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St. Columba's Primary School
NEWSLETTER | TERM 1 | WEEK 7 | 16 MARCH 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
St Columba’s between now and the end of the year is in the process of reviewing the school Strategic Plan for the next three years. This will involve surveying families, staff, P&F and the
students to identify our school priorities over the next three years.
Many thanks to the P&F for the funds to purchase books for individual class libraries. They have been a fantastic resource for classrooms.
Our Little Library for parents has been installed outside of Year 6G class. To get it up and running, we would appreciate the donation of good books that other parents may enjoy reading. Our thanks again to the Iozzi family of Timbercraft Furniture for the custom built cabinet.
A reminder to families that parking protocols are to be followed when it comes to parking to ensure the safety of our students. The Kiss and Drive is in operation for all K-6 students.
Families are not to park in the church car park as this is for staff and parish users only. Families, please note that you will need to adhere to the school parking policy and the street
verge signage. Parking is not permitted in the Church cap park or ‘no standing or parking ‘zones and cars that do not follow the street and verge signage face a possible fine from the Ranger.
Parent teacher interviews will commence next week. Please take time to meet your child’s teacher and discuss their progress and future progress this year.
There will be a P&F meeting Tuesday, 21 March at 7:00pm in the school staff room.
A reminder, students will finish this term on Wednesday, 5 April. School will resume in Term 2 on Wednesday, 26 April.
God bless and keep safe.
Allen McMahon
Principal
Important Dates
Friday 17 March
- Assembly 4G
- Sacramental Enrolment Forms Due
Monday 20 March
- St Joseph's Mass Y1-6 - 9am
- Parent Teacher Interviews begin
Tuesday 21 March
- Harmony Day Liturgy / Free Dress Day
- P&F Meeting in Staff Room at 7pm
Friday 24 March
- Assembly (no merits)
Saturday 25 March
- Enrolment Mass for Sacramental Program - 6pm
Sacramental Enrolment Forms Due
Sacramental Enrolment forms are due tomorrow, Friday 17 March. Please send these to the classroom teacher to ensure your child is enrolled in the Sacramental Program this year (Reconciliation – Year 3; First Eucharist – Year 4; Confirmation – Year 6).
Harmony Day - Tuesday 21 March
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It focusses on inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. The theme is EVERYONE BELONGS. St Columba’s will be celebrating this important week on Tuesday 21 March, with each class participating in special activities. On Tuesday 21st March, students may wear cultural dress. As orange is the official Harmony Week colour, students may also wear an orange t-shirt if they have one, and/or suitable orange accessories.
Students will participate in special activities within their classrooms and Years 1-6 will share in a Harmony Day liturgy together.
Parent-Teacher Interviews (Last chance to Book!)
The Parent-Teacher interview platform will close tonight, Thursday 16 March at 8pm. From this time on all changes to bookings will need to be done by emailing the classroom teacher.
Please follow the instructions to log in and book your interview time.
Merit Award Winners - Friday, 17 March
Year 1G - Allegra, Harvey
Year 1W - Emerson, Matthew. O
Year 2G - Oscar. H, Annie, Flynn
Year 2W - James, Violet, Ruby
Year 3G - Caroline, Oscar, Esther
Year 3W - Alexander, Oliver
Year 4G - Sophia. M, Maria Luiza, Olivia
Year 4W - Noah, Nathan
Year 5G - Brooke, Michael
Year 5W - Arabella. C, Xavier
Year 6G - Matthew, Florence
Year 6W - Mateo, Gabriella
Edu Dance Concert
We welcome all parents in PP - Year 6 to attend the Edu-dance Performance Concert on Tuesday 4 April, commencing at 2pm. Book this date in your diaries!
The Concert will take place on the top oval (next to the drive through) with specific sections for students/staff and parents.
Please see the information below regarding costume requirements for the Concert.
We ask students to bring their costume to school for their Week 9 Edu-dance lesson on either Tuesday, 28 March or Wednesday, 29 March to allow for a full performance run-through before the actual concert date.
Students are required to bring their Edu-dance costume to school on the Concert Performance Day (Tuesday 4 April) and will have time in class to change into their outfits.
