Principal's Update - 12th December

Welcome

Dear Families,

As term four draws to a close, we have many things to celebrate and many moments to reflect on with gratitude. This term has been filled with wonderful achievements, with great academic efforts by our students to the vibrant community events that brought us all together. Highlights such as the successful Christmas Market, our students’ sporting triumphs, and the beautiful liturgical celebrations have showcased the strength and spirit of our school community. 

As we prepare to farewell another school year, we also look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead, carrying with us the lessons, memories, and accomplishments of this term. Thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive families, and, most importantly, our incredible students for making this term truly special.

Christmas Market

Last week’s Christmas Market was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible talents and dedication of our school community. Our students shone brightly with their creative contributions, helping to make the event a truly memorable occasion. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the beautiful performance by our choir, whose angelic voices added a festive and joyful atmosphere. Thanks to the amazing efforts of everyone involved, we are thrilled to announce that close to $5400 was raised for St Vincent de Paul, supporting their invaluable work in aiding those in need. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this wonderful celebration of generosity and Christmas spirit!

International Day of Disability

Last week’s celebration and acknowledgment of the International Day of Disability was a powerful and enriching experience for our school community. The event featured an inspiring guest speaker, Dee, whose story deeply resonated with parents and caregivers. The reading of the picture storybook ‘Come Over to My House’ highlighted the beauty of diversity and inclusion, fostering meaningful conversations. A heartfelt video capturing our students’ thoughts on inclusion added a personal touch, while another video demystifying the important work of Allied Health workers provided valuable insights into the support systems that enable people of all abilities to thrive. It was a day filled with learning, empathy, and a strengthened commitment to building a truly inclusive community.

End of Year Mass

This morning, we gathered as a community for our beautiful final Advent Liturgy and End of Year Mass, a heartfelt celebration of faith and unity. With Fr. Abraham graciously stepping in for Fr. Ed Moloney, who is currently unwell and without his voice, the Mass carried an added spirit of compassion and care. The angelic voices of our choir, singing from the loft, filled the church with songs that inspired the peace and joy of the season. We were blessed by the presence of our amazing families, who came together to celebrate this special moment, marking the end of the school year with gratitude and hope for the Christmas season ahead. Thank you to Torie and Lucy for their planning and preparation of this final Mass.

Turtle Whisperers

As the holidays approach, we are looking for a kind volunteer to care for our school turtles over the break. They need to stay together and are easy to care for, requiring feeding twice per week. If you happen to have a large unoccupied turtle tank at home, that would be ideal. However, we can provide some basic supplies if needed. If you're interested and able to help, please get in touch with the school office by Monday 16th December. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

Staffing Announcement

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new school counsellor, Maddi Worthy, who will be joining our team in 2025.

Maddi comes to us with a strong academic background in psychology and a wealth of experience in counselling. She is currently working with Berry Street and the Take 2 program, Maddy is recognised for an exceptional ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students and families, always striving to provide the best possible support and care.

During Maddi's visit to our school, she was excited to meet with staff and students and showed a genuine interest in how we operate and how she could add to that. Her enthusiasm for working collaboratively with students, families, and staff and her commitment to continuous improvement make Maddi an excellent addition to our team.

We are confident that Maddi's skills and dedication will greatly contribute to the wellbeing of our school community, supporting us in creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

In addition to this, it is with great excitement that we can share some wonderful news regarding the finalisation of our classroom staffing positions for 2025. Following a thorough and extensive interview process over the last two weeks, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Anita Scarton to our teaching team.

Anita brings a wealth of experience, with seven years of teaching expertise and a strong foundation in integrating technology and science into the classroom. Having most recently worked at Trinity College, Anita comes highly recommended, with glowing references that highlight her exceptional ability to form meaningful connections with students and impressive depth of curriculum knowledge.

Please join us in welcoming Maddi and Anita to St Columba’s. We look forward to the positive impact they will make in our school.

Giving Tree and Hamper Donations

Donations for our Giving Tree and Christmas Hampers will be closing on Monday, 16th December. If you would like to donate an unwrapped gift or non perishable items, please do so by 4pm

Finalisation of School Fees

As we approach the end of the school year, we kindly remind all families to ensure that any outstanding school fees are finalised. Thank you to families that have already done this. Timely payment helps us continue providing high-quality education and resources for all students. If you require assistance or support in managing your payments, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Business Manager, Rebecca Lubeek, who is available to discuss flexible options and offer guidance. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your ongoing support of our school community.

School TV

‘As families around the world prepare to celebrate Christmas by decorating their homes, singing carols, buying gifts and planning feasts, often the true meaning of Christmas can be lost due the commercial exploitation of this time of year. Many people see it as a joyous occasion to spend with family and friends, but for others it is viewed as a stressful and challenging time attributed by a combination of things such as financial pressures, relationship issues, and quite often, loneliness. During the Christmas period, there is a huge increase in the number of calls to support organisations. Many of these callers are considered to be in a high-risk category and sadly, this is the ugly side to Christmas. Should you, or a loved one, ever feel that the pressure of Christmas becomes too much, it is important to seek help. Reach out to a trusted friend, talk to your doctor or counsellor, or phone one of the many support organisations available to you 24/7.’ (School TV, 2024) 

Important Dates - 2024

Important Dates - 2025