St James Learning and Teaching
Curriculum / Classroom News
LITERACY
What a busy start term it has been in Literacy at St James!
This Term we started our Mystery Reader program in the Junior school.
Each week on Friday morning at 9 am we welcome a Mystery Reader into our class to share their favourite story.
The Junior school students LOVE having their families visit our classroom to share in our learning by reading a favourite story aloud to our class.
These Mystery Reader sessions go for approximately 10-15 minutes. Each week the Mystery reader provides us with 4 clues and we wait in anticipation to see if our guesses are correct. It is a lovely way for parents and friends to be part of our literacy learning journey.
We understand that many parents work so we love having Grandparents, older siblings and Godparents surprise us.
Thank you to those that have already signed up. We look forward to a great term of Mystery Reader.
Keeping children’s reading up can be hard. However, if you are looking for ways to get your child reading for pleasure and developing their literacy skills, look no further than these websites.
Junior Students:
Between the Lions: A reading website with read-along folktales and fables, clever song videos of letter sounds, and many more stories to capture kids’ attention.
Between the Lions Early Reading | PBS LearningMedia
Storyline Online: Books on video and lessons aimed at strengthening comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
Senior Students:
Harry Potter Club: Any kids who love Harry Potter will adore this website.
Kids News: Here, your child can select a news topic that interests them from space to animals to weather and a whole lot more!
Any Year Level:
Oxford Owl: This website provides you with access to over 250 children’s audio books!
Remember when you are listening to your child read, ask the following questions or use some of these helpful prompts.
- PAUSE, PROMPT, PRAISE
- Can you get out the first sound(s)?
- Does the picture give you a clue?
- Can you blend the sounds together?
- Have you seen that word before?
- Can you break it into parts?
- Does that look right?
- Does that sound right?
- Does it make sense?
- Do you need to re-read?
- TRY THAT AGAIN
Mrs Mandi Joplin
Literacy Leader
LIBRARY
Family Library Time
In the St James Library we value ‘listening to reading’ - especially from the most important members of our community - OUR FAMILY! That is why starting from Term 2 the Library will be open Wednesday mornings from 8:30am for family reading and borrowing time. This is a time for parents to come into the library and share a story with their children. Parents may borrow under their child’s name. Younger siblings are encouraged to join their parents. All children MUST be supervised by a parent.
Library at St James
At St James students receive a 1 hour lesson each fortnight. Our Library program focuses on rich literature, with an emphasis on enjoyment, imagination and information through stories and non-fiction material. Our goal is to create a passion for reading to support the children's reading ability.
The St James Library is an innovative learning space that allows children to explore new genres, authors and texts, along with appreciating timeless classics to foster a love of reading. During library lessons students are encouraged to borrow 1-2 books from our library collection.
Lessons for classes Prep – Year 2 will focus on Rich literature appreciation, Oral Language, the use of our library system, parts of a book and shortlisted CBCA books.
Throughout the middle and senior school the library program will not only focus on literature circles and book clubs but will also support and extend the Units of Inquiry being studied in each year level and provide classes with a variety of resources to enrich the Units.
One of our ongoing priorities is to update and expand our collection to improve the interest and relevance of students and staff. The library is open on Wednesdays in the first half of lunchtime for students to read, borrow, draw and talk about books.
Students are encouraged to be responsible for remembering their Library day – it is vital that children bring their books back otherwise they cannot borrow a new book. Students can easily re-borrow their books if they are still reading them.
For book borrowing purposes, children must have a Library bag labelled with both their first name and surname. A Library bag protects the book, makes it easier for students to carry and ensures the Library book is kept separate from household books when not in use (making it easier to locate!)
Mrs Mandi Joplin
Teacher Librarian
SPORT
Athletics Carnival-26th March
On Tuesday the 26th March all students at St James took part in the St James Athletics carnival on a beautifully sunny day. The Year 3-6 students were the first to arrive and after a quick welcome they were sent off with their teachers to their events. A fabulous group of parents manned each of the events measuring throws, jumps and places. A huge thank you to this group of parents who volunteered all day to run these events. The junior students in Prep-Year 2 arrived at 11am. Once again a huge thank you to the junior parents who volunteered to assist also.
All students were familiar with the events as they had numerous weeks of training through their physical education classes. A lot of fun was had and their were a lot of tired legs and arms at the end of the day. Well done to all students and staff on making the athletics day such a fun day. Especially the staff and students who ran a fun race at the end of the day with some staff hotly contesting the top 3 places at the end of the 100m dash!
Well done to Red House for winning the House Spirit award and Gold for winning the overall points score.
Holt District Soccer
The Holt District Soccer Lightning Premiership was held on Friday 19th April. There was lots of anticipation and excitement as we headed off on the bus. We had the shield from the previous year and had counted the St James name on the shield 5 times out of the 8 plaques, so the pressure was on. The girls had a bye in their first round so took the opportunity to get in a few final game play practices and watched the boys team. The boys come up against a tough opponent in the first round and in their second round they were very evenly matched.
A shot at goal by Arran H was well played but didn’t quite make it through, luckily Nic F was there to assist and kicked it through. The boys had two more games that proved challenging, especially with no subs on the bench.
The girls finally had their first opportunity after a bye in round 1. Susan and Gianni C came equipped and ready as the dynamic coaching duo. Susan had the interchange bench organised down to the minute, with each player knowing exactly where they were going and who they were subbing off. The team won their first game 8-0. A convincing win. The next two games were nail biters, but with the help of a terrific support crew of parents armed with oranges and bags of lollies, the team made it through to the final. It took what felt like ages for the first goal to be scored which was a relief, but when the second goal came we felt that maybe we could bring the shield home again. And guess what? They did!
