Principal's Update - 6th October

Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 4!

As we step into this new term, we are greeted not only by the changing leaves but also the promise of warmer weather and a renewed sense of positive energy. It's incredible how a short holiday break can provide us with the opportunity to recharge, reset, and refocus on our goals.

During the past few weeks, we hope you've had the chance to bask in the sun, explore new places, or simply relax with loved ones. Now, as we return to our academic journey, let's carry that refreshed spirit with us.

The vibrant colours of spring and the longer, sun-filled days can serve as a metaphor for the bright possibilities that lie ahead in this term. Just like the flowers that bloom after a long winter, let's allow our knowledge and creativity to flourish. Let's bring that positive energy, enthusiasm, and a renewed commitment to our studies.

Remember, we all have the power to make this term a successful and fulfilling one. Set your goals high, stay organized, seek support when needed, and keep that warm holiday feeling in your heart. Together, we can make Term 4 a season of growth, achievement, and unforgettable experiences.

Welcome back, everyone! Let's make this term one to remember.

School Closure Day - Staff Professional Learning - Monday 9th October

A reminder to all families that the second Monday back of Term 4 will be a School Closure Day for Staff Professional Learning with clarity around a teacher’s role in the learning process.

Playground - Partly Closed

With the building project timelines progressing, we have been instructed by DOBCEL to close part of the existing playground in readiness for the build.

We are in the process of finalising plans for the new playground to be built and have been unfortunately halted by drainage issues. We look forward to some progress after the school hollidays. We are excited to announce that we have installed a Ga Ga Pit for the students. This has been extremely well received by our students. Our Year 6 Sport Leaders have introduced the pit to all classes, explaining the rules and the roster for usage. With the recent inclement weather we are installing some artificial turf to combat the recent mud.

Expression of Interest for the School Advisory Council (SAC)

Thank you to those parents who have expressed their interest in joining our School Advisory Council. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your applications. You will receive correspondence in the near future.

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

St Columba’s will once again be involved in the Posi Schools program for Term 4 this year and Term 1 next year.  The Posi Schools program is a wonderful initiative designed to provide students with valuable skills to kickstart positive habits for life! By participating in the program, we supporting our children think positively and and be successful in the future, whilst also providing support directly to our wider community. To cover the production of the socks, we are inviting each child to pay $10 to purchase a pair of socks, with each pair purchased a pair will be donated to the school to distribute to the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal or Winter Appeal next year. The socks will then be worn to school by the students every Friday.

Please log in to the Quick Cliq app to complete payment of $10 per student for the program's cost, the socks, and the socks to be donated. This program will start in Term 4, and students will participate in activities in their Family Groups.

Thanks for your support.

Icy Poles

Icy poles will again be available for students to purchase each Friday throughout Term 4. The cost is $1 per icy pole. Thank you to our wonderful parents for organising this and volunteering their time.

Armstrong Gate Closed & Traffic Concerns

A reminder to please reverse with care, and please abide by traffic laws. With increased traffic flow in Howard Street and in Gregory Streets in the mornings and the afternoons, please ensure you follow the traffic laws, including reversing safely and not across the road. We continue to have had number of near misses. Please reverse with care, and please abide by traffic laws.

We ask that you also walk across the street to collect your children from the gate rather than gesturing for them to cross to you. We ask this for the safety of our children. We ask that you be extra careful as we certainly don’t want to report that a pedestrian/child has been hit.

Crossings

Please also ensure that no child or parent steps onto the crossing until directed to by the Crossing Supervisor at the Lydiard Street crossing. This is for your safety, as traffic can be quite heavy and, at times, unpredictable. Please also use the school crossing on Armstrong Street and Lydiard Street to ensure personal safety for everyone. We ask for your patience and vigilance here. 

Please note:

Howard Street gate opens at 8:20 am
Gregory Street gates open at 8:30 am
Armstrong Gate is Closed until further notice due to proposed building works

Please note that under the new EBA, a teacher's work day commences at 8:30 am. The gates will continue to open from 8:20 am for the remainder of this year; next year this time may change, a move to the latter time of 8:30 am. 

Classrooms are open from 8:35 am to enable teachers to ensure they are ready for the day prior to student entry.

Sustainability News

Our next Sustainability meeting will be held on Monday, the 16th of October 2 pm.

Anyone is more than welcome to meet us at the office. You are not obliged to join the group but may want to come for ideas, make any suggestions or meet some like-minded parents.

*Sustainability tip*

Food waste sent to landfill creates harmful greenhouse gases.

“Sharewaste” is a great app to use if you are not composting at home, but you would still like to give your food scraps a second chance. This app allows you to connect to people in your neighbourhood who accept particular scraps for compost, worm farms and even animals.

Term Four Hockey Opportunity Afterschool

Give hockey a go in Term 4 with the Hookin2Hockey program!  Learn basic skills of the game in a fun, friendly environment!

• Aimed at children 6-12 years old
• Running after school (3:30-4:30) on Wednesday afternoons.  Program starts on 11 October and will run for 10 weeks, ending on 13 December
• Program run by experienced coaches from local hockey club Bobcats HC
• Equipment (sticks, balls, shinguards) supplied (we encourage people to invest in a mouthguard, however)
• Low cost of $75 for the term (less than $10 per week, per player)
• Develop the skills of passing, trapping, tackling and dribbling in a game-based learning program

Wednesday 11th  October is a Come and Try Day at School from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm  on the top courts - see whether hockey is for you before committing to the program!

For further details or to register your interest early please email bobcatshockeyclub@gmail.com with the subject “St Columba’s Hockey”

Important Dates for Term 4

Kind regards,

Bambi Afford & Shaun Mohr
Co-Principals