St James Executive Leadership 

Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to open this newsletter by acknowledging that tomorrow is World Teachers’ Day.  On this day Australia celebrates teachers for their skilled work in educating, inspiring and supporting our students. The theme this year is: ‘Hats off to teachers this World Teachers’ Day!”  

I wish to take my hat off to amazing teachers here at St James, who each day go above and beyond. As Principal of St James, I take my hat off to all the wonderful teachers that I’m privileged to work with each day and I thank them for their ongoing professionalism and dedication in providing enabling and extending opportunities for students to fully flourish.    

Well done Team St James!

School Prayer

Last week at our school assembly we shared with the students our new school prayer.  As a staff we have been working with Mr Ange Virgona, a consultant in Religious Education, to capture who we are as a school and community, our values, faith and tradition and include these insights into a school prayer.  

Student voice was paramount in writing our prayer and as such, a group of students from years Prep - 6 represented the students and worked collaboratively with Mr Virgona.  At the end of the prayer are the latin words  ‘Pro Ecclesia Et Patria’, which can also be found beneath our school logo.  The words translate to ‘for Church and Country’.   Our mission as a Catholic school is to be Christ-like,  taking the ‘Church’ out into the wider community ‘Country’ in the way that we treat others and demonstrate our school values.  We felt that it was important to include this in our prayer in the hope that we too can learn to follow in Jesus Christ’s footsteps, living out our school and gospel values in the local and wider community.  

On Friday, the students all received a bookmark of our new prayer.  We asked students to bring this home and share it with you all.  Please find attached a copy of the St James School prayer.

100 Days of Principalship

Last Friday I celebrated my 100 Days of Principalship and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed coming to work each and every day! The staff  surprised me with a lovely morning tea.  During assembly I received personalised class letters  from the students, which made my day.  The letters provided me with a lovely insight into what the students notice. The main throughline was that I have made noticeable improvements/changes to the school. None of this would be possible without the collective support from the staff and school community.  I chuckled when reading one student’s comment, suggesting that I need a rest!

I look forward to journeying with you all and further strengthening family-school partnerships  so that together we can support the student’s academic achievement.

Bayside Catholic Mission

On the weekend an announcement was made regarding the future of the Bayside Catholic Mission.  

Please find attached correspondence which was shared at the masses.

PREP 2024 

ENROLMENTS CLOSING SOON

*NEW* TERM 4 SCHOOL TOUR DATES

We have released an additional 3 School Tour dates for this term.  Attached to this page you will find the updated flyer.  Please share this information with family and friends.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day - Friday 27th October, 2023

Tomorrow we welcome our Grandparents and the Special people in our lives.  Classrooms will be open from 9.00am, followed by a morning tea in the school hall at 10.00am hosted by the Year 1 families.  We look forward to meeting you all on this special occasion.

Parking:  The Netball courts will be open for additional parking.  A member of staff will be outside guiding you.

Access to the School:  We ask that all visitors to the school make their way across the Mainyard utilising the front steps or ramp.  Alternatively the school can be accessed via the Tilley yard side where there are also steps and ramp access. 

Lift:  Please note that if you require lift access, you will need to make your way to the school office where you will be assisted.

School Crossings

Bayside Council would like to remind parents of the need to take care and obey speed restrictions and parking signs in the vicinity of our schools for the safety of our school children.

With the increased congestion on our roads, it is important that parents understand their responsibility specifically relating to 40KM zones, Traffic signals, drop off and no stopping zones around our school.  They also encourage all pedestrians to use the school crossings and follow supervisor instructions at all times.

Council provides School Crossings services between 8 – 9:30am in the morning & 2:30 – 4pm in the afternoon. 

Colour Explosion Run

St James School Vision and School Priorities (Post Review)

Last year the school participated in our school review.  Following the review we received a report including recommendations for forward planning.  We have met as a Leadership team and in consultation with staff and MACS consultants have set our new school priorities for continuous improvement for the next four years.  (Please see the attached information).

Working With Children Checks

St James is a Child Safe School.  As part of our Child Safe practices and processes we are required to maintain up to date information of parents and volunteers who hold a current (Working With Children Check) and would like to assist with a school activity.

If you currently hold a WWCC and intend on helping out with school activities in the near or not too distant future, can you please fill in the attached Google Form.

Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact School Admin on info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au 

Please update your information on the following WWCC Google Form  if you have renewed or attained your WWCC.

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

School Website:  ww.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

TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL WE COLOUR RUN!

With TWO weeks to go until our Explosion Colour Run, the excitement is building for Friday November 10. Thanks to everyone for all of your support so far…every dollar counts towards our fundraising target!  It is going to be such a fun community event and like last year, it will be the best day of the year! Yesterday you would have received an Operoo form with all of the final information relating to:

• Date, time and schedule of the runs
• What to wear, what to bring
• Safety and wet weather arrangements
• Permission to participate

Please ensure you have given permission for your child to participate via this Operoo form. *Note that in the event of wet weather, the colour run will be held at school in a modified course. Information will be forwarded in the event of this occurring.

All children will receive their own colourful headband and set of glasses on the morning of the Colour run from their child’s teacher. Children are encouraged to wear white, but can wear a touch of their house colour to add a little fun (e.g. wigs, ribbons etc)

Fundraising & EPIC Prizes

So far we have 52 who have created a fundraising profile. We have raised almost $4000 with our target being $15000.  Whether it is $1 or $50, every bit counts towards us being able purchase new playground equipment and upgraded iPads for our children.  Creating a profile is super easy and only takes a couple of minutes via https://myprofilepage.com.au/

Our Colour Explosion Run just got epic with two amazing incentives! As well as the normal prizes for children who raise over $10,  every child who raises more than $50 will go into a prize pool to win an razor electric scooter AND to have the chance to SLIME a teacher on the day! Some of our amazing STJ staff will be participating on the day! Would you love to slime your Principal Miss Corio and our teacher legends Mrs Mac, Mr Niarros, Mrs Herbert and Miss Taylor. 

The class which raises the most will also win a fish and chip lunch! The current leader is Year 1 with Year 2 not far behind!! 

Thank you to everyone who has raised funds so far!

Parent Colour Crew Volunteers

A huge thank you to all of the parents who have volunteered to make the day a great one! Our ‘colour crew’ of  Yar 3 parents will be manning the obstacle course on the day! 

We are also in need of one volunteer per grade to walk to Elsternwick Park with the grade and stay with them during the event to support the teacher and class (toilet runs etc). If you are able to help, please add your name to this table here!  

Please refer to the Event Schedule included in the Operoo sent Wednesday of this week.

Thank you to everyone for your support so far! Keep the fundraising going over the next couple of weeks! Remember that the grade with the highest total will win a fish and chip lunch!

GET SET FOR THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR!

Term 4 Key Dates:

Friday 27th October-Grandparents & Special Friends Day 9am-10.30am

Friday 27th October-World Teachers Day

Thursday 2nd November-Stay and Play 9.15-10am

Friday 3rd November Assembly #2- Year 6 to present

Monday 6th November-School Closure Day 

Tuesday 7th November- Melbourne Cup

Thursday 9th November- Confirmation reflection day -Year 6

Friday 10th November- St James Colour Run

Monday 13th-Wednesday 22nd November- St James Swimming Program Bluefit Cheltenham

Wednesday 15th November- All Star Girls Junior Regional Finals-TBC

Thursday 16th November- Stay and Play 9.15am-10am

Friday 17th November Year 6 Confirmation 5-6pm

Wednesday 22nd November Prep 2024 Information Night #1

Thursday 23rd November- St James Swimming Carnival students can be collected from the pool at 12.30pm or return to school

Friday 24th November School Closure Day- 2024 Planning Day

Monday 27th November Prep 2024 Orientation session 1 9.30-10.30am

Wednesday 29th November Prep 2024 Parent Information Night #2

Thursday 30th November Stay and Play-9.15am-10am

Thursday 30th November St James Twilight Christmas Carols 5.30-8pm

Friday 1st December Assembly #3 Year 5 to present

Monday 4th December Prep 2024 Orientation session 2 9.30-10.30am

Thursday 7th and 8th December School Production at Star of the Sea College

Monday 11th December Move up Day

Monday 11th December Prep 2024 Orientation session 3 9.30-10.30am

Tuesday 12th December Year 6 Luna Park Excursion 

Friday 15th December final day of Term 4 1.30pm finish. 

Emma Herbert and Georgia McNamara

Deputy Principals