Dear Families of St Columba’s,
As another term comes to a close, I would like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and commitment that makes St Columba’s School the remarkable place it is to work and play.
The work of the teacher extends far beyond the hours when the students are present. Just like parenting, the time before the children wake up or after they go to sleep holds immense value. During these precious moments, you work tirelessly to stay organised, maintain a sense of calm, so you can continue to give your best. This is no different for teachers. Thank you to our teaching staff. Your efforts behind the scenes do not go unnoticed.
Whilst planning is crucial, there must also be room to accommodate the diverse and individual needs of our students. It is at this point that I want to emphasise the incredible work undertaken by our support staff. They always remain flexible and adaptable to provide continuing support to both students and teachers. Whether they perform duties in the office, grounds, classroom or OSHC, we send our appreciation to you.
A couple of staffing announcements:
This week, we say farewell to Mrs Jodie Kelly, who has been an invaluable part-time Education Assistant in Pre Primary Green. Though her time with us may have been short, her impact on supporting the students in her class has been significant. Mrs. Kelly’s gentle guidance and infectious, fun-loving nature will be remembered fondly by all. We extend our heartfelt wishes to her as she concludes her contract this Friday.
On a brighter note, it is with great pleasure that we welcome Miss Larissa Filocamo to our school community. Miss Filocamo, who is currently a relief Education assistant, will now be joining Pre Primary Green as a part-time education Assistant on Friday.
Additionally, we would like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Annette Pratt, the current part-time education assistant for Pre Primary Green, for accepting the responsibility of working an additional day in the same class.
Lastly, we would like to acknowledge Mr. Mason Newton-Maxwell, who will be concluding his contract as an Education Assistant. Although his role in this capacity may be coming to an end, we will still be seeing Mr Newton-Maxwell around as a Room Educator in our Out of School Hours Care. We congratulate him on nearing the completion of his Teaching qualification and wish him continued success in his educational journey.
As we say goodbye to some and welcome others, let us remember the impact that each individual has had on our school community. Their dedication, passion, and hard work have enriched the lives of our students and contributed to the nurturing environment we strive to create at St Columba’s School.
I would like to take this opportunity to share exciting news regarding the installation of a new playground on the bottom oval during the school holidays. This highly anticipated addition is made possible, in large part, due to the funding generated through your P&F family levy and the dedicated fundraising efforts of the Parents and Friends Association. We extend our deepest gratitude to the P&F for their tireless work and commitment to enhancing the school environment. I eagerly await the joy and delight on the children’s faces when they return to school and discover the new playground. Alterations to the walkway downstairs will also be undertaken to rectify continued leaking issues. This should prevent bags from continually getting wet when it rains.
On that note, thank you to all parents and volunteers for your support this term. Your dedication to encouraging your children’s active participation in the school community has been truly remarkable, and it has contributed greatly to their overall experience at St Columba’s. Some of these experiences include:
- Early mornings and breakfasts for the Interschool Swimming Competition;
- Preparing your child to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation or First Eucharist;
- Up early to prepare breakfast for our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast;
- Generous contributions of time, prizes, funds for St Columba’s and Mercy Mission Day;
- Being cheerleader in the rain for your child for our Cross Country. Outstanding effort Mums, Dads, Grandparents and siblings.
These coming holidays are a well-deserved break for teachers, students and parents, and I hope you find time for rest, fun and creation. Personally, I am looking forward to not having to rush out in the near zero degree temperatures.
P&F Crazy Hair & Silly Sock Day
Please refer to the flyer attached to this newsletter for further details.
Students are permitted to spray hair with coloured hair spray, however this must be done at home before coming to school. No hair sprays will be permitted at school.
Wishing you a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
P & F News
Volunteering once a year, opens a door of opportunities for our kids. Giving back, means the world to them. Assist our St Columba’s P&F with your role of choice for events, fundraisers or even part of the Class Representative team.
Our “Just one Thing” volunteer sign up is now live. Please consider volunteering especially if you haven’t done so before. It’s a great way to meet new parents and make new friends. Thanks to all those that have already registered for their “One Thing”. Please use the link below to access the sign up form:
We have two fundraisers running for the last two weeks of term 2 that will help meet the costs of the new playground that is being installed over the school holidays.
The first is a raffle. After all the excitement of the Nintendo and Rebel voucher last year, first prize will once again be either a $500 Rebel voucher or a Nintendo switch and accessories to the value of $500. Tickets will be $1 each or 6 for $5. We will be taking both cash and card payments. Please see the attached flyer for more details. The raffle will be drawn at assembly on Friday 30 June.
The second fundraiser is Crazy Hair and Silly Sock day on Friday 30 June. Students are invited to wear sports uniform with Crazy Hair or Silly socks for a gold coin donation for the P&F. Students are permitted to spray their hair colours, wear a wig or create a crazy do. They can couple this with their silliest socks for fun!
All funds raised for both of these will be going towards the playground.
Entertainment Memberships
Online memberships are available again this year. Memberships can be purchased online.
https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/83589g
Our next P&F meeting is Tuesday 8 August at 7.00pm in the library. Items for the agenda must be submitted by 5pm Friday 12 May. Any items after this time will be tabled for the next meeting.
Any questions or queries, I can be contacted via email gtarmstrong@iinet.net.au
Tanya Armstrong
President P&F
Library News
Library 2023
Dear Parent, Carers and Students
The library is open every morning before school:
PP – Year 6 : 8:15am – 8:30 am
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 transitions in the morning.
Students may also like to return and borrow books before school.
Looking forward to seeing you the library.
Reading and activities in the LIBRARY
LUNCHTIMES
Students may also use this time to exchange their library book.
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 at a cost of $12.
Parents please order via the school Uniform Shop.
The library has lots of books needing covering. If you can help by taking a small number of books home to cover, please advise the library. Your help is greatly appreciated by staff and students.
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:
Vy Hoang PPW
Charlotte de Courcier 2G
Cerys Chaloner 2W
Kirana Stahl 4W
Scarlett Dudley 5G
Hendrik English 5G
Sayuthmee Ratnayake 5W
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 3
Week 1 – 19 July – NO RAFFLE
Week 2 – 26 July
Week 3 – 2 August
| Kindy Green | Week 2 – Mason McMurtrie Week 3 – Peyton Palmer |
| Kindy White | Week 2 – Olive Richards Week 3 – Akira Romeo |
| PP Green | Week 2 – Elise Villamar Week 3 – Kanishka Setty |
| PP White | Week 2 – Jude Hoogland Week 3 – Ffion Humphreys |
| Year 1 Green | Week 2 – Hazel Scarvaci Week 3 – Noah Palmer |
| Year 1 White | Week 2 – Jessica Kennewell Week 3 – Harvey Kemmy |
| Year 2 Green | Week 2 – Arden Bezich Week 3 – Darcey Poulsen |
| Year 2 White | Week 2 – Tessa Cavalli Week 3 – Talisa Martino Da Fonseca |
| Year 3 Green | Week 2 – Elizabeth Kennewell Week 3 – Bianca Milhinch |
| Year 3 White | Week 2 – Gianna Krishnan Week 3 – Cohen Lee |
| Year 4 Green | Week 2 – Ivy Hoogland Week 3 – Aisling Poulsen |
| Year 4 White | Week 2 – Leo Kennelly Week 3 – Stella Kent |
| Year 5 Green | Week 2 – Francis Le Week 3 – Natalia Milhinch |
| Year 5 White | Week 2 – Abraham Lawes Week 3 – Gethin Humphreys |
| Year 6 Green | Week 2 – Audrey Lawes Week 3 – Rafael Martino Da Fonseca |
| Year 6 White | Week 2 – Sophie Jagger Week 3 – James McDougall |
Religious Education and Curriculum News
From our Kindergarten classes:
Our Kindy students have been super star learners this term!
We have practised Peggy Lego pre-writing patterns in many ways.
We have focused on initial sounds and have gone fishing for sounds, sorted toys and picture cards according to the first sound we hear and listened to the sound that begins each person’s name.
Our Maths focus has been 2D shapes. We’ve been on shape hunts around the school with our shape magnifying glasses, made shape collages, stamped shapes, painted magic shapes and sorted shapes.
It is so much fun to play and learn in Kindy.
Community Notices
Kids & Junior Volley Indoor School Holiday Camp
Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th July
https://volleyballwa.com.au/events/junior-volley-indoor-camp-2-2-3-2/
Kids Volley Term 3 Programs
Commencing Saturday 17th July
https://volleyballwa.com.au/kids-volley/
Junior Volley Term 3 Programs
Commencing Saturday 17th July
https://volleyballwa.com.au/junior-volley/
Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Helping Minds is an organisation that support carers and families. They have lots of workshops for parents and carers and programs for children throughout the school holidays as well.
https://helpingminds.org.au/workshops/
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor