6 December 2021

Newsletter Articles

Our Mission @ SJM

Quote

Anticipating Jesus – The season of waiting

Be watchful! Be alert! Keep a sharp lookout, for you do not know when the time will come. What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch! Mark 13: 33,37

Principal’s Message

What another incredible year! It is fair to say that at the end of last year we probably didn’t see another lockdown coming, but, as I stated in my speech on Friday, we got through it together as a community.

Thank so much to everyone involved for their commitment and dedication to our children – the staff and the parents. When we work together in harmony, we are great advocates for our children.

Thank you, parents and carers, for your support throughout in 2021. It is valued and appreciated.

As always, I would like to thank the staff here at SJM. They are one committed group of people who go above and beyond for the needs of their children, your children. Thank you so very much.

I would also like to thank the executive team: Mrs Shannon Hall, Mrs Jane Jacobs and Miss Eloise Hand. These ladies have been amazing in ensuring the needs of the whole child have been met in this challenging year.

Finally, to the students, thank you for being such a resilient group of students. When we grow old and speak of lockdown and what we lived through with your children (and my grandchildren) they won’t believe us, I’m sure. We can honestly say we have survived 2 years of a pandemic. This is no mean feat.

Staffing for 2022

I would like to announce that Mrs Melissa McLennan is coming back to SJM next year. She has been appointed 0.4 to SJM next year. She will work Job Share with Mrs Rebecca Harrod.

School Captains

I would like to congratulate the following students on being selected as Captains and Vice Captains her at SJM for 2021. I know the executive and myself are looking forward to working with you next year.

School Captains

• Abbie Wright and Cameron Watt

Vice Captains

• Elaina Sims and Elijah Bristow

House Captains

• Rosellas: Eden Worth and Harry Blake
• Pheasants: Dorrie O’Gorman and Jacob Vesic
• Eagles: Tamika Hartley and Harper Hannan
• Kookaburras: Daniella Ikart & Justin Simpson

Presentation Awards

It was so disappointing that we couldn’t have our school community onsite for our Presentation Day last Friday. We do hope you were able to catch some or all of the presentation via Zoom. We hope to be able to open the school more next year……fingers crossed.

Please find below the list of our award winners. I would like to congratulate all these students on receiving an award.

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Student reports will be released via COMPASS on Friday afternoon – 10th December.

Teachers are available for Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 11, Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th December. If you are seeking an interview, please email the teacher directly or contact the office. All Parent Teacher Interviews need to be booked by 3pm Wednesday 8th December.

THE START OF SCHOOL 2022

The Catholic Schools Office has advised us, that due to the substantial governance and compliance requirements at the start of the year, we will be having two Pupil Free Days to start the 2022 school year.

Teachers Return: Friday 28th January
Years 1 – 6 Students Return: Tuesday 1st February
Kindergarten Students Commence: Wednesday 2nd February
Uniform Shop Open – Monday 31st January– 8:30am – 2:30pm

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a safe break.

Mr Aaron Moon
Principal

Religion

The last Sunday of November is the beginning of the Advent season. We welcome our Advent candles and the Advent wreath. Each Sunday we light another candle in the Advent wreath. Each candle symbolises.

The first candle of Advent is the candle of hope (purple). We have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promise made to us.

The second candle of Advent is the candle of peace (purple). The second candle reminds us to find God in the simple and ordinary things in life.

The third candle of Advent is the candle of love (pink). As faithful people of God, we find purpose and meaning in the person of Jesus.

The fourth candle of Advent is the candle of joy. The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus, and we too, celebrate with joy.

Thank you to those families that have sent something to school to fill our Giving Baskets. If you have any items at home please send them as these giving basket go to families in our local community that need our assistance during this Christmas session.

Mini Vinnies will be hosting their last fundraiser for Catholic Mission this week. We will be selling Zooper Doopers and Water Iceblocks from the Canteen. Thank you to all families who have supported our fundraising events in 2021.

Mrs Jane Jacobs
Religious Education Coordinator

Primary Coordinator

Spelling & Math Bee Stage Finals

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Spelling and Math Bee Class and Stage finals! It is not easy at all to come up with an answer on the spot, without any paper in front of you to work it out!

