Dear Parents and Carers,

Well it feels like only yesterday that the school year commenced, but here we are in the month of March.

Our school has definitely been a hub of excitement at the moment from our Preps commencing full time, to Camps, to Sporting Events, to Sacraments to the Easter Raffle and Hot Cross Bun Drive, to name but a few. We have so many reasons to celebrate who we are at St James as a school and community.

Thank you to each and every one of you and your children for making St James the special place that it is.

Reflection:

As a family take turns in sharing how you can make a difference during this season of lent, How can we show faith, hope and love to others?

“ During Lent I can show faith, hope and love to others by…..…….”

St James Drop Off / Pick Up

A friendly reminder regarding drop off / pick up times and locations . To enable a safe and efficient flow of traffic we are asking that we continue to use a turning circle in the mornings and afternoons. Please do not park in the 2min parking bays as this will only create a traffic jam. Thank you to everyone for their patience and collaboration in following the new procedures.

2022 School Enrolments - School Open Days

We are now taking bookings for our School Tours in preparation for 2022 School Enrolments. This can all be done via the School's website.

Can I please ask that you share this information with family and friends who are considering sending their child to a Catholic primary school. Your 'word of mouth' speaks volumes and is appreciated in promoting the school.

Parents will need to register for the event as we will be capping numbers inline with current restrictions and inline with our COVID Safe Plan.

The dates are as follows:

Wednesday 10th March - 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Monday 22nd March - 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Personal Tours will also be available by contacting the school office.

We will be maintaining strict COVID safe protocols, which include wearing a mask, social distancing, scanning into the school using the Tested.me app available at the front office.

In the event that restrictions prevent us from touring the school, we will be providing Virtual Tours.

Please look out for the flyer that has been shared via the schools social media.

PREP 2022 - ENROL NOW

Dear St James families,

A friendly reminder that if you would like to enrol your child into Prep 2022 please let the school know by heading to the School website and clicking on the Enrol Now tab. We will then send you an enrolment form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school directly on

ph 03 9596-4766 or via email: info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Thanks in advance!

Little Jimmy's Playgroup 2021

Little Jimmy’s kicks off this Friday in the Tilley Garden. We invite you and your 3-4 year olds to come along and explore and play in our sensory garden. Tea and coffee provided for adults. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Please head to our school website and register for a session by clicking on the 'Book a Tour' tab.

School Photos - Monday 15th March, 2021

As communicated in the last newsletter, school photos will take place on Monday 15th March. By the end of this week all students should have brought home their photo envelopes.

If you do not wish your child to be photographed in the whole school or class group photos, please notify the school by Friday 12th March.

Students will be required to wear their full school uniform (Summer) uniform on the day.

COVID-19 Safety at School

At St James we have put a number of strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission. No one strategy is 100% effective.

Here are just some of the ways we are doing to keep our Students, School community and Staff safe and well.

In light of current restrictions and inline with our School COVID Safety we ask that you respect and follow the following guidelines.

Self Isolating during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Can we kindly ask that if you or your family are required to self isolate during these times, that you inform the school via info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au so that we can offer any assistance possible.

Thank you!

School Devices and Acceptable Use Policies and Operoo

To coincide with Safer Internet Day and to support these initiatives the students will be provided with acceptable use agreements to read and sign when using a device or the internet.

We have commenced sending electronically to all parents a series of policies and agreements to read and sign.

The following have already been shared via Operoo:

ICT and Digital Technology Acceptable Use Policy (2021)
Photograph / Video / Social Media consent (2021)

If you have not received these notifications or have yet to set up your child’s profile we are more than happy to assist.

New families to the school will receive an email as shown below. We kindly ask that you create a profile for your child. It is imperative that you enter and maintain accurate up to date contact details on Operoo so that you do not miss out on important communication from the school.

Social Distancing

Thank you to all parents and carers who are helping the community to stay safe and healthy by keeping 1.5m apart at drop off and pick up times.

Although physical distancing will not apply to students in class, it does still apply to staff and parents. Therefore we ask that you respect our requests to minimise contact and continue with social distancing during drop off and pick ups, adults will also need to adhere to wearing masks when in public places including drop off and pick up.