Principal's Post

Dear St Columba’s Community,  

Happy New Year! It is with great excitement and anticipation that we extend our warmest welcome back to school for 2024. So warm we are commencing the year with a severe weather warning for a three-day heat wave. 

Welcome back to all our staff. They have been warming up and getting things ready for our students’ return. We’ve certainly missed the energy, laughter, and curiosity, and are excited to be back for a new year filled with endless possibilities and growth.  

A special welcome to new staff who commence their first appointment to St Columba’s School, Tiala Papali (Year 6), Mary-Jo Masmanian (Music), Karen Holden (Music), Casey Loong (Pre-Primary) and Adriana Xavier (Education Assistant). 

Welcome back to all students. This year holds endless opportunities for you to explore, discover, and challenge yourselves. As you join your new classroom, I hope you create lasting memories together. 

To our returning families, we’re delighted to see familiar faces once again and eager to continue the journey of learning and growth together. Your continued support and involvement make our school a vibrant and nurturing environment for all. 

For our new families and students, we extend a heartfelt welcome. We understand that starting at a new school can be both exciting and daunting, but rest assured, you’re part of a very supportive community.  

Commencing with some very exciting news … 

Over the school holidays, we were delighted to hear that Fr Andrew Albis has been reappointed as Parish Priest to St Columba’s Parish for another 6 years. We are thrilled for Fr Andrew, and we look forward to his continual spiritual guidance within our community. Fr Andrew is on a well-deserved holiday, and we will congratulate Fr Andrew at our first whole school Mass, on Wednesday 14 February. Please note this Mass will be held at 2.00 pm. It is also Ash Wednesday and the Commissioning Mass for Staff, Parents of the P&F and Catholic School Advisory Council, and Student Leaders. 

Throughout the year we will continue to provide opportunities for students from Pre-Primary to Year 6 to attend liturgical celebrations. 

New Bell Times 

This year we have returned to separate recess and lunch times, as similarly experienced during the times of social distancing. The main benefits of this will be allowing our students more space and greater choice in their play. However, it does not come without its challenges.  

Having separate recess and lunch times will mean there are more bells. Junior and senior students will need to recognize what bell is appropriate for them. To assist our students, we will be trialing a new tone for Junior Primary times. 

We ask for your patience and understanding as we may encounter some challenges. 

BELL TIMES 2024

Parent Code of Conduct 

As we embark on a new year, it is important to reflect on some expectations again to make St Columba’s Primary School a happy and safe place for all to learn, work, play and grow. I ask all families to take the time to access the Community Code of Conduct by clicking the link below.  

St-Columbas-School-Code-of-Conduct-Brochure

A friendly reminder, if you are sharing images of your child on social media whilst at school events, to only upload images of your child, unless you have permission from the family of the other child/ren. 

Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures 

The beginning of each school year always brings a little extra pressure to our surrounding roads during drop-off and pick-up time. Our Kiss N Drive is supervised before school from 8.15 am – 8.40 am and after school 2.50 pm – 3.20 pm.   

Arriving after school at 3.10 pm does alleviate some traffic congestion, so if you can come a little later, please do so. Students will never be left unsupervised.   

Please, never obstruct our neighbours’ driveways or nearby laneways. 

All families will shortly receive an updated name card to display on your visor or for you to hold up to show duty staff as you approach the pick-up area. This enables staff on duty to ensure your child is ready for collection and keep the traffic moving smoothly.  

A brochure regarding the use of school parking facilities has been distributed by the City of Bayswater and is available for viewing on our website. There are very clear directives regarding the responsibilities of all of us about parking around schools, and the interactions we have with City Officers and their roles. Please maintain respect for City Officers, as they are completing their work under the direction of the City of Bayswater in maintaining the safety of all, especially our children. You are providing an example for your child to follow.   

One of the directives from the City of Bayswater is for officers to take photographic evidence of offending vehicles to ensure accurate administration of infringements. As per our Code of Conduct, we are all responsible for setting ourselves the highest of standards regarding the wellbeing of all. Thank you for doing your part to ensure our Code of Conduct is adhered to at an exceptional level.   

We ask parents who have parked to collect their children to consider those families who are circling the streets looking for a bay and leave as soon as possible to give their spot to another. 

Before School Supervision 

Before school supervision commences at 8.15 am. Students who must arrive between 8.00 am and 8.15 am are required to sit outside the Library and wait for the Duty Teacher at 8.15 am, before moving around the school.  

