17 April 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and All in the St James Catholic College Community,

It has been encouraging to see so many parents and students this week attending Learning Conferences and making learning plans for 2018. This vital partnership between parents, students and teachers emphasises the importance of communication and working together to achieve improved student outcomes.

Education in the Catholic tradition is all about engagement in an inclusive community that acknowledges and works with the needs of all. It is all about seeking an education that brings hope and a sense of forward vision in one's life. Education happens within a learning environment where young people learn from each other and where they learn to engage with teachers who provide a framework for learning.

Term One is always a busy time for students as they settle into classes, learn and understand procedures and expectations, and for staff getting to know our students and their individual needs. This is always a work in progress, as indeed are the young people we work with, who daily grapple with the challenges of relating to others appropriately and making positive decisions about behaviours, classroom engagement and playground interaction.

This term, a focus of the College has been highlighting and addressing the different issues relating to Bullying. We participated in the National Day Against Bullying where students took the opportunity to take a stand against bullying, learnt strategies to deal bullying and how to report bullying. In the last two weeks, Senior Constable Stephen Rose has worked with students around Cyberbullying and being safe online. He had delivered the “Think You Know” sessions designed by the Australian Federal Police. These sessions were a great opportunity for our students to learn how to protect themselves online. Please take the opportunity to discuss with your child about the session and the issues raised. Cybersafety - it is everyone’s responsibility.

Primary Captains

This week, the College proudly announced the appointment of the Primary Student Leaders. Congratulations to Year 6 students Emily Jones and Bailey Harris (Captains), supporting them are Charlotte Direen and Harry Brereton (Vice Captains) and Lewis Direen, Jack Walter, Laura Flakemore and Coral Lovell (Student Leaders). The Primary Student Leaders will be a part of a formal ceremony in early term two where they will receive their blazers and badges – Well Done

As Term One comes to an end we look forward to an exciting Term Two. This year marks the 75th May Ball. It is a tradition of St James Catholic College we continue to value highly and we look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate Mary and our Mothers. Funds collected at this year’s May Ball will be donated to the CAMEO (Choosing A More Enlightened Option) group which is a Tasmanian based charity that supports families in crisis in relation to domestic violence.

God Bless and have a Happy holiday with your families.

Allan Clark
Principal

General Notices

Save the Date – May Ball information

The May Ball is a school community event for our students and families to celebrate Mary and our mothers. Attire for the event should not be a financial burden on any family. We encourage you to look at some of the options below:

• Wanting a nice dress, shirt, dress pants or shoes? Target, Best & Less and Big W have you sorted.
• The perfect dress is hard to find... why not try these local stores who stock unique, stunning, new and used dresses at affordable prices... why not make it a girl’s day out?

• Still looking... never fear, don't waste money on a gown you might only wear once, consider hiring!

We look forward to seeing you at the Ball!

SMS Absence Notification

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.

School Fees

Thank you to those families who have made fee payment arrangements and/or paid upfront for 2018. Families who do not have a payment arrangement in place are encouraged to contact College Business Manager Kelly Du Bois for a confidential discussion.

Student Details Update

If you have not returned the package of forms sent home in Week 1, could you please make this a priority. These forms include vital student information including emergency contacts, student and medical details. To help us update our records the office requires these forms returned at your earliest convenience. If you need a copy of the forms, please contact the College office.

Uniform

The College Uniform is valued as a means of developing in our students, a sense of pride and dignity and a feeling of belonging, thus minimising the notions of status and inequality.

Summary of expectations for students:

• to wear the College uniform in full, and in the correct manner as outlined in the Uniform Expectations document;
• to wear the College bucket hat during designated times and in the correct manner;
• to wear their ties knotted correctly with their top collar button fastened (winter uniform);
• to have their hair groomed neatly – extreme styles or dyeing of hair are not permitted, e.g. undercuts, dreadlocks, rat-tails, less than no. 3 cut and unnatural colours;
• to tie back hair that is longer than shoulder length and ensure that it does not cover the eyes or face;
• to wear regulation school shoes and sport shoes;
• Girls are permitted to wear a simple ring; and are not permitted to wear make-up; coloured nail polish. Shorts/skirts/tunics are to be of a reasonable length;
• Boys – must be clean shaven at all times;
• No visible piercing is permitted except for one in each ear-lobe;
• No additional items of clothing or accessories;
• To use a school back pack which is not to be graffitied in any way.

It is the expectation of the College that parents will:

• provide their child with the correct uniform;
• ensure that their child wears the uniform correctly;
• provide a note of explanation when their child is unable to wear the correct uniform.

