Principal's Update - 28th June

Welcome

Dear Families,

What a huge term we have all had! 11 weeks has been a challenge for all and the change in weather and extreme cold has exacerbated the situation at times. Well done to all for your resilience and support in navigating this.

Thank you to all for your patience and flexibility as we have needed to pivot amongst the building works and adopt changes to accommodate it.

We are excited by the progress of the building works and wish to thank all those involved Plan Group Builders and Y2 Architects.

Vale Fr Barry Ryan

Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, Bishop Emeritus Peter Connors, the priests and people of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat are saddened by the passing of their brother and friend, Fr Barry Ryan, aged 86 who died peacefully on Saturday, June 22, at Nazareth House, Ballarat. 

Fr Barry was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Ballarat on July 21, 1965 at St Joseph’s Church Warrnambool. 

He served as Assistant Priest in a number of parishes throughout the Diocese as well as being Parish Priest at Redan, Terang & Mortlake and here at St Columba’s in Ballarat North. 

During his 59 years of Ministry, Fr Barry held various roles including Vicar General, Director of Priestly Life & Ministry, Diocesan Director of the Religious Education Centre, Head of Religious Education at Aquinas College Ballarat, Diocesan Director for Radio & Television as well as a member of the College of Consultors. 

The Funeral will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat at 10.30am on July 1 and will be live streamed. May Fr Barry now enter into the fullness of life promised to all who preach the Gospel and may he rest in peace.

Reports

St Columba's School uses the Parent Access Module (PAM) to provide access to student's current and past reports. Semester One 2024 reports are now available. PAM can be accessed by going to pam.scballarat.catholic.edu.au and entering your email and password.

If you need assistance logging in please contact the school during office hours.

Should you have any questions about your child/ren's reports or learning please don't hesitate to contact their homeroom teacher or relevant specialist.

We encourage you to take some time to discuss the academic report along with SeeSaw posts with your child/children to celebrate their learning and areas for focus and consolidation.

National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Early next term, St Columba’s Primary School and all schools across Australia will be completing the National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) survey regarding students with a disability. The NCCD collects data about school students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic approach. The data counts the number of students at St Columba’s who receive additional adjustments or support at school for their individual learning needs. The NCCD survey enables schools, education authorities and government to better understand the needs of students with disabilities and how they can be best supported at school. The NCCD data also helps the government plan for the needs of students with disabilities. Please see the attached information.

2024 School Fees

A reminder to any families who are not on a payment plan for their school fees, fees were due in full by 31st March 2024. If you have not made a payment as of yet can we please ask that you arrange to do so in the near future. Letters and outstanding statements will be posted out during the holidays.

If you would like to discuss setting up a payment plan, or have any questions regarding fees please get in touch with our Business Manager Rebecca Lubeek - rlubeek@scballarat.catholic.edu.au

Sustainability News

In Term 3 we will be having a collection of used dental products which will be sent to be recycled. 

Please start keeping your empty toothbrush tubes, plastic toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads and dental floss containers in preparation for the collection.

In conjunction we will be holding a bamboo toothbrush fundraiser to raise money for a sustainable schoolyard and awareness of 'Plastic Free July'

Building Works

We were extremely excited to take occupancy of the newly refurbished Iona building last week and the students and teachers have moved in and begun their lessons in this wonderful space. Our Year 1 /2 Community have moved back into their space, Gregory Street side and our Year Fours have moved into the previous Library Space in the Mercy Wing. Our Year Threes will remain in the previous Foudation Space until the top end of the Gregory Street Building is complete. This is expected to be completed early September. Once all spaces have been completed, we will host an grand opening which will include an opportunity for parents to tour the spaces. We look forward to this with great anticipation.

School Entry & Exit Points Term 3

 The Gregory Street entrance will reopen at the start and end of each day on the commencement of Term 3, while the Armstrong Street Gate will open at the end of each day to ease traffic congestion.

Both Howard Street gates will open each morning at 8:20 am. 

Choir Scholarship

Any families who might be interested in applying for the 2025 Cathedral Choral Scholarship, applications are open.

https://dobcel.catholic.edu.au/st-patricks-cathedral-ballarat-1000-choral-scholarships-2025-applications-now-open/

End of Term 2 - Start of Term 3

Our last day of school for this term will be Today, 28th June, and classes will cease at 2:30 pm, with children dismissed at this time.

Monday 15th July will be a School Closure Day for Staff Professional Learning. The school will reopen for students on Tuesday, 16th July at 8:30 am.

Important Dates