Week 11 Term 1

 "Holy Week is a privileged time when we are called to draw near to Jesus: friendship with him is shown in times of difficulty”- Pope Francis

Wow, I can hardly believe that Term One has already come to a close! It feels like just yesterday we were all gearing up for the start of the school year, and now here we are, wrapping up a busy and successful term.

I’m truly blown away by the incredible amount of parent volunteer hours that have been given this term. From the Wood Chop event, which I was lucky enough to attend for a few hours on Saturday, to the bustling Op Shop – the generosity of our school community has been nothing short of inspiring. The time and effort parents have contributed cannot be overstated, and it’s heartening to see so many of you stepping in to support these important events. We’ll be sure to keep you all updated throughout the year on where the money raised from these events will go, as it’s your hard work that makes these initiatives possible.

It was a lovely way to wrap up the term this morning with our Thanksgiving Mass – a time for reflection and gratitude. I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved break over the holidays, finding time to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality moments with loved ones.

Looking ahead to next term, I’m excited to be stepping into my role as Principal full-time. I feel incredibly grateful for all the kind words of congratulations and support I’ve received since being appointed to this role. It means so much to me to be part of such a wonderful school community, and I’m eager to continue working together to make St. James the best it can be.

Enjoy the break, and I look forward to seeing you all in Term Two!

Martin Hayes

PUPIL FREE DAY

Monday, 28^th April will be a Pupil Free Day. Now that there is a new principal, this day will enable the St James staff to to set the rest of the year up for success.

WORKING BEE

A reminder that there will be a working bee on Sunday 27^th April for our Year 3 - 6 families starting at 10am. Please bring along hats, gloves, shovels and rakes for the day.

UPDATED VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS – RHAAN COURSE

Here at St James, we are incredibly grateful and proud of the parent and community volunteers, putting in so much time and effort contributing to our amazing school community.

To be a volunteer with the school, it does come with some small requirements.

All volunteers must have a current Working With Children Check, and have completed the RRHAN-EC training for volunteer’s course, along with standard induction procedures.

If you are new to the school and wish to be a volunteer, please chat with Martin or the team and we can start the process of signing you up.

The RRHAN-EC course can be completed following the instructions online through this link:

https://www.education.sa.gov.au/working-us/rrhan-ec/how-volunteers-access-rrhan-ec-training

Alternatively we are planning to hold in person sessions in Term 2, please express your interest in this option to Tammi or Judy in the front office or Helen our WHS officer via email: hlatham@stjames.catholic.edu.au and we will pop you on the list of attendance. Dates to be confirmed.

Thank you to all our families that continue to support our Project Compassion Fundraisers. We have raised an incredible $1126  so far. The generosity has been nothing short of outstanding!

Your donations are making a such a big impact on families all over the world and providing the opportunity for communities to build rain water tanks to enable access to clean water.

HOLY WEEK PLAYS

This year, Holy Week falls in the school term break. Therefore, our school will run our Holy Week plays this week. Each class will lead us in the events that prepare us for the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Parents,  families and parishioners  are most welcome to join us for these plays.

Thursday Week 11, 10:40am -- Palm Sunday – led by Reception Class

Thursday Week 11, 11:20am - The Last Supper – led by the Year 3/4 Class

Friday Week 11 9:30am - Stations of the Cross –led by the  Year 5/6 Class

Tuesday 28th April  (Week 1, Term 2) 2.55pm   - The Resurrection – led by Year 1/2 Class

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS

Last week the Year 3 and 4 families received a letter via Operoo with more information about the Sacramental programs offered this year. In 2025,  the Jamestown Parish  will celebrate the sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Communion. If  you think you missed this key information, please check your Operoo, or let Ally Kelly know and we will ensure this information is given to those who can undertake the sacraments this year.

The Importance of Talk in Learning

Language is a powerful tool for your child's learning and development. Children learn best when they can talk about their experiences, ask questions, and explain their thinking. Talking helps them make sense of new ideas, build their understanding, and deepen what they already know.

That’s why discussion and conversation are an important part of the school curriculum and are embedded within our Numeracy Agreement. Teachers encourage students to share their ideas, listen to others, and learn through talking.

Maths Talk – Building Confidence in Numbers

Maths isn’t just about getting the right answer—it’s about understanding how and why we solve problems. Maths Talk is a way for children to work together, share ideas, and explain their thinking. By talking about maths, children build confidence, improve problem-solving skills, and develop a deeper understanding of numbers.

You don’t need special materials or worksheets to encourage Maths Talk at home! Try simple activities like:
🔹 Odd One Out – Choose a set of numbers, shapes, or patterns and ask, Which one doesn’t belong? Why?
🔹 Headline Stories – Give your child a short maths-related statement and ask, What could this be about?
🔹 Number Talks – Ask your child, How did you work that out? Can you explain it in another way?

Encouraging Maths Talk at home helps your child become more confident and capable in maths—while also making it more fun!

The St James Parish are looking for people to help prepare the flowers for the Altar in the Church. No experience necessary. Veronica Malone has kindly offered to meet with anyone interested to give some tips. Veronica has been doing the flowers for many years. You could choose how often you could give your time, even if it is once every 6 months. All offers will be greatly appreciated. If you could kindly RSVP to Deb McCarthy on 0409 700535 by the 9^th May.