Dear Parents and Carers, 

This week Reconciliation Australia marks twenty years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution. This week, now more than ever, we work together to further that journey towards a fully reconciled country, particularly in light of current political and social unrest evident overseas.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We strive towards a more just, equitable nation by championing unity and mutual respect as we come together and connect with one another.

Today, we celebrate World Environment Day – Time For Nature. This day is a United Nations Environment-led global event, which takes place each year and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide.
 Since it began in 1972, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated across the globe.
 World Environment Day is a day that strives to raise awareness and encourage action for the environment. It offers an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and renew our resolve in overcoming the environmental challenges facing our world.

                             

As we move into Week 7, just a reminder that we will be remaining in Phase 3 of our Learning Continuity Transition Plan. Below are a list of the key points of the plan:-

• students 5 days a week 
• remote learning stops and gradual release face to face learning begins
• ongoing support for vulnerable students
• no assemblies, carnivals and/or excursions
• current Phase 1 protocols and procedures remain in place. ie 1.5m social distancing adult to adult and adult to student, encouraging student social distancing, morning duty, afternoon dismissal, cleaning and hygiene practices.

• Parent pick up at 3pm - students, parents and grandparents to assemble at their  grade witches hat.
• Students catching a bus to assemble in the basement at 3:05pm
• Students walking home or going home on car lines, assemble on the Front Cement at 3:10pm
• Please ensure that students that are walking from school to parents and/or grandparents waiting in cars do so safely and responsibly.

Enjoy a sensational long weekend. Please travel safe and enjoy the time with your family and friends.

Take care - Brad Colquhoun (Principal)

The Most Holy Trinity – Sunday 7 June

The readings selected for Trinity Sunday provide an opportunity to reflect on the nature of God. Over recent weeks, we have celebrated the Ascension and Pentecost – both of which reveal something about the nature of God through Jesus and the Spirit. Trinity Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate the unity of God whom we acknowledge as Father, Son and Spirit. Today’s gospel reminds us that there is a seamless continuity between the different experiences of God. Let’s recall the divine and human nature of God each time we make the sign of the cross… “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Sunday 14 June

The feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, formerly known as Corpus Christi, celebrates and commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. In today’s Gospel Jesus repeatedly demands that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. It is through these actions that his followers will share in eternal life. Jesus says that whoever does this will live in him and he will live in them. That is one of the fundamental beliefs about the Eucharist. When we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist we become what we receive – we become Christ’s body in the world. When Jesus called his disciples, He called them to be like Himself. He reissues that call to be like Him every time we receive His body and blood in Eucharist. Reflect this week on the ways we can be ‘nourished’ and ‘fed’ each time we receive the Eucharist.

Sunday Mass

In these restrictive times, we can still attend our regular Mass. The Parish Mass (with Fr Patrick inside St Joseph’s Parish Church) will be uploaded to the website at 5pm each Saturday. Gather the family and go to www.saintjosephsbulli.com and set your own time to view the weekend Mass. The Mass will stay on the website for the whole week.

Don’t forget Sunday Masses with Bishop Brian and priests from around the Diocese are available online at www.dow.org.au or Diocese’s Facebook page.

World Environment Day – Friday 5 June

Friday 5 June is World Environment Day, which is a United Nations-led event that is celebrated each year.  Since it began in 1972, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated across the globe.  World Environment Day is a day for everyone around the world to take ownership of their environment and to actively engage in the protection of our earth.  It is a day that strives to raise awareness and encourage action for the environment, offering an opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and renew our resolve in overcoming the environmental challenges facing the world today.  This year’s theme is all about nature and celebrating Biodiversity.

Our school has recognised this day with a liturgy led by Mrs Herring, Mrs Russo and Ms Emmett, and our Year 6 Enviro Ninjas. Special thanks to Mrs Tyrrell for videoing and organising the slideshow.

St Columba Feast Day

On Tuesday the 9 June, Catholics celebrate the feast day of St Columba. On that day we remember St Columba, the Celtic Saint after which our school is named. A whole school Zoom Liturgy will be held at 9.30am to reflect on the life, teachings and prayers of St Columba. May we always be guided by his words and actions.

The link to this liturgy, if you are wishing to join us, is:- https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/91707082005?pwd=NUdqUStpV25SN1BkMDE4MjNBM3Vzdz09&status=success

Religious Literacy Assessment Year 4

The Diocesan Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment (RLA), which was to be held on 17  August, has been cancelled for 2020.

This decision has been made in light of the uncertainty regarding education provision as a result of COVID-19 and mirrors the decision taken earlier this year to cancel the 2020 NAPLAN testing regime.

It is anticipated that the RLA will continue in its current format in 2021.

Sacramental Programs for St Columbkille’s 

Earlier this year we scheduled and sent out enrolment forms for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Holy Communion. 

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, the directives from the Government and Diocese of Wollongong have meant that these have been postponed until restrictions have been lifted.

If you have filled out the enrolment forms, please send them into the parish office either by mail or email. That way we can create a data base, so as to contact parents and carers as soon as we are advised to go ahead with the Sacramental preparation classes and new dates are set. Parish details are:

St Joseph’s Church Bulli: PO Box 304, Woonona. NSW. 2517 or email bulli@dow.org.au

Thank you to those families who have already returned their forms.

Catholic Youth Ministry Wollongong Live Online!

