Principal's Post
Dear Families,
After one week back it seems like the holidays were a month ago, such was the way we quickly swung into the learning and events of Term Four. The appointment of a new Deputy Principal and an appropriate farewell to Carmel are high on the agenda.
We have many extra curricular activities organised for this term including; our swimming program, Twilight Sports, excursions, Prep 2023 transition days, First Reconciliation and the Parish Fete.
After the past two years being totally interrupted by COVID, we are really looking forward to engaging community members, particularly families in all of these St James events. Please be prepared to volunteer to help and ready to attend and become actively involved. Our St James school parent partnership promises to make a full return this term.
Twilight Sports Return to the Bill Sewart Aths Track ...
Next Monday afternoon our Twilight Sports commence at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track in East Burwood at 4.15pm. For those who have not yet experienced this event, students participate while parents spectate and socialise. Our wonderful Parents and Friends group have already sent home information regarding their role and called for volunteers to help out.
To facilitate a smooth start to the evening, we have organised an optional dismissal at 2pm next Monday (look out for the Operoo form tomorrow to indicate whether your family will be taking up this option). Students will have the opportunity to go home early, rest up, have a snack and them return to the track from 4pm ready for a 4.15pm start.
Students may wear a house coloured T shirt or their sports shirt to the track to compete in (preps simply wear their coloured T shirt and Yr 1s may wear their one from last year if it still fits them). Students may also wear accessories in their house colours (ribbons, face paint, hair spray, etc.) which may be applied at home before coming along.
Today students practiced some chants you will hear next Monday evening.
Welcome Spartan as our Uniform Supplier
Next Monday 17 October sees the official change over to Spartan as our uniform supplier.
Parents have the option to either visit the store in Bayswater to make a purchase, click and collect or order online and have purchases delivered to school (orders placed by close of business Tuesday will arrive at St James on the following Thursday and we will distribute them to students to take home in their bags).
See the attached price list and information.
MACSSIS Surveys
Thank you to the 98 families who completed the surveys. Results are expected in the next few weeks. These will be presented to staff, then the School Advisory Council and of course passed onto parents and students.
School Closure Days: Friday 17 November and Monday 5 December
The Monday prior to Cup day remains as a pupil free day as in previous years.
Friday 17 November is our Parish Religious education Faith development day where we combine with St John's Mitcham while the fete set up takes place. This year we are visiting the Mary Mackillop Heritage Centre in the city.
Monday 5 December is our 2022 review and 2023 planning day.
Camp Australia will be available for student care on both of these days.
Emergency Management
If you live close by you may have noticed the different bells at times. These are when we practice a displan, in case of an emergency. There are four scenarios we run through:
- Evacuation from learning spaces
- Evacuation from the playground
- Containment whilst in classrooms
- Containment from the playground
We trial different places to meet, so, if we ever need to manage an emergency, the children are comfortable. We also have Eastmont Kindergarten in Frank Street as a place to gather if need be - or the Manhattan Hotel. Of course, you would always be notified if the reality presented itself.
Key Enrolment Dates for Year 5 students in 2023
27 January 2023 - Applications will open for Year 5 student commencing Year 7 in 2024
18 August 2023 - Applications will close
20 October 2023 - Offers to be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants
10 November 2023 - Final date for Parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school
Student Wellbeing Seminar
The final webinar in our 'Healthy Families' series will be hosted on November 17th.
Presenter: Carley McGauran
Date: Thursday 17 November
Time: 7.30pm (60 min)
Here is the link for your parents to register for the webinar:
COVID Update
Please keep up the vigilance in preventing the spread of the virus. Contact the school office if you require any additional RATs or children sized masks (we have a limited number of spare boxes).
In Brief:
- Check out our new FETE page listed on the LHS menu bar. Please volunteer to assist in some way. Many hands make light work!
Have a great week!
Dave