February 23rd, 2018 Dear Parents and carers, With the term now well and truly underway, we as Year 6 teachers have taken a moment to reflect on the cohort as a group and must admit to feeling very blessed to work with such a group. The students ability to grasp their roles as leaders of the St James community is commendable and as we shape up for camp in the coming weeks, we as staff are confident it will be a success, thanks to the values, beliefs and sense of comradery that exists in the students. Well done to all. Catholic Identity: With the season of Lent upon us now, it can be easy to look for the end goal of Easter and forget that this is a time of humility and prayer. This weeks Gospel reminds us to not live a life for ourselves, but to seek ways in which we can offer our gifts to the community - be that through alms, time or through simple conversation. Youth Mass Re-starting in St Joseph's Parish All families are encouraged and invited to come along to our first Youth Mass at St Joseph's Church, Francis Street, Tweed Heads on Sunday February 25 at 5.30pm.Youth Mass will be held on the last Sunday of the month during the school terms. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to interact with one another and pray together in our parish. As a Catholic community, please try and make this a priority on your family calendar. Project Compassion 2018 A Just Future Well done to all those students who have risen to the challenge of self sacrifice during this period of Lent and used the spare money they have to give to Caritas Australia through either their at home Project Compassion Box or the in class box. Incitare Year 6 Student Discipleship Retreat It is with excitement that we saw some students take an interest in the upcoming Incitare retreat experience held on Tuesday, March 13 for year 6 students. Those students who handed in their forms will no doubt enjoy the activities as they build relationships with other students from throughout their region of the diocese and allow the students the opportunity to talk about and share their faith journey. We wish them all the best and look forward to their feedback.
Learning and Teaching: Religion: We begin this term with Unit 6.2 Lent: A Time to Build a Just World. As we move through the Stations Of The Cross and unpack not only the traditional story behind each - but also the significance that can be applied to our everyday lives - the students have been working in groups to come up with an Art piece that can best represent each Station. Watching the creating process unfold has been a real treat. English: This term we will be constructing an Information Report focussed on one Article from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Unpacking the formulas of both good writing and good reading, the students have been offered the opportunity to pen a Buddy Letter to their younger buddies. Not only does this allow for cross school relationships to be formed and maintained, but it also allows the teachers an insight into the writing ability of each student in a gentle fashion. Mathematics: With the data now gathered from the Mathematics Assessment Interviews, Year 6 has been experimenting with the concept of Math rotations lately, which sees each student afforded the opportunity to learn from each of the three Year 6 teachers for one lesson a week. Using this time to not only build on Math knowledge and extend where necessary, these sessions have been wonderful in the building of relationships between staff and students across the grade. Relationships that will no doubt serve everyone well once we are on camp.
Administration: Whole School Assembly is now EVERY Friday at 8:45am in the MPC. Everyone is very welcome. All Year 6 are to wear their sport uniforms twice weekly, Monday and Friday for PD/H/PE and Sport. If you are ever unsure about correct school uniform please refer to the St James Uniform Policy. Parent Forum Meeting: A gentle reminder that there is a Parent Forum Meeting on Wednesday 28th February at 7pm. All parents and friends of St James are welcome and encouraged to attend. Cyber Safety Talk: On Friday 2nd March, students from years 3-6 will be attending Cyber Safety sessions from 9:15am. This will be a great opportunity for the students to ask and have answered questions they may have about Cyber Safety and we encourage every family to continue these conversations at home. ICT Agreement: Each student has been given an ICT agreement to take home. Please read this through with your child and complete the agreement. Students need to return the agreement to school as soon as possible. Most forms have already been returned and for this, we thank you. Saint James School Rules and Expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be a Learner. School Community: WE NEED YOU! FETE BRAINSTORMING EVENT
To ensure our fete is a huge success, we need the help of our fantastic school community. WHEN: Monday 19 th February, 3.15pm 4pm WHERE:St James MPC RSVP: bpp@lism.catholic.edu.au Year 6 Sports Shirts: The invoice for the Year 6 Sports shirts has now been sent home with your child. The cost for the shirt is $35. The children have tried on sample shirts and sizes have been provided. We are hoping that shirts will be here by the end of the week or early next week. Payment for your son/daughter s shirt will be needed before the shirt can be handed over. We are aware of the payment of camp at present and additional sporting commitments at this time of year. If there is a concern with payment, please contact the office and we can organise a payment plan. This Year St James is participating in the Coles Sports for Schools program. This program gives St James the opportunity to earn sports gear by collecting vouchers from Coles. HOW DOES IT WORK?
STEP 1. Every $10 spent at Coles during the program, will earn a Coles Sports for Schools voucher. The more vouchers your school collects, the more gear you could receive. STEP 2. When you receive the vouchers, bring them into school and place them in the Coles Sports for Schools collection bins located in office. STEP 3 When the program ends, all the vouchers will be tallied. Our school will then order new sporting equipment to the value of the vouchers. The program begins on Wednesday 7th February Conclusion: We look forward to another positive week of learning with your children and leave you with this quote: Lisa, Mike and James.