Term 2 Week 4 (23/5/2025)

What is On?

Dear Parents and Carers

Is it only Week 4?  Myself and many children in Kiss and Drop felt like it was a Monday morning today and we were "All out of sync!" 

Thank you all for your engagement this week from Sacramental celebrations in Maclean to a great sea of white coming second in the teams at the Zone Cross Country and many being picked to go on NEXT THURSDAY to the dio event and to top the week off your support and patience with the extraordinary weather event yesterday.  

What can we do to advocate for the road improvement? Contact council and/or your local councillors and seek support for the timely repairs on the road. That is all I have! 

In the long term, as the development of Miles Street takes place we will have an all weather access to the school site. So we need to work with the development of this, in terms of our safety planning for increased traffic during construction. 

In the state of 'Out of sync" Have a great weekend

Ann

Visit from the Bishop- ES1, Stages 1, 2 and 3

ES1 - This was the Bishop's prayer for the children at the end of his visit  to ES1 after they all talked about how old he was and how old Miss Haines was. They also discussed what they had for breakfast (Bishop Greg really worries about children and their families who have food security issues-just remember Breakfast Club runs Monday through Wednesday at St James)

The prayer

Dear Jesus

I love you so much.

Help me to love other people the way you love.

Help me to care for classmates and be a good person.

Thank you for loving me.

Jesus bless these children and help them to know they are loved. 

Stage 1- the children in Stage 1 completed a reflection on the visit from Bishop Greg and Father Roland on Monday morning.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 13

Next

Stage 2

In Stage 2 our Health unit has been teaching us all about healthy, safe and active lifestyles. A big focus of this unit so far has been bullying. When Bishop Greg visited our school and spoke to our class, he spoke to us about what makes a good friend and what makes a bully. We really connected with what he taught us and what we are learning in Health. We decided to make posters from what the Bishop taught us about being a good friend. Here are some of our posters.

Stage 3- After Bishop Greg visited our Stage 3 children, we asked that they emailed what they thought his message was so that we could share it with the children who were not there.

Bishop Greg talked about how the lower years of our school look up to us and if we do the wrong behaviour they will try to copy what we did and I liked how he explained that. He also talked a lot about high school and how if others have problems that they will look to share it with the younger years of the school and next year it will be year six. 

What I learnt from Bishop Greg is that next year we'll be the leaders of the school and if we don't do the right thing the little kids will do what we do and get in trouble and we don't want that so we have to do the right thing but that's what I learnt from Bishop Greg. 

Bishop Greg said that next year, when we are in Year 6, we need to be role models for kindy to Year 2. He said that they look up to us more than they do to the teachers. 

He said that when we're in high school we need to make sure we do the right things because if everyone else is doing something bad we normally get influenced by them doing the wrong thing.

Today when Bishop Greg paid stage three a visit, I learned quite a lot. He taught me the importance of staying true to myself, and not following the crowd. He taught us that the people in high school who often look for us first, are the ones who are troubled, and that we should not follow in their footsteps, even though it is what seems cool at the time.

To be responsible when you are older and not take drugs and not do violent things.

He wants you to be responsible.

He said to not take drugs and take responsibility and care for others and no violence.

Bishop Greg taught us about getting ready for high school, and how the little kids look up to us and copy what we do, he also taught us about being good role models and to try your hardest to make the right choices, he said "try your hardest" because he knows everybody makes mistakes and nobody is perfect.

In conclusion Bishop Greg taught us all about being good role models and to try your hardest.

The bishop Greg said to know that the kinder looks up to us and what we do they do

He said that we should not be influenced by bad people and next year we are the leaders and should be a good influence and to try to be our best selves.

He said that you need to show responsibility when you go up to year six and to show leadership to the kindy. 

Bishop Greg said not to be worried when going to high school. And to be role models in the school because the younger kids would look up to us. 

Bishop said to not be scared to go to high school and we are the oldest in the school so he told us we set an example to the young kids and you make your own choices.

Today Bishop Greg talked to us about highschool and how we should not let other people influence bad behavior on us. He also talked about how the year fives should be good role models for the younger kids. 

What I learnt was that high school can be hard and scary sometimes but if somebody influences you to do the wrong thing just follow your heart and do what you think is best to do. People put other people in their problems and you just have to be strong and help yourself with your own decisions.

Bishop Greg said when we go to high school don't be influenced by people giving you :) vapes and drugs }

What I learned from Bishop Greg  today is to not let a bad influence influence you and  to have the courage to try to do the right thing, Along with not being afraid about going to high school next year.

If I remember correctly Bishop Greg was talking about how it's gonna feel like we have gone from the top class to the bottom when we go to high school . That's mostly from what I remember from his speech for year 6. Most that I remember is from his speech for year 5. I remember that he was talking about how soon we are going to be the top class. He said that we were more important than the teachers even, He says it's because the teachers won't have much impact on the playground as much as the year 6 and year 5. 

Bishop Greg talked about many things in our classroom aimed at year 5 and 6.

Here is the information I got from  his talk. We should not let bad influences affect our behavior. He also talked alot about making the right choices. It was helpful for high school.

To follow your own path in life and be your best self and to be your own self and also to be you and to not be afraid of high school because it is the first step of our new life.

He was talking to us about how to be a good leader when we get into year 6, and how not to be influenced by bad people. He told us how the feeling is when you are in the youngest grade in high school . He also said that to be good role models in the school now and always.

Bishop Greg told  us about being a role model and how kindergarten kids look up to us. He also told us about high school and not fall under a bad influence

The bishop told us that little kids copy what we do. That only you can make good or bad decisions in your life. And he talked about high school as well. 

I'm writing to you about what  bishop Greg said to us this morning.

He said that year five and six are more important than the teachers towards kindergarten and all the other younger kids. And that we are the only ones that can make our choices for us.

The message I got from Bishop Greg 

Was to be myself and to not be scared to go to high school and to choose the right path even if it is harder. He also said that we are the oldest in the school and that the kindergarteners look up to us  and copy us. The main thing he said was to be good role models and do the right thing.

Bishop Greg talks about leadership and leading up to high school and lots of other things.

Bishop Greg told us about not letting bad influences affect our behavior. 

The message I got from Bishop Greg was to be myself and to not be scared to go to high school and to choose the right path even if it is harder. He also said that we are the oldest in the school and that the kindergarteners look up to us and copy us. The main thing he said was to be good role models and do the right thing.

When I remember back to this morning I remember Bishop Greg said how high school and how to follow good paths and not ones with violence or drugs in it and to make amazing choices in life.

Bishop Greg also said to not let people control your life and we should control our own lifes and with year 5 he talked about how they are going to be the leaders in the school. 

Bishop Greg told us to not be afraid of high school. This year we are the oldest in the school. Whatever we do the other kids also do, we need to be a good influence on others. Next year at high school we are the youngest in the school and will be influenced by what everyone else does. Bishop Greg told us that we need to not be influenced by something bad, if you know that something is not right DON'T DO IT.

In life you need to know how to make good decisions to be a good person, often people who make bad choices aren't good people. High school is the first step into adulthood, making good choices now could benefit us later in life. Bishop Greg's message to us will be a big help next year when we don't know what choice to make.

I have learnt not to let other people influence you in a bad way, always stay true to your heart even if other people are doing something bad knowing that you don't do it just because other people are doing it. Bishop Greg also talked about how we are almost as important as the teacher because of the younger years of the school because they look up to us and if we are doing the wrong thing they will as well, if we are doing the right thing they will do it too. I will take these wise words and I will never forget them.

Today Bishop Greg talked to us about making the right decision in high school. He said that we should do our own thing even if it is not what everybody else is doing.  He also talked to the year fives about being a role model. He said that all of the younger kids look up to us and if we do something then the younger kids will follow. 

Bishop greg told us about high school and to not get influenced by other kids at high school.

he told the year 5s about how to be leaders

He was talking to us about how to do the right thing and not to be influenced by bad people. When we move into grade 6 to be good role models to the other people in the school. People try to move their problems to other people and don't let them do that because only your choices make you good . Nobody is perfect so be as good as you can.

RE News

On Monday evening, 11 of our St James students received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Mary’s Church in Maclean. It was a joyful and reverent celebration, led by Bishop Gregory Homeming and Father Roland. The students, supported by their families and parish community, took this important step in their faith journey with great reverence and enthusiasm. We are very proud of their commitment and preparation, and we continue to keep them in our prayers as they grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Congratulations to Leah, Billy, Maggie, Amelia, Jackson, Grace, Aria, Elsie, Nellie, Olliah, and Poppy 

Sacrament Dates

Reconciliation- Tuesday 29th July, St James Church, Yamba

First Holy Communion- Saturday 30th August, St James Church, Yamba

The order of Sacraments in the Lismore Diocese is:

Baptism, Confirmation (Year 3), Reconciliation (Year 4), First Eucharist (Year 4)

If you need more information about Baptism for your child, please contact the Parish Office in Maclean at 6645 1188 (open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm).

For any other Sacraments, please reach out to Mrs Howland at school. Please note that your child must be Baptised before receiving any other Sacraments.

If your child was Confirmed last year, they will be invited to receive Reconciliation and First Communion this year. To arrange this, please email yamp@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at school.