A huge thank you to everyone who came to the soccer last week. We love having supporters and amazing volunteers who really know the game and are highly valued and respected by the students. St James community you truly are amazing.
The girls team will now progress through to the Beachside Division on Thursday 1st August. Training will begin again in the coming weeks.
Holt Cross Country
On Wednesday 1st May, all students in Years 3-6 will be participating in the Holt Cross Country. Students have been practising through their Physical Education lessons however, we do encourage all students to practice at home also. The cross country will be held at Bald Hill Park, Clayton.
Venue : Bald Hill Park, Clayton (78 J4)
Arrival time: 9.30am
Start Time: 10:00am
Finish Time: 12 noon approx.
Bus Pick-up Time: 12:15pm
Please ensure students wear their full sport uniform. No house coloured t-shirts, bring a spare pair of sneakers and socks, drink bottle, snacks and lunch and sunscreen.
Friday Sport
On Friday 3rd May, all students in Years 5-6 will begin Friday Sport. Students each week will play either AFL or Netball against other Holt District schools in preparation for the AFL and Netball Lightning Premierships to be held in June.
There are to be no lunch orders during Friday sport. Students will need their full sport uniform and a drink bottle. Students playing AFL will require a mouth guard, long navy socks and a pair of footy boots or spare runners. Football boots are not essential but are recommended. A jersey will be supplied each week for AFL players.
An Operoo was sent with further details including the draw which I have attached for you below.
Mrs Georgia McNamara
Deputy Principal - Sport Co-Ordinator/ Senior Physical Education Teacher
WELLBEING
Protecting Our Children: Navigating Disturbing News in Today's World
In recent times, the prevalence of violence, both near and far, has dominated headlines, leaving many parents wondering how to shield their children from the traumatic impact of these distressing stories. As a school chaplain, I've reflected on this issue and believe there are practical steps parents can take to safeguard their children's well-being while instilling hope and resilience.
One poignant image that captured the media's attention was of a father at Bondi Shopping Centre, placing sleeping masks on his two teenage daughters to shield their view of a tragic scene where six people had been murdered. In the face of such horror, this father's actions exemplify a thoughtful and responsible approach to parenting amidst adversity and I can see three benefits of his actions:
1. Protecting the Innocence of Children:
Children, by nature of their innocence and lack of understanding, are particularly vulnerable to the distressing effects of violence. It's crucial for parents to shield them from exposure to such harsh realities until they have the emotional resources to process and cope with such situations. By limiting their exposure to wholesome content and nurturing their minds with positive influences, we can help preserve their innocence and promote healthy development. At the same time we need to reveal there are risks in life and explaining scenario’s without too much detail can better prepare them for potential harm in their future.
2. Respecting Human Dignity:
Each individual, even in death, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Shielding our children's eyes from scenes of violence is not only an act of compassion towards the victims and their families but also a reflection of our commitment to upholding the inherent dignity of every person. Teaching our children to see the worth and value in others cultivates empathy and compassion, essential qualities for building a more just and compassionate society. It reminds me of the saying from St Paul:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
Teaching our children to see others as God sees everyone with utmost love. Will be beneficial to the future of humanity. It will also teach them to be wary of people or content that seeks to undermine human dignity.
3. Mitigating Risk to Mental Health:
Exposure to violence can have profound and lasting effects on mental health, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As parents, we must be vigilant in protecting our children's emotional well-being by limiting their exposure to traumatic content and providing them with healthy coping mechanisms. Encouraging practices such as prayer, and positive visualisation, can help mitigate the risk of long-term psychological harm. For example, having the habit of a mental prayer that leaves us feeling hopeful. Imagining God taking the soul of the person and comforting them and protecting them for all eternity, and asking God to comfort their loved ones by embracing them in this time of loss. Such a prayer will leave your child visualising a beautiful scene rather than a horrific scene.
Reflection:
It is ironic that we have just celebrated the most violent event ever to occur, the violent death of God’s own son on a cross. But we encourage our kids to look upon the cross where Jesus died, because he allowed it to happen, he was thinking of our best interest, because he turned it into a greater good for all that look upon him.
The Cross reveals the great power of God to defeat violence forever and draw people to him. In Roman times the purpose of crucifixion was primarily to serve as a deterrent against rebellion and to instil fear and submission among the populace and reinforce the Roman Authority. But God reframed this image to present his mercy, the only deterrent to rebellion and violence which is always seeking to seize control over our hearts and our children’s hearts.
Conclusion:
The father's act of blindfolding his daughters serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritising our children's well-being amidst the challenges of today's world. We can’t stop every image getting through, but we can try and use words that describe the events in simple terms until they build internal resources to face these challenges.
This is a big topic and I have already written so much yet only scratched the surface. From my experience what works the most is having the end in mind. So I thought it would be good to end with the end in mind.
So take a moment to visualise where you would like your child to be as an adult. Paint a picture that includes not only their material wealth but their internal wealth (intellect, emotional well being, love for life) and eternal wealth (deep relationship with God, deep understanding of the purpose of life). See your child operating in a way they do respect and see the dignity of every person they meet, but at the same time have the awareness and street smarts and intuition to avoid those that do not respect their dignity and have the resources to stand up to such people.
Take some time to have a good picture of your child as an adult, then look at where they are at now and notice what is the gap? what is missing that they need? Then work towards filling the gap.
Always be mindful of the gap, of where your child is and needs to be. Do the best you can do and ask God to fill in for the parts you miss.
Kind regards,
Corey Payton
School Chaplain.