Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that you are safe, well, and that both you and your child/ren have enjoyed what has been a successful and thoroughly enjoyable start to Term 1 2022.  It has been brilliant to see the school come to life again with the enthusiasm, joy and energy that our students bring. Thank you to both our parents, grandparents and staff for their support in making the start to 2022 such a successful and positive one.

We welcome many new families to our school community. Welcome to the Zikic, Reid, Jurjevic and Richardson families. Welcome to the Arroyo, Benham, Boater, Burns, Carlon, Cauduro, Davis, D'Crus, De Gori, Dincsoy, Good, Jacobs, Lobban, Martin, Panetta, Quick, Schafer, Suyasa, Tsekouras, Witt, and Zappia families, our new Kindergarten families.

On Tuesday, we welcomed Kindergarten 2022 to our school community. Thank you to our staff, parents and grandparents for their organisation, care and commitment in making this possible. To our new and Kindergarten families, thank you for making our school, St Columbkille's part of your learning journey.

In relation to staffing, we welcome our new staff members Mrs O'Connor (2G), Mr Lattimore (1B) and Mr Lowrie (5B). Adelaide, Tom and Adam, will be wonderful additions to our school community and we look forward to learning with and from them over the course of the year.

Mrs Barratt started her maternity leave on Wednesday. We wish for Alyssa, Andrew and Rylan every success and happiness with their impending new addition to the Barratt family. All the very best Alyssa.

Congratulations Mrs Herring and Ms Emmett for successfully gaining a $2000 grant for our SEMP project. The focus of this project will be developing and/or improving grade-based outdoor learning spaces.  

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill and the willingness to learn a choice.”

Last weekend, the school was treated by GermGuard - an antimicrobial treatment and protect program that support our existing cleaning processes. All high touch surfaces were treated and will aid as a protective layer against germs. This was a school initiative in further support of safety protocols and procedures as we transition back to school. Please refer to the attached 'GermGuard' article for further information. 

Thank you for your ongoing support in testing our students and the collection of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). We are currently distributing our 2nd rounds of RAT kits. If you were unable to collect your kits this week, please contact the office to arrange collection. We greatly appreciate this.

Student Leadership Presentation will be held on Thursday 3 March at 2:15pm. We are hoping that parents and students K-6 will be able to attend as we continue to work under current COVID-19 restrictions. Further information regarding the presentation will be available closer to the day.

Congratulations to former St Columbkille's students - Lily King, Sabine Abou-Fassa, Aiden Colquhoun (Holy Spirit College) and Mia Begic from St Mary Star of the Sea College's for their outstanding Higher School Certificate (HSC) results.

Aiden (Electrotechnology) and Mia (Business Services) were named in the Illawarra Top Achievers and Sabine received a $20000 scholarship to attend University of Wollongong to study a Bachelor of Mathematics Education from Catholic Education Office, Wollongong. Lily, Mia and Aiden all received an ATAR above 90. Congratulations to our former students and their families. We are extremely proud of their achieivements and wish them every success moving forward.

SCHOOL NEWS

Welcome back to a new year of learning and celebration. I trust you enjoyed the holiday break with family and friends. As we begin our new year as a school community, we welcome new students, families and staff. We especially welcome our Kindergarten students who begin their journey at St Columbkilles.

Our vision “Learning Together, Shaping Futures” and our Core Values of Faith, Responsibility, Respect, Learning, Community and Celebration are a focus in our Religious Education lessons over the next few weeks. Take some time to talk about these values at home.

This year our Vision and Mission will be reflected upon within our School Improvement Plan. We will be seeking guidance from Gary Quinn and Beth Riolo from the Catholic Education Office to support us. It will require collaboration from students, staff, parents and community members. We look forward to celebrating all that we do here at St Columbkilles.

In the Church year we are in a period called ‘Ordinary Time’. Some people think it is a time when nothing much happens. Yet it is important because we are growing to be more like Jesus in our everyday lives by listening to the words of scripture each week. Life is not only about the special events and celebrations, it is about who we are in our day to day interactions.

