Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you are well, and that both you and your child/ren have enjoyed what has been a sensational start to the term and school year.  It has been wonderful see the school come to life again with the enthusiasm, joy and energy that our students bring. Thank you to both our parents, grandparents and staff for their support in making the start to 2020 such a successful and positive one.

We welcome many new families to our school community. Welcome to the Vu, Robinson-Roach, Jackson familes, as well as our new Kindergarten familes; Caughey, Faulkner, Franklin, Milne, Scekic, Worthington (Charlie), Worthington (Hunter), Barclay, Brescianini, Bui, Elliott, Hammet, Hartup, Karakolevski, Martelozzo, McIndoe, Murray, Switaj-Zwolinski.

On Wednesday, we welcomed the Kindergarten class of 2020 to our St Columbkille’s school community. Thank you to our staff, parents and grandparents for their organisation, energy and commitment in making this possible. It was great to see so many parents, grandparents and friends present to celebrate the start of a new journey for our Kindergarten students and their families. We thank you for choosing our school to share this journey and look forward to many celebrations and working together through the challenging times that life at school brings.

In relation to staffing, we welcome our back Mrs Stephenson (Dance/Drama) and Mrs Barrett (6G), along with our new staff members Mrs Calvert (2B), Mrs Griggs (3G), Mrs Hennock (Reading Recovery) and Mrs Olima (Physical Education).  

Our Parent Information Evening will be held during Catholic Schools Week on Tuesday 3 March from 6pm for Years 1 to 6, with Kindergarten on Monday 17 February at 4pm.  This is an opportunity to connect with class teachers and gain a greater understanding about your child/rens learning.

This afternoon we celebrated the induction of our Year 6 students leaders with our leadership presentation in the Monsignor Downey Hall. Thank you Mrs Disibio, Mrs Tyrrell, Mrs Herring, Mrs Gaffney and Mrs Barrett for supporting the students throughout today's presentation, and to the parents and grandparents for your presence and active participation. I wish the Year 6 students every success in their new roles as leaders within our community.

School Review and Improvement is a process of self-evaluation, targeted growth and performance across a given year. We have developed ‘School Action Plans’ that outline our strategic intent for 2020. These plans (listed below) include the areas and components that we will be working towards successfully achieving. If you have any questions in relation to these plans, please let me know.

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Week 4, our Year 6 students will will leave for the annual excursion to Berry Sport and Recreation Camp. The Year 6 students along with Mrs Gaffney, Mrs Barrett, Mrs Tyrrell and myself are looking forward to three sensational days of teamwork, leadership opportunities, testing challenges and lots of fun. Thank you to the staff who given up their own time to attend and to parent/carers for giving their children this exciting opportunity.

Once again, welcome to the start of the 2020 school year. 

Enjoy our weekend.

Take care

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal