St James Executive Leadership 

Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting and event-filled Term 4! As we approach the final stretch of the school year, there is much to look forward to and celebrate together as a school community.

This term, we are thrilled to be hosting several special events, including Confirmation for our students making this important sacrament of faith, Graduation for our Year 6 students as they prepare to take the next step in their educational journey, and the much-anticipated Grandparents' Day / Special Friends, where we will honour the special role grandparents and special friends play in our lives.

We will also be celebrating the festive season with our Christmas Carols event on 29th November, bringing our community together in the spirit of joy and giving. The Swimming Program will kick off mid November, offering our students the chance to build their confidence and skills in the water, while also staying active.

These are just some of the wonderful experiences planned for this term, and I am looking forward to seeing our students engage with each one. Let’s work together to make Term 4 a memorable and rewarding conclusion to another fantastic year at St James.

As you may be aware we have been very fortunate to have been chosen as one of four schools to have MACSEYE commence running the before and afterschool program here at St James.  Here is a message from our school coordinator Jessica Stewart.  Jessica will be at the assembly next week to meet you all. 

Welcome to St James OSHC!

Firstly, I wanted to thank the families and members of the school community that we have met over the past week. You are all so welcoming and have given us some kind feedback already.

What we aim to create in the OSHC space is ultimately an environment that is truly for the children. We offer a play-based learning program that is child lead, resulting in children having fun, developing confidence, learning new skills and gaining a sense of autonomy. Building meaningful and reciprocal relationships is something that is also at the forefront of our program. We want to offer a space and a program where children feel like they can be themselves and where every part of them is valued. Additionally, we aim to build these same relationships within the school and within the community so we welcome anyone who is curious about the space to come in and say hello, we are more than happy to answer all your questions and for you to offer any feedback you may have for the space.

Melbourne Marathon

Over the weekend we had our very own Mrs Emma Herbert participate in the Melbourne Marathon.  Well done to Emma for running over 40km.  A great effort!

Year 3 and 4 Camp

I would like to extend a huge congratulations to our Year 3 and 4 students for their participation in the recent camp at Don Bosco Dromana and Moonlit Sanctuary. The students demonstrated fantastic enthusiasm, resilience, and teamwork throughout the camp, making it a truly memorable experience for all involved.

A special thank you goes to our dedicated teachers and staff for their tireless efforts in organizing and supervising the camp. Your support and commitment ensured that the students were safe, engaged, and had the opportunity to explore new environments and learn outside the classroom.

I am so proud of the way our students embraced the camp experience, and I’m sure they have come away with many wonderful memories. Well done, Year 3 and 4!

Italian Day

I would like to extend a heartfelt ‘Grazie’ to everyone who contributed to the success of our Italian Day! It was a wonderful celebration filled with vibrant colors, delicious gelato and pizza, and joyful participation from our students and staff. A special thank you goes to Signorina Marinelli for her incredible efforts in organizing the day's activities, and to our dedicated staff who helped with everything from the beautiful decorations to the exciting games and lessons that brought Italian culture to life. Our afternoon performer, Mr. Fagiolo, provided fantastic entertainment that made the day even more special. It was heartwarming to see our community come together and create such a joyful and enriching experience. 

Thank you all for making Italian Day truly memorable!

Confirmation

This Sunday, our Year 6 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, marking a significant milestone in their faith journey. I would like to congratulate our students for their dedication and preparation, and I look forward to celebrating this special occasion with them and their families.

A special thank you goes to Emma Herbert, Aidan Niarros and Gen Bryant for facilitating the singing and prayer workshops, which have been an integral part of helping our students prepare spiritually for this moment. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the parents who organised the beautiful Confirmation Reflection Day lunch that followed, providing a meaningful and enriching experience for our students.

Let us come together as a community to support and pray for our Year 6 students as they take this important step in their faith. I look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday at 2.00pm at St Joan of Arc Church for this joyful celebration.

Staffing update - New Appointment  Holly

As you know our Occupational Therapist, Ashley Whitelaw is on leave for the remainder of the year.  During her absence, we welcome a new OT Holly Kruse who will be working closely with children and staff during during Term 4.

Safety:  Adhering to Speed limits around the School

As we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students, I am reaching out to remind everyone of the importance of adhering to speed limits around the school premises in particular St James Closes and Osbourne Close. With the new Term underway, it is crucial that we all take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe environment for the students at the school as well as neighboring schools.

Speed limits in school zones are set for a reason. They are designed to protect students, parents, and staff during peak hours of arrival and dismissal. Driving at safe speeds gives drivers ample time to react to sudden movements or unexpected events, such as children crossing the street.

Here are a few key reminders:

Observe Speed Limits: Always drive within the posted speed limits, especially in school zones.

Be Alert: Stay vigilant for children who may suddenly appear between parked cars.

Follow Traffic Signs: Pay close attention to all school zone signs, including No Standing, Keep Clear  and Pedestrian crossings.

Use Designated Drop-Off Areas: Utilise the designated drop-off and pick-up areas to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and safety for all.  Please adhere to the time limits.

