Dear Parents and Carers.

Hope that you are well.

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, many of our Year 6 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Brian Mascord and Fr Patrick Vaughan. This sacrament of initiation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil confirms the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to our Parish catechists Kelly Glen, Millie Hira and Anna D'Acunto, Staff - Mrs Herring, Mrs Tirchett, Mrs Stephenson and Mrs Gaffney for their support and work in preparing the candidates for this most blessed sacrament.

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a child of God - Romans 8:14

Yesterday, our Semester One reports were published via Compass. It is a great opportunity to affirm the learning gains our students have made and focus on supporting areas of improvement moving into Semester Two. Thank you to our staff who have work tirelessly over several weeks in compiling and completing the student reports. Student Learning Conversations will take place in Weeks 9 and 10 with interview bookings accessed through Compass.

Our K-6 Family Mass will be held on Sunday 3 July at 9:30am. After Mass, the parish will be holding morning tea and an opportunity for our students to play in the Infants Playground. Everyone is most welcome to join us for Mass.

St Columba Day was celebrated with our school community last Thursday. The day was highlighted by several events and activities which include K-6 Mass in the MD Hall with Fr Anthony, the presentation of the St Columbkille's Awards and tabloid activities, along with P&F's Fairy Floss. These annual awards are presented to students from each class for living our core values - 'Faith, Learning, Respect, Responsibility, Community and Celebration daily. Congratulations to the following students.

KB Noah Boater KG Eleanor Molina 1B Zac Grewcock 1G  Jake Franco

2B Isobel Santillan 2G Abigail Vaughan 3B  Flynn Karhof 3G Keira Fabon

4B Ivy Powell 4G Harper Harrison 5B Riley Dorin 5G  Matthew Munn

6B Sibella Bartzos 6G Haydon Sharman

Enjoy a wonderful couple of weeks. Stay well and safe.

Take care

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

‘The spirituality of family love is made up of thousands of small but real gestures.” Amoris Laetitia, 315

As the official Year of the Family comes to an end on 26 June we are reminded by Pope Francis that in fact, “The family is an adventure, a beautiful adventure!”

For better or for worse, our experience of family has shaped each of us, providing us with a lens upon the world in which we live. At times our lens is crystal clear providing us a solid vision through which our experience of family has allowed us to flourish. At other times this lens is obscured providing a fragmented world view when our experience of family has fallen short. The ‘adventure’ that Pope Francis refers to includes both the highs and the lows and is reflected through the Paschal Mystery - the anticipation, uncertainty, agonising anxiety and depths of utter despair through to the triumphant rising and endless hope.

Many of our most transformative experiences of family shape who we are, often not during the highs and lows but rather through the ‘ordinary’ daily rituals that we live out. The fast paced nature of family life can cause a level of immunity that prevents us from being present to the sacramentality of the ‘ordinary’.

Family routines create hidden sacramental moments with the perfect example hidden in plain sight - the humble family meal. No matter what the cuisine or time of the day, it’s in the gathering that we experience what it means to be ‘blessed, broken and shared’.

Research tells us that when children enjoy regular meals with their family they do better at school, display less anti-social behaviours, are more successful in their relationships with peers and the list goes on.

Scene from the movie, The Castle (1997)

In the classic Australian movie, ‘The Castle' there is a humbling and powerful resonance in the family meal scenes. The gratitude shown by the father, Daryl Kerrigan along with the children towards their mother Sal’s cooking is still referenced today:

Daryl: “Darl, what do you call this?”
Sal: “Sponge cake”
Daryl: “What’s that on top?”
Sal: “Icing sugar”
Daryl: “Boys why would you go out to dinner when this keeps turning up, night after night?”

This iconic Australian film reminds us through this humble family meal scene that gathering around the table is an opportunity to be blessed by one another’s presence, a time to break open conversation through the breaking of bread as well as share with one another how we are feeling, what matters most and sometimes to make peace when family life is complex.

When we stop and take note of all sacramental moments, we can understand that it is in the everyday that God is fully revealed. Let us all appreciate and be present as we experience the ‘adventure’ in all sacramental and Eucharistic moments.

How do you show your appreciation to members of your family and be present to experience the adventure?

“If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” Mother Teresa

Confirmation

Our Confirmation evenings were wonderful celebrations for our Year 6 students and our friends from various state schools. Bishop Brian certainly speaks from the heart when acknowledging the gifts of the Holy Spirit these students will now endeavour to live out. Congratulations to all involved in the preparation of these children and we continue to keep them in our prayers as they live out their faith.

Family & Parish Community Mass

Our next celebration will occur on Sunday 3^rd July at 9.30am.  As this is in the holidays, we would like to have readers and a family for the offertory organised. Please contact the school if you can take on one of these roles for mass, or Peter Riordan on 0403315035. Thank you for your continued support.

