Dear Parents and Carers, 

It has been a productive and exciting Term 2 filled with loads of new learnings and wonderful learning experiences. As we conclude Term 2, I would like to thank all our students, staff and parents for the contributions made in making our school the great place it is.     

Learning Conversations between students, parents and teachers continued this week. The Conversations have allowed for the opportunity to celebrate learning gains, plan for collaborative support in achieving learning areas for growth and discuss how students are tracking academically and socially. A huge thank you to our staff for making the time outside their working hours to meet with students and families.  

NAIDOC Week 2023 will be held nationally from Sunday 2 July 2023 and continue through to Sunday 9 July 2023 which is during the school holidays and so many of our schools choose to celebrate NAIDOC Week before or after the school holidays.

This year's NAIDOC 2023 theme is For Our Elders.

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role, and hold a prominent place, in our community and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths that we can take today. They influence and inspire us to work for the equality and hope that they fought for.

During NAIDOC, we remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of our country and celebrate their rich cultures and inspiring contributions to Australia.

Thank you to Mrs Herring for work in assisting us to celebrate and acknowledge NAIDOC Week at St Columbkille's through the liturgy held this afternoon.  

Congratulations to our Year 3 students who participated in the Sacrament of Reconcilation yesterday. May they know that God loves them totally and unconditionally, growing in love for God and knowing forgiveness is God's gift to them and to each of us.

Laura Russell, our allocated school counsellor from Catholic Care has taken leave.  Laura and her partner are soon to be first time parents.  We wish Laura and her partner all the very best and hope that baby Russell brings much love and joy. Catholic Care are yet to advise who will take on the role of counsellor for our St Columbkille's students.  

I wish the staff and students a very happy and restful holiday – they all deserve it.  For the parents and carers, I hope that you can relax with your families and spend some extra time with your children, doing things that you don’t usually get the time to do.  I understand that this is can be difficult for families where both parents work outside of the home, but, perhaps the weekends will provide a little extra time, away from the routines.

Have a safe, enjoyable and restful school break! 

Buone Vacanze.

Warm regards, 

Mrs Maria Disibio - Acting Principal