By following these guidelines, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for our children. Your cooperation and commitment to safe driving practices are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Let’s work together to keep our school community safe.

School Security

If you are dropping off or picking up students between 9.00am and 3.30pm, please ensure that this is done so via St James Close and the front office.  For security reasons we would like to ensure anyone entering or leaving the school during class time does so via the main entrance. The doors are locked once the school day commences.  Please ring the doorbell and a member of staff will let you in.  Thank you!

School Enrolments 2025

The  2025 academic year is fast approaching.  A friendly reminder that school enrolments are now open for new students!   At St James, we are committed to providing a well rounded education that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and social responsibility whilst maintaining our Catholic tradition. 

To enrol your child, please visit our website http://www.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au for detailed instructions and required documentation. 

We encourage you to share this exciting news with friends and family who may be interested in joining our school community. Prospective families are invited to schedule a personalised school tour.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school directly on ph 03 9596-4766 or via email: info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Thanks in advance!

  COVID Safe Protocols

St James Catholic Primary School (School Portal) 

Please click here to access the School Portal  https://sites.google.com/stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au/stjamescatholicprimaryschool-r/school-portal-home-page

Social Media - Please follow, like and share our school Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Feeds. 

School Website:  www.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Twitter:  St James Catholic Primary School, 3186

Instagram:  stjamesbrighton3186

Facebook: @stjamesbrighton3186

Please stay safe and healthy.

Carmelina Corio

Principal

Deputy Principal News

Hello Everyone,

Well done to all of our students who competed at the Holt Athletics last week and progressed through to Beachside this week. Our Year 3 and 4’s had a fabulous time on camp. A huge thank-you to the Year 3/4 team who prepared the program and the students so well. Italian day was an absolute hit. Thank-you to Celeste Marinelli for all of her organisation of the very fun activities and yummy food. This week we have had Confirmation Reflection Day, an incursion with Gen Bryant, Year 1/2 had an excursion to the Martin St shops and our first session of Yoga.

All students should now be in their summer uniform. It is compulsory for all students to wear their hats during outside play so please ensure that a hat is brought to school with your child each day. We have noticed a large number of students not coming to school with a hat and we do not have enough in lost property for everyone. Can we please ask if your child requires a new hat can you please purchase one. Also, we would like to encourage our students to have sunscreen in their bags so they can pop some on easily before they head outside to play at recess and lunch. The summer uniform consists of the following: 

Key Dates in Term 4. 

Sunday 20th October - Year 6 Confirmation 2pm at St Joan of Arc

Friday 25th October -  Assembly 2.45-3pm

Monday 28th October - Year 6 Graduation Photos

Monday 28th October - Susan McLean Cyber Safety Expert Information Session

Thursday 31st October - Stay and Play 9.15-10am

Friday 1st November - Yoga with Jackie

Friday 1st November - Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Friday 1st November - Assembly

Monday 4th November - School Closure Day TIL

Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Wednesday 6th November - SAC Meeting 5.30-6.30pm

Thursday 7th November - St James Art Show 5-7pm

Friday 8th November - Yoga with Jackie

Thursday 14th November Stay and Play 9.15-10am

Friday 15th November - Assembly

Monday 18th November - School Swimming Program Begins for Students in Prep-Year 5

Thursday 21st November - Year 6 Water Safety Program- Brighton SLSC All Day

Friday 22nd November - School Closure Day 2025 Planning Day

Wednesday 27th November - School Swimming Program Final Day

Thursday 28th November - Stay and Play

Thursday 28th November - St James School Swimming Carnival and 2025 Swimming Trials

Monday 2nd December - Prep 2025 Orientation Session 1

Thursday 5th December - SAC Annual General Meeting 7-9pm

Monday 9th December - 2025 Prep Orientation Session 2

Monday 9th December - Year 4 Students visit St Mary’s College St Kilda All Day

Wednesday 11th December - Year 6 Luna Park Celebration Day

Thursday 12th December - Stay and Play final session

Friday 13th December - Semester 2 Reports released

Friday 13th December - Final Assembly for 2024

Monday 16th December - Move Up Morning for all students

Monday 16th December - 2025 Prep Orientation session 3 

Monday 16th December  -Year 6 Graduation 5-9pm

Tuesday 17th December - Final Day of 2024 1.30pm finish.

On Monday 28th October Susan McLean from CyberSafety Solutions will be holding a presentation for all parents in our community in regards to keeping our students safe online. There will be no charge to St James families to attend this evening. Please see below further information in regards to Susan’s credentials and what her presentation will cover. 

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, St James is now a Donation Partner for the Container Deposit Scheme. This means that each time you return your containers to Return-It Locations in the Victorian East Zone, you can choose to donate the money to St James.  This term any money raised will be donated to STEM 

@ St James School. 

You can either search for and donate to St James or you can use our Donation Partner ID or Barcode.  

Our Zone ID barcode is:

Thank you for helping us support our students and make a difference to our environment.

Emma Herbert and Georgia McNamara

Deputy Principals