Dear Parents and Carers,

Hope that you are well and have enjoyed a sensational week.

Next Friday 2 September, we will celebrate Father's Day in the MD Hall. Our dad's, uncle's, grandfather's and father figures are invited to attend the luncheon at 1pm, followed by the Father's Day Liturgy and Award Assembly. We wish all our dad's a wonderful Father Day on Sunday 4 September; that is shared and celebrated with family and friends. 

'My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me'.

This week, we welcomed back Mrs McDonald back to SCC for the remainder of the term as Acting SSSO (Thursday to Friday).  Mrs Pascoe will move into the Acting SSSO role (Monday to Wednesday), with Mrs Sumner in the Acting SSO Office (Monday to Wednesday). We wish Mrs McDonald, Mrs Pascoe and Mrs Sumner all the very best in their respective roles for the remainder of the term and thank them for their support.

Congratulations to the SCC Cobras for an outstanding game yesterday in the State Catholic and Independent Primary Schools Rugby League final at Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown. Whilst the team was defeated 16-6 by St Peter’s, Port Macquarie, they can be extremely proud of their efforts and played the game with   great teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to have many of our Year 5 and 6 students, parents, grandparents and former students supporting the Cobras throughout the game. Thank you to Mr Galaxidis, Mr Cooper and Mr Rosengren for their coaching and training of the team - it is greatly appreciated. 

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend. Looking forward to seeing you through Week 7 and 8.

Take care,

Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal

Over the next six weeks Fr Anthony will begin a series of discussion on questions of theology:

   1.  The question of science and religion. 

   2.  The question of god. 

   3.  The experience of faith. 

Dates:- 25th August, 1st September, 15th September. 

Time:- 7.30-9.00pm 

In the Parish Centre at Corrimal.  All are welcome. 

Social Justice Sunday

Social Justice Sunday is this coming Sunday 28 August. The Australian Bishops Social Justice Statement is launched on the last Sunday in August each year. The theme of this statement for 2022-23 is RESPECT: Confronting Violence and Abuse.

The President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB outlines the premise for the statement in his forward as we continue as a Catholic community to respond to the signs of the times.

“In recent years we have witnessed a new wave of campaigns to confront violence and abuse. We have heard new calls for respect in relationships. Many have spoken out to highlight the extent of abuse throughout society – in the home, in the workplace, and in various groups in the community, including the Church. Those who suffer such abuse are most frequently women and children while the perpetrators are most frequently men. But no matter who suffers such violence, and who perpetrates it, the damage to the lives of the victims and survivors of such abuse is real, destructive, and long-lasting.

The virtue of solidarity challenges us to support those who are seeking justice in the face of such widespread violence. The teaching of Christ urges us to promote relationships marked by respect and freedom rather than coercion and control. The message of the Gospel is not a message of domination of one person over another but a message of mutual esteem and kindness.”

The link to the Statement and other resources can be found here. 

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation / Season of Creation

In 2015 Pope Francis established 1st September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of

Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common

home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis' landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls on "every person living on this planet" to care for our shared Earth.

The Season of Creation begins on September 1st and the theme and invitation of this year’s season is Listen to the Voice of Creation. In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2022, Pope Francis calls us to use the season to "cultivate our ecological conversion” and to pray together in “the great cathedral of Creation”. He warns that we are reaching “a breaking point" and must act decisively so that "we and future generations can continue to rejoice in creation’s sweet song of life and hope." Today we raise to God our thanks for the marvellous works that have been entrusted to our care, and we ask for God’s help as we take action to protect our planet and all of its creatures. St Columbkille’s will acknowledge this day with a prayer at morning assembly next Thursday, and 4B will incorporate this theme into their assembly item next Friday.

If you are interested in a game of ‘BINGO” use the sheet below to tick off as many items as you can- and why not get the whole family involved!

Indigenous Literacy Day

St Columbkille’s will recognise and support Indigenous Literacy Day on Wednesday 7th September with a “Great Book Swap”. Students will donate a favourite book in exchange for a gold coin donation. Not only will students be fundraising for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, but they will also choose a new book to take home and share with their family.

