Message from the Principal
Dear Parents
After seven weeks of surviving the Christmas holidays, the reprieve that all parents look for has arrived. Term 1 is well underway as we approach the end of the third week. Friendships have formed between old and new students as they negotiate a new class, a new teacher and even a new school. The stress that can occur at the start of a school year is almost palpable.
• We heard Mr X is very strict
• We wanted Mrs Y because she is so nurturing
• Mr J doesn’t give enough homework
These concerns are often the result of one event that has been turned into folklore by a parent/ student/ teacher who once had a situation that did not get resolved. The truth is often a compromise between all the concerned parties and the stories they cling to. In general, any event that occurs with a teacher does help re-shape them as they try and find a better way to do things in the future. No teacher comes to school to try and make their difficult job even more difficult.
The commodity we deal in every day, our core business is educating students in the most supportive, effective way that we possibly can. The speedbumps that occur as we navigate our way through the emotions of educating children are constant. Each child is the most precious commodity of each family, so the stakes are high when we don’t always get it perfectly right for each student.
My vision for a perfect school includes the core idea of ‘mutual purpose’. Our mutual purpose is to educate each student with attention to detail of their personal learning needs. Each parent wants the same, with specific attention to their own child. If we can all begin every conversation with this ideal in mind, we have the best chance of finding resolution at each of these speedbumps.
Help us to become a strong community that communicates well, does not listen to half-truths and seeks to solve all problems with a positive approach to the way forward. If we can achieve this, we shall be known as a ‘Great School’.
I am proud to have the opportunity to help create a School that seeks more than just an education. Once you are a member of the ‘Orange Army’, you will be so forever!
Mr Adrian Pree
Message from the ChaplAIn
Why have rules?
How often have you heard, or said to yourself, ‘that’s a stupid rule or law?’ I can honestly say that I have, frequently. What we often forget is that most of these rules and laws are for our safety as well as others.
This week’s Chapel reading is about how we react and respond to each other. Jesus uses examples from the Ten Commandments to illustrate what He is talking about. When He talks about committing murder in our hearts, it is the anger even hatred we feel towards someone. It is this anger that makes us want to ignore the rules that are in place for that very reason. When the red mist of anger blurs our vision, we lash out at ever thing and every one. This is the time we need to stop and take a deep breath. Like everything else though, it can be easier said than done.
When children start to struggle, or feel alone, isolated or different they react in a way that makes them feel ‘safe’. Even if their response is completely over the top to what we think it should be. This is where we need to put aside what we want or expect. Putting the other person first, even if we think they are wrong. This helps lead to acceptance and understanding.
If we start to realise that we are all different and yet all the same, we begin to relate to each other with more care and compassion. This is what makes rules important and simple, as all rules are about caring for each other and ourselves. Anger is one of the most reactive and corrosive of emotions. It can make all of us do things we wish we had not. It can make us hate what is truly important, even attacking those who are there to help.
If we learn to forgive, not forget, we will learn to let go of the anger that holds us back from each other. This in turn stops us from hating which is good for our own soul. It then leads us to not only teach but show the children we love and care for what it means to follow the rules. Even when it hurts.
With every blessing, John.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Presentation Matters!
A big focus this year at St James’ is ‘presentation.’ This word can have many meanings, though ultimately it refers to how you present yourself, your environment and your work. This year teachers are working with students to increase the standard of presentation. Students are encouraged to improve their presentation in the following ways:
1. Wearing the right uniform and presenting a clean and tidy self.
2. Taking care with all aspects of written work, particularly with handwriting and pictorial representations.
3. Keeping classrooms and learning areas tidy and organised.
4. Putting rubbish in the bin.
5. Packing away personal belongings and not leaving them around the School.
It is by instinct that others judge us on our presentation. Therefore, we need to consider what message we are sending to others! We are a respectable school with respectable students, staff and parents.
At St James’ we expect high standards because we know that our students will rise to them when given the challenge. At times, this means students may be expected to redo a piece of work or make changes to improve its quality. In the classroom, teachers at St James’ state explicitly what the learning objective is for each lesson and the standard that is expected.
Parents, please join us in encouraging your child to work on their presentation this year. It can make the world of difference to their marks and confidence and says so much about their attitude.
Mr Nicholas Townsend
DEPUTY HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
SENIOR SCHOOL
World of Maths Incursion
On Tuesday 14 February, students in Years 2 to 8 participated in a Mathematics incursion called “The World of Maths”. Students worked in groups, moving around seventeen different activities to solve a variety of problems, discover number patterns, identify geometric properties, think logically and apply mathematics to the physical world. It was a fun, hands on incursion where students acquired different skills in applying strategies required for problem solving.
Mrs Stacey Syme
YEAR 7 COORDINATOR
Year 8
It is an exciting week for the Year 7s, as they head off to Swan Leigh for their adventure camp. This is an amazing opportunity for the students to bond as a year group and push their boundaries. Stay tuned for an update in our next newsletter.
With the rest of the senior students away, our Year 8s will have the time and space to ponder the year ahead. We have spent some time analysing our current situations to assist students to set and achieve their own goals, either improving academic standards or personal wellbeing. As the eldest in the School, there are high expectations of being role models to the younger students. This is a unique responsibility for our Year 8s but also for our Year 8 teaching team who mentor them. Regardless of the challenges this entails, our senior students are inadvertently learning specific skills that will set them in good stead for their future.
Mrs Fiona Monger
YEAR 8 COORDINATOR
IT UPDATE
This past fortnight has seen many excited students getting productive with their devices. The Year 2 classes were the first students to use the new iMacs in the North IT Lab. Mr Mizen took the Year 7 students into the South Lab to claim that first honour. The younger students adjusted smoothly to the use of a mouse and practised their new-found skill with the opening and closing of programmes.
