Dear Community of St Columba’s,

Happy New Year! It is with great excitement and anticipation that we extend our warmest welcome back to school for 2026.

Welcome back to all our students. The year ahead is filled with opportunities to explore, discover, and challenge yourselves in new and exciting ways. On our first day, we gathered for a whole-school assembly to celebrate the beginning of the year and to remind everyone of the important role we each play in creating a positive school community. When we feel well, we learn. We encouraged all students to support their teachers, our staff, and one another by being Strong and Kind — a message introduced in the early years through our URSTRONG Program.

To our returning families, we are 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 are a part of a very supportive community.

A couple of late staffing announcements:

Mr Jacob O’Reilly has moved into the role of Year 6 Teacher, a role he is very passionate to return to.

Kayleigh Owens and Casey Loong will share the Technologies Specialist Role:

• Technologies PP-Year 1: Casey Loong
• Technologies Year 2 – Year 6: Kayleigh Owens

Mrs Karen Holden, our Music Teacher for PP–Year 2, will be taking leave during Term One. During this time, Mrs Karen Gonsalves, who currently teaches Music from Year 3–6, will kindly be taking on the additional Music classes.

Mrs Karen Holden, also worked part time in Year 1. Mr Dylan Banks, PE Teacher, will be kindly taking on the additional time in Year 1.

An updated staff list can be found in this newsletter.

Happy 90^th Birthday to St Columba’s

As we step into a brand new school year, we also step into a remarkable moment in our history, our 90th year of operation. When Sister Mary Paschal O’Connor first opened our doors in 1936, she established more than a school. She established a vision of learning rooted in faith, compassion, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. Ninety years later, that vision lives on because of people like you.

This year invites us to honour our past while boldly shaping our future. It is a chance to reflect on how far we have come and to imagine what the next generation of students will receive because of the choices we make now.

2025 was highly productive, and our improvement agenda was significant. Many changes will continue into 2026 as we consolidate, refine, and embed new practices across the school.

At our first Staff Professional Day, the staff began the process of shaping our Vision for Learning. This vision will guide our collective approach to teaching and learning at St Columba’s, ensuring that every member of our community works toward the same aspirations. Establishing shared understandings is essential for creating clarity, consistency, and a united direction for how we support every student to grow, thrive, and achieve their potential.

The Vision for Learning and other focus areas on our improvement agenda for 2026 are framed by the four domains of Quality Catholic Education.

Catholic Identity

Mercy values are a lived expression of faith for all students and staff to strengthen the schools Catholic Identity and culture.

• Inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, we will strengthen our school’s sustainability practices.

Education

Cultivate and sustain high quality, consistent and inclusive practices that are responsive to the diverse educational and well-being needs of all students, ensuring every learner is supported to thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

• We will develop a School Wide Vision for Learning.

Community

Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where peace, respect and compassion are lived and felt by all each day, as a tangible expression of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

• Continue to integrate key components of the URSTRONG Program into school, class and playground procedures.

Stewardship

Create a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and professional growth.

• Expand opportunities for leadership.

Parent Information Evening

Next Tuesday 10 February we will hold our Annual Parent Teacher Information Evening. We encourage you all to attend. These will be held  in your child’s classroom with their teacher. Session times are as below:

6.00 pm Principal’s Welcome commencing in the Greg Martin Pavillion

6.10 pm Session One with the Classroom Teacher

6.35 pm Session Two with the Classroom Teacher

From 7.00 pm

• IEPs – If your child has an Individual Education Plans (IEP), Mrs Leesa Vinciullo will be running an Information Session about IEPs. This is beneficial for those who currently have an IEP.
• Sacraments – Mr Niall Kehoe will be available to support any questions you have about the Sacramental Program.
• SEESAW Help – If you need help setting up your SEESAW account, please see Mrs Lisa Slocum at the Front Office.

Parents and Friends Association

Positions remain vacant on the Parents and Friends Association. Our P&F is vital for allowing our community to engage in both fundraising and friendraising events, with our first being our Welcome Back to School event, this Friday. Please contact the office to speak with the Principal if you would like further information.

Catholic School Advisory Council

One Position remains vacant on the Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC). The CSAC’s role is to advise and support the Principal in the effective governance and future direction of the school. Please contact the office to speak with the Principal if you would like further information.

