Week 2 Term 3, 2025

O blessed St. James,
 Faithful apostle and courageous pilgrim,
 You left all behind to follow Christ
 And proclaimed the Good News to the ends of the earth.
 Guide our steps in this Jubilee Year,
 That we may become true pilgrims of hope,
 Bearing light where there is darkness,
 And trust where there is fear.
 Pray for us, that we may journey with joyful hearts
 Toward the fullness of life in Christ.

Amen

This Jubilee Year, Pope Francis invites us to be Pilgrims of Hope.  People who journey forward with faith, even when the road is uncertain.

St. James, the patron saint of pilgrims, left everything behind to follow Christ. His life as a disciple and missionary shows us what it means to live with purpose and hope. He didn’t always know where the road would lead, but he trusted God every step of the way.

Like St. James, we are all on a journey. Whether it be through our learning, our friendships, our challenges, and our dreams. In our school, we are pilgrims too: growing in faith, walking together, and carrying hope into our homes, communities, and the world.

MARY MACKILLOP DAY

Next Friday, 8^th August – all students from R-6 will be travelling to Bundaleer to celebrate the feast of Saint Mary MacKillop with students from St Joseph's Gladstone and St Joseph's Peterborough.

We will be hosting mass at Bundaleer at 10:30am on the day. Families and Parishioners are most welcome to join us for mass.

We thank the Parents and Friends for assisting us with lunches for all three schools on this day.

CONDOLENCES

We send our sincere condolences to

• The Case and Peacock family on the passing of Yvonne Case. Yvonne was grandmother to Alice Peacock and great grandmother to Declan, Isaac and Xavier.

• The family of Damian (Pee Wee) Clarke, a previous St James student and much-loved member of the St James Parish and Community.

• Sister Kerry Keenan, whose mother Pauline passed away recently.

Heavenly Father,

May they find peace and rest in Your eternal light.
Comfort those who grieve, and grant us strength to carry on with hope.
Surround us with Your love, and guide them safely home.
Amen.

PREPARATION FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

On Sunday, students and their families attended mass in the Jamestown parish to begin their preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. If your child would like to be involved in this sacrament this year, please see Father Ranjith or Ally Kelly. For those families that collected enrolment forms, please return these to Father Ranjith or Ally Kelly as soon as possible.

LLL Surveys

All families should have seen the LLL (Live Learn Lead) survey for families. They were sent home last week as a hard copy and via Seesaw. These close on 22^nd August. It would be great if we could get all our families to respond, as your feedback is so important to us.  

PUPIL FREE DAYS

Please note the pupil free days for the remainder of the year.

• Friday 26th September, Week 10 Term 3
• Friday 12th December, Week 9 Term 4

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OPEN WEEK - ST JAMES OPEN DAY

CESA’s Catholic Schools Open Week is an annual event hosted by Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) - this year it will be held from 4–10 August. It runs across all Catholic schools in South Australia, inviting families to explore what makes Catholic education unique.

At St James we are going to have an open day on Monday 4^th August, from 11:30am – 1:00pm. We are inviting families and friends of existing students as well as any families and friends who are interested in seeing firsthand what makes St James so great. Everyone is invited to come along, have a tour of the school, visit the classrooms and speak with the staff and students of St James. Feel free to invite a friend to come along.

SAPSASA GOLF

Congratulations to Teddy S who was selected to participate in SAPSASA Golf this week. We wish him all the best in Adelaide. - "Hit them straight and not too often”

MUSIC/ART

A reminder that our Arts program has changed for this semester. We no longer have music with Paul Gibson (he will be returning next year though). The students are now doing visual arts with Ms Annie O'Reilley.

EBONY LEAVING

It’s bittersweet to share that this week will be Miss Ebony Mercer’s last at St James. Ebony has brought such bright energy, enthusiasm, and warmth to our staff and students. Always eager to learn and ready to jump in wherever needed, she’s been a valued member of our team. Her respectful, caring approach with students has left a lasting impression. We wish her all the very best as she heads off on her next adventure in Roxby Downs. Thanks for everything, Ebony, you’ll be missed!

CLASS AWARDS END OF TERM 2

At the end of last term students were presented with awards at the Year 5/6 assembly. Congratultions to the following students.

Community Award:

• Tom C
• Ava K
• Milla H

Learning Award:

• Sid C
• Felix S
• Andrew D
• Ava S

Faith Award:

• Alfie H

Excellence Award:

• Colbie C
• Sienna M
• Violet S
• Zac D

Peewee Clarke Funeral

The Parents and Friends Committee has been asked to assist with catering for the funeral of Damian Clarke. The parish is kindly requesting donations of sweet items (such as small cakes or slices) or small savoury pastries (such as quiches or sausage rolls).  If you would like to contribute, please deliver your donations to the Learning Centre kitchen on the morning of Tuesday, 5th August.

Mary MacKillop Day

Thanks to Billie Thomas who has been busy organising lunch orders for the celebration of Saint Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day.  Thanks also to committee members who have volunteered to help cook and serve on this day.  We are asking for 8 people to cook 2 dozen cakes for the lunch packs.  If you can help us, please leave your name at the front office.  Thanks in advance for your support.