“Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.

Bless the memories of your saints, God.

May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.”

Dear Parents and Carers,

This term our Year 3 students will celebrate the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on Saturday, 9 November at St Columba’s Church. I would ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the lead up to this special day.

Last Wednesday and Friday we welcomed Grandparents to share a morning with us. This is always a special community gathering at St Columba's, as we acknowledge the special role that grandparents play in the lives of the children. Thank you all for coming.

Many thanks to Mr Chatt for organising the interschool sports carnival team. The students were outstanding participants and are to be congratulated on winning the carnival for the fifth year in a row. The students were extremely well behaved and were very encouraging of peers participating in their events. We were also very lucky to have such good weather on the day.

The Year 5 students will be preparing speeches over the next few weeks in preparation for the student elections in mid-November. I wish all the 2025 potential leaders well with their preparation and speeches. I would like to thank Mrs Crugnale, Mrs Brine and Mrs van der Bijl for having the students prepare their speeches.

The school year is fast approaching. A reminder that if students are finishing school prior to Friday, 6 December, please advise the school in writing.

Reports will once again be available online from Thursday, 4 December.

Please find todays Parenting Issues article, around Digital Social Skills.

Nominations will close on Monday, 4 November for 2025 P&F and School Advisory Council (SAC) positions.

God bless and keep safe.

Allen McMahon

Principal

Friday 1 November

• Assembly PPG & PPW
• All Saints Day
• Last chance to order P&F tea towel
• Last chance to purchase P&F White in Night tickets

Saturday 2 November

• All Souls Day

Friday 8 November

• Reconciliation Retreat - Kalyara Mia

Saturday 9 November

• Reconciliation - 10.00am
• P&F Night in White (Adults Only Event)

Monday 11 November

• Remembrance Day Liturgy - 9am
• Annual School Community Meeting - 6pm

Year 2G - Charles, Zoe

Year 2W - Ava, Evelyn, Amelia

Year 3G - Alexandra, Mischa

Year 3W - James H, Vincent , Judsen, William, Isabella, Georgia, Olivia B

Year 4G - Lilli, Mila

Year 4W - Stella, Samuel, Alistair, Bade

Year 5G - Grace, Niall, Flynn, Kyle

Year 6G - Bonnie, Denim

Year 4 - Evelyn

Year 5 - Leah, Tanya, Xavi

Year 6 - James, Johanes, Toby

We wish our Reconciliation candidates well as they prepare to receive this Sacrament on Saturday, 9 November at St Columba’s Parish, under the guidance of Father Nino.

Students have been well supported in their preparation, with a Reconciliation Retreat Day scheduled next week. We wish them well as they take this next step in their faith journey.

On Monday, 11 November there will be a Remembrance Day Service, commencing at 9am in Kalyara. Parents are welcome to attend.

Students are welcome to bring in a gold coin donation on Monday morning to receive a red poppy. All proceeds collected will go directly towards the Vic Park / South Perth RSL.

Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year.

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation.

In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in allied countries.

After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

On All Saints' Day, 1 November, we celebrate all saints who are in heaven. These include all known and unknown saints. It is a holiday rooted in the belief that the world is spiritually connected to heaven. All Saints' Day is considered a holy day of obligation, requiring Catholics to attend Mass. Our Year 1-6 students attended Mass at 9am to celebrate this special day, led by our Year 4 team. Just as All Saints, Day celebrates all the saints who have made it to heaven, All Souls' Day honours those who have gone before us.

Congratulations to Zara and Emily, who represented St Columba's Catholic Primary School on Friday night at the SSWA competition. Zara earned a silver medal in the 200m and a bronze in the 800m, while Emily secured a silver medal in Shot Put.

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.

Hi Everyone,

On behalf of the school community, thank you to Kylie, Tarren, Renee and all the amazing Pre-Primary and Kindy families for putting on a fantastic Grandparents Day (x2). The smiles and laughter on both the children and Grandparents faces were definitely noticeable. A mammoth effort which we all truly appreciate.

DUE DATE: 1 NOVEMBER 2024

This is your last reminder that Night in White tickets and Tea Towel purchases are due by 1st November 2024. Unfortunately we will not be able to accept any purchases after this date so please make sure you don't miss out. We are looking forward to having you at the big event next week. Over 150 tickets have been sold so far, so it is definitely going to be a fun evening.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Hayley Mitchell

P&F President

Sessions will take place on the bottom oval at lunchtime and cover a range of sports and skills. Funded by P&F.

• Tuesday Lunchtime: Years 1-3
• Wednesday Lunchtime: Years 4-6

• Location: Bottom School Oval
• Duration (number of weeks): Eight
• Cost: P&F Funded Initiative
• Method to register / join: No action required. Students choice to participate on the day

Extra-curricular technology club kindly arranged by our P&F:

• Year groups: Year 4 - Year 6
  
• Location: School Library
• Days and times: Monday's after school
• Start date: Monday 14 October (except 21 Oct pupil-free day)
• Duration (number of weeks): Seven
• End date: Monday 2 December
• Cost: Full cost to parents $175.00
• Method to register / join: Join via the link below

Extra-curricular soccer club kindly arranged by our P&F:

• Provider / Organisation: Pro Football Training
• Year groups: Year 1 to Year 6
• Location: Weeks 2 - 3: on the tennis courts and Weeks 4 - 9: on the oval
• Days and times: Wednesday and Friday Mornings at 7:30am
• Start date: Wednesday 16 October and Friday 18 October
• Duration (number of weeks): Eight
• End date: Wednesday 4 December and Friday 6 December
• Cost: Full cost to parents $149.00
• Method to register / join: Join via the link below

Bricks 4 Kidz has been running after school from our library for a number of years:

• Provider / Organisation: Bricks 4 Kidz
• Contact person from provider: Rachel Koo / 0415 829 511 / rachel.koo@bricks4kidz.au
• Year groups: Various classes, starting from 5 years and up
• Location: St Columba's Library
• Days and times: Fridays after school
• Start date: Friday 18 October
• Duration (number of weeks): 8 weeks
• End date: Friday 6 December
• Cost: See further information in link below
• Method to register / join: Join via link below

Term 4: Monday 7 October - Friday 6 December

Reconciliation: Saturday, 9 November at 10am