NEWSLETTER - No.31 Term 4 Week 3 October 25, 2017 Excellence, Relationships, Service A Child Safe School Who is Jesus to me? Mother Theresa s Prayer Jesus is the Word made Flesh. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus is the Word to be spoken. Jesus is the Truth to be told. Jesus is the Way to be walked. Jesus is the Light to be lit. Jesus is the Life to be loved. Jesus is the Joy to be shared. Jesus is the Sacrifice to be given. Jesus is the Hungry to be fed. Jesus is the Naked to be clothed. Jesus is the Homeless to be taken in. Jesus is the Sick to be healed. Jesus is the Lonely to be loved. Jesus is the Unwanted to be wanted. Jesus is the Leper to wash his wounds. Jesus is the Beggar to give him a smile. Jesus is the Crippled to walk with. Jesus is the Prisoner to be visited. Jesus is the Old to be served. Jesus is my Life, Jesus is my Love, Jesus is my All in All. Amen. VISIT TO JACK LONSDALE LODGE On Monday 20th November, some children from Connecting will visit Jack Lonsdale Lodge and spend time talking and playing with the elderly people who live there. The Centre is located in Spencer Street, a short walk from school. We have identified through our research of social justice and the teachings of Jesus, that we are called to respond and to do what we can to help those around us. We have completed a number of important projects through which we can give of ourselves and engage in meaningful action. The projects are about all forms of oppression such as poverty, social isolation and injustice and sustainability The children are excited about developing new relationships with the elderly people in their community and contributing to a just and meaningful world where we can live out our values of service, relationships and excellence. Awakenings Curriculum. Give examples of Christian missionary actions and programs that reach out to others in need. BALLARAT WRITER S FESTIVAL Recently all children from Leadership Learning Community participated in a Writer s Festival for children in Ballarat. The council passed on their congratulations to all those students who were acknowledged by the judges. All entries are on display at Collins Booksellers. The full list of winners: WINNERS: GRADE 5 Naomi Lee - Smythesdale School, Woady Yaloak Audrey English, St Columba s School, Ballarat North GRADE 6 Amy Walters - Ballarat Clarendon College Merkama Teman - St James Parish School Sebastopol, Ballarat SPECIAL MENTION Zac Cripps - Grade 5 - St James Parish School Sebastopol, Ballarat Luella Murphy - Grade 6 - Ballarat Clarendon College Maeve Dickson - Grade 6 - St James Parish School Sebastopol, Ballarat Congratulations to all of the Leadership students who entered their writing into the competition.
SOCKTOBER FESTIVAL Socktober is an initiative of Catholic Mission and one way which our school can fundraise and engage in advocacy and formation for Catholic Mission. This event follows an information session St. James children had with staff from Catholic Mission a few weeks ago. To raise funds for new facilities to be built in Uganda, children are invited to wear crazy socks to school and participate in a lunchtime disco in the school hall. Children are invited to bring a gold coin for donation to Catholic Mission. We stress that families are not to buy new socks but rather use the socks already at home. For example, children could wear two different socks or decorate a pair of socks with fabric, pipe cleaners, textas and other materials. We hope all children are excited to participate in this fun event and to feel a sense of service by working together for a great cause. Date. : Friday 17th November Rhys said, I liked the art gallery because there were skulls and we got to make them out of clay. I also learnt how to draw skulls really well. Victorian Curriculum: the Arts level 4. Explore ideas and artworks from different cultures and times as inspiration to create visual artworks. CONNECTING BIBLE STUDY PRESENTATIONS - Written by Matthias During our prayer sessions we had a new project to do. It was about someone from the Bible. You had to choose your own character from the Bible. Then we researched the person that we chose and then we got to make a power point about that character. I chose Joseph because I didn t know much about him and wanted to know more. Then we had to present our power point to the class. Some people have presented theirs and a panel was ticking the parts where people had succeeded. I haven t done mine yet and I am feeling a bit nervous and excited. Awakernings Curriculum: - Research and explore significant people and key events in Scripture. TOY PROPOSAL CEREMONY - Written by Jacob Wimshurst ART GALLERY VISIT Written by Maya and Claire Some of our children enjoyed the Romancing the Skull exhibition at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. This image shows our children with the skull masks they made themselves after viewing the exhibition. To begin the visit we had a storytelling session about skulls and scary things with the lady from the Art Gallery. Charli said, I think it is a good experience because we got to learn about different pieces of art. We did some finger painting, clay skulls and made our own masks. At the toy proposal ceremony students who have made their toy proposal to excellence were presented with their certificates in front of Connecting. I got mine and felt very happy that I had done an excellent job and got my certificate. Then we had a photo taken with the certificate, toy proposal and Bec. Maddox said, It was exciting because it took a long long time to finish it. I was proud and happy and now I will be able to make my toy. Victorian Curriculum: Design and Technologies Level 4. Generate, develop, and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation technique.