This is a creative, powerful show about faith in the life of young people. It is a new initiative featuring talks, worship music, fun games, guest speakers and testimonies. This is a great way for young people to not only build on their faith but also build friendships. To be involved simply follow the “CYMW” Facebook page or Instagram at “wollongongnetteam”.

Parent Spiritual Formation

The Catholic Education Office has provided us with this Spiritual Formation Meditation Link, for all families to use.

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/clem-spiritual-formation/spiritual-formation/parents

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal's Awards

1B - Brody Foster, Siena Giraldi, Harlan Menghi, Mackenzie Sims, Ollie Stewart, Wilfrid Welch

1G - Milla Piacentin, Sophie Windisch

2B - Harrison Esteves

3B - Ethan Akhurst, Noah Bell

4B - Jackson Logue, Annabelle Lyons, Lauren Miller

Mary MacKillop Awards

2B - Isabella Masters

3B - Claude Vincent

4B - Charlee Campbell, Willow Jenkins, Alicia Rohoseink

4G - Cameron Ritz

School Medallion

5B - Pheonix Miller

6G - Evelyn Ritz

We would like to wish Mrs Orphin a very Happy 70th Birthday.  As a staff, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate this momentous occasion together in the Hall for a special breakfast.  It was also great to see Aunty Shaz here to surprise Mrs Orphin and join in the celebrations.  

Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Tuesday 25 August at 7:00pm via Zoom. 

Please use this link to join the meeting:

https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/98391339043?pwd=a0NJa204TW9NZDJ3Rkg3cFUwbFBOZz09

All are most welcome to attend.

On behalf of St Columbkille's, we would like to thank "House2Home" Corrimal for their wonderful act of kindness and generosity. "House2Home" Corrimal have donated individual hand sanitiser to very student and each member of staff, along with five $20 Gift Vouchers as fundraising items to the P&F.

This is an extremely generous and most appreciated act on behalf of Cleve Barton owner of "House2Home" Corrimal. It highlights a great sense of community spirit and the positive relationship that we have formed with the Corrimal business sector.

Thank you.

Thank you for your support in ensuring our students have moved into wearing their winter uniforms successfully. Teachers will be focusing on sports shoes and socks over the next couple of weeks and issuing Out of Uniform notices to students not wearing the correct sports uniform (please refer to the Uniform Policy link below.)

If you have any concerns adhering to our school uniform expectations, please contact your child/ren Stage Middle Leader.

• Kinder Mrs Leonard
• Year 1 Mrs Herring
• Year 2 Mrs Thatcher
• Year 3 and 4 Mrs Lace
• Year 5 and 6 Mrs Tyrrell

Below is a link to our Uniform policy.

https://www.sccdow.catholic.edu.au/parents/uniform/

Reports will be distributed via Compass on Thursday 18 June. The Semester One Interim Report, developed by the CEDoW,  has been modified to accommodate the remote learning period, hence only Religious Education, English and Mathematics will be reported on, along with Effort and Engagement. Please refer to the attached letter for further information.  

Learning Conversations, which are optional, will follow during Week 9 and 10, with meeting dates and booking instructions to be published via Compass.  Children in Years 1 – 6 are to attend the conversation with their parents, as it is our belief that through engaging the children in the shared conversation about their learning, they can assume an increased responsibility for their learning and also celebrate their personal achievements. 

Kindergarten do not receive a Semester One written report, only a Semester Two Report at the end of the year.  This is an agreed practise in Catholic schools within the Wollonong Diocese.  Learning Conversations will take place providing oral feedback for the first half of the school year.  

Please ensure that the school has the most current and up to date contact details for you and your family members.  This can be updated via Compass or by emailing the School Office. 

As you would be aware a number of our students have food allergies to nuts, eggs, fish and shellfish.  In keeping these students safe from food reactions including anaphylaxis, we ask that you take great care when packing lunch boxes for your child/ren school each day. 

We ask that you pack:

No raw nuts (nut muesli bars)

No nut products (peanut butter, Nutella, coconut water)

No nuts in cooked items

No raw eggs

No cooked eggs (egg sandwich, egg in a salad, egg based mayonnaise)

No meringue 

No raw fish

No raw shellfish

No cooked white fish, salmon or shellfish 

Items that are OK to include in lunchboxes are:

* tinned tuna

* egg within cooked foods (cakes, biscuits, quiche or zucchini slice) 

We ask all who consume these foods to wash hands thoroughly after consumption and to ensure that they do not share their food with others.

The following website, ‘Kids with Food Allergies’ contains a number of recipes that are as free of many different food allergens as possible.  If you struggle with what to pack your child, this site is worth a browse.

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/recipes-diet.aspx#res

Also, just a reminder that NO dogs are permitted on school grounds as we have a student very allergic to dogs. 

This year, St. Columbkille’s will again participate in the UNSW ICAS Assessments. ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in a range of key learning areas. 

You are encouraged to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. The assessments are suitable for students in Years 3-6 wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. 

Please see the Compass alert sent out in Week 5 for details on how to register.

Middle Leader - Libbie Tyrrell

The SZapp App linked to our Schoolzine Newsletter is available to download from the App and Play Store.  Downloading the App will provide you with another form of communication.  In addition to the latest and archieved newsletters, the App includes links to our school website, our social media pages, school calendar and more, plus it also contains contact us facitlities.   

Simply download the App from the App or Play Store to your device, select the region, enter and select our school name and login using an exisitng email address.  

The newsletter and alerts will continue to be sent via Compass.  The SZapp will just provide information via a different forum, which you may find easier to use.  

Please contact the School Office, if you have any questions. 

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal