Principal's Post

Dear Families,

I hope all families were able to enjoy some relaxing time over the weekend.

Today some of our Year 6 students attended the Remembrance Day Memorial Service at Halliday Park where they read 'In Flanders Fields' and laid a wreath in memory of our fallen soldiers in World War One and all subsequent wars and conflicts.

We held a whole school Remembrance Day service around our recently installed flagpoles where students participated in a minutes silence and laid flowers honouring our past and current soldiers.

Last week we sure crammed a lot into three days at school; Year 5 & 6 boys netball tournament including winning the championship, Years 5 & 6 Girls Cricket, Prep excursion to Healesville Sanctuary, Prep 2025 Transition session #2, Prep teachers kinder visits and Year 5 Bike Ed skills and off site ride to Bayswater. Please see Spotlight on Learning for further details.

Staffing News

Congratulations to Nicole Addison and Molly Masters who have accepted positions at other schools and sadly will be departing our St James community at the end of the year.

In 2025 we will welcome back Siumi Kirby, Tess Odgers and Jess Moffatt back from parental leave as they all take on part time teaching roles here at St James.

Teachers have commenced work on classlists for next year and consequently, the opportunity for parents to submit a request for me to consider has finished.

Here are some photos of last week's Prep Excursion to Healesville Sanctuary.

Second Hand Uniform - Donations required

Our P&F team need some uniform donations for the second hand uniform shop at our next Prep Orientation session on 27 November. Ideally we need some 6 and 8 sizes of everything to cater for our new Preps. Please drop off to the office, any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Prep to Year 4 Swimming

Our Prep to Year 4 Swimming and Water Safety Program at Knox Leisureworks commences next Monday. Please ensure to be familiar with the important details shared via Operoo last week and complete the online permission form. Feel free to email your child's classroom teacher or the office should you have any questions.

Year 5 Puppet Show

The year 5 students have been working hard in Performing Arts for their Endangered Animal Zoo Puppet Show Performance. We would like to invite all Parents and friends to attend to watch this on this Thursday, 14th November between 2:30pm - 3:20pm. The performances will run repeatedly during this time-frame. The students are excited to share their puppetry skills with you.

Sunsmart

As the days become warmer, a reminder that students are encouraged to apply sunblock before school and bring along a named roll on sunscreen that they can apply as necessary before outdoor activities and breaks.

2025 Prep Parents

Many of our Prep 2025 parents will have enjoyed Carley’s onsite presentation for ‘Starting School’. It is such a big change for lots of families, no doubt her expertise, advice and strategies were of a huge help.

In case some parents missed the opportunity to attend the presentation, we wanted to share the details for an upcoming ‘Starting School Community Webinar’.

Session: Starting School: How your family can thrive and not just survive

Delivery: Community Webinar

Presenter: Carley McGauran

Date: Wednesday the 27th of November 2024

Time: 7.30pm (75 mins)

Here is the link to register for the webinar (and access to the replay):

www.bit.ly/27nov2024

Please see Starting School Parent Toolkit that includes the key points and links from the session, it is included on the last slide of the presentation as a web address and QR code or click here.

Movember

The St James lads are once again embracing Movember by growing mo's, running/walking 60kms and supporting in various other ways. If you'd like to support our worthy cause, please click on the link below.

All your support goes towards innovative world-class men's health projects in key focus areas – mental health/suicide prevention and cancer research. https://movember.com/t/st-james-manly-mo-men?mc=1

Parish Fete Donations

We are asking all families to donate a family block of chocolate and a bag of lollies to be used for the lob a choc and lolly stalls. These can be placed in class tubs each morning by the students.

Any toy donations for the second hand toy stall can be left in the boxes in the foyer of the Community Centre.

Parish Fete and Raffle

Thank you to the families who have already returned their raffle books. We appreciate it.

All books should have been returned by now . If you have not yet returned your tickets they must be returned tomorrow, sold or unsold.

Poppy Stafford's family (PrepD) won the second gift voucher draw for the early sellers prize. Thanks to Bucatini's and Coles for donating the vouchers.

Unlimited Ride Wristbands On Sale Now!

Secure your wristbands for Fete Day at the discounted price of $40 by purchasing in advance! Prices will increase to $45 on the day of the fete after Thursday, 14th November.

Click here to book your wristbands now: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1151167

Wristband Collection:

Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th November: Pick up from the school office

After Thursday: Collect from the Ride Ticket Stall at the fete from 10 AM

NB: Some rides may have height restrictions check information on home page of ticketing page.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Grab your wristbands early and save!

Stall volunteer sign up docs are in the Fete Newsletter below:

Remember the new 2025 Initiative: unless you have already committed to another stall. Year Level Stalls to volunteer for are listed below:

Prep - Popcorn/Fairyfloss

Year 1 - Snowcones

Year 2 - Lolly Stall

Year 3 - Donuts