Dear Community of St Columba’s,
As we come to the end of the term, we take a moment to pause and reflect during this sacred season of Lent, as we prepare our hearts for the joy and hope of Easter. Jesus’s resurrection at Easter reminds us of renewal, faith and the strength of community.
I would like to extend thanks to our Year 6 students for the reverence, commitment and maturity they demonstrated in leading the Stations of the Cross for our Parish last Friday evening. Their lunchtime preparation and willingness to give generously of their time was truly commendable. The way they retold Christ’s journey with such dignity and reflection made for an extremely moving experience for all who attended. We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for the faith leadership they so capably shared.
Sincere thanks must also go to Leesa Vinciullo, Ali Martin, Karen Gonsalves, Adriana Xavier, and the Year 6 staff, whose guidance, encouragement and support ensured the success of this beautiful liturgical celebration. Your dedication to nurturing the faith formation of our students is deeply appreciated.
CEWA Colouring Competition
We are also delighted to celebrate the creative achievements of our students. Congratulations to Ava S in Year 2, who was named the overall winner of the CEWA Easter Colouring‑In Competition, in the Year 2 Division. Ava’s exceptional artwork was selected from over 3,200 entries, a remarkable achievement of which we are very proud. Ava’s winning piece can be viewed on our School Facebook page. Congratulations also to Emma N and Gianna K in Year 6, who received Highly Commended Awards for their entries. Well done to all students involved for sharing their creativity and enthusiasm.
As we approach Holy Week, students across the school will continue to engage in age‑appropriate reflections, prayer and classroom activities that deepen their understanding of the meaning of Easter and the message of hope it brings. We encourage families to take time together over the holidays to reflect, pray and celebrate this most important season in our Church calendar. Please see below for dates and times for Masses at St Columba’s Parish.
Holy Week Services
Holy Thursday : 7.00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday: 10.00am Stations of the Cross 3.00pm Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday: 7.00pm Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday: 7.30am Mass 9.30am Family Easter Mass
Farewell to Kerry Brown
It is also with gratitude and best wishes that we farewell Kerry Brown, who is concluding her time with us after 13 years of dedicated service to St Columba’s. Kerry has made a significant contribution to our school community through her commitment, care and professionalism as Education Assistant in various year levels as well as the MULTILIT Reading Intervention Program. We sincerely thank her for all she has given to our students, families and staff, and wish her every success and fulfilment as she moves on to new opportunities.
Upcoming Events
- Thursday 2 April (Holy Thursday): 1.45 pm Stations of the Cross for Years 2-6
- Thursday 2 April: Last Day of Term 1
- Friday 3 April: Good Friday
- Monday 6 April: Easter Monday
- Tuesday 7 April: OSHC open for Vacation Care from this date.
- Term 2 resumes for students and staff on Monday 20 April.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership throughout the term. On behalf of all the staff, I wish you and your families a safe, restful and blessed Easter.
In gratitude
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal's Updates
Project Compassion
A reminder that all Project Compassion boxes need to be returned to classrooms or the front office by Thursday 2 April. Thank you for your support of Project Compassion.
Book Sale
To end Project Compassion on a high note – we are holding a Book Sale Thursday morning on the basketball court. A gold coin donation to Project Compassion for a book (or two!!).
Father Mark Payton – Signing of Forms (Parish Priest References)/ Sacramental Queries
Fr Mark is available from 8.30 – 9.00am Tuesday to Friday in the Sacristy for anyone who has forms to be signed or queries about Sacraments.
IEPS
Any IEPs that have not yet been signed and returned, could they please be returned by the end of the week. We require the original to be kept on file – parents will be provided with a digital copy (or a hard copy if preferred). Thank you
Term 2 Uniform Requirements
As we prepare for the return to Term 2, families are reminded that students will transition to winter uniform. The first two weeks of Term 2 will be a transition period, however, by the beginning of Week 3, all students are expected to be in full winter uniform. Families are encourage to refer to the Uniform Policy on the school website for full details.
