St James School Community News

Parents Association Update

We’ve had a very busy start to Term 1 with Pancake Tuesday on 13th February followed closely by the Welcome Disco on Friday 16th February. 

A few hiccups in the weather on Pancake Tuesday meant the Grade 1 reps had to be creative with how they cooked pancakes for the entire school. They battled high winds and fire danger weather with power outages and in the end a very successful event. 

The Welcome Disco was a huge hit as usual. Thanks again to Denise Wong - she has organised the Welcome Disco for some years now and this was her final year organising this event as it will be her final year at the school. We thank Denise for the many hours of work and all the effort she has put into organising the Welcome Disco. Thank you also to the many volunteers who helped set up the event, sign families in, serve food, pack up at the end and the Grade 6 parents did a wonderful job of fundraising for the end of year graduation. 

ST JAMES KIDS ADVENTURE CAMP

A reminder that the St James Kids Adventure Camp (Run by the Dads) is on 22nd-24th March 2024.  The St James Kids’ Adventure Camp is for students and their dads or a special male relative/friend, to spend a weekend together in Anglesea.  

The camp is unfortunately booked out however if you would like to go on the waitlist, please contact Dave Thomas on 0409 005 759. 

SAVE THE DATE: PARENT NIGHT OUT - AUGUST 3rd, BRIGHTON YACHT CLUB

The venue and date have been secured and the Grade 4 reps are busily working further details.   WATCH THIS SPACE!!! 

We are going to start fundraising and donation requests early, so if you have anything for the silent auction, please let either Collete Grade 4 or John or Maryallan know.

Previous ideas have been wine, chocolate, holiday house experiences, cosmetics experiences, skin care, personal training, trips etc.  If in doubt, shout it out to us and we’ll let you know whether it's appropriate. 

THANKS FROM THE PA

We would like to acknowledge the continued support of all our parents, the school and local community.  The events organised during the year are all run by volunteers to donate their time and energy into our wonderful school community. 

Contributions from our fundraising efforts will be put towards improving the quality, safety and overall amenity of many areas across the school. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to come up and talk to us - John and Maryallan are often floating around at school pick up and drop off. 

FUTURE CALENDAR DATES

• Dad’s Catch Up - every 3rd Thursday of the month.  Venue details TBC.
• Dads/Special friends and kids - YMCA Camp Anglesea - Friday to Sunday, 22nd-24th March 2024. 
• Easter Raffle Drawn last day of term - further details TBA
• Hot Cross Bun Drive - available for collection last week of term - further details TBA
• Mothers Day St James Ladies lunch - Saturday 18th May 2024 at Elwood Bathers
• Parents night out - Saturday 5th August 2024 at Brighton Yacht Club

PARENTS ASSOCIATION FUNDRAISER CALENDAR 2024

A reminder of the fundraisers that have been allocated to year levels.  It is hoped this system will help to share the load, create new friendships and enrich everyone's school experience.

It is not expected that the class representatives will organise the events scheduled below. They may help coordinate volunteers but we also need other volunteers from the year level.

Maryallan and John

St James PA Co-Chairs

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Liesl & Ali

School Community News

There are lots of exciting things happening in our community in the next few weeks. 

St James -  STAY AND PLAY - Transition Playgroup & SCHOOL TOURS

Before and After school care

Parent Google Calendar

The google calendar is designed for parents to keep up to date with school events.  

Please ensure that you are checking the Parent Google Calendar on a regular basis as dates are added throughout the year.

School Closure Days 2024 

2024 school closure days are as follows, but please keep in mind that they may be subject to change, as each term, staff have a full day dedicated to staff professional learning and forward planning. 

Term 1   Friday 22 March            Staff Planning Day  Term 2

Term 2    Friday 26 April              TIL

                  Friday 07 June                Staff Planning Day  Term 3         

Term 3    Friday 13 September    Staff Planning Day  Term 4

                  Friday 20 September    TIL

Term 4    Monday 04 November  TIL

2024 Term Dates

Term 1   30 January  - 28 March         (Final Day Term 1 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

                Each Wednesday in February Foundation Students are scheduled for individual testing                   and do not attend school.  Full weeks for Foundation commence in March.

Term 2     15 April - 28 June                    (Final Day Term 2 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

Term 3     15 July - 19 September         (Final Day Term 3 - School finishes at 3:30pm)

Term 4      07 October - 17 December  (Final Day Term 4 -School finishes at 1:30pm)

Bell Times

Teacher supervision  8:40am - 9:00am 

First Bell  9:00am (Music begins playing at 8:55am) 

Fruit Break 10am

Morning Recess  11:00am - 11:30am 

Morning Eating Time 11:30 am -11:40 am

Lunch Eating Time 1:40pm - 1:50pm 

Afternoon Recess 1:50pm - 2.30pm

Dismissal  3:30pm 

Teacher supervision  3:30pm -3:45pm

Lunch Orders

Lunch Orders will not be available on certain days, due to Star of the Sea's events calendar.

February 2024

27 Feb (swimming carnival)

March 2024

11th March (labour day).

