Term 3 Week 8 (08/09/2023)

What's On?

Dear Parents and Carers

I often get asked when trades and visitors come to the school "Where are the kids?"
Apparently, we are very settled in the spaces later in the day and we find it quiet and focused when we enter learning spaces. 

This morning is a very different experience. I was greeted in the carpark by a nesting plover family who "Had a bit to say" about my presence. 
As the school woke for the day and the children began to arrive, the normal Friday sounds of greetings and handball grew. 
At 9:15am this morning I walked over to the hall to say hello to our 2024 Early Stage 1 children and was greeted by the sounds of new learners building new friendships. As you will no doubt know I did need some help from mums, dads and grands to make sure I got the names right!
As I came back to the administration building, I watched and listened as Stage 1 were busy in their inquiry space creating music to match our bell song. Drums, buckets and voices reverberated in the COLA and it was a busy space. 
On the fields, Stage 2 and Early Stage 1 were out for sport, with games, dancing, touch football training and dodgeball on the basketball courts.   I leave it to you to sort out which was which.
"What about Stage 3?" I hear you ask. They were in class focused on learning but at 10am when I went to speak with them, they were also out on the back field doing touch football and inside doing drama. 
A lovely way to start the day. 

As I write, children who are off to Coffs Harbour for Public Speaking are in Stage 1 sharing their stories and we wish them well for Monday. 
A busy week has finished, with the Clarence Netball and Soccer Carnival held in Yamba on Wednesday, canteen re-opening Wednesday and Rashad Rice accompanied by Mrs Susan Frazer helping offer the Yaegl Welcome to Country at the Principal Conference at Angourie on Thursday.

The life of a school certainly offers many perspectives on the world. 

I hope the windy weather does not deter any lovely outdoor weekend plans. Should be beach weather. (I hate the beach when the wind creates a sand blast!)

Ann

Claiming 2 Dates

As notified earlier in the year(last term) we have 2 Pupil Free Professional Learning Days in Term 4 gazetted by DLCSL for preparation for the new Syllabus introductions in 2024. We have consulted the diaries and  November 3rd and November 17th will be the dates that Saint James undertakes the professional learning. 

Little J's

Today we celebrated the change of season, saying goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring! We learnt a new dance called ‘Springtime’, used paint and paper plates to create colourful flowers, made collage bees, and went on a nature scavenger hunt around the school. We were also really excited to find our sunflower seeds have started to grow! Head over to Instagram to check out all the fun - @stjamesprimaryschoolyamba

Miss Haines

Stage 3 News

On Indigenous Literacy Day (6th September) Stage 3 students were inspired to create stories combining English with our Yaygirr language. We created picture books, flip books, stop motion animations, songs and digital stories - all celebrating our local animals.

Authors at work

Community Conversation 3- Monday 18th

Summary from the last meeting Tuesday 30^th May 2023

At the previous meeting it was proposed that a vote be taken to disern a future direction for the parent voice at Saint James Primary YAMBA. After the survey earlier in term 2 and a vote in the meeting the endorsement to dissolve the constitution was accepted.  As advised by DLCSL the next steps were to agree on a dissolution & work through what to do with current funds.

 Endorsement to dissolve current constitution.  This was moved and seconded in the meeting. The next steps are to close bank accounts and look at financial options for the balance in the account which has not been active for approximately 2 years.

The agenda as requested for the next meeting will look at possible use for the funds which will then be placed in a DLCSL bank account and be available for use under the direction of the CC. (Community Conversations).

 Aimee Bice has offered to chair the meeting for the next period. 

All families are invited to the 3rd in a series of Community Conversations to be held on Monday 18th September at 5:30pm-7:00pm.

An invite will come out on Monday for Babysitting and catering purposes

Sport Dates 2023

Touch Footy Gala Day - Friday 15th September

Term 4

Polding Atheltics - Friday 13th October  

Dio Summer Sport Trials -Friday 24th  November - Lismore

Sport News

Zone Soccer and Netball Carnivals

The Clarence Zone Soccer and Netball carnivals for Stage 3 students were held in Yamba on Wednesday this week. Both teams performed well and made big improvements as the day went on. The Soccer team finished with 1 win, 2 draws and 1 loss while the Netball team finished with 2 wins and 2 losses. Well done to all the kids who were involved

Netball NSW Schools Cup

Lunch time training has been continuing for our Netball team as they prepare for the Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Finals in Casino next Wednesday, 13th September. We wish them well for the carnival and are sure they will enjoy the experience. Parents of those students involved have been sent the information about the day on Compass and if anyone needs help with transport please get in contact with Mrs Hancock. 

Touch Football

Friday Sport sessions for Stages 2 and 3 over the past few weeks have been focusing on teaching the kids the skills of Touch Football in preparation for the Lower Clarence Schools Touch Gala Day next Friday, 15th September. The carnival is being held at the Yamba Sports Complex and all students from Stages 2 and 3 will be involved. It's always an enjoyable day and the students have great fun learning some new skills with their friends. Parents of those students involved have been sent the information on Compass and need to make sure their child has been given consent to attend the day.

Birthdays

Lola Bice – 10^th September, Leah Scanlon – 12^th September, Billie Gould – 13^th September, Willa Stowe – 13^th September, Slater Petersen – 14^th September, Indie Wright – 14^th September