Dear Families of St Columba’s,
Archbishop’s LifeLink Day Appeal
Yesterday, Wednesday 7 June, Miss Clare Wright, student leaders and I attended the launch of Lifelink Day for 2023.
LifeLink Day provides a wonderful opportunity for students attending Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Perth to join together to show their support for the Church’s social service agencies – agencies which on behalf of us all, reach out to provide practical care and direct assistance to thousands of people in need each year.
Many thousands of Western Australian families and individuals each year depend on our LifeLink agencies being there for them at their time of need.
We will be advising shortly of our School Fundraising idea to support LifeLink.
Procedure Reviews
School procedures and guidelines are reviewed according to the recommended date on the existing procedure. One of these due for review this year is the School Behaviour Management and Anti Bullying Procedure.
Over the last term, the staff and I have worked to review the School’s Current Behaviour Management Plan. The revised version has now been uploaded to the School Website under School Procedures.
The Behaviour Management Procedure outlines how staff will create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments and, when required, how to manage minor, ongoing minor and major behaviours.
For the majority of the time, behaviour management entails the positive and proactive steps teachers will take to create and maintain supportive learning environments. When these are in place, we eliminate or reduce the need to deal with unproductive behaviour. This includes having clear and explicit school rules and a Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Code of Conduct has almost taken one year to complete. The main contributors to the Student Code of Conduct have been the Year 6 Class of 2022 and 2023. The code outlines how our students want to feel when they come to school each day and the various actions that they all should do to help students feel confident, trusted, valued, safe and respected.
The Student Code of Conduct also includes what students can do when anyone is not feeling this way, therefore empowering our students to act. The below statement I heard from a teacher interviewed on Sunrise earlier this week and I hope you find it useful in explaining the difference between dobbing and telling.
“Dobbing is trying to get someone INTO trouble. Telling is trying to get someone OUT OF trouble.”
In the event that unproductive behaviour does occur, these behaviours are categorised into three levels and a procedure for managing each is outlined.
At level one, these behaviours are described as minor. They are disruptive to the teaching and learning program but can be managed by the classroom teacher with a warning, redirection and immediate praise when the productive behaviour is observed.
At level two, minor behaviours that are ongoing are referred to the relevant line leader in the school for further support. We believe all behaviour is a form of communication and ongoing minor behaviour can indicate the need for a student to require additional support to be successful.
At level three, behaviours are described as major behaviours. I am happy to report these are very rare at St Columba’s School.
Major behaviours impact upon the physical, emotional and psychological safety of self, students, staff and surroundings. These too are referred to the relevant line leader for further investigation. Each circumstance should be carefully investigated by the line leader before deciding if this is a matter to be referred to the Principal or if further support is required at level two. Regardless of the outcome, the Principal is kept informed of these decisions.
The school is also required to have a procedure for dealing with instances of Bullying. The current procedure has also been uploaded to the School Website. Please note this procedure is also under review this year.
Walkway
We are aware of continuing leaks under the Lombardi Lane Walkway and additional works have recently been approved to keep all bags stored under this area dry. In the meantime, students will be told to bring their bags indoors when it is likely they will be affected by rain.
Playground Before School
There has been an increasing number of students on the upper nature playground before school without parent supervision. This is placing additional duties on staff to monitor all students. Unfortunately some students have tried to convince teachers their parent is there watching them, when there is not.
The playground will be out of bounds for all students from Year 1 – 6 before school, regardless of parents accompanying students.
Parents of Kindy and Pre-Kindy students who are waiting for class doors to open, we recommend you do not allow your children to play on the nature playground. If you choose to allow your children to play on the nature playground please be aware the playground is not designed for children of that age and children will require close supervision and assistance at all times.
Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 reports will be available towards the end of Term 2.
Parents will be able to access their child’s report through our Parent SEQTA portal (SEQTA Engage). Those parents who do not have older siblings and who have not previously accessed SEQTA Engage or who are new to the school this year, should have received a ‘Welcome’ email which will give step by step instructions on how to set up your account and login. Please note that this email may end up in your ‘Junk/spam’ folder.
If you have any issues with setting up your Parent Engage account please contact Lisa Slocum on 9208 2701 or lisa.slocum@cewa.edu.au
Winter Uniform (To be worn Term Two and Term Three)
- Students from Years One to Year Three can either wear a green tartan winter pinafore (with white socks or black tights), college grey trousers or grey school shorts (with grey socks).
- Students from Years Four to Year Six can either wear a green tartan winter skirt (with white socks or black tights), college grey trousers or grey shorts (with grey socks).
- Students wear either a long or short sleeved white school shirt and school tie.
