Dear Community of St Columba’s,
We are now in the holiest week of the Church Calendar and I would like to share with you the significance of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, and encourage you to embrace these sacred moments with your children.
Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, a time when we commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. On this day, we reflect on the love and humility of our Lord as he washed the feet of his disciples, setting an example of service and selflessness for all of humanity. Let us teach our children the importance of serving others with love and humility, just as Jesus did.
Good Friday is a solemn day when we remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of deep reflection and penance, as we contemplate the immense sacrifice made by Jesus for the salvation of humanity. As parents, let us guide our children in understanding the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the profound love that led him to lay down his life for us.
Easter Sunday is the culmination of the Paschal Triduum, a day of great rejoicing and celebration as we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a time of renewed hope and faith, as we proclaim the victory of life over death. Let us share with our children the joy of Easter and the promise of new life that it brings, inspiring them to live as joyful witnesses of the risen Christ.
Last Day of Term One
We will finish Term One tomorrow with our Year 6 students once again re-enacting the Stations of the Cross. They did this last Friday evening for the Parish of St Columba’s and I am looking forward to the reverent and reflective service again. To all students, thank you and well done. Leesa Vinciullo, Year 6 Teachers Claire Wright and Tiala Papali, as well as Music Teachers Mary Jo Masmanian and Karen Holden, deserve special recognition for their roles in making the service possible. Thank you to you all.
Term Two Events and Uniforms
School resumes for students and staff on Monday 15 April 2024. Our Parent Calendar has been updated on our School Website with all other important dates for Term 2.
A reminder students have the first two weeks of Term 2 to transition into the Winter School Uniform. JFE currently have a delay on stock for the girls’ pinafore. We will update you when they arrive.
Thank you and Happy Easter
As we approach the Easter season and the upcoming school holidays, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to all of you. Whilst this term has only been nine weeks, we have certainly accomplished all that would normally be completed in a ten week term, so I send my gratitude to all staff for their work and to all parents who have assisted them and the school in various ways throughout the term to provide quality educational experiences for all our students.
May this Easter be filled with joy, love, and renewal as we celebrate the hope and blessings it brings. Whether you are spending time with loved ones, embarking on new adventures, or simply taking a well-deserved break, may it be a time of rejuvenation and happiness.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
FACTION SWIMMING CARNIVAL RESULTS
1st Place – McAuley 1274pts
2nd Place – Pascal 1244pts
3rd Place – Russell 924pts
4th Place – Columbanus 900pts
CHAMPIONS
Year 4 Champion Girl – Evie Hamilton
Year 4 R/U Champion Girl – Elizabeth Kennewell
Year 4 Champion Boy – Henry Webb
Year 4 R/U Champion Boy – Jude Allison
Year 5 Champion Girl – Harriet Webb
Year 5 R/U Champion Girl – Lucinda Tran
Year 5 Champion Boy – Lenny Harris
Year 5 R/U Champion Boy – Alex Pizzata
Year 6 Champion Girl – Olivia Harris
Year 6 R/U Champion Girl – Grace Hartus
Year 6 Champion Boy – Tony Masek
Year 6 R/U Champion Boy – Edmond Cavalli
P & F News
THANK YOU
Our School P&F wishes to thank the local Bayswater IGA X-press for their generosity towards the upcoming Swimming Carnival sausage sizzle fundraiser. Their support has been a key part of fundraising at the event that we are truly grateful for to kick off 2024! We encourage families within the community to shop locally at the fresh, friendly and fabulous Bayswater IGA X-press!
FUNDRAISING — Containers for change
Love to contribute to our schools fundraising efforts? Consider the St Columba’s P&F at your next Containers for Change deposit. Simply scan the QR code, download the app and add the member number to your profile. The P&F would be so grateful for your contribution to further aid in the students resources and equipment.
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 7 May at 7.00pm in the School Library. We hope to see as many new faces as possible.
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:
All the students & staff who will be celebrating their birthday during school holidays
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 2
Week 1 – NO RAFFLE
Week 2 – NO RAFFLE
Award Winners
MERCY AWARDS – Term 1, Week 8
PP Green – Grace Minchin
PP White – Lily Sinfield
1 Green – Sophie MacDonald
1 White – Ezra Ta
2 Green – Harriet Stazzonelli
2 White – Amelia Gibson
3 Green – Joana Gunawan
3 White – Amelia Booth
4 Green – William Parks
4 White – Abigail Vernon
5 Green – Ivy Hoogland
5 White – Lucinda Tran
6 Green – Zoe Juszkiewicz
6 White – Gethin Humphreys
Religious Education and Curriculum News
FROM OUR YEAR 6 CLASSES:
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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COLUMBA RUNNERS 2024
Registrations now open!
Calling all returning and new members, even if you can only make one of the sessions a week. Sessions are held at Frank Drago oval 3.15-4.15pm on Mondays and Wednesdays for terms 2 and 3. Our first session will be Monday 15th of April.
Cost is $30 per child, parents can join free! Prizes awarded based on total kilometers achieved over both terms, including those brave enough parents! Please complete the online registration.
This club is run by volunteers. Any parents who are able to attend and assist with marking laps and encouraging everyone, we would love to have you. Those attending OSHC are also considered, please chat to the lovely Jess.
If your child is in Yr 2 and below, they must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling. It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to ensure the safety of the students between school and Frank Drago.
If your child is Year 1 and under, please indicate on the registration form who is going to be the supervising sibling or adult.
Please use the link below to register online.