Dear Parents and Carers,

The students have settled into the start of the year extremely well. We have a very busy term ahead with Edu Dance, the Hockey Clinics organised by the P&F, Sacramental preparation and NAPLAN testing which has been moved to Term 1 from 2023.

A reminder that if students are showing symptoms of COVID or the Flu that they should not be attending school. If a child is at school with FLU or COVID symptoms families will be required to organise for the child to be collected and taken home so that other children and the teacher, within the class, do not become sick.

Please note that as from this year, all school notes will be paperless and completed online and then submitted back to the school via Microsoft Forms.

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 8:50am. On entering the school grounds during the day all visitors will need to sign in at the front office. If students are going to play on the playground equipment after school it is a requirement that a parent must be there to supervise. The school staff do not supervise the play equipment after school. If students are unsupervised on the equipment they will be asked to leave the area.

There are a number of families walking through the Kiss and Drive entry driveway. Please be aware that this is not an entry for pedestrians. Families entering on foot near the Church must enter through the Church pedestrian gate not the car entry gate. In the interests of our students’ safety please follow these protocols.

Families please note that you will need to adhere to the school parking policy and the street verge signage. Parking is not permitted in ‘no standing or parking ‘zones and cars that do not follow the street and verge signage face a possible fine from the Ranger. Your help in this matter will be very much appreciated.

Many thanks to Mr Chatt for organising the swimming carnival. The students were extremely well behaved and were very encouraging of those participating in their events. We were also very lucky to have such good weather on the day and as always it was a very well run event. Congratulations to McMahon faction on their win, second year in a row.

Edu Dance has begun and as per last year, the students are able to wear sports uniform on their Phys Ed day and the Edu Dance day.

God bless and keep safe.

Allen McMahon

Principal

Our Year 6 students and their teachers will attend Fairbridge Pinjarra Camp School next week from Tuesday, 14 – Friday, 17 February. This is a great opportunity to extend and challenge our school leaders as they develop essential leadership skills and make memories that will stay with them long after they return. Thank you to the staff attending and to the parent helpers who will come along for the experience.

This framework of nine elements combine supporting a child safe culture, healthy and respectful relationships and extended guardianship in school communities, based on the latest research and recognised best practices. Teachers are responsible for delivering this curriculum to students.

Please view the video below for an introduction to the framework.

https://childsafe.cewa.edu.au/introduction-key-concepts/

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 below.

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.

All students in Pre-Primary to Year 6 have begun their Edu-dance lessons this week.

Edu-Dance is a curriculum-based dance fitness program designed for primary school students. The focus is on physical fitness, dance confidence, developing self-esteem in students and teamwork. Lessons are fast paced and high-energy with age-appropriate choreography and music.

With the concert in Week 10 we are excited to get started!

Welcome back to School Everyone!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday and New year and had the opportunity to recharge ready for a busy but spectacular 2023!.

This year I will still be working Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the term. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me via the School Counsellor Contact Form on the School's website if you feel your child needs social/emotional support. I will organise a consult with you to discuss the issue, and how I am able to assist.

Common reasons I see students relate to anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, friendship issues, social skills, family separation, emotional regulation, problem solving/organisational skills, as well as being a general support person to the child.

The role of a school social worker/counsellor is to offer early intervention for mildly distressing issues. I assess cases on an individual basis however the capacity of the role does not allow for continued ongoing treatment. Therefore, if students require further support after a few sessions or they are experiencing more significant distress, I can recommend and assist you in finding a suitable external service provider.

In addition to one-on-one sessions with children, time in classrooms, and consults with parent's/family, this year I aim to run small group programs, and a Lego/social skill's club which I will advertise in the School Newsletter before they commence.

Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant Term 1 for 2023".

Shona Simpson

School Counsellor

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 1: Wednesday, 1 February to Wednesday, 5 April 2023

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 1: Thursday 6 April

Term 2: Monday 24 April, Monday 15 May and Friday 2 June

Term 3: Friday 22 September

Term 4: None

Sacramental Program Enrolment Mass: Saturday, 25 March at 6pm

Confirmation: Saturday, 27 May at 6pm

Eucharist: Sunday, 7 May at 9:30am

Reconciliation: Saturday, 11 November at 10am