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Dear friends of St James Catholic College,
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
Over the weekend I reflected on the phrase 'Who's got your back' and I wondered if we ever really stop to recognise and appreciate the wonderful supporters that we often have around us? Some cheer us on actively, others provide quiet encouragement.
This idea made me particularly reflect on that question in the light of the people that support you who you may not know. Although I'm not a big fan of tennis, it is the French Open at the moment. One of our last remaining players at the tournament is Alex de Minaur. On social media I saw the thank you that Alex gave to one of his fans. The fan was a young man, about the age of our secondary school students, who was courtside for his third round match and was cheering and supporting him the whole way through. His verbal support of Alex was very much at the fore at the times when the tennis match was not going the Australian's way. In the end, Alex did win that third round match and one of the first people that he went over to thank was this young tennis fan; A fan of his that he had never met before, but was so passionate about the Australian doing well in his match.
Further, support from people we don't know was highlighted when I recently went to the letterbox to notice that I had received a handwritten letter from a person called 'Kerry'. In the letter Kerry, who I've never met, tells me that God loves me and that I am in their prayers, and I'm going to write a letter back to Kerry to thank them for wisdom and support. While I really don't know how prayers actually work, one day, when I come face to face with the loving God, I hope to find out. I am aware so very keenly in my own prayer life that it has been rewarded with many wonderful blessings, and I know that I often pray for others in a similar way that I would presume Kerry does too.
As I said to our secondary students on Monday, I do not know how the tennis match of life may be going for them. Maybe they're winning, maybe they're in the middle of a tight second set, or maybe there are times when they're really struggling, but they can be assured of one thing: they are in my prayers.
So, who's got your back? Sometimes it is people that you know, but at other times, it's people behind the scenes wanting the best for you. The challenge I put to our students this week is to seek out those people out and to thank them for their support, and also, to be that person behind the scenes that is supporting others, providing a sense of community where we all know we've got each other's back.
PRAYER GARDEN
Between the main office and the early years classrooms is a little narrow cavity which is our college prayer garden. It was built some 15 years ago initially by a class that I taught life skills in. Over the years it's been added to and one very special way that it's been added to is by plaques placed at the back of the prayer garden to remember individuals that were important to our college that have passed away.
My invitation to the community is to ask if there are any people who are dear to you and were members of our college community that you would like added to our prayer garden. If so please e-mail me on sjcc.principal@catholic.tas.edu.au
SCHOOL CLOSURE
From time to time, due to extreme weather or other unforeseen cercumstances, school may need to be cancelled for the day. Please be aware of how this happened and how it is communicated:
In a nutshell, Mrs Elizabeth Radnidge and Mr Joe Sandric call the weather/incident by 7am, Joe makes the decision and then contacts other colleges in our region, Mr Brett Tanner contacts staff via email and text by 7.15am, Mrs Sharlene Duggan contacts families via compass and text by 7.15am and Joe contacts buses.
BUS TRAVEL CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
Over the course of 2021, our students with a selection from Cygnet Primary , worked on a code of behaviour for bus travel. You would have seen this before and this code has seen bus travel more ordered and safe in recent years, but I post it again for. Your information:
FOR STUDENTS…
I understand that my behaviour and attitude while travelling on buses impacts on the safety, comfort and wellbeing of myself, the driver and all other passengers. While travelling on the school buses:
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I will… |
I will not… |
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FOR FAMILIES…
I acknowledge that travelling on the school bus is a privilege and not a right, and that inappropriate behaviour on the bus affects the safety of the driver and all passengers.
If walking my child(ren) to and from the bus stop, I will deliver and collect my child(ren) on the same side of the road as they board or exit the bus.
If I drive my child(ren) to and from the bus, I will park my vehicle in a safe location on the opposite side of the road from the bus stop. I will cross the road to meet my children when they exit the bus and escort them safely back to my vehicle once the bus has resumed its journey.
I understand the above Code of Student Behaviour and have discussed these expectations with my child(ren). I understand that failure to comply with the Code of behaviour may place others at risk. I understand that the following process will be followed by the schools if my child(ren) do not comply with the Code of Behaviour:
- A first offence will result in a written letter of warning, stating the inappropriate behaviour
- A second offence, even if different to the first, will result in a three-day suspension from bus travel, communicated in writing and stating the inappropriate behaviour
- A third offence or serious physical assault will result in a two-week suspension from bus travel, communicated in writing and stating the inappropriate behaviour
My child(ren) using the school bus services implies that our family agrees to comply with all aspects of this agreement.
Regards,
Joe Sandric
Principal
Important Dates
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King’s Birthday Public Holiday |
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Year 7 and Year 10 Immunisations |
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Oudoor Education Group 1 - Snug Falls Walk |
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Little Lights - 9.30am to 11am - Teddy Bear's Picnic |
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Oudoor Education Group 2 - Snug Falls Walk |
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Yr 7 Volleyball School Cup |
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Yr 10 Volleyball Team School Cup |
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Little Lights - 9.30am to 11.30am - PCYC (Huonville) |
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Mid Year Reports Issued |
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Parent/Teacher Conferences(MPC)3:30pm-7pm |
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Last day Term 2 |
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STUDENT FREE DAY |
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Term 3 commences for Students |
YEAR 3/4 FEMALE FACTORY VISIT
Years 3/4 visited the Female Factory on Tuesday 4th June to learn about a day in the life of a female convict. Years 3/4 have been studying settlement as part of their HASS learning so the excursion was an opportunity to see first hand the conditions female convicts as young as 7 experienced as part of their punishment. Students participated in a tour of the factory, made dolls similar to those made by the convicts for children in the prison nursery, and had a go at washing and cleaning clothes using traditional techniques.
TIMETABLES AND INTERNATIONAL TIME ZONES - YEAR 5
In Grade 5, we have been studying time, timetables and international time zones. We have also started our drama unit where we are creating short performance pieces drawn from Aesop's Fables and other 'Reader's Theatre' scripts. We have also started our preparation for the Huon & Channel Volleyball Carnival to be run in Kingston later in the year. Look out for some future Olympians and Oscar winners!!
YEAR 9/10 HORTICULTURE
Over the past semester the year 9 / 10 Horticulture class have been hard at work revamping the Kitchen garden. We have been working on getting on top of the weeds and planting new beds to attract pollinators to the garden. The students have constructed 3 compost bins and 2 storage bays from the generous donations of pallets. The next big project to tackle will be the Polytunnel that needs new plastic and entry ways.
CONSTRUCTION
Three of our year 10 Construction students designed and built some garden beds for the area opposite the Kinder / Prep play area. Blake Direen, Bevan Direen and Darcy Direen worked together to make the project happen. This will allow our Horticulture class to install wicking beds and native plants to help beautify the area.
YEAR 9 & 10 GYC VISIT
Year 9 & 10 students visited Guilford Young College on Tuesday 4th June to explore course options for 2025 and 2026. Students were able to get involved with Science, Arts and Media, a variety of VET courses and Outdoor Education Experiences. Many enjoyed the Houghton Haunted House experience while on tour of the college and its facilities.
Parent / Student Communication
Our mobile phone policy is 'off and away all day'. That is, students are to keep their phones switched off and out of sight during school hours. If students are seen using their phones, the phone is sent to the office.
To support your child uphold the policy, please do not call or text them directly during school hours. Should you need to contact your child through the school day, please do so via the school office and your message will be passed on.
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.
Wisby's Kingston Bus Service
Because of an election promise by the current State Government, bus fares have been reduced to $8 for a sheet 10 tickets and $1 for a single ticket.