of people to 150 per group. If you would like to book 1 more ticket you are welcome to do so.

Please remember you will only get entry if you have booked in. Please allow time to enter the school as there will be many families in attendance.

• Tuesday 30th March @ 12pm – Last Supper and Washing of the Feet Liturgy – led by Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2). This will be held in the courtyard and we will have a maximum of 150 visitors. Use this link to book your free ticket - https://events.humanitix.com/holy-week-stage-1
• Wednesday 31st March @ 9:15am – The Garden of Gethsemane Liturgy – led by Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4). This will be held in the courtyard and we will have a maximum of 100 visitors. Use this link to book your free ticket - https://events.humanitix.com/holy-week-stage-2
• Thursday 1st April @ 12pm – The Crucifixion Liturgy – led by Stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6). This will be held in the school’s hall and we will have a maximum of 50 visitors. Use this link to book your free ticket - https://events.humanitix.com/holy-week-stage-3
• Infants Easter Hat Parade (for Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2) will start at 12pm and will be held in the courtyard. We will have a maximum of 150 visitors. Use this link to book your free ticket - https://events.humanitix.com/infants-easter-hat-parade Primary Easter Hat Parade will start at 2pm and will be held in the courtyard. We will have a maximum of 150 visitors. Use this link to book your free ticket - https://events.humanitix.com/easter-hat-parade-primary

Enrolling Now

We are now taking enrolments for Kindergarten 2022. (Children must turn 5 by May 31 2022) Enrolments are filling fast, please ensure your child a place and register your interest ASAP.

St James’ Muswellbrook is a Catholic school that strives for academic excellence. We take great pride in our Catholic identity, expressing Gospel values in all the Key Learning Areas and throughout the general life of the school.

Our school community is built on active partnerships between parents, school and the local parish. At St James’, we continue to build upon those early educational foundations laid by you, the first educators of your children. As such, we encourage families to take an active role in their child’s education.

Our school community is open and caring, where social justice, honesty, compassion and love are nurtured and valued.

If you are interested in enrolling your child at SJM, I encourage you make an appointment and have a chat with me. Phone 6543 3094 to make an appointment or for more details.

You are most welcome at St James’ Primary School.

Religion

Project Compassion: An Australian Icon

For over half a century, generations of Australians have participated in Project Compassion. The initiative has raised more than $500 million since it began in 1965 – making it one of the nation’s longest running charity campaigns.

For many, Project Compassion’s iconic collection boxes have become a nostalgic part of their lives – a reminder around home, school, church and the community that it’s time to support Caritas Australia’s annual appeal.

Margaret Moriarty can’t remember a time without a Project Compassion box in her house during Lent.

“Donating to poorer counties was very important to my mother and father. My children have grown up with the same iconic boxes in our home and my grandchildren are continuing the tradition,” Margaret says.

Throughout five decades of natural disasters, conflicts and crises, Caritas Australia has worked alongside vulnerable communities with the generous support of Australians. Project Compassion has also helped with access to education, health services, agricultural training and through programs that reduce maternal and infant mortality.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local partnerships have helped Caritas Australia to respond quickly to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

It is wonderful to have Caritas Australia supporting many families and communities around the world. This support allows Caritas Australia to move forward with lifesaving strategies to tackle new challenges.

Each family has a Project Compassion money box for donations. These boxes will be collected after the school holidays. Any small donation is greatly appreciated. Simply return your money box to school (this can be sent to the office in the class note bag) and help Caritas Australia create lasting change for the global community.

Easter Raffle 2021

Thank you to all families who have supported the Easter Raffle run by Mini Vinnies this year. Congratulations to all winners. We know that you will enjoy eating the Easter chocolate. Final fundraising total will be available in the next Newsletter.

Holy Week Liturgies 2021

Holy Week liturgies have begun this week. These liturgies of Jesus’ life allow students to deepen their understanding of the events in Holy Week through active engagement. Thank you to all the teachers who have continued to prepare the students throughout these difficult weather patterns and limited space.

Please ensure you book a ticket using the link provided by Mr Moon.

Tuesday 30 March @ 12pm – Stage 1 (The Last Supper and Washing of the Feet)
Wednesday 31 March @ 9.15am – Stage 2 (The Garden of Gethsemane)
Thursday 1 April @ 12pm – Stage 3 (Stations of the Cross and Crucifixion)

Sacramental Program 2021

Thank you to those parents who have expressed as interest in the Sacramental program for 2021. If you are interested in your child participating in this parish-run program, to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation, please email me your name and your child’ name (jane.jacobs@mn.catholic.edu.au)

I wish the St. James’ community, a safe and holy Easter season spent with family and friends.

