Principal's Post

This week’s Principal Post is on the link below. Just trying something a little different. Could even start a podcast maybe. Anyhow, let’s do this and see what happens. Totally trying to be what I say to the kids, think outside the box and sometimes we need to go beyond our comfort zone and take on our fears. Doing a video of my Post, well, why not take a risk. Enjoy or stop it after 30 seconds.

Welcome to Week 3 of the year! I know, I hear you, it is flying along. This week will be my first video Principal Post, but before we get to that link, I would like to welcome Janine Witherow to our St Columba’s School community. Janine is the new face in our administration. I know you will make Janine feel very much a part of who we are here.

Now for the video link. Hopefully it works. I will get better at keeping it to three minutes in the future, but it did blow out to 5 minutes. What a surprise! If you find a small break in your weekend, maybe it is something you will wish to view. A bit about how I am thinking at the minute. Enjoy!

Click HERE for video

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS 2021

Just a friendly reminder to any St Columba’s School families that have child who was born between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017, enrolment applications are now due. We are filling up quickly for the 2021 school year. Interviews for 2021 will commence mid-March. Please see Lisa in administration if you have any question regarding enrolments.

MERIT AWARDS

• Parents will receive a text on a Tuesday morning of the week of the Merit Award Assembly, if their child will be receiving a merit award. These are also published in the newsletter on a Wednesday.
• Assemblies are noted on the Term Planner and Calendar. Assemblies are held on Friday mornings [generally fortnightly] in the undercover area from 8.45 am.

WELCOME BACK MOVIE NIGHT – Aladdin [P&F Event]

• Next Friday, 21 February, our P&F will be holding our welcoming picnic and movie night. This is always a wonderful evening for our families.
• Gates open at 6.30 pm, with the movie starting at 7.15 pm.
• Please bring a picnic dinner, BYO low seating, blankets, bean bags etc.
• Candy Bar and coffee van available.
• Entry Fee is a gold coin donation per person.

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS

• Wednesday 26 February at 9.00 am
• Start of Lenten Season in the lead up to Easter.
• A time of renewal and a time to reflect on what we stand for as people. We get to stop for a bit to live a life of abundance.
• Ash Wednesday reminds us of our humanity and that we are called to look at how Jesus lived his life. A life of abundant care for others, a life filled with acts of service and justice to all.
• This time of Lent enables us to seek a closer relationship to God by using this time to focus on others wellbeing and goodness.
• It is amazing what ‘gratefulness’ brings during this time.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY

• Friday 28 February 2020
• School staff engaged in professional learning
• High Impact Teaching Strategies

PUBLIC HOLIDAY

• Labour Day holiday Monday 2 March 2020

SCHOOL FESS 2020

The roll-out by CEWA of a new ‘Administration of Schools’ software package, means we have administered School Fees 2020 differently to previous years. Please note the following

• School fees have been sent to parents via email by the end of the week.
• These fees will be in a different format to previous years.
• Key change 1 – A new BPay reference number. If using BPay, please note this change and use the new number on your schedule.
• Key change 2 [Section 1 – Payment Option Advice Form]– Payment Authorisation form will offer 6 options for fee payment. Please tick the instalment option you have selected and tick the payment method.
• Key change 3 [Section 2 – Payment Agreement]– For direct debit on credit cards, please complete the credit card authorisation section.
• Key change 4 [Section 2 – Payment Agreement]– For debit cards [cheque and savings] please complete the direct debit authorisation.
• PLEASE NOTE – Existing Direct Debits already set up by families will be continued. You do not need to action or complete the payment Authorisation Form at this current time.
• Key change 5 – [Section 3 – Declaration]- Please sign the declaration, acknowledging that the account with St Columba’s School will be paid in full by 30 November 2020. Please note, there is a section that asks for parent commitment to contact Peta Santella in our administration [9208 2705] if at any stage you need support in school fee payments.
• Key change 6 – The Payment Authorisation Form must be completed by 28 February 2020. You can return either hard copy to the office or return via email to admin@stcolsbays.wa.edu.au.
• Pre-Kindy Parents – A letter has been sent home explaining your structure for fee payments in 2020.

Any payments paid after 31 January 2020 will NOT show on your statement but will be processed to your account accordingly.

Thank you for your continued support with the payments of school fees in 2020

Wishing you a wonderful week filled with an abundance of goodness. Look after yourself and hopefully you find time to do something that is good for your soul.

Kindness and care your way!

