Dear Parents and Carers,

It is very nice to be back at school after taking some long service leave. Even though

I had a wonderful time in Vietnam and Cambodia, it is still nice to be back in your own

home and familiar surroundings.

Many thanks to Mr Yock and the staff for the great job they did in my absence. St Columba’s

is still in one piece and sailing along smoothly.

Our Year 4 students made their First Eucharist last Sunday. The Mass was lovely, and the students are to be commended for their reverence and participation. Many thanks go to Monsignor, Mr Yock, Miss Bechelli and Mrs Pilatti for having the students so well prepared for the day.

Many thanks to the Year 2 Dads involved in organising the Mother’s Day morning tea yesterday. The morning was extremely well attended and a fitting lead up to Mother’s Day celebrations on Sunday.

We welcome Miss Mercer who has replaced Mr Beins in Year 3. She has been a great addition to our staff.

A reminder to families that students should not be on the school grounds prior to 8:30am. St Columba’s provides supervision from 8:30am until the bell goes at 8:50am. Playgrounds are not to be used in the mornings by families. Families may use the playgrounds after school if parents are with the children and supervising them.

The P&F will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, 16 May at 7:00 pm in the school staffroom.

There are still several families walking through the Kiss and Drive entry. Please be aware that this is not an entry spot for pedestrians. Families entering on foot near the Church must enter through the Church pedestrian gate not the car entry gate. I ask families to be very vigilant when using Kiss and Drive as there has been a couple of near accidents on Forrest St due to road rules not being followed and driver impatience. In the interests of our students’ safety please drive carefully.

A timely reminder to families, that if there are issues regarding students at St Columba’s, it is not up to parents while on the school grounds to approach children other than their own and discuss issues or reprimand. Parents need to advise a classroom teacher and or the leadership team, who will then investigate and act if deemed necessary.

A very special Blessing to our mothers on Sunday for Mother’s Day. I am sure that the day will be very special for mothers and families.

God bless and keep safe.

Allen McMahon

Principal

We are excited to announce that our school is participating in Jump Rope for Heart this year – a fantastic fundraising and physical activity program by the Heart Foundation.

By participating in Jump Rope for Heart this term, we are expecting to get our students moving. We’ll have ropes available on the school grounds and encourage everyone to help raise funds for lifesaving research and support programs.

Please note that while the students earn prizes for the funds raised all prizes will be collected by the school and donated to Mini Vinnies to support disadvantaged children.

Over the coming weeks your child will learn new skills, increase their physical activity, and learn about heart health.

When you register your child online you’ll get access to additional skipping resources to help give your child a great reason to get away from the screens and get outdoors. Register and create your own secure webpage at jumprope.org.au/parents

By signing up online, you and your child can:

• Easily raise funds online
• Track skipping skills progress and earn virtual badges along the way
• Post updates to your page so family and friends can follow their progress
• Access additional skipping resources

Your child should have a ‘fundraising guide’ flyer to take home today, which includes further information on the program. If you didn’t receive this, visit jumprope.org.au/parents for all the information that you need.

Our Year 6 students will be bringing out play pods on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during lunchtime to provide additional play options to students.

We would love some additional items to add to the pods to evoke imaginary play – if you have any items at home that are no longer needed, please bring them to school. Ideas include:

• Old phones
• Steering wheels
• Keyboards
• Plastic bowls/Pots/Pans
• Brooms
• Sheets
• Cushions

WE’RE TAKING IT IN OUR STRIDE ON FRIDAY, 19 MAY 2023

Well it’s that time of year again when our school seriously starts talking about walking!

Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around.

And although walking all the way to school isn’t realistic for many of us, it’s quite easy to figure out how you can build a walk into your family’s daily routine.

You can teach your child the healthy habit of walking more by:

• Walking with them the whole way to school

• If they get the bus or train, walk past your usual stop and get on at the next stop

• If you have to drive, park the car a few blocks away from the school and walk the rest of the way.

Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes.

It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic.

Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday, 19 MAY 2023!

Year 6 leaders will be waiting at the Alexandria Street Gate on Friday morning from 8:30am with stickers for those families that were able to walk even a small distance to school.

For more information, visit www.walk.com.au

Our Student Code of Conduct is a student-created document that outlines the way students want to feel when they come to St Columba’s Primary School.

It outlines behaviours and actions students can take to ensure they continue to feel Safe, Happy, Included and Special.

The Student Code of Conduct also outlines steps a child can take if they feel a student is not following the Code of Conduct.

Students refer to the document in class meetings and the poster is visible in all classrooms.

• Setup from 3pm on Saturday 20th May.
• Dinner and Breakfast will be provided.
• Dinner – Sausage and bun, with juice and salad
• Breakfast – Bacon and egg sandwiches, with milo, coffee, tea or juice
• We are planning on having a coffee van from 7am
• Camping items to bring – Tent, sleeping bags, mattress/air bed, warm clothes and torches
• Plus water bottles, snacks and any drinks you might want.
• There is a power point at the bottom of the oval, available for pumping up air beds. Please bring your own pumps.

If you require any further information please contact Alan Godinho on 0423 840 411 or

Mel Naso on 0419 924 216

Cash payments are no longer accepted. Payments can be made by credit card - Visit scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app. Your order will be electronically linked to the rest of your school's order. You do not need to complete the order form.

Term 2: Wednesday, 26 April to Friday, 30 June 2023

Term 3: Monday, 17 July to Friday, 21 September 2023

Term 4: Monday, 9 October to Friday, 8 December 2023

Term 2: Monday 15 May and Friday 2 June

Term 3: Friday 22 September

Term 4: None

Confirmation: Saturday, 27 May at 6pm

Reconciliation: Saturday, 11 November at 10am