21 March 2024

Our Mission @ SJM

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

Quote

God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Pope Francis

Principal’s Message

As we head towards Easter I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter. 

In a world full of busyness and selfishness are you an Easter person?

There are Easter people all through our school community whose faithfulness inspires our own. There are the ones who trust the Spirit's presence, even in the midst of adversity. There are the ones who refuse to keep up with the envied "Joneses" and raise their children to do the same. There are the ones who accept their own illnesses as opportunities to reveal God's love to others. There are the ones who quietly feed the hungry and share their own resources with faithful abandon, and shape the next generation so they will do the same.

Are you an Easter person?

As we celebrate Easter this year, our call is to be people of hope. To be people who let the light of the Easter candle burn brightly within so that others may share in the reassurance of what the Easter message offers. Even amidst the atrocities coming out of the war in Ukraine & Israel, we see glimmers of hope and life. We see people reaching out and welcoming people to their homes, providing food, clothes, and comfort, playing music, and bringing moments of joy.

How can we be bearers of hope in a complex world?

Happy Easter Everyone

School Community Code of Conduct

A reminder that as parents and carers you have an obligation to your community.

Please ensure:

• That all communication with members of the community is appropriate and courteous.
• That you model positive behaviour to your child and members of the school community.

I have attached the Diocesan Community Code of Conduct below for reference.

Please know that I use this in conversations with students as well. These tie in nicely with our school baseline behaviours. Using these support our students to build skills to interact positively in their lives.

How is your Wellbeing?

Your Wellbeing is paramount not just to you, but to me as well.

I know you know these but here are a few tips for everyday being & improving your wellbeing

1. Connect with other people
   • Take time out with staff in the staff room.
   • Do Park run with friends
   • Dance the night away with Fanny Lumsden at the Gundy Hall this Saturday.
2. Be Active
   • Walk around the block.
   • Do Cross Fit or head for a PT session
3. Give to others
   • Offer to help someone in need
   • Ask friends how they are and really listen to their answer
4. Be present – Mindfulness
   • Pay more attention to the present moment
5. Develop a work life balance
   • Can it wait till tomorrow?

Please remember by looking after you, you are modelling and promoting positive mental health and wellbeing to all of your family, which will be good in their lives now and in the future.

Mr Aaron Moon
Principal

Assistant Principal

We are into the last part of Term 1 and things have been busy. Each week teachers are visiting other classrooms to find out about classroom’s learning. Teachers ask the students five key questions.

1. What are you learning?
2. How are you going?
3. How do you know?
4. How can you improve?
5. Where can you go for help?

It is amazing for students to understand the learning intention of the lesson and to identify the success criteria so that they can achieve.

Learning intentions are descriptions of what learners should know, understand and be able to do by the end of the learning period. Success criteria is created at the beginning of a lesson so that students understand what the aims of the lessons are. Success criteria provides students with a goal and an aim at the beginning of the lesson which encourages students to remain focussed.

Mrs Jane Jacobs
Acting Assistant Principal

Religion

Holy Week is an important time during the Lenten season. It marks the final week of the season of Lent and it recounts the final days of Christ’s life, as well as his death, burial and resurrection. Each Stage has reverently taken the time and care in preparing these liturgies to share with our SJM community. We look forward to sharing these with you next week.

This week we have continued to raise funds for Project Compassion by selling Zooper Doopers. Thank you to Mrs Ballard and the dedicated students of Mini Vinnies who assisted with this fundraiser.  I look forward to sharing our fundraising total with you after the Lenten season.

So far we have raised just over $300 for Project Compassion. Each family has received a Project Compassion money box and these can be returned to school by the end of the Lenten season.

May your lamp continue to burn stronger and brighter in 2024

Mrs Jane Jacobs
Religious Education Coordinator

Merit Awards

Principal Awards

Class News

ES1

Kindergarten children are making good progress with their InitiaLit lessons, this week we have introduced what is a word, written words and rhyming. The students are using their listening skills to hear the sounds of these letters at the end of words and are also learning to form the letters correctly when writing.

