Dear Parents and Carers,

I thank the P&F, Stone Real Estate and the staff and familes who attended the Movie Night.  It was a wonderful event that radiated a true sense of community and fun.  We were also blessed with great weather which meant the event was an excellent way to kick start the weekend.  The event rasied $820. Which is inclusive of ticket sales, popcorn and raffle ticket sales, as well as a donation from Stone Real Estate and profit from the P&F sweet stall.   

A huge thank you to Mrs Lattimore and her director Mrs Olima, for the planning, organisation and implmentation of the Dance through the Decades which we celebrated as a community on Tuesday.  It was lovely to see so many of our students performing with pride, fun and smiles on their faces.  

As the High School Certificate exam draws near, let us surround the Year 12 students in our community with our thoughts and prayers. May the values and virtues ingrained during their Catholic education extend beyond the classroom, into the next chapter of their lives. May they continue to spread positivity, embrace the future with ardent hope, unyielding passion, and courage.  Below this a list of Year 12 students from Holy Spirit College who were students of St Columbkille's. Let us keep these students and all Year 12 students in our prayers.  

From Term 4 we welcome back Ms Belinda Howard in the School Office.  Mrs Finlay Joseph is also set to return in a part time capacity to support the learning in Year 4.  Miss Alyssa De Francesco will continue as the 4 Gold teacher.  

As Term 3 concludes, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Our school's vision of "Learning together, Shaping futures" relies on our collective efforts and collaborative spirit. During this school break, I encourage you to spend quality time with your loved ones, and seek spiritual fulfillment. 

See you when school resumes for students Kindergarten through to Year 6 on Tuesday 15 October. 

Warm regards, 

Maria Disibio 

Acting Principal

World Day of Peace: 21 September 2024

2024 has seen the highest number of countries engaged in conflict since World War II. Now more than ever the profound call of St Francis ‘to be instruments of peace’ is needed in our world fraught with division and conflict. The World Day of Peace invites us to reflect deeply on the wisdom of peacemakers who have dedicated their lives to fostering peace and reconciliation.

In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis writes, "we are all brothers and sisters," calling us to a renewed sense of fraternity and friendship. He urges us to move beyond mere tolerance and to embrace a love that transcends borders and divisions.

"We need to think of ourselves more and more as a single family dwelling in a common home," he writes, challenging us to break down the walls that separate us and to build bridges of understanding and solidarity.

Sr Joan Chittister, a tireless advocate for peace and justice, echoes this call in her work. She speaks powerfully about the need for courage in the pursuit of peace. "Peace is not the product of terror or fear," she says. "Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty." Sr Joan's words remind us that true peace is active, requiring our generous and ongoing contribution to the common good.

On the World Day of Peace, let us pray for the grace to be true instruments of peace. May the wisdom inspire us to live with courage, generosity, and a deep commitment to the common good. And may we always remember that peace begins with each one of us, as we open our hearts to the transforming power of God's love.

Reflection questions

How can I seek to cultivate a heart of compassion and understanding in my personal and professional relationships?

How can I assist justice and reconciliation flourishing in my community?

Prayer for Peace

Loving God, source of all peace,

We thank you for the call to be peacemakers in our world.

Help us to see all people as our brothers and sisters, and to work tirelessly for justice and reconciliation.

Fill our hearts with your love, that we may be true instruments of your peace, bringing hope and healing to a broken world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Season of Creation

As we near the completion of our Season of Creation we reflect on how we have showed love and care for the Earth. Many people worldwide from different churches and groups have joined hands to celebrate and take care of nature. Within our own community our Year 6 Enviro Ninjas and 'The Patch' gardening club have been stewards of creation in beautifying and caring for the spaces within St Columbkille's. We thank them, under the guidance of Ms Ah Tong, Mrs Russo and family volunteers. The Season of Creation ends on October 4th which is a day to remember St. Francis of Assisi, a saint known for his love of animals and plants. Together we can continue to: Pray: We can gather to pray together and ask for help in protecting the Earth. Choose sustainable actions: We can do projects like cleaning up our neighbourhoods and planting trees to make our environment healthier and happier and Advocate: We can use our voices to talk about how important it is to stop using things that hurt the Earth, like fossil fuels. We can join campaigns to make our world better.

