The Assumption of Mary took place on Tuesday 15th August. The Year 3/4 Class led the school community in prayer last Friday to celebrate this special day. It is the day that commemorates when Mary, the mother of Jesus, died and was assumed up to heaven.
Prayer – Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen!
Welcome to the Term 3, Week 5 Newsletter. This week is Catholic Schools Open Week. It is a week to recognise what our Catholic school offers and to open our doors to showcase our beautiful school. Look out for the posts on our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) during the week.
We will host an Open Morning for existing and new families this Thursday 24th August from 9-11am. We warmly welcome existing parents to visit the school. The students are keen to showcase what they have been learning. Please spread the word about the open morning. A morning tea will be provided.
BOOK WEEK
Today was the start of Book Week, an exciting time in the school calendar. We kicked off the book week celebrations with our Book Week Parade this morning. There was such a great variety of costumes on show. There are some very creative minds out there. Thank you for supporting your child’s love of books.
All parents are invited to the Learning Centre to check out the large and impressive displays that each class has contributed to. The displays will be open all week. Feel free to pop in at any time.
2024 SCHOOL FEES FREEZE
We are pleased to inform our school families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2024 school year. This will be the third consecutive year of the fee freeze.
Catholic Education SA has announced it will freeze tuition fees at its 84 Diocesan schools for the 2024 school year.
“We recognise that cost-of-living increases are putting significant pressure on families,” says Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director, Catholic Education SA.
“Growth in enrolments across the State in our 101 Catholic Schools, together with prudent financial management, puts us in a position where we are able to hold tuition fees at this year’s level.”
Dr McGoran said the fee-freeze will not impact the quality of education.
“We’re committed to keeping school fees as low as possible and ensuring a Catholic education is affordable and accessible to all.”
Since 2019, Catholic Education SA has been implementing the Making Catholic Education More Affordable Initiative to ensure Catholic schools are accessible to any family who wants their child to have a Catholic education.
In addition to the fee-freeze, further fee remissions are available to any family who is struggling to pay school fees due to financial difficulties. Families should contact Evan Wrobel, Principal or Helen Latham, Finance Officer for more information.
Junior Jimmies is a transition program designed specifically for kindergarten students moving into Reception the following year. With a focus on early literacy skills, school routines, oral language development, social skills, and familiarising children with the school setting, Junior Jimmies is here to make the transition to school seamless and exciting.
Junior Jimmies runs over Terms 3 & 4, offering an extended transition to school program that ensures children feel confident and prepared for school. Beginning with 2.5-hour sessions at school, our program gradually increases to a full-day experience towards the end, allowing children to grow their confidence in their new school environment.
Session Times - Starting 30th August (Wednesday’s fortnightly Term 3 and Wednesday's weekly in Term 4 for a total of 10 sessions)
- The first 8 sessions with be run for 2.5hr (8:55 – 11:20am)
- The 2nd last session (22nd November) will run until the end of lunch (1:45pm)
- The final session (29th November) will run for a full day.
Junior Jimmies will be led by Mrs Ellie Stacey, who is an experienced educator that understands the unique needs of young learners. Mrs Stacey will create a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters growth and development.
Sessions will be held in our General-Purpose Learning spaces. There will be some interaction with the current Reception class and specialist teachers throughout the program.
We believe in providing equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their background and that is why we offer our transition program for FREE!
Year 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation
On Wednesday 23rd August at 6pm at St James the Apostle Church, 11 of our Year 3 students will be participating in their First Reconciliation. We keep these students in our prayers as they prepare for this special celebration.
A Prayer for our Reconciliation Candidates
Loving God,
help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy - SAVE THE DATE
Our school will host a Father’s Day Breakfast and Liturgy on Thursday 31st August (Week 6). All fathers and father like figures are most welcome to join us with their child from 8:00am for breakfast and to visit classrooms. The Year 1/2 Class will then lead a whole school Liturgy in the Learning Centre at 9am.
YEAR 1/2 ASSEMBLY
All parents and friends are welcome to attend the Assembly held by the Year 1/2 Class this Friday the 25th of August at 2:40pm in the Learning Centre.
SAPSASA NE Athletics Trials
This Wednesday, many students from Years 4-6 have nominated to trial to represent North Eastern at the SAPSASA Athletics. Trials will be held at Jamestown Community School. We are still seeking a parent volunteer to represent the St James students on the day. Please let the front office staff know if you can be of assistance. We wish all students trialling the best of luck.
SAPSASA Soccer
In Week 4, 6 students from St James participated in the SAPSASA Soccer competition in Adelaide. Congratulations to Lexi, Eddie, Ethan, Archer, Hugh S and Hugh T!
Football Clinics
On Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th of September (Week 7), students will be participating in two Football (Soccer) clinics per class. We are looking forward to welcoming a specialised coach from Adelaide to teach our students the basic skills of football. Students will need to wear their PE uniform on both Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 7.
It has been a special time in the class for the Year 3's as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Wednesday night. They have been working hard in class with the support of their friends. Previously the class undertook a study on Judaism and its links with Christianity. We made an arc and placed some Old Testament scrolls inside it.
The class enjoyed creating with papier-mâché at the end of last term. The finished products can be found on the shelves in the library. Please stop in and see the beautiful flock of birds they created.
Important Dates
Parents and Friends Meeting 6:30pm
SAPSASA Athletics trials at JCS
Year 3 First Reconciliation - 6pm
Catholic School Open Week - Open Morning 9-11am
SAPSASA Basketball Kadina
Year 1/2 Assembly - 2:40pm
Junior Jimmies - First Session 8:55am
Father's Day Breakfast & Liturgy - 8am
STUDENT FREE DAY
Soccer Clinic - Tue-Wed
SAPSASA Tennis & Cricket Trial - Jamestown 4pm
NO BUSES - JCS Closure Day
Assembly - Year 3/4, 2:40pm
Sunday Family Mass - 9am
School Board Meeting 7:30pm
School Photo Day
SAPSASA Tennis & Cricket Training @ Jamestown – 10am to 2pm
Junior Jimmies - 8:55am
East of Ranges Choir Rehearsals & Performance Year 5/6
Year 3/4 Excursion to Appila Springs
Liturgy led by Reception Class - Learning Centre 9:30am
We acknowledge the Ngadjuri people, traditional custodians of this land.
Tuck Roster
MONDAY 28TH AUGUST
Convenor: Kerry Sutter
Worker: Lyn Williams
Cakes: Karen Sleep & Claire Sheridan
MONDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER
Convenor: Nicole Luckraft
Worker: Kelly Kelly
Cakes: Anna Simon & Mel Clapp
Parish Mass
SUNDAY 27th August
Welcomers: Emily & Matt Cousins
Servers: Patrick & Tom Cousins
SUNDAY 3rd September
Welcomers: Luke & Dette Clark & Family
Servers: Pippa & Elkie Clark
Social