Term 4 Week 4 (3/11/2023)
What is On?
Tuesday 7th November - Year 7 2024 Orientation Day - McAuley Catholic College (Flyer below)
Monday 13th November- S3 Parent Information Evening, 5:30pm– 7:00pm (details on Compass)
Thursday 16th November - School Awards Assembly
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 5th December - Just a Little bit of Fun for Xmas, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Monday 11th December - Music Concert- Academy, 9:00am
Tuesday 12th December - End of Year Mass at St James Church
Wednesday 13th December⋅5:30 pm – 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
As I write this we are finishing our 2nd of 5 Professional Learning Days to look at the implementation of the NSW Syllabus reform.
What I know is that as your children progress through the stages at Saint James their learning looks different from previous years. The writing looks different, the mathematics looks different and the use of sounds in learning looks different. The new syllabus asks us to look differently at how we teach these areas and as always the staff have embraced the changes and have taken the time to develop deep conceptual knowledge so that we can support the learners in our care.
The last professional learning day was an "everything is new for everyone" experience but today we drew on the expertise and confidence of our lower school staff to encourage and support the Stages 2 and 3 staff.
Keep looking at the posts on Instagram and in the Seesaw app to "see" what your children are doing. Or ask a staff member to show you the growth.
These are exciting times!
Ann
Tully Waghorn visiting to see her artwork reproduced.
RE News
Last Friday, 27th October, Year 5 students travelled to McAuley College for the Exuro Catholic Retreat. The one day retreat experience gives students from around the Lismore Diocese the opportunity to come together with Year 5’s from other Catholic schools, to celebrate their faith through participation in games, reflective writing and prayer. All students showed great leadership and represented St James with pride.
Indigenous Literacy Day art competition
Alessia Griffin ES1 won a prize in the Indigenous Literacy Day art competition run by the Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation - Maclean.
Alessia's artwork was inspired by Bronwyn Bancroft's book 'Why I Love Australia'.
Congratulations Alessia and thank you to all students who entered the competition.
Canteen News
Did you see? “JUICE BOMB” sparkling fruit juices are here! Stage 3 had requested these and after looking into them they are a WINNER! Green Canteen Approved! No added sugars, preservatives or artificial colours!
Super exciting, the 3 flavours available were chosen by the children in a vote. Next week these are only available at recess/cash only until we get some more stock and then we will have them online for lunch and recess.
Next week we will have Chicken Tender wraps! There will be two options to choose from. Chicken and Cheese Mayo or Chicken, Lettuce, Carrot and Cheese, Mayo . The wraps will be served fresh not toasted.
Prices for Recess available on the day:
$2.20 Milk/Juice Popper
$3.00 Sparkling Water
$2.50 Juice Bomb
$3.00 Cupcake or Brownie
$2.20 Frozen Fruit Juice Cup
Fruit salad and Yoghurt/Granola are pre order only so please ensure these are done by Tuesday morning 9am.
Compass Tip!
You can pre order canteen in advance right up until the end of term, easy cancellation via the app if your child changes their mind or are unable to attend school that day. Please note, we cannot cancel, refund or place any orders - this has to be done by the child’s parent.
I am absolutely loving meeting all the children and seeing their smiling faces at the canteen window each week.
Thank you for your continued support with the canteen reopening!
Lots of smiles, Carly
Orientaion Day -McAuley Catholic College Yr 7, 2024
Little J's
Stage 3 News
Last week Stage 3 participated in a Labyrinth prayer workshop in our hall with Mr Niethe from the Catholic Schools Office.
A labyrinth is a guided symbolic, meditative “journey” into the “centre” of ourselves. Labyrinths can be “walked”, or the journey can be traced with a finger or coloured pen, even traced in sand. It can also be travelled mentally, with no body movement.
Labyrinths are complex, geometric designs which follow one long path that leads to the centre and always leads back out to the beginning. They have no wrong way and are not intended to trick or confuse like a maze! They cause us to stop the daily routine, slow down and walk unfamiliar ways so that we can think about who we really are and what life is about.
We can trust labyrinths: when we get to the centre, we stop and ponder the great mysteries of the universe: it is a still point in our turning world. It is a quiet moment when all the complex paths of life are “out there” and we have “time out” to rest awhile. Then we re-enter the fray and make our way out again! Before we begin, let’s centre ourselves with centred breathing and relaxing our bodies.
After strolling through our labyrinth and returning to the start, we stop and reflect on the experience.
Students enjoyed the experience and reported a sense of calm that came over them during and after the prayer.
