Principal's Post

Dear Parents

As we continue to build momentum into the start of the 2021 school year, there is much goodness being brought to our days at St Columba’s School. Just need to look at the Kiss and Drive on Roberts and Milne Sts and how parents are showing patience and understanding for each other. Okay, there is the odd situation that may be causing some angst, but we all have moments in time where we may not be at our best. When you think of the numbers of cars moving through our streets, it is pretty remarkable. There is always going to be opportunities to keep improving the traffic flow on some days, but that is part of the ‘okayness theory’.

The okayness theory is a new thought bubble I have been having lately. Best part about it is that it brings much gentleness on self and others. It also encompasses another thought bubble I have constantly and that is to embrace our imperfections. I find this freeing. You know, our world, our days, are filled with a constant pressure, like constant. There are points of peace, but when we all look at our days, it is a challenge to keep on top of all the things we have going on. The thing about St Col’s people, from our kids, to our staff, to our parents, I do know that whatever may come our way, we will get through it as this place just breeds this sense of care for others. It will all be okay. John Lennon sums it up in his quote

At last Friday’s Year 6 Leadership Commissioning Assembly, I spoke about leadership and its connection to our school value for the year, Mercy. Just the word Mercy brings a sense of compassion and understanding. The thing about a value a community might have as their focus for the year is, it must be owned by everyone and it must become alive in all our interactions with each other. This value will change us as a community if we are true to bringing it alive in our relationships. It is messy as well. Mercy has us called to be better people in moments that may bring us times of not being our best. For me, I get the struggles of having to bring these values to every situation, to moments where I am not at my best, times of tiredness or frustration. It is sometimes in the smallest of things, that I can get caught up in my own stuff.

Getting caught up in our own stuff is actually okay, we just need to work our way out of it. See this is the beauty of Mercy. We can only bring Mercy to our world through the gentleness we have on ourselves first. I mean, we are so hard on ourselves at times. We can judge ourselves so harshly when things go pear shaped. It is human. We can also be harsh on others, and this again is where Mercy will bring us an inner strength and resilience we never knew we had. The key, absolute key is this. Our gentleness on ourselves first, allows us to be bring gentleness to others. I am serious about this. I do not always get this right, but it makes a difference to my world when I bring it.

Our living of gentleness through Mercy for self and others is a cracking good way to live our life. I reckon we all have an opportunity to be called to this in 2021. I always think about what is it I want my daughters to say about me when they talk to their mates or their cousins. What is it we show our kids. I think constantly about what does my mum say about me as a person, what do our St Col’s kids say about me, not just as a Principal, but probably more as a human. It holds me to high account. And talking about human, let’s just say there are many times I mess this up.

This is why the quote above about fulfilment is such a meaningful one. Seriously, just think about your day as a parent. How many times are you engaged with helping others? Think about your kids, think about your mates, your family, your colleagues at work. How many moments of assisting someone else? Too many too count, too many to even think about remembering. Yes, this is the fulfilment in our day. We do not even think about it, but every moment of helping and assisting someone else brings that little bit of joy to the world in which we move and live. All of this in interconnected with living with Mercy for self and others. Man, this is exciting. I could write about it all day.

Anyhow, you have plenty of other things to be doing at the moment, instead of reading my theories on life. As we head into the long weekend, I hope you are able to find time to be still and to find some rest. I know you will have plenty on, so make sure you do look after yourself and those in your life with gentleness and kindness.

Enjoy your weekend and look after yourself.

Good things your way and an abundance of blessings!

Art

FREE DRESS DAY

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY

Wooroloo Bush Fire Appeal

Gold Coin Donation

LABOUR DAY

Public Holiday

Monday 1 March

YEAR 4 to YEAR 6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL

• Friday 12 March at Bayswater Waves
• 9.30 am – 2.00 pm event.
• Students travel by bus to the carnival.
• Dolphins swim club continues to be a success with the kids being keen to participate in some training. This is due to a high level of commitment from parents. Breakfast is well organised and in-line with the COVID-19 protocols.
• A big thank you to everyone involved in this wonderful program.

ASSEMBLIES

• Recommence on Friday 5 March.
• Year 4 Assembly to be presented.
• Parents and grandparents of Year 4 students and Merit Award winners may attend the assembly.
• Thank you to our Year 4s for taking on the first assembly this early in the school year.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS 2022

Just a friendly reminder to any St Columba’s School families that have child who were born between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018, enrolment applications are now due. We are filling up quickly for the 2022 school year. Interviews for 2022 will commence mid-March. Please see Lisa in administration if you have any question regarding enrolments.

