Principal's News
At yesterday's Assembly the Year 1 children under the teaching influence and choreography of Ms Bernie Whiffen and Mrs Antoinette Ferrari, presented some beautiful haiku poetry recitals and dancing to Justin Timberlake ‘Can't stop the feeling’. The poetic words and energy was timely given the challenging week that St James and the Brighton community have experienced. As I write this Ms Whiffen is being thanked by another staff member as she climbs the stairs, and her response was ’that they just had joy’. And that is what it was.
When a community loses a loved member of the community we can at times feel overwhelmed by the heaviness of a deep loss and we can't stop the feeling. Joy is lacking. The shock of this week with the passing of Jacinta Dwyer does present us with a range of emotions. When something severs our community, our connections are frayed and our own unresolved traumas can surface. There will be some of us that will take time to work through the stages of grief and an acceptance of loss and hope for a future, as nothing will be the same again. It is OK to meander through the stages.
Understanding the facts and telling the story doesn’t actually alter the physical and hormonal responses of our bodies. Trauma reshapes our body and brain and it is important that we engage in focussing on not only our mind but also our body. Meditation, yoga, sports, drama, music etc., can aid in the healing process.
Yesterday as Ms Whiffen said the children just had joy. It was obvious in their recitals and movement. They had the feeling. It may take some time for us to reclaim our sense of where we are, however with the love and support that St James spreads, the journey will be co-owned and shared. Take time for each other and yourself.
Following the Year 1 presentation I also mentioned to our students that Jesus is our friend. He understands our hurt, when we are struggling, are fragile, our shortcomings, as he too experienced life and what was served up to him. Prayer and our relationship with God also strengthens our resolve.
If parents require additional support please contact me. Faye Crouch our school Counsellor from CatholicCare has provided some helpful hints from Jesuit Social Services that are available from the office.
A Mass will be held at St James pop up at 7.30pm Tuesday night with Fr Martin in memory of Jacinta.
Year 5 Family Faith Night
This afternoon the Year 5 students and their parents are gathering for the Faith Night. The focus on the session is the students' understanding of leadership with a Christian context.
What does Leadership look like? What does leadership mean? What qualities do leaders need? What is Servant leadership?
The Year 5s are currently involved in a Super Speak program to prepare them for their application for a portfolio of leadership next year. The formation of our future leaders is important , as this group will have the privilege and honour of leading St James next year and will also assist them in being a leader in their own right into the future.
Parish Meeting
At 7.30 pm tonight, Fr Martin, Arthur Andronas (the architect for the reconstruction of the St James church), with additional members from the Melbourne Archdiocese will be presenting the recent development of the Church. This is an exciting time for the parish of Brighton.
Our identity as a parish, and our school, which is a significant part of the St James Parish continues to evolve. Whilst we are mindful of the strength of our traditions as a Catholic faith community of the past, our parish, church and school needs to be able to recontextualize our faith and our place in today's world by becoming a dialogue parish that is open to fusing our Catholic religiosity with today’s context.
Not only at St James but in the Church, interruptions and review of practices continue to operate in our Christian Catholic tradition and this demands recontextualisation.
If you are able, please come along at 7.30pm tonight. As families of the school you are an important part of our Church into the future.
2018 Student Book/Stationery Requirements
A hard copy of the 2018 Requirements List for each year level has been sent home with students today. Order deadlines and delivery information are communicated on the same document.
Orders placed on or before December with OfficeMax, will be delivered free of charge before the end of December 2017.
N.B. When ordering, please take into account your child's current stationery items, as you may not be required to order all items listed.
School Fees
Please note that the final instalment of 2018 school fees was due 15 September.
Term 4 - Summer Uniform
The St James Summer Uniform is compulsory from this week, commencing 23 October. Although the weather is inconsistent in Melbourne, please ensure each day, that your children wear both sunscreen and hats. We do enforce a 'no hat no play’ rule this term.
Brendan