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Dear Parents and Carers,
Hope that you are well and coping with the challenges that we have been presented with over the past 2 weeks.
Thank you for your patience, dedication, durability and flexibility throughout the last 2 weeks as we live in and with, the current Greater Sydney restrictions and remote learning. Together, we have demonstrated great trust, understanding, care and compassion during this time in which we are being continually challenged and tested. Our students are safe, supported and continue to learn thanks to the collective efforts of our parents, carers, grandparents and staff.
The staff at St Columbkille's have been simply outstanding in their efforts in developing, implementing and maintaining quality learning opportunities for their classes, checking-in on the well being of students and their families, collaboratively working with and supporting each other, whilst balancing both their own professional and personal lives. I thank you and highly commend our staff on their exceptional work throughout Weeks 1 and 2.
Our students both at school and home, have engaged in their learning, demonstrated creativity and problem solving skills, stayed connected via zoom, along with being resilient and determined each day. We should all be very proud of them.
The Walk to Emmaus - Spiritual Reflection quotes
'It is vital, during these uncertain times we find ourselves living in, that we recognise and remember that we are never alone'.
'There has never been a more pressing time than now to stay on the road and ‘gain access’ to what can help give us strength and courage in these trying times'.
Commencing on Monday, Mrs McDonald will be on leave for the remainder of the year. We wish Trudi and her family all the very best and look forward seeing her back at St Columbkille's in 2022. Mrs Sharon Anderson has been appointed as Acting SSSO. We welcome Sharon to our school community and look forward to working with her throughout Semester 2.
Last term, interviews were held for a uniform provider for St Columbkille's. The process involved applicants applying via the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) tendering process, with the successful applicants then being interviewed by Mrs Trudi McDonald (SSSO), Mr John Sammut (CEDoW), Mrs Sarah Foster (Vice-President P&F) and myself. Our current uniform supplier, Poppets Direct Schoolwear, was the successful applicant. We look forward to working with Poppets moving into the future in their support of our school community.
On Monday 26 July, we acknowledge the Feast Day of St. Anne and St. Joachim, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. Our grandparents play in important and valued role in the life of our school community and personally for each of us. We are truly blessed and fortunate to have them in our lives.
'The impact that grandparents have on our children is tremendous from not only their presence but sharing their past experiences and perspectives in the hope of keeping their family’s customs and traditions alive for the next generation'.
Please let me know if there is anything that we can help and support you with moving into Week 3. Look after yourselves and each other. Thank you again for working with us in the ongoing safety, growth and development of the students in our collective care.
Stay safe and connected.
Take care
Brad Colquhoun - Principal
17th and 18th Sundays of Ordinary Time
The next two weeks link the thought of Jesus being our bread of life, especially through partaking in the Eucharist.
This weekend is the familiar story reflected on numerous times throughout primary school: Jesus feeding the five thousand. In the Gospel a large crowd followed Jesus. Why was Jesus concerned for them? What did the disciples ask the crowd to do before Jesus blessed the bread and fish? What did Jesus do with the blessed food? What was left over? Jesus feeds us in the Eucharist. What does he give to us? Jesus gives us his body so that we can become one with him and live like him. We pray that we will live for Jesus and share what we have with others.
The following weekend we are reminded of how much God loves us. It is easy to focus on our immediate needs of food and shelter, and other requirements of life, but even an abundance of those kinds of things will not satisfy us. Deep within us there is a yearning that only belief in God will satisfy. God will provide us with the nourishment that will really satisfy us – God’s own life.
Jesus never promised that belief in God and reliance on God’s providence would free us from problems and discouragement. He did assure us that God would always be present to strengthen and uphold us. Just as the food God sent Elijah enabled him to continue his journey, so the Bread Jesus gives us will enable us to live forever
Sunday, 25 July 2021 has been designated by Pope Francis, as the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It coincides with the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus, on 26 July. Occurring in the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family 2021-22 with the theme, ‘I am with you always’, the day draws attention to the vital role grandparents and the elderly play in our communities and in the mission of the Church. A range of resources to mark this occasion is available on the CATHFAMILY website.
As previously mentioned, our school community will celebrate this day in October.
