Principal's Post

Welcome everyone to Week 5 of the Term. Yes, I know, it is flying. I mean, here I am on a Wednesday afternoon having forgotten it was Tuesday yesterday, which is normally when I would get into the Donegal. Problem is, I was so tired last night that I was snoozing by 7.30 pm, and I do not have young kids, so I can imagine the pace you are going at. Hope you are finding some rest. Not sure how you find it, but hope you find some in your week. You are all amazing, so remember kindness and gentleness on self is important.

And I guess this is where this quote comes in. This Psalm does bring us the hope that as busy as it is for all of us, God will whisper to calm the waters for us. It is amazing the resilience we have all built throughout this year. We probably do not even think about it, but there is so much goodness around at the moment that it is tangible. Like I can sense it. I know you can too, because I see it every day in the gentleness and care.

Funny, today I was speaking to a group of our boys who are just struggling a bit with each other. Not a catastrophe or anything, but just a struggle. The challenge for them is how do they keep kindness in the midst of some frustrations they may have with each other. It was the best conversation of my day. Such genuine kids. The interesting part for me was how one of the young lads was the calm in the storm. He had a calmness about him. Maybe these are the moments the psalm is speaking of, as the next five minutes of conversation brought with it some peacefulness, with a couple of moments of laughter that broke the tension. See how they go today and tomorrow to get to the weekend. They also looked so tired. I think it is just the time of the year and the amount that is happening for them.

With Remembrance Day being acknowledged at a respectful and reverent service, there was again a hushed silence throughout. I walked out of my office into the undercover area to silence. There was not a sound. Very special. Our kids get stuff and show such understanding. To our Year 6 kids and Miss Klatt, who prepared the ceremony, it was pretty special. Our kids sang with passion and listened with intent. I spoke to the kids about how we have in our motto at St Columba’s School, ‘Live in Peace’, and how we are called to be this with everyone. We gave thanks for those that have served in the past and present and asked God to bless all people with courage and kindness. Our Pre-Primary kids were so special, as I was talking about what we are called to do, and there were PPs quietly saying the word ‘kindness’. I mean, what quality humans we are all creating here as families and staff, but this just topped how true it is. Out of the mouths of our young ones can bring us back to the earth and connect back in to what is the truth. That truth is ‘ubuntu’, which is about bringing peace, kindness and compassion to every situation.

Gate Access Change

Please note the school gate in the staff car park between the OSHC and Year 5/6 building will now only be accessed by families using the OSHC and by staff. This gate is no longer an access point in and out of the school grounds. This is to ensure student safety. We appreciate your cooperation and support in noting this change is 100% focused on the safety of our children.

Interschool Carnival Result

Congratulations to our Interschool Athletics Team on their outstanding performance at the Interschool Carnival on Friday. St Columba’s School were the overall champions for 2020. We also took out the Boys Championship shield. Once again, and like I have said already in this Post, St Col’s kids set a standard in behaviour and sportsmanship that makes us all realise just what quality humans we have in our midst. This is a credit to them, but also our families and staff. Special thanks to Jo McCluskey and the staff who attended on the day. Everyone works as a team and that makes it a great day!

Booklists 2021

The booklists will be rolled out like 2020, with bulk orders being set by the teachers. Parents will receive details later in the year regarding payment for student supplies for 2021.

Class Lists 2021

As with every year, teachers work together to organise class lists for 2021. Many variables are worked in to manage these class allocations of our students. Teachers are focused on what is best for their students. These will be out later in the term in time for our transition day on Monday 7 December. Staffing allocations will also be released the week before our transition morning.

End of Year Mass and Concert

As we head into the end of the year, COVID_19 restrictions may impact on the end of year Mass and Edudance concert. The EOY Mass may be changed to an assembly where we will farewell our Year 6s and our families leaving St Col’s. This is planned for Thursday 3 December. This may have restrictions in place on attendance. We are planning for our Edudance concert to be held on Friday 4 December. There may be the need for the 2020 concert to also be restricted to two adults, plus older siblings. This will be confirmed closer to the date. We think there may be some more information come up this weekend, and will be flexible in adapting to what restrictions are set or lifted.

School Board and Parents and Friends 2021 Nomination Forms

Attached to this newsletter are nomination forms for the School Advisory Council and P and F Executive Roles. Please complete these if you wish to nominate. Once nominations are in, you will be contacted with details of the process. If there are more nominations than vacant positions, then an election will be held at the AGM. If you nominate, you will be required at the AGM on Wednesday 25 November at 6.00 pm.

Outstanding School Fees 2020

School fees are required to be finalised by 30 November 2020. Families who are not on a direct debit, repayment plan or have previously made alternative arrangements, please ensure that payment is made in full by Monday 30 November 2020.

If you are unable to pay the account in full, please contact Peta Santella on 9208 2705 or email peta.santella@cewa.edu.au.

Thank you to all our families for the support with school fee collection in 2020.

Your attention and co-operation to this matter is appreciated.

With much happening, both at school and in life, I wish you the best as we all head into the waters that may be stormy at times, and a gentleness to hush those waves that come rolling our way.

Take care and look after yourself.

Art

P & F News

Pastoral Care

Award Winners

Term 4, Week 4

PP Green – Xavier Balm, Emma North, Senumitha Ratnayake
PP White – Leo Cameron, Alexis Del Borrello, Alexander Lilleyman

1 Green – Shishir Berigai, Stella Kent
1 White – Richie De Mello, Agnes Preedy, Kirana Stahl, Harriet Webb

2 Green – Hannah Hinks, Sebastian Kaless, Filip Kryachok
2 White – Braelyn Carruthers, Gethin Humphreys, Arthur Pitter, Giorgia Trevenen

3 Green – Grace Hamilton, Xavier Robinson, Emily Salt
3 White – Eliza Joewono, Blake Poletti, Elizabeth Wright

4 Green – Sidney Carter, James Giuffre, Leon Migliore
4 White – Max Kryachok, Manon Miller, Kate Rattray

5 Green – Joshua Castellano
5 White – Oliver Cornish

6 Green – Lilyanne Chudzik
6 White – Katarina Tomich, Fionn Veale

Community Notices

TRINITY COLLEGE OPEN MORNING – THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2020

Discover Trinity College at our Open Morning on Thursday, 19 November 2020 to learn more about the unique TC Spirit and the vast curricular and co-curricular opportunities that the College has to offer. The Open Morning begins with a welcome address, followed by a student-guided tour and finishes with refreshments and Q&A with the admissions team and teaching staff. We look forward to meeting you! Please note that your son is welcome to attend the Open Morning. You can register directly via our website https://www.trinity.wa.edu.au/enrolments/tour-trinity/open-day. You can also email registrar@trinity.wa.edu.au or call 9223 8120.

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Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays.

VacSwim in January offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations during the long break. Not only are they a great school holiday activity, they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.

Your children can start as young as five years old.

Don’t wait! Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

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Classifieds