Dear Parents and Carers.

As the 2021 year draws to a close, a sincere thank you for your support, patience, durability and ongoing investment into our school community. In a year of personal and professional challenges, hardship and disappointment, we can be proud of our collective efforts in working with and caring for one another. Thank you to our amazing staff who have worked tirelessly and with tremendous purpose, dedication, passion and flexibility in their ongoing support of our students. Our students - what a year for them. They continued to inspire us to be and do our very best, with their unlimited enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge, sense of adventure and spirit. 

"Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much" - Helen Keller

Last night, we formally acknowledged Year 6 and their families at the Graduation and Awards evening in our Monsignor Downey Hall. This event is a significant time of gratitude and celebration, as well as a time to acknowledge the students and their families for all that they have contributed to our wonderful school. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Father Patrick, Ryan Park (Member for Keira), Nicky Bishop (P&F President), Zoe Jacobson and Rebecca Potter (Graduation Cup Cakes and Cookies), Mrs Fiona Lally (Year 6 Graduation Book), Sam and Tom Immens and Quito Munoz Letham (Imovie Presentation) Mrs Barrett, Mrs Gaffney and Mrs Lace, along with many of our staff for their support, both in the preparation and last night. 

There are a number of families leaving our school community - our Year 6 students and their families Thank you for your contributions during your time at St Columbkille’s. Personally, I hope that you take with you many fond memories and I wish you  every happiness and success for the journey that lies ahead.

We acknowledge the following families: 

Bates Family, Costin Family, Cross Family, Curbison Family, Disibio Family, Duggan Family, Duvall Family, Fenton Family, Fitzpatrick Family, George Family, Gualtieri Family, Jacobson Family, Kanati Family, Kerr family, MacMillan Family, Miller Family, O’Hara Family, Peiris Family, Purtell Family, Villella Family, Woodford Family and Yarworth Family

Congratulations to the following Graduation Presentation Year 6 Award recipients;

Monsignor Downey Faith Award – Bowen Bates

Anthony Devlin Citizenship Award –Jensen Curbison

Ebony Giraldi Learning Award – Alyssa Fitzpatrick

Keira Leadership Award (Hon. Ryan Park MP) –Marcus Saveski

To members of the P&F 2021 Executive Nicky Bishop, Sarah Foster, Pina, Rosie King, Kirsten immens and Kelly Saveski thank you for your ongoing dedication, generosity and commitment to our students, staff, parents and grandparents. We look forward to a new start in 2022 and the opportunity to continue our important work together.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:11

Thank you again for all your work and support in what we have had to endure together throughout 2021.  It has strengthened our resolve, resilience and sense of community.

Wishing you a very 'Merry, Holy and Safe Christmas' with family and friends. Stay safe and connected.

Take care 

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Another wonderful year has come and nearly gone! It has been a challenging and adventurous year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic (again!), however there are many blessings for which we can certainly be grateful. In 2021 each of the students at St Columbkille’s have had a chance to learn more about their Catholic religion within teaching and learning opportunities, either at school or completed remotely. These students have also learnt what it means to be a faith-filled person by being involved in a number of out of class/school opportunities. Both aspects run alongside each other and are equally important for the development of the whole child.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with and/or been involved in our liturgies/celebrations, parish events/sacraments and fundraising initiatives. We look forward to working with you again in 2022 by living out the gospel values of Jesus linked to our school- Respect, Responsibility, Learning, Community, Celebration and Faith. God bless and have a peaceful, happy and safe Christmas!

Christmas Mass Times:
Christmas Eve, Friday 24 December: 7pm and midnight.
Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December: 9:30am.

Christmas Reconciliation:
Friday 24th December: 6pm

A reminder that St Columbkille’s Church has a limit of 90 people and face masks and QR code sign in are still applicable.

Reconciliation
A number of students took part in celebrating their First Reconciliation last Thursday. Father Patrick was very impressed with the preparation of the candidates so thank you to all those involved. First Holy Communion will be held for these children in Term 1.

