Week 1, Term 3

Welcome to the first Newsletter for Term 3. I hope everyone in the school community was able to enjoy the school holidays and spent some time with friends and family. Yesterday, we opened our doors for the Community Open Morning for parishioners and members of the community to look at our new building extension and renovations. It was great to have a large number of people visit, including old scholars and previous parents.

Student reports were sent home on the last day of Term 2. Teachers will be available to meet with parents to discuss their child’s school report. A summary of student grades for each year level, with de-identified data, is available for parents on request. This will include the percentage of students receiving A, B, C, D and E grades. Please contact the office staff to obtain this information.

Five new students began their learning journey at St James today. These include three Reception Mid Year Intake students; Bambi, Darcy and Miles and we also welcome Alex (Reception) and Macey (Year 3) Latham. We look forward to supporting these children with their learning as they join our school community.

The fortnightly newsletter will continue to be sent out on Monday of the odd weeks throughout the year. The parent bulletin, which was sent out on the even weeks, will be replaced with a quick update of dates and reminders for the week via social media and an SMS to all families.

School Closure Day – 7th July

On the last day of last term, our staff took part in the Staff Retreat and Training, based around our Diocesan theme, ‘Called to Community.’ They also had time to become familiar with the CESA initiative, LearnWell, a framework for student wellbeing. We were also lucky enough to welcome Fr Harold as a guest speaker. He spoke about his life story, from childhood, schooling, work life before becoming a priest and his journey to priesthood. The retreat provided staff with time for reflection and to collectively set some goals for the school.

Mary MacKillop JJJ Day

On Tuesday 8th August (Week 3), we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day. Each year, we join together with St Joseph’s School Gladstone and St. Joseph’s School Peterborough for a Mass followed by activities at one of our schools. The plan this year will be to travel to Peterborough. This day will be celebrated to recognise Australia’s first saint and to celebrate that her Josephite sisters founded our three schools. Keep an eye out on a form through Operoo over the next week for more information on this whole school excursion.

Year 3 First Reconciliation

This term, Year 3 students are invited to participate in their First Reconciliation. Students and families in Year 3 this year will receive a separate note with more information this week.

Key Dates for Year 3 families:

Wednesday 9th August 6pm, Week 3: Parent Night

Wednesday 23rd August 6pm, Week 5: First Reconciliation Service

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus comforts us. He strengthens us on our journey. We are reconciled with God, with the Church, and with the people we have hurt. Through this sacrament the Church celebrates Jesus’ gift of forgiveness.

Two Remaining School Closure Days for 2023

There are two School Closure Days planned for the second half of 2023. These include;

Friday 1st Sept – Curriculum Day
Friday 15th Dec (Last school day of the year) – Curriculum, Data and Handover Day

St James Feast Day – 25th July

On the first Tuesday of Term 3, 25th of July, the school will celebrate the St James the Apostle Feast Day with a Whole School Mass at 9:30. During the Mass, the new students will be blessed and welcomed to our school community. After the Mass, all students will head to Memorial Park on Irvine Street for activities, followed by a free Sausage Sizzle lunch back at school. As this is a walking excursion, parent permission has already been granted by each family at the start of the year. All parents and grandparents are welcome to join us, either at Mass or for the walk to the park and back. Please contact the office staff if you are able to join us for the excursion. We ask all students to wear their PE uniform tomorrow.

Year 3/4 Tree Planting Day

The Year 3/4 Class will be taking part in the National Tree Planting Day this Friday, 28th July from 10am to 1pm. This class will be planting trees at Jones Street. As this is a walking excursion, parent permission has already been granted by each family at the start of the year.

Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews – 1st & 2nd August

The Optional Parent Teacher Interviews are planned to take place in Week 2. This provides parents with an opportunity to speak with their child’s class teacher about how they are performing at school. The interview dates are Tuesday 1st August from 3:30-7:30pm and Wednesday 2nd August from 3:30-6:00pm. More details and booking processes will be sent out this week via Operoo. Teachers are available at any stage of the year for Parent Teachers Interviews. Simply make contact with them to book a convenient time.

Staffing Update

Joanne Daly (cleaner) will be taking 6 months of long service leave. Colleen Broad will take on Joanne’s duties for the remainder of the school year. Mrs Cathy Kelly will be taking long service leave for the last 7 weeks of this term, beginning at the start of Week 4. Ms O’Reilley will be covering Mrs Kelly’s teaching duties on a fortnightly basis in the Year 5/6 Class. Mr Wrobel will take on the Inclusive Education and Literacy Leader roles for this 7 week period. We wish these two staff members all the best during their long service leave and thank the staff who have taken on the extra responsibilities.

Student Teacher

This term, we will welcome Student Teacher, Kelsey Woodards to the Year 1 & 2 Class. She has already completed some lead in days and she will visit again for 3 more days this week, before beginning her 7 week placement on the 7th of August.

Term 3 Parent Calendar

The Term 3 Parent Calendar is attached to this weeks Newsletter email. Please note the dates for your diaries. Dates are sometimes subject to change. Any changes will be communicated ASAP and via the fortnightly newsletter.

Premiers Reading Challenge

Our students are busily reading their books to complete their PRC this year. Have a discussion with your child to see what their favourite book is so far. The PRC ends 8th September. To complete the PRC, students need to read 8 books from the reading list and another 4 books of their own choice. Plus this year PRC celebrates 20 years! To mark the occasion, if your child reads 8 books from the reading list and another 12 books of their choice - making 20 books - they will receive a once off special certificate to celebrate. There are quite a few weeks left of the Challenge- so get reading!

Book Week

This year, Book Week is from Monday 21 - Friday 25 August (Week 5 - Term 3). The theme this year is "Read, Grow, Inspire." We will be looking to have our dress up parade similar to other years - on Monday after the morning assembly. The students can follow the theme or dress up as their favourite book character on that day. There will be lots of fun activities during that week for the students to participate in. The Learning Centre will be full of creative displays made by each class and fun competitions, which families are most welcome to view. More information to come as it gets closer.