Only students enrolled in the Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) for Before School Care are permitted downstairs prior to 8.15 am.  

Play allowed during before and after school supervision is modified to take into consideration the space, extra visitors on site, and staff available for duty.   

Games involving large balls such as soccer, basketball and football are not permitted before or after school.  

Playgrounds are not supervised by staff before and after school. We strongly encourage parents to not allow their children to play on the playgrounds without staff supervision.   

Should your child arrive at school before 8.00 am, they need to be enrolled into OSHC. Please contact Jess at oshc@stcolsbays.wa.edu.au or 9208 2723.

Parent Information Evening  

Teachers will hold two information sessions for parents. We encourage you all to attend. These will be held next Wednesday 7 February in your child’s classroom with their teacher. Session times are as below: 

Session One : 6.00 – 6.30 pm 

Session Two : 6.35 – 7.05 pm 

Request for our Teachers 

The new WA Catholic Teachers Enterprise Bargaining Agreement came into effect in 2023. This new agreement contains a ‘Right to Disconnect’ Clause. This clause has been instituted to support our educators in achieving a healthy work-life balance by allowing them to disengage from work-related responsibilities and technology outside of their designated working hours. There is no expectation for teachers to respond to calls, emails, texts, or any other forms of communication after the conclusion of their work hours.  

School Office Hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm. If you need assistance outside of these hours with a matter relating to child safety, e.g. cyber safety/bullying, a message can be left on 9208 2700. Your message will be received by the relevant Assistant Principal, Niall Kehoe (PK-Year 2) or Leesa Vinciullo (Year 3 – 6) before the commencement of classes for the following day and actioned accordingly.  

Your understanding and adherence to these protocols are greatly appreciated as we collectively strive to ensure the well-being and safety of all individuals within our educational community. Should you require further assistance or clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

New Canteen Procedures 

Online Canteen ordering will be available from Locavora for students in Years 1 – 6 from Week 2. Please see the information attached to this newsletter. 

Please note that orders are only available on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday’s.

Pupil Free Day Date Change 

Please amend your calendars and diaries for the below change to one of our scheduled Pupil Free Days. 

Term 2 Week 11 – Friday 28 June 2024 : PUPIL FREE DAY 

Term 3 Week 5, Friday 16 August, is no longer a Pupil Free Day. Students come to school as usual. 

I apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Best wishes 

Thank you for taking the time to read our weekly Donegal and keeping up with what’s happening. I know how busy life can get.   

It’s going to be an extremely warm start to 2024, so as always please ensure your child comes to school with a filled water bottle and School Hat. We also strongly encourage all parents to assist their child in applying sunscreen before coming to school and provide roll-on sunscreen for your child to keep in their bag so they can reapply during the school day when prompted by the teacher. Sunscreen is also available for your child in the classroom.  

I hope 2024 is filled with lots of wonder-filled moments for you all. 

In gratitude, 

Gina Burns 

Principal 

School Counsellor News

Nicole Leach
School Counsellor

Library News

A HUGE Thank You to the parents that have helped cover books over the holidays. 

We still have lots of books needing covering.  If you can help by taking a small number of books home to cover,

please advise the library. Your help is greatly appreciated by staff and students.

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

Pastoral Care

Community Notices

2024 SACRAMENTS

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

In 2024, Father Andrew and I are keen to assist those families wanting to receive Sacraments here at St Columba’s. For any of the examples below, or if you would just like to ask a question about the Sacraments, please contact me at Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au

BAPTISM – In 2023, we were thrilled to facilitate over 20 Baptisms of St Columba’s students and their siblings at the St Columba’s Parish. During Term 1, 2024, there will be another opportunity for those families wishing to have a child, or children, Baptised into the Catholic faith to do so. We have set a tentative date of Sunday 17 March, but will confirm this based on the expressions of interest we receive.

RECONCILIATION / FIRST COMMUNION – If for some reason your child, or children, did not make their Reconciliation or First Communion with the rest of their class, and now wishes to do so, can you please make us aware of this as soon as possible so that we can include them in our preparations for this year.

ADULT SACRAMENTS – If you have teenage children who have not made their Sacraments, or if parents and other family members are interested in becoming members of the Catholic family, we are also keen to hear from you. With some preparation, adults can undertake a special service where they receive all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation) at once.

Father Andrew and I are looking forward to hearing from you and assisting you and your family on your faith journey.

Leesa Vinciullo

Assistant Principal

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