Dear St Columba’s School Community,
Welcome to Term 3. I hope despite the cooler weather, all families were able to find some joy in the slower pace that the wet, cooler and darker weather brings.
A recent study demonstrated that it was extremely difficult for participants to “do nothing” for 15 minutes. People felt very uncomfortable feelings of withdrawal from their busy lives. Some reported difficulty resting at all. It is a common experience in our lives, packed with activity and information, with stimulation and multi-tasking, to slow down and let go of our responsibilities and engagements, even for a break or a restoring rest. We often avoid a break, saying to ourselves that we don’t have time. And, even when there is an opening in our schedule, there are many things, which we’ve put off from doing, that can fill the gap.
A common mistake after a vacation or holiday is to jump right back into our routine immediately, without taking the time to gather our thoughts and feelings and to take advantage of what we learned from the experience. Getting a new perspective on our life, which a break often offers, is a terrible thing to waste. It is good to ask ourselves what we saw, understood more clearly and what new desires were opened up in our hearts. Did I discover how much I enjoyed the break and felt so much better on many levels? Did I enjoy walking or reading or praying and feel a desire to add those small changes of pace to my life? Did I discover that I am over committed or stretched too thinly.
Sometimes we get so used to the bind we find ourselves in that we can’t even imagine backing up a bit and re-assessing our assumptions and choices. Change is really difficult. We usually won’t do it unless something we value deeply motivates our change. That’s usually love and gratitude to our God and love and gratitude for others. Those deep feelings motivate us to change and make sacrifices for others. Even small changes in how we do things can introduce big changes to our attitudes, our practices, our relationships with loved ones and friends and our relationship with Jesus and we thank God for giving us the gift of a break.
Playground Installation
The installation of the senior playground has certainly been the highlight of work completed during the School Holidays. It’s wonderful to see the students enjoying it and safety measures have been put in place to allow everyone to try it during this very exciting time.
Street Closures
Last week the school received some information regarding street closures. A week-long closure of Coode Street subway will commence from 8pm tomorrow, Thursday 20 July. During this time, the Coode Street subway will close to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to complete essential works for the new Bayswater Station Project.
Details are below:
When: 8pm Thursday 20 July to 5am Friday 28 July 2023.
For those who require further information, please see the links contained within this newsletter and on the school website.
Parking
I hear frequently there are still difficulties in waiting for a car bay to park at pick up time. I am sorry we are quite limited on both time and space. Some positive news is we are seeing more parents arrive later through the Kiss N Drive. This is alleviating some congestion. Our teachers are there to supervise your children until 3.20 pm. The traffic through the Kiss N Drive reduces significantly after 3.10 pm, so if you can, please come a little later.
We kindly request Pre Kindy and Kindy Families, who do not have older children to collect at 3.00 pm, to move from our Car Parks as soon as possible after collecting your children. By doing so you are making way for other families who need to park to collect older children by 3.00 pm.
Staying Informed
Term 3 includes great opportunities for families to engage in their child’s learning and participate in the school community. Some examples include Book Week, Science Week, Faction Carnivals, and the Sacrament of Confirmation. Staying informed through the School Newsletter and the Class Seesaw Page is definitely a good way to keep track of these events and any updates.
Many thanks everyone for making even just a small contribution of your time to assist at any of our upcoming events for this term.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
P & F News
WINNERS
Winners of the P&F Playground Raffle which was drawn on the last day of Term 2:
1st Prize – Filip Pizzata (Filip picked the Ninetendo Switch)
2nd Prize – Monica Jaramillo Restrepo (Monica picked the voucher to Brickz 4 Kids)
3rd Prize – Harriet Stazzonelli
Congratulations to all the winners.
Volunteering once a year, opens a door of opportunities for our kids. Giving back, means the world to them. Assist our St Columba’s P&F with your role of choice for events, fundraisers or even part of the Class Representative team.
Our “Just one Thing” volunteer sign up is now live. Please consider volunteering especially if you haven’t done so before. It’s a great way to meet new parents and make new friends. Thanks to all those that have already registered for their “One Thing”. Please use the link below to access the sign up form:
Entertainment Memberships
Online memberships are available again this year. Memberships can be purchased online.
https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/83589g
Our next P&F meeting is Tuesday 8 August at 7.00pm in the library.
Items for the agenda must be submitted by 5pm Friday 4 August.
Any items after this time will be tabled for the next meeting.
Any questions or queries, I can be contacted via email gtarmstrong@iinet.net.au
Tanya Armstrong
President P&F
Library News
Book Week 2023
Term 3 – Week 6
19th – 25th August
READ GROW Inspire
This year we will be celebrating Book Week at St. Cols in a number of exciting ways;
Including a live performance, Dress Up Parade, activities and competitions in the Library.
‘Perform ! Education’
Performance (Pre-Primary – Year 6)
Tuesday 22nd August
Dress Up Parade (Pre-Primary – Year 6)
Tuesday 22nd August
All students Pre-Primary to Year 6 are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character.
The purpose of this event is to celebrate Book Week,
therefore, the focus is on participation rather than the costume…
Why not recycle a costume, or put together something from home!
