Principal's Post

Dear Community of St Columba’s,

All Saints’ Day – Sunday 1 November 

As a faith community, we celebrate All Saints’ Day on Sunday 1 November. Many people are surprised to learn that Halloween and All Saints’ Day are connected. The word ‘Halloween’ comes from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before All Saints’ Day. Traditionally, it marked the beginning of a special time in the Church when Christians remembered the saints and prayed for those who had died.  

While today Halloween is often celebrated with costumes and fun activities, its origins are found in the Christian tradition of preparing for All Saints’ Day, a feast that honours the many holy men and women whose lives continue to inspire us through their faith, courage and service to others. The saints remind us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things through faith, kindness, courage and service to others. 

As we celebrate All Saints’ Day, may we be inspired by their example and strive to live with compassion, integrity and hope, using our own gifts to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.

Interschool Athletics Carnival 

Tomorrow, our students will proudly represent St Columba’s at the Interschool Athletics Carnival. We are incredibly proud of each of our students for the commitment, perseverance and sportsmanship you have shown in preparing for this event. Thank you to Mr Banks and all parents who have supported the early morning training sessions for this event. 

Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication regarding event dates, members of the Leadership Team will be unable to attend the carnival to cheer you on in person. Please know that we will be thinking of you throughout the day and are incredibly proud of your efforts and achievements. 

We know you will wear your St Columba’s colours with pride and be outstanding representatives of our school. Whether you are running, jumping, throwing or supporting from the sidelines, we wish you every success. 

Good luck, have fun, support one another, and give it your very best.

Thank you to P&F 2026 Executive 

As we approach the conclusion of another successful year, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our P&F Executive for their dedication, generosity and commitment to the St Columba’s community. Together, Annie, Justine, Bridie, Kally and Steph have made a significant contribution to our school community. Their leadership, generosity and willingness to serve have supported countless opportunities for our students and families and helped foster the strong sense of community we value at St Columba’s. 

Annie stepped into the role of Chair as a co-opted member at the beginning of the year and quickly embraced the responsibilities of the position. Her organisation, planning and preparation ensured meetings were purposeful, productive and ran to schedule.  

Justine’s expertise in managing the finances of the P&F has been invaluable. Her careful number crunching, attention to detail and ability to forecast annual income and expenses have provided a strong foundation for sound financial decision-making and ensured the continued success of many P&F initiatives. 

Bridie has brought thoughtful leadership and wise counsel to the Executive. Her ability to carefully consider all perspectives, listen to the views of others and contribute balanced, considered feedback ensured decisions are made with the best interests of the whole community in mind.  

Kally and Steph also joined the P&F in co-opted positions at the commencement of the year. Working as an effective duo, they diligently documented meeting discussions, verified minutes and provided clear and useful summaries for members. Their attention to detail and commitment to accurate communication ensured Executive decisions and actions were well recorded and accessible to all. 

On behalf of our entire school community, thank you to all members of the P&F Executive for your service, partnership and dedication throughout the year. Your support is greatly appreciated and has helped make St Columba’s the welcoming and connected community it is today.  

At the conclusion of this year, all P&F positions will become vacant. Further in this newsletter, you will find information regarding the nomination process for those interested in joining the P&F Executive or serving in a P&F role. I encourage parents to consider becoming involved and contributing to the vibrant community spirit that exists at St Columba’s. 

Thank you to our Columba Runners Committee 

As another successful year of Columba Runners ends, I would like to extend my thanks to the dedicated parents who have coordinated this wonderful initiative throughout the year. 

Columba Runners has provided students with the opportunity to develop healthy habits, challenge themselves, build resilience and enjoy being active in a fun and supportive environment. The enthusiasm and encouragement shown by our volunteers each week have helped make the program a highlight for many students. 

A special thank you to Melissa Garrett and Jaimie Van Emmerloot, who have generously given their time and energy to ensure the smooth operation of Columba Runners. From organising volunteers and coordinating weekly sessions to motivating students to achieve their personal best, their dedication has been instrumental to the program’s success. 

Programs such as Columba Runners thrive because of parents who are willing to contribute their time and talents for the benefit of others. As Melissa and Jaimie conclude their roles, I would also like to acknowledge and thank the incoming team who have generously agreed to coordinate Columba Runners in 2027: Justine Raynor, Bridie Stazzonelli, Laura Billington, Tammy Meenan and Kathleen Piachaud. Their willingness to step forward ensures that this much-loved program will continue to provide opportunities for students to be active, connected and engaged. 

On behalf of our students, staff and families, thank you to everyone who has contributed to Columba Runners this year. Your generosity and commitment are deeply appreciated.  

