Principal's Post
Dear Families,
I hope you were able to enjoy some relaxing family time over the long weekend. While some extra curricular organisations had a lovely break, others took the opportunity to ramp up the participation with tournaments and competitions.
We apologise for last week's update sheet and the inability to open it. The newsletter company rectified their issue within 18 hours and if this occurs once every 18 months then I suppose that's not too bad, considering technology these days!
We had an overwhelming response from the many generous families in our community for the grocery drive for St Vincent De Paul which culminated in our Mass last Friday celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Click onto the Education in Faith page for further details.
School Reports
Teachers have been busy writing reports for your children and I had the pleasure of reading approximately half of them over the weekend. I am quite strict on the teachers in limiting their word count in the general comments, given the approximate two hours teachers spend on each child's report as it is. The general comment, together with the tick boxes and dots, provide a very accurate picture of your child's achievements and growth.
It's worth noting that all students have made growth over the past six months, however if students have not achieved all of the outcomes at the standard or "not jumped all of the hurdles" set by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, we are unable to move their dot to show six months growth since the last report. Most students in this scenario have indeed grown by 4 or 5 months but not quite the full six months since the last report.
Reports are expected to be ready to send to parents electronically by the Tuesday of the final week of term.
Principal Visitors from the Lismore Diocese
Today, we hosted 14 Primary School Principals and 3 Education Consultants from the Lismore diocese in Central/Northern NSW. St James was asked by MACS to present what we have done over the past few years to lead school improvement, particularly in the areas of; student engagement, student wellbeing, MACS vision for Instruction and STEM. Most of our leadership team were released from classroom duties for a while to present to the group and then take them on a tour of our classrooms. I received some lovely positive feedback about our St. James school and the manners and attitudes of our students.
Australian Early Development Census - Preps Only
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a national data collection of early childhood development at the time children commence their first year of full-time school. This teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. Please see further information relating to this in the attached document, noting that this is only relevant to our Prep parents.
Crossing
Given the building works and disruptions to traffic flow out the front of the school at times, the use of the crossing to cross the road is an essential safety procedure.
P&F St James Major Fundraiser
Our major social event is on THIS SATURDAY night. Please return your raffle tickets by Thursday to ensure they make it into the draw for the fabulous prizes, and if you need some more, we have an extra supply in the office.
Catholic Secondary College Enrolments for Current Year Five Students
Students must be enrolled when in Year Five. Enrolments close on Friday 16 August.
St James is a direct feeder school to Emmaus College, Aquinas College, Our Lady of Sion College and Whitefriars College. This means that St James catholic students receive direct entry and St James non -catholic students receive greater consideration of entry into these secondary colleges.
First Aid
Enjoy a great week ahead!
Dave