Christmas Prayer Celebration
What a wonderful celebration was had last Thursday with our zoom Christmas Celebration. Thank you to all the staff and students (especially Year 6 and Kinder), who presented a beautiful take on The Nativity (the birth of Jesus). The contemporary and older songs and hymns also told the story so perfectly.

St Vincent de Paul Donations
Thank you to our Mini Vinnies for organising our Christmas mufti day to raise money for Corrimal St Vincent de Paul. Also thank you to those students in Year 4 who initiated the candy cane guessing competition. Both money raising initiatives helped us raise $866.50. An amazing effort from our whole St Columbkille’s community. Thanks to all!

Year 6 Graduation
Our farewell prayer and award presentation for our Year 6 students was celebrated last night. Congratulations to our award winners and to all these students for completing their primary years of learning. They have been wonderful ambassadors for St Columbkille’s and we look forward to seeing what their future holds.
Have a happy, holy and safe Christmas and holiday break!

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator 

Congratulations Year 6 2021!  

We are all very proud of you and we wish you all the very best. 

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For a number of years St Columbkille's have run a Holiday Reading Challenge, with a pause in the challenge last year due to COVID19 restrictions.  This year the Holiday Reading Challenge is back, but in a way that is environmentally friendly, meets COVID restrictions and easy to access for all interested students.  

The Holiday Reading Challenge will be available via the Google Classroom platform. Here you can elect to print a copy of the booklet or complete the booklet online.  

Students need to simply log into their student Google accounts and join the Holiday Reading Challenge Classroom using the class code: f4p3aco or by using the invitation link. 

The Challenge starts on the first day of the school break (16 December) and will end on the last day of the school break (31 January).  

Further information is contained within the Classroom and booklets.  

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal 

At the final P&F Meeting for the term, there was strong support for changes to our current summer and winter school uniform. Samples that have been provided by Poppets. As we move into the new school year, expressions of interest will be called to create a 'Uniform Advisory Team' made up of staff and parents/carers. We look forward to working with you throughout this process. Thank you.

We had a number of students participate in the UNSW Global Writing, Science, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics and/or Spelling Bee ICAS Assessment for 2021.

Congratulations to the following students for their participation in one or more of the ICAS Assessments:
Year 3: Ciara Pons, Rosalie Larkin, Taavi Cooke, Kynan Merola, Abbie Stenos
Year 4: Alissa Bishop, Daisy Smith, Bronte Ireland, Clover Duggan, Juliet Ritz
Year 5: Aiden Heaton, Cameron Ritz, Christian Da Silva, Lauren Foster, Lola Shaw, Jackson Logue
Year 6: Phoenix Miller, Jensen Curbison, Jonothan Logue

A special mention to the following students for their outstanding results in the Writing Assessment:
Merit: Kynan Merola
Credit: Rosalie Larkin

Mrs Christine Perre - Middle Leader

Term 4 2021 - Wednesday 15 December will be the final day of school for students for the 2021 school year.  

Term 1 2022 - Students Year 1 to Year 6 will resume school in 2022 on Tuesday 1 February.  Kindergatern will have Best Start Assessments before starting on Tuesday 8 February.  

For all families departing of St Columbkille's at the end of 2021, please download all school reports from COMPASS.

Wishing everyone all the best at their new schools for 2022.

The Advent and Christmas Seasons are opportunities for us to really cherish our friends and family, to serve those who most need us, to think about how we can care for our world, and to focus on our call to love. Protecting and caring for all of creation can be a part of the joy of Christmas amidst all of the celebrating.

Here are some resources and suggestions for how you can celebrate a green and ethical Christmas.

Earth Buzz - A Very Green Christmas

Five Ways to Green Your Christmas

Shop Fair At Christmas

Fair Trade Christmas Shopping Guide for 2021 (download to view)

January, 2022 Clinic - Now open for Registrations - Click for more information