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Dear friends of the College,
On Monday morning I spoke to our secondary students about the broken grace that I had in attending the funeral of Jade Simpson, the mother of our Year 9 student, Jypsy Cordwell.
I spoke about the idea of a broken grace, that is a grace, a gift that is given to you, but broken because it's delivered in a way that you would prefer not to have it. Having time to reflect on one's life and vocation, as I did at the funeral, was a gift given to me by Jade but of course, I would have preferred that it wasn't given this way. That is the nature of the life that we live.
As I stood there and saw many of the staff that I work with and many of the students that were there to support Jypsy, three things struck me in reflection:
The first is that the most important thing in our lives is our family. Some families are fine and others struggle at times, and life takes us as families on a ride between these two extremes, but there is one defining factor of all families and that is love. That love might not be obvious to see all the time but it's always there in all families. The love of a mother for her children and for her wider community was obvious to everyone at the funeral on Saturday.
The second thing that struck me when I stood there was what a privilege it is to be an educator at Saint James Catholic College. We have the privilege of living a vocation in education where we leverage off the love that families have for their children in the manner in which we go about our school life. I felt that when I was taught many years ago in a Catholic school and one of the challenges as a leader in a Catholic school is to make sure that everyone lives out that vocation to the best of their ability.
The final thing that struck me at Jade's funeral was the fact that as humans we crave for a better life. Jade's children talked about Jade being now with her deceased daughter and family members. As Catholics we believe in the communion of saints and we believe in the concept of heaven, that Jesus has opened up the gates for us to enter into this beautiful life of eternity. All religions share some similar concept of life after death. Even in a humanistic viewpoint people want the best for their loved ones after their journey has finished here on earth.
My prayers are with Jypsy and her family but also with all people that are struggling with the death of someone that they love very, very much. In lifting up our prayers to God I offer this beautiful prayer that was read at Jade's funeral:
Look for me in rainbows
Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye.
Look for me in rainbows way up in the sky,
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me as you know I love you.
Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye.
Look for me in rainbows high up in the sky,
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me and I'll be close to you.
It won't be forever and the day will come,
And then my loving arms will hold you when we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye,
Look for me in rainbows shining in the sky.
Every waking moment and all your life through,
Just look for me and love me and you know I love you.
Just wish me near to you and I will be there with you.
Look for me in rainbows.
Eternal rest grant to Jade O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen
College Board
The College Board is a wonderful instrument of parent perspective within the college. Over my time back in a second stint at St James, I've had the privilege of meeting formally eight times each year with a wonderful group of intelligent, passionate and student focused parents and grandparents who have given up their time to meet on the College Board. Mary Haverland, who is our board chair, is highly capable at moderating respectful ideas amongst the group that always give me insightful directions to pursue.
Please consider being part of the Board. The more ideas from a broader range of families, the better the outcomes. If you would like to know more please get in touch with Sharlene Duggan at the College Office and she will be able to field your questions and give you dates for the meaning.
Enrolment Term
Over the next eight weeks of this term we will have two main enrollment focuses:
The first is running presently and is for Year 7 students for 2025. Towards the end of this month we present to the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office the number of applications that we have for Year 7 next year. Based on that number they determine the number of teachers that we have at our disposal to allocate to our secondary classes. Getting an accurate number early not only allows us plenty of time to plan but also allows us to go to the market to attract the best staff for our secondary classes.
Please help us to attract enrolments into Year 7 in 2025:
If you know of any families who have children in Year 6 and are contemplating where to send their child next year for secondary school have them get in touch with us directly at the Front Office or alternatively they can look to our website, where we not only have plenty of information about the college, but also a portal to book a tour.
In just over a month's time, we will shift our enrolment focus to kindergarten enrolments for 2025:
Again, an early number allows us to plan effectively for the year ahead. At any stage if you know of any families who have children about to begin the wonderful journey of school education please have them get in touch with us.
Your help in attracting enrolments and the positive comments you can make about the college help us immensely.
Chargers for Secondary student devices
This year sees us successfully roll out our three-year plan of new devices for every student at the college. I'd like to publicly thank Mr Sean Bint who has been the main driver of this initiative within our college. He has done a stellar job in working with the Catholic Education Tasmania staff to produce a wonderful outcome for not only our students in their education but also for families. As I have mentioned before this year we will begin the journey of having a learning management system along with the devices that each student has. We will further develop our capacity in delivering teaching and learning at the College. The fact that this is all done within the budget of the college, with no additional cost to families beyond their fees, is great news for all family budgets.
