Principal's Post

Dear Parents and Caregivers

So there I was, just out in the playground on duty, and I ask a Year 3 student about the book she is reading at the moment. Her response, and I know you will love this, ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama. She continued to talk about how it is an autobiography. At this point, I realised I was way out of my league in this conversation. Five minutes later, I find myself in my office writing down a quote she gave me from Michelle Obama. Here is the favourite quote from the book that our Year 3 child thought inspiring. This is why I love being a teacher.

‘I am trying to develop the habit of laughing everything off.’

Michelle Obama

As I was writing this on my whiteboard, I realised just how powerful these words were. A ripping quote that I cannot seem to get out of my head. One of the greatest challenges for all of us is to laugh things off and have them wash over us, especially when it is tough or even more, when we take them personally. I just love this idea of ‘laughing things off’. When we think about how many things are happening in our lives, in and out of work, in all our relationships and interactions, we do need to make sure we do what we can to lighten our life.

Developing the habit of being able to laugh things off, does give us permission to be gentle on ourselves. You see, when we stop to laugh things off, we are actually working out what the important things are in life. In the end, we have a choice to make. We can get caught up in the things that are not important or we can laugh these off, as they really are not going to impact on the wellbeing of others or ourselves. To be true, we are about the wellbeing of others as the absolute priority. Is this not why we exist? Funny, but when we get the wellbeing bit right, it is so easy to get the other stuff done. I just loved the five minutes I had last week on playground duty and being in the conversation that has sparked this Post.

I do forget sometimes just how good laughter is for our soul. It is like an instant vacation. Just think about how when we are in situations that bring laughter, how good it is for our bodies and minds. I do appreciate how there are many moments without laughter, and that is okay, because that is life, but to know we can have these moments, well it does make it better. I think of the saddest of times where I have been at funerals, including those closest to me, and I think about the moments of laughter that brought a sense of peace. In those moments, there is a joy in the celebration of life. We can never underestimate how these stories that bring us to laugh, bring us joy, are what sustains us as humans. Wellbeing is the centre of all of this. Ours, as much as others. This is what we want for our kids and ourselves. It builds resiliency.

We can learn so much from this theory of laughing things off, as we will become stronger in what we stand for. When I look at our St Col’s kids, I do see how they have this ability to be resilient when things are tough. I just need to see a couple of our kids that have had broken arms, elbows, recently. They are cracking tough kids, good kids. They go about life as if there is nothing wrong, filled with smiles and continuing to get on with it. A willingness at not flinching at making sure they are having a good time and still giving their best. This is where we can learn much about ourselves. Yep, from our kids. That is the bonus of being a teacher. We get to see so much of this resilience, the ability to laugh things off. They get this from you as their parents, but also from their own spirit from within. I also, hope they get a little of this from us here at St Columba’s School.

You see, they teach us to be grateful and enjoy the little things. Like the chat I had about the Michelle Obama book, like when I see a little guy with a fracture to an elbow or a shoulder injury. They just have this ability to appreciate things even though they may be missing being a part of something like the interschool cross-country. Instead, they bounce back, and focus on their mates and being there supporting them. This is the quality of what we have here in our school. The quality I have the privilege of witnessing.

I love knowing our kids bring joy. I am sitting outside on the deck near the playground writing this stuff about laughter, and all I hear are the sounds of happy kids. I am listening to the laughter at Phys-Ed and the excitement of the kids when I snuck in to Year 4 Science to pinch a chair, informing them they would never see it again. They just laugh, and I walk out thinking the world right now is the best thing ever. Be grateful, enjoy the little things.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bec and Ric Carbone on the birth of their second child Sebastiano Luca on Thursday 29 July. We know there will be many exciting moments and an abundance of joy brought to your lives with the birth of Sebastiano, a little brother for Alessandro.

Assistant Principal Appointment

Niall Kehoe has been appointed to the on-going Assistant Principal position for 2022 onwards. Niall is currently in the acting position for 2021. We congratulate Niall on his appointment and look forward to having him as part of our leadership team in the coming years.

NAIDOC Week Ceremony

Last week, our staff and students engaged in activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week. These culminated in our Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country assembly. Our students were fully engaged and once again displayed the highest of respect. It was the first time we have held a smoking ceremony at St Columba’s School. It brought story and understanding to all of us present. Mr Barry Winmar, a local elder, engaged our children and brought the week together with his words. Barry mentioned how his ‘heart was happy’ to be with us. Our hearts were happy with him being here at St Columba’s School. It was a very special morning. I wish to thank Candy McKay, our Transforming Lives Engagement Officer, and Matthew Hubbard, our Year 5 teacher, for their planning of the event and all the connections made throughout the week.

Community Mass

This Saturday, 7 August, at 6.00 pm, we have our Community Mass. Our Year 6 students will be enrolling for the Sacrament of Confirmation at this Mass. All our St Columba families are welcomed to come together to give thanks for all we have. The thing about Mass, is it is centred on gratitude. I mean, how good do we have it? Giving thanks is always good for our wellbeing.

School Photos

School photos have been running all week. It has been terrific to see the support of everyone in ensuring we have had all students in their correct uniforms. It takes much coordination to get all the time lined up, especially when we have so much on this week.

