Principal's Podcast
In an attempt to reach all parents, I have decided to try podcasting! So, from today, I will podcast a summation of the school newsletter (around 2-3 minutes long). Now you can read the newsletter and/or listen to the Principal's Podcast to get important school information. I would value any feedback as we take this journey together! Enjoy!
Staffing News
It is with a heavy heart that we share that our dear colleague, Jacqui Malone, will be taking leave for the remainder of the year. Jacqui has been a pillar of strength within our community, and now she needs our support as she embarks on a challenging journey of healing. Jacqui is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for Breast Cancer treatment.
We have faith in Jacqui's resilience and are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers. We ask that you join us in prayer, asking for God's healing grace for Jacqui:
Heavenly Father, we ask for Your healing grace for Jacqui. Please grant her strength, courage, and peace as she faces this challenging journey. May Your loving presence be with her every step of the way, and may her medical team be guided by Your wisdom. We trust in Your infinite love and ask that You bring Jacqui comfort and restore her to full health. Amen.
During Jacqui's absence, we are making arrangements to ensure that her responsibilities as Leader of Pedagogy (LOP) are seamlessly managed. We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Karri von Mengersen will be stepping out of the classroom to assume the role of Acting Leader of Pedagogy for the remainder of the year. Karri brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this position, and we are confident that she will continue to uphold the high standards of excellence that Jacqui has established. As part of this plan Mr. Anthony Phelps will teach the Grade 5 cohort for the remainder of the school year, alongside Mr. Brad Bugden and Miss Alison McClymont.
We appreciate your understanding and support during this time, and we will keep you updated on Jacqui's progress. Let us continue to lift her up in prayer and send her our positive thoughts.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community.
Stage 3 Gala Day & Netball
We are thrilled to celebrate our Stage 3 students for their fantastic participation in today's Sporting Gala Day and the Netball carnival held on Wednesday, September 4th. It was wonderful to see so many of our students giving their best effort, showing great sportsmanship, and representing our school with pride.
The enthusiasm and teamwork displayed by all of the participants were truly inspiring. Whether they were competing, cheering on their peers, or simply enjoying the day, our students made the event a memorable and successful one.
Congratulations to all who took part, and a special thank you to our dedicated staff and volunteers for making this day possible. Let’s continue to encourage our students to stay active and engaged in sports and other activities!
Stage 3 Gala Day & Netball
Learning Conferences
Thank you for taking the time to attend our recent learning conferences. Your involvement and support are invaluable as we work together to help your child succeed. Please remember to complete the Insights Learning Template to celebrate your child's growth and achievements.
We are continually striving to improve how we communicate with families about child's progress and next steps in learning. Our goal is to ensure that you feel well-informed and empowered to support your child's educational journey. Currently the staff are looking at all feedback from the Tell Them From Me survey and the recent Google Form survey. We are considering reshaping how we deliver Learning Conferences and information to families in 2025, so that progress information and next steps in learning are clearer, thus helping us all work together for the benefit of our students. We will unpack this with families in Term 4, in readiness for next year.
Term 3 Learning Conferences
Disco
We are excited to invite all students to our upcoming school disco! It will be a fun-filled evening with music, dancing, and great company.
Date: 10th September 2024
Time: K-Y2: 4:15pm to 5:45pm
Y3-Y6: 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: MPC Hall
While we want the kids to have a fantastic time, we also remind parents and guardians of their responsibilities aligned with the New South Wales Child Safe Standards. Please note the follow rules that parents must adhere to:
Supervision: Children are dropped off and picked up on time. Adequate supervision will be provided during the event, but it's important for parents to be punctual and ensure a safe handover before and after the disco.
- Adult helpers: Only adults who have volunteered and have been invited to assist with the disco can remain in the MPC hall for the event.
- Digital/Social Media: Parents must not take video or photographs of the children without consent.
Toilets: Only students may use the MPC toilets; an adult toilet is located in the Administration Block of the school.
Your support in these areas is essential in maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone. We look forward to seeing all the students there for a night of fun and memories!
