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12 September 2025

Our Mission @ SJM

St James’ Primary School community excel in education through living and learning in Christ.

Quote

“Cultivating our heart takes effort. It is the greatest work. Yet by digging deep and humbling ourselves, we draw ever closer to the Lord, who emptied Himself to become like us.”

Pope Leo XIV

Principal’s Message

Dear Families,

Celebrating Father’s Day – A Community Moment
Last Friday, we gathered as a school community to honour the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures who support and guide our students every day. Our Father’s Day Liturgy and Shared Lunch was a joyful occasion filled with laughter, stories, and connection. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together, children proudly sharing lunch with their loved ones, and the spirit of gratitude shining through. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day so memorable.

The SJM Podcast – Student Voice in Action
We were privileged to welcome Mayor Jeff Drayton to SJM last week. He spoke with our Stage 3 students about democracy, leadership, and the role of local government, sparking thoughtful questions and lively discussion. Mayor Drayton also joined our student leaders for a special episode of The SJM Podcast, where they tackled big ideas and explored what it means to lead with purpose.
If you haven’t listened yet, I encourage you to check it out on Spotify. It’s a fantastic example of student voice in action and a great way to stay connected with the learning happening at SJM.

FACE Meeting – Monday Afternoon in the Library
Our next Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Meeting is coming up on Monday at 3:15pm in the School Library. This session will include a hands-on introduction to Canva, a creative tool that’s perfect for designing everything from posters to presentations. I’ll also be sharing updates on school initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities for family involvement.
FACE meetings are a great way to stay informed, ask questions, and contribute to the life of our school. I hope you’ll join us; it’s always a relaxed and welcoming space.

The Final Two Weeks – Finishing Strong
As we approach the final stretch of Term 3, there’s a real sense of momentum across the school. These last two weeks are packed with learning, excursions, sporting events, and creative projects. Our students are engaged, our staff are energised, and the school is buzzing with activity.
It’s also a time for reflection; looking back on the growth we’ve seen this term, and preparing for a strong finish. Please keep an eye on our calendar and communication channels so you don’t miss any of the exciting things still to come.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. Together, we’re building a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring learning community at SJM.

Mr Aaron Moon
Principal

Assistant Principal

As we work through the last couple of weeks of the school term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the learning, growth, and achievements we’ve shared this term. It’s been a busy and rewarding few months, and we are so proud of the effort and progress our students have made. These have been from Public Speaking success to new positive friendships. Thank you for your continued support at home; it makes a real difference in your child’s success.

Toys at school

During this last week we have spoken to all children about toys from home coming to school. It is important that children leave these toys at home. While we understand that children may feel comforted or excited to bring their favourite toys to school, we kindly ask that all toys remain at home.

Why is this important?

Bringing toys to school can lead to a number of challenges, including:

Distractions during learning time
Loss or damage to personal items
Disagreements between students over sharing or ownership
Safety concerns with small or inappropriate items

Our classrooms are well-equipped with engaging resources and activities designed to support learning and play. By keeping toys at home, we can ensure a more focused and harmonious environment for all students.

Exceptions:
If a toy is required for a specific learning, your child’s teacher will communicate this in advance.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful learning space. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.

Uniform Transition

We are in a transition phase from our Winter uniform to our Summer Uniform. Please ensure that your child either comes to school in their full Winter or Summer uniform, not a mixture of both. Mr Moon regularly visits each classroom for a uniform check. If your child has a change in their uniform like, socks, shoes, jumper/jacket, please write a note or send an email to your child’s teacher to let them know.

No Hat, No Play

At SJM we have a large playground space for children to play and we need to be aware of our “No Hat, No Play” policy. To help keep our students safe from the sun, all children are required to wear a school hat during all outdoor activities. Students without a hat will be asked to be seated under the cola during playtime.

Please check that your child’s hat is clearly labelled. If your child is missing their hat, please check the lost property box, located in the office. Thank you for helping us promote sun safety and protect our students during outdoor play.

Continue to shine your light brightly for others to see.

Mrs Jane Jacobs
Assistant Principal

Religion

We warmly invite all families to join us for the St James’ Children’s Mass on Saturday, 20th September at St James’ Church. This special celebration will be led by our students and is a beautiful opportunity for our community to come together in prayer and thanksgiving.

In exciting news from the wider Church, Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young Italian teenager known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his use of technology to spread the faith has been officially canonised as the first millennial saint. Carlo’s life is a powerful witness to how holiness is possible in our modern world, and we look forward to sharing his story with our students. This is Pope Leo XIV’s first canonisation as Pontificate. Bishop Michael has noted “There is something about Carlo that truly makes him a saint for our times. His background from a Catholic but not devout or practicing Catholic family; his devotion to and love of Jesus in the Eucharist together with his concern and love for the poor; his playful nature together with his enthusiasm for spreading the faith and lack of fear to do so. These aspects of his life, together with others, resonate deeply with those who come to know him. It’s very fitting that he will be canonised during the Jubilee Year that focusses on hope.”