Project Compassion Virtual Launch
COVID restrictions have limited the ways we celebrate many things in our community of schools, however, it has also provided us with creative and new ways to gather and go about our work. Caritas Australia is one organisation that has led the way in reimagining how long standing events and celebrations can be held during the time of COVID. This year, Caritas Australia has once again chosen to offer the launch of Project Compassion as a virtual event. The launch will take place on Shrove Tuesday, 1 March 2022 from 11.00 am-12.00 pm and will be held live via Zoom from the Caritas Australia National Office in Sydney. Our Year 6 students will be involved in this presentation. They will learn more about the new Project Compassion stories under the theme 'For All Future Generations', and will have the opportunity to hear from the Caritas Programs team and be commissioned to be ambassadors for Caritas throughout Lent.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick

The World Day of Prayer for the Sick was initiated by St John Paul II in 1992. It coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope John Paul II initiated WORLD DAY OF THE SICK a year after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It began in 1993 and each February 11 we are called upon to pray for the sick and to remember those who care for them. As the past year has shown us if we have our health then we have much to be grateful for.

Let us pray: O: God, we entrust to your merciful care all who are sick, we ask you to bless all medical and nursing staff and all who assist them in their work, Give them the grace and strength, the clarity and wisdom, the hope and love that they will need to sustain them in their work. We pray that others will be inspired to follow in their footsteps and to give themselves generously to the healing professions. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. All: Amen

National Apology to the Stolen Generations
On Sunday 13th February we mark the 14th anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented this apology in the Australian Parliament. (To view the clip visit this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TZOGpG6cM) As a school we are committed to walking together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers in a spirit of reconciliation towards healing.

PRAYER: Creator God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming, empower us to honour the history of this Great South Land.
Help us to remember the story of those who have gone before us and to ensure the future is one of peace, reconciliation and harmony for all who walk this land. AMEN.

First Holy Communion
Due to COVID protocols followed in 2021, our Year 3 students and others were unable to celebrate their First Holy Communion. The new dates have now been set for Saturday 26th March and Sunday 27th March. Further details will be sent out shortly including the books and online learning.

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

PARISH NEWS

St Vincent de Paul Conference, Corrimal
Thank you to all who continue to bring items of non-perishable food for us to distribute to those in need. If you would like to support this, food items needed at the moment are tinned fruit and beetroot as they were not available from our supplier. These donations may be brought to Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, or alternatively I can deliver these to the Church on your behalf if your child brings them to school.

Trash & Treasure Sale
Corrimal Parish is having a trash and treasure sale on the two weekends, 15/16 February and 22/23 February. These will be before and after the Masses on those weekends. Various items for sale include ride on toys suitable for young children and various religious items.

Cathedral Books & Gifts
The cathedral Books & Gift Shop is open and ready for you Tuesday-Friday from 10am to 2pm. Wendy Douglas, the Store Manager, is always happy to assist you with your enquiry. Please call 42222484.

Lenten Program 2022 “REMEMBER”
REMEMBER is a 72-page full colour book containing short daily reflections (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday) perfect for individual devotion reading in addition to the Sunday Scripture readings. Booklets will be available from church this weekend. Cost: $5

Leave Everything and Follow Me

This week's gospel -  Jesus calls the first disciples (Luke 5:1-11). This is not just a story happening to fishermen in history, it is an invitation from Jesus to each one of us today and every day.

There are many images presented throughout this encounter:

• people pressing to hear Jesus’ words;
• Jesus’ encouragement to move into the unknown; and
• the abundance that follows when we place trust in our relationship with Jesus.

Amongst the many images presented throughout this passage, the important message is in the last few words: ‘they left everything and followed him’. They left behind their great catch because they had been captivated instead by the person of Jesus and the life that he gives.

As you consider the implications of this request, what would you be required to leave behind to fully follow Jesus? These may include overt attachment to possessions, mindsets or your contribution (consciously or unconsciously) to participation in unjust realities. As you consider these, personally weigh up the impact of accepting or declining this invitation.

Imagine the possibilities of authentically following the way of Jesus, if we and the rest of humanity committed to living in right relationship with all the created universe, bringing about the fullness of life that Jesus taught and lived.

