Dear Parent and Carers.

Hope that you are well and have enjoyed the commencement of the festive season.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. Advent is a time of preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ. This most joyous season commenced on Sunday 29 November and will finish on Christmas Eve. It is a time for us to give thanks, reflect on and reaffirm our Faith and pray.

Over the last month, we as a school and Parish community have celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation - Holy Communion and Confirmation. Thank you for the work and support of our parents and grandparents, Father Patrick, Parish Advisors Anna and Mille, Religious Education Coordinator Mrs Herring, Year 3 and 6 teachers and staff for making these sacraments so memorable for our students and their families.  

Next Tuesday in the Casey Ryder Centre, Holy Spirit College Bellambi at 6pm, we will be celebrating our Year 6 students time at St Columbkille's Catholic Primary School, Corrimal. The Year 6 Graduation and Presentation will acknowledge both our Year 6 students and their families for their work, time, effort and support. On Wednesday 16 December at 2:15pm will be holding our Farewell Horseshoe for Year 6 - the last day of school.

The Semester 2 Reports were sent out via Compass on Wednesday. Congratulations to our students for their efforts throughout Terms Three and Four. There have been noticeable learning gains made across K-6 in all Key Learning Areas. Thank you for your work as parents and carers in supporting our staff in their efforts to improve our students academically, socially and emotionally.

We have successfully signed off on our 2020 School Review and Improvement (SRI) priorities via the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong. Our dedicated staff have worked exceptionally hard, through a highly collaborative model, to complete each goal. Below are the four key areas of focus for 2021

Key Area 1: Catholic Life and Religious Education 1.4 Parents, parishes and the broader Church

Goal: The school, parents and parish will work collaboratively so that they will continue to grow in faith and celebrate Catholic life.  

Key Area 2: Students and their Learning 2.5 Pastoral Care

Goal: Student Diverse learning - differentiation and adjustments of student behaviour and learning. Staff will become highly effective in drawing on appropriate services, resources and programs so that we are able to support students learning and behavioural needs

Key Area 3: Pedagogy 3.1 Curriculum provision

Goal: All staff will provide for flexible learning experiences so that all students to experience success in their learning.

Key Area 5: Resources, Finance and Facilities 5.2 Use of resources and space

Goal: The school will have contemporary classroom spaces and furniture to support the unique learning needs of students and enhance teacher practice.

In relation to Staffing for 2021, I would like to announce that after 6 years at our school, Mrs Molinaro is retiring. We thank her for the dedicated work in Italian and passion towards providing students with the opportunity to learn a second language. We wish Mrs Molinaro all the very best in her retirement and know she will enjoy spending time supporting and being with her family. Mrs Disibio will be taking on the role of Italian teacher for next year. 

Please find below a link re: Parent Survey, that will be included in our Annual School Report 2020. We would greatly appreciate your feedback on the year. Survey will close on Monday. Thank you

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-2Q8f0qpd_gdBG1Q9Fp16DkX2x67VuKb6uPo9xRwUJWpbFA/viewform

Have a wonderful next couple of weeks as our year quickly draws to a close. Look after yourselves during both in the business and joy of the festive season.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal