Principal's News

Reflection

God, who created us and made us who we are,

We come to you as we say goodbye to another school year,

And many of us are preparing to step out into new beginnings.

Bless us as you continue to walk with us throughout our lives.

Help us to always see you in ourselves and others and to be thankful for all our

great gifts.

___________________________________

As we approach the closure to another year at St James a quick pause for reflection is needed. And it is quick pause.  It is more than busy at this time of the year.

The Preps have now had a full year of school!

We lose a terrific bunch of Year 6 students who have been excellent in their final year.  

There are other families who are moving on.

There have been many, many learning experiences for the children.  

We have had a constant educational program, Masses, meetings, sacramental programs, fundraisers,  meetings, walkathons, camps and excursions, a range of sporting opportunities, meetings, performing opportunities, involvement with other schools, a Father's Day breakfast, Mother's Day luncheon, Parent Support Group meetings, transition programs, school cluster days, kinder visits etc. 

The list goes on.

This is our community.  

A thriving community where our individual gifts come together in abundance.  

I cannot thank enough every child, parent and staff member who have all hand a significant hand in forming our unique St. James school culture.  Your contribution has been amazing.

I wish you all every peace, joy and blessing as we complete 2016 and I look forward to sharing stories of the Christmas break with you in 2017.

Our Teachers and Staff

As we enter the last weeks of the school year I would also like to acknowledge the magnificent efforts of our teachers and staff this year.  In these last few weeks, the efforts that our teaching and staff have been committing has required that they have needed to call on their vast reserves of energy and passion for education.

Just in the last few weeks our staff have been busy with assessment, reporting, PSG meetings, 2017 curriculum planning, Graduation preparation, First Communion, class grouping organisation etc, The list is endless.

Our teachers hold the key to our children's growing self esteem and visions of future possibilities for learning through their commitment, knowledge and skills.  I commend them for translating the passion they have into action.  This is exactly what the vocation of teaching requires.  To strive to go further and deeper to ensure that every child comes to fulfillment.  Thank you.

To the Year 6 Students of 2016

The journey that you have taken as a group over the past seven years has been a positive, fruitful and a life giving experience. The St James teachers, parents and staff, have provided you with many opportunities to ensure that you are young men and women that will make a difference to our world.  We will look forward with expectation to seeing how you will mature further, given the solid foundation that you have achieved at St James.

The shared experiences over the past years will be memories that will be etched in your minds for many, many years.

In the year to come you will reflect on your adventures at St James. This is when the real significance of your class friendships will strike you to have been a significant time in your lives.

What incredible opportunities you have had this year and over the past seven years.

Your Primary School years will be full of inspiration for you in your future life.  You will be able to draw upon these special moments to support you through life.  Each one of you has had an amazing impact on each other and our school.

St James has had many Jesus moments.  As leaders you have shown the face of Jesus to many in our school community.  Consistently and with a spirit of generosity.

In these final days of 2016, St James loses part of its soul with your departure.  There is great happiness and jubilation with your graduation and we all are excited about the exciting future ahead of you, but also we realise that there is more than a tinge of sadness at this time.  However it is time to move on.

Your parents are extremely proud of you. They have seen their young child grow before their eyes so quickly, and they are incredibly appreciative for the way in which you have matured into the fine young men and ladies.

They will never absolve themselves of their parental responsibilities and will always be prepared to assist you in the pathways and challenges of life.  Be sure to thank them and keep the communication channels open.

St James teachers will always remember you fondly and with extreme gratitude. You have had a range of teachers from Prep –Year 6.  Your departure touches each one of them. They will most probably shed a tear in their quiet time when they recall what you have all meant to our St James community.

As our student leaders at St James, Jesus chose each one of you to lead through a service of love for others.  You have demonstrated this is many ways.

You have all modelled this to all the younger children, parents, staff and people in our school and wider community. You have modelled our school motto of  ‘Living Loving Learning’ with enormous vigour together with your unique group humour and attitude.  

As you leave I encourage you to never give up, be persistent, model respect  and have an acceptance of others, and demonstrate an optimistic and hopeful view of life.

