St James School Community News

PA / School Community News

Parents Association

St James Kids Adventure Camp (Run by the Dads) 22nd to 24th March 2024

2024 St James Kids Adventure Camp is this weekend. Last year was a huge success. This year the fun begins with camp opening at 3pm to enjoy some free time and set up the rooms before dinner at 6pm. Across the weekend are a range of activities to enjoy including this year a new “group activity” in the afternoon.

We look forward to hearing all about this wonderful weekend on the kids return!!

A big thank you to Michelle and Dave Thomas who put in so much work preparing and organizing the weekend.

EASTER RAFFLE & BONNET PARADE

If everyone can kindly continue to bring in their chocolate and Easter donations for the raffle.Tubs have been placed in all classrooms for collection. Easter eggs will be used to create baskets which are then raffled off. If you could please have your donations in by Thursday 21st March to allow for sorting and wrapping that would be amazing!

TICKETS CLOSE 25TH MARCH 5PM

https://www.trybooking.com/CPHYF

The raffle will be held on the final day of Term 1, Thursday 28th March.

Please note there will also be an Easter Bonnet Parade that day, all welcome!

St James Easter Kinder Colouring Comp 2024.pdf

HOT CROSS BUN ORDERS are now closed: Orders closed 18th March at midnight.

Available for collection at school the last week of term right in time for the Easter Break, and remember the Hot Cross Buns can freeze well too!

SAVE THE DATE NOTICES:

DONATIONS FOR SILENT AUCTION @ PARENT NIGHT OUT

If you have anything to donate please approach John, Maryallan or Collette who is organising this event with help from the Grade 4s this year.

MOTHERS DAY LUNCH SATURDAY 18TH MAY

THANKS FROM THE PA

We are very grateful for the continued support of all our parents, the school and local community. All our PA members are volunteers who generously give up their own time to organise our school events.

Contributions from our fundraising efforts will be put towards many areas across the school. Some initial ideas that have strong support from the PA group and school community are

1) Improving school security 2) Retractable cafe style blinds for the exterior of the undercover area so it can be used during hot or wet days.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to come up and talk to us - John and Maryallan are often floating around at school pick up and drop off.

FUTURE CALENDAR DATES

Dad’s Catch Up - every 3rd Thursday of the month. Venue details TBC.
Easter Raffle Drawn - Thursday 28th March (last day of term)
Hot Cross Bun Drive - available for collection last week of term.
Mothers Day St James Ladies lunch - Saturday 18 May 2024 at Elwood Bathers
Parents night out - Saturday 3 August 2024 at Brighton Yacht Club

PARENTS ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER CALENDAR 2024

Maryallan and John

St James PA Co-Chairs

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Please reach out to us if you have any uniform enquiries or suggestions.

Liesl & Ali

School Community News

There are lots of exciting things happening in our community in the next few weeks.

St James - STAY AND PLAY - Transition Playgroup & SCHOOL TOURS

Before and After school care

Parent Google Calendar

The google calendar is designed for parents to keep up to date with school events.

Google Calendar

Please ensure that you are checking the Parent Google Calendar on a regular basis as dates are added throughout the year.

School Closure Days 2024

2024 school closure days are as follows, but please keep in mind that they may be subject to change, as each term, staff have a full day dedicated to staff professional learning and forward planning.

Term 1 Friday 22 March Staff Planning Day Term 2

Term 2 Friday 26 April TIL

Friday 07 June Staff Planning Day Term 3

Term 3 Friday 13 September Staff Planning Day Term 4

Friday 20 September TIL

Term 4 Monday 04 November TIL

2024 Term Dates

Term 1 30 January - 28 March (Final Day Term 1 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

Each Wednesday in February Foundation Students are scheduled for individual testing and do not attend school. Full weeks for Foundation commence in March.

Term 2 15 April - 28 June (Final Day Term 2 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

Term 3 15 July - 19 September (Final Day Term 3 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

Term 4 07 October - 17 December (Final Day Term 4 -School finishes at 1:30pm)

Bell Times

Teacher supervision 8:40am - 9:00am

First Bell 9:00am (Music begins playing at 8:55am)

Fruit Break 10am

Morning Recess 11:00am - 11:30am

Morning Eating Time 11:30 am -11:40 am

Lunch Eating Time 1:40pm - 1:50pm

Afternoon Recess 1:50pm - 2.30pm

Dismissal 3:30pm

Teacher supervision 3:30pm -3:45pm

Lunch Orders

Lunch Orders will not be available on certain days, due to Star of the Sea's events calendar.

March 2024

11th March (labour day).

End of term 1 for Star of the Sea will be 22nd March. There will be no lunch orders March 22nd - March 29th.