Confirmation
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students who have recently received the sacrament of Confirmation. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, and we are proud of the dedication, preparation, and prayer they have invested in reaching this special day. Through the Holy Spirit, they have been strengthened in their commitment to live out their faith with courage and compassion.
We pray this sacrament be a source of spiritual growth, guiding them as they continue to walk in the light of Christ.
Congratulations and may God bless you abundantly!
Other information.....
Please note the following additional information.....
Parenting support and learning.....
Please note the following parenting supporting & learning items.....
Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson
Wednesday 11 September from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health needs of children and young people. The session will include:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible.
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children.
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal.
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child’s wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers.
- Creating a margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness.
To register, click here.
Final eSafety Parent Webinar Term 3
Consent and online boundaries: How to support your primary-aged child
Suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.
Tuesday, 13 August, 12.30 pm
Wednesday, 11 September, 12.30 pm
Register here
Item 10: Friendships Grow and Change
The five stages of friendships for children, as described by developmental psychologist
Robert Selman, are:
Momentary Playmates: At this stage, typically observed in early childhood (ages 3-7),
children engage in parallel play alongside others but do not actively interact with them.
They may notice each other's presence but primarily focus on their own activities.
One-Way Assistance: In this stage, which typically occurs in middle childhood (ages 4-9),
children begin to interact more directly with others but primarily in a one-way manner. One
child may take on a more dominant role, providing assistance or guidance to the other,
while the other child follows along or seeks help.
Two-Way Fair-Weather Cooperation: During this stage, which typically occurs in late
childhood (ages 6-12), friendships become more reciprocal and cooperative. Children
engage in mutual activities and play together, but the friendship is often based on shared
interests or convenience. Friendships may dissolve if circumstances change or conflicts
arise.
Mutually Shared Relationships: This stage, which typically occurs in adolescence (ages
9-15), marks the development of deeper friendships. Adolescents form close bonds with
peers based on shared values, beliefs, and experiences. They confide in each other, provide
emotional support, and value trust and loyalty in their friendships.
Knowledge of these stages allows parents to recognise and appreciate the natural
progression of their child's social development. It's important to acknowledge that this
journey may unfold at a different pace for some children. Rather than viewing it as a rigid
sequence of predetermined milestones, it's about nurturing and facilitating your child's
ongoing development.
An important tip for fostering healthy friendships is teaching empathy and
perspective-taking. Encourage your child to imagine how others might be feeling in
different situations. You can do this by asking questions like, "How do you think your friend
feels when you don’t share?" or "Why do you think your friend looks sad today?" By helping
your child understand others' emotions and perspectives, you're laying the foundation for
meaningful connections and strong friendships. When children can see things from
another's perspective, they can be better equipped to resolve conflicts peacefully and find
mutually beneficial solutions.
Upcoming events.....
Please note the following upcoming events......
School Improvement Goals: Fortnightly Update
Short Term Goals
Our short-term goal is; "Families will complete the parent feedback from the learning conferences, using the insights template."
Long Term Goals
One of our long-term goals is to build partnerships with parents; over the past weeks, we have engaged with families in the Learning Conferences and welcomed guests at the Father's Day breakfast, which were both practical and important ways for us to build stronger partnerships.
To conclude
We hope the Fathers in our community all had a wonderful Father’s Day!
It was heartwarming to see so many fathers, grandfathers, and father figures join us for our Father's Day breakfast. The smiles, laughter, and quality time shared made it a truly memorable morning for everyone involved. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and made the day so special.
We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing volunteers who helped with catering and organising the event. Your hard work and dedication ensured that everything ran smoothly, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you all for being part of our school community and for making this Father’s Day celebration one to remember.
We look forward to more opportunities to come together in the future!
With blessings,
Nic.
R U Ok Day
Friday, September 13th, students will come together to recognise R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to checking in on our friends, family, and colleagues. This important day reminds us that a simple conversation can make a big difference in someone's life.
It's not always easy to spot when someone is struggling, but taking the time to ask, "Are you okay?" and genuinely listening can provide the support they need. Whether it’s at work, at home, or within our community, we all have the power to make a difference.
We engage with R U Ok Day each year to help our students learn how to help others. How can everyone get involved?
