Dear St Columba’s Community,
This week, I’ve had the pleasure of joining our Year 6 Students and faculty on their annual camp at Forest Edge in Waroona. The motto at Forrest Edge, ‘Expand Your Paradigm’ encourages students to broaden their horizons, urging them to step out of their comfort zones. It’s been an exhilarating week for the students, packed with new experiences, challenges, and emotions. While it may seem like a week of adrenaline-fueled activities involving heights, speed, and risks, there’s much more beneath the surface. This camp offers invaluable lessons that will resonate with the students well into the future.
One of the activities was the Pamper Pole, a tall climbing structure that swayed the closer you got to the top and the more you shook! Yet, as we tackled this challenge, the supportive words of our team coach and team members encouraged us to reach our potential, revealing moments of beauty and joy. Life often throws us moments of doubt and frustration, where it feels like nothing is going right. But with the right support, we can push through and discover the benefits of overcoming challenges.
Other activities like abseiling, rock climbing, and the big (flying) fox provided similar opportunities for students to uplift each other during moments of difficulty. It’s worth noting how quickly the students used their words to lift others up, rather than to put others down. Below are some examples of visual displays our students were immersed in at the Camp School.
Despite a late Monday night, the students eagerly jumped out of bed on Tuesday morning, fully embracing the array of opportunities presented to them throughout the week. They experienced adventure, fun, direction, communication, determination, teamwork, trust, perseverance, growth, courage, and encouragement.
Before enjoying a warm shower and a peaceful night’s sleep in their own beds, I have urged the students to take a moment to thank their parents for providing them with these opportunities.
A heartfelt thanks to our Year 6 Teachers, Clare Wright and Tiala Papali for the thorough and well thought out co-ordination of the camp and to the Support Team – Nicole Leach, Leesa Vinciullo, Dylan Banks, Adriana Xavier, and Amanda Xavier, for their tireless efforts in making this camp enriching and fulfilling. Your commitment is truly appreciated, and I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved rest and much longer shower tonight.
May you all rest easy knowing these experiences have left a lasting impact on many young lives.
I would like to also extend my gratitude to the staff who remained at school, covering extra duties during our absence. Thank you, Mr Kehoe who assumed responsibility, for the school in my absence.
Thank you to our Year 4 Students and Teachers for leading the school in a moment for our school to remember the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. It is pertinent we honour the ANZAC spirit and show our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy today because of the sacrifices made by so many.
Coming up next week:
Thursday 2 May: Interschool Swimming Carnival
Friday 3 May: Italian Day
Uniform Shop
From next Monday 29 April, all students will be required to wear the Winter Uniform.
JFE have advised that the girls’ pinafore is now available to order.
Uniform Shop opening times for Term 2 :
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.
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
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:
These students who will be celebrating in the coming week:
Lewis Christie KG
Ronan Elliott KG
Charlie Williams KW
Lucas Young KW
Akira Romeo PPW
Saoirse Stafford PPW
Georgia Whelan 1G
Heaven White 2G
Ava-Marie Bova 2W
Oscar Harris 2W
Annabel Harper 2W
Hugo Zachar 3G
Katie Kim Oliver 3W
Ava Gallagher 4W
Kelvin Quach 4W
Allegra Pizzata 5W
Maggie Ma 6G
PASTORAL CARE MOTHER’S DAY RAFFLE
Pastoral Care will be holding the annual Mother’s Day Raffle this term.
Donations towards the Raffle can be dropped to the Library or the front office.
We welcome all and every donation!
Tickets on sale from Thursday 2 May in front of the library from 8.10am until Mother’s Day Breakfast!
Don’t forget to get your Mother’s Day Breakfast orders in too!
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
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.
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Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor