Dear Parents and Carers, 

Hope that you are well and are enjoying your week.

Last Friday we celebrated Father's Day with our luncheon and Liturgy.  Thank you to Mr Lattimore for his assistance with the organisation of the Liturgy and a special thank you to Jason and Felix Ibrahim for sharing their thoughts and insights around dad' - your time and words were very much appreciated.

'A conversation can change a life'

RU OK?, should inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may struggle with life. You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and great listener. For more information refer to the RU OK? Day link - https://www.ruok.org.au

Use these four steps and a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask RU OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

 Our Year 3 and 5 students received their NAPLAN results on Monday. Based on these results, we have continued to improve and grow. Our school as above National and Diocese of Wollongong average across Year 3 and 5 in all tested domains which include Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar/Punctuation and Numeracy since 2009. For the 3rd successive year 2019, 2021, 2022 - (*2020 no NAPLAN) of student data in these domains continues to improve across Year 3 and 5. Thank you for the hard work and dedication of our staff, the engagement of our students and the ongoing support and guidance of our parents, carers and grandparents.

Congratulations to Ms Helen Moon (Library Administration and Learning Support) on her recent full time appointment to the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong: Catholic Life Education and Mission Team - Administration.  Ms Moon will commence this position at the start of Term 4. It is an outstanding result for Ms Moon and extremely well deserved. Ms Moon enjoyed a wonderful 4 year at SCC and will be dearly missed. Mrs Katrina Carroll will be taking on the the role of Library Administration and Learning Support for the remain of the year. We wish Ms Moon and Mrs Carroll all the very best moving forward in their respective roles.

In other staffing news, Miss Rita Moretti will be taking leave starting Term 4 for the remainder of the year. Rita will be having having a knee surgery. Mr Adam Lowrie will move into 3B during this time and Mrs Beth Rathbone will be teaching full-time in 5B. We wish Miss Moretti all the best and a quick recovery from her surgery.

Enjoy a sensational weekend, as we move into the final 2 weeks of Term 3.

Take care,

Brad Colquhoun - Principal

A Time to Listen to the Voice of Creation

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he or she who sees takes off their shoes...
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

These words from the poet Browning have a special resonance as we begin the Season of Creation, the annual, ecumenical time of prayer and action on behalf of our planet. It begins on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Pope Francis in his Message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation reminds us that the season is “an opportunity to cultivate our ‘ecological conversion’ and that we are invited to “pray once more in the great cathedral of creation, and revel in the “grandiose cosmic choir” made up of countless creatures, all singing the praises of God”. The Pope calls us to feel even more responsible for acting each day in accordance with the summons to conversion that brings about lasting change.

In 2022 the theme for the season is Listen to the Voice of Creation which offers us a rich entry point for us to consider our vocation to care for our common home. To listen to creation is to recognize that, besides all human beings, other-than-human life, all the species, biomes, and ecosystems have agency, purpose, and a distinct voice. Creation speaks a language of love, of justice and peace, of living within limits, and of respect for the interdependence of all living things throughout all time. Learning the languages of creation entails being in intimate and healthy relationship with the world around us.

The burning bush is the symbol for this year’s Season of Creation and today creation cries out to us as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice. In contrast, the fire that called to Moses as he tended the flock on Mt. Horeb did not consume or destroy the bush. This flame of the Spirit revealed God’s presence. This holy fire affirmed that God heard the cries of all who suffered, and promised to be with us as we followed in faith to our deliverance from injustice.

I have heard their cry. I know their sufferings.
Come, now! I will send you. I will be with you.
Exodus 3: 1-12

As we journey through the Season of Creation may we renew our reverence for Earth and the other creatures with whom we share this planet. May we lament the ways that human activities assault the web of life and restore our faith, love and hope as we renew our efforts to create a more just, habitable world.

Father’s Day Celebration / Family & Parish Mass

Last Friday St Columbkille’s was able to honour our dads, grandads and father figures with a beautiful luncheon and liturgy. We had a huge turnout which shows just how much our dads and children love, care for and support each other. This was reiterated in Jason Ibrahim’s speech to our community, and the lovely words from his son Felix. Thank you to Mr Lattimore and Mr Colquhoun for their organisation of our celebration. May we forever hold our fathers love in our hearts.