Library Closure for Week One

Our school Library will be temporarily unavailable. A recent building report for the Year 4G classroom has identified new information regarding the condition of that learning space. As a precaution, and on the advice of the CEWA Work, Health and Safety Team, the Year 4 Green class will relocate to the Library while the Builder undertakes a detailed investigation and develops a plan to address the issue.

A plan is currently being put in place to ensure students can continue accessing books throughout this period.

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation during this temporary change.

Welcome Back to School – Picnic on the Grass 

You are warmly invited to our Welcome Back to School – Picnic on the Grass this Friday, 6 February. The celebration will take place on the School Oval, beginning at 5.00 pm, with entry via the Milne Street Gate. Bring along a picnic and rug and enjoy a relaxed evening together. Our P&F subcommittee has arranged some wonderful additions, including an icecream van, music, and face painting. Please understand, no alcohol is permitted due to children also attending this event. 

Join us as we reconnect with familiar faces, welcome new families, and continue writing our 90th story as a community.

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.

Upcoming Events

• Friday 6 February: Commissioning Mass for Student Leaders@ 9.00 am. All parents are welcome to attend.
• Friday 6 February: Welcome Back to School Event, commencing at 5.00pm.
• Tuesday 10 February: Parent Information Evening commencing at 6.00pm in the Greg Martin Pavillion.
• Wednesday 11 February: Year 4 Swimming Carnival Trials
• Tuesday 24 February: Pre Kindy & Kindy 2027 Enrolment Information Morning at 9.30am.

SAVE THE DATE: a new addition to the Parent Calendar

Please continue reading on for some reminders from our Parent Handbook.

Welcome back and let’s make our 90th year unforgettable.

In gratitude

Gina Burns

Principal

School Times

Pre-Kindergarten school times: 

Tuesday and Thursday 8.55 am – 2.50 pm (Doors open at 8.45 am)

9.50 am – 10.20  am         Recess

12.00 pm – 12.30 pm     Lunch time

Kindergarten school times: 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8.40 am -2.50 pm (Doors open at 8.30 am)

9.50 am – 10.20                Recess

12.00 pm – 12.30 pm     Lunch time

Pre-Primary to Year 6 school times: 

8.00 am                                Before school duty commences

8.15 am                                Class doors open

8.30 am                                Classes commence – morning sessions

10.20 am                             RECESS

12.30 pm                             Lunchtime

1.10pm                                Classes resume

2.50 pm                               School concludes

3.20 pm                               After school duty ends

Before And After School Duty

Before School 

School gates open at 8.00am. Before School Supervision starts at 8.00 am. Two areas will be supervised. The school oval and the Greg Martin Pavilion (undercover area). Please remember only small ball games are permitted before school.

After School 

After school supervision commences at 2.50pm to 3.20pm at Kiss N Drive on Roberts St or the Milne St Gate. Please note, Milne Street is not a Kiss and Drive and should only be used for parking.

The OSHC Gate is only to be used for OSHC purposes. Student and parents should not be using the OSHC gate unless they are entering or exiting OSHC.

The Staff / Church Car Park is only permitted for Parents walking their children to and from OSHC services. No students should be using the OSHC gate unless accompanied by an adult as this is a car park.

Kiss And Drive 

The Kiss and Drive on Roberts Street operates before and after school (as per the above times) for students in Pre Primary to Year 6. Please adhere to the below procedures for use:

• Parents should not exit the vehicle whilst using the Kiss and Drive.

• Students MUST be able to do up THEIR OWN seatbelt when using the Kiss and Drive.

• Please display your family surname on the dashboard so staff can alert your child you are approaching.

• NO U turns are permitted at Kiss and Drive.

• Students must enter and exit the vehicle kerbside.

• It is preferable that students do not access boots. Bags should go on seats next to children when possible.

• Traffic around schools during peak times before and after school are a natural part of the day. Arriving around 3.10pm ensures traffic delays are alleviated to some degree.

• Please be courteous to other drivers and abide by all road rules.

• Please adhere to all No Standing Signs and Yellow Lines which indicate No Standing. This is especially important at the Roundabout where traffic standing in areas marked with a yellow line can block the Roundabout at the intersection of Almondbury and Roberts Street.

