Dear Parents and Carers,

Hope that you have enjoyed a wonderful week.

National Child Protection Week is celebrating 30 years of campaigning for child well-being against abuse and neglect. The theme this year is ‘Putting Children First’. As part of the week we also acknowledge R U OK? and White Balloon Day. This presents us with the opportunity to 'check-in' with family, friends and colleagues.

Today is Bravehearts ’White Balloon Day. This is Australia’s largest campaign dedicated to preventing child sexual assault and exploitation. Each year White Balloon Day unites communities to break the silence on child sexual assault and exploitation and makes a commitment to protecting our children. Please refer to the link attached for further information: https://whiteballoonday.com.au

Bravehearts works tirelessly to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child through the 3 Piers to Prevention:

Educate
All children and young people receive evidence-based, age-appropriate personal safety education.

Empower
All adults are trained, aware and motivated to protect children, and adequate specialist counselling and support is available to all child and adult survivors of child sexual assault and exploitation and those who support them. 

Protect
All systems of community and government engage effectively and respond at all times in the best interests of the child.

Students wore predominately white, placed a white ribbon on our school fences, created wonderful artistic drawings on the Front Cement, along with discussing in class the significance of being and feeling safe and supported. 

Yesterday was R U OK? Day. It is a day of action focused on encouraging us to take time and connect with friends, family, and colleagues.  This year's theme reminds us that there is more to say after R U OK?  It's about LISTENING, ENCOURAGING ACTION, and then STAYING CONNECTED, because research indicates that genuine care and concern can make a real difference. Please refer to the link attached for further information: https://www.ruok.org.au

Our Year 3 students celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday with Father Patrick and Father Rick. Thank you for the work of our catechists Millie and Anna, the ongoing support of staff and parents in their preparation of our students. We look forward to First Holy Communication next term. Congratulations Year 3.

In relation to Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong COVID-19 updates we are currently in Phase 3. These directives and protocols will continue for the remainder of the term. At this stage there have been no updates regarding Term 4.  Thank you for your patience, support and effort in continuing to social distance, for morning drop offs and afternoon dismissal. We are working together to ensure that the directives are being adhered to and the safety of our school community is at the forefront of all that we do. Thank you.

Holy Spirit College announced their students leadership teams for 2021. We would like to congratulate and acknowledge former students of St Columbkille's - Lily King (School Captain), Sabine Abou Faissal (Vice-Captain) and Jack Pritchard (Sports Captain) on their new leadership roles. We wish Lily, Sabine and Jack, every success in their respective positions next year. 

Have a sensational weekend and we are looking forward to working together over the next couple of weeks before we have a well deserved holiday.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal.

Reconciliation

On Wednesday morning a number of our Year 3 students, along with other grades and students from the state schools, celebrated their First Reconciliation. A huge thank you to the parents and carers who helped them in their preparation, as well as the parish sacramental team who were able to organise this during COVID. A special thank you to Mrs Lisa Bates, the Parish Secretary, who has spent many hours in organising all our Sacraments for this year. Father Patrick and Father Richard accompanied the children on the day and reminded them that in this Sacrament Jesus offers us forgiveness for the times we have sinned and turned away from God. It is also just as important to forgive others who hurt us.

To acknowledge National Child Protection Week and White Balloon today, Friday 11 September, students were asked to wear appropriate mufti clothing with an element of white in their outfit.  During the day students were also involved in chalk drawings and related classroom-based activities and reflections.

Season of Creation

How are you and your family recognising the need to care for creation during September? Some students have reported initiatives they have begun at home as well as making more time just to enjoy God’s creation. Don’t forget the calendar sent out over a week ago has some activities to guide your prayers and thinking.

Parish Office Hours Changing

The Parish office will be closed on Mondays from 14 September and will be open on Fridays from the 18 September until COVID 19 restrictions and Mass bookings are lifted. This is so that bookings for weekend Masses can be taken right until close of office on Fridays. No more calls or bookings for Masses will be taken after 2:30pm on Fridays. Once Masses reach capacity we can not allow anyone else in. If you have not called the office to confirm your place or have not received confirmation please do not attend.

Ripples Media

Episode 14: The Story Behind RUOK? Day with Josie Larkin (Josie is the daughter of Gavin Larkin, the founder of RUOK? Day. She is 19 years of age and is an extraordinary young woman with a very important message).

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: RUOK? Day Episode and More 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CathEd.DoW/videos/943072632838630

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/CE5lmGkA-Qn/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CathEd_DoW/status/1303526666602295302

Song in Support of RUOK? Day: We Walk Each Other Home by Tim Hart. This is a wonderful song for students and adults which highlights a really important message for us all. The Video of this song is available on the CEDoW Learning Continuity Site and includes some great actions! 

PODCAST LINKS:

LINK TO PODBEAN: https://ripples.dow.catholic.edu.au

APPLE PODCAST LINK: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ripples/id1511337808 

LINK via CEDoW Learning Continuity Site:  

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

2020 Pilgrimage of Lisieux Booklets

Booklets recounting the pilgrimage of the relics of St Therese and her parents Ss Louis and Zelie to St Columbkille’s Parish are available to purchase for $10. (The money will go towards renovation costs at St Columbkille’s). To order please call Millie on 0409999196 or Anna 0432592031.