A special zoom event, presented by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and hosted by the Sydney Opera House, will also enable the children to be immersed in this day.

Father’s Day Celebrations

Next Friday 2^nd September our school will pay tribute to all our father figures (dads, grandads, pops, uncles, brothers etc) with a lunch and liturgy celebration. RSVP’s need to be received by Tuesday 30^th August at info.sccdow@catholic.edu.au. We look forward to celebrating this event for the first time since COVID.

Over the past few weeks our Year 3 students (as well as some from other grades), have been preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation. On Wednesday 7^th September Father Patrick and Father Anthony will lead these students in this sacrament of forgiveness. We continue to pray for these children as they reflect on times when they did not live as Jesus asked them.

Family Mass

St Columbkille’s looks forward to celebrating mass with the parish on Sunday 4^th September at 9.30am. It would be a lovely start to Father’s Day for your family. If you and your child would like to read, either the readings of the day or prayers of the faithful, or bring up the offertory gifts, please let the school or myself know. Morning tea will occur after Mass with time for the families to catch up while the children play.

Ripples Podcast is back- In Conversation with Andrew Chinn

Our good friend of St Columbkille’s, Mr Andrew Chinn, shares his extraordinary life journey and his calling to share God’s message of love through music. Well worth a listen!

Episode 30: Sharing the Message of Love through Music - In Conversation with Andrew Chinn

Meditation 30: Balancing Work and Rest

Guided Visual Meditation: Balancing Work and Rest

Have a great fortnight!

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

NSWPSSA Boys Football Championships

During Week 5, Hayden Sharman participated in the NSWPSSA Boys Football Championships at Griffith as part of the MacKillop Team. They finished 2^nd in their pool after all the rounds. They progressed to the Championship final where they played Sydney South West and won the whole competition. This is a wonderful effort for the MacKillop team and also an amazing experience for Hayden. Well done.

Corrimal Cougars Grand Finals

On the weekend, we had a number of Corrimal Cougar teams playing in their Grand Finals. Congratulations to the U10 Girls League Tag team who won 22-14. The U11 boys won 32-6 and the U12’s won 8-6. A fantastic effort.

Diocesan Time Trials

On Tuesday the 16th August St Columbkille's Athletics Squad attended Beaton Park to compete in the Diocesan Time Trials. The students were very competitive and a number of those have now progressed to The MacKillop Athletics at Homebush on Wednesday 21st September:

Bailey Mitchell - 1500m, 800m

Amelia Rutledge - High Jump

Harrison Esteves - 1500m

Randy O’Brien - 100m, 200m, Long Jump, Discus

Sonny O’Brien - 100m, 200m, Discus, High Jump, Shot Put

Well done to all athletes who competed today, St Columbkille's is very proud of your efforts.

                            

                           

Colleen Kipp - Leader of Sport

Chris Gangemi Cup – CPS Rugby 10’s State Knockout

Last week the U12 boys played in the Chris Gangemi State Cup. The best schools from around the NSW travelled to St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill to play in this knockout. The games were very close and the opposition tough. The team was unlucky not to win their pool games but went on to play in the consolation finals. They can be so proud of making it to this level and for showing great sportsmanship. Thank you to Mr Heaton for training and coaching the boys and to the parents for travelling to support the team.

Rugby League Independent and Catholic Primary Schools Challenge

After winning the NSW Semi Finals and becoming the Southern Champions, the U12 boys Rugby League team competed at Campbelltown Stadium in the State Final against the Northern Champions, St Peter’s, Port Macquarie. Cheered on in the grandstand by Year 5 and 6, the boys ended up losing 16-6 in what was a closely contested match. Though there was disappointment, they can be extremely proud of the way they played and represented their school. Being Southern NSW Champions is no mean feat! Congratulations! Thank you to Mr Galaxidis, Mr Cooper and Mr Rosengren for training and supporting the boys.

NSW State Snow Skiing Championship - Moguls Division

Aiden Heaton and Preston Park had some stiff competition competing at the NSW, NT, QLD and ACT championships. They were competing against schools with snow sports programs and performed well.

They entered as a team in moguls' event with Preston leading the way, finishing 19th overall with an impressive 360 jump, and possibly qualifying for nationals as an individual. They finished ninth as a team and just missed qualifying for the national team's event. 

In their individual events Preston competed in Ski Alpine and Cross, finishing in the top 30 in both events and did himself proud in an extremely competitive field of over 120 competitors. The winners were from the French international school who come over for the Australian winter. Aiden competed in snowboard GS & cross and finished in the top 30 for both events in a field of 100 competitors.

The boys did their school and themselves proud and will be back next year representing their high schools. 

Jen Gaffney – Leader of Sport

Each category for Book Week 2022. Congratulations to those authors and illustrators.

Pupil Free Day - Monday 29 August

Our Teacher Professional Planning Day will focus on Writing Pedagogy. Writing is one of our School Improvement area for 2022.  Mrs Perre and Vanessa Taylor (CEDoW) will be leading and supporting our staff throughout the day.

Grandparents Day at SCC will be celebrated on Friday 28 October.

Liturgy will commence at 9:15am followed by morning tea

in the MD Hall.

Week 7 - Tuesday 30 August transition to Summer uniform begins.  Students can wear winter or summer uniform weather depending, but not wear a mix of summer and winter uniforms.  

Week 8 - Monday 5 September all students wearing Summer uniform.

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.

The web is a great place to learn, be creative and stay connected, but with one in five young Australians found to be victims of cyberbullying each year, and the many other challenges young people face online, it’s important that we invest in giving our students the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens. eSmart assists schools and communities to achieve this.

At St Columbkille’s we are an accredited eSmart school. This means we have a collaborative approach to digital inclusion, digital literacy and cybersafety, bringing together government, industry, schools, libraries, families, organisations and most importantly, you, our eSmart community.

During National eSmart Week, September 5 to 11, we will be participating in various classroom based activities that investigate and emphasize how to be smart, safe and responsible with digital technology.  We encourage you to explore being smart, safe and responsible with digital technologies at home.  You may find the following sites helpful. 

• eSafety  

• CyberSafety Solutions 

• eSmart 

Mrs Maria Disibio - Assistant Principal

Next month, Wollongong will host an international professional cycling race - the 2022 UCI Road World Championships. 

The race will run from Sunday 18 - Sunday 25 September 2022 and is organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling, in conjunction with Events NSW and Wollongong City Council and supported by a range of government and local community organisations. You may be aware that a number of Catholic and public schools across Wollongong will be moving to remote learning during the event (Week 10, Term 3). 

Please note that the UCI cycling event will NOT impact access to our school and we will remain open as usual in the final week of term. 

While appreciating the economic and community benefits of such an event, we also acknowledge the significant disruption that will arise for local residents, business owners, local schools and parishes due to road closures, highly restricted location access and the flow-on impacts to transport services, routes and timetables.

Depending on where you live, it is possible you may be personally impacted by road closures. We encourage you to review the list of road closures and advice for affected local residents on the UCI website: wollongong2022.com.au/resident-information-road-closures/

If you believe that road closures or other impacts of the event will prevent your child from accessing school in Week 10, Term 3, please contact the office as soon as possible to discuss this further.

We recommend not taking your child on holidays during the school term in order for your child to receive the most out of their schooling.

Any parent requesting leave for their child for (5) or more consecutive days is required to complete an Application for Extended Leave Form.

The form is available at the School Office or can be downloaded from the school website.

To ensure approval before the leave takes place, we require the completed form lodged at Student Services a minimum of 2 weeks before the Leave commences. 

Thank you.

2022 Illawarra Mercury FSC Summer Football
Age 5 years to Seniors

Starts Monday 10th October
For more information and to register, click on the button below