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- Principal's Message
- Religious Education News
- Bearer's of Christ's Love - Bishop Brian Mascord
- Challenging Slavery at Easter
- Changes to the English and Mathematics K-2 Curriculum
- SCC Sport
- NSW Basketball Competition in May
- Koala Hospital Student Fundraiser
- Pupil Free Day - Monday 24 April
- Cultural Diversity
- Compulsory School Attendance
- School Fees are Now Due for 2023
- Wollongong City Council - Traffic and Transport
- Russell Vale Cub Scouts
- Go4Fun Program
- Thunder Blast Holiday Program
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we move through Holy Week and ever closer to Easter Sunday, I would like to thank you for your ongoing support, time and dedication to our school, St Columbkille's, Corrimal. We have enjoyed numerous celebrations, events and activities, along with the challenges of life with a school community. We should continue to be exceptionally proud of our collective work, who we are and what we stand for - 'Learning together, shaping futures'. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the Easter break and have the opportunity to connect with both family and friends.
Thank you to Mrs Herring, our staff and students for their work in preparing our Holy Week celebration this morning. It was an emotive and reverent acknowledgement of the journey of Jesus moving towards Easter Sunday.
Congratulations to the following families who won the Year 6 Easter Egg raffle drawn at our assembly this afternoon. Thank you to our parents who generously supported the Year 6 fundraiser, along with Mrs Tirchett and Mrs O'Connor for putting the sensational Easter baskets together.
Congratulations to...
Briar Menghi, Josh Potter, Gianna Casanova, Lara Burns, Kai Fletcher (x3), Mrs Orphin, Maxwell Hammet, Brody Foster (x2), Anna Worthington, Anastasia Auld, Scarlett Martin, James Andary, Zara Erven, Sebastian Suyasa, Loreela Tadros and Max Piacentin.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them."
A wonderful tradition within our school community has been participating in the ANZAC Day Dawn service. All students, staff, parents, grandparents are welcome to march on Tuesday 25 April. The Parade will gather on the Princess Hwy at the Corrimal RSL at 5.30am for a 5.45am start and march to ANZAC Grove.
A number of staffing changes moving into Term 2. We farewell Mrs Tyrrell (Maternity leave) and Mrs Tirchett (Middle Leader 2 at St Therese, West Wollongong). We wish both Libbie and Bethany all the very best and every success moving into the future and look forward to seeing Mrs Tyrrell after her leave. Below are Term 2 staffing details:
- Kinder: Literacy & Numeracy Support – Mrs Narelle Bower (Monday-Tuesday)
- 6 Gold: Mrs Alyssa Barrett (Monday-Wednesday) and Mrs Dominique Page (Thurs-Fri)
- SSO: Year 4 - Mrs Janell Dent (Monday - Thursday)
- Middle Leader 2: Gifted Education, Stage 3 Leader and PB4L - Mrs Adelaide O'Connor
We welcome Mrs Page and Mrs Dent to St Columbkille's and congratulate Mrs O'Connor on her appointment as Middle Leader 2.
Looking forward to seeing our school community back together for the commencement of Term 2 on Wednesday 26 April.
Wishing you a very safe, happy and Holy Easter.
Take care
Mr Brad Colquhoun - Principal
Holy Week / Easter Liturgy
Today we celebrated Holy Week / Easter as a school community. Thank you to the students for their reverence and participation, the parents for their organisation of costumes/items and to the staff for composing their special scene. This weekend being Easter Sunday we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Project Compassion
As we come to the end of Lent, our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion are also winding up. If you could please send in any loose change so that our monies can be sent to Caritas to help those in need. A big thank you to Darcy Fursey, Jed Bell and Flynn Karhof in Year 5 who have raised $39 for St Vincent De Paul, with their lolly guessing competition.
Holy Week - St Columbkille's & St Joseph's Parishes
Sacramental News
This year we celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation (Year 6), First Holy Communion (Year 3) and Reconciliation (for both Year 3 and Year 2. Year 2 will be making Reconciliation from 2023 forward).
At the beginning of Term 2 a Sacramental Parent Evening will be led by Father Anthony, where parents only need to attend. More information is to come so watch this space.
Parish News
Have a safe, happy and holy Easter with family and friends.
Mrs Jo Herring - Religious Education Coordinator
Important new document from Bishop Brian Mascord
The Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascord DD, has published a new document on the nature and purpose of Catholic schools in our diocese. Titled Bearers of Christ’s Love — Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, this document is the first of its type in our diocese since the 1970s.
In it, Bishop Brian explores the purpose of Catholic schools as an expression of the Church experience, as well as the vital connection between schools, parents/carers, parishes, and the diocese itself.
Throughout the document, Bishop Brian reiterates:
- The significant role Catholic schools play in the evangelising mission of the Church and the nurturing of students’ faith.
- The commitment of Catholic educators to complement and support the educational rights and duties of parents as their child’s first educator.
- The essential requirement for Catholic schools to be places of educational excellence, where learning, wellbeing and actions of outreach and service are integrated in a holistic educational vision and practice.
- That Catholic schools are places where those seeking a Catholic education are welcome, reflecting the diverse mix of cultures, nationalities and religious traditions that currently make up our school communities.