In Maths we have looked at Length and have compared the measurement of objects using a common baseline and informal units. We have practiced weighing, pouring and estimating.  We can name the number of objects within small collections and continue to connect counting and numerals to quantities.

During Religion we have been learning about prayer and what we need to do. Kindergarten will practice making the sign of the cross and saying amen with exclamation. We have learnt it is a special way to talk to God when we are grateful or need help. Students have engaged in many different ways to pray including using a labyrinth, talking to God on the telephones, sending God a note.

Kind regards
Mrs Donna Smith (KG) and Mrs Trishelle Threadgate (KM)

Stage 1

Stage 1 are excited to be practicing for ‘‘The Last Supper’ and ‘The Washing of the Feet’ for our liturgies next week. Stage 1 liturgy is on Tuesday the 26^th March 2024.

A reminder that the easter hat parade will be held on Thursday the 28^th March, so please take the time to create a wonderful hat to showcase in the parade.

Please continue to wear Sports uniform on Wednesdays as well as Fridays as students are completing Athletics activities with Dennis.

In English Year 1 have been reading the book ‘Koala Lou by Mem Fox. They have been learning about the beginning, middle and end of the story and have been completing a character profile about Koala Lou. Students are also learning to write their own narrative story about an Australian animal that completes in the bush Olympics!

Year 2 studying the text Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles. Students have been independently completing a ‘Story Recall’ and sequencing the events of Edward the Emu.

In Mathematics, Stage 1 have been learning to skip count by twos, threes, fives and tens using rhythmic counting. They have also been using informal units to measure, compare and estimate lengths.

Please if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email. 

1G Mrs Jane Baker and Mrs Mary Ballard  

  jane.baker@mn.catholic.edu.au 
mary.ballard@mn.catholic.edu.au 

1M Mr Bradley Sabotic and Mrs Joanne Whitehead 

bradley.sabotic@mn.catholic.edu.au 
 joanne.whitehead@mn.catholic.edu.au 

2G Miss Claudia Becus 

claudia.becus@mn.catholic.edu.au 

2M Miss Rachel Cooper 

rachel.cooper@mn.catholic.edu.au  

Stay safe and well. 

Kind Regards,
Mrs Baker & Mrs Ballard (1G), Mr Sabotic & Mrs Whithead (1M), Miss Cooper (2M), Miss Becus (2G)

Stage 2

This fortnight was a busy one again! This fortnight we hosted the regional Maths Bee. Lukas Mitchell (4G) and Hayden Clerke (4M), represented Stage 2 while competing against other students from Upper Hunter schools. We congratulate them on their outstanding efforts!

In the lead up to Holy Week, Stage 2 have been busy practicing for our Stage Liturgy – The Garden of Gethsemane. Families are most welcome to attend the Holy Week Commemorations. You can purchase tickets to attend. Stage 2 will be commemorating our liturgy on the 27^th of March which begins at 9:15 in the school hall. We look forward to seeing you there!

This fortnight we have also been preparing for Cross Country with the children. Each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning the children have been practicing for Cross Country by running 2km around either Skellatar or MacKillop Oval. Miss Fitz and Miss Maher have been joining in the running also. Many children have demonstrated dedication and perseverance during Cross Country practice. We are looking forward to watching and supporting the children when they run the school Cross Country on Thursday 21^st of March.

This fortnight, Year 3 students have also begun NAPLAN. Miss Maher and Miss Fitz are very proud of the Year 3 students and their efforts during NAPLAN. Students should be commended on their commitment to trying their best!

A reminder the Easter Hat parade is Thursday 28^th of March, which you are welcome to attend.

We hope you are having a safe and enjoyable week!

Miss Maher (3M), Miss Fitzsimmons (3G), Miss Dafter (4G), Mrs Jane Jacobs & Mrs Mary Ballard (4M)

Stage 3

Stage 3 have been busy over the past couple of weeks.

We have been training for the cross country, working on our stamina so that we are able to be at our best next week. The cross country will take place next Thursday morning on Skellatar Oval.

We are celebrating Harmony Day on Wednesday. It is a day to recognise and celebrate the many cultures we have within our stage, school and country. We are lucky to have and share these cultures with each other.

