Dear Families,

Welcome to Term Two. I hope you all had a happy Easter break and enjoyed some time with family and loved ones. I enjoyed a few sunny days in what I consider the best caravan park in Australia, in Tallebudgera Creek, nestled between Palm Beach and Burleigh Heads with my family and am refreshed, re-energised and looking forward to an exciting term ahead.

Late last term, our school took part in the initial phase of our four yearly school review.

Over the next two weeks our external, independent reviewer, Stephen Russell will conduct a series of interviews and meetings with St James staff, students, and families. He will also meet with MACS staff and Father Dispin to gain an insight into St James as an educational community. Stephen will be here on site next Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 April. For us as a staff, this has been a valuable opportunity to reflect on our strengths and share our experiences of school life. We look forward to the next stages of the process and to receiving feedback and recommendations that will help guide our continued growth and improvement.

Prep 2027 Enrolments

Thank you to all the families who completed their child's enrolment over the holidays. We will have a big cohort of siblings next year. If you have not yet done so, please take some time to complete the enrolment form online here. We will be inviting new families to our initial meet and greet sessions held in May, followed by our current families in June.

Term Two Staffing

We have a number of staffing away on Long Service Leave this term. Individual classes have been informed of replacement teachers, and fortunately, we have been able to employ excellent staff to do this.

Anne Hayes in 1A on Thursdays and Fridays will be replaced by Fiona Wright this term.

Tim Flintoff (6F) is away for 5 weeks and will be replaced by Ruby Slaughter (Mon - Wed) and Louisa Norwell (Th - Fri).

Tracey O’Connor (3F Th & Fr) is away for 3 weeks and will be replaced by Claire Feild (Th) and Megan Klaver (Fri).

Amanda Freeman (Yr 2 LSO Mon/Tues) is away for the first 4 weeks. We have employed Jess Rooney and Charlotte Hock to work in various classes in the role of Learning Support Officers. Both Jess and Charlotte are past students of St James.

Marathon Club

Marathon Club will resume next week. If you would like your child to get involved please pop into the office to fill out a marathon club form and pay $15 for the Semester, noting that this is only available for years 3 -6.

State Swimming Championships

Best wishes to Petra in 4S who is competing in the School Sport Victoria State Swimming Championships on Thursday. Petra’s event is the 50m multiclass breaststroke.

ANZAC Day

We will be commemorating ANZAC Day in many ways:

Friday whole school prayer service at 10.55am

Saturday Dawn service at Halliday Park with Year Six students officially participating.

Tuesday 5 May - Year Six students attending the Legacy Service at the War Memorial in the city.

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.

Farm Duty

Thank you to all the families that have helped out on the farm over the holidays, it is greatly appreciated.

We are now in need of families to volunteer for farm duty for Term 2. It is very easy and only takes a short amount of time in the morning and again in the afternoon/evening. Your children will love it and you get to keep the eggs for your breakfast!

If you are available to help with any of the following dates please email Jo with the dates you are available..

joanne.magnik@sjvermont.catholic.edu.au

Sat 2rd & Sun 3th May

Sat 9th & Sun 10th May

Sat 16th & Sun 17th May

Sat 30th & Sun 31st June

Sat 6th, Sun 7th & Mon 8th June

Sat 13th & Sun 14th June

Sat 20th & Sun 21st June

Notes from our P&F

Mothers Day

Bookings via CDF Pay later this week.

Volunteer opportunities for the SJV Mothers Day Breakfast 2026 are now open.

This is a Year 4 run event, if Dads or important people, can please click on the link to register, that would be appreciated:

volunteersignup.org/XHCXF

Thank you!

Friday Treats

Friday Treats are back! Lamingtons will be available 3 for $1 from Friday week 1. We need 2 volunteers each week to serve lamingtons and collect money. There will also be Year 6 students helping out each week. Details and sign up are on this link. Thanks!

volunteersignup.org/8FLMA

Auskick - A note from our Vermont Auskick Coordinator

Welcome everyone to this year’s St James Vermont Auskick. Isn’t it great that footy is back for another year!

My name is Tom Dougherty and I’m the Auskick coordinator. Along with the coaches, I welcome you to this years program. We are excited to have you and your child as part of Vermont Auskick.

Auskick will run from 9-10am each Saturday, rain, hail (maybe) or shine, May 2nd - July 25th.

If you have any friends that are thinking of joining, we’d love to see some more kids. Here is the link to send them while you talk them into signing up

https://vermontjfc.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=32dea9f20c8c8c6efa133809f&id=dfe1fe462a&e=cff58ed9fb

We do need some more parent/grandparent/guardian coaches so if you are keen to assist please message me directly.

That’s it for now but I’ll be back in touch before our first session on Sat May 2nd with some more details.

Thanks,

Tom

Grandparents Day - save the date

Please save the date for our Grandparents Day on Friday 5th June. We look forward to spending time with our Grandparents or grandparent figures and celebrating the special part they have in our lives.

Have a great week,

Dave

St James News

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

Update Sheet - Week 1- Term 2- 2026 · 20 Apr 2026

In this issue