Principal's Post

As we head into the Father’s Day weekend I found the image above. Seriously, this is so true. Us dads love having the little guys go along with all our ideas. It is just good fun. Our kids give us an excuse to keep being kids ourselves. I know when Holly and Skye were little tackers, there was always a sense of joy whenever we were out and about. I do not know what it is, but as a dad we tend to just love messing around. Everything was a game. Our kids get we love them, and that being with them is one of the best things ever. Even with Holly and Skye being in their early 20s, I still get that feeling of pure joy when I am with them.

Just so happy when they still want to hang out with me, even if that means just popping down to the shop. I especially love when they take up the offer of popping out for a pizza or for a kebab. I know I pay for the food, but I think they do love being with me. When I flick through my phone and look at all the photos I have, I realise just how many times we are together and how many times there are where we get to just be. Just moments, that is all. Not anything planned, or anything super exciting, just moments. It is like when they have been out with their mates and then there is the two o’clock in the morning text. Although at the time I am thinking to myself, ‘Why not Uber or taxi?’ I do feel like it is what we do as parents, as dads. There are always one or two extra passengers that makes the 30-minute round trip turn into 90 at times, but again, it is what we do.

I do like Pope Benedict’s quote about how our human fatherhood gives us this connection to who God is. I was thinking about it over the weekend and what this could actually mean, this anticipation of who God is. Now, I am not saying we are God, but rather that we have the potential to be God-like. I mean, if we are true to what we believe, then we are all made in the image of God. Like, I mean, all of us. Today, I guess I am specifically talking about us dads because of this Sunday. I tried to get a grasp on this and I think it means that we simply be ourselves and do the very best we can to be the best we can. This means we get messy and we ride with what comes. I think my kids just want me to be Art, not anything else. I think that is what it means for all of us.

Be yourself, warts and all, but be true to it. We strive to be the best we can for our families, and need to know we are enough. We do not need to prove anything, no need to be hard on ourselves or others, just be. When I write my book, I am going to be writing about all of this stuff. You know the thinking from last week about being awkward, being brave and being kind, well this will form so much of what I write about. I am so into this stuff because it allows me to be kind to myself with my abundance of imperfections. It allows me to embrace everything no matter how hard it can be at times. This is as much about dads, as it is about all of us. Gentleness is the key. Gentleness on self and others.

I love this image of the heart of the father being a masterpiece of nature. It goes back to being made in the image of God. Brings a peacefulness don’t you think? We are who we are. My wish for all our dads and grandads is that you receive an abundance of love this weekend, knowing that there is a preciousness about being a dad to our kids. My grandfather turns 99 on Sunday, and like a good wine, he just gets better with age. A champion fella who continues to create a sense of belonging through the stories he tells. I am so looking forward to making time one day, to start recording these memories. It is something one of our St Columba’s grandfathers told me I should do, keep the history of our family alive. I need to make this happen.

Principal Review

At the start of next week, Monday and Tuesday, the final part of my Principal Review will be completed. All Principals are reviewed in their third year and then are set their next contract. At the end of this term or early next term, I will meet with the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA Ltd, to receive my new contract. Well, you know, hopefully receive my new contract. If not, anyone looking for someone with very poor handyman skills, but does love mowing lawns and driving bobcats, well, I may be available.

Faction Athletics Carnival

Our Year 1 to Year 6 Faction Athletics Carnival will take place on Friday 18 September at Bayswater Little Athletics Centre, Wylde Road, Noranda. A notice has gone out to parents giving the option to take your children directly to the carnival if you wish, rather than coming to school. Both options are available. Complete the form sent home, only if you are taking your child to the carnival or picking them up at the end of the day. If your child is going on the bus, to and from the event, then no need to respond to the letter. The letter is attached to this newsletter.

Mercy Mission Day

Our Mercy Mission Day, which is usually planned for the final week of Term 3, is postponed until further notice. We will advise when this day of celebration will be scheduled in Term 4.

I wish all our dads a wonderful day on Sunday and thank you for what you bring to the life of St Columba’s School in Bayswater. Blessings your way.

Art

P & F News

Entertainment book

The Entertainment book is still available for those who may be interested. To purchase simply use the link below.

 http://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/83589g

Library News

2020 CBCA 

  Book Week 

Curious Creatures Wild Minds

Dates: 17th – 23th October 2020

Dress Up Parade (Kindy-Year 6)  
Monday 19^th October 

All students Kindy 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 ‘Curious Creatures Wild Minds’ theme.

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If any families have Children’s Magazines that they no longer need, the students would enjoy reading them.

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Please note:

 ALL students require a 

‘St Columba’s Homework/Library bag’ 

to borrow library books.

Students without the St Columba’s bag will be unable to borrow from the beginning of Term 3

Just a reminder that students require the school green ‘Homework and Library Bag’ in order to borrow from the Library.

Many students will already have the green school ’Homework and Library Bag’ from previous years.

‘Homework and Library Bags’ can be purchased from the Uniform Shop at a cost of $10.

Parents please order via the link on the Uniform Shop page of the school website.

Rita Cuthbert – Library Officer – Library - the original search engine

Pastoral Care

School Banking

School Banking is back.

School Banking is back.  School Banking Day will be THURSDAY 8:15-8:30AM, in the CANTEEN commencing on 6^TH AUGUST 2020.

All school banking contacts will be run in line with WA Government regulations regarding COVID19 including cleaning of all surfaces prior to banking starting, hand sanitising for all students and parents, and social distancing for all students. All prizes are individually wrapped and sealed.

School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way to help young Australians learn about money and practice good savings habits. For each weekly deposit made at school, students will receive a token. Once they collect 10 tokens, they can redeem them for a School Banking reward.

Exciting news for TERM 3 is that CommBank will be rewarding all bankers who deposited in Term 1 with the option of an EXTRA prize. Come down and speak with your School Banking Coordinator Ariane Mazurak on Thursday morning about what is on offer.

If your child has lost their deposit wallet, please contact your School Banking Co-ordinator Ariane Mazurak for a replacement via the school office.

If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2020 School Banking program parent guide from the school office or visit www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking

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