Yandihndi
We are thrilled to announce St James’ annual Yandihndi Retreat, taking place on Monday, 28th July—a special event that brings together our school community for a day of faith, hope, and belonging.
This year’s theme, Hope, is inspired by our Jubilee year, Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis invited us all to look for signs of hope in our lives and to become signs of hope for others. By doing so, we open our eyes to see God at work in the world and find strength to rise above worry or fear. As St Paul reminds us: Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).
Join us for a day filled with exciting and meaningful activities designed to deepen faith and nurture hope for both students and families. Together, you will enjoy interactive sessions, creative workshops, and moments of reflection. A highlight of the retreat will be working alongside Wildfire, our energetic diocesan worship band, as we co-create our very own school song—a unique opportunity to leave your mark on the St James legacy!
Come and experience the joy of community, the warmth of belonging, and the power of hope with your child. A chance to connect, celebrate, and grow together as a family at St James!
Tell Them From Me
We are pleased to share that the results from the 2025 Tell Them From Me parent survey have now been returned. A sincere thank you to the 113 parents who took the time to complete the survey—your voice is valued and plays a vital role in shaping the future of our school.
Once again, the data highlights many areas of strength and growth within our school community, and we are grateful for the affirming feedback received. In the coming weeks, we will take the time to engage deeply with the results, looking closely at areas that present opportunities for further improvement and development.
Below is a summary graph of the key findings. The survey includes seven separate measures, which were scored on a ten-point scale.
Thank you for partnering with us in the mission of St. James—to know, love and serve.
Enrolments
We are pleased to share that 60 Kindergarten enrolment positions for 2026 have now been offered, following an terrific level of interest from families in our local community. This strong response is a testament to the wonderful reputation of our school, and we sincerely thank our parents for your continued support and for the many ways you advocate for St. James.
At this time, all grades are at capacity with the exception of Years 2 and 3. If you know of any families who may be considering a place at our school, particularly in these year levels, please encourage them to get in touch—we’d love to welcome them into the St. James community.
Semester 1 Reports
Student reports will be published to Compass on Monday, 30th June . We encourage you to take the time to read through the report with your child, celebrate their progress, and talk about areas for growth. The reporting template is designed to support meaningful conversations between students, families, and teachers. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s learning further, please don’t hesitate to reach out to their teachers.
Play is the Way Championships
We are excited to announce that our Term 2 Celebration of Learning will be the Play is the Way Championship Day, taking place on the final day of Term 2 — Friday, July 4th.
Families are warmly invited to join us for a day filled with games, teamwork, learning, and fun! It’s a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the social and emotional growth of our students through play.
Please save the date — we look forward to seeing you there!
First Holy Communion
We joyfully celebrate the children of our parish who received their First Holy Communion on Sunday, June 22nd. This sacred occasion marks a profound step in their faith journey as they received the Body of Christ for the first time. May this moment deepen their relationship with Jesus and inspire them to walk always in His light. We thank their families, teachers, and parish community for guiding them with love and faith.
First Holy Communion
To conclude
In closing Term 2, we pray that you have a restful, safe and enjoyable holiday break; we recommence school on for Term 3 on Monday, July 21st.
With blessings,
Nic.
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Upcoming events
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Term 2 & 3 Dates & Events
Please note the following events/dates scheduled for Term 2.
- June 30th: Semester 1 Reports published to Compass.
- July 2nd: 100 days of Kindergarten.
- July 2nd: Bake Sale.
- July 4th: Play is The Way Championships Day.
- July 4th: End of Term 2.
Please note the following events/dates scheduled for Term 3.
- July 21st: Term 3 commences.
- July 21st - 25th: NAIDOC Week.
- July 28th: Yandihndi whole school retreat.
- August 1st: Tweed Zone Athletics.
- August 9th: Adults only event [Game show live].
- August 14th: Parent Community Group Meeting [7pm].
- August 15th: Feast of the Assumption Mass.
- August 21st: School Spectacular [High School Musical Junior - 6:30pm].
- August 22nd: Pupil Free Day.
- August 26th - 28th: Learning Conferences.
- September 1st - 5th: Father's Day Stall.
- September 4th: Confirmation.
- September 5th: Father's Day Event.
- September 5th: Stage 3 Gala Day.
- September 11th: R U Ok Day?
- September 26th: Grandparent's Day and Book Week Dress Up Day.
- September 26th: Final Day of Term 3.
Please note our pupil-free days for 2025:
- August 22nd, November 13th & 14th, and December 18th & 19th.
Please note the Parent Community Group Meeting dates for 2025:
- August 14th & November 6th (7pm - MPC).
Thumbs-up
- All families, staff, and students for sharing a wonderful Term 2.
