“Lord, you are my source of strength; all power abides with you.

I pray for a strong and robust body capable of doing hard work,

practicing exercise, and being resistant to illness. I thank you as I trust in you, God.

May I find new strength and soar to great heights. Amen”

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to everyone to the start of Term 2. I am positive that all had a restful break and enjoyed the holidays. However, I am sure that there would be a number of families who are looking forward to a rest while their child /ren are attending school!

It is great to be back at school; I had a wonderful break and travelled overseas to Bali, Europe and Japan. I still think that we are living in the ‘Lucky Country’. I would like to thank Mr Yock for doing a great job as the acting principal in Term 1 . ‘The school is still standing and all of our students are still attending school’. Thank you also to Mrs Vuckovic for providing great support as acting assistant principal.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the people involved in the Westfield Sydney deaths and those injured, physically and mentally. Our staff are monitoring their students and if there are any questions from students about what happened our staff will sensitively deal with them. Our school councillor may also be involved if there is a need.

This term, our Year 4 students will celebrate the Sacrament of First Eucharist on Sunday, 5 May at 9:30am at St Columba’s Church. Our Year 6 students will also celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday May 18 at 6:00pm at St Columba’s Church. I would ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the lead up to these special days.

The staff participated in a great profession development session on the pupil free day that looked at stress and anxiety. The presenter was Dr Andrew Leech, and he had some great tips for the staff.

Wednesday, 8 May will be the Mother’s Day celebration starting at 7:30am for K-6. All Mothers are invited, and we look forward to celebrating Mother’s Day as a community.

Many thanks must go to all staff and students from the Year 6 classes who are organising our ANZAC Day celebration on Friday, 26 April. It will be a great reminder of the sacrifices that our soldiers have made over time to defend our freedom and democratic way of life.

The midyear reports for 2024 will continue in the same format as Term 4 last year. Families will use the same log on and username as last year to access their child’s report. If you have misplaced the log on information, please contact the school admin office. Please note that parent teacher interviews will be held on Friday, 10 May. Booking times and information will be sent out shortly.

Families note that you will need to adhere to the school parking policy and the street verge signage. Parking is not permitted in ‘no standing or parking‘ zones and cars that do not follow the street and verge signage face a possible fine from the Ranger. Your help in this matter is very much appreciated.

The Australian government has implemented an annual national data collection on school students with disability. This data collection process has been in place for some years. St Columba’s will collect the necessary data and forward it onto the Federal government. The process is confidential and there is no personal information disclosed to the government. If you have any questions, please see Mrs Tsang or myself.

The new air conditioning has been installed in the undercover area and seems to be working well. Many thanks for the financial support from the P&F in making this project possible. The Mary MacKillop mural has also been completed and I am extremely pleased with the end result. We will be looking at semi enclosing with lattice and a roof to protect it from the elements and make it into a prayer grotto.

There will be a P&F meeting Wednesday, 7 May at 7:00pm in the school staffroom. All are welcome to attend.

A reminder, students will finish this term on Friday, 28 June.

Allen McMahon

Principal

Friday 19 April

• Jump Rope for Heart Launch - 9am
• Bookings for Parent-Teacher interviews now open (closes Friday 3 May)

Monday 22 April

• Confirmation Parent Meeting in Church - 6pm

Thursday 25 April

• Anzac Day

Friday 26 April

• Anzac Day Liturgy - Y6 - 9am

Parents,

As part of the reporting procedures used at St Columba's we offer parents of children in Kindy to Year 6 (not Pre-Kindergarten) the opportunity to participate in a parent-teacher interview.

In 2024, Parent-Teacher interviews will be held for Kindy to Year 6 on Friday 10 May.

For these interviews we are using the new online Microsoft Office 365 booking system, promoted by CEWA, called ‘Bookings’ as it links directly with the teacher outlook calendar and their email account. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this new system together.

Using this system, you will be able to book the interview times that suit you best from any internet enabled device.

