Principal's News

You change the world when you change your mind.    Kinky Boots

I ventured over to the Presbytery to catch up with Robyn and had the opportunity to have quick discussion with Fr Barry.   Fr Barry has a wonderful way of engaging someone in a discussion and I spent a good 40 minutes having a yarn about a range of topics.  After years of priestly life and with a proactive outlook, Fr Barry has some great wisdom to impart.

Fr Barry recently was invited to Kinky Boots by a family that he has known for many years.  The young actor was an eight year old who Fr Barry baptised, as well as marrying his parents.  They were parishioners of his in East St Kilda and hence the invite to attend with him at a Kinky Boots performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre.  He loved it.

At times I know that I can be bogged down or stuck with a thought and opinion and even at times a stubbornness to entertain another perspective.  Fr Barry was rapt with the performance.  Fr Barry began quizzing me about about what the the key message on the back of the Kinky Boots program really represents.  

You can change the world when you change your mind.

I wasn’t sure I knew where this was leading.

Fr Martin and Fr Barry present us with a model of Church, with an inquisitive and curious analysis of the message of the Gospel.  They represent  a similar outlook as Jesus did in questioning the structures and the prevailing thoughts that may inhibit us in being the face of Jesus to others.  

Fr Barry says that we may often misunderstand the word repent.  Rather the need to change our vision, question our set beliefs, to be open to the spirit and to be people of hope and promise is the community of faith that we are called to be.

We have it with Fr Martin our Parish Priest and Fr Barry in his retiring years.  In the words of Bernadette Farrell (Everyday God)

In our daring, in our searching and in our sharing, O Jesus, O Spirit, Come be with us.

Continued Parish Discussion on the rebuilding of St James Church

There will be another meeting to discuss the proposed design for the rebuilding of the church, it will be on tonight 10 November @ 7:30pm in the school hall.

The architect will be present and will have a power point presentation to facilitate our discussion.  All St James parishioners are welcome.

School Closure

To enable the staff to plan for the 2017 school year, St James will be finishing at 1.30pm on Monday 28th November.   Our teachers will be dedicating the afternoon and into the evening time to ensure that the curriculum planning across the school is thoroughly prepared for the following year / term.  Our new classroom teachers, Ms Teri Orengo, Miss Olivia Quinlan and Mrs Georgia McNamara will be with us at this time. I appreciate that this is short notice, however to ensure that St. James can continue to deliver the quality education, solid planning time is required. In the past weeks in preparation for the day, our staff have been working with Donna Anderson an Educational Consultant.  Care will be available with OSHClub.

Community Assembly

Yesterday we were privileged to experience the creative talents of our children in our Community Assembly.  Kate Kennedy is a remarkable Performing Arts teacher and we are indeed fortunate to have someone passionate about the Arts.  As we saw yesterday, the Arts are a window to our soul. The beautiful way that our choir sang was wonderful and a result of the many hours that Kate commits beyond her expected hours.

Congratulations also to the younger children who performed.

2017 Leadership

Yesterday all of our Year Five students were presented to the school community as the School Leadership Team for 2017.  At St James we endeavour to create a school culture of respect, compassion, inclusiveness, excellence and courage, values that speak of Servant Leadership.  It is through our words and actions that we can make a difference to the world.  All of our Year Fives have the power to influence lives around them and the ability to inspire growth for themselves and others.  The Leadership model for 2017 allows us to honour the gifts and talents of each other, acknowledges that leadership happens on a daily basis, and empowers everyone to the best that they can be.

The applications that we received from all Year 5 students were very impressive.   The conviction and responsibility to model Servant Leadership next year in their application process conducted by Miss Bailey and Miss Nelson, was sensational.

In a quote used by Harriet in her application from Robert F Kennedy, ’The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better,’  demonstrated the understandings of our mature young leaders.

Other responses resonated with the same theme.

‘This school has given me so much and I would like to give back in 2017’.  Henry

Elke spoke of the serious nature of Leadership.

Zak mentioned his qualities and what he could bring through his values. Loyalty, honesty, kindness, caring, passionate, respectful.

Willow  has designs to commence a sister school program in a third world country or an aboriginal community.

Vigo, ‘I have a strong feeling for Social Justice and for us to know more about Jesus’.

Joe has a desire to be involved in the new building project because of his interest in architecture.

And Sayuri, “ I would be grateful for just being  leader’.

Ava, ‘I wish to step out of my comfort zone and would take the leadership role seriously’.

Hilary, I feel very passionate about our environment and doing what I can to protect and look after it’.

And Sienna, ‘I think everyone’s health and happiness is important and everyone needs not to just say, but to feel 100% happy and healthy.’

We are indeed blessed to have young people who are enthusiastic about the impact and leadership that they all bring to St. James.

Upcoming event

The Turramurra High School Band from Sydney will be travelling to Melbourne on Sunday the 27th of November and staying till Thursday the 1st of December. During their stay they will perform at the MCG, at M Pavilion, at Elwood Primary and at Federation Square. They have requested to perform at St. James on Thursday 1st December.  The time is to be confirmed however it will be before 1pm  

There are 34 students from Year 7 through to Year 11 and they are accompanied by Ms Stephanie McConnell (principal), Mr Jeffrey Lambert (deputy principal) and Mr Mark Barnsley (conductor).

The band has a repertoire of both popular pop songs and classical pieces.

Brendan