Week 5, Term 4 - 2024

Welcome

Dear St James Community,

With only 23 days left in the school year, it’s time to come together as a community and make each moment count! As we prepare for the close of 2024, our calendar is packed with important events, including award ceremonies, final assemblies, Kinder 2025 transitions, Year 6 Graduation moments and festive classroom celebrations. These moments offer us the chance to reflect on a year full of learning, growth, and shared experiences.

In the spirit of the season, let’s focus on being especially kind, generous, and helpful. This time of year can be busy for everyone, so a small act of kindness—a helping hand, a thoughtful word—can make all the difference in brightening someone’s day. Students, parents, and staff are all encouraged to take time to support one another as we approach the holiday break.

Let’s end the year strong by celebrating our achievements, uplifting each other, and creating positive memories that will carry us into the new year with joy and gratitude! We look forward to finishing 2024 with smiles, laughter, and a strong sense of community.

2025 Staffing Announcements

We’re excited to announce the teaching team for each grade in 2025! Our talented and dedicated teachers are looking forward to welcoming students into their classrooms and embarking on a new year of learning, discovery, and growth. Each grade will be guided by educators committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment for all students.

Early Stage 1

- Kindergarten: Maddie Smith, Holly Veitch and Michelle Clarke 

Stage 1

- Year 1: Lewis Capellari, Sophie Sullivan and Jo Ryan 

- Year 2: Michael Keating, Jo Pickett and Marisa O'Connor 

Stage 2

- Year 3: Josh Sudiro, Megan Robinson, Kate Quinton (M-W) and Mandy Barone (W-F)

- Year 4: Gavin Holmes, Neisha Sharp, Alisha Faga (M-W) and Lisa Fitzhugh (W-F)

Stage 3

- Year 5: Brad Bugden, Ali McClymont, Tarri Johns (M-W) and Tracey Ryan (W-F)

- Year 6: Daniel Sutherland, Michelle Dermody and Monique Rochester 

Leadership Team members

- Bianca Maxworthy & Karri von Mengersen [Inclusion Teachers]

- Jacqui Malone [Leader of Pedagogy]

- Karen Sanderson & Kylie Cane [Assistant Principals]

- Nic McTaggart [Principal]

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead, knowing our students are in excellent hands. Let’s welcome our 2025 teachers with enthusiasm as we prepare for another wonderful school year at St James!

Term 4 Camps

School camps are a true highlight this year at St James, offering students the chance to grow, bond, and learn in ways beyond the classroom. Through activities like ropes courses, team-building, and sharing stories, students built independence, resilience, and teamwork skills. These experiences also strengthened friendships and fostered a deep sense of community.

So far in Term 4, 5 grades had their camp experiences, from Kindergarten’s visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to Year 5’s two-night stay at Lake Ainsworth. The joy, laughter, and learning made each adventure memorable, leaving students with stories to treasure for years to come.  The final camp of the year is for our Year 3 students who will be attending Camp Goodenough for an overnight stay on November 28th and 29th; be safe and have fun!

Camping adventures

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Remembrance Day

On November 11, we came together to observe Remembrance Day, honouring the bravery and sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces. This day marks the end of World War I in 1918 and reminds us to pause at 11 a.m. for a minute of silence to remember those who gave their lives for peace.

At St James, we’ll held a prayerful ceremony where students reflected on the significance of this day and showed respect for those who fought for our freedom. Let us remember with gratitude and continue to work toward a peaceful future.

Lest we forget

Kindergarten 2025

We were so excited to have our Kindergarten 2025 students and their parents join the St James family for their first two transition sessions over the past fortnight. This is the beginning of a wonderful adventure, filled with learning, laughter, and friendships that will grow with them over the 7 year journey of Catholic education at St James. At school they'll discover new skills, explore the world around them, and become part of a caring community.

We can’t wait to see them all return for the next transition sessions on November 26th and December 3rd, where they'll take the next steps on this exciting journey. 

Kindergarten 2025 visit to school

Parent Community Group

As mentioned in last edition of the newsletter, we want to grow the Parent Community Group, so we encouraging parents to complete the survey below, which will help us build this important forum.  To date 4 parents have completed the survey.

School Improvement Goals: Fortnightly Update

Short Term Goals

Our short-term goal is, "Together, we will take pride in our school by caring for our shared spaces and belongings, so that our school is clean, organised, and welcoming, making it a place we can all be proud of!"

Long Term Goals

Students, parents and teachers will engage in learning conferences to celebrate students 'glows and grows' for term 4.  Parents are invited to engage with the Insights template to share feedback with their child/ren.

Term 4 Dates & Events

Please note the upcoming events scheduled for Term 4. 

• November 19^th – 21^st: Learning Conferences.
• November 26^th: Kinder 2025 Transition 3.
• November 28^th & 29^th: Year 3 Camp.
• December 2^nd: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
• December 2^nd: Y4-Y6 Beach Safety.
  
• December 3^rd: Kinder 2025 Transition 4 & Whole School Step-up Day.
• December 4th: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
  
• December 5^th: Year 6 Graduation Mass.
• December 6th: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
• December 6th: Y4-Y6 Beach Safety. 
• December 9th: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
• December 9th: Y4-Y6 Beach Safety.
  
• December 10^th: Swimming Carnival.
• December 11th: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
• December 11^th: Semester 2 reports published.
• December 12^th: Christmas Carols.
• December 13th: K-Y3 Water Safety. 
• December 13th: Y4-Y6 Beach Safety.
  
