St. Columba's Primary School
NEWSLETTER | TERM 1 | WEEK 5 | 3 MARCH 2022

Father in Heaven, as we begin our Lenten journey,
Help us understand the meaning of your Son’s death and resurrection,
and teach us to reflect in our lives.
Send your Spirit of Love to help and inspire us to know your ways, for they are always love and truth to those who keep your covenant. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, 46 days before Easter. This week the children celebrated Shrove Tuesday; Kindy to Year 5 celebrated Ash Wednesday with a year level liturgy in their class rooms, while Year 6 attended mass at the Church.
Masks for Years 3 to 6
I would like to thank everyone for their support in implementing the necessary Covid protocols that have been put in place to protect our students. This was particularly evident with the Year 3 to 6 students wearing masks to school for the first time; the 100 per cent take-up has made this a smooth transition.
Kiss and Drive - no parking on Forest St
The Kiss and Drive is still an issue - please ensure you follow the necessary protocols. Do not park on Forest St and wait to enter the Kiss and Drive, as this is a no parking area and it holds up traffic. This causes issues when cars try and pull out to go around to enter the Kiss and Drive. There have been instances where cars have turned into the Kiss and Drive across traffic and very nearly causing accidents.
I would ask that families show some patience and courtesy when using Kiss and Drive and I thank those who are following the protocols correctly. I have asked the Ranger and Police to patrol the area to try and prevent any further incidents. Your help in this matter will be very much appreciated.
Long weekend - school closed on Monday
Enjoy the long weekend break (please remember it is a public holiday on Monday). We look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday.
God Bless
Allen McMahon
Principal

Parent Teacher Interviews
Please be advised that Parent-Teacher Interviews will take place in Weeks 8 & 9 this term.
Interviews will be 10 minutes in duration and take place over the phone.
An online booking system will be set up for parents to utilise to book their interviews.
Information regarding the booking system will be shared with parents next week.
Sacramental Program 2022 - forms due Friday, 11 March
At this stage of the year the Sacramental Program for 2022 will continue for those students involved in Years 3, 4 and 6.
Please note the Sacraments are Parish-based and not school-based and decisions surrounding the Sacraments are made by the Parish Priest in consultation with the school.
Attendance at either of the St Columba’s Parish Sacramental Enrolment Masses are compulsory for all students who wish to receive the Sacraments this year.
In 2022, two Sacramental Enrolment Masses will be offered – Saturday 12th March at 6pm or Sunday 13th March at 9:30am.
One parent and student candidates are asked to attend either Enrolment Mass. Appropriate social distancing measures will be in place.
The Sacramental Enrolment form below will be sent home as a hard copy this week with your child. These are due back to the classroom teacher by Friday 11 March.
Please also see below the St Columba’s Parish Sacramental Overview for 2022, including key dates and events.
Project Compassion
Spanning across the 6 weeks of Lent each year, Project Compassion brings thousands of Australian schools, parishes and supporters together to raise funds for people living in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world.
Caritas Project Compassion boxes have been distributed to classrooms in PP-Y6.
Students are encouraged to collect any amount of money for this important cause and bring back their Project Compassion boxes with the collected money by the end of Term 1 – Friday 8 April, 2022.
This year there will be no money counted at school. Instead, teachers are asked to send all returned Caritas boxes to the front office where they will be collated and the money sent to Caritas Australia.
There is much to pray for this Lent, and we hope our support will contribute to changing the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Further information can be found at https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
CEWA Child Safe Framework
This framework of 9 elements combine to support a child safe culture, healthy and respectful relationships and extended guardianship in school communities, based on the latest research and recognised best practices.
Please click on the link below for a video introduction to the framework
School Fees
If you have not received your school fees, please email finance@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au


National Ride2School Day - Friday, 25 March
National Ride2School Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel and one of the best days on the school calendar. It is a day full of fun and colour where students, teachers and parents discover the joy of riding and kick-start healthy habits for the future.
Canteen - help urgently required on the following dates
16 March - Wednesday
17 March - Thursday
23 March - Wednesday
24 March - Thursday
25 March - Friday
30 March - Wednesday
31 March - Thursday
6 April - Wednesday
7 April - Thursday
Canteen - no cash orders, even for small items
- All orders now online: Quickcliq https://quickcliq.com.au/
- No Cash - icy poles, ice creams and small treats need to be ordered online.
Volunteers required for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Please email the office with suitable dates and days.
If you are on roster and are unable to make your roster day, please endeavour to find a replacement and advise the office immediately via email.

Big Art Competition for all Camp Australia Families
Click on the link below to enter

Parish News

P&F News
Happy Week 5 everyone. It sure feels like this term is flying by.
Thank you all to those that came to our first P&F meeting for 2022. There was a huge turnout with lots of discussion. The minutes of this meeting will be published following our next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 29th March.
Your year group reps will be reaching out over the next couple of weeks to gather fundraising ideas off you. If there is something in particular you really care about and you would like to see the P&F raise money for, please reach out to myself, the executive or your class representative.
We have a new position for 2022 that is vacant and we are looking to fill it. We are after a Council Liaison Officer that will represent the school P&F in all relevant council related matters. If you are interested in putting your hand up for this role, please let me know.
Have a wonderful rest of your week everyone.
Hayley Mitchell
P&F President
Hayley Mitchell
P&F President
Scholastic Books
Issue 2 - Due Wed 9 March
Issue 1 orders have not arrived, although they are in transit.
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.


Curtin University Hockey Club - Saturday Hockey Programs
Click the link below
Quick Stix After School Lacrosse
Shape the Coode Street Foreshore

School Term Dates
Term 1: Monday, 31 January to Friday, 8 April 2022
Term 2: Wednesday, April 27 to Friday, 1 July 2022
Term 3: Tuesday, 19 July to Friday, 23 September 2022
Term 4: Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December 2022
Pupil Free Dates
Term 2: Tuesday, 26 April and Friday, 3 June 2022
Term 3: Monday, 18 July and Friday, 19 August 2022
Term 4: Monday, 10 October 2022
Sacrament Dates
Sacramental Program Enrolment Mass: Saturday, 12 March at 6pm
Confirmation: Saturday, 28 May at 6pm
Eucharist: Sunday, 19 June at 9:30am
Reconciliation: Saturday, 12 November at 10am