Third Sunday of Lent

This week’s Gospel is from Luke 13: 1-9

“At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

Jesus often speaks of the need to repent. This means turning away from anything that is not of God. If we ask to be brought more and more into the world of goodness and love, of light and of truth, we can show that we want to be genuine disciples.  

Sacramental Program

Next Thursday, the children who have been preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will gather together to make their First Reconciliation. Please continue to pray for them.

Ceremony: Thursday 27 March, St Philip’s Kotara @ 6:00pm.

Term 1 Liturgies and Celebrations:

Week 9:	Harmony Day Liturgy at Friday Assembly
Week 10:	Healing Mass-Parishioners
Week 11:	Holy week Celebrations - Thursday 10th April 9:15am Friday 11th April - Parish Mass - Kindergarten & Year 6

Project Compassion

What a day for a water walk! The Year 6 Social Justice team held the Big Water Walk today to raise awareness and funds for Project Compassion. Despite the weather all classes managed to walk their 2km. We changed the venue from the oval to the cola and there were many tired arms and legs after each grade finished. We raised a total of $345.40 today to help the people of Samoa in their quest for safe drinking water. Congratulations to the Social Justice team, a big effort from all you, well done!

Mrs Patricia Miller
Religious Coordinator

Yesterday was National Close the Gap Day (20^th March). Closing the Gap is about ensuring life opportunities and outcomes for First Nations people in Australia become equal to those of non-Indigenous Australians. For more than a decade now, Australians from every corner of the country, in schools, businesses and community groups, have shown their support for Close the Gap by marking National Close the Gap Day on the third Thursday in March each year.

Why is closing the gap so important?

For the most part, Australians have the privilege of experiencing one of the highest life expectancies of any country in the world. However, this is not the case for many minority groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who can on average expect to live up to eight years fewer than non-Indigenous Australians. This is due to the reality that First Nations people in Australia experience higher rates of preventable illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes, socio-economic disadvantages such as access to safe and affordable housing, racism, disproportionate rates of incarceration, and impacted life outcomes overall as a result.

Below are some resources you could look at:

National Agreement: National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Implementation tracker (are we up to date?): Implementation Tracker | Closing the Gap 

BTN Video: 21seconds –2:18minutes What is Close the Gap? Closing the Gap Day + Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Life Expectancy

The focus of our PB4L lessons will be on being respectful, responsible and resilient in all places, at all times. Each week we will look at what positive behaviour looks like in areas across the school. In Weeks 9 & 10 we will look at respectful, responsible and resilient behaviour on afternoon dismissal line and on the bus. We will continue to use the language of our matrix above, while outlining what this looks like in each area. We would encourage you to also use this language at home.

Kiaras 

Last year we reviewed the use of Kiara stickers and the acknowledgement of positive milestones at St James. As a school we are committed to reinforcing positive behaviour within our school under our PB4L matrix. Positive reinforcement acknowledges and rewards students’ efforts and achievements, leading to a supportive learning environment that encourages continuous improvement and active participation.

In PB4L, positive reinforcement can take various forms, such as a thumbs up, verbal praise, or tangible rewards. Earlier in the term all classes were introduced to the Kiara Milestone Rewards that we will be using this year.  All staff are focusing on recognising positive behaviour and tracking this through our PB4L app. Students are instantly recognised for displaying positive behaviour. These milestones will reset each year. Many students have already shared this with their parents as they are beginning to accumulate Kiaras and reaching the early milestone of 10 Kiaras.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L)

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) is an evidence-based framework that aims to improve student behaviour and academic outcomes by promoting positive behaviour and creating a supportive school environment. The key principles of PB4L include:

1. Clear Expectations: Establishing clear, consistent behaviour expectations for all students.
2. Teaching and Reinforcing: Explicitly teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data to monitor progress and guide decision-making.
4. Collaborative Approach: Involving the whole school community in promoting positive behaviour.

Through PB4L, we focus on recognising and rewarding positive behaviour, which helps to create a positive and inclusive school culture. This approach not only reduces disruptive behaviour but also enhances students' social-emotional skills and academic performance.

Mixed Peer Groups for Instruction

In addition to PB4L, commencing Week 6 we will implement the use of mixed peer groups for instruction across grades K-6. Mixed peer groups involve grouping students of different ages and stage groups together for certain instructional activities. This approach offers several benefits:

1. Peer Learning: Our Year 6 students will mentor and support younger peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
2. Diverse Perspectives: Students are exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences, enhancing their understanding and critical thinking skills.
3. Social Development: Mixed peer groups promote social development by encouraging positive interactions and relationships among students of different ages.
4. Differentiated Instruction: Instruction can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of students, providing opportunities for individualised learning and growth.

By combining PB4L learning in mixed peer groups, we aim to create a holistic and supportive learning environment that promotes positive behaviour and academic excellence. We believe that these initiatives will help our students develop the skills and attitudes necessary for success in school and beyond.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our PB4L initiative and mixed peer groups, please feel free to contact Mrs Miller or Mrs Boslem.

Diocesan Winter Sport Trials 

Next week, the diocesan winter sports trials will be held for netball, soccer and rugby league. We would like to wish Anna (soccer), Evie, Zoe, Maisie (netball), Ace and Patrick J (rugby league) the best of luck for their upcoming trials. Good luck and we cannot wait to hear about your time at the trials! 

