Dear Parents and Carers,

Hope that you are enjoying all the wonders of Spring.

This week, we celebrate and acknowledge both Child Protection Week and World Creation Month.

Child Protection Week engages, educates and empowers Australians to understand the complexities of child abuse and neglect so we can work together to prevent it. 

The theme for 2023 Child Protection Week is 'Where we start matters'. The message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ complements this year's theme and is supported by the care, diligence and understanding for all. 

As part of National Child Protection Week, I invite you to read and provide feedback on our Draft SCC Child Safe Plan. In developing this document, we have been supported by Catholic Education Office Staff Member Beth Woodstone (Team Leader: Senior Child Protector Adviser) and referenced the Office of the Child Guardian - Child Safe Standards. Any feedback RE the Draft SCC Child Safe Plan, would be greatly appreciated and can be sent through to me at colquhounb01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

Please refer to the Draft SCC Child Safe Plan article within the newsletter.

Next week as part of our ongoing commitment to our students, we will be celebrating our first Student Wellbeing Week. Students will be involved in several activities across the week that will support, engage and challenge their social and emotional learning in this space.  Thursday's mufti day will acknowledg R U OK Day. This day is a check-in for our family and mates in asking the question Are you OK? and the conversation that comes with this.

Thank you to Mrs Leonard and our staff for their work in preparation for Student Wellbeing Week.

World Creation Month is the opportunity to renew our commitment to the stewardship of Creation. This year's theme “Let Justice and Peace Flow.” highlights the importance of caring for and connecting with creation. Kinder and Year 4 have been wonderful advocates for Justice and Peace of Creation through song and Liturgy.

Cleo Mancini's (4 Blue) - Reflection about God and His Creation

Congratulations to our Year 3 staff and students on the feedback they received on their recent excursion to a number of Wollongong's historical sites. John Shipp (Museum Manager at Illawarra Historical Society and Museum) was highly complementary of our Team Year 3 during their visit. Well done!

Please see his message below:

The annual Diocesan Christmas Art Competition is being held at Wollongong Art Gallery. Stage 3 students from across the Diocese are invited to compete in this competition with 6 students from each school able to enter and exhibit their artwork. Year 5 and Year 6 teachers and staff will collect efforts in creating 'The Christmas Story' representations through a variety of artistic mediums was outstanding. Congratulations to the following students, who have been chosen to represent SCC at these awards.

Year 5 - Eoin Vanghan, Rosalie Larkin and Laila Smugreski

Year 6 - Bronte, Ireland, Noah Bell and Natalie Harris

P & F Meeting - Term 3

Our Term 3 P&F meeting will be held on Friday 3 November at 1:15pm in the Library. During this meeting we will discuss our Annual Improvement Plan 2023, Child Safe Plan and events in preparation for 2024. All parents and grandparents are most welcome to attend.

Enjoy a wonderful weekend and we look forward to enjoying the final 2 weeks of Term 3 together.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Father's Day

Last Friday St Columbkille’s was able to honour our dads, grandads and father figures with a beautiful luncheon and celebration. We had a huge turnout which shows just how much our dads and children love, care for and support each other. A number of dads, and even a grandad, addressed our assembly, and we thank them for their words of wisdom. Also a huge thank you to Mr Lattimore and Mr Colquhoun for their organisation of our celebration and Year 1 for their special song. May we forever hold our fathers love in our hearts.

Christmas Art Competition

Our Year 5 and 6 students have been busily preparing their annual Christmas Art entries, which were sent for judging to the CEO yesterday. Congratulations to all students for taking part in this diocesan competition and especially to our St Columbkille's winners.

Year 5 - Rosalie Larkin, Eoin Vaughan and Laila Smugreski

Year 6 - Bronte Ireland, Natalie Harris and Noah Bell.

Thank you to all those involved in the preparation and completion of these artworks.

Indigenous Literacy Day

On Wednesday 6th September St Columbkille's acknowledged Indigenous Literacy Day. The theme for 2023 was "Celebrating Stories, Cultures and Languages." Classes were part of a digital storytelling event and some grades were treated to our Year 6 Indigenous students reading their favourite books from the dreamtime. Thank you to Mrs Griggs, Mrs Bower and Mrs Carrroll for organising the event.

Sacramental Update

Parents of First Holy Communicants would have received an email from the Corrimal/Bulli Parish with a note outlining important information in regards to First Holy Communion. The main points to take notice of are:

• First Holy Communion Preparation will take place at the end of Term 3. Booklets will be sent home with Login codes for google classrooms.

• First Holy Communion retreat day will be held on Thursday 9th November (the week before Holy Communion weekends takes place). Time to be confirmed.

• First Holy Communion will take place at Masses over the weekends:

Saturday 11th November 6pm Mass | Sunday 12th November at 9.30am Mass

Saturday 18th November 6pm Mass | Sunday 19th November 9.30am Mass

Saturday 25th November 6pm Mass | Sunday 26th November 9.30am Mass

• Allocation for these Masses will be via a booking form. The code will be sent out within the first week of Term 4. There will be equal spaces allocated for each MASS.

