Week 3, Term 3 - 2025

Welcome

Dear St James Community,

Last week, our school community came together for one of the most meaningful events of our calendar year — our whole-school spirituality retreat, Yandihndi. The name Yandihndi, a word gifted from Indigenous language, carries the beautiful meaning "to accompany, take along, and go with" — a perfect reflection of the retreat’s purpose: to journey together in faith, deepen our connection with God, and grow closer as a community.

Throughout the retreat, students engaged in rich experiences that fostered prayer, reflection, and spiritual formation. With each activity, they were invited to see that faith is not a solo path, but a shared journey — one that involves walking with others, supporting one another, and recognising God’s presence along the way.

This year’s retreat took on special significance as we live out the Catholic Year of Hope. Hope, in our faith, is not just wishful thinking — it is a confident trust in God’s promise, especially in times of uncertainty. Through the Yandihndi retreat, our students came to understand that hope grows when we walk together, when we support one another through joy, challenge, silence, and celebration.

A highlight of the retreat was the inspiring contribution of the Wildfire team, who helped us shape and write a new school song — a song that captures the spirit and heart of St James Primary School. The lyrics, created with our students, celebrate our Catholic identity, our mission to accompany one another, and the hope that fuels our faith journey.

As a community, we are proud of how our students embraced the Yandihndi retreat with open hearts and minds. They not only reflected on their personal relationship with God but also on how they can be people of hope, compassion, and accompaniment in the world.

May we all continue to live the message of Yandihndi — to walk with others, grounded in faith, and guided by hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

Yandihndi - 2025

Get’cha Head in the Game – Our Whole School Musical is Coming!

Excitement is building across St James as students rehearse, sing, dance, and bring to life our 2025 Whole School Musical – High School Musical Jr.!

This vibrant production is a celebration of energy, teamwork, and talent, and it’s been wonderful to see students from all year levels engaging with enthusiasm and commitment. 

We’re now in the final weeks of preparation, and the buzz around the school is electric! The songs are catchy, the choreography is sharp, and the spirit of “We’re All in This Together” has truly come to life.

Families will have received a note via Compass last week regarding costumes, and we thank you for your ongoing support in helping students feel confident and stage-ready. If you have any questions or need clarification about costume items, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher.

Save the date!
Our musical will be showcased on Thursday, August 21st at 6:30pm in the Doyle Centre at St Joseph's College. This promises to be a fantastic evening of fun, colour, and community, and we can’t wait to see our students shine.

So grab your Wildcats spirit and join us for a night to remember!

Year 6 Students Enjoy Part 2 of Camp – A Trip to Jesus Christ Superstar

On July 30th, our Year 6 students enjoyed the second part of their camp experience, travelling to Brisbane to see Jesus Christ Superstar – The Musical. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to witness a professional stage production and deepen their appreciation of the arts and the story of Jesus through a modern lens.

The students represented St James beautifully, showing excellent behaviour and respect throughout the day. They were thoroughly engaged and captivated by the performance, and many shared that it was a highlight of their camp experience.

We are so proud of our Year 6 students and grateful for the staff who accompanied them on this memorable excursion.

Jesus Christ Superstar

St James Shines at Tweed Public Speaking Event

On Thursday, August 7th, our talented St James Public Speaking finalists proudly represented our school at the Tweed Public Speaking event.

Each student spoke with confidence, clarity, and poise, showcasing not only their individual talents but also the high standard of communication and preparation we value at St James.

We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they upheld our school values throughout the event. Well done to Jaego C, Sebastian Y,  William B, Michael B, Charlie O, Hannah W, Violet P and Elspeth M.  

Zone Athletics

A huge congratulations to all our students who participated in the recent Zone Athletics Carnival. Your enthusiasm, determination, and outstanding display of teamwork and sportsmanship made us incredibly proud. St James placed 2nd overall out of 8 schools - a fantastic achievement!

It was fantastic to see our athletes give their very best in every event, representing St James with pride, resilience, and a positive attitude. Whether sprinting down the track, leaping into the long jump pit, or cheering on classmates from the sidelines, our students embodied the spirit of dedication and encouragement that we value so highly.

