Filter Content
Dear friends of St James Catholic College,
Enrolment Term
Over the next weeks of this term we will have two main enrolment focuses:
The first is running presently and is for any 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 2026. 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 we're not only we have plenty of information about the college but also a portal to book a tour.
Now, also, we will shift our enrolment focus to Kindergarten enrolments for 2026. 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 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.
St James is:
- High expectations and high regard St James received recognition from the state Minister for Education and the Executive Director of Catholic Schools for being the highest performing College in the Catholic system on NAPLAN and well as being in the top 25 performing schools. This is not an accident, we have a very deliberate and planned literacy program that extends into high school and this we begin a specific numeracy block. Such a deliberate literacy and numeracy strategy sees our student flourish. We have high standards in education and have a high regard for our students.
- A small catholic school. St James is a community where everyone knows your child’s name and is committed to their personal growth and individual learning achievement.
- Affordable. Our fees and levies are kept low, and financial needs are treated confidentially. Please arrange a discussion with me and I will endeavour to respond to any financial needs you may have.
- Accessible. Bus services from St James operate across the Huon Valley. Just look at the website map of bus routes to see how easy it is to get to St James.
- Supportive. A core teacher in Year 7 is timetabled to your child for Homeroom and a significant number of classes, and they are your first point of contact.
- Engaging. Students experience a wide selection of subjects over the course of Year 7 and 8, enabling them to choose specific ‘elective’ subject areas in Years 9 and 10.
There are many things that go together to make the vibrant catholic community that we are. I hope that each family sees in action these five elements played out in the way we operate?
College Advisory 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. Emma Young, who is our board chair, is highly capable at moderating respectful ideas amongst the group that always give me insightful directions to pursue.
We had our first meeting on Tuesday the 25 March. Here are the members elected:
- Emma Young – Chair
- Mary Haveland – Deputy Chair
- David Brereton – Treasurer
- Jonathon Price – Member
- Kate Moretti – Member
Fr Warren, our parish priest, Esther Song, our Finance Officer, and I make up the other members.
The Board had three major remits of operations in their advice to me: Financial, Policy and Work, Health and Safety.
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.
Every blessing for the fortnight ahead, Joe Sandric
Kind regards,
Joe Sandric
Principal
Important Dates
|
Last day Term 1 for Students |
|
Student Free Day |
|
Term 2 Commences for Students |
St. Joseph's Cup













NITA Education Dance and Storytelling
On Wednesday the 19th of March we were once again very lucky to have Trish Hodge and Mathius Everett from NITA Education come in to do traditional Aboriginal dance and storytelling.
Year 1 and Year 2 were taught the mutton bird dance. Each class learnt about the dance then practiced performing it with Mathius. Both classes look forward to practising again with Mathius soon!
Year 6 had a session after lunch on traditional storytelling. The class discussed why stories are important and listened to different dream time stories from Trish. They finished off the session with a fun activity. Each student created an animal out of air dry clay, the most popular animal to create was a trimanya, echidna.
We are very proud of our continued connection with Trish and Mathius and look forward to seeing NITA Education in Term 2!
Year 9 and 10 Art and Ceramics class
Year 7 Ceramics






Year 7 Deep Time History lesson at Randalls Bay Beach











Year 7 Camp
Our Year 7 students enjoyed their recent camp at Stewarts Bay, Port Arthur, where they had the opportunity to build upon already established friendships, build new friendships and get to know each other through a range of team building activities and challenges. The weather was perfect and activities were fun, in particular beach volleyball and making sand sculptures. Visiting the Port Arthur Lavender farm was a great way to end the camp.






















Pathways
Flames Winners
Prep: | Alysha Dowling |
Year 1: | Charlee Brereton |
Year 2: | Sonny Clark |
Year 3/4: | Ramazani Baruani Nundu |
Year 5: | Violet Duggan |
Year 6: |
Sam Buick
|
Year 7 Blue: |
Tyler Kemp
|
Year 7 Gold: |
Mia-Rose Gillies
|
Year 8: |
Leif Linquist
|
Year 9: |
Sienna Brown
|
Year 10: |
Jess Drysdale
|
Bus Behavior Matters
Over the course of 2021, our students with a selection from Cygnet Primary , worked on a code of behavior for bus travel.
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:
I will… |
I will not… |
|
|
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.
School Bell Times
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.