Please note that track tops are to be worn with the sports uniform only and are not permitted with the academic uniform. If students are cold while wearing academic uniform, school jumpers must be worn.
Please also note our school’s hair expectations: hair must be clean, neatly brushed, and kept off the face, with fringes clear of the eyes. Hair longer than collar length must be fully tied back, using only small to medium plain white, black, or green scrunchies, ribbons, or headbands. Fashionable extremes in hair colour, products, or styles are not permitted, including excessively short cuts such as number one cuts, shaved heads, mohawks, rat’s tails, or shaved designs. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring students are ready to learn and take pride in their appearance.
JFE-Uniform Concepts Easter Trading Hours
Please see new price list attached to this newsletter. A reminder all uniform orders must be placed online through our school website.
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo
APRE and Inclusive Education Coordinator
P & F News
Save the date:
Thursday 2nd April: Last day of term
Tuesday 28th April: Next P&F meeting
Friday May 8th: Mother’s Day Breakfast
Calling all Dads
We’d love your help in making this a really special event for all the wonderful mums, step mums, grandmas, aunties and special women in our school community. Whether it’s setting up, serving muffins, or helping pack down afterwards, every little bit makes a big difference. If you’re available to lend a hand, we’d be so grateful to have you involved!
Just One Thing
Our P&F is built on sharing the load. If everyone does Just One Thing, it makes a big difference to our school community. Whether it’s helping at an event, lending a skill, or supporting behind the scenes, every contribution counts. Please take a minute to complete our short Volunteer Interest Survey and let us know how you’d feel most comfortable helping this year.
St Columba’s Primary School P&F – Volunteer Interest Survey – https://forms.office.com/r/N62gQFLgDh
Call for P&F Agenda items Meeting #2
We encourage all parents and friends within our community to be actively involved in the St Columba’s P&F. Our team is looking forward to hearing your new ideas or feedback on present and future events that support our School.
- Please communicate with your Class Reps if you wish for these to be discussed at the next meeting.
- Items are required for the agenda by Thursday 2nd April (compressed timeframe due to Good Friday and School Holidays).
- Next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th April at 6.30pm in the School Library.
We hope to see as many new faces as possible
With thanks from the P&F team!
CSPWA eNewsletter
Welcome to the latest edition of our CSPWA eNewsletter.
Visit the link below to view the newsletter:
https://cspwa.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=71
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. Also, Happy Birthday to those students who will be celebrating
birthdays over the school holiday break.
Eoin Cregan KW
Thomas De Paula Couto PPW
Giorgia Holmes PPW
Olivia Smith 1W
Sammy Young 3W
Riley Wilkey 5G
Alec Mather 5G
Cohen Lee 6W
Matilda Meenan 6W
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 1
Week 9 – 2 April
| Kindy Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Kindy White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| PP Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| PP White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 1 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 1 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 2 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 2 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 3 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 3 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 4 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 4 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 5 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 5 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 6 Green | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
| Year 6 White | Week 9 – NO RAFFLE – Easter Week |
Award Winners
MERCY AWARDS – Term 1, Week 9
Congratulations to all the recipients of this week’s Mercy Awards:
PP Green – Chase Dawson
PP White – Isla Rintoul
1 Green – Margaret Lee
1 White – Violet Mulherin
2 Green – Ezra Smart
2 White – Evelyn Halls
3 Green – Sophie MacDonald
3 White – Oliver Hawke
4 Green – Riley Goulding
4 White – Alliah Parker
5 Green – Jenson Kootje
5 White – Jacob Mak
6 Green – Evie Zekas-Crooks
6 White – Tommy Gibson
Class News
From our Year Pre Primary Classes
In Pre-primary, the children have been practising the Peggy Lego pre-writing patterns in fun and colourful ways! These patterns help us perfect the correct movements to properly form letters when writing. We also explored patterning by painting our work in alternating colours. What better way to showcase our writing skills than on a giant Easter egg!
Community Notices