At the conclusion of the concert all classes will return to their classrooms where parents will have the option of collecting their child early from school if they wish.
We look forward to a great experience and memorable event.
Please see your classroom teacher if you have any questions.
Optimism in Children
Children are naturally optimistic and tend to expect the best out of their experiences. We can all learn from our children’s positive outlook of the world. As significant adults in the lives of our children, we can help to nurture optimism. “Children who practise optimistic thinking are more resilient, they are less likely to give up in the face of challenge and they tend to interpret experiences in a way that gives them a sense of control and confidence.”
If you are interested in reading more on how to encourage optimism, please have a look at this article.
Feast of St Joseph
The life of St. Joseph reminds us that God’s promises are fulfilled. Let us remember the life of St. Joseph and his response to God’s call.
St. Joseph was the husband of Mary. He was a faithful and prayerful man who loved and trusted God very much. He is honoured and respected as a saint, for he responded to the call of God in the unfolding plan of salvation for all humankind.
The entire Church of God remembers and reflects upon the humble and empowering gifts St. Joseph’s life teaches us.
On Monday, 20 March our Year 1-6 classes will celebrate with a Mass, led by our Year 5 students.
Parent Little Library
Kindergarten 2024
We are well into our Kindy 2024 enrolments, with limited places still available. If you know of family or friends who are considering St Columba's, please invite them to book a visit - we would love to show them around.
Pre-Kindy 2024
Kindergarten 2025
Applications for Kindy 2025 are well underway. If you know of family or friends who are considering St Columba's, please invite them to book a visit - we would love to show them around. For families who have applied to enrol for Kindergarten 2025, we will be in touch in the coming weeks to arrange interviews. Siblings of current students are not required to attend an interview.
P&F News
Hi Everyone,
Firstly I want to take the opportunity to thank Giovanni Iozzi (PP Dad) and Catherine Rogers (Year 3+5 Mum) for their amazing efforts on the weekend helping out with the P&F storeroom clean out. We really appreciate your help and support, it looks fantastic.
This year, the P&F are proud to be hosting a new event: The St Vinnies Easter Parade. This will be held on the morning of Monday, 3 April. The children will each make an Easter themed hat at home to bring in and parade around (there will be prizes). Families will be asked to bring in an Easter Egg each which will be donated to St Vinnies to ensure families experiencing hardships, can also celebrate Easter. This is a great example of how the school and the P&F are finding fun and new ways to support the community.
More information on this event will come out soon.
We have also been busy arranging a couple of incursions for the children to experience in Term 2. We will share some more about these over the coming weeks.
Our second P&F meeting for the year will be next Tuesday, 21 March at 7:00pm in the staff room. I look forward to seeing you there.
Have a wonderful week.
Hayley Mitchell
P&F President
2023 Dad's of St. Columba's Footy Tipping Competition
The AFL seasons starts today but our tipping competition will start in Round 3, Thursday 30th March, so plenty of time to get individual family members or family registrations completed.
Entry is free and to enter go to: https://tipping.afl.com.au/
Comp code : UFCLX6MK
Complete your registration and you are set for a fun year of tipping and footy banter.
The full year tipping winner will be immortalised on the perpetual DOSCA Footy Tipping Trophy!
If you have any questions please drop me an email at doscafootytipping6151@gmail.com or call Santhosh on 0411 253 951
Happy tipping in 2023!
Entertainment Books
The year starts from the date of purchase of your Entertainment Book.
Scholastic Books
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 2023
Term 1: Wednesday, 1 February to Wednesday, 5 April 2023
Term 2: Wednesday, 26 April to Friday, 30 June 2023
Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday, 21 September 2023
Term 4: Monday, 9 October to Friday, 8 December 2023
Pupil Free Days for 2023
Term 1: Thursday 6 April
Term 2: Monday 24 April, Monday 15 May and Friday 2 June
Term 3: Friday 22 September
Term 4: None
Sacrament Dates for 2023
Sacramental Program Enrolment Mass: Saturday, 25 March at 6pm
Confirmation: Saturday, 27 May at 6pm
Eucharist: Sunday, 7 May at 9:30am
Reconciliation: Saturday, 11 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/