Migrant & Refugee Week

Refugee Week is an annual celebration, informing the public about refugees and celebrating their contributions. The 2022 theme is Healing and aims to highlight aspects of the refugee experience and help the broader community to understand what it is like to be a refugee. If you would like further information visit the websites

https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/ 

https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-theme-2022/

There is also a prayer service you may like to be involved in at this link

https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2022/05/23/refugee-week-prayer-service/

Solemnities of St John the Baptist and Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Aside from the Lord and His Blessed Mother, John is the only other individual whose birth the Church commemorates with a solemnity. He spent his adult life preparing the way for Jesus and proclaiming that “the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand.” We commemorate this solemnity on Friday 24^th June.

In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast.

St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said, “This feast reminds us of the mystery of the love of God for the people of all times.”

In 2022, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 24.

NAIDOC Week

From July 3-10 our nation celebrates NAIDOC Week. The theme for 2022 is “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” The relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non‑Indigenous Australians continues to be based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights. We look forward to acknowledging and celebrating this event in Term 3.

Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

Student academic reports were distributed via Compass on Thursday 16 June. The Semester One Report, assesses all Key Learning Areas taught using the A to E scale.  

Learning Conversations will follow during Week 9 and 10.  Learning Conversation appointments are to be made via Compass Conferences.  Children in Years 1 – 6 are to attend the conversation with their parents, as it is our belief that through engaging the children in the shared conversation about their learning, they can assume an increased responsibility for their learning and also celebrate their personal achievements. 

Kindergarten do not receive a Semester One written report, only a Semester Two Report at the end of the year.  This is an agreed practise in Catholic schools within the Wollonong Diocese.  Learning Conversations will take place providing oral feedback for the first half of the school year.  

Maria Disbio - Assiatant Principal 

Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday we held our Athletics Carnivals. Thank you to our parents and grandparents who assisted on the day and to the staff for supporting our students. Age Champions and place ribbons, along with the winning House will be announced at Monday morning's assembly.

MacKillop Cross Country Trials
On Tuesday the 7^th June,  St Columbkille's Students attended the CPS Cross Country carnival at Eastern Creek. The students performed extremely well and achieved excellent results.

   Bailey Mitchell:   4^th      Harrison Esteves:  3^rd      Amelia Rutledge:  22^nd

Both Bailey and Harrison will now advance to the NSWPSSA Cross Country Championships representing MacKillop - an outstanding achievement. Congratulations to all students.

Colleen Kipp - Leader of Sport

Futsal Championships

The SCC Cobra's team competed in the Sutherland Shire Futsal competition at Menai on Monday 6 June. The boys, coached by Mr Srbinoski, won their rounds, progressing them to the final. 

MacKillop Rugby League - NSWPSSA Titles

Congratulations to Sonny O’Brien who represented St Columbkille’s in the MacKillop Rugby League team, which competed in Parkes for the NSW Rugby League Championship. The team managed 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss by only 2 points. They had a draw and beat the teams that ended up making the grand final, so they were up there with the best and can be extremely proud of their efforts. Sonny had an amazing experience and made wonderful friends. Well done Sonny!

Rugby League Cobra's

SCC Cobra's today played in the Illawarra U12's Independent and Catholic School Rugby League Competition at Albion Park. Games were very tightly contested with the Cobra's winning one game and drawing another., Overall, we progressed to the State Conference Championships held next term. 

Thank you to Tony Galaxidis, Nathan Cooper and Andrew Rosengren for training and coaching the mighty Cobra's.

Jennifer Gaffney - Leader of Sport

Each year, St Vincent de Paul Society has its annual Winter Appeal. This year, our local Corrimal St Vincent de Paul has asked that we donate canned goods to provide to those individuals and families in need. Until the end of Week 10, students are asked to bring in one can per family, to donate to the classroom basket. Only one can per family is required, as there is minimal storage at the Corrimal Centre. For Early Stage One and Stage One, a tin of Baked Beans is being requested. For Stage Two and Stage Three, tinned Chunky Soup. 

In addition to our food donations, students will be able to participate in a Scarf and Beanie Day on Wednesday the 29th of June. On this day, students are able to bring in a gold coin donation and wear a beanie or scarf with their full school uniform. The donations received will then be given directly to our Corrimal St Vincent de Paul Society.

We thank you in advance for your support of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Bethany Tirchett - Leader of Mini Vinnies

Coordinated by the Refugee Council of Australia, Refugee Week is the peak annual activity to celebrate positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society and inform the public about their lives.

This year’s Refugee Week theme is ‘healing’ and is an important time for refugees to be welcomed and celebrated, and for others to show their support to refugee communities around the country.