Please take the time to watch the short video from Bishop Brian and read this important document on the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong website.
Link: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/bearers-of-christs-love
Curriculum is at the core of quality teaching and learning. It is important to communicate with parents, carers and community about the teaching and learning that is happening in your school. This engagement will assist schools in identifying strategic directions, decide on improvement measures and assess their progress which can lead to improved learning outcomes for students.
What is curriculum?
The curriculum is a plan for learning based on mandated and approved syllabus documents and current departmental policies and procedures.
The NSW curriculum refers to the suite of resources that are the syllabuses and the support resources to support teachers to implement the syllabuses. This includes, but is not limited to, resources including teaching and learning advice, assessment resources, and syllabus-specific materials including scope and sequences, units of work, standards materials and work samples.
What is curriculum reform?
The NSW Curriculum Reform aims to strengthen and streamline what is taught in schools. The curriculum reform is an opportunity to engage and reenergise what we teach and how we teach it. It focuses on making clear what is essential in the curriculum to give more time for deep learning, establish stronger foundations in English and mathematics, and provide stronger links between HSC subjects and career pathways.
English and Mathematics
In 2023 new Syllabus documents in English and Mathematics are being implemented in schools in Kindergartern through to Year 2.
The new syllabuses emphasise key concepts, identify essential knowledge and skills, and include new outcomes to clearly show what is essential. They remove ambiguity for all users. Clear and concise language in the outcomes and content help you to understand the learning expectations for building foundational skills in English and Mathematics. The new Digital Curriculum means the syllabuses will be easier to access and navigate, so users can find information more efficiently. Access content points are provided to indicate content that students with significant intellectual disability may access. Teaching samples and examples are easy to find and use. Teaching advice is a supporting guide that was refined through engagement and consultation activities with teachers.
SCC Cross Country
On Friday 31st March under blue skies and fabulous weather, St Columbkille’s held our annual school Cross Country Carnival at Ziems Park, Corrimal. It was a terrific day of tabloid activities and long distance running. Congratulations to all students who participated in the run, a wonderful effort.
The following students are our age champions for 2023:
GIRLS:
8/9 Girls: Amelie Andary
10 Girls: Zara Erven
11 Girls: Ruby Ukotic
12 Girls: Clover Duggan
BOYS:
8/9 Boys: Beau Jorgenson
10 Boys: Jed Bell
11 Boys: Harrison Esteves
12 Boys: Taj Bloom
Our Winning house for 2023 - Mackillop
Congratulations to the following students who will now compete at the Wollongong Diocese Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday May 2 at “ Willandra “ in Nowra. Well done to all.
Taj Bloom, Randy O’Brien, Sonny O’Brien, Clover Duggan, Eadie Nelson, Millie Dalton, Beau Jorgenson, Zavier Switaj-Zwolinski, Luca Jurjevic, Amelie Andary, Nova Forrest, Ella Hartup, Jed Bell, James Andary, Ben Franco, Zara Erven, Elodie McClusky, Mackenzie Simms, Ruby Ukotic, Sophie Coughlan, Harper Harrison, Harrison Esteves, Kynan Merola and Talon Mayo.
A huge thank you to all our parent helpers who assisted with marshalling and recording on the day. Also to Mr Fursey who opened up the Corrimal Cougars facilities at Ziems Park for our carnival. Thank you to all staff who assisted with supervision and lots of energy throughout the day.
Mrs Colleen Kipp - Leader of Cross Country
Senior Boys Relay team: Taj Bloom, Sonny O’Brien, Alex Mamoris and Randy O’Brien
Congratulations to all our students who attended the MacKillop Swimming Trials - Nate Elliott, Taj Bloom, Sonny O’Brien, Alex Mamoris and Randy O’Brien. We hope that you enjoyed competition and experience.
Mrs Adelaide O'Connor - Leader of Sport
St Columbkille’s has been fortunate enough to have a volunteer to take a team of Year 5 & 6 boys to the NSW Basketball competition in May. Mrs O’Connor will be asking Year 5 & 6 boys if they would like to participate in the NSW Basketball competition to be held on 30th and 31st May 2023. Further information will be provided to those students who are selected to participate in this team.
Mrs O'Connor - Leader of Sport
Focus with staff will be on our Annual Improvememnnt Plan Improving Writing Pedagogy initiative
Pupil Free Day - Monday 24 April
ANZAC Day Tuesday 25 April
Term 2 will commence on Wednesday 26 April
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS REGARDING SCHOOL FEES 2023
Traffic and Transport around schools is a high priority for our school and Wollongong City Council. Please be assured that we share the priority for safety and are working towards an improved network for community members and visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
A Safer Routes to School Working Group has been established with Council engineers, planners, Council’s Road Safety Officer, The Principal & a P&C representative. The role of this group is to inform the school community of existing road safety education programs and support schools with respect to transport around schools; to develop short, medium, and long term plans which improve safety around schools, promote public transport and encourage walking and cycling to schools. We ask that your requests and opportunities be raised at your next P&C meeting to ensure that we have consistency and an agreed approach to transport planning around our schools.
Nathan McBriarty - Traffic & Transport Unit Leader Wollongong City Council