Bishop’s Annual Appeal

This appeal, in support of clergy care and parish ministries will be held on the weekend of 19/20 September.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal's Awards

KB - Kai Beverley, Isobel Santillan

1B - Jack Cram, Joshua Jenkins, Harlan Menghi, Ollie Stewart, Wilfrid Welch

2G - Hudson Bennett, Ben Franco, Felix Ibrahim, Rosalie Larkin, Kynan Merola, Ethan Oliver, Darcy Shaw, Sophie Willoughby

3B - Ethan Akhurst, Noah Bell, Leah Petch, Juliet Ritz, Olivia Ryan, Amelia Stewart,

3G - Anastacia Auld, Livinia McLuskey, Daisy Ann Smith, 

4B - Annabelle Lyons

5G - Allegra Calmasini

6B - Cameron Munn

6G - Niceisha Manago, Zara Srbinoski

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award

1B - Dylan Saveski, Lachlan Walsh

1G - Lachlan Donachy, Amity Fuller, Zali Mayo

3B - Dominik Raschilla

3G - Ryder Bighetti, Matthew Munn

5B - Alyssa Fitzpatrick

5G - Zachary Jacobson

6B - Joelle Bates

6G - Liam Pleace, Emily Sharman

School Medallion 

3B - Georgia Doherty, Bronte Ireland

3G - Anastasia Auld, Alexander Mamouris

5G - Chloe Townsend

6B - Joelle Bates

6G - Olivia Otsyula

Due to current COVID19 restrictions we are unable to hold our Class Assemblies in the usual manner.  So that each class can still have an opportunity to share their learning successes, we have commenced virtual class assemblies via our social media platforms. This includes posts on Instagram and Facebook.  

Thank you to 3 Gold 2 Gold, 1 Gold for showcasing their learning over the past few weeks and we look forward to Kinder Gold's virtual assembly next week.  

If you aren't already following us on Instagram and/or Facebook, connect now @stcolumbkilles.corrimal (Facebook) and @stcolumbkilles.corrimal (Instagram) so you don't miss out on celebrating learning with us. 

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

FOOTY COLOURS DAY – Friday 18 September 2020

Our Footy Colours Day event helps children with cancer, who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, keep up with school while they receive and recover from treatment.

The money we raise, funds Fight Cancer Foundation’s education support programs, which operate in major Paediatric Hospitals across the country. They ensure no child falls behind or disengages from school as a result of their cancer diagnosis. Our support is needed, this year more than ever, to continue to fund the special programs.

On Friday 18 September 2020, please wear your favourite Rugby League/AFL/Soccer jersey or wear an item of clothing with the colours of your favourite Rugby League/AFL/Soccer team.

Please bring a gold coin donation.

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Pauline Leonard - Middle Leader One

COVID-19 and how this is affecting Poppets Direct.

At present we are strictly adhering to social distancing restrictions with our shop front. We have closed the normal shopfront entry to minimise touching door handles etc as well as monitor and restrict numbers in our shop. Entry is via the side roller door off the carpark and all patrons must sanitise and sign in on entry.

We can cater to just 2 families within the shop at one time, which we have been managing quite well to this point. This however will become increasingly difficult the closer we get to new enrolment orientations and the back to school season 2021 as we foresee long wait times – especially in January where we will usually have upwards of 100 families through the shop on any given day.

We strongly suggest that families contact us ASAP to make an appointment to outfit their children for school uniforms to minimise and reduce customer numbers during January. This especially relates to new enrolments and kindergarten for 2021. We also ask that current families be proactive in assessing their uniform needs prior to January. As always, we offer online services with free delivery, along with an extended lay-by system of up to 6 months for holding orders with only a small deposit required.

In regards, to stock and supply – we have had all orders organised and placed since April. Our issue at present is that there are long wait times coming out of China as they get back into full swing production. We would also normally rely on air freight but this has become impossible due to our border restrictions and the obvious issue of less planes flying into Australia. We ask that the community please take these issues into consideration and understand that we are doing our best in these unprecedented times to fill in any out of stock situations as soon as possible.

Coming in earlier to order and be fitted will also help this situation so that we can better plan and make sure we have stock in for everyone.

Melissah Gervaise - Poppets Direct

We ask that you please claim your child’s lost clothing, lunch and drink bottles from the lost property baskets in the Basement before the end of term.  Unclaimed items with no name labels will be washed and either placed in the clothing pool or donated to charity. 

Thank you in advance. 

CatholicCare, Diocese of Wollongong would like determine the viability of Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) at our school for 2021. 
 
CatholicCare are the preferred OSHC service provider for Catholic Education schools within the Diocese of Wollongong and have several OSHC school services throughout our Diocese.
 
Below is the survey link that will remain open for one week.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=zlmHQHHqOUOz47-22C6OuCe6RogtQQNEgk7B6IPZm7BUMDlCUUY4VTQ5WUkwUFBYVlFORVYwVE9LVS4u
  
For further information about the CatholicCare OSHC service, please refer to the links below.
https://youtu.be/FgvzUkV5qbg
http://www.catholiccare.dow.org.au/index.php/oosh-program
 

The web is a great place to learn, be creative and stay connected, but with one in five young Australians found to be victims of cyberbullying each year, and the many other challenges young people face online, it’s important that we invest in giving our students the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens. eSmart assists schools and communities to achieve this.

At St Columbkille’s we are an accredited eSmart school. This means we have a collaborative approach to digital inclusion, digital literacy and cybersafety, bringing together government, industry, schools, libraries, families, organisations and most importantly, you, our eSmart community.

During National eSmart Week, September 6 to 12, we encourage you to explore being smart, safe and responsible with digital technologies at home.  You may find the following sites helpful: 

• eSafety Commissioner 

• Cyber Safety Solutions 

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal