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- Principal's Message
- Religious Education News
- Spiritual Reflection - World Day of the Poor
- Library News
- Positive Behaviours for Learning
- SCC Sport
- Canteen Student Lunches
- Afternoon Dismissal - Wet Weather
- National Recycling Week
- Enviro Ninja News
- A Guide to Compass - For Parents and Carers
- SCC Parish - Car Boot Sale
- Canteen Lunch Special - Last Day of Term 4!
- Sun Safety at school
- PlaySpace Drama
- Opportunity for families to apply for FREE NBN Services
- 2024 MMJ Aquathon
Dear Parent and Carers,
Hope that you well.
There have been several events and experiences that our school community has acknowledged and/or celebrated over the last couple of weeks. These include the annual CDF CEDoW Sports Awards, Remembrance Day, First Holy Communion, Student Leadership speeches and last night's P&F Disco.
In speaking with our Year 4 and 5 students after the 2024 School Captain candidates address, 2 key messages become very evident - our students were thankful for the opportunity that they have been afford by their parents, parish and school communities and our students were committed to the idea and responsibilities of leadership and they were proud of who they are, how they continue to grow and improve with our collective support. I was extremely proud of their thoughtful and considered words and how they conducted themselves throughout the process. Thank you for your help and support and that of their teachers Mrs Lace, Mrs Stephenson and Mr Lowrie.
Last week and moving through the next two, many of our Year 3 students have celebrated and/or will celebrate the sacrament of First Holy Communion. In this sacrament, we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection evidenced through the Eucharist. Thank you to Fr Patrick and Fr Anthony, Millie and Anna, our parents, grandparents and teachers - Mrs Runko and Ms Connery for their dedication, support and efforts in making First Holy Communion so special.
Yesterday, was our final Kinder 2024 Playgroup session. With a total of 8 sessions over the last 4 weeks, our new students made a successful transition into our school community. These sessions have included opportunities to connect with their classmates and teachers through play-based learning, orientation and exploring the canteen, playgrounds and working in a classroom setting. Our new and current parents and grandparents have been highly supportive and invested in these sessions which also included some professional development in both Reading and Social/Emotional Learning. (SEL). Team Kinder have been outstanding - thank you to Mrs Ilias, Mrs Bower, Mrs Griggs, Mrs Smyth and Mrs MacMillian along with Mrs Perre, Mrs Leonard and Mrs Disibio. We are all looking forward and ready to the start the 2024 school year, with our Kinder students and their families being welcomed and part of our school community.
Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) for 2023 has been successfully implemented and reviewed. The AIP Goal - By the end of 2023 students K-6 will demonstrate learning growth in writing was evidenced with 80% of our students are at age appropriate levels in writing and 15% of each cohort are working towards and above age appropriate levels in writing. Congratulations to our staff for their ongoing work and collaboration in achieving these targets. Assessment will be a goal in our AIP 2024 with a strategic focus on Spelling.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family. Enjoy.
Take care
Brad Colquhoun - Principal
First Holy Communion
Our first weekend of Holy Communion Masses were such lovely events. We continue with these this weekend and the following weekend. It is wonderful to see so many excited and faith-filled students receiving Jesus for the first time. Remember, as Father Anthony said, you can receive Jesus as often as you like at Mass. We continue to pray for all of our communicants during this special time.
Year 2 Reconciliation
Our enrolments for First Reconciliation have now closed. If your child is in Year 2 and is not making this sacrament in 2023, they will have the chance to make it with the Year 2 students in 2024.
Remembrance Day
A short acknowledgement for Remembrance Day was held last Friday at our morning assembly. We acknowledged the signing of the armistice at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day during the eleventh month. May we continue to pray for peace in our world, especially those involved in the conflict within Gaza.
National Recycling Week
National Recycling Week, this year, is held between November 13th and 19th. It is a week which raises awareness of ways to recycle and reuse items in our homes and communities. Planet Ark started this idea back in 1996. It is teaching us 'Not to recycle more but to recycle better". (Brody & Zali Year 4)
Year 4 composed a video reminding us about the importance of our environment. You may have seen it on social media. Mrs Russo, Mrs Runko and the Year 6 Enviro Ninjas have also been for classroom visits promoting National Recycling Week, and our SCC initiative based around our house groups recycling bottles for the "Return and Earn" program. Thanks to everyone involved.
