Principal's Post

Dear Parents

Welcome back to Term 4!

Hope the holiday break allowed for some time to rest for you and your family. Having said this, I do remember the days of having little guys at home during the holiday breaks. It is pretty busy, especially if you were still working throughout the two weeks. Maybe, not having to get uniforms ready and lunches in the morning rush, did allow for a little space in your morning.

I appreciate that just the thought of it being the middle of October, means we are headed towards the end of the 2021 school year. It also means everything comes quickly over the next couple of months. So, there is plenty on at school, and plenty on in our own lives. This busyness does mean we can start to feel some pressures around having to get things done. I get this for you as parents. You will see our school calendar start to fill up with events ranging from Interschool Athletics, to the disco and so much more. It can all be a little overwhelming when you look at everything that happens within a school that goes beyond the teaching and learning. Just make sure you are looking after yourself during these times.

Long Service Leave

I also have some news on my front that is formally noted in an attached letter, but was also sent earlier today through the school website.

During the holiday break, I made the decision that it is time for some Art time and long service leave. I am taking leave for Semester 1 next year. I know, how exciting. What is even more exciting is the news on who will be replacing me. One of my very good mates, Sandro Coniglio, will be looking after you for the semester. I could not be happier. Like, I am so happy for everyone here at St Col’s and for Sandro. Sandro comes with a wealth of experience and energy that will light up your days. Sandro is currently working in at Catholic Education as he awaits commencement of his new school in Semester 2 next year. As a result, he is available to be here at St Col’s. Did I say how excited I am to be leaving our beautiful school with Sandro?

Timing is everything, as I did not have any plans for LSL, however having Holly move down south to teach in Dunsborough this year has allowed me some time for reflection. I am looking forward to annoying her and being a pest as I enjoy time back on the bike and kayak. I think Holly may decide to head back to Perth by February. Skye is also finishing university this year, so looking forward to spending time with her as she enters a new phase of her life. It will be nice having more time with the girls, yes, this includes Linda. I think Linda may have already started the list. As for my mum, well, I reckon I might try and learn how to cook cutlets the right way and make the pasta sauce with her secret ingredients.

While I will be busy keeping myself not busy, I will miss you all terribly. I might need to sneak in for Kiss and Drive, as I am not sure what I will do without seeing the kids in the mornings and afternoons. Sandro heads up our Thursday football boys, so he may need me to pop in to discuss game plans etc for our Thursday afternoons. Maybe that will give me an excuse to drive by to pop in. I am looking forward to swimming in my own direction for six months and coming back to see you all again in Term 3 next year.

Flowing from all of this, I found this quote that I have used before. It asks us to be joyful and to give thanks for all our circumstances. It is such an uplifting thought to be joyful, to always pray, to continually give thanks, and to do this in all circumstances. Finding those little moments to give thanks and be joyful change the world. I just look at Edudance that started this week. The dance teachers bring such joy to what they do. Just ask your kids. It was uplifting to see the love for what happens during these lessons.

I love knowing that there is so much gratitude around the place, that life is good. What we should start is a gratitude wall. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Imagine a wall somewhere in the school where any one of us could just walk by and write up something we are grateful for in that moment. It can be anonymous, but imagine the impact of walking by and reading what someone has written. You would all know that Mason in Year 2 would write about his gratitude with Melbourne winning the grand final. We know that Hugo in PP and his dad Michael would be writing about their joy of the Penrith Panthers winning the NRL grandy. I would be right there with them by taping up my Panther top.

School Values

Over the past few months, staff have been working hard to develop school values. During the holidays, signage has been installed around the school to display these values. The values represent the words on our school crest ‘Faith, Wisdom, Peace’ and represent words that we live by as St Col’s people, ‘Respect and Compassion’. The children will be learning about the school values and become familiar with these over the coming weeks.

Holiday Maintenance

All the usual maintenance has taken place over the break. Additional works were completed in the ECE area with a new fence and plenty of works within the playground area. The school oval had some minor maintenance during the break. This will be escalated on Saturday 23 October with jumbo rolls coming in to patch the areas that are needed to cover the surface. These rolls get used at Optus Stadium. The kids can play on these areas the next day. And you thought I was excited by Sandro turning up next year. The oval being green for the year pips him at the post. Sorry Sandro.