On Wednesday, 24th September, our school community will gather for a special liturgy to honour St Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. St Catherine’s enduring legacy of compassion, education, and service continues to shape and inspire our mission at St James’. As a dual charism school, embracing both the Mercy and Josephite traditions, we recognise and celebrate the significant role the Sisters of Mercy have played, and continue to play in the life of our school. Let us continue to walk together in faith, inspired by these remarkable saints who remind us of God’s presence in every age

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who joined us for the Jubilee Mass on 31st August. It was a joy to celebrate this significant occasion alongside our Parish, St Joseph’s Catholic College Aberdeen, and the St James’ School community. The morning was enriched by a reflective pilgrimage walk, uplifting music, and a shared morning tea. Thank you for being part of this memorable celebration.

Mrs Lauren Gehrig
Religious Education Coordinator

Merit Awards

*Class*	Week 6	Week 7
KG	Darcy Ashford Charlotte Gudgeon Arlia Johns Remi Melia Kobe Selwood	Ollie Lobb Anabia Naveed Daisy Dieckmann
KM	Allie Grady Ibrahim Raiyan Cohan Hurst	Adaline Frendon Paige Cox
1G	Dakoda Bowditch Levi Collins Easton Miller	Rorey Peel Chloe McIntosh Cain Murphy Addison Parkes
1M	Arlo Stone Kylo James Callie Hinschen	Christiaan Carstens Da’kota Baker Elias Van Der Werken Ella Barry
2G	Myla Smith Bridey Rundell	Muhammad Mehmood Cooper Beard
2M	Declan Howard Ethan Andrews Malohi Dawson	Kiana Wallace Olivia Brands Zavier Trovato
3G	Macie Foster Scarlett Pinder Rhyka Farrell	Mason Fairhall Georgia Gough
3M	Skylah Rundell Eva O’Hanlon	Letti Asara Franky Barling Rida Bhatti
4G	Ivy Lou Stephens Kayden Bell
4M	Shelby Dent William Brands	Ruby Tilse Logan Bishop
5G	Mia Hurst Hayley Carstens Charli Davis
5M	Lilliah Thiecke Maddison Mills Umaima Bhatti	Mackenzie Lockhart Phoenix Crowle Jaxson Scard
6G	Kaelynn Cottrell Mason Chapman	Logan De Sylva Melody Lawley
6M	Max Gallagher Alora Farrell	Clancy Martin Amelia Fleming

Class News

ES1

This week, our Kindergarten students had a wonderful time on their Geography excursion to Highbrook Park. While enjoying the natural surroundings, students extended their learning about places in our local community. They explored how places can be special to us and discovered the deep connection Indigenous cultures have with the land. Using their senses, students observed the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of the environment. They also learned about the importance of caring for our surroundings by noticing how people and animals impact the environment. A highlight was their thoughtful reflections on picking up rubbish and protecting special places for everyone to enjoy. They may also have enjoyed playing on the equipment!

We also want to celebrate the fantastic job our Kindergarten children did presenting the Father’s Day liturgy. Their heartfelt performance was a joy to witness, and both Miss Maher and Mrs Smith were incredibly proud. It just goes to show — practice really does pay off!

Mrs Smith (KG) & Miss Maher (KM)

Stage 1

We have had another busy fortnight in Stage One.

Our Geography focus has been on weather and seasons. We have been exploring the weather and seasons in our local area of Muswellbrook and how the weather affects our daily lives, including what we wear, the activities we do, and how we travel. We are also learning about the Aboriginal seasonal knowledge of Kakadu and how these seasons help guide traditional practices like hunting, gathering, and ceremonies.

Our Maths focus has been on measurement. We are learning about measurement in both geometric and non-geometric contexts. Year 1 have been measuring mass and capacity and Year 2 have been measuring and comparing length. Students have enjoyed developing their skills with lots of practical and hands-on activities.

Stage 1 are also buzzing with excitement as they begin practicing for our highly anticipated Drama Night scheduled for Term 4. It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing and we cannot wait to see their hard work pay off as they light up the stage.

Kind Regards,
Mrs Mitchell (1G), Mr Sabotic (1M), Mrs Ballard/Mrs Marco (2G) & Mrs Threadgate (2M)

Stage 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been a busy and exciting fortnight in Stage 2!

We’ve officially begun rehearsals for our upcoming Drama performance, with all Stage 2 students practicing their scenes together each Thursday afternoon. The enthusiasm and creativity on display have been wonderful to see!

