Dear Families,

Congratulations to our Preps who commence their second semester at St James! Students attend primary school for 28 terms or 14 semesters so for our preps that is 7% down and 93% to go (don't tell them that).

I hope all families were able to get some rest, relaxation and down time over the break. We found many students (and some staff too) becoming tired, ill and a little irritable over the final few weeks of term. The weather was conducive towards a combination of outdoor play, indoor fun and rest.

A few highlights of our upcoming Term Three include; Mini Mission Fete in week 2, our Art Show opening in Week 3, a few sporting events for Years 4 - 6, the P & F student Disco, a special birthday for me, Year Six confirmation, Preps 100 Days at school, P & F Prom Night social event, Father's Day Breakfast and Stall and Year Five Camp.

And ... personally, I am taking the final 4 weeks of term as Long Service Leave and heading to the US with my wife to visit two of my children who are currently living in Los Angeles and New York. Anita will be in the Acting Principal role during this time.

A huge congratulations to Chris Lowry for being named Victorian School Crossing Supervisor of the Year 2025-2026. Chris, we are so lucky to have you!

St James Feast Day & Mini Mission Fete: Friday 24 July

Next Friday we will celebrate our school's feast day with Mass and our Mini Mission Fete.

The celebrations commence with mass in the Reynolds Community Centre at 9am. Following mass, our Year Five and Six students, who have been busy learning about Economics and Catholic Social Teaching as they have prepared to host their fete stalls, will set up ready for the Mini Mission Fete. Students who ordered a sausage in bread for lunch will be served this at approximately 11am, ready for the fete to operate 11.15am - 1.00pm.

Following pack up and recess time, we will host our final prayer service and Fete wrap up to conclude the day.

Funds raised from the Mini Mission Fete will be split between Autism Australia and the Variety Children's Charity. Our Year Five and Six students researched and selected these charities.

Parent/Student preparation required for the Mini Mission Fete:

a year six stall are asking for donations of chocolates - see nforma notice
complete the sausage sizzle lunch order form by Monday 20th July
students wear free dress on the MMF day, Friday 24 July, for a dollar donation - silver coins are very useful as change at the MMF stalls
students bring along money to spend at the fete - $10 - $20 is recommended
examples of stalls include: milk shakes, donuts, handmade bracelets, target throwing, nintendo games, trinket making, 'guess the lollies' in the jar etc.
Yr 5 & 6 families support by volunteering to help out with the sausage sizzle
Yr 4 families support by baking for the baked goods stall and volunteer to help sell on the day
all families are welcome to attend the mass (9.00 - 10.00am), the fete (11.15 - 1.00pm) and the prayer service and wrap up (2.30 - 3.15pm)

Staff Professional Learning

Today was a brilliant opportunity for our whole staff to gather together to extend and deepen our understanding, knowledge and implementation of MACS Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement.

We are very fortunate to have such highly skilled and knowledgeable leaders here at St James to have led our sessions today.

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.

Upcoming Events

School Disco

Save the date- Thursday 13th August! More information coming soon.

Major Social Night

80s Prom - 22nd August

LAST DAYS FOR EARLY BIRD TICKETS!!!

We are thrilled with the amount of tickets that have been sold - love you all getting behind prom!!!

If you’ve been thinking, “I’ll get around to it…” You have 2 days! Early Bird pricing ends COB Tuesday 14 July, so make sure you grab your tickets before the price goes up!

Optional glam prom extras are available via CDF Pay. Getting a group together? Tables seat 10 to 12 people. Have a favourite 80’s anthem? Please email your table details or song requests to promqueens2026@gmail.com. No table group? No worries, let us know your year level and we’ll allocate you to one.

Secure your tickets here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cdfpay

The only thing worse than bad 80’s fashion is missing the biggest 80’s party of the year!

See you on the dance floor!!! Love the Prom Queens

Save the date - Father's Day - 4th September

Friday Treats

Friday Treats start back this week, lamingtons are 50c each or 2 for $1. Please volunteer to serve lamingtons via this link- https://volunteersignup.org/T8HPD

Food Day - 6th August

Next food day with be SUBWAY on 6th August. More information available soon.

Bunnings BBQ- 8th August, Vermont South

Come and grab and sausage and say hello!

We’re also in need of some more volunteers please- https://volunteersignup.org/B3J3M

Pop this in your diaries - St John’s Parish Community Fete

Save the date! Saturday 21st November.

More information to come.

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 3- 2026 · 13 Jul 2026

In this issue