Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to all members of our school community who made our 'Family Fun Day' such an entertaining, fun and successful event. To 'Family Fun Day' team - Wayne Rohoseink, Sarah Foster, Fiona Lally and Kelly Saveski, your work is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to the support of the teams of parents and grandparents for their organisation and time. We are very privileged to be part of such a giving and dedicated school community. 

Due to the numerous donations, generous sponsors and purchasing of tickets and items on the day the P&F were able to raise $18 000 which will support the ongoing wholistic learning needs of our students.  

Tomorrow evening and Sunday morning we celebrate the Sacrament of First Holy Communion with many of our Year 3 and 5 students, along with children from the wider Corrimal community. Thank you to Father Patrick, Mrs Herring, staff and Catechists, Kelly Glen and Anna D'Acunta who have supported both the students and parents in preparing and celebrating this Sacrament. It is a very special and memorable time in the faith development of these children.

In relation to staff, we would like congratulate Mrs Jenny Westblade on announcing her retirement from St Columbkille's after 25 years. She has predominately taught Physical Education K-6 supporting our students in their fundamental skills and movement, and sharing her love of the outdoors and sport with them. Mrs Westblade a giving, caring, compassionate and highly respected staff member, who will be greatly missed by us all. We wish Jenny and her family all the very best and look forward to seeing her in a casual teaching capacity here at St Columbkille's next year and beyond.

We also congratulate Mrs Chloe Tighe, Mrs Natalie Shelley and Miss Erin Steep on their new staffing appointments for 2020. Mrs Tighe has been appointed to a Permanent Classroom Teaching position at St Pius - Unanderra, Mrs Shelley to the leadership position of Religious Education Coordinator at Good Samaritan - Fairy Meadow and Miss Steep to a Temporary Full-time Teaching position at Nazareth Catholic School - Shellharbour.  It is wonderful news for Chloe, Nat and Erin. Well done.

We are currently finalising staffing and classes for 2020. Our team along with their class placings will be announced in the Week 8 Newsletter.

Thank you to our staff who are currently working on completing Semester Two reports which will be available via Compass on Thursday 5 December. These reports will be a genuine reflection of the learning and efforts of our students over the course of Semester Two.

Wishing you a brilliant couple of weeks and looking forward to seeing you throughout this time.

Take care. 

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Communion Retreat

On Wednesday the parish and school celebrated a retreat day for those students who are preparing for the sacrament of First Holy Communion. Reconciliation was followed by Gabriella, our guest speaker, then Mass and communion practice. A huge thank you to Mrs Glen for her organisation and members of the parish who provided food, iceblocks and their hospitality.

First Holy Communion

The weekend has finally arrived for our excited students. On Saturday evening and Sunday morning, as part of our parish masses, a large number of students from St Columbkille’s and nearby schools will receive Jesus for the first time. Thank you to all those who have prepared these students, who have led parents in conversations and who have given up their time on the weekends to attend and help with the ceremonies.

Mission Month Mufti Day

Today our community has once again recognised the importance of giving to those in need. The money raised from our mufti day will be offered to Caritas for their work with mission in the west African country of Ghana. Thank you to our Mini Vinnies for organising this fundraiser along with their sport activities for Year 2 and 3. Thank you also to our generous St Columbkille’s community for again supporting our diocesan fundraising initiative.

Year 6 Graduation

Our farewell liturgy and dinner for Year 6 students will occur on Wednesday 11 December. We look forward to celebrating with our Year 6’s everything they have achieved during their past seven years of primary school. They have been great ambassadors for St Columbkille’s and have been a pleasure to teach.

Christmas Concert- Carols on the Green

As the excitement of Christmas approaches staff and students will begin preparing for our annual Christmas Carols/Concert on the Green (paddock). Further details regarding this event will be forthcoming. Please keep Thursday 12 December free for some fun and festivities. It is always a lovely chance to celebrate as a school community before the end of the school year.