Mrs Jane Jacobs
Religious Education Coordinator

Assistant Principal

We have had another busy two weeks … there is so much important learning taking place here at SJM. In the last two weeks, I have had visits from students in many classes. They have been excited to share with me the writing that they have been doing as part of their work in the classrooms. It has been exciting to see the development of writing across K-6 classrooms. This week, I share with you some information about the K-6 English Syllabus. It is available to view in full from the Parent Guide on the NESA website

As you can see below, our students are very busy during their English learning time. It is important that all students are at school on time each day to ensure they have enough time in the classroom to learn and practice the following knowledge and skills.

In English, students learn to read, write, speak, view and represent language. They learn about the English language and literature through working with a wide range of spoken, visual, multimedia and digital texts. Students learn how language varies according to context, and how to communicate with a range of audiences for different purposes. They learn to read for information and pleasure. Students gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar. They also learn to think in ways that are imaginative, creative and critical.

In Kindergarten, students:

• communicate appropriately and effectively within the classroom using agreed conventions, eg staying on topic, asking for and offering assistance
• give short talks and express ideas, eg tell news, describe a favourite toy, describe a science investigation
• begin developing reading and comprehension skills, eg recognise simple sight words, recognise most sounds of the alphabet, use illustrations and picture clues to make predictions about stories when reading
• recognise rhymes, syllables and sounds (phonemes) in spoken words
• spell some common words accurately in their own writing
• write simple sentences/stories for known audiences such as for self, class or parents, eg ‘Yesterday I played soccer.’
• understand that punctuation is a feature of written text different from letters; recognise how capital letters are used for names, and that capital letters and full stops signal the beginning and end of sentences
• develop basic skills of writing, including correct pencil grip, good posture and handwriting movements to form lower-case and upper-case letters, eg a, A, b, B.

Some Year 1 and Year 2 examples. Students:

• engage in conversations and discussions using active listening behaviours, showing interest and contributing ideas, information and questions
• communicate simple information, eg give directions to the library, briefly retell a familiar story
• develop an increasing range of reading and comprehension skills on familiar topics, eg sound out unfamiliar words or break them down into syllables, respond to punctuation when reading aloud, express opinions about characters
• plan, write and review simple imaginative, informative and persuasive texts on a familiar topic
• spell common sight words, eg said, was, some, have
• listen attentively and share ideas, or give information in groups, class discussions or presentations to other classes and in assemblies, eg talk about familiar topics such as birthdays, sport, family, friends
• begin to read texts on less familiar topics
• make inferences, begin to summarise events and make predictions when reading stories to develop comprehension
• begin to organise ideas into paragraphs when writing and use basic grammatical features and punctuation conventions
• construct texts featuring print, visual and audio elements using software, including the use of digital technologies.

Some Year 3 and Year 4 examples. Students:

• communicate for a range of purposes and audiences, eg conduct brief interviews to obtain information, give instructions for a visual arts project
• use a wider range of reading strategies to confirm predictions and locate information, eg skim read using headings and subheadings
• enrich writing through the use of adjectives, adverbs, phrases, conjunctions, pronouns, direct and indirect speech and action verbs using the correct tense for the story, eg present tense, past tense
• use a range of digital technologies to construct, edit and publish written text, and select, edit and place visual, print and audio elements
• understand how to use strategies for spelling words including spelling rules, knowledge of word families, spelling generalisations, and letter combinations including double letters
• employ various speaking skills to give confident presentations, eg gesture, facial expression, pause, emphasis, volume, humour, rhetorical questions, clarity
• read and engage with a wide variety of stories, poems and visual texts
• use comprehension strategies to build meaning to expand content knowledge, identify the writer’s point of view, describe and compare different interpretations, and identify stereotypes
• produce more complex pieces of writing, eg a persuasive text to develop a position on a new school rule
• use a variety of spelling strategies to spell high-frequency words correctly when composing imaginative and other texts
• respond to a range of texts, eg through role-play or drama, for pleasure and enjoyment, and express thoughtful conclusions about those texts.

Some Year 5 and Year 6 examples. Students:

• communicate effectively for an increasing range of purposes, eg to entertain, inform and influence audiences
• use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse information and ideas, comparing content from a variety of textual sources including media and digital texts
• read, recognise and respond to themes and issues within texts and justify interpretations by referring to their own knowledge and experience
• use grammatical features, eg pronouns, conjunctions and connectives, to accurately link ideas and information to ensure meaning when composing texts
• use known word meanings and base words when spelling unknown words, eg sign … signature
• think critically about aspects of texts such as ideas and events
• respond to short films, documentaries and multimedia texts that express familiar and new aspects of the broader world
• read texts for specific purposes, applying appropriate text processing strategies, eg predicting and confirming, monitoring meaning, skimming and scanning
• use an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies
• plan, rehearse and deliver presentations, selecting and sequencing appropriate content and multimodal elements for defined audiences and purposes
• plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, choosing and experimenting with text structures, language features, images and digital resources appropriate to the purpose and the audience
• investigate how the organisation of texts into chapters, headings, subheadings, home pages and subpages for online texts can be used to predict content and assist navigation
• think imaginatively when engaging with texts, using prediction, eg to imagine what happens to characters after the text.

