Principal's Post

Dear Community of St Columba’s,

Disco  

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible P&F and Disco Sub-Committee, Nikki Staveley, Justine Raynor, Bridie Stazzonelli and Nikki Smith, Kally Rintoul and Steph Smith for organising another outstanding school disco. A special thank you also to all the parents who gave of their time to volunteer in the various roles.  

This year was particularly special, with not two, but three disco sessions offered across the evening. This thoughtful approach provided age-appropriate entertainment, improved supervision, space and created a more enjoyable experience for students across all year levels. 

It was an absolute joy to watch the children having so much fun. As Principal, I have the privilege of seeing our students grow over many years. On nights like these, I am reminded just how much they change. It was wonderful to see some of our older students, who once stood cautiously on the sidelines with their parents watching, now confidently dancing, laughing and enjoying themselves with friends on the dance floor. 

A special mention must also go to our Year 6 students, who contributed to the selection of songs for the playlist. Their influence was certainly felt throughout the night, with the evening concluding on their chosen song, “Mr Brightside,” providing a fitting and memorable end to a fantastic event. 

Thank you once again to everyone involved. Events such as these do not happen without the dedication of volunteers who generously give their time to create opportunities for our children to connect, celebrate and make lasting memories. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by our entire school community.

School Polos 

Following our review of school uniforms in 2025, we are pleased to announce that the long-awaited new School Sports Polo is now ready to be unveiled. 

The new Sports Polo will become compulsory for Year 1 students commencing in 2027 and will remain optional for students in Years 2 to 6 for 2027. 

Pre-Primary students will continue to wear the existing ECE shirt. Kindergarten teachers will be advising families shortly of their child’s faction. Please ensure your child has at least one ECE shirt in their faction colour, as this will be worn on their designated sport day. 

Images of the selected designs are provided below, and families are welcome to view the sample garments in the School Office for a closer look.  Further information regarding pricing and purchasing arrangements will be communicated shortly.

The current stock of the old polos will be available at a reduced cost until all stock has been sold out.  Again pricing will be communicated shortly.

I would also like to sincerely thank staff representatives Leesa Vinciullo, Lisa Slocum and parents, Liz Cavalli, and all other parents on the Catholic School Advisory Council for their valuable feedback and contribution throughout the review process. Their input was instrumental in helping us develop a modern and practical Sports Polo that reflects the needs and preferences of our school community.

Class Placements 2027 

Last Thursday I sent a message via SEESAW to all families regarding the school’s procedures for this. If not already, please take the time to read this.  

World Teachers’ Day 

Next Friday we will celebrate World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to recognise and thank the dedicated educators who make a profound difference in the lives of our children every day. Teachers do far more than teach curriculum. They inspire a love of learning, nurture confidence, encourage resilience, provide care and guidance, and help shape the values, character, and aspirations of the young people entrusted to them. 

The influence of a great teacher often extends far beyond the classroom and well into the future. Most of us can recall a teacher who believed in us, encouraged us, or helped us through a challenging time. World Teachers’ Day provides an important opportunity to pause and acknowledge the passion, commitment, and generosity that our teachers bring to their vocation every day. 

Thank you for helping us celebrate and recognise the outstanding staff who make our school such a special and nurturing place for all.

Upcoming Events 

• Thursday 22 October: Year 5 Bicycle Education Lessons 

• Thursday 22 October: Be Digitally Wise Virtual Sessions. 

• Friday 23 October: Final day for Class Placement Considerations 

• Sunday 25 October: Columba Runners Wind Up, 2 pm @ Sandy Beach Reserve 

• Tuesday 27 October: Parents and Friends Meeting, 6.30 pm. 

• Tuesday 27 October: PP Excursion to visit Constable Care and Year 4 Visiting Fremantle Maritime Museum. 

