Faith & Wellbeing
WELLBEING
Unfortunately it is hard to talk about or consider anything else at the moment apart from the obvious COVID 19. The targets are changing daily. We have taken many necessary precautions at St James to ensure our students remain vigilant and aware of correct hygiene yet reassuring our students at the same time. Students have been taught various ways to ensure they are washing their hands for the correct amount of time for example singing “happy birthday” twice through or singing their favourite football theme song. All classes have hand sanitizer and easy access to places to wash their hands. Posters have been put up in all classes and prominent places reminding students and staff of correct hygiene.
Please be reminded if your child is sick, keep them at home.
If or when the schools do go in to shut down in our community we need to be mindful of how we interact with each other. Social distancing recommends we remain at least 1.5m from other people. This is why although very difficult for many it is recommended that no “playdates” occur during school shutdowns.
Staff are preparing for a possible shut down and in the event that St James needs to close be assured your children will have the curriculum that they would be completing in schoool to follow.
Some great advice here from Dr Michael Carr-Gregg in relation to how we should be discussing the current pandemic with our children and families.
https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-coronavirus
On a different note, Harmony Day is a day of celebration of different cultures. The National Day of Action against Bullying is another day that is generally used in schools to bring to the attention of its community how bullying does occur and what we can do to stop it. At St James we like to promote the values of kindness and acceptance. Therefore we will be celebrating both days together as Harmony Day. On this day we ask that students wear “odd socks” to represent that we may all be different but we are still people who can be kind to one another and accept each other's differences. Students will also be reading in their classes “Have you filled your bucket today?” and will be encouraged to fill a St James bucket before school starts. This day will be held over until term 2 for varying reasons.
In a world of constant negatives at the moment it is hard to see the positives. I heard about the #thekindnesspandemic on The Project last night and though I would look into it. If and when your children are at home from school, even over the upcoming holidays perhaps some of the ideas from this article might be worthwhile considering doing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-18/coronavirus-community-response-to-covid19/12063224
Mrs Georgia McNamara
Wellbeing Leader
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
PROJECT COMPASSION
Over the past weeks the students have been working hard to raise funds for Project Compassion to support local and global communities around the world. Our Social Justice Leaders have been amazing in promoting and keeping an ongoing tally.
It has been wonderful to see the initiative that other classes have taken to raise additional funds, such as the Year 5 girls selling book marks, cupcakes and lucky dip.
We are proud to announce that we have raised a total of $1,720.50 which well exceeds the $1,000 we were aiming for. We will be collecting till the end of term and just want to thank the St James Community for coming together to support others, especially during this time.
Reconciliation
Thank you to all the Year 4 parents for your patience and understanding in regards to Reconciliation. Reconciliation will be postponed until further notice.
Holy Week Liturgies
Holy Week Liturgies will not go ahead next week and we hope to celebrate this special time in the Catholic Calendar at the beginning of Term 2.
Yours in faith,
Emma Herbert
Religious Education Leader
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