Principal's Post

Dear Parents and Guardians

As we head into Week 10 of the term, our students continue to give their best to their learning. I see this each day with how they hop out of cars in the morning at Kiss and Drive. I mean, seriously, they just burst out with energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead. This is pretty impressive considering the mornings are cold and their days are packed with activity. I can imagine your mornings are flat out in getting them ready for the day. Oh, I remember the days through winter where organising lunches, getting homework sorted and making sure they have the right uniform on does make it a little hectic. Well, all I can say is, great work by you all.

I also appreciate there will be days that mornings become a little more than hectic. It is just how it is with having kids. Please do not stress if you are running a little late on some days. It is all okay. Just come into the office and sign your children in. We all get how life rolls. It is all okay. Just think two more weeks and you will be able to slow down those morning routines.

Over the weekend, we decided to head down to see Holly in Busselton. We are very blessed to be able to do this. So excited Holly moved to teach in Dunsborough. Gives me an excuse to head away every now and then to enjoy what life is all about, family and looking after each other and self. On the drive down, Linda found this quote below on Facebook and sent it to me, which sort of fits with why I headed south for a couple of days.

The quote is from someone who had performed on the X-Factor US. Her name was Nightbirde, and she performed an original song. Her story was that she has been living with cancer and had found strength in her music and song writing. A person’s story is everything. Sometimes we forget this. I know I can get caught up in all the ‘stuff’ that happens in a day, but I know that if we keep listening to the stories of those we have moments of time with, then we will make their world better, but ours will also be made more special.

Nightbirde’s quote, ‘You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore, before you decide to be happy.’ There is something about this. Life is always going to be throwing us challenges, whether small or large, and if we could just live this a little in our day, we would be much better for it.

We often talk about gentleness and if we take time to be gentle on self and others, we take some of the pressure off everything needing to be perfect or needing to get everything we do right. It is not the reality. As you know, I have talked about this often, and I talk to kids about this daily. The thing about being in schools, and working closely with kids, is I get to witness first hand in so many moments and experiences. The best part, we find opportunities all the time to make a decision to be happy, when things may be a little tough or difficult. When I think of Nightbirde, which I have made a decision to think about in the moments of toughness over the next few weeks, I think it is all going to be okay.

There is another quote below that comes from Nelson Mandela. I think this may put life into perspective when we get caught up in some of the tough stuff that we find difficult to move passed and let go of. I continue to learn more and grow more whenever I discover some of these quotes from the stories of others. Okay, Nelson Mandela’s experience below, is something we will never experience, but if we relate it to the things that happen in our day, I think it applies 100%. After all, isn’t this why we exist. Existing to give goodness out to the world through gentleness, and in this case deep forgiveness. I think we can find much from this story.

No more needs to be said. Sets a standard for all of us to live by. For me, plenty of growth still needed by me in being able to live my life like this. One small step at a time. As Catherine McAuley, our founder of the Mercy Sisters, says:

As we head into the last week of Term 2, there continues to be many things on the go. We look forward to what is ahead. Below are some of the events taking place.

Year 6 Interschool Winter Sports

Interschool winter sports takes place tomorrow, Thursday 24 June. Sports include netball, soccer and AFL. Our students always set the highest of standards in sportsmanship. These are terrific days for our students to be a part of. Thank you to all our staff and parents who are involved.

Faction Cross Country

Faction Cross Country will be taking place this Friday 25 June. The event will be held at Frank Drago Reserve. Parents are welcome to attend. The scheduled times and distances are outlined below. Please note that these times are approximate only and subject to change:

9:00 – Year 6 – 2km
9:40 – Year 1 – 800m
10:00 – Year 2 – 800m
11:00 – Year 3 – 1km
11:30 – Year 5 – 2km
12:15 – Year 4 – 1.5km

Please ensure all students are wearing their sports uniform including faction polo.  All students will walk down to Frank Drago with their classroom teacher and they will all walk back to school as soon as their race is finished. Students will also need to bring their school hat and water bottle.

The carnival will proceed unless there is extreme weather conditions. An SMS will be sent by 8:30am Friday morning, if the event is postponed.

Students in Year 3 – 6 who place from 1st to 5th will be selected for the Interschool Cross Country Team.  The Interschool Cross Country will be held next term, further details to follow closer to the date.

Sacrament of Eucharist

Sacrament to take place on Saturday 26 June [4 Green] at 3.30 pm and Sunday 27 June [4 White] at 11.00 am. Thank you to Jenny and Ric for the preparation of our children and to Deb Klatt, Kerry Smith and Jennifer Scott for their support in the background preparation for the sacrament. Thank you to our catechists and Fr Andrew from our St Columba’s Parish, who work together with our school staff in the celebrations this weekend.