Changes to Annual Community Meetings and Membership Appointment Process  

We wish to inform you of a change to the operation of Catholic School Advisory Councils (CSACs) and Parents and Friends Groups (P&Fs), following recent updates from Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA). 

As part of CEWA’s commitment to streamline practices, it has been determined that from 2026, Annual Community Meetings (ACMs) for CSACs and P&Fs will no longer be held. This change follows feedback regarding low attendance and participation throughout Western Australia, and stronger practices to promote community engagement, transparency and collaboration in Catholic schools.   

What does this mean for our school community? 

Rather than an ACM, the School will provide an Annual Community Report (ACR) to all families. This will include: 

• Key updates on school strategies and activities 

• The annual budget, including fee increases (for CSAC) and (if practicable) a summary of P&F financial activity 

• Summary of the year’s events by the Principal, CSAC Chair and (if practicable) P&F President, and 

• Announcement of election results for CSAC and P&F positions.  

Information about the nomination and election or appointment process for CSAC and P&F Committee members will be delivered at the start of Term 4 each year. The process is outlined below: 

•  These elections or appointments for CSAC and P&F Committee members will be conducted by either:
  1.  Election at a School Meeting (P&F only) This option may only be used for P&F Committees, as all members of the school community are eligible to attend. This is to either take place at last meeting of 2026 or the first meeting of 2027.
  2.  Conducted via an electronic ballot (For CSAC and where appropriate for P&F)
• With clear nomination and voting periods.  
• By principal appointment, if no nominations are received (with rationale provided). 
• All vacancies, outcomes and the final composition of the CSAC and P&F Committee will be communicated to the school community.  

 In 2026 elections will be conducted for both the CSAC and P&F by electronic ballot.

Catholic school parents and community members have a significant role in our community.  It is intended for these approaches to enhance participation and move to more contemporary practices to assure that we communicate core school information more broadly. 

Should you have any queries, please contact feedback@cewa.edu.au  

2027 School Term Dates and Bell Times 

For those that may have missed this in last week’s Donegal, please find dates repeated at the bottom of this post. 

Upcoming Events 

• Thursday 29 October: Interschool Athletics Carnival; 

            -Year 1 Excursion to Landsdale Farm; 

            -Year 5 Bicycle Lessons 

• Friday 30 October: World Teacher Appreciation Day  

• Thursday 5 November: Afternoon of Notables Presentation by GATE Students, 1.30 pm. 

In gratitude, 

Gina Burns
Principal 

Nominations for Catholic School Advisory Council  

I invite you all to consider nomination to the Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC). Involvement with the CSAC is very rewarding and gives you the opportunity to be closely associated with the school.    

There are three elected positions available on the CSAC for 2027.  

A CSAC provides parents and community members with structured ways to provide support and expertise to the Principal and School Leadership Team.   

The CSAC operates in accordance with the CSAC Terms of Reference, Quality Catholic Education, Policies, Executive Directives, and the Delegations of Authority. The CSAC is accountable to the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA).   

The CSAC must carry out the following functions:  

• Support planning for the present and future operation of the Catholic school.   
• Provide membership, at the principal’s request, on selection panels for the employment of staff to the Catholic school in accordance with the relevant CECWA Policies and Executive Directives.
  
• Provide membership on the panel that recommends the appointment of a principal in accordance with the relevant CECWA Policy and Executive Directives.   
  
• In consultation with the principal, communicate about the Catholic School and about Catholic education to persons and organisations in the School Community. 
  
• Endorse the catholic school’s annual budget before submission to CECWA for approval; and   
  
• Advise the Principal on school financial matters such as performance against budget, sustainability, and capital and recurrent planning.

Nominees to the CSAC should possess:   

• A commitment and desire to promote Catholic education and give service to the Catholic School Community.   

• A commitment to the safety, well-being, and pastoral care of all students and staff.   

• An ability to work co-operatively and constructively with the principal, school leadership team, and all other members of the Advisory Council.   

• The possession of skills, competencies, and experience that are reflective of, relevant, and beneficial to the Catholic School Community; and   

• A sufficiency of time to devote to Advisory Council duties.

 The CSAC meets once a term on a Tuesday evening.   

For further information, please refer to the Terms of Reference for the Catholic School Advisory Council located at Terms of Reference – Catholic School Advisory Committee  

Nominations should be expressed in writing to the Principal via gina.burns@cewa.edu.au by Thursday 5 November 2026.

Nominations for Parents and Friends Committee  

The Parents and Friends Committee (P&F) directs its energies to friendship, fundraising, and other community activities to support the operation of the school.     

There are four elected positions available on the P&F for 2027, Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.   

All parents of enrolled students at the school are considered general members of the P&F.   

The P&F is led by a volunteer group of parents, each of whom is elected to office bearer positions. These people are identified as P&F Committee members.   

The P&F Committee membership conditions are:   

(a) a commitment and desire to promote Catholic education.   

(b) a commitment and desire to give service to the school.   

(c) a commitment to the safety, wellbeing and pastoral care of all students and staff.   

(d) an ability to work cooperatively and constructively with the principal, school leadership team, the School Advisory Council and other members of the P&F; and   

(e) a sufficiency of time to devote to P&F duties.  

The P&F Committee should be comprised of four to six plus the Principal or their delegate.   

The P&F Committee must consist of the following office bearers:   

(a) Chair.  

(b) Deputy Chair.   

(c) Secretary.   

(d) Treasurer; and  

(e) P&F Representative to the Catholic School Advisory Council 

The P&F meet approximately once a month on Tuesday evening.     

For further information, please refer to the Terms of Reference at P&F Terms of Reference  

Nominations for the P&F should be expressed in writing to the Principal via gina.burns@cewa.edu.au by Thursday 5 November 2026. 

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.)  

Assistant Principal's Updates

UR STRONG
AFTER SCHOOL CONVO STARTERS

“How was school today?” Good. “What did you do?” Nothing. (Sound familiar? Let’s dig a little deeper with these questions!)

Sometimes it’s like talking to a brick wall after your kids come home from school. You want to connect with them, but they aren’t quite ready to open up and connect with you.

Just like we need to unwind after a big day at work, kids need this time and space as well to transition and come down from the intensity of school. Some children even experience what’s called, After-School Restraint Collapse, a term coined by Andrea Loewen Nair (Counsellor and Parenting Educator). ASRC is characterised by an emotional meltdown that results from a full day of self-regulating, following rules, and essentially being a “good student”.  Not an ideal time to have a conversation!

After giving your child time to relax, here are a few creative questions to get a little more information about their day at school:

1. Tell me about your day.
2. What was the best thing that happened at school today?
3. Tell me one thing you learned today.
4. Did anything make you laugh today? Tell me about it.
5. How did you help someone today?
6. What was hard today?
7. Describe what you did at recess.
8. Did you have any Friendship Fires today? Tell me about it.
9. Where is your friendship on the Friend-o-meter with _____ today?
10. Did you have a cool conversation with your teacher today? What did you discuss?

Choose one or two to ask, but be sure not to inundate your child with too many questions. Your goal is to connect with them, show them you care, and give them space to open up.

Happy chatting! 🙂

Written by Dana Kerford

Friendship Expert and Founder, URSTRONG

https://urstrong.com/resource/after-school-convo-starters/

Mrs Leesa Vinciullo

APRE and Inclusive Education Coordinator

Leesa.Vinciullo@cewa.edu.au

P & F News

A Big Thank You from the P&F! 🩷

The P&F held our final meeting of the year this week, and we’d like to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who attended our meetings, supported our events and contributed to our wonderful school community throughout the year.

A special shoutout to our incredible volunteers! Whether you were handing out pizza at the school disco, selling baked goods at the sports carnival, organising catering for our Mother’s and Father’s Day mornings, or lending a hand behind the scenes…we couldn’t do it without you!

It’s these little acts of kindness and generosity that make our school community so special, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who gave up their time to help make our events a success.

Thank you for another wonderful year! We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings.

Thanks,

The P&F team

Library News

“A massive thank you to our wonderful family volunteers below who spent time covering and protecting our library collection. Covering hundreds of books is no easy task, but your dedication ensures our students can borrow their favourite tales all year long.”

• de Courcier
• Elliott
• Khoo
• Lumsden
• Nebel
• Patton
• Webb

If you are able to help out in 2027 please contact the library.  All precut contact is supplied.

Looking forward to your continued support in 2027 in reaching as many students as possible with the gift of reading!

Sincerest thanks

Rita Cuthbert

Library

(Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)

Pastoral Care

Class News

From our Music Classes

Student Achievements

CONGRATULATIONS

September 2026 was a memorable month for Joana and her team, East Perth Eagles U12-2 Girls team.

After an outstanding season, they capped off their campaign by winning the WABL Grand Final, defeating the Willetton Tigers by 9 points to become champions of their division.

Joana played a pivotal role in the team’s success and was recognised for her exceptional performance on the biggest stage, earning the Grand Final Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Her achievements did not stop there. In recognition of her dedication, consistency, and contribution throughout the season, Joana was also named Season MVP for her team by her club, East Perth Eagles.

Winning a premiership, a Grand Final MVP award, and a Season MVP award in the same year is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to Joana’s hard work, skill, and commitment to her team.

Community Notices