Please note the following points:

• A separate booking is required with each child’s teacher using the links in the newsletter. Bookings are made for individual parents/guardians, not for couples. If two parents/guardians wish to attend a single interview time slot, one parent/guardian should make the booking then both can attend.
• You will only see time slots that are available at the time you are using the system. As time slots are booked for teachers, those time slots are no longer displayed as available. This prevents double-booking of teachers or parents/guardians.
• You can log in and change bookings any time up to 5pm on Friday 3 May. Any changes after this date will need to be emailed directly to classroom teachers.
• Other parents may be making bookings while you are using the system. It is possible, though unlikely, that a time slot is displayed to you as available but is then booked by another parent shortly afterwards. If you then attempt to book this time slot it will not be available, and a message will be displayed to indicate this.
• If you encounter any problems using the new booking system please contact the classroom teacher by email as they have direct access to their booking calendar.
• Parents that have previously contacted their child’s teacher to discuss student progress are not required to book another interview. Similarly, those parents who have met for IEP/IEPM Meetings do not require another interview time.

Our Year 6 students are busy preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this term. Parents of those candidates receiving Confirmation in 2024 will meet for the Parent Information Evening next Monday, 22 April at 6pm in the Church.

One parent from each family is asked to attend the session, which should take about 45 minutes.

We will gather in Week 2 as a whole school to celebrate ANZAC Day. We remember all those who have served our nation during war, those who have died, and those who have returned. Let us pray for all who fought for our country believing in the gift of peace. Students will participate in an Anzac Day Assembly at 9am on Friday 26 April, led by our Year 6 leaders.

Thank you to everyone who has donated so generously to Project Compassion.

We raised $1, 525.30.

Our generous support has helped to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Together we have raised much-needed funds for people living in poverty.

As a school community we have made a difference now, and For All Future Generations.

Well done!

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/

This term, students from Year 1-6, will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart. This program will run for 5 weeks, from Week 2-7.

Jump Rope for Heart is a fantastic physical activity and fundraising program that has been run by the Heart Foundation for 40 years. It’s a great way for your child to keep fit and learn new skills, but it also helps raise funds for vital heart research and education programs.

Over the course of the program, students from Year 1-6, will be skipping as part of class daily fitness. Each week, your child will learn new skills, increase their physical activity, and learn about heart health.

You are welcome to register your child online. By doing this you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your family a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors.

Register and create your own secure webpage at jumprope.org.au/parents

By signing up online, you and your child can:

• Easily raise funds online
• Track skipping skills progress and earn virtual badges along the way
• Post updates to your page so family and friends can follow their progress
• Access additional skipping resources

Your child should have a ‘fundraising guide’ flyer to take home, which includes further information on the program. If you didn’t receive this, visit jumprope.org.au/parents for all the information that you need.

In alignment with our Catholic school identity, we have decided that all donations and prizes will be collected as a whole school effort. Together we can make a big difference! All prizes earned will be donated to CARITAS and be shared with underprivileged children. All money raised will be given to the Heart Foundation.

Thank you for getting involved in Jump Rope for Heart!

In Week 9 last term all students from K-6 were sent home with a single-page hard copy report with their WASN number clearly indicated on the front. We encourage all parents to keep this in a safe place until you submit your WA Student Assistance Payment claim within the ServiceWA app during Term 2, from Monday 15 April to Friday 28 June 2024.

All Western Australian school students (Kindergarten to Year 12) currently enrolled in a public school, registered non-government school, or home-schooled, with a valid WA student number (WASN) are eligible to claim this payment from Monday 15 April 2024.

Please note student WASN numbers can also be found on any formal NAPLAN reports - so this is another option for our Year 4-6 families. We have also uploaded each child’s WASN report to the SEQTA Engage portal (where parents access their semester reports for PP-Year 6) - https://stcolumbassp.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au/

We hope that between the hard copy sheet, NAPLAN Report (Y4-6) and SEQTA Engage portal you will be able to access your child’s WASN number. The school cannot help submit any claims on your behalf but we can assist with finding your child’s WASN number. Please contact the school office if you need help with this.

