Dear Community of St Columba’s,
Father’s Day
We extend our sincere thanks to the P&F Executive for organising such a wonderful Father’s Day Breakfast. Your efforts created a beautiful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the special men in our lives.
A big thank you also to our Year One students for leading a reverent and thoughtful Mass. Your participation made the occasion even more meaningful.
We hope all our dads, grandads, and father figures had a joyful and relaxing weekend filled with love and appreciation.
Unwell Students
We continue to have increased absences due to illness.
At St Columba’s the following practices remain in place to manage all the communicable infections:
- Daily cleaning in classrooms and disinfecting of tables and high touch surfaces by a contracted cleaner.
- Staff are actively monitoring students for symptoms and sending unwell students to the office for collection. Students who are unable to be collected immediately do wait in our Medical Room.
- We are encouraging good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing and hand sanitiser continues to be available in the classroom.
- Promoting in the newsletter to keep unwell children at home.
- We continue to notify families promptly of any confirmed cases and provide guidance on isolation and testing.
- Where possible, windows and doors are being opened to increase circulation.
If you are unsure of exclusion periods for any of your child’s illness or symptoms, please refer to the Control of Communicable Diseases Manuel provided by the Department of Health. This link will take you directly to the website.
Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
You can also find the link in our Parent Handbook on the School Website.
Thank you for assisting us by keeping unwell children at home.
Uniform Review
In line with our current uniform policy and standards, we are conducting a review of the St Columba’s School Uniform.
At St Columba’s School, our uniform plays an important role in fostering student unity, pride, and loyalty. It is a visible sign of our community, reflecting our vision statement and core values.
The uniform is worn to:
- Develop a sense of student unity, pride, and loyalty to our school
- Foster equality among all students
- Promote a sense of belonging and shared identity
- Maintain a standard of presentation that reflects the dignity and respect we hold for our learning environment
This review is an opportunity to ensure our uniform continues to support these goals while meeting the practical needs of our students and families.
The full School Uniform Policy is available on our School Website.
We welcome your feedback! Please complete the questionnaire, which was uploaded to seesaw on Tuesday 9 September, by Friday, 19 September 2025.
Are you leaving?
It is hard to believe that it is already time to start preparing for the 2026 school year. While we are always sad to see families go, we understand that circumstances can change. To help us with budget planning and class compositions, please let us know by the end of this term, September 26, 2025, if your enrolment plans for 2026 will be changing. You can do this by emailing – admin@stcolsbays.wa.edu.au or calling 9208 2700.
Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.
Dates for 2026
Please note the below Term Dates for 2026. Our School Calendar for 2026 will be available prior to the end of the year when our main events can also be confirmed.
Term One
Thursday 29 January: Pupil Free Day 1
Friday 30 January: Pupil Free Day 2
Monday 2 February: Term One Commences for Students
Monday 16 March: Pupil Free Day 3 Please note that this day will be dedicated to our Term One Parent Teacher Meetings.
Parents are invited to book an appointment, either in person or via phone call, to discuss their child’s progress with their classroom teacher. Appointments will be available throughout the day.
We believe this format will allow for more timely and meaningful conversations between parents and teachers, ensuring we continue to work together to support each child’s learning journey.
Thursday 2 April: End of Term One for Staff and Students
Term Two
Monday 20 April: Term 2 Commences for Staff and Students
Friday 29 May: Pupil Free Day 4
Friday 3 July: End of Term 2 for Staff and Students
Term Three
Monday 20 July: Pupil Free Day 5
Tuesday 21 July: Term 3 commences for students
Friday 21 August: Pupil Free Day 6
Monday 24 August: Catholic Day
Friday 25 September: End of Term 3 for Staff and Students
Term Four
Monday 12 October: Term 4 Commences for Staff and Students
Friday 11 December: End of Term 4 for Students
Monday 14 December: Administration Week for Staff
Thursday 17 December: End of Term 4 for Staff
Dates for 2027
Further to the release of the Three-Week Mid Year Holiday Break for Students in Catholic Education, please see the information below:
2027 Commences for Students on Thursday 28 January 2027
Mid-Year Three Week Break: Monday 28 June to Friday 16 July 2027
2027 Concludes for Students on 10 December 2027
Other Term dates will be advised when our Pupil Free Days are confirmed, before the end of 2026.
Please refer to the link below:
Three-Week Mid-Year Term Break
Upcoming Events
- Tuesday 16 September: PP-Year 2 Liturgy
- Tuesday 16 September: Spelling Bee Interschool Competition
- Friday 19 September: Confirmation Ceremony for Year 6G @ 6.30 pm
- Saturday 20 September: Confirmation Ceremony for Year 6W @ 3.30 pm
- Monday 22 September: Athletics Carnival for Year 1 – 6 Students
- Tuesday 23 September: Assembly @ 2.00pm
- Thursday 25 September: Pre Primary Sport Morning 9.00 am – 10.00 am
- Friday 26 September: Term 3 Ends for Staff and Students
In Gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal's Updates
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Dear Parents,
Any Students who were unwell or missed their school photo day can book a studio appointment at our Malaga office to be photographed during school holidays. Please contact Kapture photography directly to arrange a sitting.
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.
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.