To all the 2016 Year Six  students, I congratulate, commend and thank you.

You have all been a credit to our school.

May God bless you in the wonderful years ahead.

We pray for our Year 6 students

May they always remember their time at St James with happiness. We give thanks for all that they have shared during their time with us and pray that their next stage in life is just as enjoyable.

Classroom Teachers for 2017

Prep     Mrs Cathy Busch

Year 1   Ms Bernie Whiffen

Year 2   Miss Jess Chapman

Year 3   Miss Anna Coelli

Year 3   Miss Olivia Quinlan

Year 4   Miss Elly Dillon

Year 4   Miss Meg Stewart

Year 5   Miss Susannah Bailey

Year 5   Miss Stacey Nelson

Year 6   Mr Lucas Johnson (4 days) /                                    Mrs Cathy Ferrari (1 day)

Year 6   Miss Teri Orengo ( 4 days) /

               Mr Liam Buckley (1 day)

Principal                     Brendan Flanagan

Deputy Principal     Mr Liam Buckley

Positions of Leadership 2017-2018

Learning and Teaching           Mr Liam Buckley

Religious Education Leader  Miss Elly Dillon

Student Services/

Student Wellbeing Leader  Mrs Cathy Ferrari

Numeracy Leader                   Mrs Claire O’Dea

Literacy Leader                       Mrs Natalie Dodds

Science Technology Engineering Maths Leader (STEM)                          Mr Lucas Johnson

Community Engagement Leader

                                                        Miss Anna Coelli

Recent School Events

In the past week we have had some special events.  The Turramurra Music band from Sydney performed for our school last Friday and produces a high quality presentation of orchestral music  St James HAS got Talent (heaps) and we witnessed the creative talent across a range of performances.  Humorous, serious, athletic and entertaining.  Mr Tim Wilson our local member for Goldstein also attended our Community Assembly in response to Josh Martin's (Year 5 ) letter to enlighten the school on the topical issue of refugees and asylum seekers and the life of a politician.

The attached photos provide more of the story.

School Departures

Mrs Loretto Campbell is leaving at the end of this year.  Loretto has contributed to our school through her ICT skills for many years and the children and staff are the beneficiaries of her vast knowledge.  We wish Loretto all the best in her ongoing employment at St Anthony’s Glenhuntly.

St James will also be missing Mrs Annie Kaynext year as she concentrates on supporting her family.  Annie professional expertise and unrelenting energy has ensured that our school has in many ways extended our expected results in the area of physical education.  Annie’s thorough preparation and skill development of our children has been exceptional.  Annie’s love of physical movement is something that we will dearly miss.  Annie has also contributed to the Year 2 class this year and this has  also been highly valued by the children in Year 2 and Ms Chapman.

Ms Jo Liston is also taking leave for 2017 from her role as Student Services Leader and will be enjoying the break for the year.  Jo has ensured that the educational and pastoral wellbeing of our children and families has been focussed, that our school counselling and psychologist provision is targeted and that each child receives the support that they require.

We wish Loretto, Annie and Jo the best for 2017.

I would like to acknowledge the families who will be departing St James with their 2016 Year 6 children:

Stella - Arrived in Yr 3

Lucy- Arrived in Yr1

Charlie- Arrived in Yr 4

Dakota- Arrived in Prep and Caillan, her older brother arrived in Yr 5, the family has been here 9 years

Celina - Arrived in Prep  and her older sisters, Mariah and Yasmine, also attended St James  - 16 years in total

Lizzy- Arrived in Yr 5

Out of School Care

The success of our OSHC program is largely due to the professional service by our Director Jacquie.  Jacquie is moving on with her skills to another educational setting next year.  This is a promotion for her.  We thank Jacquie for her excellent care of our children for the last 15 months and wish her well with her new venture.  Mel, her able assistant will assume the director role.

School Counsellor

Emilia our School Counsellor is also leaving at the end of the year.  Emilia’s quiet and professional manner in supporting our children has been extremely valued.  We wish her every success in her future counselling roles.

Brendan