Dear St Columba’s Community,
Welcome back to Term 2! I hope you all had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and over Easter were able to come together with your families, sharing meals, attending church services, and participating in various festivities. These gatherings foster a sense of unity, love, and connection amongst us and are pivotal for our well-being.
We continue to be in the season of Easter, a time of great joy and celebration. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and symbolises victory over sin and death. Easter offers hope and redemption for us believers. In many cultures Easter also marks the arrival of spring in many cultures. This spring is a time of renewal, new life and rebirth. A time to celebrate the beauty of nature and the promise of growth and transformation.
I want to acknowledge and thank our Grounds, OSHC and Finance Staff, who for them it was business as usual over the term break. Joe Sandon, Joe Sorgiovanni, Jess Scott, Karen McGlue, Shelby Whatmore and Janine Witherow, your efforts during our absence are truly appreciated, and they contribute immensely to the seamless return we all experience. Thank you for your commitment and hard work.
Prayers
As a mark of respect to the victims of the tragedy in Sydney, the school has flown its flags at half-mast this week. Please keep in your prayers and thoughts all the victims and their families, and all those affected by this tragic event. May those who have passed rest in peace.
Changes in Office Staffing
Mrs Lisa Slocum will be working part time this term to continue to support her family. Lisa will be in the Office on Thursday and Friday. We welcome Mrs Kylie Harbrow who will be in the office Monday to Wednesday.
Uniform Shop
Over the next fortnight, we will be transitioning into the Winter School Uniform. During drop-off at Kiss N Drive on Monday morning, I noticed that some of our students seemed uncertain due to the variations of uniform among their peers. It’s crucial for us, as adults, to acknowledge that such changes can affect a child’s well-being. Consistency, predictability, and routines are vital for children to thrive. This is a concept known as C.P.R., which all staff are familiar with following the Berry Street Education Training received last term as part of our Student Well-being initiative. Our school uniform is one way we maintain this. Both Summer and Winter Uniforms are acceptable during the next two weeks. However, starting from Week 3, all students will be required to wear the Winter Uniform.
JFE have advised that the girls’ pinafore will be available to order online next Wednesday 24 April.
Uniform Shop opening times for Term 2 :
Wed 17 April – 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Wed 24 April – 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Wed 1 May – 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Then:
Wed 5 June – 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Wed 3 July – 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Orders can still be placed online and will delivered to your child’s class each Thursday.
School Opening Times
A reminder that our gates open at 8.00 am and teacher supervision commences at 8.15 am. If your child must arrive between 8.00 am and 8.15 am, they must be seated outside the library during this time.
Please do not drop your children at the gate for them to ring the doorbell for early entry. Our Office does not open until 8.00 am, and students who ring the bell for entry before 8.00 am, place an additional workload on our teachers who are preparing to provide the best education they can for all children.
Any children who require supervision before 8.00 am need to be enrolled in our Before School Program. We really appreciate your understanding in this and ability to make alternative arrangements for care before 8.00 am.
Upcoming Events
We are gearing up for another busy term ahead, and I wanted to highlight some upcoming events over the next week:
- Community Enrolment for students receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Reconciliation: Saturday 20 April, 6 pm, St Columba’s Parish.
- Year 6 Camp: Monday 22 April to Wednesday 24 April.
- Wednesday 24 April: ANZAC Memorial Assembly.
- Wednesday 24 April: Administration Appreciation Day – please remember to thank all our Administration Staff for the work they do in the Office and Grounds.
- ANZAC Day Public Holiday: Thursday 25 April (the school is open again on Friday 26 April)
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo and I will be joining our Year 6 students next week at their Camp at Forest Edge in Harvey. Mr Niall Kehoe will be Acting Principal during this time. I am very much looking forward to joining our students, particularly the early morning fresh air and engaging in the outdoor activities with them. Good luck with all the packing over the weekend. PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!!!
Project Compassion Boxes
A reminder to please return your Project Compassion boxes to you class teacher as soon as possible.
