Dear friends of the college,

Well, we’re right into the school year now!

Have you had a look at our social media posts?  For a smaller college, we really do have wonderful experiences for our students, Kinder to Year 10.  Opening Masses, SSATIS Secondary Midweek Sport, Aboriginal Cultural experiences… the list goes on… and that’s even before you see the great work we are doing in classrooms.  Get on to our socials and check out a vibrant college.

Three things to focus on this fortnight:

• Come and join the Board.  Diversity of ideas matter.
• Sending your child to school each day matters.
• Having your child behave on the bus matters.

College 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.

Please consider being part of the Board. Come along to our first meeting on Tuesday the 25 March – Promise not to give you a job if you just turn up!

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.

Attendance Matters

It is a legal requirement in Tasmania for every child between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) to attend school on a full-time basis unless otherwise exempted. Schools are required to maintain an accurate record of student attendance. 

The St James Catholic College Attendance Policy aims to ensure students and parents/guardians have a clear understanding of the importance of regular attendance. It is important that students, staff and parents/guardians have a shared understanding of the importance of attending school. 

At St James Catholic College, we believe:

• all students should be enrolled at school and attend school all day, every school day. attendance at school is the responsibility of everyone in the community.
• non-attendance or truancy can place students in unsafe situations and impact on their future employability and life choices.
• in holistic support that includes monitoring, communicating and implementing strategies to improve regular school attendance. 

The PURPOSE of the policy

To maximise student learning opportunities and performance by ensuring that students attend school and do so regularly, without unnecessary absences. 

The RESPONSIBILITIES of the policy

School Responsibilities 

• Provide a safe and supportive learning environment and an engaging and relevant curriculum. 
• Clear communication of expected dates of attendance.
• Notify parent/guardian of student absence.
• Develop support structures to enable students to re-engage with their schooling, if/as applicable 

Student Responsibilities 

• Punctual, regular school attendance. o Remaining at school for a full day.
• Commitment to learning. 

Parent Responsibilities 

• Ensure the child attends school on time each day and that school attendance is seen as a priority. 
• Only permit a child to remain at home for an authorised reason.
• Notify school promptly of student absence and the reason for the absence.
• Ensure a safe and reliable mode of transport to and from school. 

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:

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:

1. A first offence will result in a written letter of warning, stating the inappropriate behaviour
2. 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
3. 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.

Kind regards,

Joe Sandric

Principal