City Officers regularly inspect parking areas around the school to maintain the safety for all, especially our children. Photographic evidence of offending vehicles is taken to ensure accurate administration of infringements.

If you are unable to make it to KISS AND DRIVE by 3.20 pm, your child will be supervised in the office and you must collect them from the office.

We ask that you inform anyone who is responsible for collecting your child, to be aware of these procedures.

Allergy Aware School

Whilst the school does not rely on blanket food bans as the sole risk management strategy, please note, St Columba’s is an ALLERGY AWARE SCHOOL.

Please do not bring nuts or products containing nuts to school. Your support to keep our children safe is essential.

Extreme Weather and Sunsmart Behaviour

As always, the start of the year can be extremely warm and after a long holiday, it can take a little while for students to adjust. 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.

Family Details

If any of your family contact details have changed, please contact the office to have these updated.

Illness

It is preferential to err on the side of safety. If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. If a child becomes unwell whilst at school, their parents/guardians will be contacted immediately.

For more information on communicable diseases please view the Department of Health’s Communicable Disease Guidelines handbook at:

Control of communicable diseases manual

Medical Plans

If your child suffers from a serious and/or potentially life-threatening illness (e.g. anaphylaxis) parents must provide detailed information to the school in the form of an Emergency Action Plan.

If a student needs to take medication whilst at school, parents must complete an Authority to Administer Medication form, available from the office.

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 read the CEWA Code of Conduct below:

Conduct Statements

1. You act safely and competently.
2. You give priority to students’ safety and well-being in all your behaviour and decision making.
3. You act in accordance with the values of the Gospel as defined in the Code of Ethical Conduct.
4. You conduct yourself in accordance with laws, agreements, policies and standards relevant to your relationship with the school community.
5. You respect the dignity, culture, values and beliefs of each member of the school community.
6. You treat personal information about members of the school community as private and confidential.
7. You give impartial, honest and accurate information about the education, safety and well-being of students.
8. You support all members of the school community in making informed decisions about students.
9. You promote and preserve the trust and privilege inherent in your relationship with all members of the school community.
10. You maintain and build on the community’s trust and confidence in Catholic schools and the Church.
11. You act reflectively and ethically.
12. You allow students to have a voice in their education, safety and well-being.

Specific procedures for St Columba’s School include:

• Student toilets are not to be used by parents at any time.
• Photographs or video footage must not be taken of any child whilst on site.
• Working 1:1 with a student is not permitted.
• Refer behavioural matters to a member of staff.
• Animals are not permitted on the premises without prior permission.
• Treat any information about a child and their educational program as confidential.
• Park according to street signage.
• Follow Kiss and Drive procedures.
• Be kind and respectful in all communications.

Parking & No Standing Zones

Please check very carefully you have only parked where permitted to do so.

Please also adhere to all No Standing Signs and Yellow Lines which indicate No Standing. This is especially important at the Roundabout where traffic standing in areas marked with a yellow line can block the Roundabout at the intersection of Almondbury and Roberts Street.

City Officers regularly inspect parking areas around the school to maintain the safety for all, especially our children. Photographic evidence of offending vehicles is taken to ensure accurate administration of infringements.

Playgrounds

Playgrounds are only permitted to be used when supervised by staff at Recess and Lunch Time.

Students are not permitted to use any play equipment before or after school.

Request for our Teachers

At the end of the day, all our teachers have a right to disconnect for their own well-being and to be able to sustain the very important work they do in educating our children. To support our educators in achieving a healthy work-life balance they must be allowed to disengage from work-related responsibilities and technology outside of their designated working hours. Therefore, teachers are unable to respond to calls, emails, texts, or any other forms of communication after the conclusion of their work hours.

Our teachers are unable to respond to messages during teaching time, as their focus is on supporting students in the classroom. We ask that you allow them the time needed to thoughtfully consider and respond to your enquiries. In most cases, teachers will reply within two working days. If a full response is not possible within that timeframe, they will acknowledge your message within two working days and provide a complete reply within five working days.

If your matter is urgent or requires more immediate assistance, please contact the school office and one of our Assistant Principals will be able to help. School Office Hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.

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.