‘Let the children alone.

Do not stop them from coming to me.’

Jesus must have welcomed this delightful interlude in his teaching. It is sandwiched between an episode where he was tested by the Pharisees on marriage and divorce, and the story of the rich young man. This is quite topical as well for us at this time. What a change—to have children around him, people who accept him without question, who respond to his love. Jesus uses the opportunity to teach his followers the importance of keeping a childlike nature right through life, nurturing those qualities of wonder, acceptance and openness.

Just as the people brought their children to Jesus to be blessed we can bring ourselves each day to him and place ourselves at his service. Let us ask Jesus right now to lay his hands gently upon us, so we too can go on our way strengthened and renewed.

First Eucharist

This weekend the final two groups of children in Year 3 receive the Sacrament of Eucharist. The past few weeks have been a busy spiritual time of journey for our children as they have received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, the concluding sacraments after Baptism in completing their initiation into our Catholic faith.

Involvement in a Catholic school is the opportunity to have an encounter with God. These times are special times for not only our children to reflect on their faith journey but also for our parents and staff.

As we walk together as a St James community let us come to the realisation that our faith is not just a personal journey with Jesus, but also a community engagement as we can’t do it alone.

The beautiful times that we have spent in the past weeks as a prayerful and celebratory community is an example of the love and unity we share as today's witnesses to faith.

In the Gospel reading from Matthew last week it claims that there are times that we do have little faith or we have doubts, especially so in this current phase of Church. Peter the early Apostle had the doubts when he failed to recognise Jesus. He was fearful and uncertain of who and where Jesus was in his life. We may also feel the same at times.

As Fr Barry said last week, it is up to us to muster the courage to respond. To step up and to be the face of Jesus to others. To be the servant leader. Our children through their sacrament preparation and celebration, are fed at the Eucharistic table to nurture not only themselves in their spiritual journey, but just importantly the world in which we live. This is a St James aspiration.

Naplan

The NAPLAN results for Year 3 and 5 have been returned to school this week and gauging from the brief analysis our results again have been again quite positive. St James always performs well on this national assessment and confirms that our children are experiencing growth in Maths and English. NAPLAN is one assessment tools that we use to direct the teaching for each child.

There are many other assessment tools that the teachers at St James use in order to differentiate the curriculum.

We are constantly strengthening our teachers’ capacity in the analysis and consistent use of student data to identify each student’s learning point and to drive targeted explicit teaching, especially through the platform of SPA. (Student Performance Analysis)

At St James our teachers are focussed upon developing further ways other than NAPLAN to measure student growth and use this to inform teaching and planning. Regular data meetings are held between curriculum leaders and teachers to discuss each child’s student growth.

The Naplan results for Year3 and 5 will be sent home with your child next Tuesday. If parents require clarification about your child's results please make an appointment time with your child’s teacher.

Walk for Jan

The annual 'Walk for Jan' will be held on Sunday 20 August @ 9:30am. For those who did not have the privilege of meeting Jan Ross, she was a valued parent and member of our community who passed away after a very long battle with cancer. Jan was a fine educator who contributed a great wealth of information and insight into family, education and life to both our staff and students alike. You can see 'Jan's thoughts for our students at school' in the school foyer just outside the hall. If you are free on Sunday 20 August and would like to join in the walk, please feel very welcome. Details on 'What's On Page'.

Fundraiser news and thanks

At yesterday’s Year 5 Assembly the four wonderful organisers of the St James fundraiser Melanie Fuller, Belinda Chapman, Melinda Harrington and Bernie Dodd released the figure of the funds raised at the recent St James cocktail night. Approximately $29,000 was raised which is an amazing effort.

Claire Negline asked the children in the centering exercise at the commencement of the Assembly to reflect on ‘what makes you happy?’

The sensational efforts that many contributed to what was an outstanding evening is something that we all should be proud and happy about. The energy and joyful involvement that we have at St James is something we all feel grateful for. I know that I feel extremely fortunate and am happy to be here everyday.

Dr Philip Tam

A reminder to all parents that the evening with Dr Philip Tam is next Tuesday night at Star. The Parents Association have committed their time and funds to accessing the knowledge and expertise of Dr Tam in an area that affects us all and in particular our children about the internet use.

Thursday's Experts - Footy Night

Thursday 31st August 7pm in the School Hall. The next St James Dads' Gathering will take place at the same event. Details on 'What's On Page'.

St James Wellbeing Week

Will commence next Monday 21 August and conclude Thursday 24 August. Please read details on the 'Faith and Wellbeing' page.

Book Week

This year's theme is 'escape to everywhere'. Please read details on the 'Literacy ' page.

Yoga

The response to Jackie’s session for the child/ adult Yoga sessions has been great. The Year 3-6 session on Wednesday 6th September is now closed as we have sufficient numbers. There are still places available for the for Prep/2 parent and child on Thursday 7th September. Ask your children at home to demonstrate some of the Yoga poses and also whether they could give you the rock massage.

Also in order to cater for our Book Day Celebrations, please note that the Yes2Yoga class scheduled for during the school day on Wednesday 6 September has been rescheduled to Wednesday 20 September 2017.

Zumba

Zumba is coming to St James! Liliana Fraser will be conducting Zumba classes at St James in the coming weeks. Please check for further information on the 'What's On'page.

Lunch Orders

The STAR of the Sea Canteen will be closed tomorrow (Friday 18 August) and Monday (21 August), so lunch orders will not be available. Please ensure that your children bring lunch to school on those days.

2017 Class Information Pages

Term 3 Class Information pages are now available on the school website.

http://www.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au/page/182/Class-Information

Helping your child

Motivation through independent play

One key factor in children's development of self motivation is their level of dependency of adults. In their early months and years, they are clearly dependent on their parents for many (if not all), life's basic needs. Without adult intervention they wouldn't even eat!

In their early development, we have to explain and demonstrate everything. I can remember buying an activity centre that attached to the side of our daughters cot. It had buttons to press, a bell to ring, an old-style phone dialler, a tortoise and horse race, things to turn, things to spin. It had sounds to make -- a squeak and a rattle. It also had a mirror.

When this learning extravaganza was first introduced into her life, it needed some explanation, some demonstration. However, as she got older, she was both able and motivated to go it alone. Once she had been shown what to do (and that step isn't as necessary as they get a little older, they can discover that for themselves), she didn't need any adult involvement (which is a bonus for every busy parent).

We can influence their levels of independence, which leads to an opportunity to self motivation, by the activities we offer our children.

We bought our son, a rug with a road system design -- houses, junctions, the full thing. Hours of fun was enjoyed as he played with his cars – without us forcing him to.

The challenge is this:

Find things that encourage independent play, whatever their age

reduce their need for adults to stimulate their creativity.

Simple things like a colouring book and crayons work really well, Lego or other similar building blocks, plastic people or farm sets or hospital scenes or whatever.

Continually encourage your children to invent their own worlds rather than depending on adults to entertain them.

Written by Nigel Lane. www.nigellane.com.au Used by permission

Child Safety

We have installed an electronic sign in / out app on the iPad at the office. If parents need to visit school after 9am and before 3.30pm please sign in at the office. See attached.

Thought for the week - from The Saturday Paper

Things are deteriorating on Manus.

“IMAGINE YOU ARE LIVING IN A PLACE WITH NO WATER AND POWER. NO SHOWER, NO TOILET FLUSH, NO WASHING MACHINE. DISEASE START SPREADING AND EVERY DAY MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK. AND ALL OF THIS IS HAPPENING BY THE ORDERS OF ABF AND DIBP FROM CANBERRA.”

Brendan

Japanese

Ikebana