• Wednesday 28 October: Interschool Athletics Team Breakfast 

• Thursday 29 October: Interschool Athletics Carnival;  

           -Year 1 Excursion to Landsdale Farm; 

            -Year 5 Bicycle Lessons 

• Friday 30 October: World Teacher Appreciation Day 

2027 School Term Dates and Bell Times 

Please note important dates and times listed below for the 2027 School Year. The School Calendar will be available on the School Website by the conclusion of the School Term. 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, support and commitment to our school community. Together, we continue to provide meaningful opportunities for our children to learn, grow and flourish.

In gratitude, 

Gina Burns
Principal 

2027 Term Dates and Pupil Free Days 

Term One 2027  

Staff commence: Monday 25 January 2027:  

Australia Day Public Holiday: Tuesday 26 January  

Pupil Free Day: Wednesday 27 January 2027: On this day:  

• Shaking off the nerves (K-Year 6) 8.30 am – 9.30 am  

Students Commence: Thursday 28 January 2027  

Pupil Free Day (School and OSHC closed): Tuesday 2 March 2027 (Monday 1 March, Labour Day Public Holiday)  

Easter (School and OSHC are closed): Good Friday: Friday 26 March, Easter Sunday: Sunday 28 March, Easter Monday: Monday 29 March, Easter Tuesday: Tuesday 30 March 

Pupil Free Day (School and OSHC closed): Monday 5 April 2027: On this day:  

• Parent Teacher Interviews will be held throughout this day. Interviews can occur in person or via phone/TEAMs)  

Term One Concludes for Staff and Students: Friday 9 April 2027  

Term Two   

Staff and Students Commence: Tuesday 27 April 2027    

Pupil Free Day (School and OSHC Closed): Friday 4 June 2027  

Term 2 Concludes for Students: Friday 25 June 2027  

Term 2 Concludes for Staff: Monday 28 June 2027  

Term Three   

Staff and Students Commence: Monday 19 July 2027  

Catholic Day for Staff – (School and OSHC is closed): Friday 20 August 2027  

Pupil Free Day (School and OSHC Closed): Monday 23 August 2027  

Term Concludes for Staff and Students: Friday 24 September 2027  

Term Four   

Staff and Students Commence: Monday 11 October 2027  

Term Concludes for Students: Friday 10 December 2027  

Term Concludes for Staff: Friday 17 December 2027  

2027 Bell Times 

In order to accommodate the Mid Year Three Week Break in 2027, an extra 2 minutes has been added onto each day. Please note the official commencement of the school day has been altered.  

(Changes are in red to show the incorporated extra 2 minutes of instruction.)  

 COLUMBA RUNNERS WINDUP

For all of our Columba Runners families that are not on our Facebook page, please note that we will be having a windup and trophy presentation to end the season.

Details: Sunday October 25, 2pm at Sandy Beach Reserve.

Can parents please provide a plate to share by last name:
A-K savoury plate
L-Z sweet plate

Also if you will be bringing a GLUTEN FREE option, we please ask you to label your share item as such so the GF children and parents have some options.

Please RSVP by Monday 19th October so we can cater for those in attendance, late RSVPs can’t be catered for. Those families who are not on Facebook, we kindly ask that you please seek out a Runners family from your year group that is,

so they can tell us the amount from your family attending and post it to the invite on our page.

We can’t wait to finish off a great season of running.

Jaimie & Melissa

Assistant Principal's Updates

Smart Glasses in Catholic Schools

This week you should have received a message via Seesaw regarding information regarding the use of Smart Glasses in Catholic Schools. Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) has confirmed that smart glasses will be prohibited in Catholic schools from Monday 12 October 2026.

This follows the Western Australian Government’s decision to prohibit smart glasses in public schools and reflects CEWA’s commitment to maintaining safe, respectful and secure learning environments for students and staff.

Smart glasses are wearable devices that may incorporate technology such as cameras, microphones, internet connectivity, artificial intelligence and recording or communication capabilities. Their use may create risks relating to privacy, child safety and wellbeing, unauthorised recording or sharing of information, information security and the integrity of learning and assessment.

For more information, please refer to the letter sent via Seesaw.