- Everyone involved in the celebration of First Holy Communion.
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
As we wrap up another successful term, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you—students, families, staff, and community members—for your hard work, support, and commitment. This term has been filled with growth, learning, and memorable moments, and none of it would have been possible without your continued involvement and enthusiasm.
Whether it was in the classroom, on the field, at events, or behind the scenes, your contributions have helped make this term one to remember. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited for the opportunities ahead.
Term 2 memories
To conclude
Today’s Athletics Carnival was a fantastic celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and talent. The energy on the field was electric as students gave their all in every event. We applaud our athletes for their dedication and determination—your enthusiasm and effort were truly inspiring.
A big thank you to our wonderful staff for their support and preparation, especially our Sports and Extracurricular Team: Mrs Rochester, Mr Holmes, Mr Bugden, and Mrs Styman, for leading and organising such a smooth and successful event.
To our parents and friends who came along to cheer and encourage, thank you for helping create such a positive and supportive atmosphere. It was a day to remember!
The individual results were:
- 8 years: Emme M, Shivvy BL and Charlie T
- 9 years: Isla M and Archie R
- 10 years: Lacey G and Jake G
- 11 years: Maya PM and Liam W
- 12 years: Lucia DS and Jed C
The overall results were:
- First: Mackillop
- Second: Hanly
- Third: Polding
- Fourth: Ryland
The Athletics Carnival truly showcased the strength of our school spirit and the power of coming together as a community - well done team St James!
With blessings,
Nic.
2025 Athletics Carnival
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Term 2 - Celebration of Learning
We are excited to announce that our Term 2 Celebration of Learning will be the Play is the Way Championship Day, taking place on the final day of Term 2 — Friday, July 4th.
Families are warmly invited to join us for a day filled with games, teamwork, learning, and fun! It’s a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the social and emotional growth of our students through play.
Please save the date — we look forward to seeing you there!
Welcome
Dear St James Community,
It is with great joy that we prepare to celebrate one of the most sacred and significant milestones in the spiritual lives of our children—their First Holy Communion, on Sunday, June 22nd.
On this blessed occasion, our young parishioners will receive the Holy Eucharist for the very first time, drawing closer to Jesus in a deeply personal and transformative way. This sacrament is not only a beautiful step in their faith journey but also a reminder to us all of the profound gift we receive each time we come to the Lord’s table.
As Jesus Himself said in the Gospel of John:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
— John 6:51
The timing of this celebration is especially meaningful as it coincides with the Feast of Corpus Christi—a solemn feast in the Church that honours the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. This feast reminds us that Jesus is not distant, but truly present with us: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, under the appearance of bread and wine. It is a powerful affirmation of our faith and a perfect moment to reflect on the mystery and majesty of the sacrament our children are about to receive.
We congratulate Joshua A, Indie B, Mylie B, Penny C, Abel B, Sienna D, Emilia DS, Lucia DS, Olivia E, Leo H, Christopher J, Kaan K, Jairus L, Asha M, Luka M, Pippa M, Oscar N, Charles O, Niamh O, Hudson T, Sophie W, Hannah W, Frankie P, Peyton W, Coen W, Ean F, Hudson B and Ivy B on this sacred occasion. May your hearts be open to Jesus’ love, your minds eager to learn His ways, and your lives a reflection of His light. May you grow always in faith, hope, and love.
As a school and parish community, let us continue to walk alongside our children in faith, encouraging them to live out the Gospel with courage and compassion. May this First Communion be only the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Jesus.
Let us join in prayer and thanksgiving, celebrating both this personal milestone and the rich Eucharistic tradition of our Church:
“This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
— Luke 22:19
Staff Professional Learning
Thank you for your support during our recent pupil-free days. Our teachers used this valuable time to engage in professional learning focused on the new curriculum areas of Science and Technology and the Creative Arts. Both syllabi will be implemented in teaching and learning in 2026. They also explored the latest research from the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) about how students learn best. This professional development helps ensure our teaching is contemporary and based on evidence about the best teaching and learning strategies to support all students. Some key areas of learning included:
The updated Science and Technology syllabus helps students build strong knowledge step by step, with clear teaching and hands-on activities that make learning more meaningful and engaging.
The updated Creative Arts syllabus encourages students to explore and express themselves through dance, drama, music, and visual arts, fostering creativity and imagination while developing skills in making, performing, and appreciating various art forms.
Understanding the importance of clear, explicit instruction and how it helps students grasp new concepts more easily.
Learning how to give students regular opportunities to practise and apply what they’ve learned, to build a strong understanding over time.
We’re excited to bring this learning into our classrooms to support and inspire every student.
Staff Professional Learning
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