Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This week half of our school family returned to school and it was great to have our younger children back after a prolonged period of absence The children were overjoyed to be back with their teacher and to be reacquainted with their friends. The parents were also happy to have them back at school so that life could return to some type of ‘normal’ . The children bounced out of the family car and through the gate. I did not see one parent pushing their loved one through the fence after the long period away from St James!

Congratulations to all parents for guiding your child with the remote learning platform.

Thankfully our school parents and teachers are providing that wrap around support. The time ahead will require us all to be alert to changes in the nervous systems of our children. In the previous weeks our staff have been introduced to the study of Professor Peter O’Connor from the University of Auckland who has worked in schools and theatre productions in assisting groups to deal with tragedy and trauma. We are conscious of our need to be attentive to the social emotional state of our children and will continue to provide that space for calmness and to allow for the different expressions of oou children. The Arts and literature is a means to ensure this happens.

In the words of Peter,

‘Coming back to the classroom after a long break because the world has changed can be a tricky time for many children. For some it’s really hard to find the words to describe how they feel. Finding safe ways to explore emotions, protecting children so they can risk sharing their worries and concerns and providing some tools to help cope with worries is an important part of settling back into school.’

There is also a quote in Peter Levine and Maggie Kline’s book ‘Trauma through child’s eyes’ that expresses our adult responsibility to support all our children.

‘The single best indicator of children doing well is the presence of an involved competent caring adult’.

The period ahead of uncertainty will continue for a while and it is very important that we continue to be compassionate and attentive to all in our school community.

Health and Safety

As you would be aware we have introduced the restrictions to support the health and safety of the children and staff. The car drop off/ pick up is working well and there have been extensive measures for cleaning in the school. This will continue until we receive updated advice from health authorities.

In the staff briefing on Monday I congratulated the staff on their magnificent effort over the past months. There were probably times when they were wilting but thanks to the kind and grateful messages of support from you, they have continued to adapt the remote learning platform to support all of our children.

In the Catholic Education Melbourne news events this week, we were featured with Kate Korber’s school St Thomas More Hadfield, welcoming our Junior schools back. The following appeared in the CEM news.

26 May 2020

It has been an exciting first day back at school for Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students all over Victoria. Making a video to welcome the children back to school proved to be beneficial for St Thomas More’s School, Hadfield, and St James’ School, Brighton.

When the staff at St James’ School made their welcome back video, ‘we wanted the students to hear just how happy we are that they were returning’, said Principal Brendan Flanagan.

‘We have received positive feedback from the parents and students this morning that they were all excited to return and that the video helped. All along we have strived to send out positive messages to the St James’ School community in the current circumstances. Today we returned to school after a period of prolonged absence, and what joy and fun there was in the school. It was important that the children returned to a place that was familiar, safe and with a feeling of calmness. There was also great joy in the air, and how pleased the children and parents were to come home to our school family’, said Deputy Principal Carmelina Corio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqHahjo-60&feature=youtu.be

It is wonderful to be back at school.

A Reconciliation Week Prayer

Acknowledgement of the Land

As we gather to pray for Reconciliation may we remember that May 27 and June 3 are important dates in Australia’s history. May 27 marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. June 3 marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title—the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonisation; and so we acknowledge that we gather today on the land of the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation and pay our respects to their elders both past and present, for they hold the memories, the culture and the wisdom upon which our nation’s future will be built.

God of love and justice, we pray that our political, religious and community leaders act in the interests of all the people in this land... that they walk the talk of reconciliation.

Lord hear us

Extra Curricula Activities

Taekwondo, Piano and Guitar lessons will continue remotely.

Tennis lessons with Nik Morey will continue on the St James tennis courts.

WONDERFUL NEWS

Congratulations to Mrs Dodds and family, who have welcomed their beautiful daughter Estella into the world. Estella weighed 3.4 kgs at birth and is perfect in every way, particularly being a gorgeous little sister to Polly, who loves her very much!

Wishing the Dodds every happiness with their beautiful little family.

Regards,

Brendan Flanagan

Principal

St James News

BULLETIN

WEEK 7 TERM 2 · 28 May 2020

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