Art

School Counsellor News

Dear parents, children and the wonderful St Columba’s community,

It’s with sadness that I write this final newsletter piece to you all.

As many of you already know, I am retiring from the social work position so that I can care for my elderly parents whose health is seriously fading. It has been a wonderful 10 years here and I will cherish the memories I have of you and your amazing children.

I’ve practiced as a social worker for over 42 years and each job I’ve had has been truly enriching because of parents just like you. It’s indeed lucky to share time with people when their “fur has been rubbed off” by life’s “curve-balls” as we know from The Velveteen Rabbit, one of my favourite books.

I leave you with the poem below which was written by an awesome young person I knew many years ago when I was on the founding committee of Canteen WA, the Australian Teenage Cancer Patient Society.

In her shortened life, Jenny was an inspiration to us all as she demonstrated her way of committing to life in the face of adversity. Her thoughts have guided me over the years and I hope will inspire you too as you move from strength to strength in your family life.

LIFE
By Jenny Dawn Cannon 1972-1993

 Life is a gift from God above
And the one thing we have is the freedom to love.
Life is precious like the water we drink,
But is often wasted in the way we think.

Life can be cruel with much untruth
And we’re often blamed when there is no proof.
We have ups and downs in everyday life,
And usually find we come into strife.

But life is the answer to all our prayers,
and often we realize that for others we care.
We can create music for others around
As long as we have both feet on the ground.

Life can be experienced in different ways
And many things happen each coming day.
Life is unfair and extremely rude,
but everything depends on your attitude.

Life is too short and far too good
to be mistaken and misunderstood.
We should use our time in a special way
to help others through those hard-troubled days.

If the world were peaceful and able to live,
then people around would be happy to give.
There would be no greed, hatred and crime,
And also no reason to state…”that’s mine”.

A happy life consists of many true loves,
ones that are close like a hand in a glove.
Having love sends problems away,
because someone is there for you every day.

So always remember life is the key,
For experiencing things and learning to see…
that life stands for freedom in all that you say,
for all that you do in your own special way.

Thanks to you all for your generosity of spirit and your courage to take a stand for your children when it is needed.

Kindest regards until our paths cross again,

“Mrs M”

Jennifer Maughan
Social Worker

P & F News

777 Pharmacy 

Don’t forget to mention that you are a St Columba’s family if you are shopping at the Maylands or Bayswater 777 Pharmacy. 10% of all retail sales goes towards the P&F.

Pastoral Care

Award Winners

Term 1, Week 2

PP Green – Grace Howard. William Parks
PP White – Sera McDougall, Frankie Taii

1 Green – Alfie Allison, Havarna Bova
1 White – Sofia Jaramillo Restrepo, Spencer Southam

2 Green – Alexi Brammer, Hendrik English
2 White – Blake Kenyon, Maya Thompson Mewburn

3 Green – Edward Armstrong
3 White – Dylan Sardelich, Noah Thomas

4 Green – Jack Katich, Ella Thistle
4 White – Joshua Hartstonge, Rhylan O’Shea

5 Green – Orlando Lindsay, Thomas McDougall
5 White – Isabella Fernandez, Rhys Nillsen

6 Green – Libby Byrne, Chloe Murnane
6 White – Christian Campbell, Scarlett Francis

Term 1, Week 3

PP Green – Eve Hamilton, Shaan Tah
PP White – Elizabeth Kennewell, Luke Magee

1 Green – Miranda Ahn, Sebastian Strachan
1 White – Michael Baldwin, Emma Silverman

2 Green – Lachlan Cornwall, Maggie Ma
2 White – Arnav Bajaj, Harry Lange

3 Green – Amelia Dorozenko, Fergal Mippy
3 White – Xavier Brandis, Zander Smith

4 Green – Ava Fragomeni, Charlotte Smith
4 White – Ava Moretta, Lauren Pincus

5 Green – Mikaela Bentley, Sofia Lawes
5 White – Hannah Kemp, Owen Peters

6 Green – Malachi Donovan, Ella Mutsaers
6 White – Reilly Dudley, Lily May

Community Notices

Early in 2020, Mercedes College will commence interviewing Year 4 & Year 5 students who are due to start Year 7 in 2022 & 2023 respectively.  If you are considering enrolling your daughter and have not yet requested a Prospectus, please contact Mrs Julie Lamb on 9323 1340 as soon as possible.

Enquiries are also welcome for places in Year 7 for 2020 and 2021.   For more information please refer to the College website, www.mercedes.wa.edu.au.

Classifieds