We are especially proud to announce that Harley B, Hudson B, Shivvy BL, Xavier B, Jed C, Penny C, Violet C, Lennox C, Rosalie D, Emilia DS, Lucia DS, Tahlia F, Lacey G, Hype G, Ezekiel I, Emme M, Isla M, Elspeth M, Maya PM, Grace R, Luca S, Jessica VG, Liam W, Coen W and Tom W have qualified for the Diocesan Athletics Carnival, which will be held on Tuesday, 26th August 2025.

A special mention to Emme M and Lacey, who were runner-up age champions. 

Congratulations to all our competitors—you inspire us to stay active, strive for our personal best, and support one another both on and off the field. Keep aiming high, and continue to let your light shine!

Zone Athletics

Term 3 Student Learning Conferences – Strengthening the Partnership

At St James, we value the strong partnership between students, parents, and teachers in supporting each child’s learning journey. Our Term 3 Student Learning Conferences will be held on August 12th, 13th & 14th, offering a valuable opportunity to reflect on progress, build upon Semester 1 learning, and set new learning goals.

These conferences follow on from our Term 1 meetings and mid-year reports, providing a continuous picture of your child’s growth. Each 20-minute session includes time for your child to share their learning journey and, engage in, a brief parent-teacher conversation.

As part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful communication, students will also share recent learning and goal-setting through Seesaw. 

We thank our staff and families for their continued partnership in placing each child at the centre of their learning.

You're Invited: Parent Community Group Meeting – Thursday, August 14th

We warmly invite all parents and carers to join us for our upcoming Parent Community Group Meeting on Thursday, August 14th. This is a valuable opportunity to stay informed, share your perspective, and connect with fellow members of the St James community.

The evening will include a learning focus session presented by our Assistant Principal: Karen Sanderson, on Mission.

A key part of the meeting will be a consultative discussion on school times and the daily timetable. We will be sharing the results of the recent parent survey and inviting further input as we continue to explore what best supports student wellbeing and learning outcomes. Your voice is important in this conversation, and your feedback will help shape the direction we take moving forward.

We encourage as many parents as possible to attend and take part in this meaningful dialogue.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Term 3 Dates & Events

Please note the following events/dates scheduled for Term 3.

- August 9th: Adults only event [Game show live - Doors open 6:30pm].

- August 14th: Parent Community Group Meeting [7pm].

- August 15th: Feast of the Assumption Mass [8:45am].

- August 21st: School Spectacular [High School Musical Junior - Doors open 6pm].

- August 22nd: Pupil Free Day.

- August 26th - 28th: Learning Conferences.

- September 1st - 5th: Father's Day Stall [from 8am].

- September 4th: Confirmation.

- September 5th: Father's Day Breakfast [from 7:30am].

- 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

- Students, staff and parents for their involvement in the Yandihndi retreat.

- Stage 3 families who attended the 'Words Matter' presentation.

- Families who completed the recent school timetable survey.

To conclude

This month, we are blessed to celebrate the lives of two extraordinary women in our Catholic tradition—Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Mary, the Mother of Jesus—each offering us a powerful witness of faith, love, and trust in God.

Today, we marked the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint and the namesake of one of our House Teams. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to the service of others, especially the poor and vulnerable, through her work in education and her founding of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Her courage, compassion, and unwavering faith continue to inspire us to follow her example: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

Later this month, on August 15th, we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, a significant solemnity in the Church calendar. This feast commemorates the belief that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a reminder of Mary’s deep relationship with God and her life of humility, hope, and holiness.

To honour this sacred day, our school will gather for a Feast Day Mass on Friday, August 15th at 8:45am in the MPC, and we warmly invite all parents and friends to join us.

As we reflect on the lives of both Mary MacKillop and Mary, Mother of Jesus, we are encouraged to live with integrity, faith, and a heart open to God’s call. Their stories remind us that holiness is found in everyday acts of love, service, and trust.

With blessings,
Nic

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