Catholic Mission Launch

On Wednesday 10th September Mr Colquhoun, Mrs Herring and our vice captains Alissa and Dominik, will attend Holy Spirit College for the annual Catholic Mission Launch. This October we partner with Sr Carolina as she provides her community in Timor-Leste with access to adequate care and resources that promote good health. 

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Mrs Jo Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

The purpose of Child Protection Week is to engage, educate and empower Australians to understand the complexities of child abuse and neglect and work together to prevent it. At Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) our unwavering commitment to child safety is evidence of our Living Catholicity and sits at the heart of everything we do.

Indigenous Literacy Day 2023

Indigenous Literacy Day was on Wednesday 6th September with the theme ‘Celebrating Stories, Cultures and Languages’. This day aims to advocate, promote and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture stories and language. 

Our school signed up to an online event hosted at the Sydney Opera House which invited viewers to watch a 45-minutes celebration with a team of Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassadors including Jessica Mauboy, Justine Clarke, Gregg Dreise and Josh Pyke. This was a wonderful event for our primary students.

To ensure that this day held a genuine and heartfelt connection for our younger students, we entrusted this special task to four Year 6 students. These young leaders infused the day with their own passion and enthusiasm by sharing their personal favourite Aboriginal Dreamtime stories with our Infant classes. What makes their involvement even more poignant is that these Year 6 students have either a strong and proud connection to their Aboriginal heritage or a profound passion for honouring our First Nations people. They understand that the path to healing and unity lies in the celebration of cultural activities and a deep connection to our country, and their heartfelt engagement exemplifies the spirit of this important day.

As the older students shared these tales, they not only nurtured a love for reading but also created a bridge between generations, connecting the past to the present. The stories, handed down through countless generations, not only showcase the incredible storytelling traditions of Aboriginal culture but also instil a profound respect for the land, the animals, and the people who have called Australia home for thousands of years. 

Indigenous Literacy Day serves as a beautiful reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the diverse narratives that make up Australia's unique tapestry of culture and history.

Thank you Willow, Ashton, Sam and Vogue.

Mrs Katrina Carroll - Librarian 

It looks like we have an amazing artist on our hands! Janet in Year 4 has been creating some incredible artwork and is a great inspiration to other young artists at St Columbkille's.

Mrs Kipp

A huge thank you to all the staff, students and family members who took part in Footy Colours Day by wearing their favourite sports team jersey and/or colours and for making a donation to help fight children's cancer.  We were able to raise $332.35, which is an amazing  amount. I know that our school donation will be warmly received.  Thank You! 

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

Congratulations to all the Book Week Writing Competition Winners. 

Early Stage 1  - Max O'Shea

Stage 1  - Florence Atkinson

Stage 2 Theia Vincent

Stage 3 - Alissa Bishop

Enjoy reading their texts. 

RU Okay? Day will be held in Australia on Thursday 14th September 2023. It is a national day dedicated to reminding everyone that any day is the day to ask, 'are you OK?' and support those struggling with life.

In Week 9, we will have a daily focus looking at different ways that students can look after their well-being.

These will include:

- being active

- being aware

- continued learning and helping others

 Each class will learn about these important key messages.

On Thursday, 14 September, students can come to school wearing mufti clothes!

Thank you to the families who have chosen to use morning drop off and afternoon carline pick up.  

Just a reminder that the laneway is STRICTLY A NO STOPPING ZONE therefore parents and carers should not park in the laneway prior to afternoon dismissal.

Parents/carers are not to arrive before 3pm.

All children are supervised and safe. Arriving at this time greatly reduces the congestion and inconvenience caused to our local residents and neighbours.

Please ensure that the following guidelines are adhered to for the safety of all:

• Children must only be dropped off or picked up in the clearly mark designated area only.
• Children must enter and exit from the driver side of the car only where possible
• Please be aware and mindful of students being picked-up by their parents outside of carlines
• Family names are to be clearly displayed in the front of all cars. The sunvisor is the best place.
• Overtaking a stationary vehicle is not permitted

Should you require a name plate, please contact the School Office and one will be made for you. Thank you for your onging support and patience in ensuring the safety of our school community.

St Columbkille's has recently had the pleasure of welcoming some sports coaches in to provide an AFL clinic with some of our classes and Kindergarten participated in a Multi-sport program with Coach Alex from Motiv8 sports.

Due to the nature of the school day, teachers and staff are not generally available to meet with parents/caregivers without a prior appointment. Should a parent have any concerns/issues regarding their child, please phone the teacher or Stage Leader (ES1: Mrs Herring, Stage 1: Mrs Disibio, Stage 2: Mrs Perre and Stage 3:Mrs O'Connor) via the Administration office and they will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.  

Parents who need to speak with a staff member directly are asked to make an appointment via the school office to find a mutually acceptable time.

Under 16 year olds can see football heroes play live and free in Australia! 

Register for your FREE Liberty A League Pass.