Please keep it simple and stress free
Please note: Costumes are not restricted to this year’s theme of:
‘READ GROW Inspire’
Looking forward to Book Week!
Rita Cuthbert – Library Officer – Library - the original search engine
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
To the following students who will be celebrating this coming week:
Elena Di Giallonardo – KW
Leo Duff – PPW
Aiden Snodgrass – 1G
Abigail Vernon – 3W
Gianna Krishnan – 3W
Harry Lange – 5W
Khrish Tah – 6G
Kalani Brammer – 6W
And all students who celebrated birthdays over the July holidays.
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 3
Week 1 – 19 July – NO RAFFLE
Week 2 – 26 July
Week 3 – 2 August
| Kindy Green | Week 2 – Mason McMurtrie Week 3 – Peyton Palmer |
| Kindy White | Week 2 – Olive Richards Week 3 – Akira Romeo |
| PP Green | Week 2 – Elise Villamar Week 3 – Kanishka Setty |
| PP White | Week 2 – Jude Hoogland Week 3 – Ffion Humphreys |
| Year 1 Green | Week 2 – Hazel Scarvaci Week 3 – Noah Palmer |
| Year 1 White | Week 2 – Jessica Kennewell Week 3 – Harvey Kemmy |
| Year 2 Green | Week 2 – Arden Bezich Week 3 – Darcey Poulsen |
| Year 2 White | Week 2 – Tessa Cavalli Week 3 – Talisa Martino Da Fonseca |
| Year 3 Green | Week 2 – Elizabeth Kennewell Week 3 – Bianca Milhinch |
| Year 3 White | Week 2 – Gianna Krishnan Week 3 – Cohen Lee |
| Year 4 Green | Week 2 – Ivy Hoogland Week 3 – Aisling Poulsen |
| Year 4 White | Week 2 – Leo Kennelly Week 3 – Stella Kent |
| Year 5 Green | Week 2 – Francis Le Week 3 – Natalia Milhinch |
| Year 5 White | Week 2 – Abraham Lawes Week 3 – Gethin Humphreys |
| Year 6 Green | Week 2 – Audrey Lawes Week 3 – Rafael Martino Da Fonseca |
| Year 6 White | Week 2 – Sophie Jagger Week 3 – James McDougall |
Award Winners
MERCY AWARDS – Term 2, Week 10
PP Green – Edith Parks
PP White – Mason Meenan
1 Green – Oscar Walker
1 White – Luca Isautier
2 Green – Parker Connell
2 White – Jenson Kootje
3 Green – Luke Magee
3 White – Sajad Aljabry
4 Green – Lucinda Tran
4 White – Charlotte Eaglesham
5 Green – Maya Thompson Mewburn
5 White – Maggie Ma
6 Green – Eliza Joewono
6 White – Amelia Dorozenko
Parish News
Welcome to Term Three
As advertised, Father Andrew and I are organising a second community Baptism event to be held this term. While we have had a number of families express interest in joining us, it is not too late to be included!
Dates have now been confirmed :
Thursday 17 August, 2023 : Baptism Information Evening for parents and those to be Baptised.
Sunday 27 August, 2023 : Baptism Ceremony (10.45am after the 9.30 Mass)
Please contact me to express interest or to ask any questions you may have. You may also feel free to share this information with friends and family.
Looking forward to sharing this celebration with members of our St Columba’s community.
With thanks and best wishes
Leesa Vinciullo
Religious Education and Events Coordinator
Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au
Community Notices
Road closure and 24/7 works
A week-long closure of Coode Street subway will commence from 8pm next Thursday 20 July. During this time, the Coode Street subway will close to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to complete essential works for the new Bayswater Station Project.
Details are below:
When:
8pm Thursday 20 July to 5am Friday 28 July 2023.
Where: (see detour map attached)
- Coode Street subway closed from Railway Parade–Whatley Crescent
- path access across the rail is via the Leake Street underpass
- the elevated shared path from Leake–Hamilton streets remains open
- pedestrian access to Whatley Crescent–King William Street businesses remains
- Coode Street closed from Broun Avenue–Beaufort Street
- Coode Street local traffic only from Beaufort Street–Railway Parade
24/7 works will take place throughout the week to complete road and bridge works, and the school community may notice construction impacts such as noise, dust, vibration and light spillage as well as heavy vehicles, machinery and works accessing local roads and the construction site.
Public transportation
From 8pm Thursday 20 July, bus route 48 will no longer serve the Bayswater Town Centre and will deviate via Meltham Station. Please refer to the attached bus route network attachment as well as a copy of the timetable for bus route 44.
The southern platforms of the New Bayswater Station are still expected to open in September.
Also attached is a notice detailing the road closures in further detail.
I encourage all members of the school community to visit metronet.wa.gov.au for the latest project information.
Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Triple P Parenting are promoting a Fearless Parenting Online workshop to help children cope with life challenges and break free from anxiety. Anxiety has become one of the major causes of mental health issues for children and this workshop provides information for parents on what anxiety is, how to understand when your child is anxious and creating a toolbox of strategies that will help your child manage their anxiety.
Please click HERE for further details.
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor