Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2. It has been lovely to welcome the students back and to see their smiles when they caught up with their classmates and teachers sharing holiday stories. I hope that you enjoyed the Easter school holidays with your families.

As you are aware on Easter Sunday evening it rained quite heavily in Brighton and unfortunately there was significant water damage upstairs. Water entered the building via the roof / guttering, causing 2-3 cm of water to spread from the upstairs project space into the adjoining Prep classroom, Wellbeing Office, Photocopier space and booth seating area.

Actions taken to date:

I have been in touch with the Regional Leadership Consultant - Simon Fitzpatrick, and informed Deb Egan (Manager of the Southern Region),
Contacted MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) and filled in an incident report form,
Informed CCI (Catholic Church Insurances) to appoint assessors to attend the school and complete a 'make safe' for water damage, in addition to a 'building makesafe' in the event of further rain. COWAN restoration has been appointed, so if you are close to the school you may see their trucks and cars.
COWAN restoration has removed carpet, water damaged tiles and set up air blowers, dehumidifiers within the affected spaces.
Testing and tagging of all electronic devices located in the water damaged rooms.
Ethos Builders have been appointed to carry out the restoration works.
The insurance assessors have removed any items which have been damaged by ‘grey water’.
A roof plumber has been out to inspect the roof and will submit a formal report soon.
Ethos building has organised a temporary barrier with the school building to section of the classroom spaces from the restoration areas.
The prep classroom has been relocated to the Italian room downstairs.

I have had several meetings with the insurance company and Ethos Building and all associated trades personnel who will be involved in the restoration works.

Can I please reassure the St James school community that it is business as usual at St James. We are fortunate in that we have been able to utilise some of our additional staff and student spaces to set up alternate student learning and staff work areas. I will be in touch with further updates as they arise.

I would like to thank the Staff at St James who have been most supportive and spent some of their holiday time ensuring the school was ready to open on Monday 24th April.

Staffing

This Term we have welcomed back to St James, Ms Lisa Featherstone. Lisa will be teaching the students in Year 6 every Wednesday to enable Aidan Niarros to teach Performing Arts.

Shade Sail Update

Last year we applied for the Victorian government shade sail grant. On Monday work commenced to install the shade sail canopy. Today the canopy was installed in the Tilley playground. We look forward to transforming and using this space as an outdoor learning area.

Part of the Parent and Friends fundraising this year will assist in purchasing outdoor furniture for this area.

St James Principal Appointment

Buses replace trains on the Sandringham Line – 29 May to 4 June 2023

Due to system upgrades and maintenance and renewal works, buses will replace trains on the Sandringham Line throughout May and June.

From 8.15pm Monday 29 May until last service Sunday 4 June, buses will replace trains on the Sandringham Line between Parliament and Sandringham stations. A range of buses will operate, including limited express and stopping all stations services to help make your journey as direct as possible.

Passengers are advised to allow an extra 60 minutes for their journey, noting that it may be busier during peak times. For journey planning, service information and up-to-date timetable information, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or call 1800 800 007.

St James School Vision and School Priorities. (POST REVIEW) Last year the school participated in our school review. Following the review we received a report including recommendations for forward planning. We have met as a Leadership team and in consultation with staff and MACS consultants have set our new school priorities for continuous improvement for the next four years. (Please see the attached information).

PREP 2024 ENROLMENTS CLOSING SOON

Can I kindly ask that current families with a child due to commence Prep in 2024 submit their completed enrolment forms by Friday, 12th May so that places can be offered to new families.

COVID-19 Safety at School (Updated protocols)

St James Catholic Primary School (School Portal)

Please click here to access the School Portal https://sites.google.com/stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au/stjamescatholicprimaryschool-r/school-portal-home-page

Working With Children Checks

St James is a Child Safe School. As part of our Child Safe practices and processes we are required to maintain up to date information of parents and volunteers who hold a current (Working With Children Check) and would like to assist with a school activity.

If you currently hold a WWCC and intend on helping out with school activities in the near or not too distant future, can you please fill in the attached Google Form.

Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact School Admin on info@stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Please update your information on the following WWCC Google Form if you have renewed or attained your WWCC.

Social Media - Please follow, like and share our school Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Feeds.

School Website: ww.stjamesbrighton.catholic.edu.au

Twitter: St James Catholic Primary School, 3186

Instagram: stjamesbrighton3186

Facebook: @stjamesbrighton3186

Please stay safe and healthy.

Carmelina Corio (Acting Principal)

A Surprise Visit