Dear friends of St James Catholic College,

THANKS FOR THE MAY BALL

In the last newsletter I spoke of the unique community nature of the May Ball. May I extend on behalf of the whole college thank you to all those that attended. As so many people said to me on the night, the May Ball of 2025 was an exceptional community event, filled with joy, energy, fun, dancing by all and, of course, a very prayerful devotion to Mary our mother.

Thank you in particular to those staff members who took key roles in the organising of the event: 

• To Mrs Sharlene Duggan and Mrs Judith Collinson for all the decorations.
• Mrs Catherine Askey-Doran for the soundtrack to all the dancing. 
• To Mrs Sarah Peter for the well crafted and prayerful reflection to Mary that started our whole evening. 
• To Mrs Elizabeth Radnidge and Mrs Donna Duggan for the overall organisation of everyone and everything. 
• To Mrs Sharlene Duggan for all the catering and logistics that happened behind the scenes. 

GOOD FEEDBACK, GIVEN POSITIVELY, PRODUCES GOOD RESULTS

Whilst on the topic of such a successful May Ball, I cannot help and reflect that this year's event is so very much due not only to the quality staff that helped to organise it but also to the feedback that these staff have received from the broader community.

There is much said about feedback in an educational setting. I know that in my Year 10 Religious Education class I sit down with each person individually, after every major assessment, to give them feedback as to the things that they did well as well as the things that would be better if. It's all about improving the performance of the children in the tasks that they are given.

This applies to the broader college community. When as a staff member I receive feedback from either students or family members, about any issue or idea that they may have, that feedback can only lead to better performance on my part.

I encourage all members of our community to pass on feedback to staff. Of course it is always important to be respectful in the manner that you go about it. But can I assure you good feedback, given positively, always produces good results.

ST JAMES CATHOLIC COLLEGE ATTENDANCE POLICY 

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. o 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. o Ensure a safe and reliable mode of transport to and from school. 

PRAYER GARDEN

Between the main office and the early years classrooms is a little narrow cavity which is our college prayer garden. It was built some 15 years ago initially by a class that I taught life skills in. Over the years it's been added to and one very special way that it's been added to is by plaques placed at the back of the prayer garden to remember individuals that were important to our college that have passed away.

My invitation to the community is to ask if there are any people who are dear to you and were members of our college community that you would like added to our prayer garden. If so, please e-mail me on sjcc.principal@catholic.tas.edu.au

Joe Sandric

Principal