Term Planner Term 4

Please note the planner for Term 4 is on the school website under Parent Information. Click on the Term Planner tab to access. There are many events on this term across all year levels. Some events and dates may be updated due to changing circumstances. The term planner is updated when any changes take place.

School Fees

As we head into the final term of the year, a gentle reminder about school fees and payments. Thank you to all our families for their support and commitment to the fees. Please do not hesitate to contact Peta Santella on 9208 2705 or email peta.santella@cewa.edu.au if you have any queries.

Thank you for your continued support of your children, our staff and all our families. St Col’s people get what we are about, and that is a wonderful thing. Yes, you know it, we are all about your kids and remaining focused on how we can make St Col’s a safe and supportive place for all.

Italian Day at St Col’s 

We are having an Italian Day!!! Get excited and please dress in green, white and red or an Italian theme. At assembly we will have a special guest, Mr Piano Accordion Man, playing the fisarmonica.

The Kindy to year 6 students at St Col’s also have an exciting incursion organised to immerse students in an authentic Italian cultural experience of eating an authentic Italian gelato. A Gelato Van will be visiting the school and serving students a serve of gelato in a cup with a coloured spoon. Students studying Italian will be able to ask for their gelato in Italian too! (Please see poster attached to this newsletter.)

Date:                                                   Friday 22 October, 2021

Classes involved:                            Kindy to year 6

Dress:                                                 Green, white and red or Italian theme

Graze mille

Signora Demaio
Italian Specialist

Chisholm College Canteen – CLOSED

Please note that there will be no lunch orders available from Chisholm College on Friday 22 October.

Wishing you a wonderful start to the term.

Art

P & F News

Disco

CSPWA are holding a disco on Friday 15^th of October. There are two sessions, one for Pre-Kindy to Year 2 and the second for Year 3 – Year 6. Tickets are $5 and are available online. Please see the flyer attached to this newsletter for more information. The link for tickets is:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/StColumbasCSPWADisco

An evening of art with wine and cheese

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

A massive thanks to all the students, staff and parents that have produced the amazing pieces of art. We are putting together a brochure to allow people to learn about the pieces and to show off the beautiful work. Images will also be put on the Facebook page so keep an eye out.

The event will be capped at 250 people and tickets will be available online in the same way as the disco. The link for tickets is:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/StColumbasCSPWAWineAndCheeseNight?v2

Columba Runners

Our wind up will be this Sunday 17th Of October at the big gazebo at Riverside Gardens Bayswater. Please join us to celebrate the awesome achievements of all our members this year.

4.00pm: Presentations
5.00pm: Sausage sizzle

If families could bring a plate to share, surnames A-L savoury, M-Z sweet, it would be greatly appreciated.
It’s a lovely spot for a picnic.

Please RSVP by Thursday 14th October for catering purposes, either via the facebook page or email Tanya Armstrong at gtarmstrong@iinet.net.au

Thank you.

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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

Community Notices

Whatley Crescent temporary full closure between King William Street and Garratt Road – 4 October to 18 December 2021

Whatley Crescent, between King William Street and Garratt Road, will temporarily close in both directions to all motorists from 4 October to 18 December 2021.

Changed traffic conditions will result in extra travel time for commuters. Detour routes on arterial roads will be clearly signed, and temporary traffic management treatments will be installed on several local roads.

Road and path users are asked to take care when travelling through the area, allow extra time for their journey and follow all traffic management directions and signage.

Pedestrian access and a shared detour path for cyclists along Whatley Crescent will be maintained at all times during the closure.

If you have any questions about the closure, or traffic management treatments, please contact METRONET on 9326 3666 or visit metronet.wa.gov.au

Whatley Crescent Detour_Map

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2021 Term 4 After School Classes are OPEN for Enrolment

BRICKS 4 KIDZ® After School Classes are built on the popularity of LEGO® to deliver high quality Educational Play! Come and join in all the fun of our BRICKS 4 KIDZ® After School Classes with LEGO® and Coding with Robotics!

Please refer to the flyer attached to this newsletter. 

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Kora Centre

Childcare in Bayswater – Refer to flyer attached to this newsletter.

Kora Centre Inc. – Licensed childcare service at Bayswater

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Classifieds