Dear St Columba’s Community,
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross, is a deeply significant devotion within the Catholic Church. It commemorates the final journey of Jesus Christ from his condemnation to his crucifixion and burial. The Stations of the Cross typically consists of fourteen scenes or stations, each representing a specific event along Jesus’ path to Calvary. The Stations of the Cross is held every Friday during Lent.
Our Year 6 students will re enact the Stations of the Cross on Friday 22 March, the final Friday before Good Friday. This commences at 7.00 pm at St Columba’s Parish and you are all most welcome to attend.
Harmony Day
As we approach Harmony Day, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on why this day holds such significance for us as a community. Harmony Day is a powerful reminder of the beauty and strength found in diversity and unity.
Celebrating Harmony Day reminds us that despite our differences in culture, religion, ethnicity, and background, we are all interconnected members of the human family. We all have the same needs, to be loved, be safe and belong.
By celebrating Harmony Day, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a culture of respect, tolerance, and appreciation for one another. It’s a time to embrace our differences, to learn from one another, and to build bridges of understanding that transcend barriers.
This year, our amazing Year 3 classes are performing a Harmony Week themed assembly item on Friday 22 March at 8.45am. To coincide with this, we are encouraging all students to either accessorise their sports uniform with orange or they may wear an orange top with their sports shorts on Friday 22 March.
Together, let’s continue to strive for a world where every individual is valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Happy Harmony Day!
Feedback
I often receive feedback from teachers and parents and this week, I had the privilege of meeting with some of our Year 6 Leaders to engage in a meaningful dialogue about their experiences at St. Columba’s School. It was an enlightening and enriching conversation that shed light on both our strengths and areas for improvement. We started with our strengths. By starting with a focus on our strengths, we can harness the collective energy and enthusiasm of our community to address areas where improvement is needed.
Our Year 6 Leaders shared valuable insights on what they believe we are doing well, areas where we can enhance our efforts, and what makes them feel safe within our school community. Their perspectives were insightful, honest, and deeply appreciated.
One crucial aspect that emerged from our discussion was the importance of ensuring that every student feels safe and supported at St. Columba’s School. This foundational principle guides our efforts to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment where every individual can thrive.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue these conversations with our remaining Year 6 Leaders next week. Additionally, I am committed to establishing a procedure that empowers our Year 6 leaders to capture the insights and perspectives of our younger students. This initiative will provide a platform for all students to contribute their voices to our ongoing efforts to enhance the St. Columba’s experience.
We deeply value the perspectives and insights of our community. Your feedback plays a pivotal role in shaping our efforts to better serve our students and the community. Please remember, we want to hear your concerns, suggestions, and the aspects you believe we’re excelling in. Your input is invaluable in helping us understand where we can improve and what we should continue doing well.
For concerns, the classroom/specialist teacher is always the first point of call for any questions or concerns about the classroom. If the situation is not resolved or you remain concerned, please refer to the Complaint and Dispute Procedure on our School Website.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Over this week and the coming weeks, teachers are available for Term One Parent Teacher meetings. Parent-teacher meetings play a vital role in fostering a strong partnership between home and school, ultimately supporting the holistic development and success of each child. These meetings provide a platform for parents to gain insights into their child’s academic progress, social development, and overall well-being, while also allowing teachers to gather valuable information about each student to better support their needs.
If you have yet to book a meeting with your child’s teacher, please do so as soon as possible. Details for the online booking platform can be found on SEESAW.
Coming up next week (Week 8)
- Our first official Parents and Friends Association Meeting will take place next Tuesday 19 March, commencing at 7.00 pm in our School Library. Great job to the P&F Executive for getting the agenda (see P&F page of this newsletter) out to families prior to this meeting. All parents are welcome to attend.
- Harmony Day Celebrations – Friday 22 March (see information above).
- Stations of the Cross – Friday 22 March @ 7.00 pm (see information above).
Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop at school will not be open for the next two Wednesdays (13/3 and 20/3). The next open time will be Wednesday 27th March, Week 9. The JFE showroom in Osborne Park remains open Monday to Friday for St Columba’s uniform purchases, alternatively orders can still be placed online for delivery to the classrooms on a Thursday.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
P & F News
Swimming Carnival Fundraiser
Years 4 – 6 Swimming Carnival
Wednesday 27th March 2024
🌭 Ordered your snags? 🌭
Great, now that lunchbox duty is off the to do list…. 😝Why not spare a small amount of your time to help out poolside on the day…The bbq is right by the pool meaning you’re able to run off if need be to watch your child compete in their race!Many hands make light work after all – if you can assist in any way on the day please reach out. Any help is greatly appreciated 😊Volunteer sign up sheet here👇🏼
Fundraisers ahead
FREE DRESS DAY FUNDRAISER
Wednesday 27th March | Gold Coin donation
Running alongside the upper school Swimming Carnival day, the lower school is ruling the school in free dress to raise funds for School community events!
Call for Agenda items
We encourage all parents 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 Representatives if you wish for these to be discussed at a P&F meeting.
NEXT MEETING
The next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th March at 7.00pm in the School Library. We hope to see as many new faces as possible.
Click the below link for the Agenda:
Library News
The library is open every morning before school:
PreKindy & Kindy : 8:15am – 8:45am
(accompanied by Parent/Carers)
The library is open every morning before school:
PreKindy & Kindy : 8:15am – 8:45am
(accompanied by Parent/Carers)
The library is a calming and quiet place, making it the perfect spot for students to have a smooth and calming transition in the morning.
