“Lord, we ask you to open our eyes so that we may value and appreciate all people,

recognizing what we have in common

rather than focusing on what our differences might be. Amen.”

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our prayers and thoughts are with a staff member of St Columba’s, who has had a family member pass away over the weekend.

Our swimming carnival will be held tomorrow and I would like to thank Mr Chatt for the work he has put into preparing for the day. A big thank you also to the parents who have volunteered to provide help with the carnival.

I would like to thank the parents who attended the Parent Information Evening yesterday. Your child’s education is a partnership between families and school staff and it is good for the students to know that the school and families are working together in partnership. With so many attending the information sessions it signals a great school home relationship.

We wish our Year 6 students all the best as they head off to camp next week at Pinjarra. I am sure that they will have some wonderful stories to tell upon their return. A big thank you to the staff and parent volunteers attending and supervising. Without this help the camp would not be possible.

A reminder to families that students should not be on the school grounds prior to 8:30am. St Columba’s provides supervision only from 8:35am until the bell goes at 8:50am. On entering the school grounds during the day all visitors will need to sign in at the front office. If students are going to play on the playground equipment after school, it is a requirement that a parent must be there to supervise. The school staff do not supervise the play equipment after school. If students are unsupervised on the equipment they will be asked to leave the area.

There are several families walking through the Kiss and Drive vehicle entry gate. Please be aware that this is not an entry avenue for pedestrians. Families entering on foot near the Church must enter through the Church pedestrian gate not the car entry gate. In the interests of our students’ safety please follow these protocols.

Selected School Priorities for 2025

- Staff to attend PD through SOLLA and MultiLit

- Staff to work with other schools to implement the Science of Reading

- Further develop the sacred space for quiet reflection near the Mary Mackillop Mural

- Engage speakers to empower families in developing independence and resiliency in students in the formative early years' stages

- Staff to monitor Maths improvement across the school

- P&F to plan and present yearly outline for P&F extra curricular activities

God Bless and keep safe

Allen McMahon

Principal

Friday 14 February

• Swimming Carnival Y4-Y6 at Beatty Park

Monday 17 February

• On Entry Testing begins - PP

Wednesday 19 February

• Year 6 Camp begins

Our Year 6 students and their teachers will attend Fairbridge Pinjarra Camp School next week from Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 February. This is a great opportunity to extend and challenge our school leaders as they develop essential leadership skills and make memories that will stay with them long after they return. Thank you to the staff attending and to the parent helpers who will come along for the experience.

Fr. Nino was ordained in 1978. His spent his first 10 years working in Parishes. The next 10 years was working in the Catholic Education Office. He then spent 10 years on the staff at St. Charles Seminary. Followed by working as a Priest in the United Kingdom for 4 years doing Parish missions. He is presently co-ordinating Parish Renewal for the Archdiocese as well as Parish Priest of St Columba’s.

Deacon Bruce Talbot and his wife Deborah have 6 children ranging from 26 to 46 and 10 grandchildren! Deacon Bruce was ordained on the 29 June 2006 and was appointed to St Thomas More in Bateman and served there until recently. Previously he was an Environmental Scientist for a mining company.

All students in Pre-Primary to Year 6 have begun their Edu-dance lessons this week.

Edu-Dance is a curriculum-based dance fitness program designed for primary school students. The focus is on physical fitness, dance confidence, developing self-esteem in students and teamwork. Lessons are fast paced and high-energy with age-appropriate choreography and music.

With the concert in Week 10 we are excited to get started!

Please find attached information regarding the Residential Address Collection.

If your address details have changed please advise our office at admin@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au

We take this opportunity to direct members of our community to review our Code of Conduct. These statements are aimed at ensuring the protection and wellbeing of students in our care. In addition, awareness of the Code of Conduct ensures that adults do not put themselves in potentially vulnerable positions; for example, adults use the ambulant toilet when on site and do not use student toilets. Please take a few moments to review our Code of Conduct.

The Education Act mandates the teaching of a Protective Behaviours program in all schools. At St Columba’s we follow the Keeping Safe Program. The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) aims to help children learn to recognise abuse and develop ways of protecting themselves from abuse and, in wider terms, covers rights, relationships, responsibilities and ethical behaviour. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year.

This framework of nine elements combine supporting a child safe culture, healthy and respectful relationships and extended guardianship in school communities, based on the latest research and recognised best practices. Teachers are responsible for delivering this curriculum to students. Please view the video below for an introduction to the framework.

https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/introduction-key-concepts/

Sign up for tennis lesson at lunchtime with Marshall's Tennis Academy. Years 3-6.

School Fees will be emailed out to families by the end of Week 3. Statements are only sent to one parent who is the Primary Contact according to our records. If your Primary Contact person has changed please contact the school ASAP. Please check your Junk/Spam folder if you do not receive your fee statement.

Those families who hold a valid Concession Card please complete the document below and return to the school with a copy of your card so that relevant discount can be applied.

Hey everyone,

Don't forget, we have our P&F Movie Night in 3 weeks time. The Movie that will be shown on the evening is Despicable Me 4. No RSVP,s required. We look forward to seeing you all there!

There are a couple of year groups still left without class reps. We really appreciate all those parents/caregivers that have put their hands up already.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Hayley Mitchell

P&F President

Issue 1 has been sent home - Orders are due by Wednesday, 19 February.

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.

Term 1: Wednesday 5 February - Friday 11 April

Term 2: Monday 28 April - Friday 4 July

Term 3: Tuesday 22 July - Thursday 25 September

Term 4: Monday 13 October - Friday 12 December

Term 1: Monday 3 February, Tuesday 4 February

Term 2: Monday 12 May, Friday 30 May

Term 3: Monday 21 July, Friday 26 September

Term 4: Monday 27 October

Sacramental Program Enrolment Mass: Saturday, 15 March at 6pm

Confirmation: Saturday, 7 June at 6pm, Saturday, 14 June at 6pm

Eucharist: Sunday, 17 August, Sunday, 24 August, Sunday, 31 August at 9.30am

Reconciliation: Saturday, 15 November at 10am