Deputy Principal's News
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are quickly reaching the midway point for this term. This is a busy time in the life of the school with NAPLAN, school Review on our doorstep, assessment and reporting, sporting events to name but a few.
Please find attached a few reminders for this term
Happy Birthday to Brendan
for this coming Saturday
School Review - Policies and Forms
You may be wondering, what is a school review?
As part of the improvement cycle, each Victorian Catholic, Government and Independent school undertakes a review every four years. The school completes a comprehensive self-evaluation against the MACS SIF (School Improvement Framework). An independent analysis is also completed by an external reviewer on the school’s performance against the goals and targets listed in our SIP (School Improvement Plan). The review evaluates the school's strengths, areas for improvement and the impact of its improvement efforts. At the end of the review, a new four-year school SIP (School Improvement Plan) will be written.
Our School Review is fast approaching with our Compliance Day - VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority) occurring on Tuesday 7th June. The School Review process continues on Thursday 9th June and Tuesday 14th June with various focus groups to take place.
The purpose of the School Review is to celebrate our strengths and explore opportunities for improvement.
Policies and Forms
With the School Review upon us and VRQA, a timely reminder that there are a number of policies and protocols which we are reviewing and ask you to be familiar with,
they include:
- St James / MACS Parent Code of Conduct (Which all parents are asked to accept and sign via Operoo, this agreement outlines acceptable and unacceptable behaviors)
- St James / MACS School Enrolment Agreement
- St James / MACS Child Safety Policy
Please note: as part of the School Review / VRQA Compliance, we are currently reviewing and updating the policies and forms available on the school website.
ICT
At St James we aim to provide a contemporary learning environment which engages all students to become successful learners, preparing them for life in a technological world. We are a registered GSuite for Education school, who believe in the power of learning through collaboration using online spaces. We understand the importance of explicitly teaching students about safe and responsible online behaviours, and feel it is best taught in partnership with parents/guardians.
From time to time, students may be prompted by their peers to access inappropriate sites. This is a timely reminder to all families to review the ICT and Digital Technology Acceptable Use Policy, which all families signed at the beginning of the School year via Operoo.
Please find attached a copy of the 2022 ICT and Digital Technology AUP
Additional Parent Resources:
Please find attached a link to the ‘Big issues’ (published by the sSafetyCommissioner), which may arise when students are on their devices at home.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues
Another resource to assist you with talking to your children about being staying safe online is the following:
Think U Know
https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/find-advice/supervising-your-child-online
NAPLAN 2022
Well done to all the students in years 3 and 5 who participated in this year's NAPLAN.
This was the 1st year that the school completed NAPLAN online. Whilst the year 3 students completed the writing on paper (mandated), all other tests were online. We can report that our school’s technological infrastructure did not let us down and all tests were successfully completed.
Happy Mother’s Day - Tantissimi Auguri per la Festa della Mamma
We hope that all the Mums and Caregivers in our community had lovely Mothers Day. The festivities continue this Saturday 21st May with the St James Mothers Day lunch. Thank you to the organising committee, we look forward to seeing some photos of the luncheon.
nForma Reports - Semester 1 Reports
Classroom and Specialist teachers are currently in the middle of assessing student knowledge and understanding in preparation for report writing. Student reports will be shared digitally before the end of term and prior to the Parent Teacher meetings via the nForma Parent portal. Further information will be sent out closer to the date on how to access your child’s academic report for Semester 1.
In preparing the nForma Parent Portal, it is imperative that we have up to date parent email addresses. If you have recently changed your email address, please inform administration before Friday 27th May.
Chess Club - Now taking Enrolments - UPDATE
Students in Year 1 are also invited to enrol in Chess Club. Please see the attached flyer for contact details.
Students in years 1-6 who are interested in learning how to play Chess, are invited to join. Chess Club will be held every Wednesday during Term 2. The sessions are held during lunch times on a Wednesday in the School Hall.
For further information on how to enrol, please see the attached flyer.
School Closure Days for 2022
FOUNDATION 2023 - ENROL NOW
Dear St James families,
A friendly reminder that if you would like to enrol your child into Foundation 2023 please let the school know and 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!
COVID-19 Safety at School (Updated protocols)
RAT Screening update: From Monday 23 May 2022, MACS does not
recommend that non-symptomatic students or staff conduct RATs twice a week in mainstream schools.
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.
Reporting a Student Positive RAT / PCR Result
We have devised a Parent Step by Step guide to assist you in the event that you need to report a positive result to the school!
Access the Step by Step PDF here
St James Catholic Primary School (School Portal)
Please click here to access the School Portal
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
Deputy Principal