Dear Community of St Columba’s,
Many thanks to our Year One students and staff for leading yesterday’s assembly and providing our school community with a meaningful reflection on the significance of Remembrance Day.
Together, we paused to honour and remember the men and women who have served their country in times of war, conflict and peacekeeping. We give thanks for their courage, sacrifice and selfless commitment, often placing the needs of others before their own.
Remembrance Day also reminds us of the importance of working towards peace in our world. We pray for all who continue to serve and for leaders across the globe, that they may choose understanding over division, compassion over hatred and dialogue over conflict.
We are called to be peacemakers in our daily lives. Through our words, actions and example, may we continue to foster the values of respect, forgiveness, justice and kindness in our students.
We remember especially those from our own families and communities who have served in defence of others. May their service and sacrifice never be forgotten.
Parents and Friends Group
Recently, I announced vacancies on both the P&F and Catholic School Advisory Council and called for nominations. We received one nomination for the position of P&F Chairperson and no other nominations.
Congratulations to Annie Johnson who has been fulfilling this role in an acting capacity and has provided outstanding leadership and support to our school community during that time. In accordance with the amended P&F Terms of Reference, and with no other nominations received, I am delighted to formally appoint Annie as P&F President.
On behalf of our school community, I thank Annie for their ongoing commitment and generous service to St Columba’s.
Annie and I will work together early next year to fill the remaining vacant positions and continue strengthening the parent partnership that plays such an important role in the life of our school.
Catholic School Advisory Council
We received four nominations for the three vacant positions on the Catholic School Advisory Council (CSAC). As the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies, an election will be conducted via electronic ballot, commencing on Thursday 12 November and concluding on Thursday 19 November.
I would like to sincerely thank the following parents for their willingness to serve our school community through their nomination:
- Damian Cullura
- John Coniglio
- Rebecca Laffrey
- Michael Lee
Information regarding the election process, including nominee profiles and voting instructions, will be emailed to all families via SEQTA on Thursday 12 November. We encourage all families to participate in the ballot (maximum of two votes per family) and thank our nominees for their commitment to supporting the mission and future direction of our school.
Parking
As we continue to work together to ensure the safety of all members of our school community, we kindly ask parents and carers to take extra care when parking around the school.
Please ensure that your vehicle is parked only in designated and permitted parking areas and that footpaths always remain clear. Parking across or on footpaths creates safety risks for pedestrians, particularly our students, families with prams, and community members who rely on clear access.
We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone before and after school. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration of others.
Upcoming Events
- Thursday 19 November: Year 5 Excursion to Fremantle Prison
In gratitude,
Gina Burns
Principal
Assistant Principal's Updates
HAS YOUR PROTECTIVE INSTINCT KICKED IN?:
Parents, Has Your Protective Instinct Kicked In?
It’s very normal for your protective instinct (Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn) to kick in when your child shares challenges in their friendships. In this article, learn more helpful ways to coach your child towards healthy, feel-good friendships.
https://urstrong.com/giving-advice-when-your-protective-instinct-has-kicked-in/
SCHOOL PHOTOS
All photos are currently still available to purchase, but they will be removed from our website at the end of Term 4 in readiness for next year.
Mrs Leesa Vinciullo
APRE and Inclusive Education Coordinator
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
Happy Birthday to:
The following students who will celebrate birthday’s in the coming week:
Banksia Graham PPG
Julie Nguyen PPW
Arden O’Reilly 2G
Ada Marie 3G
Annabel Paulus 3W
Holly Magee 3W
Hudson Fernandez 4G
Max Dessauvagie 4G
Marcus Tang 4W
Monica Jaramillo Restrepo 5G
Maximo Pizzata 5W
Megan Hutton 5W
Asher Felton 6G
WEEKLY RAFFLE ROSTER
TERM 4
Week 5 – 11 November
Week 6 – 18 November
| Kindy Green | Week 5 – Patrick Olds Week 6 – Alby Pardini |
| Kindy White | Week 5 – Nylah Ta Week 6 – Benjamin Tan |
| PP Green | Week 5 – Isla Quispe Week 6 – Logan Salt |
| PP White | Week 5 – Azbileg Telmuun Week 6 – Orla Tierney |
| Year 1 Green | Week 5 – Zara Parker Week 6 – Finn Patten |
| Year 1 White | Week 5 – Charlie Walker Week 6 – Harrison White |
| Year 2 Green | Week 5 – Ezra Smart Week 6 – Ofelia Stenvers Byrne |
| Year 2 White | Week 5 – Adam Tuma Week 6 – Samuel Smith |
| Year 3 Green | Week 5 – Edith Parks Week 6 – Cillian Tierney |
| Year 3 White | Week 5 – Ezra Ta Week 6 – Molly Veale |
| Year 4 Green | Week 5 – Samuel Kootje Week 6 – Caiden Thompson Mewburn |
| Year 4 White | Week 5 – Alliah Parker Week 6 – Matilda Stahl |
| Year 5 Green | Week 5 – Jenson Kootje Week 6 – Mackenzie Strachan |
| Year 5 White | Week 5 – Maria Wai Week 6 – Roisin Veale |
| Year 6 Green | Week 5 – Lucia O’Toole Week 6 – Anzo Tan |
| Year 6 White | Week 5 – William Parks Week 6 – Millie Charlett |
Award Winners
MERIT CERTIFICATES – Term 4, Week 5
Congratulations to all the recipients of this week’s Merit Certificates:
PP Green – Banksia Graham, Hendricks Kaler
PP White – Allegra Cameron, Felicity Kruger, Andy Telmuun
1 Green – James Blake, Gursher Lobana, Ruairi Meenan, Hadley Winrow
1 White – Logan Albouni, Darcy Eden, Harrison White
2 Green – Margot Juniper, Declan McGowan, Ezra Smart
2 White – Lyla Bradley, Grace Minchin, Olive Richards
3 Green – Leo Duff, Ada Marie
3 White – Zoe Chin, Oliver Hawke, Kanishka Setty, Sebastian Setzinger, Ezra Ta, Elise Villamar, Georgia Whelan
4 Green – Noah Palmer, Harriet Stazzonelli, Heaven White, Mia Yanez Del Gesso
4 White – Florence Crookes, Adam Nguyen, Alessia Scagnetti, Marcus Tang
5 Green – Katie Kim Oliver, Madelyn Markowski, Talisa Martino Da Fonseca, Owen Metherell, Olivia Molony
5 White – Belle Charlett, Mathea Co, Elliot Lumsden, Reuben Williams
6 Green – Henry Crookes, Ava Gallagher, Grace Howard, Corey Nguyen, William Parks, Abigail Vernon, Evie Zekas-Crooks
6 White – Alexander Khoo, Luca Marrapodi, Max Nguyen, Vaughan O’Reilly, Anzo Tan
Class News
From our Gate Classes
GATE Afternoon of the Notables
Last Thursday, our GATE students took part in an Afternoon of the Notables, where they proudly shared their learning with parents, grandparents, classmates, and staff.
Students presented their chosen notable person and spoke about the impact they have had on the world. It was a lovely afternoon and a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase the hard work they had put into their research and presentations.
I am very proud of the confidence, enthusiasm, and effort shown by all students. Thank you to the families who joined us and helped make the afternoon such a special celebration of learning.
Community Notices