It was a privilege to watch all students participate with confidence on the day. I was so proud of each and every student!

Please find the list of finalists and winners below:

Congratulations to the following MATH BEE winners on the day:

Congratulations to the following SPELLING BEE winners on the day:

Throughout the year, the students and I have been focusing on spotting and using Character Strengths and developing strategies for resilience.

This term, we have discussed and listened to an inspiring Grow Your Mind ‘Guess Who’ episode on Australian, Samantha Bloom. Sam’s incredible story is one of recovery, hope and courage. To finish of the term, I would like to watch the film that was inspired by this story – ‘Penguin Bloom’. This will take place during your child’s scheduled lesson with Miss Hand in either Week 10 or Week 11.

The film is rated PG. If you would like any further information on the movie or have chosen for your child TO NOT VIEW THE FILM, please contact Miss Hand via email eloise.hand@mn.catholic.edu.au or via the school office before Tuesday 7th December.

SYNOPSIS:

The film tells the story of Sam Bloom (Academy Award® nominated Naomi Watts) a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a shocking, near-fatal accident leaves her paralysed. Sam's husband, (Andrew Lincoln), her three young boys and her mother (Academy Award® nominated Jacki Weaver), are struggling to adjust to their new situation when an unlikely ally enters their world in the form of an injured baby magpie they name Penguin. The bird's arrival is a welcome distraction for the Bloom family, eventually making a profound difference on Sam's life, teaching her how to live again.

Pos Ed Book Club

A final recommendation for you to enjoy over the Christmas break. I am so excited to get into this one myself, as I was such a fan of his previous book – ‘The Resilience Project’.

With over 200,000 copies of his first book sold, The Resilience Project founder, Hugh van Cuylenburg, is back with the sequel: Let Go.

For the longest time, Hugh has felt the pressure to be ok. As COVID-19 ravaged the world people turned to Hugh, wanting him to tell them how to cope. It wasn’t until one fateful radio interview that Hugh finally admitted to himself, and a nation of listeners, that he in fact wasn’t ok. Heeding his own advice and speaking with a mental health professional for the first time, Hugh discovered that his own feelings of shame, expectation, perfection, control, fear of failure, ego and addiction to social media – the same powerful issues that affect the lives of many – were holding him back.

Let Go is broken down into seven sections that explore each of these complex emotions. Hugh takes readers back to his childhood, sharing touching stories about his friends and family, as well as anecdotes from his adult life and his work with The Resilience Project to show these emotions at play. Hugh asks readers to consider not just their past experiences but the external factors that may be impacting their mental health and what proactive measures they can take to change their situation. Using established research, his own disarming and candid storytelling and examples of simple, practical exercises, Hugh unpacks his learnings to show readers how it is possible to let go of the things that threaten to overwhelm us. This is a deeply personal and moving book that demonstrates how we can overcome the things that hold us back, and feel connected, safe and happy once more.

Final Thought

Have a safe, restful, and positive Christmas break. I am looking forward to seeing you all in 2022.

Choose kindness, always.

Miss Eloise Hand
Primary Coordinator & Lead Teacher of Positive Education

Awards

Class News

ES1

During Week 8 the KG and KM finalists participated in the Math Bee final. Congratulations to all finalist in Kindergarten, KG – Ruby, Fletcher and Charlotte and KM - Tylan, Brock and Nahla. It is such a new experience when standing in front of your fellow class mates and using all your gain knowledge throughout the year to compete in the Maths Bee final. Mrs Smith and Mrs Jacobs are extremely proud of every student for confidently answering the questions that were asked.

Our Giving Baskets still have lots of room for more delicious goodies. If you are able to donate one item to place in our Giving Baskets for those families that are in need during the Christmas session, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to those families who have already donated.

Mrs Donna Smith and Mrs Jane Jacobs

Stage 1

Hi there,

Stage 1 have been enjoying learning about our wonderful religion unit called ‘Advent and Christmas’. They have been discovering that Advent is a special season and the start of the Church’s liturgical calendar year. Students have been hearing about the stories of the ‘Annunciation’ and ‘Visitation’ to be invited into a sense of anticipation, wonder, excitement and love as these stories characterise the advent season. They will be learning about Christmas as a special time to gather and share in the ‘good news’ of Jesus’ birth.