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator 

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal’s Award

KB - Juliette Ayers, Elodie McLuskey 

2G - Rhys Nightingale, Amelia Stewart, Mason Townsend

3B – Tobias Fielding, Chantelle Fleury, Aiden Heaton, Willow Jenkins, Cameron Ritz, Nate Russell

3G – Niamh Conway, Preston Park, Zac Rosengren, Payten Sims

4B - Thomas Immens, Ileana Lozenkovski, Stella Peiris  

5B - Riley Holl,  Samuel Morrisey 

5G - Kaden Drady 

6G - Xavier Ayers, Emilia Oliver, Gabriella Tortorici

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award

KB - James Andary 

1G - Sienna Pannell

2G Indiana Whitton

3G - Lauren Miller 

4B - Sebastian Pannell 

4G - Emma Whiddon  

5B - Samuel Morrisey 

5G - Noah Smart 

6G - Lachlan Sharman 

During the past three weeks, Kindergarten 2020, their families and Mrs Leonard and Ms Emmett, have been involved in a Playgroup in the MD Hall. The children and their families have been able to participate in many activities, play on the equipment at the Infants playground, as well as visit the natural playground area at the Paddock. The children have enjoyed playing with blocks, dolls, dress ups, puzzles and our special Prayer place.

Mrs Leonard and Ms Emmett - Kindergarten Teachers

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the UNSW Global ICAS Assessments for 2019. A special mention to the following students for their  outstanding results: This year we have achieved our highest number of Excellence Awards in this competition. 

Mathematics

Merit: Kayle Galaxidis, Emily Sharman

Credit: Christian Da Silva, Jackson Logue, Cameron Ritz, Lauren Foster, Zaria Nguyen, Jake Mannion, Chloe Nightingale

Distinction: Luca Tortorici

English

Credit: Mira Cameron, Felicity McIntyre, Charlotte Walton

Distinction: Zaria Nguyen, Isaac Ayers

Writing

Merit: Amaya Misopapas, Harper Fursey, 

Credit: Bronte Fursey, Luca Tortorici, Gabriella Tortorici 

Distinction: Zaria Nguyen, Lauren Foster

High Distinction: Felicity McIntyre

Mrs Libbie Tyrrell - Middle Leader 

On Friday the 15 November,  Mr Colquhoun and I attended the CDF Sports awards at St Marys College. It was a wonderful night, when the many talents and achievements of our primary and secondary students were acknowledged. Congratulations to Maddison Wood and Amelia Rutledge on their Primary Blue award and to Hamish Dorney on receiving the Primary Red award. Well done!

On Tuesday 19 November, Alessandra Esquerro (Tennis) and Jed Petre (Basketball) attended the Diocesan trials for 2020. The weather was extremely hot and humid with both students playing in their respective sports all day. Alessandra was selected in the Wollongong Diocesan Tennis team for 2020. Well done to both students. 

Congratulations - Southern Suns Touch Football

On the weekend Paxton Stewart, Hugo Immens and I went to Yass to compete in the Southern Suns Touch Football Competition. Our team is called Wollongong Devils and we played 5 games. We only lost one game and we made it through to the Grand Final, which we won!  We got medals and are looking forward to the season starting again early next year.

Riley Smith 3B

Mrs Colleen Kipp - Leader of Sport

Alessandra Ezquerro - Year 5, Holly Jeffree - Year 6 and Luca Tortorici - Year 5 attended the 2019 Launch of the Publication and Website “The Good, The Beautiful, The True. Student Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking". The Launch, organised by the Catholic Education Office, was held on Thursday 14^th November at The Fraternity Bowling Club, Fairy Meadow. The students received their certificates and were able to celebrate their success with their families. A lovely morning celebration. Thanks to Mrs Perre for all her efforts in working with these students.      

Mrs Pauline Leonard - Middle Leader

On Monday 11 November Year 6 students and the St Columblille's Chior represented our school at the Corrimal RSL Remembrance Day Service at ANZAC Grove Corrimal.   Our students were attentive, respectful and reflective throughout the ceremony.  The School Choir sang a moving reflection. Thank you to Ms Patton, the SCC Choir, Year 6 and the many parents/grandparents who took the time to represent our school and pay their respects to our Service men and women past and present.  Lest we forget.   

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

L’Angolo Italiano

Ciao a tutti!

It was great to have some of Year 3 Blue’s parents participate in a TOMBOLA activity last Wednesday afternoon with the students.  The parents were impressed with the students’ counting and operating in Italian with numbers to 100.  The winners of the Tombola game received some terrific prizes and all the students and visitors were rewarded at the end of the activity with an Italian favourite treat!

Grazie mille to Year 3 Blue parents, Mrs Lace and the students of 3 Blue for an enjoyable afternoon.

Next Wednesday - 27 November, 5 Blue and 6 Blue will be making Pizza and Pasta during their Italian lesson.  Members of our school community are warmly invited to join us in making these two favourite dishes.  The activities will be starting at 9:45 am in the Monsignor. Downey Hall. Please come and join us!

Alla prossima,

Signora Molinaro

• Befriending others can make teams work. - Elayna 
• You don’t need filters to see the beautiful things in the world. - Alana
• Mistakes don’t need to be someone’s fault - talk to others to come to a solution. - Zara
• To be successful, we have to move past mistakes. - Liam 
• All! - Leadership includes everyone. - Lucas C
• Leaders believe in people. - Robert
• Leadership is figuring out your way to solve a problem. - Kaden 
• Success is accepting failure. - Zara
• Success is having a growth mindset and learning from your mistakes. - Emma
• If leadership was a colour, I’d say yellow. It’s light and dark, representing highs and lows. - Taje 
• Never forget who you truly are! - Jasmine
• The role of a leader is to bring people to new heights. - Kaden
• Failure is guaranteed in order to succeed. - Billy
  Never be a sheep - always be a shepherd. - Emily
  Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. - Maddi 

Thank you to Cameron Brown for sharing the day with us! 

Mrs Libbie Tyrrell - Middle Leader

The use of technology is an integral part of the learning and teaching at St Columbkille’s.  In preparation for the 2020 school year we have sent home an information booklet (hardcopy and e-copy via Compass) which explains the model of iPad required, where you can purchase the iPad and how to set up your child’s iTunes account to all our current Year 4 families. 

If you have any questions related to iPads for Learning, please do not hesitate to contact me via the School Office and I can support you through this process.  

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal and Leader of Technology 

Our final P&F Meeting is on Tuesday 26 November at 7:00pm.

Everyone is most welcome to attend.

Our Term 4 P&F Disco is rapidly approaching and will be held on Thursday 28 November, in the Monsignor Downey Hall.  The Infants Disco (K-2) will commence at 5:00 pm and conclude at 6:30 pm and the Primary Disco will follow from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Both Discos are for St Columbkille's students only.

Term 4 - Week 7

Monday, 25 November - 

Janine Baumeister, Kristy Collyer, Lynn Harrison, Marguerite Zind (9-11:30) 

Tuesday, 26 November – SUSHI TUESDAY

(Canteen is closed – Sushi Available via Online Order Only)

Wednesday, 27 November

Sally Ritz, Mary Munn (9-12:00) - Helpers Needed

Thursday, 28 November

Jeannie Fitzpatrick, Lyndell Warmington 

Friday, 29 November  

Nicky Bishop, Mary Munn, Clare Duggan

Term 4 - Week 8

Monday, 2 December 

Lucy Fielding, Lynda Cross, Joy Drady (9:30-11:30), Olivia Hira (11:30-2:30)

Tuesday, 3 December – SUSHI TUESDAY

(Canteen is closed – Sushi Available via Online Order Only)

Wednesday, 4 December 

Mary Munn, Kaylene Ainsworth, Linda Logue

Thursday, 5 December 

Michelle Donachy (9-11:30), Jessica England, Lisa McCormack (11:30-2:30), Fiona Humphries (11:30-2:30)

Friday, 6 December - Jessica England, Tania Erven, Kylie Walsh