2021 STUDENT RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION

The Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (AGDESE) is collecting the 2021 Students Residential Addresses of students in Pre-Primary to Year 6. Please find the letter attached to this week’s Donegal [school newsletter].

• We are required to provide the AGDESE with your child’s residential address and other information as required under the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth).
• The information collected will ensure funding for Non-Government schools is based on need and be used to inform school funding calculations.
• For further information regarding this collection and disclosure of personal information please refer to the attached “Collection Notice for parents/guardians 2021 Student Residential Address and Other Information”.

Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Peta Santella via email peta.santella@cewa.edu.au . Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

SCHOOL FEES 2021

Please note the following

• School fees have been emailed to parents at the end of last week.
• Please complete a Payment Authorisation form. This will offer 6 options for fee payment. Please tick the instalment option you have selected and tick the payment method.
• For direct debit on credit cards, please complete the credit card authorisation section.
• For debit cards [cheque and savings] please complete the direct debit authorisation section.
• Please sign the declaration, acknowledging that the account with St Columba’s School will be paid in full by 30 November 2021.
• The Payment Authorisation Form must be completed by 19 March 2021. You can return either return the hard copy to the office or via email to peta.santella@cewa.edu.au

Any payments received after 31 January 2021 may 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 2021. Please do not hesitate to contact Peta Santella on the above email or phone on 9208 2705, if you require support in the payment of fees.

P & F News

Together we’re making a difference

At Pharmacy 777, your support makes a difference to your school.
We understand how much your school means to you, that’s why at Pharmacy 777, we’re passionate about making a difference. Our Community Spirit Program makes giving back to your school easier. As a Community Spirit member, for every transaction you make at Pharmacy 777 Bayswater and Maylands, they will give part proceeds back to the school. This contribution accumulates over time and funds raised support causes at the heart of your school. We would encourage all school community members to visit Pharmacy 777 Bayswater and Maylands and join up.

Pastoral Care

Community Notices

School Swim Squad

The St C Dolphin’s invites all Year 4 – 6 swimmers who are Learn to Swim Stage 6 and above to join us in preparing for the swimming carnivals ahead.

An enrolment form is attached to this letter and a hard copy has also been sent home this week. Please fill in the enrolment form ASAP and send to the contact details included on the form.

Your child may join later in the term as soon as they have reached Stage 6.  Please see enrolment form for contact details to discuss.

Volunteer Coaches and Breakfast Coordinators are required!

Starlight SuperSwim

Between January 26 and February 26,  some of our swimmers from the St C Dolphins are taking part in the 2021 Startlight SuperSwim and are hoping to collectively swim 50 KM in 30 days for sick kids!

Anyone from our community is welcome to join our team and swim for this cause by creating a profile,  joining our team and logging your kilometres!

Please jump on our webpage https://superswim.org.au/t/st-columbas-primary-school-bayswater-dolphins to sponsor our team and support Starlight.

—

—

Mercedes College is currently interviewing Year 4 students who are due to start Year 7 in 2024.  If you are considering enrolling your daughter at Mercedes, please visit the Mercedes College website at www.mercedes.wa.edu.au to request a prospectus or to enrol online.  Applications for Year 7, 2022 and 2023 are also welcomed.  Please contact Mrs Julie Lamb on 9323 1340 if you require further information.

Open Morning
Tuesday 16 March

Located in the heart of Perth’s beautiful heritage precinct, Mercedes College are proud to be celebrating 175 years of Mercy education, which makes the 2021 Open Day special! The Tour provides an opportunity for parents to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and enjoy a tour of College facilities led by some of our Student Representative Leaders.

There are two sessions: 8:30am or 11am. The 8:30am session offers families a morning tea, where you will have the opportunity to speak with some of our Teachers. Please register via the College website; www.mercedes.wa.edu.au/open-morning/

—

 CLEAN-OUT

Mrs Vinciullo is collecting all sorts of good quality second hand books for the Mercedes College Second Hand Book Stall (at the 2021 Mercedes Fete). If you have any that you would like to donate, please leave them at St Columba’s school office or drop them at the 6G classroom. She is also collecting clean jars and all sorts of gardening pots – big or small. If you are having a clean-out and think you may have something that she would be interested in, please email her on Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au

Thank you so much for your support.

—

Classifieds