To help families submit their claim please find the following resources:

A WA Student Assistance Payment FAQs can be found here.

This guide outlines frequently asked questions pertaining to:

• where to access general information and/or support in claiming payment;

• the process for claiming payment; and

• successful claims and the expected payment date for those claims.

For additional information, we would encourage you to have a look at the link below:

https://education.wa.edu.au/wasap/

Paul Litherland attended St Columba's in Term 1 for the Cybersafety Information Session.

Please find information and resources below.

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful school holiday break and the children have settled back into routine nicely.

MOTHERS DAY EVENT

We have an exciting term ahead of us. Our next P&F event is Mothers Day, so make sure you save the date - Wednesday, 8 May from 7:30am. More information to come.

TERM 2 EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Thank you to everyone who has registered for this term's co-curricular activities (Years 1-6). You would have noticed that we have added a Wednesday session for before school soccer. Just to note, if your child is likely to be in interschool cross country, please don't register for Wednesday soccer.

It will be best to sign up for Friday instead.

Just a reminder, the starting dates are as follows:

SOCCER: Wednesday 24 April, Friday 26 April - 7:30am - 8:35am

BASKETBALL: Monday 22 April (Years 1-3), Tuesday 23 April (Years 4-6) - 3:15pm - 4:15pm

NETBALL: Wednesday 8 May (Years 4-6), Thursday 9 May (Years 1-3) - 3:15pm - 4:15pm

Registrations will close soon with some options already full. So if you haven't already, please register your child asap.

Have a lovely week everyone.

Hayley Mitchell

P&F President

Hello all,

Gather Round and Round 5 were probably the best rounds of footy in a while with close finishes, upsets and a dash of umpire-induced chaos (sorry, Freo fans, it's a tough gig).

Round 4 saw five of our tipsters hitting the jackpot with a perfect 9/9 score. But Round 5? Oh boy, it threw us a curveball! Dan M emerged as the lone ranger, snagging 6/8 correct tips, while Ben B and Santhosh P weren't far behind with 5/8. Nice hustle, folks!

Here are the winners from Round 4:

• Brendon O: 9 tips, with a margin of 1
• Joshua J: 9 tips, with a margin of 1
• David B: 9 tips, also rocking with a margin of 3
• Mark S: 9 tips, with a margin of 6
• Craig P: 9 tips, with a margin of 8

Here are the winners from Round 5:

• Dan M: 6 tips, with a margin of 7
• Santhosh P: 5 tips, with a margin of 29
• Ben B: 5 tips, also rocking with a margin of 38
• Ange: 4 tips, with a margin of 26
• Alan G: 4 tips, with a margin of 30

In the overall leaderboard, Santhosh P holds on to a two-point lead, but it's a tight race! The next 6 are separated only by Margin at 23 tips. Talk about neck and neck!

🥇 Santhosh P: 25 correct tips, flexing with a margin of 70

🥈 Dan M: 23 correct tips, with a margin of 62

🥉 Andrew J: 23 correct tips, strutting with a margin of 76

And the rest of the fierce contenders!

Round 6 kicks off on Thursday evening with the Saints taking on the Bulldogs at 5:50pm AWST. Don’t forget the Derby on Saturday evening.

If you've got any questions shoot me an email at doscafootytipping6151@gmail.com or call Santhosh on 0411 253 951.

Keep those tips rolling in 🏉 Let's keep the footy fever alive and kicking!

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.

Auskick (Pre-Primary, Year 1 and Year 2) are still taking registrations.

Registrations close on Friday, 19 April 2024.

Term 2: Tuesday 16 April - Friday 28 June

Term 3: Tuesday 16 July - Friday 20 September

Term 4: Tuesday 8 October - Friday 6 December

Term 2: Monday 15 April, Friday 10 May, Friday 31 May

Term 3: Monday 15 July

Term 4: Monday 7 October

Confirmation: Saturday, 18 May at 6pm

Eucharist: Sunday, 5 May at 9:30am

Reconciliation: Saturday, 9 November at 10am

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/