Principal's News
A VERY WARM WELCOME TO THE
CRINIS TWINS
MAVERICK James & CASSIDY Belle
Born Friday 16th of September
at 5.18 and 5.29pm - last day of term 3
which was a great start to the school holidays!
We are looking forward to the day when they can pay us a visit.
Congratulations to Marissa, Nick, Jackson and Madison. Enjoy your Beautiful Family!
As we go about our day O God
As we strive to walk with Jesus as people of love
Remind us that we are the face of Christ
Who is with us always
May your grace, mercy and peace
Bless us, keep us, transform us all
This day, now and forever
In the rush to the line last term you may have missed the information in the letter from our School Advisory Chair, Helen Connell. I have included the message again today for those who may have missed it. As I get closer to the end of the year there are a number of mixed emotions that are popping up. There are many reflections of my time here at St James plus an anticipated projection of what the new Principalship at Clairvaux will bring. The time has flown by and there have been many wonderful experiences along the way. Great supportive parents, excellent hard working teachers and wonderful children. Strong memories to take with me to Geelong.
The Year 6 students were Preps when I commenced in 2016. This year's 2022 Year 12 students in numerous schools such as Star of the Sea, were Year 6 students in 2016.
There have been many children and families that have come and gone in my seven years, and many new young families now at St James. The spirit of St James will never change and it has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to lead and be a part of this healthy vibrant community. As a community we have had the collective responsibility and a commitment to form young lives so as to enrich our world inspired by our faith and light of Jesus.
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Dear Parents,
As you will have read in the newsletter today the Principal position for St James will be readvertised. The position will be advertised on October 8 and October 15 in the Catholic Education communication news and the Age.
This is not an uncommon feature as MACs Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic schools and the selection panel of MACs personnel, parents and an experienced Catholic School Principal, are seeking to ensure that St James attracts a strong candidate to take our school forward to its next stage of growth and development.
We pray that through our trust and hope in the Lord an appointment will be made soon.
After seven years as our Principal, Brendan is to commence his new Principal position at Clairvaux Catholic school in Geelong in 2023. With approval from MACs Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic school and in a recent meeting at the School Advisory Council, Brendan advised us that he will be taking a well deserved Long Service Leave break to ensure that he is refreshed and ready for the role of leading a large new school community.
Brendan will be commencing his leave and time for rest and regeneration from Friday November 11th and will return to be a part of the Year 6 school graduation later in the year Thursday 15th December, the Prep children that he commenced with in 2016.
Miss Carmelina Corio will be the acting Principal for the remaining school weeks.
Mrs Jess Conway will be teaching the Year 3/4CC full time during this time.
Regards
Helen Connell
School Advisory Chairperson
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School Fees
A reminder that school fees need to be paid in the coming weeks. Please refer to your fee statement and if you require another statement please contact the office.
Learning at St James
This week we again witnessed the engaging learning environment at St James with the Year 5 and 6 Expo. The response by parents to attend and see first hand the inquiry unit and the presentations of the student group work was a demonstration of collaborative manner of teaching and learning the St James way. At times we can be obsessed by identifying student progress by a raw score that tells us only so much of the students ability. Our focus on hands-on engagement and the surprising depth of different ways students work is the real learning parents encountered this week. We can be addicted to the cultural addiction to traditional methods of learning and a focus on a mark. Our breadth of data collection to drive and support teaching and learning accompanied by the soft skills needed for 21st century learning today is what will provide growth and enjoyment in learning and life. We saw it again this week.
If any parent would like to add what they witnessed this week for us to promote your child's school please feel free to contact us.
Parent Helpers and Mystery Readers
Look around, look around. Isn’t it great to see the Mums and Dads in the learning spaces.
Please see on the following Faith and Wellbeing page:
A Message to Parents and also further details to below invitation to Special Friends Day
(invitation created by Siena G Yr6)
Faith in our Future,
Brendan