Cross Country

Last Tuesday, our students from Year 3 to 6 participated in our Interschool Cross Country. There were 16 schools involved in the carnival. Our team finished 6^th overall, and 5^th in both the Girls and 5^th in the Boys. What an outstanding effort. Our students gave their all for their teammates and for our school. We could not be prouder of their support of each other as a team.

Results were published in last weeks newsletter.

Spelling Bee Interschool Competition

The Interschool Spelling Bee competition will be held on Wednesday 18 August at Trinity College. Our students have been involved in their classroom competitions during the last week. Congratulations to all our students who competed in the Spelling Bee trials. Not sure if you have ever had to stand in front of others and be given an unknown word to spell, but that takes courage just to even think about having a go at this. I do love the fact, our kids show this resilience to put themselves out there. The students representing St Columba’s are as follows:

Year 3: Edmond Cavalli & Sayuthmee Ratnayake

Year 4: Leo Pileggi & William North

Year 5: Girishma Berigai & Daphne Wishart

Year 6: Sofia Lawes & Miel Fuentes

Year 3 and Year 5 Bishop’s Religious Literacy Assessment

Our Year 3 and Year 5s will be participating in the Bishop’s Religious Literacy Assessment this week. I wish to thank our staff for preparing their students for these assessments and to all our parents for their support.

Year 6 Camp

From Tuesday 10 August to Friday 13 August, our Year 6 students will be away on camp in Waroona. We wish all our students and staff a wonderful experience on their adventure camp. I will be away attending the camp for the four days. If you have any matters that need attention, please see one of our Assistant Principals, Deb Klatt or Niall Kehoe.

Gate Access

The main front gate (Roberts Street) will be closed on Thursday 5 August and Friday 6 August for maintenance.

For morning drop offs and afternoon pickups the Parish gate and Milne Street gates will be accessible along with the vehicle entrance gate on Roberts Street, for easier access.

If you are required to be on the premises once school has commenced, please use the Parish gate and report directly to the front office as per normal procedures.

Please ensure that the Parish gate is shut gently behind you.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Census Day for Schools

This Friday, 6 August, is Census Day for Schools. Please refer to the attachment to this newsletter – Parent Privacy Notice regarding the census data. Also, please see below the message  from the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA.

The Australian census on 10 August 2021 will provide a snapshot of who Australians are and what is important to us.  The census is a key tool that government uses to determine how organisations, schools, church ministries and community groups are prioritised, funded and empowered to best operate in our State.

If your faith is important to you or if you identify with Christian values, please use your voice in the Australian census when asked your religion. This is an important opportunity to demonstrate the significance of faith-based families in our West Australian community and will support endeavours to secure equitable access to opportunities and resources. 

Enjoy your week, and may you find many moments to be grateful, and when these moments are hard to find, that you may find the strength to laugh them off. When they are not easy to laugh them off, remember it is all okay. Look around and someone will be there to support you. What I know about St Col’s people, is there will be someone. We, as staff, are here for you, whenever you need. I know this, as I experience it often. I mean, on the weekend we needed part of the roofing secured on the church roof. A parent stepped up to help me out. Gratitude!

Take care and look after yourself.

Art

School Counsellor News

The Togetherness Cycle

Nicole Leach
School Counsellor
St Columba’s (Wednesdays and Thursdays) Phone 08 9208 2700

P & F News

Entertainment Memberships are still available for purchase and details are on the parent Facebook page. The school receives $14 for each membership purchased and you save $$$$.

Our next CSPWA meeting is Tuesday 17^th  of August at 7pm in the library, all are welcome.

Please email through any items for the agenda to your class reps.

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Together we’re making a difference

At Pharmacy 777, your support makes a difference to your school.
We understand how much your school means to you, that’s why at Pharmacy 777, we’re passionate about making a difference. Our Community Spirit Program makes giving back to your school easier. As a Community Spirit member, for every transaction you make at Pharmacy 777 Bayswater and Maylands, they will give part proceeds back to the school. This contribution accumulates over time and funds raised support causes at the heart of your school. We would encourage all school community members to visit Pharmacy 777 Bayswater and Maylands and join up.

Library News

  2021 CBCA   Book Week 

Old Worlds New Worlds Other Worlds

Dates: 21 – 27 August 2021

Dress Up Parade (Kindy-Year 6)  

Monday 23 August 2021

All students Kindy to Year 6 are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character.  The purpose of this event is to celebrate Book Week, therefore the focus is on participation rather than the costume.

Why not recyle a costume, or put together something from home! 

Please keep it simple and stress free J

Please note: Costumes are not restricted to the theme.

Pastoral Care

Community Notices

Kora Centre

Childcare in Bayswater

Kora Centre Inc. – Licensed childcare service at Bayswater

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Enrol with us at Mercedes College!

Mercedes College is currently interviewing for Year 7 2023 & 2024, with limited places available for Year 7 2022.  If you are considering enrolling your daughter at Mercedes, please visit the Mercedes College website at www.mercedes.wa.edu.au to request a prospectus, to enrol online or book a tour of our campus.  Please contact Mrs Nicole Kirk on 9323 1323 if you require further information.

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Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the October and summer school holidays. VacSwim offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations. They are a great school holiday activity and they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.

Enrol at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

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