Student Reports Semester 1

Student reports come out next Tuesday 29 June. Please note all parents need to be logged into SEQTA to access the on-line reports. Details have been forwarded to new parents to ensure all are logged in for access. If you experience any issues with access to reports, please contact the school office and speak with Lisa Slocum.

Long Service leave

The following staff will be on long service leave during Term 3:

• Kerry Smith [Music] – Term 3 and Term 4
• Olivia Ioppolo [GATE and Support] – Term 3
• Caroline Brewer [Pre-Primary White] – Week 1-3 Term 3
• Kerry Brown [Year 1 White EA] – Week 1-5 Term 3
• Ali Martin [Year 2 Green] – Week 9 and 10 Term 3

We wish all our staff who are on leave a relaxed and enjoyable break. We look forward to seeing them back on their return.

Pupil Free Days

Pupil Free Days are set for Friday 2 July and Monday 19 July. The final day of the term for students is Thursday 1 July. The first day of Term 3 for students is Tuesday 20 July.

School Photo Days

School photo day is coming!

Monday 2 August
Tuesday 3 August
Thursday 4 August

Early in term 3 every student will receive a personalised flyer to bring home from Kapture Photography containing your child’s unique codes for ordering school photos online.

KEEP YOUR FLYER SECURE!

The unique codes contained on the flyer will be issued only once.

More information to follow in Week 1, Term 3.

Choir Performance – Catholic Performing Arts Festival

The St Columba’s Junior and Senior Choirs will combine to present a performance at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival as follows:

Date: 26 August 2021
Session: 13.00 – 14.30
Venue: Vasto Club, Balcatta

Ticket sales will be available from Friday 2 July, 8am via the Try Booking facility. Please refer to the Catholic Arts website to purchase tickets online.

Entry will not be permitted without your scanned ticket code. There will be no door sales. Performers do not need a ticket.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead. Take care of yourself and all those you come across. You have an opportunity to make an impact on their lives through these moments.

Good things your way!

Art

P & F News

We had an amazing response to our raffle raising over $1,000 in two weeks. Congratulations to our winners and again our thanks to Lisa Baker and The Athletes Foot for their generous donations.

1^st Prize Leo Cameron 1W
2^nd Prize Sasha Mazurak 2W
3^rd Prize Henry Webb 1G
4^th Prize Elliot Dorozenko 2G
4^th Prize Olivia Harris 3G
5^th Prize Tessa Cavalli PPG
5^th Prize Jack Hutton 3W
5^th Prize Indiana Gray PKW

Prizes are available for collection at the school Office.

To finish off the term the CSPWA is holding a Crazy Hair, Silly Sock and free dress day. Pick one or do all three!! This will be Thursday 1^st of July and will be a gold coin donation which will go towards the Archbishop’s winter appeal for LifeLink. (Please see flyer attached to this newsletter.)

Entertainment Memberships are still available for purchase and details are on the parent Facebook page. The school receives $14 for each membership purchased and you save $$$$.

Our next CSPWA meeting is Tuesday 17^th  of August at 7pm in the library, all are welcome.

Please email through any items for the agenda to your class reps.

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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

Award Winners

Term 2, Week 9

PP Green – Thomas Hodson, Talisa Martino Da Fonseca
PP White – Cerys Chaloner, Jacob Mak

1 Green – Xavier Balm, Oscar Hamilton
1 White – Rosabelle Juma, Davern Laffrey

2 Green – Elliot Dorozenko, Alessandro Pizzata
2 White – Lennox Harris, Ava Scali

3 Green – Kaitlyn Bidwell, Hendrik English, Blake Kenyon
3 White – Annabelle Ong, Arthur Pitter

4 Green – Lachlan Preedy, Milla Robbins, Robert Wilk
4 White – Kalani Brammer, Ryder Walsh

5 Green – Natasha Juszkiewicz, Amie Lan, Dominic Treacy
5 White – Georgia De Luca, Hannah Mutsaers

6 Green – Mackenzie Brand, Danny Duong, Zarlia B-Cliffe
6 White – Keria Nguyen, Taj O’Shea,

Community Notices

The City of Bayswater Libraries are holding some special NAIDOC activities during the July school holidays. All events are free and bookings are essential.

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Enrol with us at Mercedes College!

Mercedes College is currently interviewing for Year 7 2023 & 2024, with limited places available for Year 7 2022.  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, to enrol online or book a tour of our campus.  Please contact Mrs Nicole Kirk on 9323 1323 if you require further information.

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