Principal's News

A message from Pope Francis

Today, a new impulse to the Church’s missionary activity is needed to face the challenge of proclaiming Jesus. 

Reaching the peripheries—the human, cultural, and religious settings still foreign to the Gospel: this is what we call the mission. 

In this extraordinary missionary month, let us pray that the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary spring for all those baptized and sent by Christ’s Church.

Pope Francis – October 2019

How fortunate are we to have Pope Francis to breathe new life into a Church that is seeking to redefine its mission and approach to the world.  Not only is Pope Francis challenged by the prospect of establishing a new context for our Church, Catholic schools are also faced with many challenges in a society that is becoming more secular and pluralistic.  For us to remain relevant and purposeful, we are required to (re)discover the faith tradition and become more inspiring and life giving for young people today. This Sunday at 9am we will celebrate with the Year 5 students and parents with Fr Martin who always brings into focus the Gospel message.

Important News

 Community Forum for future learning at St James

In the past two weeks we have been fortunate to have Tony Dalton, an educational  consultant with a vast understanding of education, work with us. Tony has been leading the staff and the Leadership Teams in sessions on Family Engagement in Learning. 

Tony has a background of 44 years of leadership roles in Education across Catholic Schools in Victoria with a lifelong commitment to Parent Engagement in children's learning and now is continuing to work as an independent consultant in Parent Engagement and Family/School partnerships

He is currently working with over 30 Catholic primary and secondary schools across Victoria and has worked with school leaders in Edinburgh Scotland and more recently in Saskatchewan, with schools and Education offices in Regina, Saskatoon and North Battleford.

We are offering three opportunities for parents to join us in a community forum to discuss learning at St James.  We warmly invite you to attend and participate in one of the following forums.  

Forum 1   7:00pm Wednesday 30th October  - baby sitting provided

Forum 2   9:00am Thursday 31st October

Forum 3   2:30pm Thursday 31st October

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Last Friday evening I was sitting at home and reflecting on what a wonderful day Friday’s Grandparents and Special Friends day was. 

Many thanks to all for creating the atmosphere to allow all the grandparents and special friends to feel so special.  It was a real celebration of who we are as a St James community. It is due in many ways to the atmosphere that parents, children and staff create.  I really did not acknowledge enough, the stars in the team who contributed on the day. There were many. Thanks. I am so grateful to have the many who are so invested in our school.  St James looked great on this day after a period of change that probably has tested us all.

The joy and buzz with the kids and their pride in our school, the stories shared about our grandparents and special friends, plus the lovely food by the supportive Year 1 team,  ensured that this is one of the biggest celebratory days in the St James calendar.

It is due to you all and what we have done together in the recent times to make our school the unique place it is.

You know how oldies chat.  Well the conversations with their families and in their homes will speak volumes of what occurred on October 11.

The people you meet on a Saturday night

We do have some talented parents in our community.  The people you meet at venues away from school.  Last Saturday night I was fortunate to see the Dusty Springfield production performed by Wendy Stapleton and her sister, our talented Mum, Angie Stapleton.  It was a very entertaining night and Angie pictured was a star. It was a colorful and energetic journey through all the hits of the 60s 70s 80s and 90s that made Dusty a household name.  

2020 Prep Information night

Thanks to Connie Sands and Jacqui Hancock for their support at the recent Information session for new Foundation Families.  Both Mums gave the new parents a clear understanding of what to expect for the young child commencing school next year. It was a reassuring and calming presentation for what is always a year of change for both the child and parents.

Baptism Preparation with Carole Cheng

Parents who have students at St James who wish them to be baptised, can organise this through Carole Cheng, who will prepare the children for Baptism.

Carole will commence classes on Friday 15 November at St Joan of Arc Presbytery, after school at 3:45pm, until 4:45pm.

Another class will be held in February 2020, date TBC.

Contact:     carole.cheng@cam.org.au

Brendan