Mrs Leesa Vinciullo

APRE and Inclusive Education Coordinator

Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au

P & F News

A MASSIVE thank you to all our amazing Disco volunteers last week! 🪩💃

From door lists and security to handing out pizza, organising the setup and DJ, there are so many moving parts that go into making these events happen.

We genuinely couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers, so to everyone who lent a helping hand…THANK YOU!!! 💖

A quick reminder that our next P&F meeting is Tuesday 27th October at 6:30pm in the school library.

We’d love to see you there! Everyone is welcome, so please come along.

Thanks,

The P&F team

Pastoral Care

Award Winners

MERIT CERTIFICATES – Term 4, Week 2

Congratulations to all the recipients of this week’s Merit Certificates:
 

PP Green – Hank Brindle, Madison Hayward, Aston Lee,
PP White – Thomas De Paula Couto, Giorgia Holmes, Edward Kourtesis, Jack Payne

1 Green – Ronan Elliott, Gus Fort, Izzy Glare, Vera Pirone
1 White – Hunter Kemmy, Brigid Murphy Grace, Noah O’Hart,

2 Green – Liam Chipperfield, Milly Congdon, Clarisse Hong, Clara Pearson
2 White – Esme Crookes, Max Isautier, Akira Romeo, Saoirse Stafford

3 Green – Paige Booth, Jake Bouteloup, Isla Elliott, Jude Hoogland
3 White – Julia Fantoni, Andrea Gunawan, Flynn Hartus, Ffion Humphreys, Holly Magee, Archie Raynor, Leo Sharrinovski

4 Green – Jax Fermanis, Riley Goulding, Jesse Smith, Caiden Thompson Mewburn
4 White – Ezekiel Byrde, Astor Foley, Oscar Harris, Otis Knox

5 Green – Mila Fernandez, Felix Juniper, Mia Paulus, Ayden Shabani, Mackenzie Strachan, Hugo Zachar
5 White – Tessa Cavalli, Zara Fantoni, Nate Hoogland, Oliver Minchin, Asher Shrivastava

6 Green – Savannah Ceric, Mia Harstrom, Tom Ross, Jonathon Truong, Evie Zekas-Crooks
6 White – Simeon Alugbin, Matilda Meenan, Quill O’Brien, Aleksander Tuma

Class News

From our Sport Classes

Get ready for a fantastic Term 4 in Physical Education! We have an exciting term ahead, packed with movement, skill-building and plenty of fun.

Our Pre-Primary and Year 1 students will be flipping, balancing, and bouncing their way through gymnastics sessions run by Star Mites to start the term, developing their coordination, balance and confidence.

Our Year 5 students will also have the opportunity to take part in the AusBike program, thanks to our parents from the Your Move program for organising this! Students can build their cycling skills, develop confidence on two wheels, and learn more about riding safely.

For our Term 4 sports, we’ll be doing touch football and cricket! Students will have the chance to develop their skills in a range of activities and games.

It’s shaping up to be a term full of energy, learning, and smiles! We can’t wait to see everyone giving things a go, challenging themselves and finishing the year on a high.

From our Digital Technologies

This week, our students are participating in Be Digitally Wise Week, developing the skills needed to stay safe, respectful and responsible online. Students are taking part in exciting cyber safety incursions, a treasure hunt, a poster competition and the creation of a school-wide digital citizenship video. Check out some of the fantastic learning and creativity happening across our school!

Please see the community St Columba’s facebook page for the recent ‘Be Digitally Wise” video that was created.

Poster competition winners are attached. Thea Year 5 and Ava Year 6.

See the below posters for some ‘Be Digitally Wise’ community tips.

Student Achievements

CONGRATULATIONS

🎾 Tennis Star on the Rise! 🎾

A huge congratulations to Juliana Versaico 5W, who was awarded Bayswater Tennis Club’s 2026 ‘Most Promising Girl’ at the Club Champions presentations on the weekend! 🏆

Jules is making quite an impression on the court already hitting the ball almost as hard as the ladies! 💪🎾 With her talent, determination & passion for the game, she certainly has a bright future ahead.

Well done Jules! We can’t wait to see where your tennis journey takes you! 🌟

Community Notices