Principal’s Message
Welcome to these first weeks of Term 4, as we near the completion of October.
October is recognised by the Church as the month when we support the Catholic missionary work around the world to assist those in difficult circumstances. This particularly resonates for us through our Lasallian heritage as our Shared Mission.
The term Shared Mission, is used to describe and animate the work of the worldwide Lasallian family. This work across more than 80 countries, particularly in underdeveloped areas and to fight poverty, assists young people to receive the education and training that perhaps they would be unable to access without the support from others. All Lasallian Colleges in Australia and New Zealand have each partnered with an overseas school in order to lend support. Our school theme for 2019 is the Tercentenary Theme – One Heart, One Commitment, One Life, and this reminds us that together, and living our Lasallian Charism, we can assist and support those in need.
On Thursday last week, we held our Mission Action Day assembly to finalise our contribution for Lasalle Technical School, Hohola PNG with whom we are partnered. It is pleasing to report that our students and staff raised $13000. This continues the financial support that our St James College community has provided to LTS for more than twenty years. We value our partnership with the community at LTS and we are looking forward to continuing this relationship in the coming years. At our assembly last week, our students were thanked for their efforts to collect sponsorships from the walkathon, and we acknowledged those students and Homerooms who put in the extra work to raise even more. This year we are raising funds for teacher housing via the conversion of shipping containers into dwellings. Any excess funds will be used to assist with the Breakfast Club at Hohola to provide students with a meal to commence their school day.
As a part of our Shared Mission, over the last holidays, twelve Year 10 students and four staff members made the trip to Balgo in the north of Western Australia to support the students of the Luurnpa Catholic School. The aim of the trip was to work in the classes assisting the teachers, and to run activities to engage the young students with their school and in their community. The group were warmly welcomed by the Elders of the Balgo community on our fifth visit to this remote area. Our students represented themselves and their College extremely well and enjoyed some unforgettable experiences. They were very privileged to share in some Indigenous cultural activities in this remote community that perhaps few had seen before. Our students have come away with a deeper appreciation and greater understanding of Indigenous history and culture, while contributing to this community, especially for the younger people of the Luurnpa School.
Congratulations to the Year 8 students and staff who were involved in their camp to Forest Edge in Gippsland during the first week of this term. The students tested their skills and courage on many of the camp activities and were able to achieve a sense of success after completing these challenges. Thank you to Ms Dee O’Neill - Year 8 Coordinator for her organization of the Camp, to Mr Paul Riley – Year 9 Coordinator for his leadership of the Camp, and to College staff, who gave of their time to participate in this camp running the various programs. Thank you to the Year 8 students for their enthusiasm, cooperation and efforts over these days.
Rehearsals continue for our Junior Production, in collaboration with OLSH, of The Boy at the Edge of Everything. Thank you to the students and staff involved who have been working after school, during weekends, and through holidays, to prepare for a number of shows scheduled during next week.
Last week we hosted the Lasallian Public Speaking Competition on Thursday evening. This is always an important occasion showcasing the wonderful talents of students from the Lasallian Colleges: St Bede’s College, De La Salle College and St James College. Congratulations to all the students involved and especially to John Morgan who won the Year 10 section. I thank Maryanne Stefaniw and the English Teachers across the three schools for their work with the students, and to Mr George Vlamakis who was the compere for the evening.
On Wednesday night we held our Welcome Information Evening for students and families - Year 7 2020. This is always an important occasion as the students and families of the new year level come together to meet with staff, and to receive relevant information regarding the transition of the young men as they commence their secondary education. Thank you to the various speakers, both students and staff, who gave presentations, and to our administration staff who provide support to our new families as they navigate through these commencement processes.
In these first few weeks of Term 4, as well as the ongoing work involved in the core subjects and electives, students and staff have also participated in:
- Domain Area excursions and field work
- The commencement of the new rounds of the weekly SIS Sports for all Year levels
- I CAN Sessions
- Year 10 Outdoor Education Grampians Hike
- Preparations for the Arts presentations and evenings scheduled for later this term.
- The Year 9 Wednesday Program
- Support for the Joeys Soup Van in Dandenong
I would like to thank the staff of the College who plan and organize such activities as part of our Teaching and Learning Program, and especially, we thank the young men who are prepared to respond and to be involved in the opportunities that are available at St James College
As we move further through this Term with the preparations for the Examinations and heading towards a successful completion to the School Year, it is reassuring to acknowledge that given the extra demands on us during these weeks, our Unity In Christ encourages us to draw strength and support from our faith and from those around us, both at home and at school.
Stephen Pooley
Principal