For information about how to get involved please visit www.refugeeweek.org.au.

Posted 15 June 2022 by Catholic Education in 'Environment Matters' Blog

The St Columbkille's Corrimal School grounds have taken on a facelift in the form of beautiful images and ecological quotes to inspire prayer and reflection on caring for creation.

Like the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross, the SCC Environmental Stations of the Cross are a journey we all can take to reflect on our responsibilities as stewards of the planet as well as celebrating, in wonder and awe, the greatness of God's Creation. Through this reflective journey, we also come to realise God's great love for us as part of God's Creation.

Presently, there are 12 stations with the intention of including another two being the school's Vision and Mission statements which are in the process of being renewed by school staff. These statements will also reflect our relationship to God the Creator.

The images chosen have been beautifully photographed by Elle Holder-Keeping and include both the Parish environment and the school environment. They are the school's personal and identifiable interpretation of connection with God's Creation.

The phrases are taken directly from Pope Francis' Laudato Si' and where required, adapted to connect with the School community's commitment to care for our "Common Home".

The Environmental Stations of the Cross are placed, in a deliberate order and formation, on the fencing of the school yard. This intentional order of placement as well as area of placement is to encourage the school and Parish community to share in partnership, the celebration of creation and our collective responsibilities to it. Below are some examples of the images situated on the fences surrounding the Front Cement. Thank you to Ms Finlay-Joseph, Ms Emmett and Mrs Herring for their work and support of the St Columbkille's Environmental Plan.

         

Premier's Reading Challenge

Just a reminder that you have until the 19th August 2022 to complete the Premier's Reading Challenge and fill in your reading log. You can access the Premier's Reading Challenge Student site here.

Congratulations to these students who have also completed the challenge:

Fantastic effort everyone! 

New Books

There is a lovely selection of new books for you to borrow next time you visit the library. Please check out our new display and keep an eye out for more new arrivals. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.

                         

Our School Uniform Team - Mary Munn, Katie Woelner, Karley Beckman, Sarah Foster, Kristina Carroll, Nicky Bishop, Sally Ritz, Holly Howell, Claire Jansen and Kelly Saveski with the support of our staff and students have developed a contemporary looking, practical and functional uniform that maintains our unique SCC identity and history. Below are a list of changes based on several meetings and reviews for the girls and boys summer and winter uniforms. We are in the process of selected a new all-weather jacket and revising our sports uniform.

Thank you to Mel Gervaise from Poppets for making and providing of sample uniforms, parents, staff and students for their work, time and support in this process.

The implementation for these changes will commence in 2023 and will be based on the exhausting of the existing uniforms and supply availability of new stock. The transition into the new uniform is a slow process and will take place throughout 2023 and potentially 2024 (there is no expectation to buy a new uniform, if the existing one still fits during this time). Mrs Gervasie (Poppets) will be sourcing and making uniform items during this time and will inform our school when they become available.

                  SUMMER UNIFORM                                  WINTER UNIFORM

*Girls and Boys Winter uniform shirts will have long sleeves

Changes to SCC Uniform

Girls Uniform

•   Summer dress uniform

o   Yellow piping

o   No drop waist, pleats instead

o   No tab tie

o   Short navy socks

•   Alternate summer uniform

o   Navy shorts

o   Short sleeved shirt with peter pan collar, navy piping, darts, pleat in back and school emblem with no pocket.

•   Winter dress uniform

o   No change to tunic

o   Navy stockings or navy knee length socks

o   Long sleeved shirt with peter pan collar, navy piping, darts, pleat in back and school emblem with no pocket.

o   Navy tab tie

•   Alternate winter uniform

o   Long navy pants

o   Long sleeved shirt with peter pan collar, navy piping, darts, pleat in back and school emblem with no pocket.

o   Navy tab tie

o   Navy socks

Boys Uniform

•   Summer uniform

o   Navy shorts

o   Navy short socks

o   Shirt to have no pocket and emblem directly on shirt

•   Winter uniform

o   Navy pants

o   Navy socks

o   Shirt to have no pocket and emblem directly on shirt 

Hat

•   Navy bucket hat (no string) with school emblem in gold. Can be folded and placed in school bags.

My name is Ciara Pons and I am in 4 Blue. I am cutting off my pigtail to help raise money for cancer research. My hair is then made into a wig for people effected by cancer. All money raised goes to cancer research. Please donate at:

Thank you for helping. 

Ciara Pons 4B

Our School Photo day will be held on Thursday 4 August 2022. Further details will be provided closer to the date.

Enia Caires - Senior School Support Officer

Term 3 will commence on Monday 18 July.  

We wish you a safe and enjoyable school break.