Parish/Family Mass
Our final parish/family Mass will be held on Sunday 3rd December at 9.30am. We are fortunate to have the talents of our school band playing at this Mass. Thank you to all our band members affording their time, along with our band leader Marguerite. Please come along and enjoy the Eucharistic celebration, bring a plate of morning tea to share and the Infants playground will be open for children to play in.
Christmas Celebration
St Columbkille's has begun organising and practising for this years Christmas Celebration, led by our school choir and school band. Please remember to save the date: Wednesday 6th December from 6-8pm.
Have a wonderful fortnight!
Mrs Jo Herring
“Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor.” Tob 4:7
On Sunday 19 November, our Church will acknowledge the seventh annual World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis offers a challenge to each one of us. “We are called to acknowledge every poor person and every form of poverty, abandoning the indifference and the banal excuses we make to protect our illusory well-being.”
This challenge invites each one of us to be aware of the many different forms of poverty that surround us and calls us to respond proactively.
In recent weeks we have been overcome by the images and stories of the tension between Israel and Palestine with no clear sign of resolution. There are many countries where people are deprived of food, water, housing or safety. And closer to home in Australia we see those who are impacted by homelessness, mental health challenges and isolation. Poverty, in its many expressions, surrounds us.
How might we respond to this call? Pope Francis recognises that, “It is easy to delegate charity to others, yet the calling of every Christian is to become personally involved.”
It would seem that one of the ways to respond to this overwhelming task is to become aware and educated about the events beyond our shores. At the same time there is value in looking outside our own doors. To see what the needs are and to discern what we can do, even in small ways.
One inspiring story which reflects this proactivity was featured on Australian Story. It is the story of Louise Pleming, a Grand Slam commentator and former international professional tennis player. Louise had a chance meeting with a homeless man, Brian Turton at St Canice’s Kitchen in Rushcutters Bay. They began playing tennis together and as Louise witnessed the positive impact of exercise and connection on Brian’s mental health, she developed the vision for RALLY4EVER.
RALLY4EVER is a free tennis coaching program which seeks to improve mental wellbeing by playing tennis and connecting with others. RALLY4EVER invites those who may feel isolated or lonely or are seeking to improve their mental health to take part. No commitment is required, and equipment is provided.
From Louise’s actions a few years ago in Sydney, the program is now being offered in 13 locations around Australia. In recent weeks RALLY4EVER started in Wollongong at Beaton Park on Tuesdays. Illawarra Vinnies Van and Hope Street Community Centre Port Kembla are actively involved and all are welcome.
With these efforts to proactively respond to the needs of the poor around us, there is also a calling to prayer. Together we pray that we may find new ways to respond to the needs of the poor and that those who are struggling may feel a deep sense of God’s compassion and presence.
Reflection: Where do you see an expression of poverty in your home, school or community? What is one thing you could do to express your compassion this week?
Diocesan Selection Trial 2024
This week selections were held for the Diocesan Basketball and Tennis Teams. St Columbkille’s was well represented in both sports.
A big congratulations to the following three students who have been selected as a part of their chosen sport:
Tennis: Kaylen Pons and Emma Lucchini were each selected as one of four students across the entire Diocese to make up the tennis team.
Basketball: Dylan Fang was selected a member of a team of ten to play basketball.
Well done to all students who nominated and those who tried out.
Mrs Adelaide O’Connor - Leader of Sport
Below is a reminder of our School Afternoon Wet Weather Dismmissal Procedures:
2:55pm - Call for children on car lines to move to the Basement from where they are taken by the teachers rostered on car lines to the covered area at the rear of the Parish Centre.
3:00pm - Call for children being collected by parents to go to the Hall under the supervision of Blue teachers. Gold teachers continue to supervise.
3:05pm - Bus children and After School Care groups to line up in the Basement.
3:10 – Play Space Drama students to move to the Basement (Wednesday Only). Walkers and bike riders to move to Front Cement with Gold teachers.
All staff need to assist with wet weather – Staff to assist with assigned dismissal areas as per ‘Teachers Afternoon Dismissal’ Roster.
STUDENTS BEING PICKED UP LATE
There has been a regular occurence of students who are waiting in the school grounds for their parent/carer to pick them up after school finishes.
At times, students are not picked up until 3.40pm - 4pm from the school office.
This is an important message for parents/carers to please be mindful of picking your children up ON TIME each afternoon by 3.20pm.