The College Uniform shop is open each Monday and Wednesday (term time only) between 2:30pm and 3:30pm. If you wish to order over the phone please contact the College Office: 6295 1541. A copy of the 2018 Uniform price list is attached for your reference.

Canteen Pricelist

Entertainment Books

Digital Entertainment Membership now available!

The Entertainment™ Digital Membership puts the value of the traditional Entertainment™ Book into your Apple or Android device, and allows you to:

• Show and save using your Apple or Android device, with no Card or Voucher to present
• Search for nearby businesses in the Entertainment™ program
• Search for specific businesses by name, location or dining category
• Share your Membership with another family member

Little Lights – Birth to Four Program

College Facebook page

Join our College Facebook page just type in: @StJamesCatholicCollege in the Facebook search bar.

SJCC P& F News

The second SJCC P & F meeting for the year was held this week. Our plans for next Term are underway, we will be:

• Hosting a Mother’s Day Stall where students can purchase a small gift for their mothers. More information will be circulated early in Term 2.
• Coordinating the catering at the May Ball. We are seeking volunteers who might be able to spare us some time on the night to help out. Please let one of us know or please email: sjc.pandf@catholic.tas.edu.au with your contact details.

P&F Executive:
President: Katie Griffiths
Vice President: Audrey Holland
Secretaries: Roula Jennings and Sophie Fraser
Treasurer: Kelly Du Bois

Our next meeting will be Monday 30 April 2018 at 6pm in the College Boardroom.

We are still looking for new members. To be a part of the team: pick up a hardcopy form from the office or click the link below. Don’t forget to join our SJCC P&F Facebook page, just type in: @SJCCPandF in the Facebook search bar.

What’s been happening at SJCC?

Kindergarten News

Term one has flown by and when I sit and think about what we have achieved so far my mind goes into a spin. It is not all big "stuff" either, it consists of little things that add together that show me we are heading in the right direction. We have learnt to sit as a group and to take turns, we have mastered doing the Sign of the Cross and what it means to pray and how to say what we are grateful for in our lives. We have all shown how we can share and use positive language with each other. We have learnt to cut, respect each other’s space, we have started writing our names and even started to recognise the names of others. We are using rich language in relation to what we are learning, such as tadpole, froglet, carnivore etc. Check out our word window for more words to share with your child. Next term we will begin to ramp it up even more. We will start our literacy program which focuses on oral language acquisition. Numeracy and number work will be a priority too. Watch this space Term 2 will be fantastic!

Lunchtime Library Activities Term 2

Literacy Program – donations needed

The College Literacy Program is currently seeking donations of construction toys ie Lego, Duplo, Mega Blocks or Magnetix. Toys can be made from wood, plastic or magnets. If you can help please leave your donations at the College Office. Thank you.

From the Sports Desk

In the Spotlight…

Each issue of the Sports Desk will place a spotlight on Sporting achievements from our students.

Swimming

Year 6 Boys 4x25m Relay: Harry Brereton, Alex Sandric, Bailey Harris (plus substitute) - 2nd place

Year 5 Boys 4x25m Relay: Lachlan Kemmis Cole, Lochlan Turnbull, Hunter Thorpe, Lawson Lovell -4th place

Milo Cricket T20 Blast School Cup

On Friday 6 April, the College had two girl representative teams participate in the Yr 7/8 MILO T20 Blast School Cup at the Soldier's Memorial Ground, Queens Domain in Hobart.

Hosted by the Hobart Hurricanes players there were three games each consisting of 16 overs played throughout the day. Our College teams competed against teams from Montrose Bay High School, Mount Carmel College, Collegiate and St Aloysius College. During the lunchtime break, there was also a high catching competition where Dakota Fraser and Tamika McKay represented the College very well. Tamika McKay and Ava Hickey were our team Captains and they did a fantastic job of organising and encouraging their teams. Thank you to Olivia Peatling and Ella Solari who filled in for the teams at short notice. Everyone improved their skills and knowledge of the game it was a great day out!

If you have any sporting achievements we can share in our College Newsletter please contact the College Promotions Officer Miss Armstrong via email: jaimi.armstrong@catholic.tas.edu.au

Whats happening in the Sporting Community

• Hockey

Community Notices

TCYF

Parenting Ideas flyers

Huon Valley Theatre announcements!

THE TALENTS.

Bookings are now being taken for on-stage rehearsal times in the lead-up to the heats and Gala Performance for THE TALENTS - Huon Valley Theatre's celebration of performing arts. Entries are open to all ages and all types of performance. Prizes will be awarded. Rehearsals will take place on 2nd and 8th April. Call 0427186593 for more information.

Huon Valley Council Vacation Care

Bricks4Kidz

IAM Music Holiday program

St Mary’s College

GenZed Music Festival

Huon LINC