Dear Community of St Columba’s,
For the first time our school will participate in recognising Neurodiversity Week, to celebrate and raise awareness about the unique strengths and challenges of individuals with neurodiverse conditions, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. This week provides an opportunity to foster an inclusive environment where all students feel valued and understood, regardless of how their brains work.
Many thanks to our Social Worker Nicole Leach for co-ordinating some activities and discussions within the school to challenge stereotypes, promote empathy, and encourage acceptance. We believe that every student, no matter their neurodiversity, brings valuable perspectives and talents to our community, and recognising Neurodiversity Week is a step toward building a more inclusive and supportive school environment for all.
Parents can find details of the Neurodiversity FaceBook Page and more in the School Counsellor section in this week’s Donegal.
Bike Bus
Did you know there are two bike routes to and from school your children can participate in every Tuesday? We have two parents at our school who co-ordinate one and a parent from Bayswater PS who co-ordinates another. Details on how you can join either group are on the flyers attached to this Donegal and also at the gate on Milne Street.
Participating in the Bike Bus initiative not only encourages a healthy lifestyle, but it also helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact around the school. It is a great way for children to get some exercise, build friendships, and learn about the importance of sustainability.
A special Bike Bus will be held on National Ride to School Day on Friday 21st March. You can find further information from WestCycle
https://westcycle.org.au/ride-2-school-day-wa/
A special thanks to Kate Bowker, Brad Parkes and all parents who co-ordinate this initiative, to make us the third bike bus in Perth.
After School Pick Ups
Both Milne Street and Roberts Street are supervised by staff until 3:20 pm. However, both pick-up points are very busy between 3:00 pm and 3:10 pm. We kindly ask that you consider collecting your children between 3:10 pm and 3:20 pm instead.
From 3:10 pm, marked street bays become available on both Milne Street and Roberts Street. Rather than joining the Kiss N Drive queue, you are likely to find available parking just a few extra metres away. We can send students from Years 3 and older to meet you there. This will help keep the roundabout clear and ensure cars do not stop in areas marked “No Stopping.”
Additionally, marked street bays on Milne Street are available from 3:10 pm. Students in Year 3 and older can safely walk to meet you in your vehicle when you are parked in these bays. We encourage you to consider coming a little later and having your older child meet you at Milne Street from 3:10 pm.
Here are some other ways you can help create safer roads around our school, based on requests from parents and neighbours:
- Kiss N Drive is for immediate pick up and drop off. If your child is not there, you will need to move on.
- No U Turns are permitted at the Kiss N Drive (Roberts Street)
- Students leave and enter vehicles on the safe side (left side)
- Parents remain in cars at the Kiss N Drive
- Be mindful of where you park – check you are not blocking a driveway, making it difficult for people to exit driveways or blocking the flow of traffic
- Children must never be left unattended in vehicles
Upcoming Events:
- Thursday 13 March: NAPLAN Reading Assessment (Year 3 & 5)
- Thursday 13 March: Chisholm Open Day & Year 4 Twilight Tour
- Friday 14 March: NAPLAN Conventions Assessment (Year 3 & 5)
- Monday 17 March: NAPLAN Numeracy Assessment (Year 3 & 5)
- Week 7: Neurodiversity Week
- Friday 21 March: Harmony Day
- Friday 21 March: Ride to School Day
New Cubby House
On behalf of St Columba’s School, I would like to extend our thanks to SEDA College WA for building the wonderful cubby house for our students to enjoy in the lower playground. Your hard work, creativity, and dedication to this project have made a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for your efforts. A special mention to Vice Principal, Silv Lombardi and Teacher, suitably qualified to oversee the construction, in conjunction with BGC, Adam Preston.
The cubby house has already become a favourite spot for many of our students. It provides a safe, imaginative space where children can play, socialise, and build their creativity. It’s not just a physical structure, but a space that fosters collaboration, teamwork, and joy. Your thoughtful design and craftsmanship have given our students a place to explore and grow, and the smiles on their faces as they enjoy the cubby house speak volumes about the positive influence your work has had on our school. The students are now engaged in conversations about what furniture they would like to see in the cubby.
This project also serves as a reminder of the power of community and how collaboration between different age groups can benefit everyone involved. Your efforts have strengthened the connection between high school and primary school, and we are proud of the example you have set for others in giving back to the community.
Once again, thank you for your incredible contribution. You have not only created a beautiful space, but you have also made a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact of your work for many years to come.
