Principal's Update - 12th October

Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 4, and hopefully, some warmer weather. As always, we have hit the ground running, particularly with a highly positive Professional Learning day for staff on Monday, facilitated by CORWIN Education. (This was written last week, prior to the recent rain, so much for wishful thinking!)

Corwin Education Professional Development

On the day, we looked at elements of our learning approach that better support student empowerment and agency. The day investigated the concepts of learning intentions and success criteria as well as surface, deep and transfer learning. You may start hearing these terms used by your child/ren more often as we dig deeper into this area. This work supported our efforts to improve students' capacity to identify their learning needs and next goals, both key elements in developing successful, lifelong learners.

Community Update

We acknowledge that the holidays have been a challenging time for many within our community, particularly with the tragic bus crash involving current Loreto students and a number of our former students. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those directly and indirectly impacted by this, and we have extended our support to the Loreto community offering any assistance they need.

We also recognise the recent passing of Maurice Cowie. Maurice was a long-time piano teacher at the school and supported countless students in developing a passion and love for the arts. The Cowie and Richardson family have been connected with the St Columba’s community for close to 50 years, and we offer our thoughts and prayers to them at this challenging time.

Term Four Update

Term 4 is promising to be another busy term within the school, with the calendar rapidly filling with dates and events. The School Advisory Council is working to put together a parent social event, and we are also looking at hosting another picnic similar to our start of the year session for all families. We are currently in the process of meeting our 2023 Foundation students, and it is always wonderful to see the next generation coming through as well as preparing to farewell our Year 6 students.

Transition to Summer Uniform

The commencement of Term Four should see the arrival of some warmer days so, we will begin the transition from Winter Uniform to Summer Uniform. We allow a 3-week grace period to transition to Summer Uniform and ask that you ensure your child has a hat, in keeping with our Sunsmart Policy when UV Levels are higher than 3.

Posi Socks

A reminder for families to please log in to the QuickCliq app to complete payment of $10 per student for the program's cost, their socks, and the socks to be donated. This program will start in Term 4, but to cover the production of the socks, we are asking for payment ASAP.

Changes to Pandemic Requirements

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated
pandemic orders. New settings will apply from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 12 October 2022. 

Requirements for close contacts, like continually testing negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT), will become strong recommendations – joining the strong recommendation to wear a mask indoors, which will remain in place. 

For now, we note the following changes:

Changes to COVID-19 isolation requirements

It is strongly recommended that students: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should: 

• Be collected by their parents/carers.
• Undergo testing for COVID-19. 

It is strongly recommended that staff: 

• Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days.
• Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic.
• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school

Schools will no longer be notifying families of positive cases reported at school, families should continue to report positive test results via the Department of Health.

Staffing Notices

We are excited and saddened to announce some initial changes to our staffing line up for 2023.

We congratulate Lucy Quinlan on her recent appointment to St Patricks, Gordon. Lucy will be returning to her (almost) home town and we look forward to hearing some of the incredible things she will bring to the community there. 

We will also be farewelling Narelle White, our school counsellor who will be moving to Lumen Christi 4 days a week next year. We know she will make an incredible addition to the school and their families, as she has done here. A process for finding a suitable replacement for this position will begin shortly.

Important Dates for Term Four

Foundation Transition Sessions

Foundation 2023 Storytime

Kind regards,

Bambi Afford & Shaun Mohr

Co-Principals