Term 4 Week 1 (17/10/2025)
What is On?
Tuesday 21st October- Year 4 Retreat Accendere
Tuesday 21st October- Community Conversation #13 (see below)
Wednesday 22nd October - Crazy Sock Day (see below for details)
Thursday 23rd October - Surfing Sport S2 & S3 begins
Saturday 25th October - School Parish Mass 5:30pm
Monday 3rd – Friday 7th November - Stage 3 Camp- Canberra
Friday 28th November - Little J's Graduation
Tuesday 2nd December - Just a little bit of fun for Christmas
End of Year Final Awards Assembly - Thursday 11th December - Yamba Bowling Club 10:00am – 11:00am
Tuesday 16th December- Final Mass
Tuesday 16th December - Graduation Dinner
Wednesday 17th December - Last Day Term 4 for Students and Staff
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to the home stretch!
2025 has been a wonderful but oh so busy year and we are on the home run. Home runs are usually when you are exhausted BUT at the end they indicate a job well done or a successful completion. (I am going with this analogy for the term, ok!)
This week started with our Play J's and Little J's returning after a break which was wonderful and a trip to Maclean for Mass with St Joseph's School and icy poles on return to celebrate the Jubilee Year. Icy poles for two reasons... it was a warm day and ... the children were beyond magnificent in their ability to focus, engage, explain, celebrate and discuss. We could not be more proud of how well the children worked with the Maclean students, which of course means, a big thank you to the staff who made sure our children could represent themselves with such confidence. So icy poles it was.
Have a lovely weekend and see you all as we count down to the Christmas celbrations. Only 49 sleeps to go. Let's make every one count in building community, celebrating effort and achievement and the joy of being known and cared for at Saint James.
Cheers
Ann
Check out the new walls in S1 and S3. S2 is still to come.
RE News
Jubilee Mass of Hope
On Wednesday, students and staff travelled to St Joseph’s School Maclean, to celebrate the combined Jubilee Mass of Hope with other schools from across the Diocese. The celebration was held under the big top and brought together students, staff, members of the parish and families in a joyful expression of faith and unity.
The Mass, led by Fr Roland, reminded us that hope is central to our mission as Catholic schools. A hope that inspires us to live with faith, kindness and courage in our communities. A highlight of the celebration was the Jubilee Boat of Hope, a powerful symbol representing our shared journey of faith and the guiding presence of Christ who leads us forward with courage and trust.
Students proudly joined in the Mass, singing with actions and representing our school with reverence and joy. After Mass, everyone shared lunch and playtime together, enjoying the chance to connect with new friends and celebrate this special occasion.
Renee Howland
Assistant Principal Mission
SOCKTOBER
Sport News
Athletics
Good luck to Jake who is competing at the NSW PSSA Athletics Carnival in Sydney next week. Jake finished 3rd in the Senior Boys 1500m at the Polding Athletics Championships at the end of last term, which qualified him for the PSSA carnival where he will now compete against students from all schools right across NSW. A great achievement from Jake to reach this level and we look forward to cheering him on from here at school via the Livestream!
Triathlon
The Yamba Triathlon is happening on Sunday the 30th November and this year they have a new initiative happening called the “Schools Challenge”. The school with the most number of students/teachers/parents entered into the triathlon event will receive a $500 donation towards sporting goods for their school thanks to Yamba Multisport Club. So if any children and/or parents in our school community are thinking of entering this event, please make sure you select St James Yamba as your school when completing your entry.
All the information about the triathlon event and how to enter can be found via the event website at www.yambatri.org
Surfing
Next Thursday our Stage 2 and 3 students will begin our Term 4 Surfing program for their weekly Sport activity. The cost for this program has been covered by a Sporting Schools Government grant that we were successful in obtaining. If you have not yet given your child permission to participate in the activity, please do so via the Compass app, before next Thursday. All the information about the program is on Compass as well so please read carefully so you are aware of what your child will need to participate in the activity.
School Bus Travel Information
School student travel information for parents and students
School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2026 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2026.
Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply for a new card or update their existing card as soon as possible. Students who receive a notification that their School Opal card is expiring need to re-submit their details.
If a student has lost their School Opal card, they will need to apply for a replacement card. Note: a new card will not be issued if an existing School Opal card is updated online – you must submit a replacement application if a School Opal card is lost.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use.
This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
#CC 13 Community Conversation
#CC13 is on Tuesday evening.
Please join us to continue the conversation with a focus on "friend raising"
Link to register
Radio
Stage 3 Radio Show weekly on Fridays 11am- 12pm on TLC FM 93.5. Tune in and request your favourite songs!
Attendance