Uniform shop opening days:
March 26th WEEK 8 – from 2.30pm – 3.15pm.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal Updates
COMMUNITY BAPTISM EVENT
A reminder that Father Andrew and I are again organising a community Baptism for any students or family members who are wishing to be Baptised into the Catholic faith.
This Thursday we have our Baptism Information Evening!! Please feel free to come along and hear more about this celebration.
Important Dates :
Thursday 13 March : Baptism Information Evening for parents and those to be Baptised. In the St Columba’s Church at 6pm.
Sunday 30 March : Baptism Ceremony (10.45am after the 9.30 Mass)
Please contact me to express interest or to ask any questions you may have. You may also feel free to share this information with friends and family.
Looking forward to sharing this celebration with members of our St Columba’s community.
With thanks and best wishes.
Parents please see Harmony Day notice attached to this newsletter.
P & F News
Hi Families,
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
Easter Wine Drive (Please see form attached to this newsletter)
Support Our School with Hay Shed Hill Wines! We’re thrilled to continue our successful partnership with Hay Shed Hill Wines, a 5-star winery from Margaret River! For every dozen sold, they’ll donate $30 to our P&F, directly benefiting our school! Every bottle counts toward funding classroom resources, library books, playground equipment, and much more!
- Purchase by 28 March: Enjoy delicious wines while supporting our school! Place your order via the attached form.
- Share the Love: Tell your family and friends! More sales = more funds raised!
- Collect on 4 April: From the School
Swimming Carnival Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
Swimming is hungry work – and what a better way to fill the kids up than to pre-order your sausage sizzle for the Year 4-6 Swimming Carnival on 10th April. Head to the link to place your family order now: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/_2025SwimmingCarnivalPFSausageSizzle NOTE: Orders must be submitted and paid for by 9pm Friday 4th of April. Late orders will not be taken.
Volunteer your prepping skills, cook a few snags or help pack down — sign up now to support this special sports day for the kids: https://volunteersignup.org/AXAHQ
REMINDER
Attention all DADS! We need 5 x Fathers to organise the Mother’s Day Breakfast (Term 2)
Do you have some time to organise breakfast for the Mums this year? Contact your Class Rep if you’re able lend a hand and join the subcommittee. Let’s work together to give back to the Mothers of the community.
THE ATHLETE’S FOOT Morley Galleria — School Rewards Program
With $5 from every pair of shoes purchased being donated back to our School, This applies to the whole family across their fantastic range of school, sports, work and casual shoes. Make sure you mention St Col’s!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
- Open NOW — Wine Drive Fundraiser
- 10thApril — Swimming Carnival Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
- 10thApril — Free dress gold coin Fundraiser (PK to Year 3)
Library News
CAN YOU HELP THE LIBRARY OUT?
The library has lots of new and exciting books needing covering. If you can help by taking a small number of books home to cover, please call into the library. Precut covering for books is supplied. Your help is greatly appreciated by students and staff.
Many thanks.
Rita Cuthbert – Library
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
The following students who will celebrate birthday’s in the coming week:
Meabh Stafford KG
Charles Warren KG
Fiadh Jennings KW
Edward Zachar KW
Kailesh Jeganathan PPG
Olive Richards Y1W
Juliette Cahill Y2G
Florence Crookes Y3G
Brooklyn Hamilton Y4G
Talisa Martino Da Fonseca Y4G
Anh Hoang Y5G
Would you like to Volunteer with us?
We are always looking for Volunteers to join the Pastoral Care Team. If you can spare a little time on a Wednesday morning after drop off, you can find us in the Church meeting room just as you enter from the basketball court entrance. Come say Hi and see what we are all about or please feel free to reach out to us by leaving a message with Lisa or Kylie in Administration and one of our amazing volunteers will talk you through volunteering with us.
