Dear Community of St Columba’s,
The Season of Easter
As we begin a new term together, we do so within the joyful season of Easter, a time of hope, renewal, and new life. Easter invites us to pause and reflect on the message of love, compassion, and promise that lies at the heart of our faith.
During this season, we are reminded that even after times of difficulty or uncertainty, there is light, growth, and the possibility of fresh beginnings. Easter calls us to live with kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude, and to be attentive to opportunities to care for one another in thoughtful and meaningful ways.
May this time inspire us to act with generosity, to look out for those around us, and to carry the spirit of Easter into our classrooms, our playgrounds, and our homes.
Community
We are deeply saddened to share that, following a period of illness, Kate Minchin, a much‑loved member of our school community and mother of Grace and Oliver, has passed away. Our hearts and prayers are with her husband Charlie, her children Ollie and Gracie, and with all who are grieving this profound loss.
Kate was known to many within our community, and her passing will be felt deeply. At this time, we are mindful of the range of emotions this news may bring and remain committed to supporting our students, families, and staff with care, compassion, and understanding.
Families should refer to SEESAW for further information.
Staffing Update – Term 2
Year 1 Green – Karen Holden continues to be on leave this term. We warmly welcome Daniella Nardelli back to our school community in Term 2. Daniella will be working one day a week on Tuesdays, supporting students in Miss Filocamo’s class.
We are also pleased to welcome Tiana Miranda to St Columba’s as an Education Assistant. Tiana will be providing support across classes impacted by recent staffing changes associated with the operation of our Reading Intervention program, following the conclusion of Kerry Brown’s contract at the end of Term 1.
Best Wishes to Our Interschool Swim Team
We wish our Interschool Swim Team all the very best as they prepare to compete at next week’s Interschool Swimming Carnival. We are proud of the commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship shown by our students, and we know they will represent our school with enthusiasm and pride.
Thank you to Mr Banks for his dedication and support, and to all team members for their consistent weekly training and preparation. Your effort and perseverance are to be commended. We wish you every success. Our school community will be cheering you on!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Hunter S, Graduating Class of 2025, on his achievement at Australian Little Athletics Championships during the school holidays. Hunter was awarded with a Bronze medal in the high jump, with Gold, silver and bronze recipients all jumping 1.55m. We are all so very proud of his achievement.
Administration Appreciation Week
This week we take a moment to sincerely thank our administration staff for the vital role they play in the life of our school. Their professionalism, organisation, patience, and care ensure the smooth day‑to‑day running of St Columba’s and provide a welcoming first point of contact for our families, students, and staff. We are deeply grateful to our Front Office Staff – Kylie and Lisa, Finance Officer – Janine, and Grounds Staff Joe Sandon and Uncle Joe for their dedication, kindness, and behind‑the‑scenes work that so often goes unseen but is never unappreciated.
Upcoming Events
- Monday 27 April: ANZAC Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 28 April: Year 4 Assembly
- Tuesday 28 April: Basketball Interschool (selected Year 6 only)
- Tuesday 28 April: P&F Meeting commencing in the Library at 6.30 pm.
- Wednesday 29 April: Interschool Swim Team Breakfast
- Thursday 30 April: Interschool Swimming Carnival
- Saturday 2 May: Enrolment Mass for Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
As we begin the term, we do so with a renewed sense of hope and purpose, grounded in faith and strengthened by the care we show one another. Thank you for your continued support, generosity, and commitment to our school community. I look forward to the weeks ahead as we journey together through the Easter season and all that Term 2 has to offer.
In gratitude
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal's Updates
Children’s Crossing Whatley Crescent
Please find attached the review and outcome of the Children’s Crossing Whatley Crescent near Leake Street.
2026_Review_No Change in Status_BAYSWATER_00142 02 FV001 SCPS
CC&RSC Meeting Outcome-24.03.26_BAYSWATER_00142 02 FV001
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo
APRE and Inclusive Education Coordinator
P & F News
Welcome back to another exciting term from the P&F! We’re looking forward to a fantastic few months ahead and appreciate the continued support from our wonderful school community.
Celebrate Mum this Mother’s Day:
Join us to celebrate the wonderful women in our community by sharing a Muffin With Mum on Friday 8th May.
Register attendance and dietaries here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/_2026MothersDayMuffinWithMum
We’re also calling on our amazing dads to lend a hand on the day. If you’re available to volunteer, please sign up via the link below:
https://volunteersignup.org/37CBJ
And finally, our next P&F meeting will be held next week – Tuesday 28th April at 6:30pm in the school library. We hope to see you there.
Thanks,
The P&F team x
Library News
The challenge runs from 23 March to 12 June 2026
Join the reading challenge for your chance to win!
Each week, students who log their reading will automatically go in the draw to win a prize. We have more than 200 weekly prizes, which include tech gadgets, book vouchers and e-gift cards.
The weekly prizes celebrate students’ efforts in the challenge and encourage them to continue to improve their literacy skills and enjoyment of reading. The weekly prizes are drawn at random from students who have logged their books.
Some of the 2026 weekly prizes include:
Book vouchers
Kmart vouchers
Cotton On vouchers
Yeti water bottles
Kobos
Australian Geographic vouchers
Rebel Sports vouchers
Ultimate Teen and Kid vouchers
To be in the draw to win weekly prizes:
1. read a book
2. log a book each week
3. go in the draw to win!
It is that easy, and with 12 weeks of the challenge there are plenty of chances to win.
Click the link below to register:
https://www.premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au/
Rita Cuthbert – Library
(Monday, Thursday & Friday)
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
The following students who will celebrate birthday’s in the coming week.
Jye Woodley KW
Gemma Roberts KG
Leonardo Copping KG
Charlotte Hawke PPW
Aurora Hodgetts PPG
Leroy Etheridge PPG
Zara Parker 1G
Charlie Williams 1G
Lewis Christie 1G
Akira Romeo 2W
Andrea Gunawan 3W
Georgia Whelan 3W
Ava-Marie Bova 4G
Annabel Harper 4G
Oscar Harris 4W
Katie Kim Oliver 5G
Hugo Zachar 5G
Davern Laffrey 6G
Ava Gallagher 6G
Max Nguyen 6W
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 2
Week 1 – 22 April – NO RAFFLE
Week 2 – 29 April
Week 3 – 6 May
| Kindy Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Jimmy Cadogan Week 3 – Logan Catellani |
| Kindy White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Eoin Cregan Week 3 – Claudia Dillon |
| PP Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Rumi Duff Week 3 – Leroy Etheridge |
| PP White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Blake Cruthers Week 3 – Thomas De Paula Couto |
| Year 1 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Lewis Christie Week 3 – Isaac Comber |
| Year 1 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Clara Charles Week 3 – Indigo Chin |
| Year 2 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Ayla Christie Week 3 – Holly Bunko |
| Year 2 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Maxine Isautier Week 3 – Mia Etheridge |
| Year 3 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Leo Duff Week 3 – Zara Campbell |
| Year 3 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Norah Cregan Week 3 – Zoe Chin |
| Year 4 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Ciara Carruthers Week 3 – Annabelle Cornish |
| Year 4 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Luca Isautier Week 3 – Faye Gallagher |
| Year 5 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Tristan Goh Week 3 – Monica Jaramillo Restrepo |
| Year 5 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Tessa Cavalli Week 3 – Parker Connell |
| Year 6 Green | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Asher Felton Week 3 – Ava Gallagher |
| Year 6 White | Week 1 – NO RAFFLE Week 2 – Isabella Goh Week 3 – Connor Campbell |
Community Notices
We will be running BRICKS 4 KIDZ After School Classes in St Columba’s School Bayswater in 2026 Term 2. Every TUESDAY starting 28 Apr 2026 to 23 Jun 2026.
We currently have 4 children enrolled in our Term 2 classes. We are hoping to get more children to meet the minimum number (i.e. 8 children) to proceed with our class on TUESDAY 28th Apr. Parents can enroll at the following page: https://bricks4kidz.au/perth-gosnells/our-programs/st-columbas-school-bayswater/
