Principal's Update - 22nd March

Welcome

Dear Families,

Next week is Holy Week. The following reflection, adapted from Michael McGirr, invites Christians to reflect on what this sacred time in the Church’s year may mean for individuals and communities.

We see images of the cross everywhere, from school uniforms to hospital buildings. Perhaps it is so commonplace that it doesn’t stop us in our tracks the way it should. The cross of Jesus is the best key Christians have for understanding the mystery of God’s love. God’s compassion for the human family took Jesus to a lonely and brutal execution. Jesus was the victim of appalling injustice and degradation. His experience asks us to try to make the world more just and to revere the dignity of every person. ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my sisters and brothers, you do to me.’ This is part of the reason why Project Compassion, an initiative of Caritas Australia, has, for 60 years, been part of The Catholic community’s response during Lent.

This year, Holy Week begins with the reading of the passion story from Mark’s Gospel. Even in busy lives, Christians are invited to set time aside to contemplate this extraordinary story.

One way to spend time with the passion story is to take a different character each day of Holy Week and quietly ponder in prayer what the events were like for this character. What did they feel? What was most significant for them? What were their thoughts, emotions, feelings and wonderings?

Invitation to Prayer

Jesus of Compassion, Help us to see in your Cross all the crosses of the world: 

The cross of people hungry for bread and for love; 

The cross of people alone and abandoned even by their children and kin; 

The cross of people thirsty for justice and for peace; 

The cross of the elderly who struggle under the weight of years and of loneliness;

The cross of migrants who find doors closed in fear and hearts armoured by political calculations; 

The cross of little ones, wounded in their innocence and their purity; 

The cross of humanity that wanders in the darkness of uncertainty and in the obscurity of temporary culture;

The cross of our common home that is gravely withering before our selfish eyes, blinded by greed and by power. 

Revive in us the hope of resurrection and of your definitive victory over all evil and all death.

Amen

As the first term draws to a close, we are pleased to share with you some of the highlights for our students and the community. It has certainly been a whirlwind term, and we feel so blessed to have the support of our wonderful staff and families.

Caritas K's

We were also delighted with the participation in Caritas K's on Monday, 18th March. It was wonderful to see our school community come together to raise awareness for those less fortunate than us and raise funds for those in need. We are proud to report that we raised  $1468.50 for this worthy cause. Well done to our Mini Vinnies Team, Year 5 / 6 Team and our Religious for their organisation of the event.

Our Easter Raffle and Hot Cross Bun Drive also proved to be great. Thanks to our amazing parent helpers for your organisation and supporting the logistics of making this happen

Year 3/4 Camp - Log Cabin

Next week, our Year 3 / 4 students will participate in their School Camp experience at Log Cabin Creswick. This will be a fantastic experience for all involved. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, canoeing, and team-building exercises. The camp provides many opportunities for students to bond with their peers and teachers, develop new skills, and create lifelong memories.

Family Group Holy Week- Wednesday 27th March

On Wednesday, 27th March, we invite you along with our students to gather at 9:15 am in the church for a liturgy focusing on the events of Holy Week. This will be followed by a reflective craft activity at school in Family Groups. You are most welcome to join your child/ren and work together on the response activity. We look forward to working with you at this significant time in our church calendar.

School Athletics Carnival

Our students are busily practising in preparation for our School Athletics Carnival, set for Thursday, 18th April, at Llanberris Reserve. Students will be bussed to the event, parents are encouraged to pick their child/ren up prior to 3pm. Please accept the permission sent out on PAM and indicate if your child needs to be bussed back to school as we need to finalise bus numbers ASAP. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to gather in their house groups and participate in various events. Thanks to those parents who have registered their intent to support the day. Please note that due to some changes in arrangements at Llanberris, the podium is no longer available to schools

School Photos

Our school photos will be held on Tuesday 23rd April. MSP have emailed families with their login details to access their online portal. If you are an existing family, it will be the same as last year. Students are to wear their full winter uniform with their woollen school jumpers.

If you have any queries about logging in to purchase your photos, please contact MSP directly on 53335577.

Building Works Update

The demolition work in both buildings is almost complete, with the ceiling now removed from the Columba building. Some changes to the temporary fencing have occurred to accommodate the installation of the new playground. Over the next few weeks, the new playground will be installed.

The outside building works on Iona will begin to take shape, with the east deck being framed and the concrete being poured.

After the Easter break, the Columba building will ramp up with the installation of services and the new ceiling.

Overall, it has been a busy and productive first term at St. Columba's, and we are proud of all that our students have achieved. We are grateful for your continued support, and we look forward to working together for the remainder of the academic year.

Foundation Enrolments for Foundation 2025 - Key 2024 Dates

• Foundation (Prep) enrolment expressions of interest opened Monday, 12th February.
• Expression of interest forms close Thursday, 23rd May
• First-round placement offers will be sent Friday, 31st May at 12.00 pm
• First round acceptance closes Friday, 7th June at 4.00 pm
• School principals meet to determine the allocation of placements on Wednesday, 12th June
• Second round placement offers will be sent Friday, 14th June at 12.00 pm
• List of schools with vacancies published Friday 14th June at 12.00 pm
• Second round acceptance closes Friday, 21st June at 4.00 pm

Register your interest in enrolling your child at a Catholic school in the City of Ballarat by completing an online “City of Ballarat Expression of Interest for Enrolment” form found here.  At this stage, you will be able to nominate St Columba’s Primary School as your first preference.

When completing the Expression of Interest form, you must indicate your first preference school and upload your child’s birth certificate and baptism certificate (if applicable).

2025 Sibling Enrolment

A gentle reminder that if you have siblings that will be starting at St. Columba’s next year, that you must complete the Expression of Interest form via the DOBCEL website.

Loose parts area refresh

As you will all be aware, our current playspace has been reduced during the building project, and temporary fences have been erected throughout the yard. With this reduced space and demolition of the current playground, we are asking for donations of materials for loose parts to support children in engaging in alternate activities. If you have any items to donate, please let us know.

Examples being: tyres • straw • rocks • stones • pebbles • buckets • cups • containers • digging tools • chalk • scarves • ribbons • fabric • smooth sticks • wooden spools • pots • pans • elastics

Important Dates