Term 4 Week 2 (20/10/2023)
What is On?
Friday 27th October - Exuro Yr 5- McAuley College, Grafton
Monday October 30th - Neurodiversity - Parent Webinar (Flyer below)
Friday 3rd November – Pupil Free Day – Staff Development
Tuesday 7th November - Year 7 2024 Orientation Day - McAuley Catholic College (Flyer below)
Friday 17th November – Pupil Free Day – Staff Development
19th – 23rd November - Stage 3 Canberra Excursion
Wednesday 29th November -Year 5 Captain Speeches
Friday 1st December - National Disability Day Fundraiser - Wear Purple
End of Year Dates:
Tuesday 12th December - End of Year Mass at Church
Wednesday 13th December⋅6:00 – 9:00pm - Year 6 Graduation- Yamba Golf Club
Thursday 14th December - End of Year Awards Assembly
- Spirit of Saint James Run (Year 6)
Friday 15th December - Last Day of School 2023
Dear Parents and Carers
How many times this week have I spoken to a parent who has said "This must be the busiest week ever!"
The answer is - many.
Why so busy this week? This was the week when we had all staff available for the maximum support for Bike Week, Surfing, Swimming, Crazy Sock Day and the Choir on Tour.
The next few weeks we will be busy with assessments for the Diocesan Data Mapping and so we needed to either "go" this week or not do some things we would normally do.
By all accounts the surfing was amazing again and those who were nervous last time were up on waves this time. Stage 2 also came back with reports of dolphin pods, jets on runs to the range at Evans Head and an osprey with prey!
Stage 1 and Early Stage 1 were champions at the pool with the cold water (a pump disengaged so the water was colder than usual) and I want to say everyone got home with their gear intact? I have not seen a lot of left overs in the lost property so we might be ok?
Bike week was a hit once more. We spread this out over the week to make sure we have enough staff and space to do the riding. The new trail out the back was really tested and we are still waiting for rain to settle the road fill. The one thought I have on this week is that our children will all continue to try no matter what. One of the things staff commented on was children looking out for others. Senior students helping put chains back on bikes, children helping the less confident learn to ride a bike and small children pedalling like crazy to make it all the way round.
Today I have taken the choir to Grafton to begin building a cluster choir from all the local Catholic schools. We have a greta time and you nwill not be surprised to hear that the chidlren were impectably well behaved. We have planned our next event for early Term 1, 2024 and that will be here at Yamba. The goal is to get things happening in the Creative Arts and when we get a repitoire to have a concert.
And so now that week is over and we gear up for Christmas ( but let's say that quietly!!)
Have a lovely weekend
Ann
RE News
Many thanks to our students and staff who supported our Catholic Mission fundraiser for Socktober on Wednesday by wearing crazy socks and bringing a gold coin donation. Our school raised $227.50. This money will go towards the work of the
Salesian Sisters in Venilale, Timor-Leste and the wonderful work being undertaken in the community there for vulnerable people. As people in these countries grapple with the effects of poverty, low quality healthcare and infrastructure, corruption and inequality, it becomes extremely important for the presence of missionaries like the Salesian Sisters to be present to assist these communities.
Assistant Principal- Mission
Sport News
Polding Athletics
Well done to Aiden, Henry, Jake and Iyla who all competed in the Polding Athletics carnival last Friday in Sydney. They all competed extremely well and enjoyed the experience. Congratulations on your efforts.
Jake Seivers- 4th Junior Boys 1500m
Iyla Towner- 5th 9yrs Girls 100m
Henry Miller - 5th 11yrs Boys Shot Put
Aiden Riberio- 11th 12yrs Boys 100m
Rugby Union
Last Thursday we had a Stage 3 team and Stage 2 team compete at the Byron Bay Rugby 7s carnival. We were very lucky to have Adrian Miller and Scott Moore from the Yamba Buccaneers Rugby Club run some training sessions for the teams in the days leading up to the carnival and this training was evident on the day as both teams played some outstanding Rugby. Stage 3 played 4 games and won 3 and lost 1. Stage 2 went undefeated on the day winning 3 games and drawing 1. It was particularly good to see the skill improvement shown throughout the day of those students who hadn't played Rugby previously, and all the kids showed great sportsmanship during their games.
Attending this event wouldn't have been possible without the support of the Yamba Buccaneers, who not only lent their coaching expertise, but also gave us jerseys and equipment to use for the day. A massive thanks also to those parents who helped out with coaching and managing the teams on the day as well.
School Sport
School Sport programs began yesterday with Stage 2 and 3 heading to the beach for the first session of their Surfing program. Kinder and Stage 1 went to the pool for the first lesson of their Swimming program. From all reports the kids enjoyed their activities and are looking forward to the next few weeks.
Just a reminder to please make sure your children have their clothes and other gear labelled with their name on it. With children changing in and out of uniforms for their Sport activities its very easy for gear to get mixed up and having things labelled makes it much easier to get it back to the right student.
Summer Sport Trials
Clarence Zone will be holding trials for the Summer Sports of Tennis, Touch, Cricket and Basketball in weeks 4 and 5. Notes with information about the trials went home with students on Monday this week and need to be returned to Mr Dougherty by next Monday at the very latest. These trials are for students in years 4 and 5 only.
Year 7 2024
Neurodiversity - Webinar
Little J's
Today in Little J’s we had a roarsome time doing all things dinosaur! We used paper plates and paint, playdough and tessellation pattern blocks to create a wide variety of different dinosaurs! Check out Instagram to see us in action - @stjamesprimaryschoolyamba
Stage 1 News
English -
We are currently reading a book called Amy and Louis by Libby Gleeson and Freda Blackwood. We are learning to identify symbols and images in the text, and describe how they make us feel. Both the language and illustrations are rich with messages and emotions. We are also learning how to accurately use pronouns in our writing. Just ask us to explain what a pronoun is!
Religion-
We are learning to listen and respond to the Creation story (Genesis 1:1-31). We are using our storytelling kit to retell the order of the events in these seven days. At the end of each day, we are also taking time to give thanks for God’s Creation. Students are currently saying that they are thankful for our beautiful beaches, our bush playground, animals and our family and friends.
Investigations -
We have a new Dramatic Play area that we have named NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art). In this area we have script writers, actors, costume designers, puppets, costumes, books, a stage and a puppet window area. It’s an area full of lights, camera, action! Feel free to pop by and visit this space. Stay tuned for some Oscar- worthy performances and outtakes on Instagram soon…
Community Conversation #4
CC #4 took place on Tuesday night. The vote to support the purchase of ipads for the lower school was carried and we will go ahead to secure these with the suppliers. The education element of CC#4 was to look at what mathematics learning looks like in lower school. Thanks to the teachers who left the activities set up. There are plans to share these more widely and perhaps you might make CC#5 in week 8 to hear more and have a voice in the planning.