Principal's News 

This week we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Lent.  Next week it is Palm Sunday which is the commencement of Holy Week and culminates with Easter, the highpoint of our Liturgical Christian  season.  

The Gospel reading is an interesting one this week.  What stands out in this reading is that Jesus does not judge.  He knows the human heart of temptation as he has been tempted himself.  

He understood that his mission was not to point the finger but to choose life, to forgive, provide hope for ourselves and others.   As we conclude this Lenten period,  may we also continue this mission to transform our life and lives of others, to embrace the times of tension and challenge. May we rise and respond with love for each other and our world.

May our school be a place, a lighthouse that has the same mission.  To prepare our children to become God’s presence in our world.

First Reconciliation

Yesterday we celebrated First Reconciliation with our children in Year 3 and some children in Year 4 in the Library and Heritage garden. 

This sacramental time follows the Baptismal promises that the children and their families made in past days for the children to grow in love and connection to God.  Many thanks to our teachers who continue to assist the children on their faith journey.  The COVID restrictions prevented us having parents present,  however the school spirit was felt even at a distance from the school.  Celebrating this  sacrament in the season of Lent is appropriate,  as we  attempt to change and improve with our prayer,  choices and love we extend to others.   

Bayside Council - Australia Day award

Environment Award - Community Group

St James Catholic Primary School has picked up this gong for their Sustainable School program. The awards this year were postponed from January 26 and we were invited to accept the award last week at the Sandringham Yacht Club.  Our school leaders Leo, Sienna and Lili, with teachers Ms Corio, Mrs Herbert, Mrs Mcnamara, and David Ferrier who was instrumental in leading the magnificent transformation of the outdoor space.  The fabulous Urban Food Forest, with containers of herbs, tomatoes and peppers, is just one wonderful element of a complete overhaul of our outdoor space. This is the second award that we have received, the 2021 Victorian Schools Garden Award.  

The awards are proudly on display in the school foyer. 

St James ex student and mother attempting Mt Everest in 2022

Reaching great heights demands a great deal for each individual who has dreams andaspirations.  Today we are pleased to announce that one of our past students is about to embark on a lifetime passion.  Another successful student who is an inspiration for us all.

Gabby Kanizay (St James 2015)(19yrs) and her mother Jane Kanizay (St James P&F President 2016/17) are both currently in Nepal ready for the challenge to climb to the summit of Everest. 

If successful, Gabby will be the youngest Australian to climb Everest.  They will be at Everest Base Camp from early April until the summit window period between May 10th and May 25th. 

They have been mountaineering since 2018, when Gabby was 15 and in Year 9.  

In discussing and exploring her life goals, the then 14 year old Gabby said “I want to climb Everest one day!”

And so with that, Jane and Gabby started mountaineering, first trekking to Everest Base Camp, then honing their mountaineering knowledge in New Zealand before more expeditions in the Himalayas.  Gabby is the youngest woman to have summited the 6th highest mountain in the world (Cho Oyu - 8200mts) when she was  just 16 years old.  

See further detail at www.GabbyKanizay.com 

Teacher appointments

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Maree Fatouros has been appointed to teach with Mrs Antoinette Ferrari in Year 5 commencing in Term 2.  Maree will be replacing Mrs Emma Herbert who has recently been appointed to the Learning Diversity leadership role. 

Maree has a wealth of experience as a teacher in a range of school settings, as a Deputy Principal, a Religious Education Leader, ICT leader, classroom unit leader, Health and Science teaching, and has completed an exercise/sports science study.  

We look forward to welcoming Maree to our St James team in Term 2.

We farewell Ms Tess Sabbatcci who is leaving to travel overseas for the remainder of the school year.  Tess has been a dynamic powerhouse in teaching Performing Arts to all of our children.

The manner in which Tess  organized the school production last year given the restraints and constant hurdles, is testament to her passion for the Arts.

Mrs Mandy Cooper will be our Performing Arts teacher in Term 2.  We welcome back Mandy who is an experienced teacher in all areas of the Arts curriculum.

A message from our good friends next door.

School tours at Star of the Sea for prospective families in Year 5 will recommence mid Term 2 due to the renovations taking place.  

Principal Conference

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary  School Principals (VACPSP) in Lorne.  It was a gathering of 225 Principals across Victoria and a timely reconnection to reflect, celebrate and be inspired in our leadership of Catholic Primary schools.  The Conference theme was Hope. 

More than ever, leaders in our Catholic Primary Schools are charged with working

together in humanity to develop hope in our students, optimism for our communities and the understanding that together we can create a solution driven future for all. 

Learning how to make a positive difference in the world is how our children can develop confidence, optimism and hope.

As Catholic school leaders, we know leadership starts from within and we must regularly connect and reflect on our mission, beliefs, values, gifts, strengths and limitations. This conference invited us all to reflect on  our personal, spiritual and professional growth as we prayed, learned and engaged as colleagues.

It was a valuable conference time which featured world class key notes, interactive sessions, engaging discussions and captivating stories.  The alignment with The Easter story at this time is relevant as we endeavour to create  hope for each of our school communities.  

Easter is such a part of this Mission and all of our Catholic schools' connection to this story brings hope alive.

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This is the final newsletter for the term.  Can I thank everyone for their commitment and dedication to our school St James for the first term.  There were some hurdles that we confronted, but again we have adapted and had a successful term.

School will finish at 1:30pm on the final day of Term 1, Friday 8th April.  OSHClub will run an After School Care session from 1.30pm-6.00pm.  For further details, please go to the OSHClub page.

Keep an eye out for the Holy Week activities for next week.

Congratulations and thank you.

On a final note, I have tested positive and will be absent for a while.

Faith in our future

Brendan