Newsletter 30 April 2025
Principal's Message
Thank you to our families who attended the Dawn Service to represent our school. From all accounts it was a lovely morning for all involved with great respect paid to our armed forces. As a school community we attended as Pilgrims of hope, hoping for peace in our world.
"Wars are always madness: all is lost in war, all is to be gained in peace". Pope Francis
Thank you to Felicity, Lachlan, Maggie and their families for supporting the laying of our wreath.
This week we welcome back Mr Sanderson in 5/6JD as he continues the second half of his pre-service placement. I was fortunate to observe some of Matt's lessons last term and they were certainly engaging. We look forward to his continued work at St James.
We have been fortunate to appoint Tameka Groen as our new school counselor. Tameka will work closely with staff and students with a focus on supporting their wellbeing and social-emotional growth. A key component of this will be working with Julieanne Dell'Oro as our wellbeing leader. Tameka will not be engaging with students this week as she begins getting to know our student cohorts and work to prioritise identified student needs.
While the world continues to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, we are reminded that he was from the Jesuit Order - he was focused on, amongst other things, education and joyful hope for the youth of our future. When he became Pope, he took up the name of Francis. Francis of Assi was an incredibly progressive Monk who lived in poverty, following the teachings of Jesus.
St Francis of Assisi was born into privilege and gave it up to embrace simplicity. He renounced the trappings of a comfortable life for one of penance and poverty. Francis’ desire to experience God within himself also propelled him to lead a life modeled after the source of love: Jesus. It was a life of poverty, preaching, and penance lived in a spirit of humility. In his desire to so imitate Jesus, Francis freely shared what he already knew and pointed all to do the same. He followed all that Jesus said and did, joyfully, without limit, and without a sense of self-importance. He was inclusive of all, this was particularly reflected in his friendship and sponsorship of St Clare of Assisi and her sisters, who were also born into but renounced great privilege, rather taking a vow of poverty. He valued nature, referring to all of creation as brothers and sisters and fiercely protected it. It is no wonder, when we know all of this about St Francis of Assisi, that he was the chosen Saint for Pope Francis.
Next week, in the spirit of the Jesuit Order, focusing on education and hope for the youth of the future, our Yr 5/6 students will be Pilgrims of hope as they walk to NNG kinder to meet next year's Foundation students. This will be a shared responsibility with our Yr 4/5 group in the coming months.
Next Friday we will be celebrating our wonderful mums and special people with breakfast followed by Mass at 9.30am. A warm welcome is extended to you all. Please ensure you complete the google form asking for parent helpers- dad's and special men, this is your chance to shine!
Have a great week, Bec
Upcoming events
| Friday 2 May | Parents & Friends Meeting - 2pm |
| Monday 5 May | Year 5/6 JD visit to Nar Nar Goon Kinder |
| Friday 9 May | Mothers Day Breakfast Whole School Mass |
| Monday 12 May | F - 2 Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion |
RE News
Sacrament Dates 2025
Sacrament of Confirmation
Commitment Mass
| Date | Place | Time |
| Saturday 3 May 2025 | St James Nar Nar Goon | 5.00pm |
| Sunday 4 May 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 9.30am |
| Sunday 4 May 2025 | St Joseph's Iona | 11.00am |
Parent/Child Workshop
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 14 May 2025 | Columba PS Bunyip | 5.30pm |
| Thursday 15 May 2025 | St John's PS Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Confirmation
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 4 June 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 5.00pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Commitment Mass
| Date | Place | Time |
| Saturday 18 October 2025 | St James Nar Nar Goon | 5.00pm |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 9.30am |
| Sunday 19 October 2025 | St Joseph's Iona | 11.00am |
Parent/Child Workshop
| Date | Place | Time |
| Wednesday 29 October 2025 | St James PS Nar Nar Goon | 5.30pm |
| Thursday 30 October 2025 | St John's PS Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation
| Date | Place | Time |
| Thursday 13 November 2025 | St John's Koo Wee Rup | 5.30pm |
Wellbeing Leader
Whole School Approach to Positive Behavour Support
Parents & Friends Mothers Day Breakfast
Premier Reading Challenge
Lost Property
Each day a number of items are brought to the office as "lost property". If names are on items they are returned to the child, however there is a large amount that do not have names or have names of past students. This is a timely reminder to ensure that you are naming all your children's garments.
A lost property box has been put in the Admin Foyer. Parents are welcome to check this at any time. At the end of each term, this box will be emptied and items donated to the second hand uniform shop.
Important Information
Both the PAM and Schoolzine Calendars have been updated with new information.
To access the Schoolzine calendar through the app you will be prompted to enter a password - James4011
This year St James will be using two main platforms of communication with our families - PAM and Schoolzine.
To ensure that you keep up to date with what is happening with your children and within the school please ensure that you have access to these platforms and are familiar with their uses.
If you require assistance with accessing or setting up these platforms, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
From time to time it will also be necessary for emails and text messages to be sent.
Schoolzine App Installation Instructions:
This is an app that you have on your phone and allows for easy reading of the newsletter, as it customises to the screen and translates into many languages if required.
Please click the link below for the instructions on installing the app on your phone.
https://www.schoolzine.com/
As part of the installation, you will be required to enter the following 4 digit passcode -
4011
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any questions or queries.
Accessing PAM Instructions:
Please use the below link to access your PAM account.
https://pam.stjamesnng.catholic.edu.au
The user name is the email you have provided to the school and if you have not logged on previously, you will be able to set a password.
If you require your password to be reset, please contact the school office.