Week 9, Term 1 - 2025

Welcome

As we approach Holy Week and Easter, we prepare for a time of deep reflection and spiritual renewal, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ—his sacrifice, humility, and boundless love. This sacred journey invites us to walk alongside Jesus through his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, his crucifixion on Good Friday, and ultimately, his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Next Friday, 11th April, we will hold our Holy Week reenactment at 11:30 am, and we warmly invite parents to join us. Following this, you are welcome to stay for lunch, with meals available for order from the canteen. At 1:45 pm, we will conclude our gathering with the much-anticipated Easter Raffle.

During Lent, we continue to raise funds for Project Compassion, supporting those in need through our collective generosity.  So far, we have raised $701.35, and we sincerely thank our community for their ongoing support.

We look forward to sharing this special time with you as a faith community.

First Reconciliation

On Thursday, April 3rd, our Year 4 students took an important step in their faith journey as they received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This special sacrament is a beautiful expression of God’s mercy and love, offering the children the opportunity to reflect, seek forgiveness, and renew their hearts in Christ.

With reverence and sincerity, our students participated in this sacred rite, guided by our parish priests, who helped them experience the grace and peace that come with reconciliation. We are incredibly proud of them for embracing this moment with faith and understanding.

A heartfelt thank you to our teachers and families who supported the children in their preparation. May this experience strengthen their relationship with God and inspire them to live with kindness, compassion, and a spirit of forgiveness.

Kindergarten - 2026

Our recent Open Day for 2026 enrolments was a tremendous success, showcasing the welcoming and vibrant community that makes St. James such a special place. It was wonderful to see so many new families eager to learn about the outstanding learning environment we provide.

The success of our Open Day is a testament to the dedication of our exceptional staff, the enthusiasm of our wonderful students, and the strong support of our parents, whose promotion of our school is truly invaluable. St. James continues to have a strong reputation in the community, and we are grateful for the trust families place in us to nurture their children's education and faith.

Enrolment applications closed today, Friday, April 4th. If you know of any families considering St. James for their child, please encourage them to contact the school office. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of learners into our school family!

Open Day

Cross Country

What a brilliant day we had at our School Cross Country! It was wonderful to see our students embracing the ‘have a go’ attitude, challenging themselves, and supporting one another with enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Whether running to win, striving for a personal best, or simply giving it their all, every student should be incredibly proud of their efforts.

A huge congratulations to our age group winners:

🏅 6 Years – Jacob S and Emelia C
🏅 7 Years -Luca S and Valeria T
🏅 8 Years - Carter C and Shivvy B
🏅 9 Years – Archie R and Victoria T
🏅 10 Years – Oscar N, Lacey G and Emi DS
🏅 11 Years – Liam W and Maya PM
🏅 12+ Years – Hype G and Lucia DS

We are also thrilled to announce that the overall winner of the prestigious Cross Country Cup this year is… Hanly House! Well done to all team members for their effort and determination.

A big thank you to our staff, volunteers, and families who helped make the day a success. Your encouragement and support mean so much to our students.  We especially acknowledge of Student Culture & extra-Curricular Team for their work: Mrs. Rochester, Mr. Bugden, Mr. Holmes, Mrs. Cane & Mrs. Styman.

Good luck to those who will go on to represent St. James at the next level—we know you’ll do us proud!

Cross Country - 2025

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Anzac Day March

All St James Primary students have the opportunity to participate in the Anzac Day March (Friday 25th April - Week 2 of the school holidays) co-ordinated by the RSL Tweed Heads & Coolangatta Sub-Branch.

Students will gather at the Coral Street end of Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads, wearing their full school uniform, including their hat. We are requested to be in position by 10:15am am so we ask that all students be dropped off and left with St James staff by 10.00am. It will take us about 15 minutes to organise students into heights and lines. The march is set to start at 10:30am, with the ceremony at the Epitaph starting at 11am.  Families can share a light refreshment by the RSL Tweed Heads & Coolangatta Sub-Branch at the conclusion of the ceremony at the Twin Towns club.

Thank you in advance for supporting your child's participation in this march to honour the spirit of soldiers past and present.

Tell Them From Me Survey

Early next term our school will be taking part in the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) student survey.  The survey will provide us with valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them.  

The survey is run by an independent research company, The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys. Find our more about The Learning Bar and the TTFM survey here - https://thelearningbar.com/ourschool-survey/?lang=aue

In addition to the student survey (for students from Year 4 to Year 12), parents and carers and teaching staff will have the opportunity to participate in the TTFM survey.

The TTFM student survey is confidential, and staff in schools will not be able to identify individual students from their responses. To ensure confidentiality, participating students will receive a unique username and password. All information will be handled according to relevant privacy legislation.

Students’ personal information will not be disclosed by the school to any other person or body other than as required by law.  Individual students will not be identified in any publications.  The survey is conducted online, takes 15 to 30 minutes, and will take place at school during school hours.

We will receive a report on our school’s survey results shortly after our students complete the survey. The school will share with parents and carers key aspects of the survey results in a timely manner.

Participating in the survey is voluntary. If any survey questions make your child uncomfortable, your child can skip the question or can choose to stop the survey at any time. If you do not want your child/children to take part in the survey, please email the school by Monday, April 28th.

Prayer Garden Pavers

In 2024, many families purchased a unique stamped paver for the prayer garden.  These have arrived, along with the main feature pavers.  We are currently sourcing a landscape gardener to install these, which we hope will occur very soon.

Parent/Visitor Bathroom Access

We kindly remind all parents and visitors that the bathroom facilities in the student areas are for student use only. For health, safety, and privacy reasons, parents and visitors are requested to use the bathroom located in the office/administration building. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all students. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Term 1 & 2 Calendar

Please note the following events/dates scheduled for the remainder of Term 1.

