Did you know that the school calendar is published with the fornightly newsletter?  This function will also allow you to sync school events with your personal calendar on your device.  Follow the below steps to see how:

• Select the Newsletter link in Compass.  This will launch the Newsletter. 

• Select the menu button in the top left hand corner.  This is the three horizontal stripes, just before the title St Columbkille's Catholic Parish Primary School. 

• From here you will be able to select many options, from contacting the school, visiting our school website, Facebook and Instagram to reading archived newsletters. 

• At the bottum on the list, by selecting 'School Calendar', you will be able to sync the whole calendar to your own, or simply scroll through the events and sync only those that pertain to your family.  By selecting the 'View More' buttom you will be able to view dates for the entire calendar year.  

We hope this allows you to plan ahead.  

If you have any technical difficulties, please let me know.  

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal 

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Monday, we presented our second 'Understanding Our Boys' parent session with the focus on Communication. Thank you to Donna Constable (CatholicCare Wollongong) for her wisdom, practical stories and applications to support boys and their growth.  Thank you also to Sam Immens for his support throughout the session and his assistance with the organisation of these presentations. We look forward to our final session - 'Teamwork' on Monday 3 June with our guest speaker John Sparks (Catholic Education Office, Wollongong).

Over the last few weeks, Mrs Disibio and I have been conducting Kindergarten Interviews for our 2020 cohort. It is has been great to meet with many of the new families wishing to enrol in our school and wanting to become apart of our amazing St Columbkille’s School community.  It has been a fantastic opportunity to discuss the strengths and areas for improvement of our school, with our existing families.  

Our St Columba Feast Day will be held on Friday 14 June at Ziem’s Park, Corrimal. Activities will commence from 11:00am. The P&F will provide a free sausage sizzle BBQ for our students. Parents, carers and grandparents are invited to join us for a picnic lunch. You are able to bring additional food for lunch and participate in the activities.

In relation to staffing, Mrs Finlay-Jospeh has accepted the teaching position, as 1 Gold's classroom teacher, following the announcement of Miss Suzanne Geoghegan's retirement.  Mrs Finlay-Joseph will continue in her current role until the end of the year. Also, Mrs Westblade will continue as 6 Gold's classroom teacher on a Friday, continuing to job share with Mrs Shelley. Congratulations to Mrs Finlay-Joseph and Mrs Westblade. 

Thank you for supporting us with the transition into our winter uniform this week. It has been wonderful to see our students wearing their uniform proudly and we are grateful for your ongoing support in upholding our uniform policy.

Have a brilliant couple of weeks.

Take care  

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal

National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations. The first National Sorry Day was held on May 26, 1998, which was one year after the tabling of a report about the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tabled a motion in parliament on February 13, 2008, apologising to Australia’s Indigenous people, particularly the Stolen Generations and their families and communities, for the laws and policies that inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss. The apology included a proposal for a policy commission to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian in matters such as life expectancy, educational achievement, and economic opportunity. This event is seen by many as a step forward in reconciliation. Let us continue to pray for all peoples of Australia to work together as one.

Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June

The 2019 National Reconciliation Week theme is “Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage.” It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Many community events are planned for this week. Some of our students from St Columbkille’s will be joining a Reconciliation Walk at Bellambi. Mr Colquhoun and Mrs Orphin will accompany our students on Friday 31 May. Following this a whole school liturgy will be held during assembly as recognition of National Reconciliation Week.

Confirmation

Our third and final Confirmation evening will be held on Wednesday 12 June at 6.30pm. The following Wednesday these students, as well as students from local state schools, will attend their retreat day. We are looking forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Brian on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June. Continue to keep these children in your prayers.

Parish Mass

Year 6 students, who would like to read at Mass, with their parent, are asked to inform Mrs Herring. Our next parish weekend Mass is Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June. If you know you will be attending Mass, especially our Confirmation candidates, and you feel confident to read, please speak with Mrs Herring.

World Environment Day

On Wednesday 5 June our St Columbkille’s school community will acknowledge and celebrate World Environment Day. This is a United Nations-led event that is celebrated each year, and this year the theme is  “Beat Air Pollution.”

Approximately 7 million people worldwide die prematurely each year from air pollution, with about 4 million of these deaths occurring in Asia-Pacific. World Environment Day 2019 will urge governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve air quality in cities and regions across the world. Our Enviro Ninjas will help by promoting ways to beat air pollution.

St Vincent de Paul 2019 Winter Appeal

Our annual Winter Appeal is about to begin. Each year classes/grades support this appeal by donating winter food items such as soups, noodles and tins of food, and clothing items such as scarves, beanies, blankets and jackets. Our Mini Vinnies Team will keep you posted.