A reminder for your child to bring in a plastic bag to take home workbooks and craft work in the last few days of school.

We thank everyone for your support and work during lockdown and learning from home and we wish everyone a safe, happy, and Merry Christmas leading up to the holidays.

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

Stage 2

As we wind down to the year, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for working in partnership with us, to help your child with their learning. It has been a busy and turbulent year, thanks to the pandemic, yet we have all tried to take it on our stride.

Stage Two enjoyed the Swimming Carnival and Presentation Day held last week. They are currently enjoying concluding the year with Christmas craft and celebrations.

Enjoy your Christmas break and we will enjoy catching up with all the children next year.

Ms Katrina Clement, Mrs Jane Dengate and Mrs Donna-Maree Watt

Stage 3

Stage 3 have had a wonderful 2 weeks. It was fantastic to see the entire stage come together for our ‘Around the World’ themed festival. Over two days, students participated in enriching activities from different countries which included a waterslide T-ball competition, ping pong, badminton, Pilo, Preso and a colour run. There were also travel themed craft activities, staff dressed as flight attendants, and a delicious lunch from Pete’s Pizza. There was lots of excitement as teams worked together to win the coveted ‘Captain Aaron Cup!’

In English, the students have now finished reading our study novel, ‘Boy Overboard’ by Morris Gleitzman, and have been working on activities related to the book. In Mathematics, Stage 3 have been extending their knowledge of Volume and Capacity, with some students undertaking the challenge of making a 1m3 from newspaper. Students had fun working out ‘how many students can fit inside a 1m3?’

Our focus in Religion has been Advent and the traditions associated with this very special time of year.

Mrs Rebecca Harrod, Mrs Jane Harris, Mrs Clare Collett and Miss Lauren Osborne

Let’s Yabber – Indigenous News

We are so excited to announce that St James’ Primary has again received word that one of our students has won a prestigious NAIDOC medal for their entry in the NSW NAIDOC Competition. This is one of only 25 handed out across the state.

Congratulations Harper Phippen!

In other exciting news we have recently been presented with an original artworks by local Kamilaroi man, Daniel Ellis. The piece depicts our St James’ family journeying on our own paths from various places to gather together as community. This stunning artworks is going to be used to create some amazing sports polo shirts for our staff & students. Keep your eyes peeled for more information in the following weeks.

Mrs Tania Thompson
Aboriginal Education Teacher

Sport

Touch Football

Congratulations to Abbie Wright who has been chosen to represent the Upper Hunter region at the Diocesan Touch Trials in Newcastle in early 2022.

Swimming Carnival

On Thursday 2nd December the school swimming carnival for 2022 was held at Denman Pool. Congratulations to all of the students who attended the school event and participated on the day by swimming or supporting the students who were in the pool. A major thank you to our volunteer parents who ensured our day ran smoothly

The winning house on the day was Pheasants.

Regional Team

Mrs Jane Dengate
Sports Co-ordinator

Library News

Library returns

Library borrowing has ceased for the year. All books must be returned by Tuesday 7th December, to enable our annual stocktake to proceed. Thanks for your assistance in this matter.

Library 2021

Well done to the children who have continuously borrowed and regularly returned their library books each week. It is wonderful to see you enjoying reading our library books. The children need to be congratulated on their enthusiasm and the fantastic work they have produced during library lessons this year, even though it’s been a mixed-up year. A top effort!

Thanks to all our families who have supported Book Club and our annual Book Fair this year. Your generosity has been tremendous and has allowed us to purchase many new resources for our collection. Our Book Fair raised $800 worth of new resources.

Remind your children to keep reading during the holidays! Perhaps a visit to your local town library! Remember the more you read, the more you learn and the better reader you will become!

All the blessings for Christmas and the New Year! We look forward to seeing you in 2022!

With the upcoming holidays approaching very fast, it is a great time to have a list of very useful contacts that you can turn to if you are needing some assistance during the holiday period.

Keeping all children safe is our ultimate priority!

St. James’ P & F Association

P&F Committee Contacts