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 1
Week 7 – 19 March
Week 8 – 26 Mar
| Kindy Green | Week 7 – Lucas Evangelista Week 8 – Teddy Field |
| Kindy White | Week 7 – Chase Dawson Week 8 – Izak De Vries |
| PP Green | Week 7 – Lewis Christie Week 8 – Hugo Di Giallonardo |
| PP White | Week 7 – Isaac Comber Week 8 – Jack Franich |
| Year 1 Green | Week 7 – Liam Chipperfield Week 8 – Elena Di Giallonardo |
| Year 1 White | Week 7 – Ayla Christie Week 8 – Lyla Bradley |
| Year 2 Green | Week 7 – Bodhi Chipperfield Week 8 – Annabel Paulus |
| Year 2 White | Week 7 – Clara Fuller Week 8 – Maxeen Li |
| Year 3 Green | Week 7 – Florence Crookes Week 8 – Hudson Fernandez |
| Year 3 White | Week 7 – Chase Gilbert Week 8 – Riley Goulding |
| Year 4 Green | Week 7 – Marcus Chong Week 8 – Mia Paulus |
| Year 4 White | Week 7 – Isaiah Chong Week 8 – Parker Connell |
| Year 5 Green | Week 7 – Henry Crookes Week 8 – Teodor Dimitrijevic |
| Year 5 White | Week 7 – Isabella Goh Week 8 – Rosie Juma |
| Year 6 Green | Week 7 – Lennox Harris Week 8 – Zozie Higgs |
| Year 6 White | Week 7 – Jaike Evangelista Week 8 – Charlotte Eaglesham |
Award Winners
MERIT AWARDS – Term 1 , Week 6
PP Green – James Blake, Lewis Christie, Kailesh Jeganathan, August Knox
PP White – Clara Charles, Austin Hohnen-MacDonald, Sylvie Hurley Swiderski, Everett Khoo
1 Green – Amelia Congdon, Nathaniel McShanag, Leonardo Milhinch, Zahlia Phillips
1 White – Nathaniel Byrde, Ethan Harris, Declan McGowan, Akira Romeo, Laila Vu
2 Green – Zara Campbell, Ada Marie, Holly McMenamin, Digby Weaire
2 White – Asher Borich, Oliver Hawke, Scarlett Little
3 White – Ezekiel Byrde, Olive Caruana, Ella Phillips, Heaven White
3 Green – Aurora Cameron, Hugo Garrett, Samuel Kootje, Jesse Smith, Harry Whelan
4 Green – Zara Fantoni, Felix Juniper, Maria Mustica, Hugo Zachar
4 White – Jenson Kootje, Jacob Mak, Amelia Pierre, Thea Setzinger
5 Green – Thomas Gibson, Emma North, Quill O’Brien, Amelia Wilkey
5 White – Poppy Lillico, Kelvin Quach, Cherubim Vu
6 Green – Mason Campbell, Sofia Jaramillo Restrepo, Alessia Marrapodi, Milana Zachar
6 White – Miranda Ahn, Elliot Dorozenko, Sasha Mazurak
Religious Education and Curriculum News
From our Year 2 Classes:
In Year 2 White, we have begun learning about the season of Lent, which started with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a special time for reflection, prayer, and self-improvement as we prepare for the joy of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus—a time of hope for Christians around the world.
This 40-day period encourages us to grow in our faith by making small sacrifices, choosing kindness, and deepening our connection with God. Many people choose to give something up or take on new actions to help others. As we journey through Lent, we are thinking about how we can be better friends, helpers, and followers of Jesus.
From our Year 3 classes:
In Year 3 Health we have been learning about Empathy. We learnt that Empathy is when you try to understand how someone else is feeling, even if you are not feeling the same way. It’s like imagining yourself in their shoes. For example, if your friend is sad because they lost their toy, empathy is when you can feel a little bit of that sadness too and want to help them feel better. It’s about being kind and caring about others’ feelings.
School Counsellor News
Dear Community
Many parents at St Columba’s have experienced neurodiversity in their lives. Parents have found to feel isolated and unsure where to turn for advice. Our School Counsellor, Nicole Leach and Mia Lowry (St Columba’s Parent) have joined together to create a Parent Support Group for Neurodiverse Children.
Why We’re Creating a Parent Support Group for Neurodiverse Children
Parenting a neurodiverse child is a unique journey—one filled with joys, challenges, and moments that can feel both rewarding and overwhelming. Many parents find themselves searching for guidance, connection, and a sense of community. That’s why we are setting up this support group.
Our goal is to create a safe, understanding space where parents and caregivers can:
✅ Share experiences, challenges, and successes
✅ Gain insights and practical strategies for supporting their children
✅ Connect with others who truly understand the journey
✅ Access resources, expert advice, and advocacy support
By coming together, we can empower each other, celebrate our children’s strengths, and navigate the challenges with greater confidence. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or other neurodivergent traits, this group is here to support you.
You are not alone. Let’s build a strong, supportive community together!
Please join our Facebook page, you will find us under ‘St Columba’s Neurodivergence Support Group’.
In Term 2, a Neurodivergence Seminar will be held at the Bayswater Tennis Club on Wednesday 14 May @ 6.30pm. More information will be sent out closer to the date. Please keep the date free.
If you would like further information or have any queries, please feel free to email nicole.leach@cewa.edu.au
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor