Principal's Post

Dear Parents and Caregivers

So here we are, flying through the term, and thinking to ourselves where does the time go in our day. Funny, one of our dads, as he saw me this morning, said how good it was to have 28 hours in a day. Just a sign of how much we all pack into our days. Such good times, but there are always more hours needed to get through everything.

This brings me to the specialness around this week, which is Father’s Day. A time to remember our dads and all the love we get from them. We all know Steve Martin, well, maybe some of you young ones may not know of him, but a funny, funny bloke. Having two daughters, now in their 20s, I do love the image below and the quote. We really do have it good. As a dad, I know one thing, we all want the best for our kids and our families. We seriously only do what we do for them.

Life is all about our kids. I see it every day here at St Columba’s School. I see how our dads and grandads stand so tall when with their kids and grandkids. I see it in their faces. There is a joy. There is so much goodness given out to the world. For me, I am the privileged one who sees so many of these interactions before and after school, through the K and D and walking through the gates. I see dads collecting kids for appointments, and there is a happiness. I mean, what more could we want. Being a dad is good for the soul, good for our humanity.

It is why I always connect to Jim Carrey as well. He is one of the most grateful people that I have looked into. Again, he is one of my favourites to watch on the big screen. I do not know, maybe because all I do is laugh when I watch him. What I really do connect with is his more reflective side. Jim Carrey has a deeper side. One of his famous quotes is below. It is about the influence we can have on others, being the most valuable thing we can bring to the world.

As dads, we are blessed with these opportunities of influence within our families. When I look at Holly and Skye, I hope in some way, even in some small way, I have had a positive influence in the young people they have become and will continue to become into the future. I think as dads, we are always doing the best we can, even when we mess it up. I think this is the beauty of being a parent, a mum or a dad. We just keep doing the best we can to bring our kids up to be young people who genuinely have respect for self and for others. After all, it is always about forming connections in our world to make it a better place for everyone.

Like this afternoon, I have been teaching in Year 5. Seriously, whatever you are doing, keep doing it. I saw so much goodness and care for others. I asked one of the students to show another student how to do something. His response was spontaneous and joyous. Fact, three minutes later he was doing his thing and I said to him to look at the face of the friend he had helped. Talk about a special moment. Now, this is exactly what I am talking about. As parents, your impact is profound. This is the Jim Carrey quote in action.

It was like at our Year 6 Confirmation Workshop last night, we witness firsthand the very special relationships between parents and their children. These are the things that make the world a better place. I loved the activity where the parents had to select a Gift of the Holy Spirit that they see in action, living within their child. Now, while this was very special, the children then selected a Gift that matched their parent. A Gift they see being lived out in their lives. Again, this is the Jim Carrey quote at work.

I finish with the above quote. Why? Because one of the Year 6 students mentioned this last night at the workshop. It is everything we are about when we are one with each other. We are very blessed here at St Col’s to see such care within our families, such connection. It is our blessing that we get to express this within our Catholic school setting. Sometimes I can take this for granted.

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Special congratulations to all our children in the choirs from Year 3 to Year 6. Your performance last week at the Performing Arts Festival was wonderful. Your commitment to being in our choir and the pride with which you represent our school, yourself, your parents and our staff, is truly commendable. Quality kids, quality performance. A big thank you to Mrs Kerry Smith for preparing our students, and being amazing on the piano, without your reading glasses, and to Mrs Amanda Xavier, who conducted the choir with precision. The support from our parents was once again something that we appreciated and value. This goes back to everything I was talking about earlier in my Post.

Metro Net Consultation

Metro Net have been meeting with schools to ascertain how to manage the traffic flow during the peak times when Whatley Crescent is out of use in the coming months. Solutions to assist traffic flow and ensure child safety is paramount. The latest information and FAQ’s for parents is attached to the newsletter.

Father’s Day

• Friday 3 September
• Breakfast at 7.30 am and Mass at 9.00 am.
• A massive thank you to all the parents involved in preparing the breakfast.

Faction Athletics Carnivals

• Friday 17 September [Year 1 to Year 6]
• Noranda Athletics Centre [Wylde Street Noranda]. Details to follow.
• Pre-Primary Carnival on Thursday 23 September at 9.00 am at Bayswater Primary School oval across the road. Details to follow.

School Facebook Page

Over the coming weeks we will be focusing on placing things that are happening at school back onto our Facebook page. Yep, we are excited. Keep an eye out for any new posts.

Wishing all our dads a relaxing and enjoyable day this Sunday. I know you will be well looked after by your kids. Take care everyone and thanks for always giving out good stuff.

Gratitude!

Art

P & F News

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.

Pastoral Care

Father's Day Breakfast

Father’s Day Breakfast is back for 2021!!!  Please see attachments to this newsletter for details. 

Calling upon anyone who can donate a prize so we can host our popular raffle for our Dads.

Raffle tickets are on sale every day this week, 8.15am to 9.15am near basketball courts and also on the morning of the breakfast.

Thank you !!!

Pastoral Care Team

Community Notices

Mercy Mission Day

Mrs Pettit’s Year 3 class will be holding a ‘op shop’ for Mercy Mission Day.

Could you please look through your drawers and cupboards for anything that would be suitable- remember one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

Toys, board games, books, knick-knacks and the like are all welcome.

Please deliver your goodies to Mrs Pettit’s room, which is downstairs next to the oval.

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Kora Centre

Childcare in Bayswater

Kora Centre Inc. – Licensed childcare service at Bayswater

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Located in the heart of Perth’s beautiful heritage precinct, Mercedes College are proud to be celebrating 175 years of Mercy education, which makes the 2021 Open Day special! The Tour provides an opportunity for prospective parents to hear from the Senior Leadership Team and enjoy a tour of College facilities led by some of our Student Representative Leaders.

There are two sessions: 8:30am or 11am. The 8:30am session offers families a morning tea, where you will have the opportunity to speak with some of our Teachers. Please register via the College website; www.mercedes.wa.edu.au/open-morning/

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Classifieds