 Reconciliation Enrolments

First Reconciliation occurs in Term 4. Our Year 2 students will complete this sacrament in class during their unit of work titled "Reconciliation". Year 3 & 4 students will receive a workbook to complete at home with their families. Enrolments will need to be handed in at weekend Masses or to the Parish office by no later than the weekend of 19/20 October. If you require another enrolment form they are available on the Corrimal Parish website or from the school office. If you have any questions please contact Lisa at the Parish office on 42843000.

World Mission Month

Each year the Church recognises the month of October as World Mission Month. The theme for World Mission Month 2024 is: “Go and Invite everyone to the Banquet” This year we celebrate the work of the Church in Mongolia. At St Columbkille’s our Gratitude Day fundraising will be put towards our Catholic Mission giving. Other events will be held thoughout the month of October. 

Loving God we pray for the Church in Mongolia, that it will continue to work in harmony with its culture and people. Fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit that we will act justly to rid our world of all that harms our brothers and sisters. May the mission of Jesus be our constant hope. May the Lord help us to reach out with love. May he grant us the strength to proclaim his Good News. AMEN.

To read more about Pope Francis' message go to https://www.catholicmission.org.au/worldmissionmonth 

Christmas Art Competition

Our community congratulates Roma Aimasso (Year 5) and Sophie Coughlan (Year 6), on their successful entries of student artwork in this year’s Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. This year the top 48 were chosen from the artworks entered into the competition to be a part of the Exhibition. Those chosen were works that were judged to best respond to the criteria and were exemplary of Stage 3 reflective writing and artistic skills. Judging took place at the Marian Centre on Tuesday 24 September by a team of judges. The Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition Opening and Awards Night will be held at the Wollongong City Art Gallery from 5:00 pm - 7.00 pm on Wednesday 16 October 2024. We wish these two girls the best of luck!

St Columbkille's Parish Community Masses

We invite you to our next St Columbkille's Parish Community Masses on October the 5th and 6th. At the conclusion of the Masses there will be a cuppa and refreshements in the Parish Centre. Please bring a plate to share. Weather permitting, the playground will be open for families to enjoy. Hope to see you there!

Rosary By The Beach / Prayer By The Sea

In the near future Father Anthony is wanting to begin "Rosary by the Sea" or "Prayer by the Sea." This is an opportunity for everyone, but particularly families with young children, to come together on a weekly or fortnightly basis to pray together, perhaps followed by a picnic dinner by the beach! Please email Fr Anthony if interested on anthony.crook@dow.org.au 

Youth Group

These evening, Friday 27th September, our youth group will meet. 

WHERE: St Columbkille's Parish Centre

WHO: Year 6 to Year 12

TIME: 6.30pm-8pm

CONTACT: Amy 0423289320

Have a wonderful break with families and friends!

Mrs Joanne Herring

Religious Education Coordinator

Today our Year 6 SRC students led a World Gratitude Day of celebrations. They began the day with a chant expressing their Gratitude.

Then they visiited all the classrooms and engaged in activities. Thank you to the SRC for all of your work and enthusiasm!

Check out our school's social media for more photos and videos of the day!

Year 5 and their visit to NSW Parliament was also published The Bulli and Clifton Times.

Friday 27 September will be a pupil free day, as staff will be participating in their annual Spirituality Day.  These annual days add to the growth in faith and spiritual reflection of all our staff members.  

Monday 14 October will also be a pupil free day, as staff will be participating in a Staff Development Day. 

These days coincide with the beginning and end of the upcoming school break. Students Kindergarten through to Year 6 will resume school for Term 4 on Tuesday 15 October.  

Dear Parents of Year 4 & 5,

Please see the attached letter regarding representative sport for 2025. Please pay particular attention to the closing dates for nominations for each different sport. Any questions please email Mrs Olima.

Mrs Olima

Co-Leader of Sport

A fantastic end to Term 3 from our Writing and STEM enthusiasts! 

Our STEM MAD participants (Ariah Blue, Sophie, Jessica, Rosie and Isabella) showcased their 'Tents for the Needy' at the Innovate for Impact event on Wednesday 18 September. They answered questions throughout the day about the design process for their entry, and about how this can make a difference in our world. They were also inspired by the designs from other entrants, and the industry representatives who shared their journeys to employment in the STEM field.

On Friday 20 September, Charlotte Reid from Year 4 was presented with a very special award. Each year we are invited to participate in the WriteOn competition. This competition gives students the opportunity to become published authors and develops skills in writing to express their ideas. From over 740 entries, Charlotte was the winner of a Bronze Award and is published in 'The Best of WriteOn 2024'. Congratulations Charlotte and we look forward to reading your published works in the future.

Congratulations to Harry (4 Blue) who appeared live on the Today Show on Monday morning to discuss his jam session with Keith Urban.  

What a wonderful experience.  

You can watch the segment here

Mrs Carroll’s Musing

Today at SCC, we are celebrating World Gratitude Day, and it fills me with pride to see our SRC leading the way with this wonderful initiative. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Perre for mentoring the SRC students and guiding them in bringing their ideas and plans to life. Their leadership and teamwork remind us of the importance of gratitude in shaping our school community.

I am especially thankful because I know that gratitude is a powerful tool for building a positive and supportive environment at SCC. When we pause to express thanks for the people, moments and opportunities in our lives we develop a deeper sense of connection and belonging. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering an atmosphere of kindness, empathy and respect among students, staff, and families. Teaching our students the value of saying “thank you” not only strengthens our bonds but also equips them with vital social-emotional skills they will carry throughout their lives.

Showing and practising gratitude is also a way for us to uplift one another. In the busyness of school life it’s easy to overlook the daily acts of kindness and support that help our community thrive. When we acknowledge these efforts—whether it’s a classmate helping a friend, a teacher going the extra mile, or a parent supporting the school—we remind ourselves that we are part of something bigger. Gratitude fosters a culture of appreciation, where everyone feels seen, valued and encouraged to contribute to the vibrant spirit of our school. By modelling and teaching gratitude, we create a more harmonious, caring environment where everyone can flourish.

As I reflect on Term 3, I have so much to be thankful for. It’s been another jam-packed 10 weeks full of learning, exciting excursions and sporting events. But without a doubt, the highlight from the library was Book Week. The week filled me with immense joy as I witnessed our community come together, united through fun and learning. Our staff embraced their playful side, surprising and delighting students along the way. Our students showcased their literary creativity in the Book Week Parade, and we all had fun learning some gross facts during our whole-school quiz!

I believe that Book Week planted a seed in our students, showing them that stepping outside their comfort zones can lead to incredible experiences. By pushing beyond familiar limits, our staff modelled how embracing challenges (in this case, playful challenges!) helps us grow and our students discover how brightly they can shine. This was evident again in Tuesday’s Dance Through the Decades Showcase…

What an utterly amazing show it was! I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a performance as much. Every minute was captivating and the joy in the room was palpable—not just from the performers but from everyone in attendance. Mrs. Lattimore is nothing short of a creative genius. Her ability to see and understand each of our students made the performance truly inclusive. Many students who are typically shy or hesitant came alive on that stage and it was an absolute pleasure to witness. For those who were able to attend, I hope you enjoyed the show as much as I did. 

Finally, I want to take a moment to explain why I feel compelled to write these “musings” in our newsletter. It’s simple: I love our community. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of it and I believe that connecting with you in this way is a small gesture I can offer to show my gratitude to all. Sharing these thoughts and experiences is my way of celebrating the wonderful moments that make our school so special and I hope that in doing so, I can help strengthen the bonds that unite us as a community.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support. I look forward to sharing more with you as we journey through Term 4.

I hope you all enjoy a sensational (someone had to say it!) school holiday break.

Until next time from the library, best wishes to you all - 

Katrina Carroll

SSO/Library Administrator

A Journey of Faith

This term, I’ve been on an incredible journey—a journey of faith. I joined an Alpha group at the parish of St Therese, West Wollongong, and it has truly been a transformative experience.

Have you heard of Alpha?

