This Week's Updates
Dear Parents,
Congratulations to all our students who took part in our Cross Country Event on Friday. The sun came out just at the right time and it was a beautiful afternoon for running. We were so proud of all the students for participating and a special shoutout to Mrs. Catherine Wall, with help from many of our Year Six students for all their hard work and efforts in coordinating such a successful event. House Lyons (Green) are this year's reigning champions! Well done everyone.
Language Leaders 2024
Please click here for a video message from our wonderful Language Leaders – Chloe & Lucy and read the translation below to understand what they are signing.
Translation:
Why do you enjoy Auslan?
Chloe – I enjoy Auslan because it’s a unique language that not many students have the opportunity to learn. You can communicate with anyone in the Deaf community and it’s fun to learn!
Lucy – Auslan is such an interesting language. You can’t use your voice, instead you communicate with your hands. Keeping your voice off can be challenging! Signing is visual, which makes it easier for me to remember the vocabulary. Also, it’s lovely to see Deaf people get excited if they realise that you can sign.
What is your favourite sign?
Chloe – ‘Easter’ because it represents the sign of the cross and also hot cross buns.
Lucy – I like the sign for ‘rubbish’ because it looks like a seal.
What is a myth about signing you wish you could eliminate?
Chloe – If people see me signing, they assume I’m Deaf. I wish that people understood that anyone can sign, whether you’re hearing or Deaf!
Lucy – It’s frustrating that a lot of hearing people assume that the middle finger means something rude in Auslan, when it’s really just one of the handshapes we use to sign.
Mulch moving help required
As part of our upcoming building works, we need to move mulch from the top playground to the bottom playground and need your help from 2:30 - 5pm on either Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th April. A few wheelbarrows and pitchforks/shovels would be useful. Please let the office know ASAP if you can assist. 30 mins of your time would make a big difference and be really appreciated.
Marathon Club will resume on this Wednesday 24 April
Prep 2025 Enrolments
We are collating our enrolments for Prep 2025 and would like enrolments to be submitted by ANZAC Day. You can either collect a form from the school office or we can send one home with siblings at the school or you may download a form from our website.
ANZAC Day - Thursday 25th April
We will commemorate ANZAC day on Wednesday morning at 10:45am by laying flowers at our flagpole in the quadrangle. Please bring some flowers from your gardens to lay in commemoration of our fallen soldiers.
Some of our Year 6 Leaders will participate in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service reading a prayer and laying a wreath at Halliday Park on Thursday, 25 April at 5:45am. All families are welcome to attend if you wish.
An ANZAC Day message from Michael Sukkar MP
A message for Anzac Day
On Anzac Day, the Deakin community will take a moment to reflect on the brave men and women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts and on peacekeeping operations.
I encourage you to attend a local service this Anzac Day. I have outlined below some of the events and services in our local community.
If you'd like further details, please let me know and we can put you in touch with your local RSL or community group.
We are forever grateful to the men and women, past and present, who have served in our Army, Navy, and Air Force.
If you know of someone who may be finding it difficult at this time of year, please let them know the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provides free and confidential counselling 24/7 on 1800 011 046.
Lest We Forget.
The Hon Michael Sukkar MP Federal Member for Deakin, Shadow Minister for Social Services, Shadow Minister for NDIS, Shadow Minister for Housing Shadow Minister for Homelessness
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Auskick is Back! - Saturday May the 4th
To register for the St James Auskick, please click here or scan the QR code below
Pasta Day - Wednesday 8th May
Wednesday 8th May is Pasta Day! You can order via CDF pay. Orders close by midnight on Tuesday 30th April.
Walk to school day - Thursday 9th May
We will be holding our annual Walk To School Day at St. James on Thursday 9th May. We look forward to participating with your children at this event which promotes a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Mothers Day Celebrations - Friday 10th May
On Friday 10th May, we will be celebrating Mother's Day commencing at 8:15am with a light morning tea.
And for Dads eyes only, please see below attachment for information on our Mothers Day Stall.
Save the date from the P & F Major Social Function Crew
Mark your diaries for St James’ Major Social Event for the year!
The night is hoping to be one of the biggest fundraising events ever, so we need YOU to be there! So book your tickets NOW!
Building Works Update
We are excited to announce that building works will commence in May. Unfortunately,
there will be some disruption to parking for the remainder of the year depending on the number of tradies we will have onsite at once. We appreciate your patience with this. You may wish to consider using the Frank Street pedestrian gate or the gate closest to Blanche Drive for drop off and pick up.
Upcoming events
You are warmly invited to come to the St John’s 2024 Women’s Retreat Weekend!
It will be held at Pallotti College, Millgrove from May 17th – 19th.
The title for the weekend is “The Lives We Actually Have”
We will be using the symbol of a cup – what is the cup of your life looking like at the moment? Full? Empty? Broken? Polished? Stained?
Based loosely on the work of Kate Bowler, we will look at honouring the actual days we are living – in all their messy, routine ordinariness - not just the shiny “insta-worthy” moments.
- How can we find space to reckon with the unresolved pain of being a human being in a world that prefers a slick solution?
- How can we connect with God honestly in the midst of lives and relationships that can often feel flat and difficult?
- How can we experience the actual presence of God and the love of a spiritual community?
To register to attend, you need to book online via the below link: https://forms.gle/6GPHN29aoF59fF6p7
If you are unable to use the link, or have any questions, please phone Lorraine on 0402 217123 or reply to this email lorraine613@bigpond.com
Upcoming Dates
- Please see Important Dates for further information.
Have a great week,
Dave