Dear Community of St Columba’s,
Catholic Performing Arts Festival
We extend our congratulations to all choir members who participated in last week’s Catholic School’s Performing Arts Performance at St Benedict’s Church in Applecross. Your rendition of Light the World was truly moving. In a remarkable moment, as the choir sang, the sun broke through the clouds and streamed through the stained-glass windows, such an uplifting experience. Thank you to all families who came along to support the students and Mrs Karen Gonsalves. Special thank you also to Mrs Kerry Smith who accompanied them on the keyboard.
This year, we have seen many solo performances entered the Catholic School’s Performing Arts Ceremony. We are incredibly proud of our students and their dedication to the arts.
Another Performance Award has been received for Zara F in Year 4. Zara achieved Excellence in the Strings Solo (Yrs 4-6 Category).
Solo Performance Awards will be presented at our Assembly at the conclusion of the Festival.
To celebrate and share all performance achievements, we will be holding an extraordinary assembly next Wednesday, 3 September in the School Library. As we will be holding this indoors, we need to hold two smaller gatherings.
- 8:45 am: Year 3 & 4 students and Parents & Families;
- Following this: Year 5 & 6 students
We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the talent of our students together.
Thank you to our Wonderful Team of Education Assistants
Next week, we celebrate and thank our incredible Education Assistants for the vital role they play in our school community. Their dedication, patience, and support make a profound difference in the lives of our students every single day.
Whether they are offering a helping hand in the classroom, providing one-on-one support, or simply being a kind and encouraging presence, their work does not go unnoticed. They help create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
On behalf of the entire school community, thank you to all our Education Assistants for your compassion, your commitment, and your care.
Prayers for the Holloway Family
We are very sorry to share that Amy Holloway, our Education Assistant in PPG on Thursdays and Fridays, sadly and suddenly lost her husband last week.
This is a heartbreaking time for Amy, and we want to acknowledge the whole Pre-Primary Team, who are standing by Amy with love and care. This has been a very emotional time for them, and they are doing their best to keep things steady for the children while caring for one another. Please continue to support them with kindness and understanding.
We also extend our thoughts and prayers to Amy’s mother, Pamela Holloway, Teacher of Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten White, and to all staff in this area. This loss has touched many, and we hold them all in our hearts as they support one another through this time.
Thank you for keeping Amy, Pamela and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
Your ongoing generosity through our weekly Pastoral Care Raffles plays a vital role in enabling our Pastoral Care Team to support members of our school community, both in times of celebration and in moments of sadness.
If you would like to extend a personal condolence or contribute further to the Holloway family, please follow the link provided below.
Thank you for helping us care for one another with compassion and kindness.
Staff Pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine
As part of our recent Accreditation to Teach in a Catholic School professional development, staff participated in a reflective pilgrimage to the Schoenstatt Shrine last Monday. This experience offered a peaceful space for prayer, contemplation, and spiritual renewal, allowing us to reconnect with our vocation as Catholic educators.
A special thank you to Sr Lisette, whose work with the Schoenstatt Sisters continues to be a source of inspiration and support for our school community. Her dedication to our students, particularly through the Sacramental Retreat Programs, is deeply appreciated. Sr Lisette’s gentle guidance and faith-filled presence enrich the spiritual journey of both staff and students.
Sr Lisette is looking forward to welcoming our Year 6 students next week as they venture to the Schoenstatt Shrine for their own retreat experience. It promises to be a meaningful and memorable part of their faith journey.
Upcoming Events
- Friday 29 August: Book Week Parade
- Monday 1 September: Tuesday 2 September: Jumps and Throws Events being held across these two days for students in Years 3-6.
- Monday 1 September: Breakfast orders for those attending the Father’s Day Breakfast close at 5pm. Don’t miss out!
- Wednesday 3 September: Catholic Performing Arts Performance in the School Library for Year 3-6 students, commencing at 8.45 am.
- Wednesday 3 September: Education Assistant Appreciation Day
- Thursday 4 September: Sacrament of Confirmation Reflection Day
- Friday 5 September: Father’s Day Breakfast commencing at 7.30 am followed by Father’s Day Mass in the Church at 9.00 am.
In Gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal's Updates
SCHOOL PHOTO DAY IS COMING
Dear Parents,
Your school photo day is coming! Every student should have received a personalised flyer sent home yesterday from Kapture Photography containing your child’s unique codes for ordering school photos online. Please ensure to check your child’s school bag.
Monday 8th September
Tuesday 9th September
Thursday 11th September
KEEP YOUR FLYER SECURE!
The unique codes contained on the flyer will be issued only once.
Order EARLY for sibling photography
Sibling photos can ONLY be ordered online. Once you receive the personalised flyers for your children, it is imperative that you order your sibling photo early to avoid missing out! There is a physical limit in the school schedule to how many sibling photos can be taken. Once the maximum capacity of sibling orders has been reached, no more sibling orders can be placed.
If maximum capacity is not reached, sibling orders close 12pm midday sharp, one business day prior to the first photo day.
The school or the photographers cannot accept late orders for sibling photography. Please do not ask as your request simply cannot be accommodated.
Order EARLY for discount photo day prices
Order your photos up to 10 calendar days after photo day to receive discount photo day prices. Late orders are handled separately to the school delivery and incur a $30 custom service charge.
Other information
Kapture offer a money back guarantee for any parent who is not fully satisfied with their photo package. Should you have any queries before or after photo day, please check the FAQ’s on the Kapture website.
We request that students who are displaying signs of respiratory and / or gastrointestinal illnesses do not attend school specifically to be included in their class photo. Having students with communicable illnesses attend the photography venues puts other students, school staff and Kapture staff at risk – especially those that are already immunocompromised. Students who are unable to attend school photo day can book a studio appointment at our Malaga office to be photographed during school holidays. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Your school will notify you in a few weeks when team and special group photos are available to view and purchase on the Kapture website. Please note; class, individual and sibling portraits are not available to view online prior to purchase.
All students will be photographed individually on photo day for school administration records AS WELL as included in their class group presentation available for purchase to all families. Should there be any reason why your child should NOT be included in the photo shoot –please contact the school office.
All students must be in full winter uniform. Shirts, ties and school jumpers compulsory with skirts, pinafores, shorts or long pants for students in Years 1-6.
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo
Assistant Principal
P & F News
HAPPENING NOW
Hey Dad, read this!
The P&F would like to invite everyone in our community to the St Col’s Father’s Day Breakfast, Friday 5th September at 7:30am. Arrive early to participate in the annual family paper plane competition, with your chance to win Dad a special prize to take home! Reminder – breakfast orders close Monday 1st September at 5pm. We hope to catchup with all our father figures at this special celebration.
ORDER YOUR BREAKFAST PRIOR HERE: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/_2025PFFathersDayBreakfast
Hey Mum, can you help at Dad’s brekky?
We would love some fabulous mums, grandmothers, aunts, special people to sign up and volunteer to make the morning a wonderful celebration for the dads. If this sounds like something you are keen to be involved with, follow the link, find a role that suits you and sign up. HELP US HERE: https://volunteersignup.org/ELHY9 The P&F thank you for your time and service, you are a gem!
Help Our School Move Forward — Join ‘Your Move’!
We’re inviting all parents to sign up to the Your Move website and join our school group! Every registration earns points for our school — and the more points we accumulate, the more exciting opportunities we unlock. From Connecting Schools Grants to bike education, student leadership labs, and Safe Routes to School guides, Your Move helps us build a more active, connected school community. Whether your child walks, wheels, scoots, or rides, your support helps us inspire healthier habits and access valuable resources. Let’s get moving — sign up today and help our school thrive! https://yourmove.org.au/register
REMINDERS
Containers for Change
Get involved with our School yard fundraising by joining the containers for change group. All you have to do is scan the barcode attached to the newsletter with your containers from home — all funds from your deposit goes directly back to fundraising for items that benefit the kids at St Cols.
School Rewards Program — THE ATHLETE’S FOOT Morley Galleria
With $5 from every pair of shoes purchased being donated back to our School, This applies to the whole family across their fantastic range of school, sports, work and casual shoes. Make sure you mention St Col’s.
