Bulletin Week 2, Term 2

Welcome to the Week 2 Parent Bulletin. Our students are absolutely thrilled with the new playground. They loved the new swings, climbing frames, monkey bars and the taller slide. Many students have commented that it's better than they had anticipated. As I have visited classes, I've noticed that students are quickly getting back into their routines. The Reception students have been focusing on addition using numbers up to ten. The Year 1/2 class has been busy with mapping by constructing a model of the school layout based on their tour of the school grounds and drawings. The Year 3/4s are learning about measurement with millimetres, centimetres, metres, and kilometres. The Year 5/6 class has been planning the food groups fundraising initiatives during HASS. They plan to raise money to subsidise their camp by menu planning and calculating prices to charge. We will share more information about these lunch orders in the near future.

Mother’s Day Mass

This Friday in Week 2, the Reception Class will be leading us in a Mass at 9:30am in the Church for Mother’s Day. This will be a very special Mass for all the mothers and mother figures. All welcome to attend. This will also be a very special occasion for us as this will be the first school Mass with Fr Harold. Parents and other special family members are then invited to join us for morning tea in the Learning Centre after Mass. 

Catholic Education Week

This year Catholic Education Week (CEW) is in Week 3 of this term. Catholic Education Week is a great opportunity to highlight all the wonderful things that are happening in every one of our Catholic Schools across South Australia. This year, the week will be based around our Diocesan theme, Called to Community, as well as Raising Hearts and Minds with God for Social Justice. Throughout the week students will be engaging in a variety of activities to celebrate being a part of our Catholic School community.

What’s happening in Catholic Education Week during Week 3?

Monday 15 May: Opening Prayer and Open Morning 9 – 11am

New and Existing families are welcome to join us to open Catholic Education Week in a prayer service outside the Learning Centre, and then visit the classrooms in the morning.

Tuesday 16 May: Simultaneous Prayer Service 9am

All students across the Port Pirie Diocese will be participating in a prayer at the same time, on the same day.

Wednesday 17 May: Wear Blue for St Vincent De Paul Society

Students are invited to wear blue casual clothes for a gold coin donation to support the St Vincent De Paul Society.

Thursday 18 May: Port Pirie Switches Off from 11am

At school, each class will be going without power for part of the day.

Friday 19 May: Walk to School Day

Students are invited to meet at 8:15am at the Jamestown Memorial Park on Friday morning and participate in the Walk Safely to School Day.

Students will also be participating in planting a tree as part of the Port Pirie Diocese, as well as our call to look after God’s creation and to nurture it.

This year, CEW coincides with Laudato Si Week. Keep an eye out in next week's newsletter for more information about this.

Mini Vinnies

This term we will beginning a new initiative at St James School called Mini Vinnies. This will be open to students across the whole school who would like to help others and learn more about how they can do this. Students will participate and lead a range of initiatives across the year. Students will meet with Mrs Kelly (APRIM) on a regular basis to address current needs and plans for the future. I look forward to sharing the students work with you as the year continues.

Resillience Project - Parent & Community Session

Please see the attached flyer about the FREE Online Parent and Community Information Session run by Martin Heppell and the Resilience Project team this Wednesday 10th May from 6:00 to 7:15pm.

Martin will be delivering his flagship ‘Discovering Resilience’ presentation. Through his high energy humour and captivating storytelling, Martin will share simple, practical tips we can use everyday to improve our wellbeing.

Why a Parent & Community presentation?

When building positive mental health in schools, we know the best impact happens when we work together. The ‘Discovering Resilience’ presentation helps do just that by sharing those same evidence-based strategies being taught in the classroom, so they can be also practised at home and beyond. Attendees will also be reminded of the importance of their own wellbeing- we bring the best versions of ourselves to our family and community, when we make time to look after ourselves.

Parents and Carers will need to register for the webinar using the following link here.

Blessing & Opening of New Building

The Blessing and Opening will be taking place on Monday 22nd May, at the start of Week 4. This event will begin at 11:30am and will take about 45 minutes. All parents are invited to attend.

Working Bee - Sunday 21st May 

On Sunday, May 21st, from 10am to 12pm, we have planned a working bee to spruce up the school in preparation for the Blessing and Opening of the new building, which is on the next day. The tasks that need to be completed include pressure washing the outdoor tables and chairs, dusting window ledges and eaves, spreading bark chips in garden beds and topping up the playgrounds with bark chips. We invite all families to lend a hand. Remember, many hands make light work. 

Wood Cut Fundraiser - SOLD OUT

We are pleased to announce that all of the wood from the recent Wood Cut, which was organised by the school board, has been sold. The response from the community has been fantastic, and we are grateful for your support. Unfortunately, we are no longer taking any orders for wood as our supplies have been completely exhausted.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all those who have supported this fundraiser. Your contributions will help us continue to provide our students with the best possible educational resources and opportunities.

Book Club Orders

Book Club Magazines were sent out last week to every student. Orders are due at the end of Week 3, Friday 19th May.

Uniform Transition Period Reminder

During the first two weeks of this term, we have a transition period for uniforms at our school. This means that students are allowed to wear either the summer or winter uniform, depending on the weather forecast for the day. However, starting from Week 3 of Term 2, all students will be required to wear the winter uniform.

We kindly request that you ensure your child's hat and jumpers are named, so that any misplaced items can be easily returned.

As we approach the winter season, we encourage you to take the time to check your child's winter uniform for sizing and place any necessary orders through the Flexi Schools App. Please note that uniform orders are collated each Wednesday and sent home on Thursdays.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that our students are dressed appropriately for the weather and look forward to your continued support in maintaining our school's uniform policy.

In 2023 St James is offering mid year enrolments. If your child turns 5 before 31st October 2023, they can start school at St James in Term 3 2023 and the school fees are free. Children starting in Reception mid-year will have a minimum of 6 terms in Reception. Interest and enrolments are also open for the beginning of 2024. Please contact the school and register your interest or book a discovery school tour. Children who turn 5 on or before 30th April can begin school in Term 1 of 2024.