Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Hoping that you are safe and well and that as a family you have found a rhythm to each day that is both functional and sustainable.
CEDoW Director of Schools Mr Peter Hil sent to our teaching colleagues during the week an inspirational message of Hope, that embraced a sense of community, love and commitment to Faith. Referring to the words of Pope Francis, Mr Hill outlined the collective despair, isolation and ongoing struggles that we all face and yet in all of this, we can discover and engage with the very best of the human spirit - gestures of kindness, compassion, peace, reconciliation and hope. As a school community may we invest in hope as a way of thinking, a process that will guide and support us in our faith, purpose and humility.
We have been enjoying a wonderful week at St Columbkille's and have much to be grateful for and to celebrate. Each of our Weekly Zoom Check-Ins have been a combination of sharing weekend stories, kahoots, Who Am I games, questionably funny jokes and outlines for the day and/or weekly tasks. Year 1 went on a Virtual Space excursion, our Students Representative Council are cleverly exploring ideas for each of their assigned classes, a group of Stage 3 students have been invited to the UN Sustainable Development Goals Zoom Meeting and we celebrated our 2nd Zoom Award Assembly this morning. Next week, we are looking froward to celebrating Book Week and the start of the Paralympics.
In relation to student attendance onsite, please refer to the attached co-signed letter - CEDoW SCC Student Attendance. Within this letter is information referring to students needing to attend school on-site and is supported by current NSW Health Level 4 restrictions. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact me directly at colquhounb01@dow.catholic.edu
A reminder regarding Student Remote Learning Expectations. As outlined in the Term 3 Week 4 Newsletter - SCC Remote Learning Expectations, students have clear expectations re: registering attendance and submitting learning tasks. Below are the key points outlined in the SCC Student Remote Learning expectations.
- Follow a daily routine for learning: Be ready to learn at 9am, following the grade timetable and register their daily attendance via google classrooms
- Identify a safe, comfortable, quiet space in their home where they can work effectively (access to internet, power, appropriate lighting, and ventilation
- Regularly monitor digital platforms and communication to check for announcements and feedback from teachers
- Complete tasks with integrity and academic honesty, doing your best work
- Submit a minimum of three learning tasks per day (Religious Education, English and Mathematics). Failure to do so will result in absenteeism being recorded
- Doing their best to meet timelines, commitments, and due dates with teachers following-up with student non-engagement with their learning
Below are 2 quotes that currently resonate with me. They embody compassion, understanding, empathy and sense of community. I hope that they may hold some sediment for you.
'Be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle'. - Plato
'If you want to walk fast, walk alone, but you want to walk far, walk together'. - African Proverb
Thank you for your consistent and ongoing support, patience and dedication to the welfare and learning needs of our students.
Brad Colquhoun - Principal