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- Principal's Message
- Religious Education
- Awards
- Merit, Core Value, Mary Mackillop Certificates and School Medallions
- Congratulations to the Faulkner Family
- PB4L
- SCC Sport
- Angolo Italiano (Italian Corner)
- Library Makerspace
- Seasons for Growth® Program
- P&F News - Mother's Day Stall - Tuesday, 4 May
- Transition to Winter School Uniform
- Australian Early Development Census 2021
- Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools - A Guide by Parents for Parents
- Corrimal Market - Farmers & Foodies Market
- University of Wollongong Learning Labs
- Girl Guides - Woonona
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope that you enjoyed a brilliant Easter holiday break with your family and friends. Welcome back to the early beginnings of Term 2.
On ANZAC Day 25 April, 59 students (along with their parents and grandparents) and staff marched in the annual Corrimal RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service. It was an extremely special occasion for the Corrimal community particularly after the cancellation of the event due to COVID-19 last year. The amphitheatre at ANZAC Grove was full of people there to recognise and commemorate ANZAC Day on a fresh, clear and still morning - it was a fitting tribute to our ex-service men and women on this very special day.
Our SCC choir, made-up of Year 5 and 6 students did an outstanding job in leading our National Anthem and Vice Captain Alyssa Fitzpatrick read the Solider's Prayer beautifully. Thank you for your support.
On Sunday 9 May, we celebrate the gift of our mums through Mother's Day. This day honours our mothers and all of those women in our lives who nurture and unconditionally love us. Mother's Day, affirms the love and respect we have for our mothers, grandmothers, aunties or sisters, as we show our gratitude for all that they have done for us and do, through acknowledging this special day together.
On Thursday 6 May 2021 at 9:30am in the Monsignor Downey Hall, we will celebrate Mother's Day with a Liturgy followed by morning tea. Thank you to the P&F for their support on the day and for providing the morning tea.
The Mother's Day Stall will be held on Tuesday 4 May. Thank you to Caroline Ayres and her team for organising and operating another sensational stall, with a wonderful array of gifts - your time and effort is greatly appreciated.
Mrs Disibio and myself have begun the interview process for new and existing families for Kindergarten 2022. It is a significant time in the lives of families and we look forward to meeting prospective students and their families over the next 4 weeks.
Wishing you a safe, happy and successful next couple of weeks.
Take care
Brad Colquhoun - Principal
Anzac Liturgy
Last Friday 23 April our school community commemorated Anzac Day with a liturgy in the hall. Thank you to our special guest speaker, Mr Zemaitis, for sharing his experiences of army life and peacekeeping duties. Thanks also to the staff and Year 6 Faith Team who read so wonderfully, and to all the students who participated so reverently. I know a number of students, quite young, turned up at dawn on Anzac morning to commemorate this significant day, so thanks to their parents/families.
Mother’s Day
On Thursday 6 May our school community will celebrate with all our mums, grandmas, nannas, nonnas, aunties and those who care with a mother’s love. Our liturgy will be held from 9.30-10.30am, followed by a morning tea. If you have not indicated your presence as yet, please do so ASAP. Thank you for the photos which have been sent in already, the final day for these will be Tuesday 4 May.
Confirmation Preparation Mass
On Wednesday 12 May at 10am Father Patrick will lead a Confirmation Candidate Mass in St Columbkille’s Church. This is an important part of the preparation for those Year 6 students making their Confirmation. Parents / carers are especially invited to attend.
Family Mass
On June 5 & 6 our Family Masses will return. These are always a lovely chance for families and parishioners to join in celebrating the Eucharist. Students and family members may like to do a reading at the 6pm Saturday Mass or 9.30am Sunday morning Mass. If you would like to be involved, please let me know.
Environmental News
Last Thursday the staff were presented with our SEMP (School Environment Management Plan) for 2021-2024. Further information in regard to this will be sent to parents shortly.
I have included links to the WEN (Wollongong Environment Network) webpage on the CEDoW website https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/catholic-education/wen/ and a calendar for Green Dates.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10lSIc1DvxtQDJblBqmVUyzwIGIiJA_JK/view
You may like to focus on these during the year with your family / friends. It was decided that our school will begin Waste Free Wednesday alongside Trash Free Tuesday as from Week 3. Let’s reduce our rubbish even more! It was also decided that grades will be involved in environmental actions within a specific garden area within the school.
K- Infants playground
Year 1- Hall surrounds
Year 2- Bunji Place (new passive play area)
Year 3- Front cement
Year 4- Paddock
Year 5- Church area (working alongside Parish gardening group)
Year 6- The Patch
You may even have suggestions for the grades teachers or would like to be involved at times.
Social Justice
Our Mini Vinnies group are in the process of finding out what items of food and clothing are needed for our local Corrimal community. This term our St Vincent de Paul focus is the “Winter Appeal” where students/families donate goods. More information will be forthcoming.
Parish Community Newsletter
Each month a parish newsletter is emailed out to our school community and the parish. Our Year 6 Leaders of Community have become reporters for this initiative and are to be congratulated on their work for the April edition. A few parishioners have commented on their great work so thanks to William, Blake, Phoenix, Mackenzie, Eleisha, Harry C, Jack and Ben.
Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator
Congratulations to the following students:
Principal's Awards
KG - Max Britton, Willow Patris, Maddison Troughton
1B - Imiah Nguyen
2G - Matthew Bertacco, Brody Foster, Oscar Haafkens
3B - Isabella Masters
5G - Lauren Foster, Zaria Nguyen
6G - Harper Duggan
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award
1G - Samuel Porter, Abigail Vaughan
3B - Lachlan Miller, Ciara Pons
5G - Levi Saweris, Isabella Stenos
6B - Isaac Ayers
6G - Eleisha Niew
From the beginning of Term 2, parents/carers will be emailed when their child will be receiving a merit, core value, Mary MacKillop or School Medallion at the up coming Award Assembly. Adhering to the latest COVID-19 directives, we are now able to invite parents/carers to the Award Assemblies held on most Friday afternoons from 2:30pm. We do ask that if you attend the assembly you please sign in via the QR code, so that we have a record of your attendance should we need to contact you.
Please also check the school calendar for Assembly dates and times.
Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal
Congratulations to the Faulkner family who have welcomed a new boy, Ari into their family. We wish Michael, Aprel and Leo every happiness and success into the future.
'A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope and a dream of possibilities'.
On Tuesday 20 April, St Columbkilles held their annual Cross Country Carnival at Bulli Park, Bulli. It had been several years since we have held this event at Bulli and it didn’t disappoint. The weather was beautiful and the backdrop to the race was amazing. Many thanks to the students who participated with great enthusiasm and to the many parents who volunteered their time to man a checkpoint. Our Cross Country champions for 2021:
8/9 Boys: Harrison Esteves
8/9 Girls: Ruby Ukotic
10 Boys: Taj Bloom
10 Girls: Amelia Rutledge
11 Boys: Bailey Mitchell
11 Girls: Ava Cooper
12 Boys: Hamish Dorney
12 Girls: Eliza Woodford
Congratulations.
On Tuesday 27 April our Cross Country Squad attended the Diocesan Cross Country at “Willandra” Nowra. The students participated with great enthusiasm and competed admirably. The following students have qualified to represent the Diocese of Wollongong at the NSWCPS Cross Country event held at Eastern Creek on 8th June.
Hamish Dorney - 2nd place
Amelia Rutledge - 2nd place
Bailey Mitchell - 2nd place
Harrison Esteves - 8th place
The boys team placed second overall in the Diocese. Congratulations to all runners.
On Friday 23 April, Indy Ukotic (Year 6) Ava Cooper (Year 5) and Haydon Sharman (Year 5) represented the Diocese of Wollongong in the Boys and Girls Football in Goulburn. All students played very well over the course of the day and were great ambassadors for St Columbkilles. Well done to you all.
Preston Park (Year 5), Isaac Tasca (Year 5) and Zac Rosengren (Year 5) are playing in the Diocese of Wollongong Rugby League team at the MacKillop trials today in Canberra. We wish the boys all the best in selection for the MacKillop team.
Mrs Kipp - Leader in Sport
Angolo Italiano
I look forward to once again working with the Gold classes this term. In Kinder, Year 1 and Year 2 our focus will be on animals and toys, whilst in Year 3 and 4 we will explore school in Italy and finally in Year 5 and Year 6 the content will be Italian sports. We also look forward to celelbrating La Festa Della Republica on the 2 June. If you haven't already, I recommend that you download the free Langauge Online App on your phone or computer. It contains easy to follow activities, games and songs to teach your child or you simple Italian.
Learning to live with change and loss
Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St Columbkille’s Catholic Primary School we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth which will commence later this term. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research which highlights the importance of social support and the need the practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.
If you think your son or daughter would benefit from Seasons for Growth, we would encourage you to talk to him/her about participating in the program.
St Columbkille’s Catholic Primary School is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved. If you require further information please contact Michelle Lace or Pauline Leonard through the School Office on 42 847987 on Wednesdays. Alternatively visit www.goodgrief.org.au
If you think the program would be of benefit to your child please send an email to either lacem01@dow.catholic.edu.au or leonardp01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Groups will be formed based on student’s age and you will be contacted prior to commencement to provide further details about the program. We are hoping to run three groups this year.
Mrs Lace & Mrs Leonard
Transition to the winter school uniform will begin on Monday 17 May. During this week students may choose to wear their summer or winter uniform depending on the weather.
All students are expected to wear the winter school uniform from Monday 24 May. If you have any concerns re: winter uniform, please contact the office.
Link to uniform policy and information.
Between May and July this year, our school will be taking part in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). This is a nationwide census/survey of early childhood development held once every three years. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative run by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and includes all children in their first year of full-time school.
The AEDC provides vital information to communities about how children are developing in the crucial early years. AEDC data is relied upon by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers and government to inform planning and improve services and supports for children and families.
The AEDC Instrument is completed by teachers about children in their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is voluntary and is not a school test. The information collected gives a picture of how children are developing before they start school in five key areas or domains. It shows what is being done well, and what can be improved. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of full-time school to be included in the AEDC.
If you do not want your Kindergarten children to be included in the collection of data, please inform the Kindergarten teacher. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via the school office.
Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal
The Supporting Diverse Learning in Catholic Schools - A Guide by Parents for Parents was developed to support and accompany families as they prepare their child for school, or for the transition from primary to secondary school. It offers practical ideas and advice from parents and carers who have 'been there and done that'. It includes areas such as 'Preparing the School for Your Child', communicating with the school, conversation starters for challenging topics, as well as practical ideas such as visuals board to help establish morning and evening routines once school has commenced.