Tips for Parents:
1. Please communicate effectively with your child/ren about how they are getting home that afternoon. This avoids confusion with the office staff and the students at the end of day.
2. If you know you are going to be late to pick your child/ren up, please contact the school office on 4284 7987 and please give us as much time as possible so we are advised early on.
Thank you kindly for your cooperation.
Belinda Howard
Senior School Support Officer
Running from November 13-19, National Recycling Week provides an opportunity for residents and workplaces to learn simple methods of reducing their environmental footprint and preventing waste. Residents can host or join recycling themed events, brush up on their recycling knowledge with educational resources, learn about new developments in recycling policy and technology or discover tricks to reduce what they are sending to landfill and ensure resources don’t go to waste.
Last year, Planet Ark research revealed Australian households were potentially sending nearly 2.5 million tonnes of unnecessary waste to landfill. An estimated 9-18 per cent (441,000 tonnes conservatively) of all material sent to landfill by households is likely recyclable, while a massive 41-52 per cent (2,000,900 tonnes conservatively) could be composted at home or organic processing facilities. Addressing food waste and ensuring packaging is correctly recycled therefore forms a major component of this year’s National Recycling Week resources and activities.
“This year Planet Ark is asking Australians to pause and think about what they are currently sending to landfill and ask whether it is waste after all,” said Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling.
“We have come a long way since National Recycling Week was established in 1996, but there is still more we could be doing to ensure valuable resources don’t end up wasted in landfill, especially when it comes to food waste and recycling our packaging.”
National Recycling Week was founded in 1996 as an opportunity for Australians to take waste and recycling into their own hands by improving their recycling knowledge and building better recycling habits. Since then, the annual recycling rate in Australia has increased from just 7 per cent of all disposed materials to more than 60 per cent.
Planet Ark has a number of tools and tips to enable community groups, councils, households and workplaces to get involved and start reducing waste in the National Recycling Week Resource Hub.
National Recycling Week is made possible by Major Sponsor Coles, Associate Sponsors Coca-Cola Australia andSamsara Eco, Media Partner Seven West Media and Supporting Sponsors Australasian Recycling Label, Mobile Muster and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark.
To learn more or get involved in National Recycling Week, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.
Thank you.
Our Parish is holding a Car Boot Sale on Saturday 18th November, starting at 12 noon.
Everyone is welcome to join us, either by selling goods or by coming to browse and buy.
The cost for those choosing to sell their wares is $20 per car (payable on the day).
Tables will be available.
There will also be a sausage sizzle and tea and coffee will be available.
This is a great opportunity to get together and possibly get some Christmas Shopping sorted.
If you need more information or can help in any way, please contact Alice Weber 0429 621 949 or
alicemaryweber@gmail.com
Dear Parents,
Fresh Start Canteens will be providing a lunch special for students on Friday 15th December 2023 which is the last day of Term 4!
Please have these handed in to the canteen ladies by 3rd December 2023.
With the warmer months upon us, it’s timely to remind students of the dangers of UV rays and the importance of sun safety.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and statistics show that melanoma is the most common cancer affecting young Australians aged 15 – 24 years. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable.
The new Sun and UV at School skin cancer resources will assist primary and secondary school students in making healthy, safe, and proactive choices regarding sun protection to reduce their risk of skin cancer.
School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)
To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, is working with NBN Co to provide up to 30,000 families with no internet at home free NBN for 12 months.
To be eligible, a family must:
- Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school
- Have no active broadband service over the NBN network
- Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service
- Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days
Families can either directly contact the National Referral Centre to have their eligibility assessed or be referred by a participating nominating organisation.
The first families were connected during Term One in 2023. The 12 months of free service begins from the day the service is activated for each family. The period in which a family can be nominated for the initiative has been extended to 30 April 2024.
The Government is supporting NBN Co’s implementation and delivery of this initiative with a $4.5 million grant.
To check your eligibility, follow these simple steps.
- Contact the National Referral Centre, operated by Anglicare Victoria, on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT) or at www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.
- The National Referral Centre team will help assess your eligibility for the SSBI, by checking several things including your residential address and current financial situation.
- If eligible, you will be issued a voucher which can be redeemed at any of the participating SSBI retail service providers. The National Referral Centre will also be available to assist with contacting your SSBI retail service provider of choice and providing follow-up support.
Belinda Howard
Senior School Support Officer