St James News

Principal's Post

Dear Families,

I am extremely proud of our hardworking students, staff and parents who are persevering with learning in this style, despite the monotony at times. While I cannot be sure of what will happen, current indications have given me greater hope that  we will return to onsite learning next term. Of course we need to wait and see what the government says!

 

Our whole school check in  two weeks ago with every student proved a great success in gauging where students are at emotionally and how they are coping with Remote Learning. The connection between class teacher and student is not to be underestimated. Consequently, class teachers will be contacting all students in their class once again over the next two weeks. 

 

We have decided to delay our usual end of Term Three Learning Conferences until Term Four. We believe that this timing may be of better value to students and their learning.

Minimal Screen Monday

Next Monday 7 September is a whole school Minimal Screen Monday. I have asked all staff not to prepare lessons and slides in the usual way. The idea of the day is that families have a break from the usual Remote Learning routines. It provides an opportunity for parents to decide whether your children do a little, a lot or no work for the day.

There will be no assembly, no hangouts and no staff contact for the day.

 

Monday's slides will be sent out on Friday afternoon and I encourage parents to have a look at some of the suggested activities which will have a sustainability focus. As you know, our whole school has had learning centered around sustainability throughout this term. You may wish to gather some supplies over the weekend ready for Monday or not. Slides will also indicate that students may complete some specialist tasks, optional tasks or continue with, "Projects underway" if parents choose.

 

While teachers will be planning, assessing and collaborating in their levels, I have instructed them to take a few hours away from the screen and look after themselves at some stage during the day too.

 

We will continue to provide on site supervision for families with permits who require this.

 

I hope this day is advantageous to our community .

 

In short:

  • Head to the P & F Page to check out a great community initiative whereby we can help those in need during COVID restrictions
  • Keep looking out for emails and updates
  • We are in the process of finalising a Prep 2020 and Prep 2021 Transition to School Webinar. Further details will be sent home ASAP.
  • Have a look in the Spotlight on Learning section to find out about our St James' Got Talent quest organised by Mrs Siva and some of our Year Six leaders
  • We're celebrating our dads this Friday with an assembly where all children have been invited to contribute something about their dad and /or the person like a dad in their life.It will be pre- recorded, so you can access it at a time that best suits you. Look for, 'All About Our Dads"

Board Shorts

Our next Education Board Meeting is on this Thursday evening via a google meet. 6.30 - 7.45pm

Parents: Find Your 30!

Following the success of the students', "Find Your Thirty" we thought we'd give you the opportunity to earn points for your family house team; Coghlan, Dillon, Durkin or Lyons.

All you need to do is register the exercise you are already doing, or if not, challenge yourself to find 30 mins per day to exercise and record this to accumulate points for your family house team. 

Mrs Feild will send out instructions of how to register and gain points for your children's house. I'm not sure will prove the most competitive; parents or students?

Some Words of Advice from our Business Manager, Hannah

The Victorian government, through the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides a $125 payment per year for eligible students to ensure no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities.

St James in turn, will support and match a fee relief of $125 per year for valid CSEF card holders.

Application eligibility criteria: Holder of a Veterans Affairs Gold Card or Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card or a temporary foster parent (further details on the website).  It is my opinion that some of our St James families may be missing out on this assistance simply because they have not applied.

The one page application form is available at the school or click on the website below https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund/resources

 

Assembly link from this morning

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W0qFf9c3fkTqXFW2oCttizUFjhR5hga0/view?usp=sharing

 

Newsletter Translation

Did you know that you can translate our newsletter into another language??  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Fathers' Day to all our dads -and to those who are like dads to us...

 

Most importantly, stay safe.

 

Dave