The Years 3 and 4 students have been looking at email etiquette and how to email their teacher or classmate. They have enjoyed the responsibility of being able to communicate school-related messages to a friend.
Years 5 and 6 have been refreshing their memory of saving documents online, so that they may be able to share these documents with a peer. Collaborating on documents can save them time and enhance their productivity, at school and at home.
Mr Trent Jackaman
IT COORDINATOR
THE SPORT SHED
This year’s swimming carnival was the first time results were split into a Senior and Junior school. Congratulations to Sydney for winning the Junior School carnival and Twilight for breaking Sydney’s winning streak of carnivals and taking out the Senior School.
Junior School
Sydney - 1368
Eglington - 1101
Twilight - 1004
Cervantes - 875
Senior School
Twilight - 1071
Sydney - 820
Eglington - 754
Cervantes - 641
Year 3 Champions
Ava Briggs and Christian Newbold
Year 3 Runner Up
Amelia Kuiper and Koby Eccleton
Year 4 Champions
Halle Richards and Keaghan Raubenheimer
Year 4 Runner Up
Juliette Hodgson and Jasper Stay
Year 5 Champions
Ava Tomazin, Fintan McGrath and Liam Reid
Year 5 Runner Up
Freya O’Hara
Year 6 Champions
Aimee Tomazin and Tanah Sherwell-Stone
Year 6 Runner Up
Katie Goulter and James Hodgson
Year 7 Champions
Charlee Jory and Samuel Essex
Year 7 Runner Up
Tennille Hubbard and Brayden Worley
Year 8 Champions
Teah Sherwell-Stone and Cian McGrath
Year 8 Runner Up
Jemma Goulter and Joel Lucas
Congratulations to the following students for winning Champion and Runner Up boy and girl for the year.
Please note there was an error in the announcement and upon looking at the results Liam Reid has come a draw with Fintan McGrath for Year 5 Champion Boy.
Thank you again to all the Staff, Students and Parents who helped out on the day, as without your support the day would not be possible.
NIPSSA Summer Extreme Carnival
The Year NIPSSA Summer Extreme carnival is to be held on the 2 March at Kingsway Sporting Complex and Kingsway Christian College. St James’ will competing in Basketball and Ultimate Frisbee. We will require 1-2 umpires/parent helpers on the day. If you are available to help, contact Mr Mizen on bmizen@stjames.wa.edu.au
NIPSSA and ACC Swimming Training
The Inter School Swimming training has well and truly started and I am very impressed at the numbers we have turning up to every training session. It is not too late to join. If you would like your child to participate see details below:
Where: State Swim Butler
When: Monday and Friday mornings
Time: 6.45am. Students may also be dropped at the school at 6.25am for a lift to State Swim
Breakfast is provided for a gold coin donation upon arrival back at school.
Important Dates:
• 10 March Year 7-8 ACC Swimming Carnival
• 30 March Year 3-6 NIPSSA Swimming Carnival
West Coast Eagles Rock my School program
Today, St James’ students were fortunate enough to receive a visit from James and Rick the Rock from the West Coast Eagles. Rick the Rock taught the Year 3-6 students about resilience and inclusive behaviours with the following acronym:
- Relationships- positive relationships and support
- Optimism- looking forward to things getting better
- Calm- managing your emotions and taking deep breaths
- Kindness-showing kindness towards others and congratulating the opposition
Part two of the Eagles Rock my School program is a follow-up member from the West Coast Eagles to conduct either a reading clinic or a football clinic.
Volleyball Training
Volleyball club is held on the courts on Tuesdays from Week 3-9. The club is open to anyone in Years 5-8 and no sign up is required. The club is run by John Sewell, an accredited Volleyball WA coach.
Our Canteen
St James’ aims to provide our school with a healthy and ‘fun’ canteen with varied food and drink options. Our School is now registered with the Western Australia School Canteen Association (WASCA), and we are working closely with the Department of Education to implement and maintain a Healthy Food and Drinks Policy. Our tasty menu encourages our students to make healthy choice options. Food warmers and coolers ensure students have the options of both warm and cold selections.
The Western Australian School Canteen Association Inc. (WASCA) states, “food and drinks classified 'GREEN' in the 'traffic light' system are recommended for everyday consumption. The majority of what is offered on a canteen or food service menu should be from the 'GREEN' section and these should be promoted as the healthiest choices. A MINIMUM of 60% of all foods, drinks and snacks offered by the canteen must come from 'GREEN' choices. Food and drinks in the 'AMBER' category in the 'traffic light' system are not recommended as 'every day' choices and their availability to students should be limited. NOT MORE THAN 40% of foods, drinks and snacks offered can be 'AMBER' products. Food and drinks in the third column are categorised as 'RED' in the 'traffic light' system and are not permitted in WA public school canteens or food services.
We look forward to healthier choice options in lunch boxes in the future.
Volunteering
VOLUNTEERS….We NEED you! Feel free to drop and meet our friendly, enthusiastic Canteen manager. Have a chat and a cuppa. Lunch provided when you volunteer for yourself and your child. We guarantee a GREAT day and an opportunity to laugh and make new friends. So if you are interested in helping, please email canteen@stjames.wa.edu.au to add your name to our weekly roster indicating specifications with regard to your availability (days, times, frequency, etc). Please remember to leave your details so we can contact you.
For further inquiries, please contact us by phoning the School or email canteen@stjames.wa.edu.au or click the link for more information.
UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform shop is located in the first demountable building in the North car park off Pectoral Promenade (the old Japanese room).
Opening Hours: Mondays - 8:00am - 4:00pm - during school term.
Contact: Mrs Kitty Morton on (08) 6336 8340 for more information or email kmorton@stjames.wa.edu.au
