Parents Association

To our wonderful St James Community

This year has presented us with challenges never faced before, and restrictions have meant that the beloved events and occasions that allow us to come together as a community have not happened. From the Walkathon to the Main Event for parents. Oaks Day and End of Year party. This year, we have had to place many events on hold, to keep the community safe. We have been working in the background, checking in with the school to find ways to support our children, staff and parents. We've had to pivot and be flexible and hope that 2021 can bring with it a return to more normal existence where we can come together to work hard for the benefit of our community. Particularly for our new families, who we hope can participate and experience the wonderful events we normally hold.

We appreciate and thank all of our current 2020 reps and those who have volunteered for the roles of hosting and running events this year. Events don't happen without the dedication and passion of this group of people. Many hands make light work, and this year we have seen teams of volunteers work together to support our year levels and the wider community.

To help us plan for a smooth transition for 2021, we are asking for volunteers for our classroom rep roles, and events. The rep and event positions can be a team of people, and need not fall on one person. We have listed tentative dates for various events throughout the year (if COVID restrictions and school operations guidelines allow). We urge anyone in our community who can offer their time to consider taking on the role of a classroom rep, or running an event.

If you see a blank space on the table below, and feel you, or a team of you can help - please email the office info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au, who will add you to our contact roster.

As you know, Paul Cheshire has very generously taken on the role of 'King Dad' in leading the Dad's committee for the last two years. Paul would love to open the door to another Dad or group of Dads to take on this role in 2021. With most things, many hands make light work, and so we encourage anyone interested to please contact Paul or the office. This role includes organising the Dad's camp, Bunnings Sausage sizzle, Dad's social nights and events and is a very rewarding role within our community.

We are holding our next (and final for 2020) STJPA meeting on Monday Nov 30 at 7.30pm. New volunteers for 2021 are welcome to attend via our Google Meet link: please email Kate kkorber@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au or Kat katrina.cheshire@bigpond.com if you are wanting to attend and not a current rep.

We would like to acknowledge the reps and event volunteers in our community who have volunteered their time this year. Schools cannot run without the dedication of parents, and our children are ultimately the ones who reap the reward.

Thank you to the following who volunteered for roles as reps or event co ordinators this year. Even if some events didn't go ahead, your offers of help did not go unnoticed

Tanya Schiffter
Candice Murray-Beckman
Deb O’Reilly
Paul Cheshire
Adrian Rowse
Blair Sands
Scott Jarvis
Sarah Webb
Michelle Thomas
Lee Hemingway
Jo Picking
Donette Simmons
Zoe Saunders
Deb Richardson
Jo Shields
Paula Ince
Tania Wallace
Fiona Vaughan
Fiona Patterson
Prue Read
Kate Digney
Liz Mee
Marina McCubbery
Belinda Chapman
Connie Sands
Kylie Martin
Donette Simmons
Jackie Hancock

and anyone who added their extra hands at the last minute. We thank you and hope you can help us next year when things get back on track!

Many thanks

Kate Korber and Kat Cheshire

Co-chairs STJPA

Tentative dates for 2021 (please note these may change depending on COVID restrictions)

WELCOME DISCO - Friday 12th Feb

PANCAKE DAY - Tuesday 16th Feb

DAD'S CAMP - FRIDAY 12-14 MARCH

EASTER RAFFLE - Thursday 1st April

WALKATHON / FUN RUN - Friday 23rd April

MOTHERS DAY LUNCH - Saturday 1st May (TBC)MAIN EVENT- Sat 28th Aug or Sat 4th Sep (TBC)FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST T3 (TBC)GRANDPARENTS DAY - Friday 22nd Oct

OAKS DAY LUNCH - Thursday 4th Nov

BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE - TBC

END OF YEAR PARENT XMAS PARTY - TBC