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo
Assistant Principal
P & F News
THANK YOU
FATHER’S DAY BREKKY 2025
Last Friday, we hosted our annual Father’s Day Breakfast — what a beautiful way to kick off the weekend! Thank you to our wonderful School community for coming together to celebrate. A massive shoutout to all the incredible volunteers who arrived early and helped with everything from setup to serving – you truly are the backbone of these events. Special mention to superstar dads Zach and Rosco, for being there from 6am, and to our amazing Leadership team and staff for opening early and supporting the event behind the scenes. Thanks also to the dedicated parent committee – your time and effort made it all possible. A special highlight of the morning was the stunning performance by our talented Irish dancing students – what a treat! Amazing. Of course, none of this would have been possible without Smoults Larder in Maylands, who once again provided the delicious food. We’re so lucky to partner with such kind, community-minded people. Congratulations to all the prize winners and we hope everyone had a lovely Father’s Day.
HAPPENING NOW
NOMINATE A DESERVING FAMILY
Nominate a St Cols family to have access to a private car bay in Term 4, including Disco night and EduDance! Nominations close Week 9 Friday 19/9 and the winning family will be announced Week 10 Assembly Tuesday 23/9. Submit online or see the attached form if you wish to print and provide to Kylie/Lisa at front reception instead: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gN4l4TrTnUS28DB_YDTqRy-hF2vT_ZBMqu88s8Qc6QZUOVJVT01CN0xaUk5WVEhUS1laMVNQSVpWVi4u&route=shorturl
Athletics Carnival Sausage Sizzle & Bake Sale!
Our Athletics Carnival is just around the corner and what better way to keep our little athletes (and their cheer squads!) fuelled than with a delicious sausage sizzle AND some tasty treats from our bake sale?
Here’s what you need to know:
🌭 Sausage Sizzle: $3.50 each
🧃 Juice Box: $1 each
🔗 Click here to order your sausage sizzle : https://www.cognitoforms.com/StColumbasPrimarySchool/_2025AthleticsCarnivalPFSausageSizzle
📅 Order Forms due: Wednesday 18th September, 9pm (no late orders please!)
🍪 Bake Sale: Sweet treats available on the day (cash and card reader available). We’d love your donations of baked (or store bought) sweet or savoury treats, see our community socials in the coming days to add your name
🙋♀️🙋♂️ Volunteer signup: please consider signing up to help with running the bake sale or sausage sizzle here: https://volunteersignup.org/K8BRQ
It’s a great way to support our school while enjoying yummy food at the carnival. Funds raised go straight back into making our school even better for our kids. Let’s make this Athletics Carnival one to remember – with full tummies, sweet treats, and big smiles! ❤️💚💙💛
REMINDERS
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
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 3/4 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Term 4 Family Carpark nomination draw – Due Friday 19th September
P&F Athletics Carnival bake sale/sausage sizzle fundraiser – Monday 22nd September
Whole School Disco – Friday 17th October
Pastoral Care
Happy Birthday to:
The following students who will celebrate birthday’s in the coming week:
Isla Quispe – KG
William Pham – KW
Orla Tierney – KW
Hugo Garrett – Y3G
Orlando Smith – Y3G
Ross Smith – Y3W
Henry Crookes – Y5G
Alexander Lilleyman – Y5W
William Parks – Y5W
Luca Marrapodi – Y5W
Mason Campbell – Y6G
Michael Baldwin – Y6G
Olivia McShanag – Y6W
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 9 – 17 September
Week 10 – NO RAFFLE
| Kindy Green | Week 9 – Laila Ikin Week 10 – N0 Raffle |
| Kindy White | Week 9 – Fiadh Jennings Week 10 – No raffle |
| PP Green | Week 9 – Ivy Funston Week 10 – No Raffle |
| PP White | Week 9 – Ivaan Kaushal Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 1 Green | Week 9 – Nathaniel McShanag Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 1 White | Week 9 – Declan McGowan Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 2 Green | Week 9 – Flynn Hartus Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 2 White | Week 9 – Andrea Gunawan Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 3 Green | Week 9 – Lorraine McGowan Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 3 White | Week 9 – Samiya McShanag Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 4 Green | Week 9 – Joana Gunawan Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 4 White | Week 9 – Arthur Oliveira Week 10 – No raffle |
| Year 5 Green | Week 9 – Cohen Lee Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 5 White | Week 9 – Poppy Lillico Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 6 Green | Week 9 – Sandra Mandujano Liu Week 10 – No Raffle |
| Year 6 White | Week 9 – Olivia McShanag Week 10 – No Raffle |
Class News
From our Year 2 classes:
This term, our Year 2 students have been enthusiastically engaged in information report writing. They have been developing their ability to create more detailed and interesting sentences through the use of noun phrases. In addition, students are extending their vocabulary by learning and applying technical terms related to the animals they have chosen to research.
Each student is working towards producing a structured report about their chosen animal. This task allows them to showcase both their writing skills and their growing understanding of animal groups and characteristics. We are looking forward to reading all the information about their favourite animal.
From our Year 5 classes – Persuasive Writing Adventures
Our Year 5 students have been busy exploring the art of persuasion in their Writing sessions. We’ve been diving into the thought-provoking topic: Should children engage in extracurricular activities after school? The classroom has been buzzing with passionate discussions and compelling arguments on both sides. We can’t wait to read their finished pieces — they’re shaping up to be very persuasive indeed!
Community Notices