In English, Year 3 have been captivated by the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, exploring themes of hope, resilience, and peace. Meanwhile, Year 4 have been diving into the fascinating life of Ned Kelly via multiple texts, engaging in rich discussions and creative responses to this iconic figure in Australian history.

Across Geography and Science, all Stage 2 classes have been honing their technology skills by creating presentations using PowerPoint and Canva. Students have enjoyed showcasing their learning in visually engaging and imaginative ways.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to sharing more of our learning adventures with you soon!

Mrs Sylvester (3G), Mrs McLennan (3M), Mrs Gavin & Mrs Jacobs (4G) & Miss Cooper (4M)

Stage 3

It had been another busy fortnight for Stage 3!

“What a Joke!” Incursion
Get ready to giggle! We’re thrilled to welcome the “What a Joke” incursion to our school this Friday. This fun-filled performance blends comedy with clever storytelling, encouraging students to explore the power of humour in communication and creativity. It promises to be a highlight of the term! A big thank you to all the students as well as Miss Dafter, Miss Becus, Miss Fitz and Mrs Gehrig for getting up on stage.

Father's Day Liturgy & Lunch
Kindergarten led a beautiful and heartfelt Father’s Day Liturgy, honouring the special role fathers and father figures play in our lives. Following the liturgy, families enjoyed a joyful Father’s Day lunch, where students shared a meal with their dads and created lasting memories. It was lovely to see so many families attend!

Stage 3 Welcomes Jeff Drayton
Stage 3 students were thrilled to welcome Jeff Drayton, who shared inspiring stories and insights during his visit. This visit continues Stage 3’s exploration on Government for their HSIE – History unit.

STEM LEGO Robotics – Building Grasshoppers!
Monday afternoons have become a hub of innovation with our STEM LEGO Robotics Prime sessions. Students have been busy designing and building mechanical grasshoppers, combining creativity with engineering skills in a fun and collaborative environment. A big thank you to Miss Becus and Mr Richardson for running this.

Year 5 Middle Schools Day at St Joseph’s Aberdeen
Year 5 students had an enriching experience at St Joseph’s Aberdeen during their Middle Schools Day. They explored a variety of subjects including agriculture, religion, science, art, music, cooking, and even Japanese! It was a fantastic opportunity to broaden their horizons and get a taste of high school life. Students are commended on their fantastic behaviour.

Mr Sweeney (5G), Miss Becus (5M), Mrs Gehrig & Mrs Somerville (6G) & Miss Dafter (6M)

Aspire

What’s on in the Library

Library Borrowing

There are numerous overdue library books, that are still outstanding. Please return all books by Thursday 18^th September. There will be no borrowing in Week 10.

Tuesday: Kinder and Year 1
Wednesday: Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4
Thursday: Year 5 and Year 6

Book Week 2025

The theme for this year's CBCA Book Week was, ‘Book an Adventure...' The Book Week Competition, saw the students reading in some extremely adventurous places!

These included:

Reading in trees, upside down on play equipment and bunk beds, in a boat, on an excavator, on the Newcastle Fernleigh nature walk and train tunnel, in the supermarket, doing acrobatics, on a motorbike, on a swing, on a jumping castle slide, at soccer training, near a fire, with a drone in the paddock, at the carnival, on a trampoline, in a pool, in a crane, out fishing, on a ride at the shopping centre, lining up for an event, reading to the giraffes at the zoo, on a balance beam, on a bicycle, in the back of a Police paddy wagon, reading to Perry the pet peacock, in the bucket of a mini tractor, shooting hoops, on the top of scaffolding, reading to a cat, hanging from a basketball ring and in a racing car.

Well done to all entrants. Congratulations to the following winners:

Kindergarten: Charlie Rigby – Mr Fox, from the Very Sleepy Bear, on the Newcastle
Fernleigh nature walk and train tunnel.
Charlotte Gudgeon – on an excavator.

Year 1: Fletcher Purcell – reading to the giraffes at Taronga Zoo, in Sydney.
Keila Zvomuya – out fishing at the river.

Year 2: Fletcher De Sylva – on a trampoline.
Evelyn Benkovic – near the fire.

Year 3: Isaac Logue – in the back of a Police paddy wagon.
Savannah Borg – on a balance beam.

Year 4: Cody Fordham – in the bucket of a mini tractor.
Shelby Dent - reading to Perry the pet peacock.

Year 5: Alex Fordham – on a motorbike.
Leo Dent - reading to Perry the pet peacock.

Year 6: Logan De Sylva – Mr Strong, hanging from a basketball ring.
Maddison Mills – doing the perfect handstand.