Loving God, at the beginning of this new school year we ask you to bless us, the students, our teachers and staff of this school, that together we may grow in faith, hope and love as we learn from you and each other how to follow your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope that everyone had a restful break and is ready for the school year. What a great start students and staff have had for the 2022 school year, given Covid is circulating within our community, everyone has settled in well and is off to a flying start.

A big thank you must go to all the staff for working so hard Ito have the school ready for our students on Monday.

Our school community would like to welcome all of the new families that have started at St Columba’s this year. I am sure that it will not take long for them to settle in St Columba’s school life and be made most welcome by existing families.

We welcome new staff, Mr Yock (Assistant Principal), Mrs Pilatti (Yr4), Miss Hunter (Yr2), and Mrs Venturini (Office).

Our Opening School Mass and Commitment and Commissioning Mass was held today. Our new staff and all staff and students received a blessing in preparation for the school year. Our school leaders also received their badges and received a blessing today.

A reminder to families that students should not be on the school grounds prior to 8:30am.

St Columba’s provides supervision only from 8:30am until the bell goes at 8:45am. On entering the school grounds during the day, all visitors will need to sign in at the front office. Families utilising the playgrounds after school are to be aware that they are responsible for supervising their children, as the school does not provide supervision of playgrounds or equipment outside of school hours.

Masks and check-in are mandatory for all adults and teenagers who enter St Columba’s school grounds. Families are also asked to be mindful of social distancing and observe the 1.5 m line in the front office. St Columba’s will be limiting any school gatherings to help prevent the spread of Covid. Advice to any future changes will be disseminated through social media and the newsletter. Our school will be audited next week as to any need for improved ventilation and/or ventilators.

Please note in the event of classroom closures due to Covid, remote learning will take place:

• Kindy-Year 2 will be a combination of home packs and Seesaw
• Year 3-6 via One Note

To ensure your child’s wellbeing, the school requires that parents provide up-to-date medical information in regard to any allergies or medical conditions. If your child is allergic to bee stings, nuts, shellfish, eggs etc. and may suffer an allergic reaction, it is paramount that the school is informed. Your doctor will need to provide an anaphylaxis document with instructions that the school will follow. If your child suffers from asthma, a plan is also required for staff to follow in the event of an asthma attack. Anaphylaxis documents and asthma plans are to be presented to the office with medication to ensure that in an event of a medical incident, your child can be treated effectively. Any other medical information that may be relevant must also be presented in written form to the office. This information will remain confidential within the staff-teaching environment.

Please note there will not be Teacher/Parent information nights. Classroom Teachers will email home copies of a Teacher/Parent Handbook towards the end of Week 2. If you have any questions please email teachers.

There will be a School Board meeting Monday, February 21 at 7:00pm in the school staffroom.

The P&F will hold their first meeting on Tuesday March 1 at 7:00pm in the school staff room - all parents and carers are welcome to attend this meeting.

Term Dates

A reminder, students will finish this term on Friday April 6.

God Bless

Allen McMahon

Principal

Monday, 7 February - Library borrowing commences (Monday and Tuesday)

We take this opportunity to direct members of our community to review our Code of Conduct. These statements are aimed at ensuring the protection and wellbeing of students in our care. In addition, awareness of the Code of Conduct ensures that adults do not put themselves in potentially vulnerable positions; for example, adults use the ambulant toilet when on site and do not use student toilets. Please take a few moments to review our Code of Conduct.

The Education Act mandates the teaching of a Protective Behaviours program in all schools. At St Columba’s we follow the Keeping Safe Program. The Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum (KS:CPC) aims to help children learn to recognise abuse and develop ways of protecting themselves from abuse and, in wider terms, covers rights, relationships, responsibilities and ethical behaviour. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year.

St Columba's receives 20% of book club sales to purchase new books for the library.

WA Metro has 2 locations, Metro South is at Parkwood on a Tuesday early evening from 5pm – 6:30pm

https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/dc3ad3

Starts Tuesday 8th Feb

Metro North is Padbury on a Sunday Morning (9:30-11am)

https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/2f8ab6

Starts Sunday 6th Feb

Program runs for 9 weeks and week 1 is a Dad’s only forum to start the program off.

If you have any questions please contact Jessica Lees, Project Officer, WA Cricket Email: jessica.lees@wacricket.com.au Mobile: 0434 917 135

Hi Everyone,

On behalf of the Parent and Friends Association welcome to the St Columba’s Community.

My name is Hayley Mitchell and I am your President for 2022.

I have three children ages 6, nearly 2 and 10 weeks (my daughter is in year 2). I definitely have some big shoes to fill after taking over from Lara.

I would like to introduce to you the rest of the executive committee.

Vice President: Alayna Fleming

Treasurer: Mathew Smith

Secretary: Renee Methorst.

We are looking forward to getting to know you all throughout the year.

For those of you that may be asking, what is a P&F?

Well, the Parents and Friends Association (P&F) is made up of a wonderful group of people that work together for the students of St Columba’s. We organise and run events, we discuss ideas and work as a team to better our school community. We also raise money throughout the year to put towards the ‘extras’ for the students in our school to enjoy. Most importantly, we make new friendships whilst navigating our way through primary school life.

With an exciting year ahead of us, we are now looking for our new P&F members to continue on this legacy. Each class will need to provide a representative to join this amazing group of people. If you would like to become part of our friendly committee, please contact myself, an executive committee member or your class teachers.

Wishing you all a great first week back.

Hayley Mitchell

P&F President

The year starts from the date of purchase of your Entertainment Book.

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

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

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