Student Spirituality

At St James’ Primary School, we acknowledge the innate spirituality of every child. Opportunities to nurture their spiritual growth are planned for and provided through a variety of experiences. These connect children to a faith community, give them a sense of security and belonging and remind them that they are deeply loved.

We strive to guide students toward living responsible and just lives by teaching and modelling the Gospel values of love of others through compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, advocating for justice and service to the poor and marginalised.

At St James’ Primary School, we encourage students to develop their whole selves, treat others fairly and respectfully, be responsible for their actions, and follow moral and ethical principles. We strive to activate this through opportunities to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith through Religious Education classes, daily prayer, retreats and reflection days, liturgies and Mass.

At St James’ Primary School, we incorporate programs that build upon and complement the Catholic Schools Office Student Discipleship Continuum from Year 4 - Year 12. The sequential and age-appropriate continuum provides students with intentional faith-filled opportunities where they feel free to discuss and develop their faith.

Accedere Year 4 Retreat

Having completed the Sacraments of Initiation in Year 3, the purpose of this activity is to invite Year 4 students to a retreat day that focuses on the theme of ‘friendship in Jesus’. Developed by the CSO, this program is provided to schools to implement with their Year 4 cohort. Primary schools often engage the support of the Youth Ministry Officers (YMOs) to assist school staff in delivering the program. 

Exuro Year 5 Retreat

Exuro is a Student Discipleship Retreat Day for Year 5 students held in each of the five regions of the diocese. Year 9 CSYMA student leaders facilitate small group discussions and activities. Formed parish school staff now convene these retreats. 

Incitare Year 6 Retreat

A one-day retreat for Year 6 students using various group processes and student-led discussion. Students will experience faith-nurturing activities and skilling for being faith leaders in their respective schools. It is intended that this cohort of students will build capacity and feel inclined to take up a position in the secondary school Youth Ministry class using the CSYMA program.

Whole School Retreat

The popularity of the Primary Student Discipleship Continuum retreats has led to greater interest and desire for all students at St James to be included in retreat formation.  2023 will see our first whole school retreat. Our theme, accompany, go with, take along; echoes our school motto Family in Christ, as we journey together in faith. Students will engage in activities to build connections across the school community with self, others, and Jesus in multi-aged groups.

Further to the Retreat encounters, students' spirituality is enhanced by: 

Schools of Prayer - In nurturing a proper understanding of the role of prayer in the faith life of students, prayer focus is developed to assist age-appropriate parish school engagement in prayer experiences. The main forms of prayer that have been promoted in Catholic Education are the traditional forms and the Rosary, Awareness Examen, Lectio Divina, and the contemplative prayer of Christian Meditation.

Music Ministry - Wildfire, the Diocesan Worship team, offers whole school evangelisation to primary and secondary schools under the banner of Proclaim Lismore and the Ten: Ten Experience.

Digital Ministry - Quality communications are available in the Proclaim Lismore Student digital platforms featuring Facebook and Instagram, with a focus on evangelisation of youth, praise and worship, and youth ministry digital networking (YouTube; Vimeo).

Sacramental Preparation - Schools work collaboratively with parishes to support students preparing for their Sacraments. All classes throughout the school undertake sacramental units as part of their Religious Education Program. This supports the Parish based program, but for children to receive the sacraments, they must be formally enrolled by the Parish and take part, with one or both parents, in cluster groups. These groups meet at a venue named by the group facilitator and the parents work through a program with their children in these sessions.

Information evenings are organised for each of the sacraments and support is provided throughout the process.

All students who are baptised Catholics are welcome to join the program; normally Year 3 students will be prepared to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, and Year 4 will be prepared to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. It is at the parent's discretion, however, as to when their children are ready to receive the sacraments.

For further information please contact Kathy Twohill at the St Joseph’s Parish Office (Telephone: 07 5536 7522).

Father, we believe that St James is a great place to learn and have fun.  

We pray our school community will see joy in all that we do, encourage each other and show respect for one another.  

We thank you for the love and care of our families, teachers and friends.  

With Jesus in our heart may we always be a Family in Christ.  

St James…..pray for us.

Mary our Good Mother…..pray for us.

And let us always remember…..to pray for one another.