Dear Families,

Welcome to week 3 and what wonderful spring weather we are having to brighten our spirits. Please note that from this week, students need to be in full Summer uniform, with a hat mandatory for all outdoor activities.

Whole School Sports

As you are aware, our whole school Twilight Sports is on a rotation of odd year (2025 & 2027) 4 - 7pm and even year (2026) 1 - 4pm and ordinarily held at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track in East Burwood. Unfortunately, disappointingly and at very late notice, we received communication on Thursday afternoon that the Aths track renovations will be on during our booking of 12 November.

After brainstorming the pros and cons of changing the venue we have decided to hold the event here at St James on the same afternoon 12 - 3pm. We have a few ideas to help create a great sporting atmosphere here at St James. Of course parents and younger siblings are welcome to attend as spectators.

Further, more specific information will be published over the coming weeks.

Best wishes to our Sporting competitors and teams competing in the Division Finals this week; basketball tomorrow with cricket and volleyball on Friday.

Best wishes also to three students competing in the Regional Athletics competition on Thursday; - Lachie Yr 6 - Discus, Petra Year 4 - Long Jump, Olivia Y Year 4 - 100m and 200m

Congratulations Sportsperson of the Year 2026

Congratulations to our very own Superstar, Petra on winning the 2026 Sportsperson of the year with a disability award at the Whitehorse sports and recreation awards last week. We are so proud of you Petra! What a fantastic achievment!

Victorian Champion in our midst

A huge congratulations to River in Year 6, who was crowned the Junior Gymnastics Victorian Champion 2026 over the weekend! River took 1st place on Bars and placed 1st overall in the All-Around competition across all apparatuses. To top off an incredible weekend, her team also placed 1st in the Team All-Around event. River is thrilled to have achieved a goal she has been working toward for years. We are so proud of your dedication and incredible achievement, River!

Marathon Club

Marathon club has resumed for our Year 3 - 6 students and we are delighted to invite our Year 2 students to partake for the final term. Please pop into the office and complete a marathon club form (no fee required) for your child if you would like to partake.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

This will be open on Wednesday morning in the Community Centre from 8:45am - 9:15am to coincide with our next Prep transition session.

Scholastic Book Fair

Our 2026 Scholastic Book Fair was a great success and enjoyed by all the students. Special thanks to Louisa Norwell for all her hard work and preparation ensuring it ran so seamlessly and was a positive experience for all involved in addition to being a great fundraiser for our library.

Bunnings BBQ Volunteers urgently needed

We urgently need more volunteers for our Bunnings BBQ on Saturday. We need support for most of the afternoon shifts:

Please sign up via the link below

https://volunteersignup.org/8FM7Q

St John's Parish Fete - 21st November

Thanks so much to all of you who have returned your Raffle tickets for our annual Parish Fete fundraiser. Our lucky winner of the Early Bird Prize ($50 gift voucher) was Steph Banks-Smith. Please return your sold or unsold tickets by October, 30.

We will commence the collection of a bag of lollies and a large block of chocolate from each family this week please. Feel free to send them along with your child who can place them in their class tub.

Please sign up for a shift at a stall. It is an enrolment expectation that all families contribute at least an hour to the fete. Teamwork makes the dream work!

The return the school gets from the parish fete and from raffle ticket sales will go directly to funding the astro turf we are planning to install on the lower grassed/mud area. If we can raise enough funds this may be completed over the Christmas holidays.

AFL at St James

We are pleased to announce that the AFL will be running an AFL Superkick program at St James in Term 4. The AFL team came and spoke to our students this morning at assembly and ran a kick to kick session at lunch time so don't be surprised if you hear some interest from your own child wanting to be involved.

ST JAMES VERMONT PS SUPERKICK CENTRE

Season Dates:

Wednesday 4th November 3:40pm - 4:40pm

Wednesday 11th November 3:40pm - 4:40pm

Wednesday 18th November 3:40pm - 4:40pm

Wednesday 25th November 3:40pm - 4:40pm

The St James Vermont PS Superkick Centre is open for those who are in Prep through to Grade 6. As part of your registration for the program, participants will also receive a FREE football valued at $30. The cost of the program is $55.

We have on offer both a Mixed group and an ALL Girls Group (if numbers allow)!

Participants can register for the 4 week program either via the link below or via the QR code attached to the flyer. Register here now:

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/6f5847

St James Netball Club

Parking at Frank St

Please be mindful of the parking restrictions on Frank Street. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all school and kindergarten children using the crossing. We ask all families to avoid illegal parking and thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe..

Child Safe Standards

With the importance and commitment that we place on student safety as a school system, please take the time to read and familiarise yourself with the information in the

Child Safe Standard Six Parent/Carer Newsletter.

Upcoming P & F Events

P&F Meeting TONIGHT - Monday 19th October

We’d love you to join us at our meeting tonight in the front room of the new building at 6pm, there’s no pressure and you do not need to sign up to do anything! We love welcoming new parents so come and learn more about the P&F and what’s on for next year.

Friday Treats

Icy poles are sold every Friday during the afternoon break for 50c each. We’d love some more volunteers to help serve please!

https://volunteersignup.org/CYPMC

Bunnings BBQ - Saturday 24th October at Vermont South

Please support our school by either volunteering using the link below, or come and visit us to grab a sausage on the day

https://volunteersignup.org/8FM7Q

Subway Food Day - Thursday 25 October - Orders close on Wednesday 21 October

Please place orders via CDF Pay and enjoy a day off making lunchboxes. Orders close on Wednesday 21 October.

Mango Orders - Due Sunday 25th October

Support our school and enjoy delicious mangoes! Please order via CDF Pay by 25th October. Delivery will be around November- early December, further delivery details available soon

Mum’s Night Out - Friday 13th November

All Mum’s are invited to come and join us for a fun night out! Will be an enjoyable and relaxed catch up. Come with friends or make new friends on the night! Please let us know if you can make it via this Google Form - https://forms.gle/oNKygG3iq1UJNCXK8

St. John’s Parish Fete - Saturday 21st November

Fete prep is in full swing!

* Please remember to sign up for a volunteer spot using the links in this newsletter,

* Return all raffle tickets (sold or unsold),

* Keep an eye out for our chocolate block and lolly bag collection call outs - you can start early, perfect timing with all the Halloween goodies around!

* Keep your eyes peeled for ride wristband sales too, as pre-purchasing will save you money!

* Missed last Sunday’s pre-loved goods drop-off? No worries! Our next collection is Sunday 25 October, 9am–12pm at the Parish garage (head up the driveway next to the church and Parish Office).

Mum's Night Out - Friday 13th November

Come and join us for a fun Mum's night out at The Suburban at Eastland.

Please rsvp here to register your attendance. Please note that no payment is required, as attendees will purchase their own food and drinks at the bar. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Have a great week ahead,

Dave

St John's Fete