If you would like to put a smile on someone’s face you can join the Winter Appeal letter writing campaign. More information can be found at the website- www.vinnies.org.au/getinvolved

IMPORTANT DATES FOR RECONCILIATION/FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Wednesday 14 August: Liturgy in the Church @ 6.30pm for parents and carers only. (return of forms)

PREPARATION FOR SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 

Wednesday 18 September: Session 1 @ 6.30pm at St Columbkille’s School. (Parent/carer/child to attend) 

Wednesday 25 September: Sacrament of Reconciliation in St Columbkille’s Church from 9.30-11.30am

PREPARATION FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Wednesday 23 October: Session 2 @ 6.30pm at St Columbkille’s School. (Parent/carer/child to attend)

Wednesday 13 November: Session 3 @ 6.30pm at St Columbkille’s School. (Parent/carer/child to attend)

Wednesday 20 November: Communion Retreat: Child only, Parish Centre, 9.30am start – 3.00pm finish.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES

Saturday, 23 November at 6.00pm and Sunday 24 November 9:30am

NB: If you know of any State school children who would like to prepare for the Sacraments please pass this on

Reconciliation Week – 2019

• Sorry Day is on Sunday, 26 May.  Sorry Day is an annual acknowledgement and recognition of members of the Stolen Generations. A website containing further information is https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-an-important-part-of-healing

• Students have been learning about Reconciliation Week. Resources on the following website may be useful to assist families with activities listed appropriate to grade levels. https://healingfoundation.org.au/schools/

• Some students from our ‘Leaders of Community’ team will accompany some of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to the Reconciliation Walk being held during the morning of Friday 31 May at Bellambi.

• Following the Reconciliation Walk, our Friday afternoon assembly will acknowledge Reconciliation Week. Please join us for this significant event.

The artwork ‘Healing Country’, is about the resilience of the human spirit and Aboriginal People’s connection to the land and country. It speaks of their trials and tribulations but also the strength, endurance and determination of the People of the Stolen Generations and their Families.

The Spirit of the people remains steadfast like the tree Strong and Proud. Depicted central to the artwork the tree with its roots, draws deep water from within the land which replenishes and renourishes, in this still place healing takes place. The art of deep listening and comtemplation – listening to self, listening to others, listening to country.

(Further explanation is found in he https://healingfoundation.org.au/schools/)

Did you know that the school calendar is published with the fornightly newsletter?  This function will also allow you to sync school events with your personal calendar on your device.  Follow the below steps to see how:

• Select the Newsletter link in Compass.  This will launch the Newsletter. 

• Select the menu button in the top left hand corner.  This is the three horizontal stripes, just before the title St Columbkille's Catholic Parish Primary School. 

• From here you will be able to select many options, from contacting the school, visiting our school website, Facebook and Instagram to reading archived newsletters. 

• At the bottum on the list, by selecting 'School Calendar', you will be able to sync the whole calendar to your own, or simply scroll through the events and sync only those that pertain to your family.  By selecting the 'View More' buttom you will be able to view dates for the entire calendar year.  

We hope this allows you to plan ahead.  

If you have any technical difficulties, please let me know.  

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal 

On Friday 17 May, many of our students and their families chose to walk or ride safely to school.  Now in its 20th year, National Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual event when all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment.  Our students who were able to participate in the event were rewarded with a Walk Safely to School sticker.  

Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

These wonderful charcoal drawings were created as an interpretation of Anzac Day and Mahtabs story (refugees).  Congratulations on these amazing, artistic expressions of these momentus occasions.

Congratulations to the following students:

Awards

Principal’s Award

KB - Zara Erven, James Andary

1B – Ben Franco, Aurora Hoswell, Kynan Merola, Kye, Morris, Ciara Pons, Eden Saweris, Abbie Stenos, Eoin Vaughan, Sophie Willoughby, 

1G - Milla Briscoe-Hough, Ari King, Blake Lumsden

2B - Livinia McLuskey

2G - Benjamin Niew, Amelia Stewart, John-Samuel Tadros, Alexander Welch

3B – Jackson Logue, Amaya Misopapas, Amelia Rutledge

3G – Wintah Breakspear, Charlee Campbell, Kayle Galaxidis, Noah Gallo, Haydon Sharman

4B - Harper Duggan, Thomas Immens, Jake Mannion, Quito Munoz-Letham, Ashleigh Whiddon

4G - Grace Docherty, Marcus Saveski

6B – Ciara Dorin, Isobel Schmidt, Layne Sweeney

Mary MacKillop Award

1B – Kynan Merola

1G - Blake Lumsden

2B – Alissa Bishop, Livinia McLuskey

3B – Jayvonte Wilder

3G - Niamh Conway

4B - Matilda Noonan

4G - Chloe Townsend

6G - Xavier Ayers

Medallion

3B – Bronte Fursey

6G - Xavier Ayers

National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event held by the Australian Library and Information Association that has been held each year since 2000.  Every year a picture book, by an Australian children's author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes and bookshops around Australia, as part of Australia's Library and Information Week.  The event aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book, that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year the event was held on Wednesday 22 May.  Many of our classes at St Columbkille's particpated in the event, reading, viewing and discussing the text throughout the day.  The choosen text this year was 'Alpacas with Maracs' written and illustrated by Matt Cosgrove and published by Koala Books.  All our students enjoyed reading and engaging with the text.