• December 16^th: Year 6 Celebration Day 1.
• December 16th: Kindergarten Graduation.
• December 17^th: End of Year Liturgy & Awards.
• December 17^th: Year 6 Dinner Dance.
• December 18^th: Final Assembly & End of Term 4/2024 school year.
• December 18^th: Year 6 Celebration Day 2 & Guard of Honour.
• December 19^th & 20^th: Pupil Free Days.

Thumbs-Up

- To students, staff and families for supporting our 2024 camps.

- To all families for supporting our Pupil Free Days.

- To the Smith and Elineau families for helping care for Petunia, Rosalind, Marigold, and Henrietta (our beautiful chickens) over the past weekends.

To conclude

November 24 is the Feast of Christ the King, a day that holds deep meaning in our Catholic faith. This feast, established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, reminds us of Christ's ultimate authority and the values of love, peace, and justice that He exemplifies. Celebrated on the final Sunday of the liturgical calendar, this day also signifies a time of reflection on the year that has passed and prepares us to begin anew with the season of Advent.

The Feast of Christ the King calls us to look at Jesus not just as our Saviour but as a guide and ruler of our hearts, leading us toward a life of compassion and service. At St James, we honour this feast day by encouraging our students to think about what it means to have Jesus as the King of their lives. Through prayer, discussion, and learning, students explore ways they can follow His example, bringing kindness and generosity into their daily lives.

This special day offers a moment to celebrate Jesus’ reign in our lives and renew our commitment to live out His teachings. As we close the liturgical year, may we embrace His call to love and serve others, entering the Advent season with hearts ready for the coming of Christ.

With blessings,

Nic.

Be You Family Survey 2024

Welcome to the Be You Family Survey for 2024.

This survey will help us know what you experience as a family of children attending St James. Your responses can help highlight what we are doing well, and where we can do better. 

• This survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes 27 statements. 

• In this survey, the terms ‘learning community’ and ‘learning environment’ refer to your child's school. Teachers and support staff are described as ‘educators’. 

• Your responses are anonymous and only summarised results are used to help us better understand how to improve mental health and wellbeing in our learning community. 

• The survey is not compulsory and you can skip questions if you want to. 

• If you have several children attending this learning setting, please respond to questions based on an overall perspective. 

• When choosing your responses, please consider how you were feeling over the last week. If you need more information about this survey before starting, please contact Karen Sanderson via the school office.

Be You survey link - https://beyou.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8BrqyFHxHoJ4DXv?survey_id=11730332905

Thank you for your support

Karen Sanderson - Assistant Principal Mission.

Upcoming events.....

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

Parenting support and learning.....

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

Webinars for Parents and Carers - eSafety

Please share the Term 4 free webinars for parents and carers with your school community.

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills, and tools to support their children in having safe online experiences.

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school. This webinar explores the social pressures, peer influences, and technological challenges young people face as they transition into high school. It also offers practical strategies for navigating online friendships and connections to help minimise negative experiences.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children in upper primary school (ages 11 to 12) and Year 7.

Tuesday, 29 October, 12.30 pm
Thursday, 28 November, 12.30 pm
Registration link 

eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you. An overview of The eSafety Commissioner and supporting programs and resources for parents and carers, children, and young people.

It is suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school.

Thursday, 24 October, 12.30pm
Wednesday, 4 December, 12.30pm
Registration link

Roadworks - Leisure Drive, Greenway Drive and Darlington Drive intersection upgrade.

Upcoming roadworks as part of the Leisure Drive, Greenway Drive and Darlington Drive intersection upgrade. 

Stage 2 of the project will begin on Wednesday 4 December 2024, at Site 3, east of the roundabout along Leisure Drive. The works are expected to take about 2 months to complete. 

This stage will be carried out during the 2024/2025 Christmas school holidays of 2024/2025, ensuring that the majority of works are completed with minimal disruption to school activities. 

Stage 2 includes the installation of a signalised pedestrian crossing and lane widening to improve safety and ease of travel through this area.

 Working hours: Council crews will work Monday to Friday, between 7 am and 5 pm, with some Saturday work from 7 am to 1 pm. Linemarking will take place at night towards the end of the project. 

• Traffic management: Two-way traffic will be maintained, although lanes will be narrower, and the speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h. Traffic controllers will be on site to guide traffic flow during work hours. We will provide traffic impact updates on our website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/roadworks. 

• Bus stop relocation: The bus stop west of Advocate Place will be temporarily moved about 100 meters east, just past Advocate Place (see map in the attached planned works notification). 

• Tree removal and replacement: Some trees within the work zone will need to be removed for road widening, drainage improvements and footpath installation. Efforts will be made to save trees where possible, but some may need to be replaced due to impacted root systems. 

• Pedestrian access: Pedestrians will be directed around the work site (see map in the attached planned works notification). 
• Limited access to some properties: Limited access to some properties and driveways within the work zone during work hours. Please ask the traffic controller for help if you need access. 

Tweed Shire Council  will keep us informed with further updates and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. You can also leave a comment or ask a question about this project at yoursaytweed.com.au/banora-point-intersection. 

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the safety and accessibility of this area.

School Student Travel

School student travel information for parents and students

School Travel Passes

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. 

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2025.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible.

In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Keeping our Kids safe on Social Media

Other information.....

Please note the following additional information.....