Easter is fast approaching, and we have been preparing for our Holy Week performances. We have spent this time reflecting and thinking about the sacrifice that was made for us. We are looking forward to showing you our interpretation of Jesus’ journey as he is crucified.

Year 5 have been undertaking NAPLAN with the last couple of days this week. They have worked very hard and tried their best. We are proud of you.

Mrs Gehrig (5G), Miss Lamont (5G & 6G), Miss Brimble (5M), Mrs McLennan (6M) & Mrs Helen Feeney (6G)

Indigenous News

What a very busy start to the year in our Aboriginal Education department! We would like to send out a warm welcome to all of our new CREST Crew and families who have joined St James’ this year.

Aunty Wanda has been working hard setting cultural goals for our students and facilitating Yarning Circles each fortnight. She has already been invited into several classrooms to deliver Aboriginal perspectives related to the class units of work. I’m sure the students really benefitted from her shared knowledge.

Uncle Richie is back delivering weekly didgeridoo lessons to our Stg 2 and Stg 3 CREST Crew boys. Due to a rise in numbers we also had him handcraft us 5 new didgeridoos. We would like to thank Bengalla for the financial contribution needed to continue this program.

Please see the flyers below is you are interested in our taking part in the local NAIDOC Art Competition or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Baby Welcoming Ceremony.

Finance Matters

All annual school fee statements have now been emailed to families, for joint debtor accounts it will be sent to the first person named on the account. If you have not received your email please let me know.

Payment of school fees can be tailored to suit the financial structure of all families and can be paid each week, fortnight, month, term or the balance in full.

Instalment payments must have commenced by the end of March, they must be paid on a continuous regular basis and are required to be paid in full by 30^th November. If you chose to pay your school fees in one amount, this is due by 30^th June.

There are various payment options available to families including BPAY, EFTPOS, direct debit or cash.

Health Care/Pension card discounts are available to eligible families by completing a form and providing a front & back copy of your government issued card, this discount requires re-application each year to assess ongoing eligibility. HCC/Pension discount forms can be sent home with children or emailed to fee payers upon request. Please note, Health Care Cards must be in the name of the fee payer not the student.

For any families facing genuine financial hardship there are options available to assist you. Please contact me by phone or email & I will be happy to advise on some of the ways a payment plan can be structured that is best suited to your family circumstances. All payment plans are approved by Aaron by attending a fee meeting and are reviewed annually.

Any issues or questions please feel free to contact me.

virginia.chapman@mn.catholic.edu.au
Virginia Chapman
School Finance Officer

What’s on in the Library

Borrowing Days

Please encourage your children to return their library books, on their borrowing days.

Tuesday: Years 5 and 6
Wednesday: Kinder and Year 1
Thursday: Years 2, 3 and 4

Scholastic Book Club

PLEASE NOTE: Book Club is due Tuesday 26^th March.

Book Club can not be paid by cash.

There only two methods of payment available now. 

1. Phone. Automated free call 1800 557 908.  When paying by phone you will receive an 11-digit receipt number.  Return to school with completed order form.
2. LOOP Ordering Instructions from Scholastic
   • Simply grab your child's Book Club catalogue and either sign in or register your account  
   • Click on ORDER and then select your school and your child's class* 
   • Add your child's first name & last initial (so the school knows who the book is for) PLEASE NOTE: Your child's details will never be shared with 3rd parties OR used for marketing purposes - this is for distribution purposes only. 
   • Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue
   • All orders are sent directly to the school for submission to Scholastic. Books will still be delivered to your child's classroom if you order by the close date
   • Afterwards, there's no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details back to your school! 

If you get stuck and need help, simply call our friendly Customer Service team on: 1800 021 233 between the hours of 8am to 5pm. After 5pm, you may email our after-hours LOOP help on Customer_Service@scholastic.com.au

New Resources

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Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is optional but I urge all Years 3 – 6 students to participate. The books are available during their borrowing times. At the end of the year the children are awarded a certificate from the Premier of NSW. The primary students, who wish to participate, will be given a record sheet, to start recording their books. They then need to visit the PRC website to locate the ID number for each book. 

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

Community Notices

St. James’ P & F Association

P&F Committee Contacts