The basic details of how devices are used at the College is that in the primary school there are charging bays in each classroom that under the direction of class teachers students use the devices as needs be. In the secondary school we have charges in bays but also allow secondary students to take their devices home. In doing so you may wish to purchase a charger for your child so that they can use it to charge their device at home.
Click here for the link for the specific “Surface Go” chargers and they can buy them directly from Microsoft.
Every blessing for the fortnight ahead, Joe Sandric
Important Dates
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Canteen Closed |
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Year 5 & 6 Retreat Incursions |
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Swimming Carnival  |
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Little Light 9.30am to 11am |
Last weeks FLAMES ticket winners:
This weeks FLAMES ticket winners:
NAPLAN 2024
Each year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participa
te in the National Assessment Programme – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). The results are used to measure individual students and student cohorts, educational outcomes in literacy (reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
The assessments will be conducted across two weeks this year from 13 to 25 March with opportunity for catch up of missed tests. The assessments will occur within class time and will be supervised by College staff. Parent and Carers Information sheet contains details of NAPLAN online.
Students in Years 7 and 9 will need to supply their own headphones for all tests.
Student Withdrawals
Parents may choose to withdraw their students from NAPLAN or, in certain circumstances, they may receive an exemption. If you wish to withdraw your child, please contact the School to advise and complete the required document prior to 6 March.
Music News
This year our Music program has once again made a melodic start with the Music room open on Wednesday to Friday lunchtimes for various music and band practices. Students choosing to join the school band are signing out instruments for loan.
Students have been bedazzled by Pete’s performances of a plethora of instruments including the Siyotanka (native american flute), Flugabone, a tin whistle, sitar, accordion and the Stroviol. Click here to view Pete playing the stroviol: The Stroh violin or Stroviol, patented in 1899, is a one stringed cello, with megaphone for street music.
Once again, Pete is offering private lessons/small group lessons(at less cost) in school time on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Those needing inspiration to find what makes their heart sing have the opportunity to use both an Xbox and Playstation (permanently set up stations), loaded up with mesmerising musical software including: Guitar Hero, Just Dance, Rocksmith and Rockband.
The Kinders in action singing “Ladybug”.
Pete has started the year by focusing on vocals, marimba, keyboard and guitar for our core musical program allowing all students the opportunity to widen their hands on experience of these instruments.
We are currently searching for additional guitars and keyboards, and we will welcome any donations.
From Mr Nick Freeman and Mr Pete Kaukiainen
2024 Leadership Formation Day
2024 student leadership team participated in a leadership formation day. After undertaking team building activities at the Franklin foreshore, they ventured to the Tahune Airwalk precinct where they explored the area and spent time reflecting on being a leader and what this means. The students also spent time discussing Julian Tenison Woods' love of the environment and his connection to the region as part of our College Josephite history. The students are now looking forward to working with all SJCC students on many initiatives this year.
'Channel 7's Sunrise Breakfast Show visited Cygnet ☀️
Channel 7's Sunrise breakfast show visited Cygnet on Thursday to broadcast their weather report.
Weather reporter Sam McMillan went to school with our very own Sean Bint, whom he had not seen for a number of years and was very happy to reunite with on the broadcast.
AFL Football Clinic
We were very fortunate to have a visit from representatives of the Southern Storm and Cygnet Football Clubs on Friday 23 February. Students from Years 8-10 enjoyed spending time participating in Australian rules football skills and drills under the guidance of Stacey Fox, Steve Eiszele and Trent Cowen. All students are encouraged to get involved in AFL football either via our local clubs or any other club in their region.
AFL Primary Clinic
Keyboard Donations
The Music department is seeking additional second hand piano keyboards. If you know of any we will be most grateful of any donations!
SMS Absence Notifications
The College accepts SMS absentee notifications. Please SMS: 0488 863 246 with your child's name, grade and absent reason. Please save this number in your phone for future reference.
Drink Bottles
Please make sure your child brings a drink bottle to school each day.
College Facebook Page / Instagram
Join our College Facebook page just click below or type in: @StJamesCatholicCollege in the Facebook search bar.
Have your childs medical details changed?
A gentle reminder to advise the school if your child's medical details have recently changed. Please contact the College office to ensure your childs details are current.