Meditations for Parents/Families
In these unprecedented times, you or a loved one may need to take some time for mediation. The Catholic Education Office has a number of visual meditations available for your use on their website.
Remember to take some time for yourself.
Ripples Podcast
This is an amazing conversation with Matthew Ames. Here is the link.
Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are to be confirmed. Rest assured this information will be passed on as soon as it comes to hand.
Joanne Herring - Religious Educatio Coordinator
The Walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) – Part 2, Gaining Access
We find ourselves this week travelling a road that is definitely not straight or easy. A pandemic has the ability to completely unravel what we know and do. A challenging time like this is often when we develop a greater reliance on our faith.
The Road to Emmaus allows us to realise that the disciples also displayed many of the same feelings that COVID-19 is evoking in us. They felt the road was full of twists, turns and uncertainties. A road that we as a community, state, nation and globally currently find ourselves travelling. Like the disciples we need to keep walking.
After travelling along the road where Jesus has listened to the disciples and their story, he begins to help them gain access through the Scriptures – the story of God’s relationship with us, and they begin to hear the Word in a new way – to understand a bit more about how God works in the world. He breaks open the Scriptures and gives them hope. “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26)
He retells all of what had transpired in the scriptures and is able to open their eyes to the fact that what had happened was all part of God’s plan. The disciples felt disillusioned with Jesus, he hadn’t delivered all that they had dreamed. But the resurrection helps them realise that their hopes were not misguided; they were right to trust and hope in Jesus and that through His death, His job was done. “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:27)
The disciples just needed someone to help them make the connections with the scriptures. Just like the disciples we don’t always make the connections ourselves, we don’t necessarily see the ordinary in the extraordinary or get to the lightbulb moment. This is where discipleship comes in, we have others/companions to assist us to get to this point where we gain access and are able to make meaning of what has occurred. There has never been a more pressing time than now to stay on the road and ‘gain access’ to what can help give us strength and courage in these trying times.
Angolo Italiano
Ciao! It has been wonderful to see our students and family embracing the opportunity to learn Italian whilst remote learning. Grazie a tutti! I look forward to continuting to work with you and can't wait to teach Italian face to face.
A reminder that the Lanuages Online App is free and a great tool for student to learn and practice their Italian. The App can be downloaded on ipads and computers.
If you are looking for a family movie to watch during lockdown, Luca is a movie created by Disney and Pixar that is set in the Italian Riviera and is about a boy coming of age whilst enjoying gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Enjoy watching the official trailer. The full movie is available on Disney +. Listen out for some of the Italian words you may know and some expressions you may learn.
A presto!
Signora Disibio
Leader of Languages - Italian
Stai al sicuro, resta a casa.
We're turning St Columbkille’s
Green & Gold on Monday and Tuesday, Week 3,
in support of the Australian Olympic Team.
https://www.olympics.com.au/games/tokyo-2020/green-and-gold-day/
‘Green & Gold Day’ is for everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, your sporting ability or your background, we believe sport has the power to unite us all.
As a school we are going to celebrate ‘Green and Gold’ day on the day we have our whole class zoom meeting in Week 3. Please see below for your class Zoom time. This day is about painting the country in our national colours and being proud of Australia’s sporting achievements, it’s about all Australians coming together and celebrating the green and gold.
Monday Tuesday
09:15 Year 5 09:00 Year 4
09:30 Year 6 09:20 Year 1
09:45 Year 3 09:30 Year 2
10:00 Kinder
Get involved and show your support!
Some options include:
- Dress in green and gold.
- You could make a poster of your favourite sport or a poster to cheer on your favourite player/athlete.
- Make some streamers, paint your nails, create a National flag of your choice.
- Make a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal
- Create your own Olympics mascot.
- Be creative and show us what you can do!
- Be ready to show us on your class zoom call (or wear your Green and gold/bring your creation to school)
* Please note you are not expected to go and buy anything for Green and Gold day. Find or use items that you already have at home or if you don’t have anything green and gold you may choose something to represent your family's heritage - Everyone’s got a second favourite team!!
Leaders of the Olympics 2021 - Mrs Olima and Mrs Russo