NAPLAN Online

Last week, Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in the NAPLAN practice test. I am happy to report that our technology worked well, and the students were able to participate experience and develop some of the skills required to confidently complete this assessment online. Thank you to those parents who ensured their child had headphones for the day. You will need to keep these headphones handy, as they will be needed again in May for the two week assessment period. Feel free to send them into school, labelled in a plastic zip lock bag, and we will keep them safe and ready for the dates needed in May.

NAPLAN Online testing period (for all Year 3 and Year 5 students) – Monday 10th May to Thursday 20th May. All Year 3 and Year 5 students will require headphones for the testing period in May. The headphones will need to be kept at school for the whole two weeks and will not be returned until your child has completed their last test. You will not be able to share headphones with siblings at this school or another school, so please start thinking about what this looks like for your family. Hopefully you already have headphone at home and this will not require a new set to be purchased.

At this stage, we have not been informed of the scheduling of tests for each class. Once the scheduling of NAPLAN tests has been sent to us, we will inform you via a letter home of the actual dates and times when each class will complete each of their four tests. Any parents who do not wish for their child to participate in the NAPLAN testing in May, should contact our principal Aaron Moon to have a chat about the process of withdrawal.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) are responsible for the administration of NAPLAN tests across Australia. They have created a public demonstration site for everyone to have a look at so that we all feel comfortable with the testing platform. You can visit the demonstration site at the link below:

BUS PASSES

We have received the following information from Osborn’s Transport. Please read the information carefully and contact Osborn’s Transport if you have any questions.

Students from Kindergarten-Year 2 are eligible if:

• They are a resident of NSW, or an overseas student eligible for free government education.
• Aged 4 years 6 months, or older.

No minimum walking distance criteria applies to these students.

BUT THEY MUST APPLY FOR THE TRAVEL TO BE FREE

Primary school students from Years 3-6 are eligible if:

• They are a resident of NSW, or an overseas student eligible for free government education.
• The straight line distance from their home address to school is more than 1.6 km.
• The walking distance from home to school is 2.3 km or further.

BUT THEY MUST APPLY FOR THE TRAVEL TO BE FREE

*If a student is not eligible for FREE travel they must either pay their daily fare or purchase a term/yearly pass for 2021. Some students may be eligible to apply for special circumstances / medical grounds. The 2021 mandatory period is now finished any student who does not have a travel pass or money will be refused travel.

TOYS AT SCHOOL

Just a reminder that students are not permitted to bring toys to school. We have had a few reported incidents of toys starting to appear in classrooms and in the playground. Although it is fun to play with toys at school, it is not fun when that toy is broken or lost, so please check your child’s bag regularly to ensure they are not packing extra items to play with.

HEAD LICE

From time to time we are made aware of cases of head lice that have been detected in a child’s hair. Luckily, we don’t have many outbreaks here at SJM, as our parents are great at minimising the risk of the spread of these little critters. We ask that you remain vigilant and check your child’s hair regularly for any lice or their eggs. If detected, please treat immediately. We encourage all students with hair longer than their collar, to pull hair neatly back into a band. We also encourage all hats to be clearly labelled with your child’s name to avoid the wrong hat being worn.

LABELLING ALL SCHOOL ITEMS

Don’t forget to label everything! This is the only way that lost items will be returned to your child. Now is a great time to make sure all school items have your child’s name in permanent marker or a label that will not peel off easily. Don’t forget to show your child their labelled items … this will help them when they come to ask us for help finding lost items.

SCHOOL HATS

Please ensure your child comes to school with a school hat every day. We do not have spare hats at school for them to use. Any student who does not have a hat will be asked to sit on the verandah for lunch breaks. Labelled school hats will be returned to your child if they are found in the playground. We ask that you regularly check your child’s hat for their name, as the name wears off easily when they are used every day.

Shannon Hall
Assistant Principal

Primary Coordinator

GROW YOUR MIND

Across the past 8 weeks, we have explored all 5 brain animals. All classes got a shock when I introduced them to the latest brain animal which has been hiding in there this whole time! Introducing… The Sensitive Octopus!