RTS FESTIVAL GROUPS - Written by Amy This year for the Arts Festival, we are working in hybrid teams. This means kids all over the school can work together in the Arts Festival. At the Arts Festival you will notice that there will be different kids from different learning communities doing dancing, singing, art and drama. Victorian Curriculum: Personal & social capability, Level 4. Demonstrate skills for effective participation in group tasks and use criteria provided to reflect on the effectiveness of the teams in which I participate, Allarah said, I am interested in dance because I would like to learn new Dance moves. Charli said, I want to go out of my comfort zone and into Art because I love Drama, Music and Art but I wanted to try something new. Taniqua said, I chose Drama because I like moving in different ways. Jacob H said, I chose Music as it is one of the things that I am really interested in. MILO CRICKET - Written by Sammy On Monday we went to Milo Cricket at Victoria Park. There were seven different schools there. Schools were split into different groups and then we started doing some cricket warm ups. We threw the ball to each other, threw it high and threw it low. We played three Rounds with the other schools and we had a good win score overall and had so much fun. It was good as everyone had chance to bowl and bat. They thanked everyone for coming and handed out milo for everyone to enjoy, it tasted like plain milk but it was still yum. Tyler said, I liked playing against different schools because I can play against new people. Isaac said, It was exciting just playing for fun my favourite part was bowling I liked playing with my friends and it was fun. Rylee said, Milo cricket was very exciting because you got to meet new people and you got to play sport.
How do we foster the love of learning to read with our children? Victorian Curriculum: Health & Physical Education, Level 4. Perform movement sequences which link fundamental movement skills (VCHPEM098) Student Led Conferences Thank you to students, parents and teachers for a successful week of Student Led Conferences. Students were very proud of their learning and they enjoyed the opportunity to share this with their parents. The new online booking on PAM gave parents the option to book the conference at a time that was convenient. PAM is an online booking platform that is built into a program that the school already uses. We will be continuing to use PAM for future bookings for student assessment days, learning conferences and receiving reports online. If you have not had a chance or did not receive your login and password please give us a call in the office & we will be happy to provide it for you to help you log on. We would love to hear any of your feedback on Student Led Conferences or PAM. Where: St. James (Discovery) When: Monday, November 13th Who: Parents Time: 7:00 8:30 We invite you to an evening with Helen Bettes (literacy consultant), as she shares her wisdom in supporting our children in learning to read and invoking the love of literature. TERM 4 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Uniform Shop Operating Hours The Uniform Shop will open not be open on a regular basis this term. If you require items through the term please complete an order form and leave this at the office. You will be notified when your order has been filled. Please direct enquiries to Renee Rock on 0418 382 427. Conor Barnes October 26 Innocent Okanyi October 26 Zac Cripps October 30 Student Assessment Days To be in line with the other two schools in our parish, (Lumen Christi and St Aloysuis) we will be having the usual 2 student assessment days at the end of this year instead of the beginning the 2018 school year. Following on from the SLCs we will use the new online booking system (PAM). More information will be sent home in the coming weeks. No hat no play!!~ A quick reminder to families that hats are required when students are outside in term 4. Hats are available at the uniform shop or the office for purchasing. Wide brimmed hats are $10 & Legionnaires are $5.
EXCURSIONS/ACTIVITIES Connecting & Leadership Milo Cricket Series Leadership students will participate in the Milo Cricket Series on Friday, October 27. Students will travel by bus, leaving St. James at 9:15pm to Victoria Park and will return to St. James at approximately 2:15pm. If you have any questions, please see Elise in Leadership. Discovery Sebastopol Library Visit Students from Discovery will walk to the local Sebastopol library on Thursday, November 2 at 10:00am. We will return our library books and continue to explore our community. Exploration Excursion & Sleepover Students from Exploration will visit Major League and the Ballarat Aquatic Centre to participate in a range of activities on Friday, November 3. At the conclusion of the excursion Year 2 students will have a sleepover at the school. IMPORTANT DATES: Parents Play Parents Play is on every Wednesday morning from 9am to 11am. Everyone is welcome to attend for some of the time, all of the time and whenever it suits each family. There is no expectation of arrival time and regularity of attendance you are welcome to attend when and how you see fit and we would love to have you. We have everything you need - just bring yourself (and your child/ren!) and enjoy a cuppa and some play time. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Each year the Church invites people to join its community with a program known as the RCIA. This is a program involving prayer and education in Catholicism and culminates with candidates being received into the church around Easter time. If anyone wishes further information please contact Bernadette at the Parish Office on 53359460 or Fr. Kevin on 53314981. Book Club Orders A reminder that Book Club orders are due back tomorrow, Friday October, 27. Thurs, Oct 26 Friday, Oct 27 Friday, Nov 3 Thurs, Nov 9 Friday, Nov 10 Monday, Nov 13 Thurs, Nov 23 Thurs, Nov 30 Sunday, Dec 3 Lunch Orders SPORTS UNIFORM: Discovery: Exploration: Connecting: Leadership: Library Bag: Newsletter: Discovery Transition (1) Leadership Milo Cricket Year 2 Sleepover Year 1 Excursion Discovery Transition (2) BALLART SHOW DAY HOLIDAY Reading with Children 7.00pm Discovery Transition (3) Community Team AGM 10:30am BISHOP S MASS Wednesday & Friday Tues & Friday Tues & Thursday Thurs & Friday Thurs & Friday Tuesday Thursday Mowing Do you love mowing beautiful, lush lawns? Do you enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass? Do you get great satisfaction from a job well done? Do you have an hour spare? We are developing a lawn mowing roster to care for our school yard during this peak grass growing season. If you have an hour to spare during the week, please leave your name at the front office or contact Renee Rock on 0418 382 427. Thank you for reading this newsletter. Mary & Peter on behalf of the staff team.