Now that is worthy of leaving our attachments behind!

Congratulations to the following students:

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Award
3B - Zali Mayo
5B - Claude Vincent

School Medallion
4B - Adelaide Blacka

Congratulations to the following students on their ICAS Spelling results from 2021.  Certificates have been distributed to students by their classroom teachers.  

Distinction - Rosalie Larkin

Merit - Lola Shaw, Abbie Stenos, Kynan Merola 

Participation - Aiden Heaton, Lauren Foster, Clover Duggan 

Swimming Carnival

Our Swimming Carnival was held at Corrimal Pool on Wednesday. We were extremely fortunate with the weather and our students enjoyed an outstanding afternoon of swimming. Thank you to all of our parents, grandparents and staff who supported in the running of the carnival. It was a great day. Congratulations to all our students who competed in 8 to 12 years events. Well done.

Swimming Carnival results. Congratulations to the following students.

Junior Boys - Kade Bloom             Junior Girls - Stella Howell

     11 Years Boys - Alex Mamouris     11 Year Girls - Amelia Rutledge

            Senior Boys - Bailey Mitchell         Senior Girls - Harper Briscoe-Hough

Winning House - MacKillop

Diocesan Sport Trials

On Friday 4th February a number of students participated in the Diocesan Touch Football Trials at Dalton Park. Congratulations to the following St Columbkille’s students who were selected to represent our Diocese.

Paxton Stuart, Bailey Mitchell and Riley Smith

Well done boys on a great effort.

Note:  If any students are unable to attend their nominated trials could you please inform Mrs Gaffney or Mrs Kipp of your unavailability. These trials involve a great amount of organisation for the convener and students who do not show up on the day cause some disruption to the smooth running of the trials.

Colleen Kipp - Leader of Sport

Student Leadership Presentation will be held on Thursday 3 March at 2:15pm in the MD Hall. We are hoping that parents and students K-6 will be able to attend as we continue to work under current COVID-19 restrictions. Further information regarding the presentation will be available closer to the day.

The Holiday Reading Challenge was due last week. Late entries can be submitted either via Google Classroom or you can send your completed booklet to school.  Entries will be collated and certificates presented in the coming weeks.  

Please remember to add up your reading hours.  Thanks for joinging the challenge.  I hope your books took you to magical places.  

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

At the final 2021 P&F Meeting for the term, there was strong support for changes to our current summer and winter school uniform. Samples 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. 

GIRLS’ SUMMER UNIFORM

• Dress - School short sleeve blue/yellow check; drop waist
• Socks - Short light blue socks able to be folded to form a single cuff
• Shoes - Black leather polishable shoes
• Cardigan - School royal blue cardigan; or
• Navy Jacket with embroidered crest
• Hat - School hat with emblem

BOYS’ SUMMER UNIFORM

• Shirt - School short sleeve blue shirt with emblem
• Shorts - Grey shorts (not cargo style)
• Socks - School grey socks
• Shoes - Black leather polishable shoes
• Jumper - School grey V neck jumper
• Navy Jacket with embroidered crest emblem
• Hat - School hat with emblem

SPORTS UNIFORM (BOYS & GIRLS)

• Polo Top - School polo shirt with emblem
• Shorts - School sport shorts with logo
• Sports Jacket/Pants - school sports tracksuit (sports & PE days only)
• Hat - School hat with emblem
• Socks - School white sport socks
• Shoes - Joggers MUST be predominantly white in colour, with white laces

HAIR (BOYS & GIRLS)

• Is to be kept neat and tidy at all times
• Is to be the child’s natural colour
• Is be tied back off the face if hair is shoulder length or longer, or covers student’s eyes
• Is to be tied only with gold or blue ribbons, scrunchies or clips
• Cuts should not be too short – eg: no number one haircuts or unusual style/cuts 

JEWELLERY:

• A watch, a pair of plain earrings for girls only (one in each ear, studs or sleepers only), cross, medal are the only items of jewellery to be worn at school
• No finger nail polish or makeup is to be worn

All clothing should be carefully marked with your child's name. Read more about our school uniform requirements in our Uniform Policy.

