Welcome to the 2025 school year,  

I truly hope that the beginning of 2025 has already brought with it many blessings.  

A warm welcome back to our wonderful staff, many whom have been working on and off site during their vacation period to prepare our learning environments, resources and in general for the Term ahead. Welcome to Mrs Michelle North, Mrs Emma Cotterill, Mrs Bronwyn Johnson, Mrs Demitra Rostron, Mrs Sonia Morrow and Miss Olivia Fielding.  

Happy return to our Year 1 to Year 6 students.  It has been heart warming to see your smiling faces, to hearing your voices in the playgrounds and classrooms and to hear your tales of your school break.

To our Kindergarten 2025 students, Wednesday marked the start of your Catholic educational journey. A journey that we all look forward to walking with you. Supporting you to grow in Christ, make gains in learning and flourish in wellbeing and health.   

In this Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”, Pope Francis reminds us that “hope does not disappoint”. He urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and to work for peace and justice. As bearers of Christ’s love, this has always been our calling. We offer a vision that nurtures faith, fosters learning, and empowers students to thrive in communities where they are known, valued, and loved both as person and learner. 

All parents are encouraged to attend their child's upcoming Grade Orientation Meeting. These meetings provide an opportunity to meet teachers and learn about school and classroom practices, procedures, and routines. Students are not required to attend. Dates and times are listed below and can be located in the school calendar.

We will also be hosting Open Days on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 27 March for Kindergarten 2026 enrolments, as well as enrolments for other grades.  If you or someone you know are interested in attending, please register using the QR code.  

Welcome back to a new year of learning and celebration. I trust you enjoyed the holiday break with family and friends.  As we begin this new year as a school community, we welcome new students, families and staff. We especially welcome our Kindergarten students who begin their journey at St Columbkille’s. 

Our vision “Learning Together, Shaping Futures” and our Core Values of Faith, Responsibility, Respect, Learning, Community and Celebration are a focus in our Religious Education lessons over the next few weeks. Take some time to discuss, and reflect on, these values at home.

In the Liturgical Year of the Church we are in a period called ‘Ordinary Time’. Some people think it is a time when nothing much happens.  Yet it is important because we are growing to be more like Jesus in our everyday lives by listening to the words of scripture each week. Life is not only about the special events and celebrations, but also about who we are in our day to day interactions. At St Columbkille's we live this through our motto: "Christ is the Way." We think to ourselves…  “What would Jesus say? What would Jesus do?”

JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE:

Every 25 years, the Church holds a special celebration called a Jubilee Year. 2025 is one of these years! The purpose of a Jubilee Year is to have a time of reset (economic, cultural, environmental, communal…) where the land and the people rest and we focus on our relationships with others and with God. Pope Francis announced late last year that the theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.” Therefore, it is a year to “rekindle our hope,” for every person in the world. Pope Francis invites us all to be signs of hope in our world as we reflect on Jesus’ message of the good news of justice, freedom and love.

BEGINNING OF THE YEAR MASS

On Friday 21st February our whole school will join together at 12 noon to celebrate the beginning of another school year. Father Anthony will lead us through our Mass based on the theme: Jubilee 2025 "Pilgrims of Hope". Parents and friends are invited to this event as we bless all those who are a part of our St Columbkille's catholic comunity.

NATIONAL APOLOGY TO THE STOLEN GENERATIONS

On Tuesday 13th February 2025, Australia commemorates the 17th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations which was presented to Parliament by the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd in 2008. National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes and commit to right the wrongs of past injustices and build a bridge of respect between all people.

Loving God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming,
You who created all people in your image and likeness,
May we listen with care to all people of this land and treat all with
respect.
Source of all creation and unity, bless us in our endeavours to live as
one in Christ.

All: Amen.

LEADERSHIP INDUCTION

On Wednesday 12th February we will induct our Year 6 students into their leadership roles. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide them as they serve St Columbkille's in 2025 with the many gifts they possess. I am sure they will make a difference in the lives of our staff and students, as they follow in the servant leadership footsteps of Jesus.

PARENTS/BUBS PLAYGROUP

Playgroup will run every Friday during the school term in the PARISH CENTRE (CORRIMAL). Starting at 9.30am on the 14th February after school drop off till 11.30am. Arts, crafts, songs, outdoor activities and morning tea for parents and children. Please bring a plate to share and a piece of fruit. This is a gold coin donation. For more information please contact 0423289320.