Reconciliation

On Wednesday morning a number of our students made their First Reconciliation. This sacrament allowed the students to receive Jesus’ forgiveness and to try to be a better person. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and friends who have supported them on their journey and helped to complete their booklets. We now look forward to preparing for First Holy Communion.

Christmas Art Competition

Our Year 5 & 6 students have been busily preparing their annual Christmas Art entries which will be sent for judging to the CEO next week. (Last year we were not involved, due to COVID, so this has been an exciting time once again). Our three Year 5 and three Year 6 winners will be announced on Monday. Thank you to all those involved in the preparation and completion of these artworks.

Catholic Mission Launch

On Tuesday 13^th September, myself and our school captains, Zaria and Bailey, will be attending the annual Diocesan Launch of World Mission Month. Each year our diocese is committed to fundraising for Catholic Mission, with this year’s focus on improving conditions for the people of Ethiopia. We will travel to St Thomas More’s Catholic Church at Ruse to represent our school community.

RU OK? Day

This day was acknowledged on Thursday 8^th September and reminds us of the need to meaningfully connect with people around us. By starting a conversation, you may change a life!  Within our diocese this day was celebrated through the “RUOK RHYTHMS- A Simultaneous Drumming for Wellbeing” experience. Kindergarten even took up the challenge and felt empowered and uplifted.

This year Ripples are offering two podcasts in support of RUOK Day. These podcasts are now available for you to listen to. Eric Cruz is an RUOK Day Ambassador and shares his courageous and personal story. Dr Kathy O’Grady draws on her experience as a Medical Educator with Black Dog Institute. Follow the link Ripples podcasts

Season of Creation

Last Thursday our school community acknowledged World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Each grade used our new Environmental Stations of the Cross on our school fence, in a prayerful way. We continue to be stewards of creation throughout the month of September in recognising the SEASON OF CREATION. Don’t forget to find ways to look after our beautiful Earth!

Mrs Joanne Herring - Religious Education Coordinator

Congratulations to the Raschilla family (Fabio, Rebecca, Scarlett and Demi) for the recent safe arrival of their daughter/sisiter Harlow.  May she bring you all much love, laughter and memories to cherish.  

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 participated 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

We had a wonderful day celebrating Indigenous Literacy Day on Wednesday, 7 September.

Thank you to all students who participated in the Great Book Swap by swapping a book and making a gold coin donation.  We raised $237 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. This money will help the IDF give culturally relevant books to children living in remote Communities.

Many classes also participated in a National Digital Event, a celebration of the diversity of First Nations Peoples' Stories, Cultures and Languages. Students enjoyed learning to sing a range of songs in different languages with help from Jessica Mauboy and a group of children in remote Milikapiti and Jilkminggan.

Many thanks,

Mrs Aimee Griggs - Year 3 Teacher 

This week our students transitioned into summer uniform. As we continue to experience colder Spring weather, parents and carers may wish to continue their child/ren wearing their winter uniform for the next couple of weeks, if needed. Thank you for your support and flexibility.

Friday 27 September will be a pupil free day, as staff will be participating in their annual Spirituality Day.  These annual days add to the growth in faith and spiritual reflection of all our staff members.  

Monday 14 October will also be a pupil free day, as staff will be participating in a Staff Development Day. 

These days coincide with the beginning and end of the upcoming school break. Students Kindergarten through to Year 6 will resume school for Term 4 on Tuesday 15 October.  

Bravehearts is a leading Australian child protection organisation focused on creating a world where people, communities and systems all work together to protect children from child sexual abuse. Held during National Child Protection Week (September 4-10), Bravehearts Day builds on the iconic legacy of White Balloon Day and is the largest and longest-running child protection campaign, aimed at raising funds and awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse and supporting survivors of this crime. 

Our Footy Colours Day event helps children with cancer, keep up with school while they receive and recover from treatment.

On Thursday 22 September, students are to wear their favourite footy jumper, the colour/s of your favourite team or just their favourite colour.

The money we raise (gold coin donation), funds Fight Cancer Foundation’s education support programs, which operate in major Paediatric Hospitals across the country. They ensure no child falls behind or disengages from school as a result of their cancer diagnosis. Our support is needed, this year more than ever, to continue to fund the special programs.

For more information go to https://www.footycoloursday.com.au 

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.

Corrimal Cricket Club is inviting all local juniors interested in cricket this summer to attend a games afternoon at Ziem's Park, Corrimal from 2pm to 4pm this Sunday 11 September. All current and new players are most welcome to attend.

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