Principal's Post

Dear Families,

Five of our Year Six leaders, together with Mr Josh Crowe attended Aquinas College today and participated in the LONG WALK. This provided a great opportunity for our St James school community to be part of such a significant local event during National Reconciliation Week.

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue. 

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Cross Country

We had 17 students represent St James at the District Cross Country event today. Congratulations to all competitors who ran their best and made us very proud. Well done to Nathan Bacus and Xavier Van Vuuren  who qualified for the Regional event to be held on Thursday 13th June at the Yarra Glen Race Course.

Thanks to the wonderful Catherine Wall who facilitated this event for our students and helped prepare them and to the teachers and support staff who attended today. 

Hawthorn Appearance TOMORROW

We are delighted to announce that four players from the Hawthorn AFL Football Team will be holding a Q&A session for our 3-6 year levels tomorrow afternoon. Any Hawks supporters can bring along merchandise to be signed and there will be opportunities for autographs and photos to be taken.

Deputy Principal's Network 

Last Thursday, St James hosted the Eastern Region Deputy Network, welcoming Psychologist Maria Ruberto who presented to almost 50 MACS Deputy Principals. Maria's work with the DPs has focused on staff and student wellbeing, learning more about our brain's function and the vital importance of building resilience to help manage our daily lives.  It was satisfying to hear some positive comments from Maria and a number of other DPs, about the positive vibe they noticed around the school. They also specifically acknowledged the great benefit of our school animals (chickens and goats), and the impact it has on the wellbeing of all our community members. 

First Aid Resilience

Last Monday and Tuesday Monica DeLeo, Anita Dell'orso and myself had the privilege of attending 'The Hangar" in Essendon where renowned psychologist Maria Ruberto, who worked with the staff and parents last year, led us through a First Aid course in Resilience. This was based on research into the brain and how we can look for signs of a lack of resilience in our students, then implement strategies to help our students become more resilient. 

$400 School Saving Bonus - letter to local politicians

MACS have suggested that as a community our parents may wish to write to our local state member of Parliament, Mr  John Mullahy to express our disappointment at the fact that only approximately twenty families from St James will qualify for this payment from the state government.

I urge you to consider using this linked letter to send to John Mullahy at john.mullahy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Crossing Supervisor

Chris has returned to look after our students who cross Centre Road. While it's lovely to have Chris back for now, she will need to take some time off in the future while she undergoes some surgery.

Given the building works and disruptions to traffic flow out the front of the school at times, the use of the crossing to cross the road is an essential safety procedure.

P&F St James Major Fundraiser 

We are delighted that tickets are now SOLD OUT! However, we still need donations for our  raffles and fund-raising activities please. 

Catholic Secondary College Enrolments for Current Year Five Students

Students must be enrolled when in Year Five. Enrolments close on Friday 16 August. 

St James is a direct feeder school to Emmaus College, Aquinas College, Our Lady of Sion College and Whitefriars College. This means that St James catholic students receive direct entry and St James non -catholic students receive greater consideration of entry into these secondary colleges.

FOOD ALLERGY WEEK 26 MAY – 1 JUNE 2024

Food Allergy Week is an initiative of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and is dedicated to promoting community understanding of food allergy, to help protect those at risk of anaphylaxis. The theme for 2024 is: When eating out, Always Ask, Always Tell. Everyone living with food allergy, and those around them, need to become more ‘allergy aware’ - because not talking about it and presuming food is safe increases the risk of a serious allergic reaction.  As many of our St James families manage food allergies, it is important for us to be 'allergy aware'. Click here for more information.

Enjoy a great week ahead! 

Dave