Dear Families,

Week 9! Can you believe how quickly the term is passing us by. The weekend weather was a brisk reminder that we are finally in Winter.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent time reading through all of our student reports, and it’s a process I genuinely enjoy. As Principal, one of my key responsibilities is to know each child well and stay closely connected to their learning, wellbeing and overall development.

Reading all 346 reports gives me a wonderful insight into the progress our students are making across academic, social and emotional areas. It’s a meaningful way to see the growth happening across the school and to celebrate the effort and achievements of every child.

As I worked through the reports, I was also reminded that a child’s growth and development rarely follows a neat, straight line on a graph. Learning is much more complex than that. In some cases this semester, students may have made 4–5 months of progress rather than a full six months, and while this is still strong growth, it can sometimes appear as though little change has occurred since December. I encourage you to keep this in mind when reading your child’s report, and to focus on the broader picture of progress over time.

If you do have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s class teacher as these conversations are always welcome.

Reports will be available via the Nforma parent portal mid next week. Please keep an eye out for further information about this.

Prep Excursion to Como House

On Friday, our Prep students enjoyed an exciting excursion to Como House in South Yarra, stepping back in time to discover what life was like in years gone by.

The adventure began with one of the highlights of the day, travelling together on the bus! There was plenty of excitement and chatter as the students set off for their first school excursion.

At Como House, the children became history detectives as they took part in solving the mystery of the 'broken doll'. They were fascinated by the old-fashioned rooms, furniture, and household items, learning how people lived before many of the modern conveniences we enjoy today. They were particularly interested in learning how clothes were washed with a washboard.

A big thank you to our Prep teams and parent helpers who gave their time to support the excursion. Your assistance helped make this valuable learning experience both enjoyable and successful for our students.

Year 5/6 Sports Gala Day

Well done to all our Grade 5 and 6's who participated so well with great skills and a great spirit of sportsmanship, which is most pleasing. Some of the teams who won quite easily were very humble and respectful of their less skilled opponents. Well done to the Girls Netball and Boys AFL 9's teams who have progressed to the Division competition.

Farm Help needed

Dear Parents,

As the school holidays approach, we are reaching out to you for your support with our farm duties. Our small farm is an essential part of our learning environment, and it requires regular attention, especially during the holiday period.

Over the break, we need volunteers to help with a variety of farm related tasks, including feeding animals and general maintenance.

We are asking for families who are available to volunteer to assist with these responsibilities. If you are willing to lend a hand, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Please find the dates below. If you are able to volunteer please email me with your preferred dates at joanne.magnik@sjvermont.edu.au

Sat 27th, Sun 28th June
Mon 29th Tues 30th June
Wed 1st, Thur 2nd July
Fri 3rd, Sat 4th July
Sun 5th, Mon 6th July
Tues 7th, Wed 8th July
Thurs 9th, Fri 10th July
Sat 11th, Sun 12th July

Thank you in advance for your support.

Warm regards

Jo Magnik

LSO & Farm Manager

joanne.magnik@sjvermont.edu.au

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 Four Parent/Carer Newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Special Food Day - Pasta - Thursday 18th June

Reminder that this Thursday 18th June is pasta food day. If you have placed an order no need to pack lunch, but don’t forget freggie!

We’d love some more helpers on the day please, sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/B9XQQ

School Disco

Save the date- Thursday 13th August! More information coming soon.

Major Social Night

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the biggest P&F event of the year!

80s Prom Night- 22nd August in the St James Community Centre.

More information to come

Save the date - Father's Day - 4th September

Pop this in your diaries - St John’s Parish Community Fete

Save the date! Saturday 21st November.

More information to come.

P&F Meeting

Tonight, Monday 15th June from 6:15-7:15pm in the new office.

You may have noticed the new way-finding signage around the school. Hopefully this makes our spaces clearer. Just a reminder that during school hours, the gates are locked and you must enter through Gate 3 (the pedestrian entrance in front of the office).

Have a great week,

Dave

St James News

'St James School Community is committed to the Victorian Child Safe Standards.'

Update Sheet - Week 9- Term 2- 2026 · 15 Jun 2026

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