KEY TERM 3 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Father’s Day Breakfast – Friday 5th September 7:30am
Term 4 Family Carpark nomination draw – September
P&F Athletics Carnival bake sale/sausage sizzle fundraiser – Monday 22nd September
Library News
Dates: 25 – 29 August 2025
Dress Up Day (Kindy-Year 6) – Friday 29 August 2025
Parade commences at 8.45am – Undercover area
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 recycle a costume or put together something from home!
Please keep it simple and stress free
Please note: Costumes are not restricted to the theme.
Colouring Competition (Kindy – Year 6)
Entries and details will be distributed to classes in Week 5
Prizes: $20 Gift Voucher Crow Books – 1 prize per Year Group
Entry: Free
Entry closes Thursday 28th August - Week 6
Winners announced Week 6 Friday 29th August
Lunch time Book Week activites in the library each day during Book Week.
BOOK COVERING HELP REQUIRED
The library has lots of new and exciting books needing covering. If you can help by taking a small number of books home to cover, please call into the library. Precut covering for books is supplied. Your help is greatly appreciated by students and staff.
Many thanks.
Rita Cuthbert – Library
LIBRARY CLASS FOR WEEK 5
Congratulations to Year 6 Green
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
The following students who will celebrate birthday’s in the coming week:
Esther Hart – KW
Evelyn Nebel – KW
Noni Berson – PKW
Xavier Bosley – PPG
Jack Franich – PPW
Mia Etheridge – Y1W
Alessia Cullura – Y2G
Ella Phillips – Y3W
Ethan Borich – Y4G
Arden Bezich – Y4W
Alessia Marrapodi – Y6G
Would you like to Volunteer with us?
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 entrance. Come say Hi and see what we are all about or please feel free to reach out to us by leaving a message with Lisa or Kylie in Administration and one of our amazing volunteers will talk you through volunteering with us.
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 3
Week 7 – NO RAFFLE – Fathers Day Raffle
Week 8 – 10 September
Week 9 – 17 September
| Kindy Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Giorgia Holmes Week 9 – Laila Ikin |
| Kindy White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Aurora Hodgetts Week 9 – Fiadh Jennings |
| PP Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Angus Fort Week 9 – Ivy Funston |
| PP White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Addison Kain Week 9 – Ivaan Kaushal |
| Year 1 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Abigail Lumsden Week 9 – Nathaniel McShanag |
| Year 1 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Kai Loong Week 9 – Declan McGowan |
| Year 2 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Oscar Harstrom Week 9 – Flynn Hartus |
| Year 2 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Sophie Macdonald Week 9 – Andrea Gunawan |
| Year 3 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Samuel Kootje Week 9 – Lorraine McGowan |
| Year 3 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Rose Pearson Week 9 – Samiya McShanag |
| Year 4 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Elliot Lumsden Week 9 – Joana Gunawan |
| Year 4 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Jenson Kootje Week 9 – Arthur Oliveira |
| Year 5 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Mia Harstrom Week 9 – Cohen Lee |
| Year 5 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Alexander Lillyman Week 9 – Poppy Lillico |
| Year 6 Green | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Lilah Jagger Week 9 – Sandra Mandujano Liu |
| Year 6 White | Week 7 – No Raffle Week 8 – Luca Maio Week 9 – Olivia McShanag |
Class News
From our Pre Primary – Year 2 Music classes:
This semester, our junior musicians continue to enjoy singing, dancing, and playing a variety of instruments while exploring important musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and tempo.
Our Pre-primary students have been focusing on tempo and pitch, using playful activities to help them listen carefully and respond to changes in speed and sound. In Year One, students have been composing their own lyrics to a simple piece of music, allowing them to express their creativity while also learning more about how songs are put together, whilst our Year Two students have just begun their journey into the orchestra, discovering the different instrument families and how music can tell a story and evoke emotion.
From our Year 3 – 6 Music classes:
This semester, years 3-6 have been working with a Noongar lullaby.
They were taught to play the melody and accompaniment of the song. Then, in groups, they were given the opportunity to add their own verses to the songs and present the song to the rest of the class. They were encouraged to use whatever instruments that would enhance the lullaby.
Community Notices
