Dear Parents/Carers

Last Sunday signified the beginning of the four weeks of Advent – the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. It is a time for us to reflect, pray, give thanks and celebrate a greater sense of hope joy and love.

'Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to build my life on you, my  rock, by acting on your words' Sr Anastasia Reeves

Over the past two weeks our Year 5 students have nominated themselves for leadership roles, written and presented their speeches.  Year 5, Year 4 and staff vote for School Captain, Vice-Captain, School Representative Council (SRC) and House Captains for 2020.  The Captains and Vice Captains for next year were announced at this afternoon's Award Assembly.  Congratulations to the following students and their families:

Captains: Emma Lumsden and Lucas Dubowski

Vice Captains: Alessandra Esquerro and Samuel Morrisey

Our candidates for Student Council presented their speeches this morning, House Captains present their speeches next week and the successful candidates will be announce at our final Award Assembly. The members of our Leadership Teams will also be announced at this assembly.  These teams include; Leaders of Faith, Leaders of Celebration, Leaders of Learning and Leaders of Community.  

Yesterday, our Semester 2 Reports where shared with you via Compass. I have enjoyed reading each student’s report and seeing how they have grown and improved over throughout Semester Two. Thank you to our Staff for the time and effort that has gone into not only writing these reports, but also the numerous lessons, assessments and discussions needed to grade each of our students A-E. Student, Teacher and Parent learning conversations are optional in Semester Two. Please contact for child’s/ren class teacher if you would like an interview.

Our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy and Presentation will be held on Wednesday in the Monsignor Downey Hall. It will be a wonderful acknowledgement of our Year 6 students, parents and staff for the dedication and support they have demonstrated throughout their time here at St Columbkille's.

Our annual Christmas Concert will be held on Thursday at 7:00pm on the Paddock. This year's ‘Carols On The Green’ will be based on fun and traditional Christmas carols with each grade presenting an item, along with our school band ‘The Cobra’s’ and school choir. Please bring along your sing voices, a blanket and/or chair to sit on. Students are to wear Christmas coloured clothing on the night.

Our final Award assembly will be held next Friday along with our annual 'Thank you' afternoon tea for parents and grandparents helpers. This afternoon tea that we share together in Monsignor Downey Hall starting at 1:30pm, is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all the work and support that you have provided our students throughout the course of the year. 

Within our Week 8 Newsletter are articles relating to our Cyclic Review, School Review and Improvement Plans and Staff for 2020. We are extremely pleased with the feedback from the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong (CEO) regarding our 5 yearly cyclic review and the recommendations proposed by our leadership team and the CEO moving into the future. Director of School's, Peter Turner was highly complimentary of the community that together we are building here at St Columbkille's. Along with this, our School Review and Improvement (SRI) for 2020 outlines our key areas and goals moving into next year and the announcement of our team - Staffing 2020.

Thank you to Mrs McDonald and Tanya Coughlan (Canteen Corrdinator) for supporting us in the the tenduring process  for  the new canteen mananger commencing next year. The company 'Made Fresh' is the successful applicant and we look foward to working with them next year.

Thank you for all your support over the last couple of weeks we look forward to celebrating with you our final 2 weeks of the school year with you.

Take care

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Advent

Last Sunday the Church began its new year with the season of Advent. Advent invites us to reflect upon time, the relationship between past, present and future. Advent is a Latin word that actually means “coming.” In the Christian church, Advent is time of preparation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. In recognition of this each class has been given an Advent stocking which notes the scripture for the 24 days, as well as activities that families may like to take part in. A student from each class will take the stocking home each day to reflect on as a family at this special time of the year.

Catholic Missions

Thank you everyone for your generous support of Catholic Missions throughout the month of October. With our Mufti Day and class money boxes we were able to raise just over $500. This money will be forwarded to Catholic Missions to support the Nazareth House in the country of Ghana.

First Holy Communion

Our two First Communion masses held a few weeks ago were definitely a special event, not only for the parish, but for those children who were able to receive the gift of Jesus for the first time. Thank you to all those who guided these students - Father Patrick, staff, catechists, parents and grandparents. Also a huge thanks you to the parents and children who helped with the supper and morning tea at both occasions. It really was a whole team effort in making this sacrament so memorable.

