Dear Families,

Thank you to the parents who volunteered at the Referendum BBQ. We raised approximately $800-900 profit. A special thank you to Kylie for organising the event and to Dan Savoia for once again volunteering to coordinate the day.

Saturday night's First Reconciliation commitment mass was combined with a birthday celebration for Fr Dispin. Half a century is certainly worth celebrating! Sophie and Isaac, two of our School Captains, spoke very well after mass and our students' drawings decorated the Durkin Hall. We also had a few students at Sunday morning First Reconciliation commitment masses.

We will have our full newsletter published next Monday, so here are a few comments, reminders and updates for now …

Twilight Sports

We are all looking to our Twilight Sports on Wednesday 1st November, 4pm - 7pm at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track. Please note that we have been instructed by the management that we MUST vacate the track by 7.00pm for other training. Consequently, it is essential that we start on time. We are asking all student to arrive at the track by 3:45pm.

We will have an optional dismissal for our students at 2pm on the day so that students may go home, rest, eat, get changed and then return to the track on time for the sports.

We will not be having a break in the middle of the sports this year, due to time restrictions, so parents please make sure you feed your children before they arrive and feel free to purchase sausages from 6.30 onwards for them to eat when the event finishes.

Mrs Catherine Wall has been busy preparing the students for their events and preparing our Year Six students to lead many of the events. The Year Sixes will complete many of their events at school so that they are able to lead our Twilight Sports with Mrs Wall on the night. Please see the attached sign up sheet with possibilities for you to support our P & F on the night.

Parent Education Evening with Maria Roberto

Maria Ruberto is clinical psychologist with over 23 years experience. Her application of psychology is anchored by research in neuroscience and brain function – and framed by the science of optimism. Maria is delivering an educational session for all our St James parents on the evening of Thursday 16th November here in the Community Centre.

2024 Classes

We will commence working on class lists later in the term so any families who have specific requests for student placement for 2024 classes must either email me or make an appointment to discuss the specific learning or wellbeing needs of their children by Friday 27th October. This is not an opportunity to request to be in the same class as a friend nor an opportunity for teacher shopping.

School Advisory Council

Our next meeting on next week on Tuesday 24th October.

Parish Fete News

Please see the Fete News page and volunteer some of your time. As you will remember when you signed your children up to join St James, you committed to being part of our parish community which is a very rewarding experience. It is an expectation that all families give up some time to commit to helping at the fete. I know some workplaces provide a day of leave for volunteer work. Some parents may wish to consider taking this day on Friday 17th November to help with the Bump In, or Sat 18th Bump Out or even Sun 19th at the Clean up Working Bee. The Fete Committee are able to provide a volunteer certificate if required.

Farm News

We are looking for weekend chicken helpers for Term 4. If you are able to assist please contact Vic directly via email - victoire.gibson@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au with your preferred dates.

Archer	7th & 8th Oct
Brockoff	14th & 15th Oct
	21st & 22nd Oct
	28th & 29th Oct
	4th, 5th, 6th & 7th Nov
Snook	11th & 12th Nov
	17th, 18th & 19th Nov
Hillman-Laub	25th & 26th Nov
	2nd & 3rd Dec
	9th & 10th Dec

Sports Tops

We are pleased to advise you that we have set up CDF pay to purchase our school sports tops online. Sports tops are $40 each payable via CDF pay only. We will endeavour to send home sports tops to each student via their class tub by the end of each week. To purchase go to https://sjvermont.cdfpay.org.au

Current 2023 prep parents your children will need a sports top for year one next year to wear on Phys Ed days. Please note that our secondhand uniform store will sell these sports tops from the Community Centre on Wednesday 1st November from 8:45 - 9:15am or you may wish to order online via CDF Pay link above.

Further updates & information

Piano Offer - A Program for Recycled Educational Pianos for Schools - FREE Piano Hire over the Christmas Holidays

Free Skin Cancer Check - Bunnings Vermont South On Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd October.

Have a great week.

Dave

St John's Parish Community Fete 2023