Dear Parents and Carers.

Hope that you are safe, well and have enjoyed a sensational couple of weeks.

Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of guns falling silent on the Western Front in the First World War: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Our nation stands in silent reflection for one minute each year to commemorate and honour those Australians who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations - Lest We Forget

Yesterday at Corrimal RSL Club, Allegra Calmasini, Isaac Ayers (School Captains) and myself had the privileged to represent St Cloulbkille's at the Remembrance Day ceremony. Both Allegra and Isaac supported the service by reading the Prayer of Nation and Prayer of Commendation with great respect and reverence. At school, we observed a minutes silence and each grade held a Remembrance Day Prayer service. 

In Flanders Fields - John McCrae 1872-1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie
        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: 
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high. 
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.

Our Kindergarten Orientation Opportunity will be a wonderful experience that will enable our Kinder 2022 students to meet their teachers and classmates. With NSW Health and CEDoW restrictions easing, students will engage in play activities and be able to familiarise themselves with our school. We are extremely excited to be able to welcome our Kinder 2022 to St Columbkille’s on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 November from 1.45pm to 2.45pm. For more information, please refer to the article below.

After 23 years of dedicated service to St Columbkille's, Mrs Orphin will be retiring at the end of the 2021 school year. Liz has worked tirelessly during this time in supporting teachers and students in the classroom with literacy, numeracy and leading our highly successful Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander K-6 program. Her passion has been working with our Indigenous students, their families and supporting teachers with her expertise, sharing activities and resources.

The aboriginal artwork that we have throughout the school has been inspired by Mrs Orphin with the support of Uncle Kev and her husband Ray. We will all miss 'our Lizzie' - her presence,  kind words, smile, compassion, knowledge and wisdom.  We wish Liz and Ray both health and every happiness moving into the future. Thank you Liz for your suport of our wonderful school - St Columbkille's.

'We are all visitors to this time. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love and then return home'.

Congratulations to Mrs Perre on her successful Middle Leader Appraisal. There were numerous commendations outlined in the report that highlighted Christine’s professional and highly effective approach to her work, along with recommendations to support ongoing learning and growth. Thank you to our support and contributions made via the Middle Leader Parent survey in this appraisal.

Enjoy the next couple of weeks. Stay safe and connected.

Take care

Mr Brad Colquhoun (Principal)