Carols on the Green

The staff and students are busy preparing for our Christmas Carols on the Green (Paddock) on Thursday 12 December. We cannot wait to hear live performances from our classes, school band, the ‘Cobras’, and the St Columbkille’s Choir. The evening will commence at 7pm. Don’t forget your chairs, blankets and candles!

Year 6 Graduation

This special evening takes place on Wednesday 11 December. A liturgy in the Church at 6pm will be followed by dinner and presentations in the Monsignor Downey Hall at 7pm. Thank you to all those students, staff and parents who have helped to organise this momentous occasion.

St Vincent de Paul 2019 Christmas Appeal

Christmas items and edible treats can be sent in over the next couple of weeks to add to our St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. Please give generously to your class hampers so that others in our community may experience some joy this Christmas. Remember this years theme is  “One in Five Australian Kids go Hungry Each Day, as Well as their Families.” Thanks for your continued support, which is also greatly appreciated by the Corrimal St Vincent de Paul Chapter.

Family Mass Rosters

In the new year a roster will be designed for those students and family members who would like to proclaim the readings at weekend masses, take up the offertory or altar serve. The parish have asked for these helpers on the first weekend of each month, both at the Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. If you would like to be placed on the roster please let me know, as February will be our first weekend. Thank you to those family members who have already been a part of these Masses.

Christmas Mass Times

24 December (Christmas Eve- Tuesday): 6pm Vigil Mass and Midnight Mass

25 December (Christmas Day- Wednesday): 9.30am Mass

II Rite of Reconciliation: Friday 20 December at 7pm

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year with friends and family. Enjoy the holiday break, stay safe and see you in 2020.

Mrs Jo Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to Chris and Lana on the birth of their son, Lex. For mum and dad, brothers - Taj and Kade, is it a very precious, exciting and joyous time in their lives, particuluary coming into Christmas.

Our blessings and well wishes go out to the Bloom Family.

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal’s Award

KB - Flynn Karhof

1B - Kade Bloom, Felix Ibrahim, Talon Mayo, Ethan Oliver, Ciara Pons, Eden Saweris, Madison Stone, Eoin Vaughan

2B - Ryder Bighetti

2G - Steven Byju, Clover Duggan, Ben Niew

3B - William Jones-Murphy

3G – Haydon Sharman, Mason Stone, Ricardo Vega, Annabella Lyons

4B - Jake Mannion, Phoenix Miller, Samuel Warmington

4G - Athanael Disibio, Chloe Nightingale

6G - Georgia Bartzos, John Jones-Murphy, Charlotte Mamouris

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award

KB - Ollie Stewart

3G – Paxton Stewart, Annabelle Lyons

4B - Jakob Yarworth 

5G - Tayler Humphries

6G - Lilly Gallo, Georgia Bartzos, Dakota Short

Medallion

2B - Juliet Ritz

2G - Amelia Stewart

3B – Wiilow Jenkins

3G – Patrick Fahey, Kayle Galaxidis, Haydon Sharman

4B - Harper Duggan, Ashleigh Whiddon

5G - Tayler Humphries

6G - Elijah Lim-Corby, Charlotte Mamouris, Lachlan Sharman, Dakota Short

.

On Thursday 5 November on a very hot and windy day, students from Years 3 – 6 attended the NRL run Dragon Tag Gala Day at Reed Park, Dapto.

The students played a number of games throughout the day, at all times showing great sportspersonship.

Thank you to the parents who helped manage and run the teams and congratulations to all the students on their exemplary behaviour.

Feedback from Cyclic Review 2020

The school has undergone numerous refurbishments over the years, and there are ongoing plans to improve classroom and playground facilities even further. Despite the site being limited and located on a main road, the school has creatively used its available space to provide an impressive array of learning, administrative and active and passive play areas. The Principal and Leadership Team indicate a high level of commitment to the school with a clear vision for where they want the school to be in the future.

The school has strong links with the neighbouring Catholic High School, Holy Spirit College, and students are actively involved in numerous community events. Students report great affection for the school and appreciation for the extensive opportunities provided them. Parents, similarly report high satisfaction and admiration for the staff and the high levels of care afforded their children. They expressed gratitude for the strong sense of community and transparency created by the staff in harmony with the parent body.  Relationships with the Parents and Friends Association, understandably, are very collaborative.

Whilst student academic performance is generally above expectations, the staff are still committed to unlocking the potential of every child. The school has noted the need to focus on writing to improve student literacy, and continued focus on improving student numeracy across the whole school.

School Leadership Team Recommendations

The school named the following areas it wishes to focus on to bring about improvement over the next cycle:

1. Creating and maintaining strong links with the Parish;
2. Implementing Age Appropriate Pedagogy (Inquiry Based Learning) into Stage 1;
3. Improving staff capacity to facilitate student writing, especially spelling, grammar and punctuation;
4. Continuing to refine the Student Data Wall to make it relevant and accessible;
5. Re- developing classroom environments and providing resources to support contemporary learning pedagogy;
6. Embedding a culture of Collaborative Inquiry through strengthening staff understanding of Collaborative Leadership Improving Learning methodologies; and
7.  Developing staff understanding of new system policies in Diverse Learning Needs and Student Pastoral Care and Well-Being, and ensuring they are integrated into the life of the school.

Cyclic Review Team Recommendations

 The Cyclic Review Team were very impressed with the improvement initiatives and collaborative culture of the school. Based on the information collected in this review, the Cyclic Review Team validate the school’s planning for the future and recommend that the school:

1. Develop a strategy for providing ongoing staff spiritual formation experiences that deepen the experience of Lamplighters and Shining Lights;
2. Seek ways to share the successful collaborative processes and culture of the school with other Diocesan schools.

Our staff have finalised our School Review and Improvement Action Plans for 2020.  The SRI process is about the ongoing and sustainable improvement, and the implementation of effective change based on the individual and collective needs of our school. As a staff we have been very committed and worked extremely hard to successfully achieve each of the set targets and outcomes.

Below are each of the Key Areas, Targets and Outlcomes for this year.

1. School, parent and parish partnerships in regards to Catholic Life and Religious Education.

2. Student learning in the area of Writing through the process of collaborative inquiry and consideration of classroom environment.

3. Targeted professional learning linked to collaborative learning to support case management

4. To develop contemporary classrooms that support the learning needs, adjustments of all students.

5. There is a sustained focus on early intervention K-3

Key Area Catholic Life and Religious Education

Goal: The school, parents and parish will work collaboratively so that they will continue to grow in faith and celebrate Catholic life.

Key Area: Students and their Learning

Consistant pedagogy in Writing will be in place across the school so that all students achieve the expected learning gains

Key Area: Pedagogy

Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy will be unpacked and implemented across the school so that our students feel safe, supported, engaged and challenged

Key Area: Resources, Finance and Facilities

The school will have contemporary classroom spaces and furniture to support the unique learning needs of students and enhance teacher practice.

A friendly reminder for our Kindergarten 2020 parents / carers to ensure a Best Start Assessment has been booked per Kinder child for early 2020.  This can be done through the Compass App by selecting 'Conferneces' from the menu or via a browser at https://sccdow-nsw.compass.education/login.aspx?sessionstate=disabled  It is essentail that all our Knidergarten students sit the Best Start Assessment, hence you are encouraged to login as soon as you can to make a booking.  

If you have any issues booking a time or loging into Compass, please contact the School Office or myself.  

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assiatant Principal 

The school year concludes on Wednesday 18 December for students K-6.  

On this day the Annual Staff verse Year 6 Volleyball Game will be held in the morning and in the afternoon the staff and Year 6 Farewell Circle will occur.  

All are welcome.

School Banking with the Commonwealth Bank has been occuring at St Columbkille's for a number of years.  Over the past 5 years Romany Rosengren has assisted with the banking process from the school end.  We thank Romany for the many hours of counting money, completing forms and ensuring student receieve their banking rewards.  Many thanks Romany.  

As Romany is no longer able to assist us with the banking process, we are asking for a new volenteer.  If you are able to assit one day a week, for a few hours, please indicate your interest with the School Office.  

The role will include taking students deposits, balancing all deposits and taking all monies to the Commonwealth Bank on the same day. Romany will happily handover and train the new volunteer. 

Canteen Roster

Term 4 - Week 9

Monday, 9 December - 

Janine Baumeister, Marc Fursey, Kerry Fabon, Trudie Bell (11.30-2.30)

Tuesday, 10 December – SUSHI TUESDAY

Wednesday, 11 December

Linda Logue, Gisella Villella, Tracy Disibio, Caroline Ayers

Thursday, 12 December

(Canteen is closed)

Friday, 13 December

Kirsten Immens, Tanya Coughlan, Elizabeth Coll