- Students may also wear the green school jumper
Community Baptism
After the wonderful response to our Community Baptism event last term, Father Andrew and Mrs Vinciullo are organising another Community Baptism for the beginning of Term Three. We will hold an Information Night later this term, where you will receive all the paperwork and information you require.
If you are interested in joining us for this event, finding out more information about this event, or would like any information on receiving the Sacraments, please contact the school Religious Education Coordinator, Leesa Vinciullo Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au .
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
P & F News
Our next P&F meeting is Tuesday 13 June at 7.00pm in the library.
Items for the agenda must be submitted by 5.00pm Friday 9 June. Any items after this time will be tabled for the next meeting.
Entertainment Memberships
Online memberships are available again this year. Memberships can be purchased online.
https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/83589g
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.
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:
Darcy Blake PPG
Julia Fantoni PPW
Ffion Humphreys PPW
Jax Fermanis 1G
Wyatt Palmer 3W
Miranda Ahn 4W
Harry Mawer 5W
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 2
Week 8 – 14 June
Week 9 – 21 June
| Kindy Green | Week 8 – Austin Hoek Week 9 – Finley Hoyne |
| Kindy White | Week 8 – Kai Loong Week 9 – Nathaniel McShanag |
| PP Green | Week 8 – Scarlett Little Week 9 – Holly Magee |
| PP White | Week 8 – Louis Fry Week 9 – Clara Fuller |
| Year 1 Green | Week 8 – Ivan Masnyk Week 9 – Celeste Mulherin |
| Year 1 White | Week 8 – Jasper Fry Week 9 – Samiya McShanag |
| Year 2 Green | Week 8 – Maria Mustica Week 9 – Amelia Pierre |
| Year 2 White | Week 8 – Spencer Landis Week 9 – Monica Jaramillo Restrepo |
| Year 3 Green | Week 8 – Stefano Mustica Week 9 – Oliver Hoyne |
| Year 3 White | Week 8 – Harry Fry Week 9 – Oscar Hamilton |
| Year 4 Green | Week 8 – Grace Masnyk Week 9 – Sofia Jaramillo Restrepo |
| Year 4 White | Week 8 – Zozie Higgs Week 9 – Olivia McShanag |
| Year 5 Green | Week 8 – Sebastian Kaless Week 9 – Max Pierre |
| Year 5 White | Week 8 – Blake Kenyon Week 9 – Harry Lange |
| Year 6 Green | Week 8 – Milla Robbins Week 9 – Grace Hamilton |
| Year 6 White | Week 8 – Lindsay Harvey Week 9 – Xavier Miller |
Religious Education and Curriculum News
From our Year 6’s:
In Religious Education, our Year 6 students have been refreshing and deepening their understanding of the Sacrament of Eucharist. This week, we are learning about Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ encyclical that focuses on care for the environment and her people.
From our Pre-Kindergarten Classes:
In Pre-Kindy we loved reading the story ‘Mrs Wishy Washy’ by Joy Cowley. We had so much fun making our own mud and then retelling the story together. “Oh lovely mud!” said the animals as they rolled in the mud. Olivia made a great Mrs Wishy Washy, she was not happy with the animals. “In the tub you go!” She shouted. Wishy washy wishy washy, until the animals were nice and clean. But what happened when Mrs Wishy Washy went back home?
EYLF 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts.
Community Notices
Columba Runners 2023
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 Wednesday 26th 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.
Classifieds
School Counsellor News
Sacred Heart College is delighted to invite parents/caregivers to hear author, speaker, media commentator, blogger and advocate for young people, Melinda Tankard Reist speak on Wednesday 14 June, commencing at 7:00pm in the RNDM Theatre.
Melinda will address “How can we help our children resist harmful messages from media and pop culture and aspire to respectful relationships? Frequent media reporting about unsafe behaviours and assaults highlights the need for this to be addressed in an appropriate and responsible way that supports our student’s healthy and prosocial development. Drawing from current global literature on the subject, as well as the experiences of young people themselves, Melinda explores the proliferation of se*ualized images and messages contributing to a distorted view of bodies, relationships and s*xuality in young people, hampering their healthy physical emotional and social development.
Research and experience tells us that many of our students will, at some stage, struggle to navigate their online presence and responses to social media in safe, appropriate and respectful ways. We also know that parents need to be at the forefront of these conversations, ideally with their pre-teen children, at home, so they can be protective and confident in guiding their children’s online behaviour.
Due to the current and serious nature of this subject, we expect this to be a very popular event. Interested parents/caregivers are advised not to delay in purchasing their tickets for $10 each HERE.
Further information about Melinda’s work can be found on her website https://melindatankardreist.com/
Nicole Leach
School Counsellor