Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the month of June. The last two weeks have definitely been filled with many learning opportunities for staff and students. I would like once again to thank you all for the congratulations, kind and caring words, emails and messages that I continue to receive.

Pentecost and National Reconciliation Week

On Sunday we celebrated Pentecost. This is like the Church's Birthday, when all disciples,

filled with the Holy Spirit, are asked to go out and spread the good news. Each one of us has the ability to take on the responsibility of being a disciple and showing others how to be kind and treat others with respect and dignity. Pentecost coincides beautifully with the beginning of National Reconciliation week. This year the theme is “Be a voice for Generations”. It is up to us now, to be that voice and to try and correct all the wrong doing imposed on Indigenous people.

Prayer for National Reconciliation Week

Lord, open up our hearts so that we may hear the message you teach of a world in which the wrongs of the past are recognised - a world in which a reconciled people walk and talk together sharing stories; a world in which all burn with the desire to have your peace and justice reign. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Mothers Day Lunch

Thank you so much to the organising committee for this years Mother’s Day Luncheon held at Elwood bathers. This year a group of staff members attended. It was a great opportunity to catch up with and celebrate all the Mothers in our St James school community, past and present.

Thank you to Michelle, Cass and Kate for organising this memorable event and for all the women in our school community who supported and attended the event.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

St James has a long history of partnering with Vinnies, the Winter Appeal, Christmas hampers, Vinnies pantry and more. This year MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) have extended an invitation to School Principals to participate in the Vinnies CEO sleepout to continue to raise awareness amongst the community about homelessness.

To continue to raise awareness within the school and community and support this important cause, I have decided to participate in this year's Vinnies CEO Sleepout which is a fundraising event. The sleepout will be held on the 22nd June.

My goal is to raise $5000 to help Vinnies provide food, accommodation and essential services to people at risk and experiencing homelessness.

If you would like to support this cause, here is a link to my fundraising page:

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/carmelinacorio

Thank you in advance for supporting this cause.

Staffing news

Ann Nicola has been at the school for 23 years as a learning support officer, library technician, enthusiastic staff member on school camps, caterer, admin support and helping out wherever possible. She is a valued member of staff. Ann will be taking a period of well deserved long service leave, before retiring next year. There will be the opportunity to farewell Ann Nicola at a school assembly later this year.

Ange Franich, our dedicated school administrator has decided to replace Ann Nicola in the school library whilst Ann Nicola is on long service leave. Ange will be working in the library every Tuesday and Wednesday and overseeing the borrowing and returning of library books with all students. We have recently purchased a new library software program named “Oliver”, which both Ann and Ange will be using in the library. Ange will continue to publish the school newsletter once a fortnight.

With Ange moving into the school library, we welcome Mrs Iris Webster as the full time School Admin. Ange, Imelda and Iris will collectively support school administration at St James.

South Central Principal Conference - Darwin

Last week I attended the South Central Principal network conference in Darwin. 15 School Principals from neighboring schools attended. The focus of the Conference was to further deepen our knowledge and understanding about indigenous perspectives.

Some of the highlights included: travelling to Kakadu National Park to view the rock art gallery at Ubirr, where we were able to see paintings of animals, traditional x-ray art, and paintings of early contact with European people.

We participated in a cultural immersion program at the Bishop Collins Centre in Darwin. Where I met Indi and Lenni’s aunty. The experience was eye opening and reinforced the need for all of us to better understand Indigenous perspectives/culture.

We also travelled to the Tiwi Islands by ferry, where we participated in a cultural program, and visited the oldest Catholic Church on the Island.

I look forward to sharing more about the conference in future newsletters.

School Crossing Safety

Can I please remind all families to use the designated school crossings for the safety of all. We continue to receive reports of students crossing roads on their own or in groups in places where it is unsafe to do so.

St James School Vision and School Priorities. (POST REVIEW) Last year the school participated in our school review. Following the review we received a report including recommendations for forward planning. We have met as a Leadership team and in consultation with staff and MACS consultants have set our new school priorities for continuous improvement for the next four years. (Please see the attached information).

PREP 2024 ENROLMENTS CLOSING SOON

Can I kindly ask that current families with a child due to commence Prep in 2024 submit their completed enrolment forms so additional places can be offered to new families.

Thank you!

COVID-19 Safety at School (Updated protocols)

St James Catholic Primary School (School Portal)

Please click here to access the School Portal https://sites.google.com/stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au/stjamescatholicprimaryschool-r/school-portal-home-page

Working With Children Checks

St James is a Child Safe School. As part of our Child Safe practices and processes we are required to maintain up to date information of parents and volunteers who hold a current (Working With Children Check) and would like to assist with a school activity.

If you currently hold a WWCC and intend on helping out with school activities in the near or not too distant future, can you please fill in the attached Google Form.

Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact School Admin on info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Please update your information on the following WWCC Google Form if you have renewed or attained your WWCC.

Social Media - Please follow, like and share our school Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Feeds.

School Website: ww.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Twitter: St James Catholic Primary School, 3186

Instagram: stjamesbrighton3186

Facebook: @stjamesbrighton3186

Please stay safe and healthy.

Carmelina Corio (Principal)

Learning Diversity