- April 7-10th: Year 6 Camp.

- April 11th: Holy Week Liturgy (11:30am - MPC).

- April 11th: Assembly (1:45pm - Easter Raffle).

- April 11th: End of Term 1.

Please note the following events/dates scheduled for Term 2.

- April 28th: Term 2 commences.

- May 2nd: St James Feast Day (Founder's Day celebration).

- May 5th-9th: Mother's Day Stall.

- May 8th: Zone Cross Country.

- May 9th: Mother's Day Breakfast.

- May 15th: International Day of Families.

- May 22nd: Parent Community Group Meeting.

- June 4th: Student Disco.

- June 5th & 6th: Pupil Free Days.

- June 9th: King's Birthday Public Holiday.

- June 13th: School Athletics.

- June 27th: School Athletics Back-up Day.

- July 2nd: 100 days of Kindergarten.

- July 4th: Play is The Way Championships Day.

- July 4th: End of Term 2.

Please note our pupil-free days for 2025: 

- June 5th & 6th, September 26th, November 13th & 14th, and December 18th & 19th.

Please note the 1 public holidays that fall in this year's school calendar:

- June 9th: King's Birthday

Please note the Parent Community Group Meeting dates for 2025:

- May 22nd, August 14th & November 6th (7pm - MPC).

Thumbs-up

- Everyone for their support and fundraising efforts for Project Compassion.

- All families for donating chocolate and buying tickets for our Easter raffle.

- To all involved in our open day, especially our Year 6 Leaders who were exceptional tour guides.

- Teachers, students and parents for their involvement and support with the First Reconciliation.

To conclude

During the holiday break we will enter Holy Week; may this be a time of prayer and profound gratitude for the gift of Christ as we prepare to celebrate Easter, the pinnacle of our Catholic faith.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our entire St James community for a wonderful Term 1. It has been an excellent term all around, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together—through learning, faith, and the strong spirit of community that makes our school so special.  Your support, dedication, and involvement make St James a truly remarkable place.

I wish you all a safe and Holy Easter—may you enjoy the break and cherish the time with your family and friends. School returns on Monday, April 28th and we will come together for our Easter Resurrection Liturgy at 8:40 am—all are warmly welcome to join us.

A special mention to our Year 6 students as they head off to camp in Week 10—have fun, embrace the experience, and stay safe!

Have a wonderful term break and a Happy Easter!

Nic.

Term 1 Memories

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Upcoming events

Please note the following upcoming events......

Parenting supporting & learning

Please note the following parenting supporting & learning items.....

Keeping School Funding Fair – Supporting Families in Choosing the Best Education

Catholic schools have long provided families with quality education, strong values and a sense of
community. New research confirms that parents make thoughtful financial choices to ensure
their children receive the education that best suits their needs.
With rising costs affecting many households, families continue to prioritise education, valuing the
academic, spiritual and personal development that Catholic schools provide. Ensuring school
funding remains fair helps families continue to access the right school for their child.
Read the Catholic Schools NSW media release below and visit keepfundingfair.org.au to learn
more about how we support families.

Parent Assembly Conference

Bike Safety - Stay Visible

Bright clothing, reflectors, and lights can make your child more visible to drivers, especially in low light.. Remind your child that visibility is a key to staying safe on the road! Explain to your child the importance of perspective. ‘When you're riding your bike, always remember that drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists may see things differently.’

And don’t forget …. HELMET ON.

Safe -T On The B.I.K.E song

Lyric Clip

Understanding Bullying - Friendship

Friendships in the primary years are constantly evolving as children grow and develop social skills. It’s natural for friendships to change, with children forming new connections based on shared interests or experiences. As they learn cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution, their friendships may shift. Teaching children to navigate these changes with kindness and resilience helps them build lifelong social skills.

Friendship Issue - What Parents Should Avoid

• Jumping in to solve the issue.
• Dismissing your child’s feelings.
• Advising them to ‘find new friends’ too quickly.

Friendship Issue - What Parents Can Do

• Listen calmly and validate your child’s emotions. Sometimes, your child might just want a listening ear. 
• Ask open-ended questions to help them process the situation.
• Offer to brainstorm solutions together if they want your help.
• Model emotional regulation by staying calm and reassuring.
• Consider if your child needs help in developing skills such as turn taking, the rules of a game, compromise and being flexible. 

Promoting Friendships

• Encourage your child to participate in social activities and group settings where they can interact with peers. This could include playdates, extracurricular activities, sports teams, or community events. Exposure to different social settings allows your child to meet and connect with others.
• Encourage your child to explore hobbies and passions where they can connect with like-minded peers. Whether joining a sports team, learning an instrument, or engaging in creative arts, shared interests often lead to strong friendships.

Stay Involved

• Maintain an open line of communication with your child about their friendships. Show genuine interest in their social experiences by asking questions and listening to their concerns. Offer guidance when appropriate, but resist the urge to take over or fix situations for them. Supporting your child’s independence in navigating friendships helps build their confidence and problem-solving skills while ensuring they know you are there for them when needed

Build a Habit of Regular Attendance

The King of Kings

Angel Studios, creators of The Chosen and Sound of Freedom, will release THE KING OF KINGS in Australian cinemas on April 10, 2025.

This animated film, featuring stars like Kenneth Branagh, Uma Thurman, and Oscar Isaac, reimagines the story of Jesus through Charles Dickens narrating to his son.

More than a movie, THE KING OF KINGS is a faith-formation tool, bringing Christ’s love, sacrifice, and triumph to life. With stunning animation and timeless values, it offers families a meaningful, Gospel-centered experience.

Watch the trailer here: THE KING OF KINGS | Official Trailer | In AUS & NZ Cinemas April

Other information

Please note the following additional information.....