Alpha is a Christian program designed to introduce the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly and welcoming environment. It’s gaining popularity across our diocese because it provides a space for meaningful conversations about life, faith and the deeper questions of existence. What does it mean to know God? How does faith shape our lives? Alpha offers the chance to explore these big questions and discover what Christianity might have to offer in response.

For a while, I’d been searching for someone to discuss my faith with—someone who could share in thought-provoking conversations, challenge my perspective and exchange ideas about life and spirituality. I’ve always loved hearing other people’s viewpoints and I had this deep yearning for faith-filled discussions. Now, thanks to Alpha, I’ve found exactly that.

The beauty of Alpha is that it’s not just a course—it’s an experience. It brings together people from all walks of life, no matter where they are on their faith journey. Whether you’re an atheist, an agnostic, or a lifelong believer, everyone is welcome. Alpha encourages open dialogue, inviting participants to share their thoughts and questions without pressure or judgement.

The format is simple yet powerful: each week, we gather over a meal, listen to a talk, and then break into small groups to discuss. The conversations that follow are always meaningful, as we dive deep into Christianity’s teachings and reflect on their significance in our personal lives.

For me, hearing about the Alpha group at St Therese felt like a message from God. Earlier this year, I prayed for opportunities to grow, to challenge myself and to work on areas of my life that needed improvement. God answered my prayer in many ways but Alpha has been an extraordinary gift. It has given me strength, understanding, connection and deep friendships. It’s also provided a space where I can open up and wrestle with my faith in a way I haven’t done before.

Our group started with 12 people and while some weren’t able to continue the 8 of us who remained have formed an incredible bond. These are people I wouldn’t have known if it hadn’t been for Alpha and now they’re people I feel blessed to share this journey with. We’ve decided to keep meeting, to continue these faith-filled conversations and to support each other in our ongoing faith journeys.

Together, we’ve shared deeply personal thoughts, challenged one another and created an environment free of judgement. I’ve been able to voice my struggles with parts of the Bible, my hesitations about attending church regularly and other personal aspects of my faith. The group’s understanding and support have brought me an overwhelming sense of peace and fulfilment.

I can’t recommend Alpha enough for anyone curious about Christianity, looking to deepen their faith, or seeking connection with others in a beautifully supportive environment.

For more information about Alpha in the Wollongong diocese, visit: https://www.dow.org.au/media-resources/alpha/

The West Wollongong and Unanderra Alpha Team invite you to join them for a Celebration Night on Wednesday, 23rd October at 7pm. This event is not only for those who have completed the initial Alpha program but also for anyone interested in learning more about what Alpha is all about. I know they would love for you to come along and experience it firsthand. For more information, please email the team at alphawwu@gmail.com or you can email me at CarrollK03@dow.catholic.edu.au as I'd be very happy to talk with you further about Alpha.

I hope you’ll take the opportunity to join an Alpha group. There’s a reason why over 30 million people around the world have taken part in this incredible program!

Best wishes - Katrina

We are in the process of updating our Road Safety Management document, and welcome any feedback by Friday 18 October. Following feedback, the policy will be finalised and included on our school website. Please send any comments or considerations to lacem01@dow.catholic.edu.au Thank you.

https://issuu.com/associatedmediagroup/docs/cshb_august-2024-update?fr=sYTU5ZTc3NjA2NjY 

AusBike and TNSW are running two school holiday bike skills workshops for 8-12 year olds, on Sunday October 13.

Venue is Coledale Public School on Lawrence Hargrave Drive. Times are 10.00 am and 1.00 pm. Duration is two hours. More details at the registration link below:

Nippers at Corrimal Surf Club is a great activity for growing your child’s confidence, knowledge and skills in the beach environment. Not only will your child have fun and meet new friends, they will learn a skill for life in a safe and controlled environment.

Nippers is designed for children aged 5 to Under 14. Our program is designed to ensure children are having fun at the beach while participating in lessons in surf life saving.

Our season starts 13th Oct and runs through to March with a break over the school holidays. Registration is done online at https://members.sls.com.au/members/join/member-join.

Any questions can be made to nippers@corrimalsurfclub.com.au 

It's never to late to join!

SLSA - Join