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Dear Friends of St James Catholic College,
Joe Sandric congratulating one of our top performing NAPLAN students in Year 7, Bella O’Neill, who along with other terrific performers in Year 7 and 9 have significantly contributed to our College being in the top 25 performing schools in NAPLAN 2024 results.
NAPLAN
This week we received this letter from the Executive Director of Tasmanian Catholic Education. On last Thursday’s principal meeting Joe was congratulated by the State Minister of Education in this excellent result.
On raw results, St James students in Year 7 and 9, in particular, and Years 3 and 5 saw their NAPLAN results in the top 25 of the over 280 schools in Tasmania. Our raw NAPLAN scores were higher than any Catholic College in Southern Tasmania!
In short, statistically a cohort of about a quarter of the students in Years 9 and 7, in particular, performed so well on their NAPLAN that they raised our median score to see us ranked in the top 10% of school results. The data also shows that our high scoring students benefited from the rest of the two-thirds of the group scoring well. Years 3 and 5 had a closer range of improved raw scores.
An outstanding result, well done staff and students.
SECOND STREAM OF YEAR 7
Last week we received the excellent news we have been granted a second class of Year 7 for 2025. Unlike last year where we had to disappoint families who had their children on our waiting list for Year 7, this year Mrs Sharlene Duggan had the pleasure of contacting all of these families and offering them a place at our college.
And considering how we perform in Year 7, why wouldn’t you want to be here?!
Now as a result we have a few limited places left. If you know of any families keen to explore and excellent education for their children, get them to get in touch with us.
2025 STAFFING
Now that we have the go-ahead for the second Year 7 class, we will finalise our staffing for the College. Click here to view 2025 Staffing that was communicated to families this week.
Kind regards,
Joe Sandric
Principal
Important Dates
|
Week |
Primary School Event |
Where |
Date |
|
2025 Kinder Orientation Program |
Kinder Classroom |
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th November |
|
|
7 |
Prep to Yr 10 Orientation |
25th Nov |
|
|
7 |
Yr 3 to 6 Hobart Aquatic Day and Picnic |
28th Nov |
|
|
7 |
Primary Schools Triathlon |
29th Nov |
|
|
8 |
Fire Safety Education |
2nd - 6th Dec |
|
|
9 |
‘The Princess and the Pea’ Primary Pantomime Excursion |
Playhouse Theatre, Hobart |
10th Dec |
|
9 |
GYC Head Start Week |
Guilford Young College, Hobart |
9th - 11th Dec |
|
9 |
Year 10 Graduation Mass and Presentation of Year 10 Awards |
St James Catholic Church |
12th Dec |
|
9 |
Year 10 Graduation Dinner |
Kingston |
12th Dec |
|
10 |
Year 6 Graduation Mass |
St James Catholic College |
16th Dec |
|
10 |
Primary Christmas Concert |
16th Dec |
|
|
10 |
2024 End of Year Awards Ceremony |
Mackillop Performance Centre |
9.15am 17th Dec |
|
10 |
Kinder End Of Year Afternoon Tea |
Kinder Classroom |
18th Dec |
|
10 |
Last day for students |
18th Dec |
Year 5 and 6 Canberra trip
- "One thing I learnt about myself is that sometimes things don't work out the way they are planned but that doesn't mean it is a bad thing, it is a learning opportunity."
- " I liked the earthquake house at Questacon and the huge lego planets."
- "I learnt that the time that you spend with your friends is something that really matters in life."
- "I liked the Australian Institute of Sport and how you could kick soccer balls, footballs and rugby balls at screens. It was good to see Jesse Moore (Olympic Gymnast) training.
- "I learnt that Canberra is more peaceful than I thought."
- "I learnt about democracy and what happens in the House of Representatives and the Senate."
SJCC Book Swap raising funds for the Chris Crerar Scholarship
Throughout Week 4 at St James the school raised valuable funds for the Chris Crerar Foundation Scholarship. The school community did this by hosting a book swap. Children from across the school donated hundreds of books and enjoyed purchasing books with a gold coin donation. Children who participated in the book swap gained an entry into the spot prize draw. Several students across primary and secondary won great prizes such as palawa author Aunty Pasty’s sea country and sky country books. The prizes were given out at assembly with special guest Yabbo from Reconciliation Tasmania. Yabbo spoke to the students about Chris Cerar’s vision and the amazing opportunity that the scholarship will give somebody.
We are proud to announce that at St James Catholic College we successfully not only raised $119 dollars but also raised valuable awareness on this special cause.