Diocesan AFL Trials 

In Week 6, Harry K, Patrick J, Leo D, and Harry G represented our school at the Dio AFL Trials in Teralba. Congratulations to all the boys on their efforts—we’ve heard there was some impressive talent on display! A special congratulations to Harry K, who was selected for the Dio AFL Team. He will go on to compete at the Polding Trials in Warners Bay in early April. Well done to all! 

St James’ Kotara South Cross-Country
Competition Year 2 to Year 6

The St James School Cross Country Competition will be held at Nesbitt Park on Friday the 4^th of April. The children will walk to and from Nesbitt Park with their class teachers and learning support staff.

The first race for the 8s, 9s and 10-year-old girls and boys will begin as close to 9:15am as possible. The course will be 2km.

The second race for the 11 and 12-year-old girls and boys will begin as close to 10am as possible. This course will be 3km.

Important things to note:

• Please make sure your child brings their water bottle and hat to school on this day.
• We would also ask that they arrive at school wearing sunscreen.
• The teachers will carry any medication with them to and from the park.
• All children will wear sports uniform on this day.
• Spectators are most welcome to attend and cheer on the children from outside of the running track.
• Any children who are in Year 2 and turn 7 in 2025 may still participate with their cohort "just for fun." However, they will not be able to progress to the Diocesan competition. 

The Diocesan Cross Country will be held on the 14^th of May. The first 3 from each age category will progress to the Diocesan Cross-Country Competition, providing they meet qualifying times. Please note, the 8s and 9s are combined as one category for this event.

Please pray for good weather and we hope this will be a fun and memorable experience for the children.

Mrs Tegan Fry & Miss Renee Pettet
Sports Organisers

St James’ will celebrate Harmony Day on Friday March 28th. This special day promotes inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all Australians, embracing diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds while uniting us through shared Australian values. Our celebrations will involve: 

• Each student and staff member will receive an orange ribbon bow to wear on the day

• Classroom activities

• Harmony Liturgy during Assembly 2:00pm

Mrs Clare Miller
EALD Teacher

Coming up later this term on the 31st March there is a Pupil Free Day scheduled to work with Rob Vingerhoets School Improvement Focus in Mathematics. This day will be the culmination of three productive years connected with Rob in improving Mathematics practices and assessment across the school.

Dear Parents and Carers,

A gentle reminder to all parents regarding Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up routines. Grayson Ave, Vista Pde and Princeton Ave are all very busy streets and I thank you all for understanding and patience as we continue with construction works. 

• Parents using the Kiss and Drop Zone are to go to the end of Princeton, turn and come back down to the area. Please do not U-turn on the crest. 
• If crossing Vista Parade, please use the Crossing in front of the Hall. 
• Parents are asked to not drive into the private road of the units on Vista parade to drop off in the morning. 
• Parents dropping off and walking children into school, please park away from intersections, hold your child's hand, check for cars and cross the road in a safe area. This may mean that parents park several blocks away and walk to the entrance. 
• Please abide by the road rules and not park within 10m of an intersection. Parking too close to the intersection obstructs vision and buses are unable to turn into side streets. 
• Do not park/ or drop off  in No Stopping Zones.  
• If collecting from Parent pick up in the afternoon, please ensure that your child/ren stay with you at all times especially on the curb side of the road. 
• Students walking towards Nesbitt Park have been reminded that they are not to walk along side of the drain. Parents are encouraged to meet children on Vista and walk around to Grayson Ave to Nesbitt Park.

We are all committed to keeping our children safe. Rangers and NSW Police also patrol the area on a frequent basis, so I encourage all families to please take extra care on the roads around the the school. Please take extra care to not park across driveways.

We ask that the children do not climb in the trees in the area at parent pick up. This is a WHS risk and the some of the trees have lost excess bark and it is important that we care for our beautiful environment.

Mrs Sonya Boslem 
Principal

Thank you to our parents for the support and value that you place on your child being at school each day. Regular school attendance plays a critical role in ensuring that every student has access to the same learning opportunities. When students are not at school, are late to school or leave school early, they are missing out on so much that can impact on their future learning.

The following Attendance Guidelines are based on current legislative requirements, research on attendance and best practice.

✔ Attendance affects a child’s academic achievement and their overall wellbeing.

✔ There is NO safe threshold of absence – everyday counts.

✔ School attendance patterns are established early in a child’s schooling

 ✔ The effects of school absenteeism accumulate over time and affect children’s development now and into the future.

✔ Daily punctuality is important. The early part of each day is critical. Important learning is scheduled during this time when children are rested and receptive. Key concepts are built up in the time.

✔ Sporadic absences can affect academic achievement as much as absences over consecutive days.

✔ We ALL need to work together with our children’s best interest in mind to ensure that students are at school every day that they are well enough to attend.

Compass Unexplained Absences

Unexplained absences are required to be explained within 7 days of the absence on Compass. A weekly email will be sent to parents to alert of any unexplained absences that can be updated on Compass. Please note that if the absence is longer than 7 days, the absence is then unable to be explained by parents or school.

There has been Food Safety Changes for all school canteens. If you are a volunteer in the school canteen the below online course needs to be completed, can you please follow the below link to ensure compliance of the new NSW Government Food Authority Standard 3.2.2A. Once this has been completed, can you please email your certificate through to admin@kotarasouth.catholic.edu.au 

https://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/training/food-handler-basics-training 

Volunteers

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers, we really appreciate your time. If you would like to volunteer and haven't registered, please click on the link below and submit your forms. Once you have clearance the CSO will contact us to advise you have been cleared to volunteer. 

 https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/

Playgroup

Easter Raffle