Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to our new digital newsletter, that will be shared with you via Compass every second Friday.

I hope that you are well, and that both you and your child/ren have enjoyed what has been a sensational start to Term 1.  It has been wonderful see the school come to life again with the enthusiasm, joy and energy of the students. Thank you to our parents and staff for their support in making the start to 2019 such a positive one.

This morning we celebrated the induction of our Year 6 students leaders with Mass and our badging ceremony. Thank you to Father Geoff for celebrating Mass and to the parents, grandparents, friends and staff for your presence and organisation. I wish the Year 6 students every success in their new roles as student leaders of our great school. All the very best and good luck!

Yesterday we welcomed the Kindergarten class of 2019 to our St Columbkille’s community. They have started the year like seasoned veterans and we thank the teaching staff and parents for their organisation, energy and commitment in making this possible. It was wonderful 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 and look forward to the many celebrations and to working through the challenging times together. We also welcome our new families who have chosen our school to continue their child/ren’s education. We wish you everyone success and happiness here at St Columbkille’s.

In relation to staffing, we welcome Mrs Thatcher, Mrs Finaly-Joseph and Mrs Gallina to our staff for 2019. Mrs Thatcher 2B, Mrs Finaly-Joseph 1G and Mrs Gallina Year 2 Learning Support will be wonderful additions to our school community.

Our grade-based Parent Information Evenings with be held next week.  The opportunity to connect with class teachers, be informed about classroom practice, procedures and learning will be invaluable. If you are unable to attend any of the Parent Information Evenings, an outline of the presented will be provided via Compass.

School Review and Improvement is a process of school self-evaluation, growth and performance across a given year. We have developed ‘School Action Plans’ that outline our strategic intent for 2019. These plans include the areas and components that we will be working towards and hopefully successfully achieving. If you have any questions in relation to these plans, please let me know.

School Review and Improvement

Key Area:      Catholic Life and Religious Education

Component:   1.2 Religious Education

Goal:            There will be quality learning and teaching of Religious Education K-6 so that student learning gains improve.

Outcomes:     By the end of 2019, staff programs will have evidence of the School Agreed Practice for the consistent teaching of      Religious Education K-6.

By the end of 2019, all staff will have developed at least one quality Religious Education assessment task per Term, which has been co-created by Grade teachers and students and shared via a google document.

By the end of 2019, all staff will have updated resources (storytelling, KWL online, sand trays) for use in the classroom.

Key Area:      Students and their Learning

Component:    2.1 Educational potential

Goal:             To have a whole school approach for identifying and providing a range of educational opportunities so that the school addresses the learning needs of students.

Outcomes:     By the end of 2019, the school's Scope and Sequence will ensure the relevant syllabus outcomes are being addressed, with Whole Number being taught each Term.

By the end of Term 1, the English Agreed Practice will be evident in all staff programs focusing on the teaching of writing

By the end of 2019, all staff will have met regularly to discuss the data of students (in English and Maths) and determine future teaching.

Key Area:      Pedagogy

Component:   3.2 Provision for the diverse needs of learners

Goal:             The diverse needs of learners will be identified and addressed so that all      students grow in knowledge, understanding and skills.

Outcomes:     By the end of 2019, all staff will use the CSNSW Tool so that support can be allocated to ensure students demonstrate learning gains.

By the end of 2019, all staff will plan learning which is in students’ zone of proximal development.

By the end of 2019, all staff will participate in co-planning, co-teaching and co-debriefing cycles.

Key Area:      Human Resources Leadership and Management

Component:   4.2 Professional development of staff

Goal:              By the end of 2019, professional learning opportunities will be afforded members of the Leadership Team in order to further enhance their abilities to lead and implement change across the school community.

Outcomes:     By the end of 2019, all Leadership Team members will have had the opportunity to develop in their area/s of leadership and gain evidence as they move to higher levels of accreditation.

By the end of 2019, Professional Development will be prioritised using MyPAD (PDP) to support differentiated student learning.

Our next Parents and Friends Meeting will be our Aannual General Meeting, followed by a General Business Meeting on Tuesday 19 February.  The meetings will take place in the school Library and all parents are welcome to attend.

Welcome once again to the start of the 2019 school year and a particularly warm welcome to our new families and students.

Enjoy a wonderful weekend. 

Take care

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal