Lord, inspire me to give my best and make good use of the talents you have given me.

Show me how to be positive in attitude, appreciating and valuing others,

always ready to encourage and give praise.

Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Open Night

Last week we held our Open Night and we thank the many parents and carers who attended to visit classrooms to see the wonderful work and learning outcomes their children have been engaged in over the course of this year. A huge thank you to our educators for the wonderful displays and interesting learning environments. Many hours of additional time goes into preparing learning activities that the children will enjoy and this was certainly on display in our classrooms. Families were also able to view the student's artwork at the Art Exhibition, robotics in the Library and a solo music performance. These all reflect the richness of learning on offer at St Columba's.

Korean Day

Our thanks to Mrs Kang for yet another amazing Korean Day. Korean food, K-Pop dance, games, lantern making, calligraphy and cultural dress were all part of the day, to celebrate Korean language and culture.

Athletics Carnival

The children have been training for the big event and we look forward to seeing many families tomorrow. A coffee van will be available near the senior nature play area.

Parent Volunteers Declaration Form

Thank you to all the parent helpers for Athletics carnival for returning the Parent Volunteer Declaration Form - we really appreciate your cooperation and understanding. We remind all parents that the form will be required if you help at school.

R U OK? Day

Today is our national day of action, reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and start a meaningful conversation, when we spot the signs that someone we care about might be struggling with life.

God Bless and have a great weekend.

Allen McMahon

Principal

Next week, for Science Week, students from Years 1 to 6 will participate in a number of fun Science activities. Years 1 and 2 will build and launch decorated plastic bottle rockets, students in Years 3 & 4 will build tall straw towers and students in Years 5 & 6 will learn to use a compass and find treasure locations on the oval. Each year level will also learn about the science behind their task as part of the activity.

Students and staff are encouraged to come to school dressed in their favourite team’s footy colours on the last day of Term 3, Thursday, 21 September.

Please note no donation is required. We look forward to celebrating the last day of term together.

Come on Lions!

Year 3-6 students attended the St Columba's Field Carnival on Friday, 1 September. The students represented their faction competing in TurboJav, Long Jump and Shot Put. Selected students also competed in an additional 200 and 400m race.

The students were wonderful sports people, cheering their faction and it's competitors on. At the end of the carnival Casey is ahead on points that count towards the school athletics carnival. Congratulations on all the students that finished 1st to 4th in each event receiving ribbons for their achievement.

Today, the 14th of September, is R U OK? Day.

R U OK? Day, our national day of action, is dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling with life.

You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.

Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?

2. Listen

3. Encourage action

4. Check in

Got a feeling that someone you know or care about it isn’t behaving as they normally would? Perhaps they seem out of sorts? More agitated or withdrawn? Or they’re just not themselves. Trust that gut instinct and act on it.

By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up. If they say they are not OK, you can follow the conversation steps below to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are OK, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

Students explored R U OK? Day with their peers today in class and staff celebrated with morning tea and a “Kit Kat & Chit Chat”.

We all play an essential role in contributing to a culture that ensures all our school and community members feel safe and supported. Never underestimate the impact of a conversation; it could change a life.

All year levels and staff will be involved in breathing workshops next week as part of our St Columba’s wellness initiatives. Facilitated by one of the parent wellbeing representatives, Shalini, we are excited to teach our students and staff about the importance of proper breathing techniques and how this helpful strategy can become an important part of everyone’s mental health toolkit.

The P&F are proud to present this year’s school disco, 'GLOW', taking place on Friday, 20 October, 2023 (Term 4, Week 2).

This year, we have split the disco into 3 sessions.

Session 1 Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary: 4:45-5:30pm (1 parent/carer must attend to supervise their child)

Session 2 Years 1-3: 5:45-6:45pm (no parents/carers inside the disco area, children are required to be signed in on arrival and are unable to leave until parents sign out at the end)

Session 3 Years 4-6: 7:00-8:30pm (no parents/carers inside the disco area, children are required to be signed in on arrival and are unable to leave until parents sign out at the end).

Please RSVP by Friday 13th October. Please RSVP your child/ren's attendance by Friday, 13 October by clicking below:

A separate RSVP is required for each child please to allow easy collation of the data.

There is no cost for this event.

We kindly ask you to include emergency contact details for the night.

There will be a food truck available on the night to purchase light refreshments and ice creams.

Please note, this is strictly a no alcohol event.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your P&F rep if you have any questions.

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 3: Monday, 17 July to Thursday, 21 September 2023

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

Term 3: Friday 22 September

Term 4: None

Reconciliation: Saturday, 11 November at 10am