In 2025, a new pilot program is being offered by the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCS) School Evangelisation Team to replace the current Incitare Retreat. This new initiative, named GLOW, will gather all Year 6 students within each region of the Lismore Diocese for fun activities, live praise and worship and immersive prayer experiences. The program aims to provide a whole-school evangelisation opportunity, aligning with the Student Discipleship Continuum.

Year 6 students will be travelling to this retreat at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour next Wednesday 28th May with Ms Aumuller and Mrs Howland. A reminder that the bus will leave St James School at 7:45am and return back to school by approx 4:15pm. Please ensure you read the information on COMPASS Events and give permission for your child to attend.

Renee Howland

Assistant Principal - Mission

Learning and Teaching News

National Simultaneous Storytime

This week, the students at St James participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. It is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6. This year’s book was ‘The Truck Cat’, written by Deborah Frenkel. Here are a few happy snaps of the day!

Stage 3 News

We have started a very busy Term 2, with lots on, in and out of the classroom.

Religion: 

We are working on our REnew unit called The Sacraments, where we’ve learned about each of the Sacraments in detail. We are now expanding our knowledge by creating interactive learning stations that teach others about a specific Sacrament. The students are having fun designing models, kahoots, plays, posters, game boards, cards and a variety of other ways to present and share their research.

Maths: 

Our units of work currently focus on data. Here the students are collecting, recording, interpreting and reading all different types of data. We have used Google Sheets to record information on a spreadsheet and then convert it to a side-by-side column graph. We have also created surveys on Google Forms, collected the data and recorded this data on graphs.

English: 

In our English unit this term students will explore how a significant historical event can be portrayed through different genres. Students will engage with various texts that describe the Wave Hill Walk-Off under the leadership of Vincent Lingiari and consider the context and perspective of each of the authors in creating their text. Students have written a letter to the Governor General on behalf of Vincent Lingiari supporting his request and are currently writing a ‘Historical Report’ on Gough Whitlam and the significant role that he played during the time of the ‘Wave Hill Walk Off’. Students  are using our ‘Bump it up wall’ to assist in upgrading their work. Our wall assists students to have a look at example of work and gain a deeper understand of what is expected and what they need to do to improve their writing. We have had great discussion about this topic and our final piece will draw on their knowledge to create their own hybrid text about a significant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who has had a significant impact in Australian History. We cant wait to share some of the finished pieces. 

Stage 3 students have been out and about this term. 8 Students attended ‘Close the Gap’ last week. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together, learn, connect and be inspired. On Monday 20 of our students went to Zone Cross Country in Woolgoolga. 2 of our students made their Confirmation with Bishop Greg - who also visited our class on Monday morning. We are currently holding netball try-outs for a school team to compete at the Netball Schools Cup in Maclean on Thursday 29th May and we are eagerly awaiting the new date for our AFL gala day. Our Long Way Home Writing entries have been sent off (thank you Mrs Dougherty) and Year 6 are excited for ‘GLOW’ next week at McAuley.

NCCD - Inclusion

SPORT - needs a read- lots of changes

The continued wet weather has caused numerous changes to sporting events in the last few weeks. Please keep checking your emails as information will be passed on through there if changes to any events have been made.

Cross Country

The Clarence Zone Cross Country carnival was finally held last week at Woolgoolga. The St James team all did exceptionally well and our school finished 2nd in the pointscore. We had 17 students qualify to compete at the Diocesan Carnival which is being held in Woolgoolga next Thursday, 29th May. Good luck to all competing.

AFL

The Paul Kelly Cup has also been rescheduled and will now be held at Iluka on Tuesday 17th June. St James is sending 2 Boys teams and 1 Girls team from Stage 3 to the carnival and the students are excited to put their AFL skills into practice at the carnival.

Netball

St James is entering 3 Stage 3 teams and 1 Stage 2 team in the Netball NSW Schools Cup carnival being held in Maclean next Thursday 29th May. Information will be sent out shortly to families of those students involved so please keep an eye on Compass.

AFL After School Program

Bird Song Program St James this weekend-

Birdsong festival

3:45-4pm On Saturday, 24th of May. 

We will be on the Small stage by the Yamba Ice creamery. Please wear school uniform but don’t panic if you forget.

Lots of children are playing and singing with Ryan Enns

#CC10

The 10th Community Conversation looked at the Diocesan Growth Strategy; Term 3 disco for the children; Paernt Assembly events available for families; and potential Play Group Renewal.

Want to know more? Ring in and we can connnect you with the group. Amy Tierney is this years "lead"

Come along  in week 8 for #CC11, have a meal, and join the group. All are welcome, all belong !

Attendance