Principal's News

Building Update - Important news

The end of the term is approaching as is the end of the building project. With good weather and no interruptions to the building progress, Bowden Constructions will be handing back to us the final completion of our beautiful new learning spaces on June 27.  The bridge will be complete and the staffroom and learning spaces on the ground floor ready. Over the holiday break the playground will be reinstalled, site shed removed and the school cleaned and ready for the second half of the year.  After a 10-12 month period of disruption which we have adjusted to well, we will have one of the best looking learning spaces.

To further increase the presentation of the school we will be replacing the old and tired grass areas on both sides of the school and laying new synthetic turf.  In addition the exterior of the school will be painted as well as the interior of the Tilley building. New carpet will also be laid in the entrance area to the main building. We are also awaiting a firm quote on the replacement of the brick pathways.  All of these adjustments are well overdue. The coordination of these works will occur into the second half of the year once Bowden Construction are off site. These works will match the general improvement to the appearance of St James and a school for you and your child to be proud of.

School Opening

The opening of the new spaces will be on July 25, St James Day.  Further details will follow. Fr Martin has organized the Presentation sisters to be present for the opening which is respectful of the sisters establishment of St James since their arrival in 1885 to Gardenvale from Kildare Ireland.  We have much to be grateful for. For the many sister teachers, Principals, parents and children who have been important for who we are today.

Information for parents

At this point in time our teachers are not only writing the mid year school reports but also attending to the constant requirement of planning curriculum and adjustments for learning.  I can only emphasize the highly professional approach our teachers commit for your children. They commence their day early and leave late of an afternoon. All schools are required to act within the guidelines of the NCCD and this has enhanced and confirmed the professional edge they commit to supporting the learning development of your children.

The National Child Collection of Data is the mechanism that Federal and State governments use to fund students who require adjustment to their learning. It has been progressively implemented since 2015 and is based on the mandatory obligations to students under the national Disability Discrimination Act 2015 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE)  Under the NCCD model, our teachers and with the leadership of Karlee Agnew as Learning Diversity Leader use their professional, informed judgement based on evidence, to determine the level of adjustments students with disability receive in both the classroom and whole school environment, as well as the broad category of disability that related to their adjustment. Documentation for 2020 funding is to be submitted in August.

Student identifying information is provided to the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria for the purposes of school funding.  The information provided to CECV to the Department of Education will not contain any identifying student details.

If parents require further information please refer to the NCCD site or contact the school.

Walkathon

Thanks to all those who are volunteering their time for our Walkathon tomorrow morning.  I know that some parents take time off work for this and for this we are grateful. Hopefully the weather is kind to us tomorrow morning.

School Reports / Parent Teacher Interviews

School Reports will be available online to parents on Friday 21st June with Parent Teacher interviews to follow on Wednesday 26th June.

Please ensure that you have booked a time with your child's teacher

by going to the school website  https://www.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au/

clicking on School Bookings and entering code  8tgmc

Please note that students will be dismissed early on 

Wednesday 26th June @ 1pm  Parent Teacher

Friday 28th June @ 1:30pm Final day of Term 2

Chess Incursion

On Wednesday 19th June ‘Chess for Kids’ will run a Free Chess Incursion for any children who may be interested in learning how to play chess.

Please see advertisement on the 'What's On' page.

St James Beanies

There are a limited number of St James Beanies for sale at the school office.  $10 ea.  Please see Imelda and Ange if you would like to purchase one.

Brendan