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During the recent school break a water refill station was installed on the Paddock playground. Thank you to the Parents and Friends for funding the purchase and installation.  The students very much enjoy refilling their water bottles at the station.  

Reminder:  Rosalia Lane is strictly a no stopping zone. Therefore, it is recommended that parents and carers should not park in the laneways and/or driveways (Coxs and Rosalia) prior to afternoon dismissal. 

In respect to our neighbouring houses, it is recommended that parents/carers do not arrive before 3pm and wait in the laneways. Arriving after 3pm greatly reduces the congestion and inconvenience caused to our local residents and neighbours. 

Please ensure that the following guidelines are adhered to for the safety of all. 

• Children must only be dropped off or picked up in the clearly mark designated area
• Children must only enter and exit from the driver side of the car
• Family names are to be clearly displayed on the sunviser of all cars. Please contact the office if you need a new one
• Overtaking a stationary vehicle is not permitted - it is a dangerous practice and unsafe for students exiting vehicles.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Each Tuesday, we are encouraging students to be mindful of the rubbish they generate and to minimise the impact that this has upon our environment. In order to do this, we ask that your children bring their crunch and sip, morning tea and lunch in reusable containers, without the use of plastic wrap or snap-lock bags.

Each week, teachers will be giving ‘Trash-Free Tuesday’ stickers to students who participate, which will be placed into their sticker books to acknowledge their efforts in being environmental stewards.

Clear labelling of all containers/lids/spoons etc. will ensure that items aren’t lost. Not only does this initiative minimise the amount of waste that we produce, but over time, there is a cost saving benefit to this approach.

We look forward to introducing Waste Free Wednesday in the coming weeks. 

Thank you for your support and assistance with this whole school initiative.

As you would be aware a number of our students have food allergies to nuts, eggs, fish and shellfish.  In keeping these students safe from food reactions including anaphylaxis, we ask that you take great care when packing lunch boxes for your child/ren school each day. 

We ask that you pack:

No raw nuts (nut muesli bars)

No nut products (peanut butter, Nutella, coconut water)

No nuts in cooked items

No raw eggs

No cooked eggs (egg sandwich, egg in a salad, egg based mayonnaise)

No meringue 

No raw fish

No raw shellfish

No cooked white fish, salmon or shellfish 

Items that are OK to include in lunchboxes are:

* tinned tuna

* egg within cooked foods (cakes, biscuits, quiche or zucchini slice) 

We ask all who consume these foods to wash hands thoroughly after consumption and to ensure that they do not share their food with others.

The following website, ‘Kids with Food Allergies’ contains a number of recipes that are as free of many different food allergens as possible.  If you struggle with what to pack your child, this site is worth a browse.

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/page/recipes-diet.aspx#res

Also, just a reminder that NO dogs are permitted on school grounds as we have a student very allergic to dogs. 

A reminder for students to bring their drink bottles of water from home to stay hydrated throughout the day.  With the new water refill station on the Paddock playground, students are able to refill their drink bottles.

The Local Health District has developed 5 information sheets to help people navigate:

• How to register a RAT with Service NSW
• What to do if you test positive
• What to do if you are household contact
• What to have ready in a COVID home care kit
• How to help slow the spread of COVID

The NSW government will give families a $500 voucher for every primary school child in an effort to ease the childcare burden.

As students returned to classrooms this week, Premier Dominic Perrottet said parents could apply for the vouchers through Service NSW from February 28.

The vouchers – similar to the Dine and Discover program – will cover the parent gap fee, which is the portion paid by families after the Commonwealth-funded child care subsidy is applied. 

“Before and After School Care services are more important than ever as families return to work following the holidays,” said Mr Perrottet.

“It’s been a challenging past couple of years for parents of school-aged children. Many have had to juggle the demands of supervising their kids’ education at home while working remotely, or even forgoing paid work.

“These vouchers for before and after school care will help alleviate some of the financial pressures on NSW families and provide greater flexibility and more options for those who need to work.”

Click here to read NSW Government Media Release