Dear Parents and Carers,

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

On Saturday, we celebrate the first of two First Holy Communion celebrations in the Monsignor Downey Hall. During this sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist), we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. 

This morning Year 3, and a few students from other grades, completed their preparation with Reconciliation with Father Patrick and Father Rick, along with Communion practise and reflection.

Congratulations to our Year 3 students making their First Holy Communion and being able to celebrate this special sacrament with their families. Thank you to Father Patrick, Father Rick, Parish Advisers, Year 3 teachers and staff who have supported Year 3 in throughout their preparation. 

As part of Kindergarten 2021 preperations, we have developed an eBook to support  the transition to school for our new students and their families. The 'I Am Going to Kindy' resource allows families to explore our school by choosing the features of school life they would like to learn about each time they open it. Thank you to Team Kinder - Mrs Emmett, Mrs Ilias, Mrs Leonard and Mrs Herring, along with Mrs Disibio for their work in putting together the wonderful resource. 

The Year 6 Graduation and Presentation 2020 will be held at Holy Spirit College Bellambi on Tuesday 8 December. Due to current COVID-19 directives, we have had to change both the venue and format. I would like to thank Mr Chris Agnew, Principal at Holy Spirit College for allowing us to use the Casey Ryder Centre and our Year 6 students and parents for their understanding. Further information regarding the Year 6 Graduation and Presentation is also attached below.

'Lunch with the Principal' is a PB4L initiative to affirm our student's positive behaviours within specialist classes including Music, Italian, Physical Education and Dance/Drama, along with being Respectful, Responsible and Safe at recess and lunch. These positive behaviours are acknowledged by the teacher, along with a raffle tickets given to students to go into the weekly draw. Congratulations to the following students for their positive behaviours throughout the last 5 weeks - Matthew Bertacco, Sophie Willoughby, Livinia McLuskey, Kayle Galaxidis, Annabelle Lyons, Hamish Dorney, Harry Cross, Abbie Stenos, Mia McCormack and Sam Morrisey.

Tomorrow and Friday, staff will be investing in two days of professional learning. These days will be pupil-free. Staff will working together with, Surf Life Saving Australia and  personnel from the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong in the following areas:

• 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
• Spelling Workshops

Kinder and Year 1 have enjoyed new carpet and furniture in their classrooms. These are in line with our School Review and Goal: Use of Resources and Space - To develop contemporary classrooms that support the learning needs and adjustments of all students. Thank you to the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong for their support in financing this project. We are working towards continuing these improvements for Year 2 - 6 moving into 2021.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support of our wonderful school.

Enjoy the next two weeks.

Take Care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

FIRST COMMUNION

This Saturday, 21 November, and the following Saturday, 28 November, our Year 3 students and students from other grades and other schools, will be celebrating the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. This event will be held from 3-4pm in the Monsignor Downey Hall. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this is a private Mass for the candidates and their immediate families. Thank you to all those who have been involved in the preparation of these students, the families, staff and parishioners, and please continue to continue to pray for these Holy Communicants over the next 2 weeks.

BOOKINGS FOR MASSES

Registration for all Masses are now online.

For St Columbkille’s go to https://corrimalparish.eventbrite.com.au or scan the QR code to go straight to the registration page.

Registrations for Masses close 1 hour before each Mass. If you register after 2:30pm on Friday please take confirmation of registration with you to show the monitors at the Mass you are attending. Please contact the office if you need any help - bulli@dow.org.au

ADVENT 2020:

Is perhaps a chance to slow down, during the Christmas rush in this difficult year of 2020. I invite all parishioners to allocate a small table for your own Advent Candles. You, family and friends could use the “ADORE” Advent booklet each week or every few days, just to sit for a while and reflect on life and the great Christmas Season, when Jesus comes to us as a little baby born of Blessed Virgin Mary. Give yourself some time and space. May the Lord Bless you during this Advent, Fr Patrick

CARLO ACUTIS

The first millennial to be declared Blessed. Carlo Acutis (3.05.1991- 12.10.2006), an Italian Catholic teenager, born in London, was beatified in Assisi during Mass celebrated by Cardinal Agostino Vallini on 10th October 2020. Carlo was best known for documenting Eucharistic miracles and Marian apparitions from around the world and cataloguing them all onto a website that he himself had created before his death from leukemia. At a young age, he taught himself computer programming and loved Super Mario, Pokèmon and playing PlayStation and soccer in his spare time. Pope Francis has invited young people to look to the late Italian teenager as a model of holiness. Pope Francis recalled the 15- year- old Italian teenager as a “a young man in love with the Eucharist.” “He did not rest in comfortable immobility.” said the Pope. “He grasped the needs of his time, because he saw the face of Christ in the weakest.” Blessed Carlo Acutis’ example, he added, shows young people that “true happiness is found in putting God in the first place and serving Him in our brothers and sisters.” “ When we face the sun we get a tan….but when we face Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.” Bl Carlo Acutis

ADVENT BOOKS

Limited copies of the Advent reflection book ‘Adore’ will be available from both churches until sold out. Cost $5 each

STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY

This Friday, 20 November, St Columbkille’s staff will engage in a spirituality day focusing on ‘Gratitude- Celebrating What is Right in our World’. Tim Hart and Beth Riolo from the Catholic Education Office will lead the day with the staff really looking forward to this time of spiritual nourishment.

MINI VINNIES – ROCK YOUR SOCKS

Last Thursday, the 12 November, was the Rock Your Socks Day fundraiser. It was a fun day where students from K-6 were able to wear funky socks and bring in a gold coin donation. As a result, we were able to raise $394.45. This money will go directly to the Arrupe Centre in Cambodia. The Arrupe Centre, established by Bishop Kike in north-western Cambodia in 2001, has been a home for many people, especially children, living with a disability – helping to empower them and offer opportunities they might otherwise not have. Thank you to all students for their participation and donations.

Miss O'Leary, Mrs Herring and the Mini Vinnies.

The following students have participated in the PRC.  Congratulations! 

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