- Start a conversation: Reach out to someone and ask how they're doing. It could be a simple chat or a heartfelt message.
- Listen with empathy: Be present and listen without judgment.
- Encourage action: If someone shares that they’re not okay, help them find the support they need.
- Check in: After your initial conversation, follow up to see how they’re doing.
On R U OK? Day (and every day), we aim to foster a culture of care and compassion. By looking out for each other, we can create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Term 3 Dates & Events
Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 3.
- September 10th: Student Disco.
- September 12th: Safe of Socials incursion
- September 20th: R U OK day.
- September 26th: Final day of Term 3 & School Spectacular (evening event)
- September 27th: Pupil Free Day.
- October 26th: (Term 4) Adult Night - Interactive Trivia Show.
Thumbs-Up
- Families and staff for their engagement in the Learning Conferences.
- Everyone who attend and assisted at the Father's Day breakfast.
- Students, parents and teachers for supporting the children's on the Sacramental journey.
- Fyfe & Long Families for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past two weekends.
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
In today's fast-paced digital world, social media and technology are a constant presence in our lives. While these tools offer incredible opportunities, they also come with risks that can be challenging to navigate. That's why we're excited to invite you to our upcoming Safe on Socials Event!
This event is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to help your children manage social media and technology safely and responsibly. You'll learn about the latest trends, potential dangers, and practical tips to ensure your family stays safe online.
Whether you're a tech-savvy parent or just starting to explore the digital world, this event is for you. Together, we can build a safer online environment for our children.
For this event we are trying a new approach to support engagement; the meeting will be via zoom, so you can watch, listen and interact from the comfort of your own home!
Date: September 12th
Time: 6:45 pm
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89382348928
Meeting ID: 893 8234 8928
Passcode: 044567
Don't miss this valuable opportunity to empower yourself and your kids.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Right To Disconnect
You may be aware that a recent change in workplace legislation has introduced the right for employees to disconnect outside of their working hours. This new law will come into effect on 26 August 2024.
Our teachers are committed to providing the best education and support for your children. To ensure they can maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver their best during working hours, the new legislation allows them to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related communications outside of their scheduled hours.
We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation regarding this new legislation. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Response Time: You are of course welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you to the bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au address, however, please understand that if sent outside of working hours, teachers and staff may not respond until they are back on duty.
- Urgent Matters: If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required the principal does monitor the email system regularly and will respond if it is truly urgent or critical.
- Ongoing communication: We will continue to communicate important updates and information promptly through our standard communication channels (newsletter, grade blogs, Facebook, Compass etc). However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important change.
Mrs. Elaine Ryland
Mrs. Elaine Ryland, the foundation Principal of St James Primary School passed away peacefully last week. Mrs. Ryland was the first principal of the school and a passionate educator; she is the patron of our green house, Ryland and her legacy will live on in our community.
We entrust the soul of our beloved Mrs. Ryland into God's loving and merciful hands. In Your infinite compassion, welcome her into the peace and joy of Your eternal kingdom where she can rejoice in Your presence forever.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May their soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Confirmation
We are filled with joy and pride as we celebrate the students who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church on Thursday, September 5th. This significant milestone marks a deepening of their faith and a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ. Through the guidance of their families, teachers, and parish community, these young people have prepared their hearts and minds to welcome the Holy Spirit more fully into their lives.
As they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray that they continue to grow in wisdom, understanding, and courage, becoming strong witnesses of God’s love in the world. Congratulations; may your Confirmation be filled with joy, love and faith.
Other information.....
Please note the following additional information.....
Parenting support and learning.....
Please note the following parenting supporting & learning items.....
Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson
Wednesday 11 September from 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health needs of children and young people. The session will include:
- The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible.
- The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children.
- Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal.
- Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child’s wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers.
- Creating a margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness.
To register, click here.
eSafety Parent Webinars Term 3
Understanding how to support your child with online gaming
Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and early secondary school.
Tuesday, 30 July, 12.30pm
Tuesday, 3 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Consent and online boundaries: How to support your primary-aged child
Suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.
Tuesday, 13 August, 12.30 pm
Wednesday, 11 September, 12.30 pm
Register here
An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies
Suitable for parents and carers of children and parents in primary and secondary school.
Wednesday, 24 July, 2.30pm
Thursday, 5 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Anita Heiss Reads Bidhi Galing
This is a special invitation to our parent and carer subscribers to register for a free online literacy event and receive a free book!
'Anita Heiss Reads Bidhi Galing'
An online literacy event for all families to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day!
Wednesday 4 September, 7pm – 7.30pm
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has a limited number of books to give away so families can read along with Anita, so register now to receive a copy of the book in the mail! We’ll include a Home Reading Tipsheet and fridge magnet too!
Go to the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT website to REGISTER.
Or use the QR code:
Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September and is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures and Languages (find out more here: (https://www.
To celebrate this year, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has organised a wonderful online evening event open to all families in our schools.
We are delighted that Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss will read her book Bidhi Galing. Dr Anita Heiss AM is a proud member of the Wiradyuri nation of central New South Wales and one of Australia's most prolific and well-known authors publishing across genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children's fiction.
Her book Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) tells the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852 and the Wiradyuri heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky who paddled bark canoes through raging floodwaters, risking their lives to save countless others. Primary school students aged 7–12 – and their families! – will love this story and the beautiful book illustrations. It’s a chance to sit down together and enjoy a nice, quiet time listening and reading, which is a wonderful way to support children’s literacy skills at home.
Item 9: Developing your Child's Social Skills
Social skills are the essential behaviours and communication abilities that enable
individuals to engage effectively and harmoniously with others in various social situations.
Improving your child's social skills is an ongoing process that involves practice, patience,
and support.
Here are some strategies to help enhance your child's social skills:
Encourage Play: Encourage your child to engage in unstructured play with peers, which
allows them to practice social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating. Provide
opportunities for both one-on-one and group play experiences.
Teach Conversation Skills: Help your child develop conversation skills by teaching them
how to greet others, ask questions, listen actively, and maintain eye contact. Practice
having simple conversations with your child and provide feedback on their communication
skills.
Role-Play Scenarios: Use role-playing to help your child practice social interactions in
different situations. Role-play common scenarios such as introducing themselves to a new
friend, asking for help, or resolving conflicts peacefully. Offer praise and constructive
feedback to reinforce positive behaviours.
Promote Empathy: Teach your child to understand and empathise with the feelings of
others. Encourage them to consider how their words and actions may impact others and to
show kindness and compassion towards their peers. Model empathetic behaviour in your
own interactions.
Practice Sharing and Cooperation: Encourage your child to share toys, games, and other
resources with their peers. Teach them the importance of cooperation and teamwork
through collaborative activities such as building projects, group games, or working on a
task together.
Provide Social Opportunities: Arrange playdates, join clubs or extracurricular activities,
and participate in community events to give your child opportunities to interact with peers
outside of school. Exposure to diverse social settings can help broaden your child's social
skills and build confidence in social situations.
Set Realistic Expectations: Be patient and understanding as your child learns and
develops their social skills. Recognise that progress may take time and that setbacks are a
natural part of the learning process. Celebrate small victories and offer encouragement
along the way. Praise your child for demonstrating positive social behaviours such as
sharing, being inclusive, using polite manners, and showing empathy.
When a Friendship Issue Happens: Issues amongst friends that don’t constitute bullying
often occur as children navigate their social world. As a parent, it is important to avoid:
● jumping in to fix the friendship drama,
● dismissing your child’s feelings about it, or
● advising them to ‘find new friends’.
Instead, listen, ask open-ended questions, empathise, and ask your child if they want you
to help them brainstorm possible ideas. Sometimes, your child might just want a listening
ear. Keeping calm when your child describes their friendship issues is an important way to
model emotional regulation.
If you have concerns about your child's social development or if they are struggling
significantly in social situations, consider seeking guidance from the school. If there are
ongoing concerns after the implementation of strategies at home and at school, a referral
from your GP may assist you in exploring any underlying issues so your child can
experience social success and navigate social interactions with confidence.