End of term 1 for Star of the Sea will be 22nd March.

Online orders are blocked on these dates

2024 Lunch Order Menu

NB  some items are only served on certain days

Details on how to set up your Flexischools account for online ordering. 

Scholastic Book Club

This week your child will be bringing home a scholastic book club catalogue.

What is Book Club?

For more than 50 years, Scholastic Book Club has been bringing to the joy of reading to Australian children. Today, Book Club can be found in more than 94% of primary schools across Australia, with a yearly circulation of over 20 million catalogues. Each Issue of Book Club covers ages from 0-12+ years and contains specially curated, age-appropriate titles that have been carefully selected and levelled by a dedicated team of professional booklovers.

Book Club provides families with an affordable and convenient way to access the best in Australian and international children's literature. As well as bridging the important class-to-home reading gap, Book Club also benefits Australian schools—for every Book Club order placed, Scholastic gives back 15% of the order spend to schools to spend on valuable educational resources via its Scholastic Rewards program.

So how does Book Club work?

1. Book Club catalogues arrive at school up to twice a term and can usually be found hiding in your child’s backpack. We encourage you to sit down with your child and go through the catalogue together, discussing any books that sparks your child’s interest.

2. Once your child has made their final selection, head over to our LOOP websiteor app 

to place your order. LOOP orders are linked to your school in an easy, safe online process. Registering for LOOP will also keep you up-to-date with all of the latest Book Club news, information on exciting new releases, and our exclusive Book Club special offers.

3. Your school’s Book Club Organiser will then take care of the rest! After they have submitted everyone’s orders, our team get to work packing your child’s order full of exciting things.　

4. Your child’s order is then delivered to their class, ready to take home and be eagerly read. Orders that you have marked as a ‘gift’ in LOOP will be sent to school for you to secretly pick-up instead.

With numerous studies finding that reading at home is a key factor in a child’s lifelong success, Book Club provides a fun and easy way of bringing books into your home.

Kindly note ordering books via the book club is entirely optional and the book club orders for this catalogue close on February 12.

Community Notices

Applications to Star of the Sea College and College Tours are now open to Year 5 families (female students).

Year 7, 2026 Applications Open

Applications for Star of the Sea College are now open for Year 7 2026. Visit Star of the Sea's website to apply 

https://starmelb.catholic.edu.au/enrolments/

2024 College Tour scheduleThe Star of the Sea College Tour schedule for 2024 is now available. Star of the Sea is excited to welcome prospective families and provide the opportunity to explore our College.Visit Star of the Sea's website to access Trybooking links to book your tour 

https://starmelb.catholic.edu.au/enrolments/college-tour/

What a great way to kick-start the weekend, with a visit to the 60+ market stalls featuring seasonal fresh produce direct from the farm, gourmet and artisan foods and beverages, take-away food, drinks & coffees, and live music…all at a fabulous beachside location…..…so get your family and friends together and join in this fantastic community event!    

More details about the market are also available at: https://BaysideFarmersMarket.com.au

 Free trial sessions are being run this term for those that might be keen for a Saturday class.  www.immersedrama.com

It is an Immersive creative drama program, covering a range of skills in acting from different techniques and approach to creating story and character through roleplay, improvisational and script work. 

With regular performance opportunities to grow and share. Following our 4 aims in what we believe will lead to a strong, confident, creative performer. 

Boost Confidence, Ignite Creativity, Enhance Communication, and Build collaboration skills. 

In line with the Victorian curriculum, these classes are educational and creative and a fabulous social outlet. 

Extra Curricular Programs @  St James  School

TENNIS 

TAEKWONDO  

Rise Up Dance Program - After School 

Rise Up Dance is be back at

 St James in 2024!

Contact Miss Leisa for more information 

leisa.riseupdance@gmail.com

PIANO                                         GUITAR    

ART

ART SMART

Professional Afterschool Art Program now running at your school.

We've got an awesome art program called Art Smart specifically designed for children aged 5-12 years, drawing skills, painting techniques, sculpting & pottery!! And guess what? It's happening right at your school! Can you believe it? The best part is, each session is just $18 + GST. Isn't that amazing? You definitely don't want to miss out on this incredible opportunity. So, what do you say? Let's unleash your child's creativity with Art Smart and join us for a free trial session. 

Testimonials 

‘I love art smart it’s so much fun! The teachers are really nice, and we do lots of cool art! 

- Emily St James Student 

‘Not just your everyday art program! Art classes are tailored around a movement or a specific artist or art form and the kids are given insights into each before they embark on their own artworks on the days theme/topic. A true art education with really creative and practical applications each week using different and interesting materials. My girls absolutely love it and I’m thrilled that they are really investigating and learning about the wonderful world of art without realising it’ 

- Kylie parent 

Seniors (grade 2+) Mondays 3.40 - 5pm

Juniors (prep - grade 3) Tuesdays 3.40 - 5pm

Enrol now - https://arteastudio.weteachme.com/classes/1043232-art-smart-professional-art-program-st-james