P & F News
- BIG EVENT — Mother’s Day Breakfast
The P&F will be hosting the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast this year in Term 2, Week 4 on Friday 10th May. Tickets can be booked electronically by visiting https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/PFMothersDayBreakfast . More information will be provided in the coming days for volunteer opportunities through the School Community Facebook page and the all so very loved Mother’s Day Raffle hosted by Pastoral Care! Please see the flyer attached to this weeks Donegal for details. We look forward to seeing all our wonderful St Columba’s families there to celebrate our amazing Mums and loved ones.
- VOLUNTEERS, WE NEED YOU! — Mother’s Day Breakfast
Calling all dads, grandads, uncles! We invite you to volunteer to help us celebrate the wonderful Mums of the St Columba’s School community at the Mother’s Day breakfast being held on Friday 10th May. There are a series of specific roles that need to be filled to ensure the smooth running of the event. If a role you were particularly keen on is full, do not be deterred, you are welcome to join in on the day where help is needed. The P&F would like to thank you for volunteering your time and service in celebrating our wonderful Mums. If you’re interested, please sign up via the link: https://volunteersignup.org/DQ49C
- FUNDRAISING FOCUS — 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 fund 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 the next meeting.Items are required for the agenda by Tuesday 23rdApril.
- NEXT MEETING
The next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th May at 7pm 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 and these students who will be celebrating in the coming week:
Zara Parker KW
Frankie Pizzata PPW
Grace Aldworth PPW
Andrea Gunawan 1W
Maria Mustica 3G
Thomas Pinnington 3W
Max Nguyen 4G
Davern Laffrey 4W
Christian Cullura 5W
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
Week 3 – 1 May
Week 4 – 8 May
| Kindy Green | Week 3 – Ronan Elliot Week 4 – Owen Humphreys |
| Kindy White | Week 3 – Hugo Di Giallonardo Week 4 – Hamish Linke |
| PP Green | Week 3 – Elena Di Giallonardo Week 4 – Beatrix Beros |
| PP White | Week 3 – Mia Etheridge Week 4 – Evelyn Halls |
| Year 1 Green | Week 3 – Isla Elliott Week 4 – Nicholas Hofmann |
| Year 1 White | Week 3 – Odin Dupont Week 4 – Flynn Hartus |
| Year 2 Green | Week 3 – Jax Fermanis Week 4 – Faye Gallagher |
| Year 2 White | Week 3 – Aiden Harris Week 4 – Hugo Garrett |
| Year 3 Green | Week 3 – Marcus Chong Week 4 – Tristan Goh |
| Year 3 White | Week 3 – Isaiah Chong Week 4 – Jacob Hofmann |
| Year 4 Green | Week 3 – Teodor Dimitrijevic Week 4 – Isabella Goh |
| Year 4 White | Week 3 – Maya Katich Week 4 – Ava Gallagher |
| Year 5 Green | Week 3 – Lana Ly Week 4 – Henry Garrett |
| Year 5 White | Week 3 – Andrew Gai Week 4 – Havarna Bova |
| Year 6 Green | Week 3 – Kaitlyn Bidwell Week 4 – Alexi Brammer |
| Year 6 White | Week 3 – Hannah Gai Week 4 – Grace Hartus |
Community Notices
2024 SACRAMENTS
Thank you to those who have expressed interest in joining us for our first Community Baptism this year.
A reminder that the Baptism Information Night is tomorrow, Thursday 18 April, for parents and the child/ren to be Baptised. This will be held in the Church at 6.00pm and go for approximately half an hour.
Our first Community Baptism for 2024 is on Sunday 5 May at 10.45am, immediately following the 9.30am Mass.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Leesa Vinciullo
Assistant Principal
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Ciao a tutti! / Hello everyone!
I’m very excited to let you know we will be having an Italian Day on Friday the 3rd of May!
Students will be allowed to come to school dressed in Italian theme or colours.
During the day, authentic Italian gelato has been organised for the students of St Col’s to eat. Delizioso!!!
A dairy and nut free option will be available. If you don’t wish for your child to eat the gelato, please let your classroom teacher know. Students will be selecting their flavour in Italian class!!!
Grazie mille
Signora Castro
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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.
Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor