

St. Columba's Primary School
NEWSLETTER | TERM 1 | WEEK 3 | 15 FEBRUARY 2024
“We have fallen short of your glory and without your mercy and grace, we would be dust.
We repent now. Lord, as we enter into this Lenten season, be near to us.
Help us, by your Holy Spirit, to feel right conviction and repentance for our sin. Amen.”
Good afternoon parents and carers
As we embark on the journey ahead, I am thrilled to share some highlights and important events that will shape our school community in the coming weeks.
Ash Wednesday Mass and the Commencement of Lenten Season
We gathered on Ash Wednesday for a special Mass, marking the beginning of the Lenten season – a time for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. This solemn occasion invites us to contemplate the significance of Lent and encourages us to engage in acts of kindness, self-discipline, and compassion. Let us embrace this period of self-discovery and growth as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. CARITAS boxes went home with all students in PP-Year 6 this week.
Year 6 Camp to Pinjarra: A Journey of Discovery
Our Year 6 students are in the midst of an unforgettable adventure at the Fairbridge Pinjarra Camp. This immersive experience promises not only fun and camaraderie but also valuable opportunities for personal growth and teamwork. I have no doubt that the memories forged during this camp will be cherished for years to come, fostering lasting friendships and resilience among our young leaders. We are loving life (even through the heat) and there have been many water pistol fights. Staff are bringing their A game!
Upcoming Swimming Carnival: Dive into the Spirit of Competition
Our much-anticipated Y4-6 swimming carnival is just around the corner – Tuesday, 20 February (Week 4). This event not only showcases the incredible talent and sportsmanship of our students but also fosters a sense of unity and school spirit. Whether you're a participant, supporter, or spectator, the swimming carnival promises a day filled with excitement, encouragement, and friendly competition.
Social/Emotional Learning Programs: RULER and Kimochi's
At St Columba’s, we are committed to nurturing not only the academic but also the social and emotional well-being of our students. Our continued focus on programs such as RULER and Kimochi's reflects this commitment. These initiatives empower our students with valuable skills for understanding and managing emotions, fostering a positive and supportive school environment.
First P & F Meeting - All Welcome!
Our Parents and Friends Association plays a crucial role in enhancing the school experience for our students. I invite all parents and guardians to join us for our first P & F meeting next Tuesday, 20 February at 7pm in the staffroom. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow parents, contribute ideas, and actively participate in shaping the future of our school community. Your involvement is invaluable, and all are welcome to attend.
Contacting Students During School Hours
As we continue to strive for an optimal learning environment at St Columba’s, I kindly request your cooperation in refraining from contacting your children directly on their iPad devices during school hours. To ensure an uninterrupted focus on academics and to promote a distraction-free learning environment, we require you to use the front office as the primary point of contact for any urgent matters or messages to be conveyed to your child during school hours. This practice not only fosters a conducive learning atmosphere but also aligns with our commitment to prioritise the academic and social development of each student. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated as we work together to create an environment that maximizes the educational experience for all students.
As we embark on these exciting ventures, let us remember the strength and unity that comes from working together as a school community. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing more wonderful moments with you throughout the term.
As always, I wish you nothing but green lights!
Jesse Yock
Acting Principal
Important Dates
Friday 16 February
- Year 6 Camp concludes
Monday 19 February
- On-Entry Testing - Pre-Primary
Tuesday 20 February
- St Columba's Swimming Carnival Y4-6 - Riverton Leisureplex
- P&F Meeting at 7 pm in staffroom - all welcome!
Friday 23 February
- Assembly - 5W
Merit Award Winners - Week 4
Year 1G - Bilyana, Alexander, Charlie
Year 1W - Nadia, Violet, Ajay
Year 2G - Anthony, Lyra
Year 2W - Iris, Hawke, Thomas
Year 3G - Bridget, Shivam, Samson
Year 3W - Sarah, Rayden
Year 4G - Hugh, Haruto, Louis
Year 4W - Chloe, Hugo O, Addisyn
Year 5G - Klelia, Lucas
Year 5W - Leo, Maria
Year 6G - No Merits
Year 6W - Johanes, Lennox
Korean Award Winners - to be presented at Assembly
Year 2 - Ruby, Lily
Year 3 - Eloise, Taylor
Year 4 - Alexander, Alexandria
Year 5 - Leah, Charlene
Year 6 - Martin
School Fees
School fees have been emailed to all parents this week. The fee statements are only emailed to one parent so please check with your partner or your Junk/Spam folder if you have not received them yet.
All payment option forms are due to be returned by 28 February 2024.
For those with a valid concession card, please send through the details and complete the Discount Scheme form if you have not done so already.
If you have any queries regarding your fees please contact Narelle Foster on finance@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au
NAPLAN Online 2024 - Parent Information
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3 & 5 sit in March (this has been changed from May in previous years).
The NAPLAN Online test window begins on Wednesday 13th March and finishes on Monday 25 March 2024.
All students will be involved in a coordinated practice test in Week 5 this term to experience the platform and the different test formats.
The school has begun extensive School Readiness Testing procedures to ensure our devices and networks can support the online assessment.
Our school NAPLAN testing schedule will be released in Week 5.
A public demonstration site is available for parents and students to access. The link below provides access to the NAPLAN Online Demonstration site which provides examples of the different types of question formats as well as practice questions across all 4 testing areas. Public Demonstration Site Link
More information is available at www.nap.edu.au
We invite you to speak with your child’s classroom teacher if you have any concerns regarding the NAPLAN assessment.
Year 6 Camp
Our Year 6 students and staff are enjoying themselves this week at Fairbridge Pinjarra Camp. With only one more sleep left the energy levels are still holding strong. We have challenged ourselves and developed our leadership skills while building relationships and having fun. We can’t wait to share our experiences with our parents tomorrow afternoon when we get back!
Project Compassion Begins!
Spanning across the 6 weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.
Caritas Project Compassion boxes were distributed to classrooms in PP-Y6 to go home with all students.
Students are encouraged to collect any amount of money for this important cause and bring back their Project Compassion boxes with the collected money by the end of Term 1 – Wednesday 28th March 2024.
We look forward to a Guest Speaker from CARITAS joining us at assembly later this term to answer student questions and provide further information about how the money raised contributes towards improving the lives of those less fortunate.
There is much to pray for this Lent, and we hope our support will contribute to changing the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Further information, including teacher resources and stories can be found at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
RULER - The Class Charter
Each class in Years 1 – 6 have now created their own class charter. The class charter is one of the four RULER tools that we have incorporated this year.
Creating a home charter might be an excellent activity to assist the home-school partnership and show the RULER strategies can be used anywhere.
Kimochis - Meet our characters!
Hi! I'm Lovey Dove.
COMMUNICATION TOOL FOR:
- Sharing pride without bragging
- Celebrating others’ accomplishments
- Overcoming discouragement
- Moving through worried feelings
MY STORY
Lives in an auburn nest high atop a Japanese Maple Tree. Her nest has one bedroom, a kitchen, and a playroom with a magic slide where the other Characters spend a lot of time after their homework is done.
Favorite number: 11
Favorite color: Lemon yellow
Loves healthy snacks like carrot sticks and yogurt raisins.
Parish News from Monsignor O'Loughlin
Thank you to the teachers & staff for guiding the students at our 9am Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday.
A special mention is deserved to Mrs McDonald for the excellent presentation by the school choir & soloists.
Afterwards, our Assistant Principal Mrs Vuckovic accompanied me to visit the 3 year old Kindy students in the Fr Brennan Building, where I explained the meaning of the blessed ashes I had on my forehead & then placed them on the teachers & assistants. I asked the children to explain to their parents when they went home to say that Monsignor O'Loughlin celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass in the Church for the older students & then came to visit the Kindy students.
The blessed ashes are a sign of following Jesus, especially during Lent.
I was particularly keen to note that the majority of the students were Baptised by me and it was rewarding to see them growing so fast.
God bless you all as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter.
Monsignor Brian O’Loughlin
Parish Priest.
The DOSC are planning a Term 1 get together. It will be a great opportunity to meet other dads and welcome any new families to the school.
Date: Friday 1st of March
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: The Station, 1 Mends St, South Perth
Please join us for a bite to eat and a drink. Dads, father figures, carers and mums welcome.
If you would like to be added to the DOSC WhatsApp chat group please fill details in the form above or message Alan on 0423 840 411 or Mel on 0419 924 216.
Please RSVP using the form below.
Hi everyone,
Wowee, what a warm one it has been. I hope you are all keeping cool in this weather, there is plenty more of it to come.
I have had quite a number of parents approach me regarding the before school soccer program and have requested for it to run all year round (we really are a soccer school). The P&F executive and I are in discussion about what to do when it comes to soccer and other popular extra curricular activities, so leave it with us and we will come up with a plan that is suitable for the entire school.
Just a quick update on our committee. Justine Palandri and Rosie Parker have put their hand up to be class reps for Year 5G. This means we now have a full committee. Our first meeting is next Tuesday, 20 February at 7pm. Everyone is welcome as usual. Otherwise please feel free to send me any requests or questions you may have. For those of you that are new to the school, the minutes from each P&F meeting will be made available in the newsletter.
Thank you to all the class reps that have already been busy connecting their year groups and getting everyone organised. It really does go a long way and we all really appreciate you.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Hayley Mitchell
P&F President
Scholastic Books -
Did you know that every purchase you make on Book Club earns our school 15% of the order value in Scholastic Rewards? We use these to purchase more books and educational resources for the school. It all helps!
Cash payments are no longer accepted. Payments can be made by credit card - Visit scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app. Your order will be electronically linked to the rest of your school's order. You do not need to complete the order form.
School Term Dates for 2024
Term 1: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2: Tuesday 16 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 20 September
Term 4: Tuesday 8 October - Friday 6 December
Pupil Free Days for 2024
Term 1: Monday 29 January, Tuesday 30 January
Term 2: Monday 15 April, Friday 10 May, Friday 31 May
Term 3: Monday 15 July
Term 4: Monday 7 October
Sacrament Dates for 2024
Sacramental Program Enrolment Mass: Saturday, 16 March at 6pm
Confirmation: Saturday, 18 May at 6pm
Eucharist: Sunday, 5 May at 9:30am
Reconciliation: Saturday, 9 November at 10am
St Columba's Catholic Primary School
Email: admin@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au
Website: https://www.stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au/
Location: 30 York Street, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Phone: (08) 6436 9500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/St-Columbas-Catholic-Primary-School-South-Perth-173160579973945/