Our Sensitive Octopus is really called: The Insular Cortex. The insular cortex lets us know when we are cold, when we have a racing heart, when we feel sick. If we see a friend about to do something that we think might be scary, e.g. public speaking, take a shot at goal, stand up to a friend - our insular cortex might enable us to imagine how that person might be feeling. So much so that we also might feel nervous! It can be handy to have a switched on insular cortex during arguments with friends, because we can then imagine their point of view.

The inspiration behind the naming of the Sensitive Octopus comes from the Netflix documentary “My Octopus Teacher”. If you haven’t watched it already, I highly recommend checking it out!

Watch the link below:

Good for Kids

Hot Cross Scones recipe:

Pos Ed Book Club:

Think like a Monk

Jay Shetty, social media superstar and host of the #1 podcast ‘On Purpose', distils the timeless wisdom he learned as a practising monk into practical steps anyone can take every day to live a less anxious, more meaningful life.

In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk in the Vedic tradition to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our potential and power. Drawing on ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us.

The lessons monks learn are profound but often abstract. Shetty transforms them into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve focus, improve relationships, identify our hidden abilities, increase self-discipline and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can – and should – think like a monk.

Thought of the week:

Choose kindness, always.

Miss Eloise Hand
Primary Coordinator & Lead Teacher of Positive Education

Awards

Class News

ES1

We may have some netballers in the making in Kindergarten! The children are enjoying their Net, Set, Go lessons with Kiona each week and their throwing, catching and dodging skills are certainly developing. Ask your child to demonstrate ‘squashing the bug’ and ‘butterfly hands’ and prepare to be impressed!

We have also been very busy practising the dramatisation of Palm Sunday, ready for today. We were so happy to see many parents at school watching this important event. We are all looking forward to the Easter Hat Parade on Wednesday as well. What a busy end to the term.

Have a happy and Holy Easter.

Mrs Donna Smith and Mrs Jane Jacobs

Stage 1

Over the last two weeks, Stage 1 have been very busy preparing their Holy Week Liturgy. The students have put a lot of time and effort into their presentation and are looking forward to share them with their parents and carers.

Year 1 have been challenging themselves in Mathematics. We have spent time using informal units, such as dominoes and counters, to find the area of different shapes. The students have also been learning about fractions, and have used their knowledge to find halves and quarters in the environment.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Easter and look forward to an exciting Term 2!

Miss Emma Beletich, Mrs Mary Ballard, Mrs Trishelle Threadgate and Miss Jane Boyle

Stage 2

Stage 2 have excitedly been counting down the days to Easter. We wish you all a happy and safe Easter period and we look forward to seeing all of the students back bright and bubbly next term.

The term has concluded with the students working more independently and we have enjoyed seeing their learning growth over the course of the term. Routines have been established within each class and students have transitioned to other classes for History, Science and Creative Arts quite smoothly. The students have been rehearsing their parts in the liturgy and look forward to having you all watch their liturgical play.

Have a happy and safe holidays everyone.

Mrs Marina Norton, Mrs Jane Dengate and Mrs Donna-Maree Watt

Stage 3

Stage 3 have prepared an amazing Stage 3 assembly and we hope once this rain eases students can show you what has been happening throughout Term 1! Students have showcased everything they had been working on in a creative and engaging way. Students are also working on their re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross ready for presentation in week 10, which reinforces our Lent and Easter unit in Religion. Stage 3 have been revisiting the sacrifices Jesus made for us and how we can make Lenten promises and sacrifices as a small gesture of gratitude. As part of our Creative Arts unit students have created small sculptures inspired by Nikki de Saint Phalle, focusing on form and figure. Students worked with air drying clay and recognised the importance of blending and working at a fast pace to maintain the integrity of the clay. We have seen some creative and inspired pieces showing strong technique!

Mrs Rebecca Harrod, Mr Aldo Rufo, Mrs Clare Collett and Miss Lauren Osborne

Library News

New Resources

Please see new resources below.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Students, who are participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, have received their recording sheet. The books are available during borrowing times. They must read 20 books before August 13. Students must read 15 books from the PRC list and 5 of their own choice. If possible, they need to visit the PRC website to locate the ID number for each book. If not, they can visit the school library for assistance. The title and author, must be listed on the record sheet, and be dated and signed by the parent.

Rules for books in a series: In an approved series on the PRC booklist, you can read any three books as PRC books. You can read up to five other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. (PRC website)

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. (PRC website)

Please feel free to contact the library if any problems/concerns arise during the year.

lisa.wilson@mn.catholic.edu.au or 65433094

Happy Reading!

Lisa Wilson
Teacher Librarian

Nadene Douglas
Library Assistant

St. James’ P & F Association

Our next P&F meeting will be held on Wednesday 31 March at 6pm in the school’s hall. All parents are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sonia Boyle

President

P&F Committee Contacts