RACT Distracted Driving course at My State Arena
Grade 7 and 8 Music
In our music program, students explore a wide range of instruments, but one of the most popular choices, surprisingly, is vocals. It is inspiring to see so many young artists are drawn to the art of singing, displaying a level of talent and confidence that often moves us deeply. Their performances truly reflect one of the hallmarks of a great College: a place where students feel empowered and courageous enough to stand up in front of their peers and share their musical gifts.
We have many emerging vocalists who have recently impressed us all with their performances. A particularly impressive aspect of these young musicians' work is their ability to perform entirely from memory, a skill that reflects their dedication and commitment.
We are so proud of our students for the hard work, passion, and the courage they show every day, and we look forward to seeing how their talents continue to blossom!
Year 8 Bushwalk and Cultural Creations
Jack Jumpers visit
Our Year 3/4 students were thrilled to learn basketball skills from the Jack Jumpers stars themselves. Plus, they went home with some cool goodies!
Visual Arts at The Huon Show
Year 3/4 Huon Show
Year 9/10 Visual Arts Botanical Drawing Excursion
On Tuesday of week 5 the Year 9/10 Visual Arts class embarked on an excursion to the Botanical Gardens to be inspired by the plant life there. Our focus this term has been botanical drawings, and the visit offered an ideal opportunity to observe a wide variety of plant life, and the time to peacefully draw and paint. In class we have been creating concertina books, which we've used to display the pictures, paintings and prints of the plant life that we have studied. We were lucky to have perfect weather for the occasion and a huge array of flowers in bloom; and the class were free to roam the gardens choosing the plants they found most inspiring to draw or paint or photograph.
Flames Winners
| Prep: | Charlee Brereton and George Direen |
| Year 1/2: | Harry Schleebs and Logan Wickham |
| Year 3/4 Blue: | Saphyre Hunt and Clancy Brereron |
| Year 3/4 Gold: | Billy Lockley and Lacey Wilcox |
| Year 7: | Hamish Churchill and Ruby Russell |
| Year 8: | Izabel Hennings and Sage Welstead |
| Year 9: | Jess Drysdale and Jypsy Cordwell |
| Year 10: | Jack Young and Ruby Welstead |
Carol on the HIlls - Volunteers Needed
As many of you will be aware, every year the Archdiocese of Hobart hosts Carols on the Hill at the GYC Hobart Oval.
Would you have time on the 7th of December from 5:30pm to 9pm to help volunteer to support this fun and festive community event?
REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/
We are looking for an array of people willing to be a volunteer on the day, and the roles include
-
Welcoming Guests
-
Ticketing
-
Parking
-
Information Tent
-
Children's Activities
-
Wardens
-
Roving volunteers going in pairs
-
Sausage Sizzle
-
Backstage volunteers
-
Bathroom Attendants
-
Post-event clean up
We are excited to be working with you on the day!
Christmas Eve 24 December Come to Bethlehem
Experience Bethlehem as it might have been at the time of the birth of Jesus.
Mary and Joseph had to go there for the census. Walk with them through the
market places as they look for somewhere to stay. Visit the Inn and Herod’s
Palace. Be there to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Children are welcome to dress up as angels or shepherds
Times and Activities:
- 4pm onwards Census registration and market place opens. Each
participant will be given a bag of Roman coins to ‘spend’.
- 5pm Nativity play and carol singing
- 6pm Christmas Eve Mass in St. James Church
Where: Grounds of St. James Church and Presbytery
ALL WELCOME
What: CORES Self-Care and Mental Wellbeing Workshop
When: Thursday , 28 Nov, 2:30 pm - 5 pm
Where: Huon Valley Hub, 23 Main Street Huonville
Cost: $25.00
This 2.5-hour self-care and mental well-being workshop is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources to develop and use an individualized self-care and mental well-being plan that includes strategies to enhance their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health on a daily basis.
Seats are limited, tickets are available https://events.humanitix.com/
Contact and communication during the school day
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 BottlesPlease 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.
Move well, Eat Well.
- https://www.movewelleatwell.
tas.gov.au/primary_schools/ plant_fruit_and_veg_in_your_ lunchbox - https://www.movewelleatwell.
tas.gov.au/primary_schools/ limit_sometimes_foods/ lunchbox_snack_idea_flyers
These suggestions also have the added advantage of often being low packaging, which assists to reduce the litter in our environment.
Please feel free to share any great ideas for lunchboxes with your child's teacher!