Filter Content
Dear Friends of St James Catholic College,
Thank you so much staff, students and families for the wonderful Term 2 and in fact the whole of the first semester of 2025. I wish all a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing all of you back for Semester 2, Term 3 2025.
THANK YOU, STAFF
Over the course of this term I have been so impressed by the quality of our staff here at St James. There are many aspects to this pride but in particular, I'd like to focus on the resilience that we have. A few years ago now we created a staff charter and it has been so awesome to see that lived over the course of Term 2.
This term we worked on the document to refine it and you can see the result below:
Staff Wellbeing Charter 2025 refresh
As a staff we want to feel:
- Balanced in work and life
- Valued and Appreciated
- Safe and Calm
- Respected and Heard
- Part of a Community
- A sense of achievement
In order to have these feelings consistently, we will:
- Be inclusive and welcoming
- Check in with each other
- Be collegial and support new staff
- Fulfil our roles and responsibilities professionally
- Work as a team in the best interest of others
- Make time for professional conversations
- Develop and maintain professional boundaries
We will prevent and manage conflict by:
- Having professional conversations
- Working on the basis of trust (people trying their hardest)
- Modelling behaviours and values that we wish to experience
- Being an active listener and respecting the decisions that are made
- Help and support colleagues
- Speak professionally with each other
Through it all the staff have been resilient and shown grit, supporting our students not only in their learning goals, but in their wellbeing too, and of course supporting each other in professional and collegial ways. Our staff often pick up many extra and unexpected tasks, and I'm so proud to be part of the St James community that backs each other each and every day.
Thank you so much staff. You make the educational context here at St James rich, engaging and challenging for our students and you support your colleagues in the process.
THE NEXT STEPS FOR OUR YEAR 10s
This year I have had the pleasure of teaching Year 10 for Religious Education. Of course, I've got to know them over the four years that I've been at St James but there is nothing better for a teacher to actually get to know students as learners. I have been so impressed by the standard of work that they've produced for us over the course of the year so far.
Therefore, it's with a little bit of sadness over the course of this term that I see them all out to various senior secondary colleges for a taster of what it's going to be like for them in 2026 and beyond.
One of the great advantages for our Year 10 families is that I have been able to broker a deal with our two senior secondary colleges, Saint Aloysius and Guilford Young College, they will cap fees for our families in Year 11 and 12 at the rate that they were paying for fees here at St James College. For a full fee-paying family that saving over the two years of senior secondary will be about $6,500.
I'd like to publicly thank the principles of Saint Aloysius and Guilford Young, Mr. Paul Reidy and Mrs. Jo Legosz, for honoring a commitment that began with their predecessors.
What a bonus for families in making a commitment to a regional Catholic College like St James to know that the senior secondary options available to them are affordable due to that commitment.
SCHOOL CLOSURE
From time to time, due to extreme weather or other unforeseen circumstances, 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 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.
OVAL WORKS
You would know that last year we can up with concept drawings for the re-fresh of our oval. If you have not seen them, please come past the Front Office and have a look at them in the Pin Up Board near the Entrance.
Next term, we will be working with key CET staff to scope out the work with a plan to begin the works in Term 4, 2025. Exiting!
Joe Sandric
Principal
St James was buzzing with excitement last week during our Special Person’s Day! It was wonderful to see so many special people joining our classes and looking at the work students have completed this semester. Everyone was very impressed by the lovely afternoon tea in the Library and the classical music performed by our Secondary students. We have been discussing during our Resilience Project lessons, about ‘happy magic’ which refers to the hormone oxytocin that gets released when we are kind or have a kind action done for us and how this makes us feel happy! St James was well and truly alive with this happy magic on Monday 23th June as our students and special people showed kindness by being present, joining in with classroom activities, and offering words of encouragement to their loved ones for all the hard work they have completed this semester. Thank you to all for helping make our community such a happy and thriving place!
Mabbyle on Country at Burtons Reserve
Regular attendees of mabbyle 'all together' cultural sessions were invited to attend an on country experience. We took a walk down to Burtons Reserve and looked at the swans who were nesting. We spent the morning yarning, having a cook up and beading. Students also enjoyed playing at the new park and exploring different bush foods.
Excursion to Geeveston Town hall
Year 9 and 10 students visited the Geeveston Town Hall to see the First Nations Artists Exhibition: Connection to Country. The class has been working on art projects inspired by the Reconciliation theme Bridging Now to Next, and this was a great opportunity to see how First Nations artists express their identity and connection to Australia through their work. There was so much meaning in the artworks for our students to reflect on. The beautiful designs offered a wonderful source of inspiration and served as a powerful reminder of the rich culture we are fortunate to have here in Australia.
Secondary Headspace Visit
Bron Dillon Art Mentorship
Throughout Term 2 selected students took part in Art mentorship sessions with Bron from wayti culture and knowledge. Students were given an opportunity to yarn and learn new skills. The students particularly enjoyed making jewelry and weaving. We look forward to seeing these students further develop these skills and make some wonderful creations.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
What an outstanding effort by our students and families in the donation of food and clothing items for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. As part of the appeal, our Primary students were very fortunate to have Jody Sargison - SVDP Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator, speak to them about the many areas that SVDP provides support and assistance in, in our local and global communities. A huge thanks to our Student leaders for their coordination of this event, our Year 9/10 VET Hospitality students and Mrs Ryan for providing hot drinks for all students on a cold day and all staff who supported this initiative. We certainly needed lots of extra hands to pack the items for distribution to those in need.
EARLY NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS AT SJCC
To kick start our whole college NAIDOC Celebrations all students were invited into the MPC to compete in an AFL Handball competition. We congratulate all students for giving it their best shot and to our winners who received some special prizes.
WHOLE CLASS CAKE
We thank our Hospitality class along with Ms Ryan and Ms Newborn for baking several wonderful cakes using native ingredients for the whole college to enjoy and reflect on NAIDOC week as whole classes.
NAIDOC ASSEMBLY
At our NAIDOC assembly we were treated to a performance of the yolla mutton bird dance led by Mathius and Trish from nita education with the Prep, One and Two students. The dance told the story of first gathering around the fire and heading out to hunt yolla mutton birds, carrying the birds on the spears and watching out for snakes, before returning to the fire for a cook up all together. We learnt more about the theme of the Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear families and friends, due to ongoing issues with our current Facebook page, we’ve created a brand new page to better connect with our community.
We invite you to follow us on our new official Facebook page here:
St James Catholic College Cygnet
Please like and follow our new page to stay up to date with the latest news, events, and updates from our school.
New Uniform Price List
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 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.