Online orders are blocked on these dates

2024 Lunch Order Menu

NB some items are only served on certain days

2024 Lunch Order Menu.pdf

Details on how to set up your Flexischools account for online ordering.

Scholastic Book Club

What is Book Club?

For more than 50 years, Scholastic Book Club has been bringing to the joy of reading to Australian children. Today, Book Club can be found in more than 94% of primary schools across Australia, with a yearly circulation of over 20 million catalogues. Each Issue of Book Club covers ages from 0-12+ years and contains specially curated, age-appropriate titles that have been carefully selected and levelled by a dedicated team of professional booklovers.

Book Club provides families with an affordable and convenient way to access the best in Australian and international children's literature. As well as bridging the important class-to-home reading gap, Book Club also benefits Australian schools—for every Book Club order placed, Scholastic gives back 15% of the order spend to schools to spend on valuable educational resources via its Scholastic Rewards program.

So how does Book Club work?

1. Book Club catalogues arrive at school up to twice a term and can usually be found hiding in your child’s backpack. We encourage you to sit down with your child and go through the catalogue together, discussing any books that sparks your child’s interest.

2. Once your child has made their final selection, head over to our LOOP websiteor app

to place your order. LOOP orders are linked to your school in an easy, safe online process. Registering for LOOP will also keep you up-to-date with all of the latest Book Club news, information on exciting new releases, and our exclusive Book Club special offers.

3. Your school’s Book Club Organiser will then take care of the rest! After they have submitted everyone’s orders, our team get to work packing your child’s order full of exciting things.　

4. Your child’s order is then delivered to their class, ready to take home and be eagerly read. Orders that you have marked as a ‘gift’ in LOOP will be sent to school for you to secretly pick-up instead.

With numerous studies finding that reading at home is a key factor in a child’s lifelong success, Book Club provides a fun and easy way of bringing books into your home.

Kindly note ordering books via the book club is entirely optional and the book club orders for this catalogue close on February 12.

Community Notices

Applications to Star of the Sea College and College Tours are now open to Year 5 families (female students).

Year 7, 2026 Applications Open

Applications for Star of the Sea College are now open for Year 7 2026. Visit Star of the Sea's website to apply

https://starmelb.catholic.edu.au/enrolments/

2024 College Tour scheduleThe Star of the Sea College Tour schedule for 2024 is now available. Star of the Sea is excited to welcome prospective families and provide the opportunity to explore our College.Visit Star of the Sea's website to access Trybooking links to book your tour

https://starmelb.catholic.edu.au/enrolments/college-tour/

Join the Youth Sustainability Leaders program

Are you a young person who lives, works, or studies in Bayside with a passion for the environment? Do you want to become part of a group creating a more sustainable community? Become a Youth Sustainability Leader and start making a difference.

This group is open to young people aged 15 - 25 that live, go to school, study, or work in Bayside.

By getting involved you will:

Gain the skills to lead climate action and tackle sustainability challenges
Meet other young people that share your passion for the environment
Participate in training workshops
Design and deliver innovative projects and campaigns.

Sessions are fortnightly on a Tuesday, from 4:30pm - 5:30pm during school term and will run for 8 sessions.

Registrations close: Thursday 4 April

Program starts: Tuesday 23 April

Cost: Free

To apply visit the Youth Sustainability Leaders webpage or contact youthservices@bayside.vic.gov.au.

School Holiday Classes

EASTER SUPER CLINIC - Book Now!

Looking for something fun and worthwhile for the kids to do in the upcoming school holidays? Our Easter Super Clinic is a little over 4 weeks away and suitable for all levels of children 5 - 15 years.

With two hours of tennis skills and drills each day followed by matchplay for competition level juniors (or near) and multi sports for those 5-8 years all are guaranteed to come home tired , happy and further develop / improve their skills!

We again have a super team of enthusiastic and experienced coaches ready to deliver another great program.

Cost $260 for 4 days or $75 per day.

Please book via the link...BOOK NOW

Join Bayside Youth Services for unforgettable school holiday adventures.

Learn How to Make Your Own Dumplings

Develop your culinary skills in this dumpling masterclass.

Wednesday 3 April, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Brighton - $15

Games and Razz

Fun-filled Games and Razz session to keep the excitement flowing.

Thursday 5 April, 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Beaumaris Library - FREE.

OutThere Sailing Experience

Set sail at the adventure filled sailing experience.

Tuesday 9 April, 9:00am - 12:00pm, Sandringham - $70.

Exploring the Landscapes of Lynne Boyd

Get creative with our Lynne Boyd painting session.

Thursday 11 April, 10:30am - 12:30pm, Brighton - $20.

These activities are open to young people aged 12 to 17 with a connection to Bayside (live, work, school, study, recreate). Bookings essential for all sessions. Limited spots available. Bookings close Tuesday 26 March.