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

The photo below is a comparison photo of her 2016 donation and her 2019 donation.  On Saturday Ani had her hair cut so she could donate it to charity again. It’s quite short and it looks great however she’s now nervous that kids will pick on her.  She donated it to the Alopecia Foundation to go towards Wigs for Kids. With fundraising, last time she raised over $1500 plus the donation of her lovely long hair. This time we just did the hair donation.  We just thought we would let you know that Annabelle shared her special news with the Year 3 class today. They were all in awe of her generosity and told Annabelle that she looked lovely. 

Books:

• 'The Whole Brain Child.' By Daniel Siegal M.D.and Tina Payne Bryson PhD. This book is an easy read and is all about nurturing your child's brain development and developing strategies to help with resilience, emotional intelligence, relationships and success in school.

• 'Raising Boys' by Steve Biddulph.  This book has proven very popular and is also available as an audio book.

Websites:

• Maggie Dent - Facebook page 

• Justin Coulson - 'Happy Families'.

This year, five of our students have been working hard completing their SPLICED project titled "The Good, Beautiful and True". Alessandra Ezquerro, Holly Jeffree, Gabriella Tortorici, Luca Tortorici and Quito Munoz Letham have chosen a subject that is of interest to them and are in the process of explaining how it is related to "Good, Beautiful and True". From Rubik's cubes, music, art and ballet- our students are exploring their passions in great depths. Well done to these students for all the work they have completed so far.

Mrs Christine Perre - Middle Leader

Ciao a tutti!

It’s that time of year again where we celebrate Italian Language Week and Italian National Day in the months of May and June.  The students of the Gold classes have participated in the yearly “Pietro Tedeschi Poster Competition”, run by IATI (Illawarra Association of Teachers of Italian), celebrating Italian Week with the focus on 'Italian on the Stage'. The winners and the runners up of this competition will be notified and presented with prizes and certificates at a special afternoon gathering at Il Porcellino Trattoria Balgownie, on Saturday 1June.  The best entries will also be displayed for two weeks in the foyer of the Fraternity Club, Fairy Meadow.  

On Wednesday the 5June, (Week 6), the students from Year 4 will be attending a luncheon at the Fraternity Club to celebrate Italian National Day (June 2).  Students will be enjoying a traditional Italian meal, comprising of a pasta dish and a gelato for dessert and then participate in activities such dancing the Tarantella and playing Tombola.

Grazie Mille to the students, teachers and parents of our school community for supporting these activities. 

Saluti

Signora Molinaro - Teacher of Italian 

Many times throughout the week, many children have accidents, leaving them wet or soiled.  We have a very small amount of clothing, put aside for these incidences, allowing your children to get changed into clean and dry clothing. We send the child's wet or dirty clothing home in a bag with them, and ask that you simply return the borrowed clothing to school as soon as possible.  

We thank you in advance for your co-operation and assistance.  

We wish to thank the wonderful families who donate and purchase clothes from our school clothing pool.  It is a great service provided to our families.  Unfortunately, the clothing pool is looking particularly bare at the moment.  If anyone has any spare uniforms, that are in good condition, could you please send them to school via the Office.  

Food Allergy Week (FAW) aims to raise awareness of food allergy including potentially fatal food allergies. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) is calling on all Australians to unite during Food Allergy Week from 26 May – 1 June 2019, and for individuals to Be Aware. Show You Care.  

Watch the video for more information

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYsMTzJYITc

Canteen Roster

Term 2 - Week 5

Monday, 27 May

Janine Baumeister, Marc Fursey, Kerry Fabon, Trudie Bell (11.30-2.30) 

Tuesday, 28 May – SUSHI TUESDAY

(Canteen is closed – Sushi Available via Online Order Only)

Wednesday, 29 May

Linda Logue, Gisella Villella, Tracy Disibio, Caroline Ayers

Thursday, 30 May

Pamela O'Brien, Ashley Cooper, Anita Zubovic (9.00-11.30), Lana Bloom (11.30-2.30)

Friday, 31 May

Kirsten Immens, Tanya Coughlan, Elizabeth Coll

Term 2 - Week 4

Monday, 3 June

Kirsten Stone, Diana Tasco, Olivia Saweris (9.00-12.00)

Tuesday, 4 June – SUSHI TUESDAY

(Canteen is closed – Sushi Available via Online Order Only)

Wednesday, 5 June

Avril Imber, Lesley Elms, Helen Pittman (9.00-11.30), Ashley Potts (11.30-2.30)

Thursday, 6 June

Amber Morrisey, Tienelle Anderson-Ireland, Dianne Hukins

Friday, 7 June

Lisa Bates, Carmen Petch, Lisa Esposito (11.30-2.00), Chelsea Bennett (9.00-11.30)

Football South Coast are excited to announce that they will be holding their inaugural FSC Cup in the upcoming July school holidays!

The FSC Cup will provide young boys and girls an opportunity to participate in a fun, social 6-a-side competition at our new synthetic pitch, Ian McLennan Park. Further details are below.

Teams will need a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 10.  Register Here