Faith & Wellbeing
WELLBEING
Classroom Morning Teas -brought to you by the Well Done Office
Over the course of this term the Well Done Office will be visiting each classroom with a small morning tea (muffin and lollipop) to introduce ourselves and explain how the Well Done Office operates. Kate B. Lachie D. Sharon P. Karlee A. and myself will be visiting classrooms each Thursday before recess to check in and talk about when students might like to visit our space. In our office we have many tools for self and co-regulation, we support students through social and emotional issues and with their peer relationships. We also assist students with many and varied academic needs either individually or in groups. An Operoo will be sent out to let you know when your child's morning tea will be occurring.
11th Feb 6B
18th Feb 5HF
25th Feb 3/4B
4th Mar 3/4C
11th Mar 3/4CJ
18th Mar 2WL
25th Mar 1S
1st Apr Prep CT
Mindfulness Practices at St James
Here at St James mindfulness is not just something we do in a stand alone 5 minute practice. Mindfulness is embedded in our daily routines. In the morning when our students arrive they begin their day in a “yarning circle”. A yarning circle is an aboriginal practice of speaking and listening from the heart. A talking piece can be used to make it clear who is talking and who is listening. Our yarning circles can be used many times throughout the day as a way of coming together for mindfulness but also to talk about classroom business.
For the last 4 years St James has been ahead of the game by running weekly yoga sessions for our students through Jackie at Yes2yoga for kids during Term 3. We believe that our students and staff have gained so much from these lessons we have decided to incorporate yoga more often into our mindfulness strategies. Therefore all classes at St James will now have access to Yoga online with Jackie all year, plus hopefully still having Jackie come in for her usual face to face classes in Term 3. These sessions will begin once we return from lockdown. Remember to ask your children about yoga they are doing at school.
These are just two examples of the way in which we are constantly evolving to suit the changing needs of our students. There will be more to follow so watch this space!
Kind Regards,
Mrs Georgia McNamara
Student Wellbeing Leader
gmcnamara@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
LENT and PROJECT COMPASSION
Yesterday marked the beginning of the Lenten Season in the Catholic Church. Although we were unable to celebrate as a School Community, we hope you were able to take the time to be together in faith and enjoy some delicious pancakes. Today in morning prayer, students participated in a prayer service to remind ourselves of the importance of this time and mark ourselves with the sign on the cross. Throughout the coming weeks classes will be participating in a number of activities to develop and strengthen our understanding of this important time.
Our wonderful Social Justice Leaders will launch our first fundraiser for the year, Project Compassion. This year we hope to raise over $800 which can provide educational resources and teacher assistance to those less fortunate than us. Throughout the coming weeks the Social Justice Leaders will also be running some special events for the students.
Year 4 Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Next Friday, 26th of February, the Year 4 students will be receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation. We ask that you keep them in your prayers.
Please note the following dates for the First Eucharist:
Wednesday 3rd March - Parent information Session via Zoom at 5pm (invites to be sent in the coming week)
Thursday 18th of March - Year 4 First Eucharist Reflection Day
Wednesday 24th and Wednesday 25th of March - First Eucharist at St Joan of Arc, Brighton at 6pm
Monday 29th March - Thursday 1st of April - Holy Week Paraliturgy
(A timetable will come out closer to the date letting you know which classes are on which day)
For Parish Newsletters, please refer to the new Parish Website
https://www.baysidecatholicmission.org/
Emma Herbert
RE, STEM & Sustainability Leader
eherbert@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au