Students may also like to return and borrow books before school.
Looking forward to seeing you the library.
Homework/Library Bag
Just a reminder that students require the school green
‘Homework and Library Bag’ in order to borrow from the Library.
Many students will already have the green school
‘’Homework and Library Bag’ from previous years.
‘Homework and Library Bags’ can be purchased
from the Uniform Shop.
Rita Cuthbert – Library Officer – Library - the original search engine
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
To the following students who will be celebrating this coming week:
Kailesh Jeganathan KW
Olive Richards PPW
Juliette Cahill 1G
Florence Crookes 2W
Brooky Hamilton 3W
Talisa Martino Da Fonseca 3W
Anh Hoang 4G
Tom Ross 4W
Hunter Sardelich 5W
EASTER RAFFLE
With Easter around the corner, the Pastoral Care team will be holding their annual Easter Raffle. Tickets will go on sale from Monday 19 March before school outside the library. Winners will be drawn and prizes delivered to winning families on Wednesday 27 March. Tickets are 50c each or three for $1. Cash only please.
Donations towards prizes are greatly appreciated and can be dropped to the basket in the library or to the front office from today.
As always thank you for your support of the Pastoral Care Team!
PASTORAL CARE WEEKLY RAFFLE
Tickets are 3 for $1 (maximum of 3 tickets per child).
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.
Thank you greatly from the Pastoral Care Team!
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 1
Week 8 – 20 March
Week 9 – NO RAFFLE
| Kindy Green | Week 8 – Xavier Bosley |
| Kindy White | Week 8 – Darcy Eden |
| PP Green | Week 8 – Amelia Congdon |
| PP White | Week 8 – Holly Bunko |
| Year 1 Green | Week 8 – Juliette Cahill |
| Year 1 White | Week 8 – Alfred Eden |
| Year 2 Green | Week 8 – Annabelle Cornish |
| Year 2 White | Week 8 – Riley Goulding |
| Year 3 Green | Week 8 – Michael Congdon |
| Year 3 White | Week 8 – Alessandra Cahill |
| Year 4 Green | Week 8 – Sajad Aljabry |
| Year 4 White | Week 8 – Savannah Ceric |
| Year 5 Green | Week 8 – Leo Kennelly |
| Year 5 White | Week 8 – Shishir Berigai |
| Year 6 Green | Week 8 – Jaydyn Duong |
| Year 6 White | Week 8 – Irissa Duong |
Award Winners
MERIT AWARDS – Term 1, Week 6
PP Green – Amelia Congdon, Luke Molony, Adam Tuma, Siena Winspear
PP White – Theodore Billington, Austin Hoek, Olive Richards, Lynette Toh
1 Green – Norah Cregan, Edit Parks, Leo Sharrinovski
1 White – Clara Fuller, Andrea Gunawan, Flynn Hartus
2 Green – Ciara Carruthers, Heaven White
2 White – Charlie Bateman, Luciana Pulido Vargas, Orlando Smith
3 Green – Michael Congdon, Charlotte de Courcier, Zara Fantoni
3 White – Ethan Borich, Brooky Hamilton, Jacob Hofmann
4 Green – Luke Magee, Bianca Milhinch
4 White – Oliver Hoyne, Poppy Lillico Wyatt Palmer
5 Green – Mason Harper, Grace Masnyk, Mia Moore
5 White – Jaike Evangelista, Olivia McShanag, Sebastian Strachan
6 Green – Kaitlyn Bidwell, Sebastian Kaless
6 White – Bianca Balla, Olivia Harris, Blake Kenyon
Religious Education and Curriculum News
FROM OUR YEAR 3 CLASSES:
This term in Religious Education, Year Three have been learning about how Mary, the Mother of Jesus has a special place in the Church community. Students recalled the events of the Annunciation and enjoyed creating their Stain glass picture of Mary and Jesus.
FROM OUR YEAR 4 CLASSES:
Over the past two weeks, our Year 4 students have been focusing on mental addition strategies in Mathematics. They have been learning different strategies to add numbers in their heads, like using number facts, jump strategy, split strategy and understanding place value.
Community Notices
2024 SACRAMENTS
Thank you to those who have expressed interest in joining us for our first Community Baptism this year. With it being a short term, and Easter fast approaching, Father has requested we postpone it until after Easter.
We will hold a Baptism Information Night on Thursday 18 April, for parents and the child/ren to be Baptised. This will be held in the Church at 6pm and go for approximately half an hour.
Then we will hold our Community Baptism on Sunday 5 May at 10.45am, immediately following the 9.30am Mass.
I hope that these new dates still work for everyone – and perhaps mean others will have a chance to join us! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Leesa Vinciullo
Assistant Principal
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Aranmore Catholic College is pleased to announce applications for 2025 scholarships are now open.
Our scholarships are designed to recognise and support students who exhibit dedication to academic excellence, excellence in sports or music, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving their community. Whether you excel in academics, STEM, Rugby, Netball, music, or community service, there is a scholarship opportunity available for you.
Scholarships at Aranmore not only provide financial assistance but also offer unique opportunities for personal and academic growth under the guidance and care of highly qualified specialist teachers. Don’t miss this chance to pursue your educational dreams and make a positive impact on our community.
For more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit our website www.aranmore.wa.edu.au
Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor