Dear Parents and Carers. 

Hope that you are well and have enjoyed the last two weeks.

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes Baptism, through the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil. Candidates are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Through this, we are reminded of our participation in the mission of Jesus, and strengthened to follow Jesus more closely.

'Everyone who has received the sacrament of confirmation has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides them and gives them the strength to follow God's will'  

Pope Francis

NAIDOC Week 'Always Was, Always Will Be' celebrations are being held this to acknowledge the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Students and staff will have the opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and engage in a number of activities within their classes throughout the week. Thanks to Mrs Thatcher and Mrs Orphin for their work in preparation for the week. For more information please refer to the following. https://www.naidoc.org.au

On Wednesday 11 November School Captains Emma Lumsden and Lucas Dubowski and Vice Captains Ally Ezquerro and Sam Morrisey at the Corrimal RSL Remembrance Day Service at ANZAC Grove Corrimal. Each year on this day, as Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts. Lucas will recite the prayer On Flander's Field on behalf of our school community. For more information, please refer to the link below.

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/remembrance-day

Our Transition to School Kindergarten 2021 program has been a great success. Our staff have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to work with our new students from Group 1 over the 4 sessions. Next our Group 2 Kinder students will begin their 4 sessions and we look forward to welcoming them into our school community

Please find attached a co-signed letter from Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Director of School Peter Hill and myself relating to further updates in COVID-19 directives and procedures.

Thank for your continued support over the last 2 weeks.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Confirmation

Last night we celebrated the first of our Confirmation liturgies with a number of our Year 6 students, their sponsors and their families. Although it was a little different with no supper being held, it still was a lovely evening to remind these students about the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Thank you to all those involved with the sacrament, big or small, and for everyone’s prayers during this time. A special thanks to Father Patrick for his support, Lisa Bates from the Bulli Parish for her amazing organisation and the parents/carers/grandparents who have worked alongside these students and allowed their faith to grow. Our second celebration is being held tonight.

Remembrance Day

On Tuesday 11 November our school community will pause to acknowledge and commemorate Remembrance Day. On this day we especially remember those who have died in war, and to pray for attacks and cruelty throughout the world. We will continue to pray for peace and to think about what we are doing as individuals, as a community and as a country to bring God’s peace into the world. 

First Holy Communion

Booklets will need to be returned by Wednesday 18 November. On this day the candidates will take part in Reconciliation, in the morning session, and then a practise in the hall to follow recess. Thank you to those families who have already returned their workbooks and to all families for the commitment to this Sacrament via online learning.

On Friday 20 November the staff of St Columbkille’s will engage in a spirituality day focused on Gratitude- “For all things give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The staff are very much looking forward to this time of silence, solitude and stillness.

Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On Saturday 21 November we commemorate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When Mary was asked to be the mother of the Saviour, she was completely free to accept or reject the offer. Her response, “Let it be done to me,” was a great act of faith. Because she did not understand what was happening, she must have known that there would be difficulties ahead.

She replied yes to the angel's announcement and agreed to become the mother of Jesus, and the Church has declared Mary to be the Mother of God. Because she was the first to say yes to the Messiah, the Church has declared her to be the Mother of the Church.

The feast of the presentation of Mary dates back to the 6th century in the East and the 15th century in the West. It is based on an ancient tradition that says Mary was taken to the temple in Jerusalem when she was 3-years-old and dedicated to God. What we celebrate on this day is the fact that God chose to dwell in Mary in a very special way. In response, Mary placed her whole self at the service of God. Every moment since your Baptism, God invites you to be open to his grace and dedicate yourself to him, as Mary did.

NAIDOC Week

Usually NAIDOC Week is held nationally during July but due to COVID-19 celebrations were moved to Sunday 8 November through to Sunday 15 November.

This year's NAIDOC 2020 theme is Always Was, Always Will Be. 

This theme recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. 

During NAIDOC, we remember in our thoughts and prayers the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of our country and celebrate their rich cultures and inspiring contributions to Australia. 

Congratulations to the following students:

Principal's Awards

2G - Harper Harrison 

3G - Alyssa Bishop, Zali Munoz-Letham, Maddie Nightingale, Rhys Nightingale

4B - William Jones-Murphy, Daniel Tramacco

4G - Haydon Sharman, 

5B - Anisha Hira

5G - Athanael Disibio, Grace Docherty

6B - Indianna Dalton

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award 

KB - Isla Stephen

1B - Brody Foster

2B - Dylan Fang, Talon Mayo

2G - Abbie Stenos

3B - Sunny Barry

4G - Betty Barry, Angus Coughlan, Payten Sims

5B - Molly Stephen

6B - Robert Banfield, Tyler Karhof, Riley Locke, Cameron Munn

6G - Lucas Dubowski

School Medallion

2G - Abbie Stenos

Semester Two Reports were published via Compass on Wednesday.  These reports are different to the Interim Reports distributed in Semester 1 and slightly different again to the regular Semester Reports.  Below is a rationale for these changes presented by the Wollongong Catholic Education Office. 

If your child is in Year 6 and not moving to a school within the Wollongong Diocese of schools, it is suggested that you download all reports, before the end of the year.  When your child is unenrolled from the system, you will no longer have access to Compass and the information contained within it.  

If you are still having issues downloading the Semester Two Reports, please contact the school.  

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal 

Our staff will undertake a series of professional learning opportunities over 2 days - Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November. This will include modules on:

• First Aid and Anaphylaxis training,
• Gratitude - Celebrating What is Right in Our World,
• Identifying and Appropriately Responding to Sexualised Behaviours in Students &,
• Social-Emotional Learning for students.

A reminder to all families and community members that dogs are not permitted on any of our school grounds unless they are assistance dogs. We have a student in our school that has an Anaphylaxtic reaction to dog fur/hair, hence this is for their safety and for the safety of all our community.