Principal's News
With just under three weeks to go until the end of the school year, there are still many school events that are keeping us all focussed and energised to complete the year successfully.
In the remaining weeks it is important that we continue to remain positive and gentle with each other as we are all probably approaching a level of tiredness. It has been an enormous year and our community has again demonstrated a strong community spirit. It is wonderful to have everyone back at school and with no COVID interruption, unlike other schools across Melbourne.
In the past week we had a beautiful celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Tony Ireland. The insightful homilies at both Masses by Bishop Tony reframed the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I must say I have never heard the presence of the Holy Spirit used as an analogy to Bluetooth and Bunnings. The message was relatable to not only our Year 6 students but also the families present at the sacramental Mass.
The spirit continues to pervade our St James community and our quiet prayer for wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel etc can provide us with the strength to complete our school year.
This week we enter the first week of the Advent season, the preparation of the coming of the baby Jesus at Christmas.
As we light the first candle of Advent
keep us hopeful, O Lord, our God,
as we await the coming of your Son, Jesus,
who is hope for all the world.
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
Parent Association
The Annual General Meeting for the Parents Association will be held next Tuesday 20th November at 7.30pm. The PA play an important role in the life of our school. Now is the time for you to consider becoming a member of the Executive, as classroom Parent Representative or assisting in one of the many opportunities to lead and support school events. The satisfaction you will receive being a strong contributor to the life and development of our school will be immense. The PA over many years has ensured that our school, your school, continues to flourish.
Please consider how you can add to a legacy that many have contributed. I am happy to sit down and have a chat about anything that you may be interested in. Kate Korber and Kat Cheshire would also be willing to discuss the success of the PA.
PLUS Don’t Forget
To buy your tickets to the Annual St James Parents Party. This year's theme is "Wimbeldon Whites" and will be held locally at the Elsternwick Park Tennis Club on Friday 3rd of December.
This will be a fabulous night, where parents relax and reconnect with the parent community, and has been proven to be a huge success in previous years.
As time is drawing very near, in fact next week, please book your tickets via the following link: https://stjamesbrighton.cdfpay.org.au/MonitorOnline/app/#/app/main
Parent meeting
Many thanks to those who attended last Thursday’s parent information session, “Learning at St James - Multi age settings’. For those who were unable to attend I have provided some of the details from the Information session.
Firstly, the feedback we have received has been very positive. Even though the focus was on Year 3 and 4, what was presented is an example of education across all levels at St James. . The Multi-age grouping for 2022 in Year 3 and 4 is intentional and a philosophical choice with specific goals in mind.
- To provide a stimulating environment for children’s learning
- To provide opportunities for greater social interaction and collaboration
- To provide varying opportunities for children to learn from one another
- To develop leadership skills for students
- To enhance use of flexible groupings to target learning
- To strengthen teaching practices through increased collaboration, team planning, data analysis and professional learning
As was mentioned by the 2021 teachers, parents and children on Thursday evening, there are a number of beneficial factors that have been present this year in Year ¾.
The positive impact on social and emotional learning for children, our teachers are able to work together collaboratively to enhance learning, there has been greater opportunities for flexible groupings for learning, and there are balanced stimulated learning environments.
St James is an educational environment that supports and caters for every child and the curriculum is provided at the point of need for each child.
We will continue and reflect every year on how we can accommodate and plan for all children's development. This is not a process that is determined years in advance, but rather in the planning that occurs in Term 3 and 4 .
Class groupings are based around a number of factors: social dynamics, academic support and enrichment, gender, behaviour, social and emotional needs, age and maturity. This is a process that involves many discussions over time with the Leadership team and class teachers.
Thursday night's presentation by Olivia as Teaching and Learning Leader, the Leadership Team, classroom teachers, parent and child perspectives, allowed an opportunity for us to respond to the 'wonderings and curiosity' as per the Google doc sent to parents last week.
I would welcome your presence at the next Learning Walk on November 29 as this provides a visible portrayal of learning across all levels. We have already received a number of requests as the interest is high.
Student Stationery 2022
As per the previous year, all items will be bulk delivered to the school and stationery fees will be included in the school levies for 2022.
School Closure Day
Our next school closure day will be on Friday 3rd December. This day will be used to plan for the 2022 School Year. OSHClub will be running a Pupil Free Day session from 7.00am-6.00pm on Friday 3rd of December. Please note, bookings are essential and must be made by 5.00pm, Monday 29th of December.
Ms Whiffen
An Assembly will be held for Ms Whiffen on Monday 13th November to farewell Bernie after many many years in Catholic education. This will be a great opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions that Bernie has made to every child that she has taught. The change into retirement will be an interesting one. Bernie has invested so much love and time to St James. Please come along and attend to express your gratitude to Bernie.
A proud Dad
I have seen it a few times now. Moulin Rouge. I also know that a few parents have also been to the Regent theatre to see the dynamic performance i.e., Jo Foggo and Kate Tunney.
Des our son, plays the lead role as Christian with the co lead Alinta Chidzey (Chicago performer). The performance is stunning. Amazing sets, costumes, music, acting, drama and a love story. The performance is an adaptation of Baz Luhrman’s renowned film Moulin Rouge.
Des was a good country kid who was very fortunate that he had a great Catholic education (St Joseph's Beechworth and Galen College Wangaratta) with beautiful teachers who gave him many opportunities.
Teachers make the difference, spotting talent and nurturing their spirit and confidence.
Masks
Could I ask that parents supply their children with masks. We do hold a limited number at school for those children who may have forgotten to bring their mask with them on a daily basis.
COVID Safety Reminders
We ask everyone in our community to monitor for symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath and get testedif any symptoms appear and do not attend school. We ask that students remain at home if a household member is suspected of COVID - 19 until they receive a negative result.
Enjoy the final three weeks and hold on for the ride.
Faith in our future
Brendan