Have a wonderful fortnight!

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

At the end of 2024, we trialled a joint recess and lunch break for K-6. Prior to this, K-3 and 4-6 had separate recess and lunch breaks. 

Following the 3 week trial and after consultation with all students and staff, the overwhelming majority saw more positives than negatives, with some minor changes needing to be made. With this in mind, it has been decided that we will continue with a joint recess and lunch break from the beginning of Term 1, 2025. 

The times are as follows:

K-6 Recess 11:00-11:30am

K-6 Eating Time 12:45pm-1:00pm

K-6 Lunch 1:00pm-1:30pm

This means that for our existing 4-6 students, the morning will be 30 minutes longer than what they are use to. They might like to pack a few extra pieces of crunch & sip while they adjust to the slightly longer morning of learning. 

We have purchased lots of new playground equipment and opened an additional playground (Memorial Garden) for our younger grades. 

We will continue to make adjustments as we transition through the changes to ensure continued success and welcome any thoughts/feedback.

Mrs Christine Perre

Acting Assistant Principal

All grades will hold a Grade Orientation Parent Meeting. These meetings will allow parents to meet teachers and for the teachers to disseminate and discuss school and classroom practices, procedures and routines. It is encouraged that at least one parent attends the Grade Meetings. Students do not attend.  

Please note that this will not be an opportunity for you to meet one on one with the class teachers/s. If you require to pass on important information, please make an appointment time with your child's teacher/s.  

All Grade Orientation Meetings will commence at 6pm and will occur on the following days:

• Kindergarten - Monday 17th February 

• Year 1 - Monday 10th February

• Year 2 - Tuesday 18th February

• Year 3 - Wednesday 19th February

• Year 4 - Thursday 13th February

• Year 5 - Tuesday 11th February

• Year 6 - Wednesday 12th February

We hope that many of your children (Years 1-6) have been able to undertake our Holiday Reading Challenge. 

These are due to be submitted by Monday 10th March, either digitally (via Google Classroom) or in paper form to Mrs Perre. 

A reminder that the final date for reading that can be included was 3rd February. 

The certificates for the Holiday Reading Challenge will be presented to the children throughout the week. 

Mrs Christine Perre

Acting Assistant Principal

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 Stephenson, Stage 1: Mrs Leonard, Stage 2: Mrs Lace and Stage 3: Mrs Herring) via the School Office.  

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.

Alternativey an email can be sent directly to the staff member. Be mindful that staff are not required to be accessing and responding to work related emails or other messaging outside the ordinary hours of work and will respond in a reasonable timeframe.  

Do you follow our school Instagram and Facebook pages? If not, now is the time to start!

Not only do we share lots of photos and videos of the students participating in various aspects of school life, but we also share a weekly event update each Sunday with important events happening that week. Check it out and don't forget to follow us!

It’s natural for children to feel anxious about what the new school year will bring.

The Kids Research Institute Australia researcher and provisional psychologist shares her top tips to help make the first days and weeks easier on your child and the whole family.

Preparation: remove the mystery

If your child is starting at a school for the first time, try to visit the school grounds ahead of their first day. If the school holds orientation sessions or invites your child to meet some of the staff and/or teachers – make the most of these opportunities so that your child can get to know a familiar face, practice getting in and out of the school grounds and orientate themselves with things like school bag racks, water fountains, lockers and toilet blocks. 

Try to attend any other additional events the school offers, including parent information evenings or organised play dates in the school holidays. 

Practice wearing the school uniform before their first day. If you need to buy new school supplies such as lunchboxes, let your child choose them to build their excitement. If your child has allergies or other special requirements, make sure the school knows ahead of time so that the classroom can be prepared before the first day. Get your child to help you pack their lunchbox so they know what to expect at morning tea and lunchtime. This will also ensure food easy to open and consume. 

For children starting kindy and pre-primary, make sure they can perform key tasks themselves such as putting their shoes on (tying laces or Velcro straps), going to the toilet alone and opening their own lunchbox. Assure your child that they can ask the teacher any questions they have during class, and that the teacher is there to help them.

Your child doesn’t have to be starting a new school to feel anxious about their first day back. After the long break, they may feel nervous about their new teacher and classmates. It is still a good idea to visit the new classroom before the first day and talk to your child about all the exciting things this school year will bring.

First day nerves

Starting a new school or coming back after the break can be nerve-wracking but it is also an important part of growth and development in learning how to adapt to change, make new social connections and explore new environments. 

Try not to be a ‘lawnmower parent’ and smooth the path too much for your child. You are there as a support person as they develop their independence in the school years. They need to learn how to solve problems on their own so try not to be tempted to intervene until your child has had a chance to work through problems themselves. Acknowledge that it is normal to be nervous but try to focus on the positive experiences school will bring to help counter the nerves with excitement.

As adults we bring our own experiences to the situation. For example, if we found school difficult, it can be hard to keep those emotions separate from our child’s experience. If you know you might become anxious yourself at the prospect of your child staring school, try to keep your own emotions in check and let your child navigate their own path.

Focus on open communication with your child. Ask open-ended questions and respect their space if they do not want to talk. Remember they may be tired at the end of each day as they adapt to a new environment.

If the child is moving schools after a bad experience at a previous school, talk about fresh starts. Let them know a new school is a new beginning and a chance to rewrite their experience of school in a more positive way.

Building relationships

Young children often need simple overt assistance in navigating new friendships. Encourage them to follow their own interests, which helps them to find like-minded peers. 

Teach them how to ask others if they can play and give them ideas of ways to engage with others such as building things together, riding trikes together and imaginative play.

Break down social difficulties into smaller basic steps to help your child work out a way through and encourage them to approach their teachers if they require assistance rather than approaching the teacher yourself as a first step.

Small children will learn a lot about basic social behaviour at school, but you can help by trying to get to know other families, particularly those who have children your child likes to play with. Your child will be more comfortable making friends at first when you are around as a safe base. Respond to invitations and try to invite other children to play, whether in the park or after school to help foster relationships with kids your child enjoys spending time with.

Beyond the first day

Don’t underestimate the emotional and physical exhaustion that may come with the beginning of school and keep the rest of life as simple as possible while your child adapts to the new school.

Limit extracurricular activities in the first term as you observe how your child’s energy and emotions are adapting to the new start. Ensure your child goes to bed on time and gets plenty of sleep. If they usually go to bed late and struggle to wake in time for school, you may want to start an earlier bedtime routine, with , to avoid the sleepiness and rush of the morning. Keep their diet healthy and make sure they have a good breakfast before school each day so that they are not limited by hunger or lack of energy.

Be aware of other life changes that go along with starting a new school. Many children move schools amidst other changes in life such as house moves, financial problems, separation or divorce and other social problems. Be sensitive to a new school being one more change and try to be as empathetic as possible while maintaining as much stability as you can in the rest of the child’s life.

Starting school can also mean a change in working arrangements for parents, particularly stay at home parents who may re-enter the workforce. Be patient with yourself as you work to find a balance that suits your family.

Despite the busy lives we lead, try as hard as you can to keep up to date with the school calendar of events and prepare in advance for dress-up days and events to support your child’s participation in the school community.

Welcome back to Term 1 2025. 

The school canteen will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays. 

CLOSED - Monday and Tuesday

Please see the attached Canteen menu for 2025 and a flyer for the Flexischools App.

NRL After School Program

League Stars is coming to St Columbkille's Catholic Primary School!

League Stars is a non-contact skill-based participation program. It provides the perfect introduction to Rugby League for Primary School children. The program is designed to cater for Primary School students of all ages and ability levels.

Our action-packed program ensures all participants are highly engaged and finish each session sweating and smiling.

Please wear active clothing/school uniform, enclosed shoes, and bring a drink bottle!

The program caters for all year groups K-6 for boys and girls and will run on Wednesdays from 5/3/25 - 9/4/25, 3:15pm - 4:15pm. Cost $79. Active kids vouchers can also be used. 

Please see the details in the attached flyer. Register via www.leaguestars.com.au

Corrimal Rangers Juniors 2025 season registrations are now open.

We’re delighted to be welcoming new and returning players to our great club. We are a proud, community focussed club and are looking at growing our junior base in 2025. Come and join our community club, our family club, our great club by using the following link:

Register Now:

Under 6s - 12s: https://rego.prd.letsplayfootball.au/.../register/65131168

13s to 18s: https://rego.prd.letsplayfootball.au/.../register/65131169

Please note PlayFootball have a new registration system in place, you’ll need to link your account first. Please be patient and If you encounter any issues, please reach out and we’ll guide you through the process.

Additional information is available via the PlayFootball Support page. https://rb.gy/th52do