Principal's News
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Prayer Reflection
This week we enter the third Sunday of Lent. The Gospel reading from John is an interesting reading. Jesus is upset and disappointed that the temple is being used in a disrespectful manner and in essence is being used as a marketplace. He upends the tables and shows his annoyance that those present have missed the opportunity to be respectful in the sacred place of the temple.
What message do we take from this display in this season of Lent?
What angered Jesus so deeply was that the whole system then, and that same mindset now, can demean God and God’s love for us. We see many examples of our world's brokenness and misuse of power. It is there in the news everyday.
As we enter this weekend let's be mindful that the three day weekend can be a time to reflect, energise and focus on being more God like. Not to destroy our life or the temple of community that we share.
We can be in the wilderness and caught up in the frenetic nature of life. The time and space ahead of us can be an opportunity and an occasion for stillness, for reflection, for recreation, for re- energising and getting life into perspective.
2022 Enrolments
Currently we are accepting applications for 2022 Prep enrolments. To ensure that we cater for our current families, to reserve a place for a sibling, please ensure that you submit your application form by next Friday 12th March. Please access the School website and click on the Enrol Now tab. An enrolment form will then be forwarded to you.
If you are aware of other families who may be interested in a position at St James (in all levels), please direct them to the school website and encourage them to make contact with myself.
Bodyworks
This week we commenced our Bodyworks program for our Year 5 and 6 students with Amanda Parsons. Amanda has been delivering this program at St James since 2018.
Amanda is the director of Bodyworks and Wellbeing and possesses a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the Health and Physical Education field. Amanda has more than 20 years of experience leading educational departments and developing curriculum across a range of educational settings.
The growth of knowledge and skills will enable our students to make smart and wise choices about personal health and wellbeing throughout their lives. Amanda is well informed about the considerable influences on young people today and the importance of nurturing skills to enable communication and self confidence in our students.
Her professional manner with the students and knowledge in the curriculum area is welcomed every year.With confidence and awareness about how their bodies function and change throughout life, along with the development of personal health, wellbeing and safety strategies; we can equip our children with essential life skills.
School Promotion/ Garden Space
Yesterday we were fortunate to have Vas Clementine from MACs Publicity team (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic schools). Vas contacted St James as he was informed that the outdoor Tilley space had recently been transformed into a living space where the children could immerse themselves in a tranquil and calm space.
Vas believed that this would be a wonderful story to promote Catholic education on the eve of Catholic Education week commencing on Monday 15th March. The story will appear across all Catholic schools as a promotional link. We look forward to the story and the images and commentary.
The garden area will be very much a food forest with an extension of the kitchen garden that was established in stage 1. The focus was on using raw materials with an aim to be devoid of plastic and concrete. In this project journey we are educating the children and ourselves of using sustainable practices in a land based education environment. We are now heading towards the end of Stage 2. Stage 3 will include more layers of peace and tranquility.
We also plan to include a connection to our First Nations people and the Presentation sisters who commenced education at St James in 1883.
Naming the new garden area
The establishment of the parish school of St James predated that of Star of the Sea by a few weeks. St James has a long history as an educational community. The Presentation sisters arrived in Gardenvale in 1883 to commence education at St James. The last sisters to teach at St James was in 1978. To acknowledge the wonderful work over many years and appreciate the fact that we still have a vibrant school with the Presentation charism still an important feature of our school, Sr Una and Sr Frances Hargreaves two of our Presentation sisters, were asked to put their thinking caps on and suggest a name for the garden area. From all accounts they enlisted help from three other Sisters and Google!
We are also mindful that we are on sacred land. That of the Boon Wurrung country, our First Nations people.
Sr Una, Sr Frances and their helpers have proposed the following;
Sign board with the following – Our Heritage Garden
Plaque
Acknowledgement of Country.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land – the Boon Wurrang people. We pay our respects to them and thank them for their care of the land.
The Heritage Garden honours- Nano Nagle who founded the Presentation Sisters in Ireland in 1775.
The Heritage Garden remembers – The Presentation Sisters were the first teachers at St. James’ School, beginning in 1883 until 1978.
As we near completion of the Heritage Garden, we hope to have an opening with the above suggestion.
Year ⅚ Camp
Last week the senior students enjoyed beautiful weather at the CYC Island camp at Philip Island. A report is provided in this newsletter detailing the great time had by the students and teachers. Many thanks to the students and the teachers for the successful time. Thanks Miss Sarah Black, Mrs Emma Herbert, Ms Ann Nicola, Mrs Antoinette Ferrari, Mr Lachie Doquille, Miss Karlee Agnew and Miss Olivia Quinlan for your thorough organisational care for the Year 5/ 6 group.
Year 4 Reconciliation
Last Friday the Year 4 children celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Fr Dean and Fr James. The prayerful celebration in the hall and garden area was a spiritual reflective opportunity for the children to come closer to God and make changes to their life as young people. Thanks to Mrs Emma Herbert, Ms Sarah Contin, Mrs Mandi Joplin, Mrs Cathy Busch and Mrs Jess Conway for guiding our Year 4 children.
Baptism Preparation
Carole Cheng will be at St James next Tuesday 9th March to meet with any parents and children who may be interested in becoming baptised. We already have two children that have expressed an interest in becoming baptised into the Catholic community. The meeting will be in the Boardroom at 3.30pm
School Fees
A reminder to families who haven’t sent their fee agreement to send this by Tuesday 9th March. This will assist Imelda in the important role of issuing fee statements.
Earrings
I am always amazed at the range of different earrings that our staff wear. The colorful range worn by Aiofe, Holly, etc and in particular our zany Art teacher Mandy Cooper, continue to excite our curiosity. This week two young girls, Lulu and Delilah, made a pair for Mandy. Brussel sprouts, made while the girls were playing at home. How good is that?
Enjoy the long weekend!
Faith in our Future
Brendan