Principal's Post

Dear Families,

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and the energy and impressive moves from Thursday night's school disco continued across your kitchen dancefloors over the subsequent days. Thanks so much to our Year One mums - Linda, Anoushka and Kelly, supported by Jason and team for organising and executing such a well attended, fun and energetic event. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it and it would not have been possible without all your planning, hard work, time and effort in the lead up and on the night itself. Thanks to the numerous other volunteers who helped ensure it was a fun and safe event for all.

Celebrating Confirmation on Friday Evening

Our Year Six students have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation for the past two months. The celebration commences in our St John's church at 6.00pm this Friday evening and will be celebrated by Bishop Les Tomlinson with Fr Maurie Cooney concelebrating.

Thanks to the Year Six teachers; Tim Flintoff, Monica DeLeo and Josh Crowe, who is also our Religious Education Faith Leader for preparing the students in partnership with parents and organising Friday night.

80s Prom Night - this Saturday

Looking forward to seeing you all this Saturday night! It’s going to be an awesome night of fun and dancing.

MACS Funding of Catholic Schools 

As I mentioned in earlier newsletters, there has been a great deal of media and social media interest and rumours regarding the future  funding of Catholic schools and the implications this may have on all schools. 

While there will need to be some budget alterations for us here at St James, there will be no change to our class structures. We will be keeping our structure of 14 straight classes averaging approximately 25 per class, supported with Learning Support Officers in the classes.

I caution families to be aware that many rumours will circulate over the next few months and know that I will keep you all informed once any firm decisions have been made. Our School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion around this, as we maintain our focus on student academic learning and social/emotional development.

Learning Conferences

Our Learning conferences will be on the following days this term;

Thursday 17th September,  (Onsite) – 3:40 pm to 7:00 pm                                                          Friday 18th September, (Onsite)  –  8:30 am to 10:00 am    

Friday 18th September  (Online)  – 10:30 am to 11:30 am

Conferences are an opportunity for students, parents and teachers to discuss your child's learning progress and future goals. Please note that students will not have classes on the Friday. Students should only attend if they have a scheduled onsite conference, and if possible the online conference too. MACSEYE will operate a full day program if required by families. Bookings are currently open via MACSEYE.  Teachers will be onsite until 12:30pm, taking the rest of their work day as Time in Lieu. 

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 Six Parent/Carer Newsletter.  

St John's Fete - 21st November

We are seeking your support with this years Annual St John's Parish Community Fete. Every year we have hundreds of volunteers from across the school and Parish to work on stalls, give donations and coordinate stalls. The fete needs volunteers to make it the great success that it is each year.

I am seeking volunteers from our school parents to join the Fete Committee this year. It can be for just one year or longer.

Your role would be to attend a few meetings in the lead up to the 20 November Fete Day and assist with communications and promotions across the school community.

Please consider one of the following roles and email either myself, Jen Harvey or Roshan venittoroshan@hotmail.com  should you have any questions or wish to volunteer for one of these roles either as the coordinator or assistant. Various role descriptions are on the Parish Fete page of this newsletter.

Congratulations

Payton and Sasha received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on 12th July 2026.

They were delighted to share the day with their family and God Parents.

Fathers Day Breakfast & Stall - 4th September 

Breakfast orders and tickets available now on CDF Pay.

More information about the stall coming soon. 

We are still seeking a few more volunteers to help on the day please- https://volunteersignup.org/4FKQP

Enjoy the week ahead. As many of you know this is my final week for the term before my wife and I head off to the USA to visit two of our children currently working in LA and New York. I know the community will support Anita Dell'Orso in the role of Acting Principal and Josh Crowe in the role of Acting Deputy Principal for the final four weeks of the term.

Dave