St. Columba's Primary School
NEWSLETTER | TERM 1 | WEEK 0 | 28 JANUARY 2021
Start of Year Newsletter
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Welcome to the 2021 school year! I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful break and feel refreshed and ready for the start of the new school year. It is with great pleasure that I join the St Columba’s School community as I take on the role of Principal for 2021 during Allen McMahon’s secondment to the Geraldton Regional Office.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the school community. I am a mother of two young men, Matthew (19) who is currently studying at UWA, and Liam (15) who is in Year 11 at Aquinas College. My husband, Jason, works for Elders Ltd having been based in their Belmont office since November. My family and I have spent a number of years in Northam, approximately 100 kilometres east of Perth where I held the role of Head of Primary at St Joseph’s School, a Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 Catholic school. I have dedicated my entire teaching career to Catholic Education, having been employed by the Catholic Education Office since 1995 and have held various leadership positions throughout my career. I strongly believe in the importance of Catholic Education, in teaching our students the values, morals and life skills that are associated with being a Catholic. My role as a Catholic educational leader is to assist my peers and students to strive for excellence and to develop their personal faith and talents as individuals. I feel it is important to relate to all members of my community, showing respect, care and compassion to all.
The beginning of a new school year will bring with it a wonderful rollercoaster of emotions for many, myself included – the excitement of the first day, the meeting of new people, making new friends and the learning curve associated with getting to know new teachers. I look forward to meeting all of the students, parents and guardians and welcome the opportunity to have a chat and to get to know the school community. Please feel free to contact me with any issues, concerns or even just a general welcome hello, my door is always open.
Enjoy the final weekend of holidays and I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday for the beginning of Term 1.
God bless.
Rebecca Clarke
Principal
School starts on Monday 1 February
Kiss & Drive opens at 8.30 am and 3.05 pm. There is no walking access through Kiss & Drive for safety reasons. No parking is permitted in the Church bays as these are for parishioners. Traffic tends to be heavier at the start of the year; please drive carefully and be mindful of pedestrians.
Staff will not be available to supervise students crossing the road after school. Parental supervision is required if necessary.
Covid-19 update
Apart from the modifications to border arrangements for travellers, there has been no change to the COVID-19 Roadmap by the Premier since schools closed in December. Unfortunately, many of the restrictions outlined in the COVID-19 Phase 4 Roadmap will need to continue until further notice.
With respect to access to school grounds and classrooms by parents and caregivers, the guidelines provide clear instructions, and the two-square metre rule continues to apply. While parents and caregivers are permitted on the school grounds, unfortunately they are still unable to gather in the classrooms. For the first day of school, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the classroom doors opening early to ensure our school community can gather safely, enabling a smooth transition into the new school year for all staff and children.
As a school, we encourage parents to continue to embrace the independence of their children and only come onto the school grounds if necessary. A reminder that during school hours, all visitors must report to the Front Office before entering the school grounds and scan the WA Safe QR code.
Please continue to use the Kiss & Drive option or meeting your children at the various gates for drop off and pick up. I would like to thank our school community for their cooperation and willingness in working with us as we continue to navigate our way through the challenges of COVID-19.
Covid-19 – 'Safe Hands - Safe Schools'
CEWA is lending a hand to the COVID-19 fight with the ‘Safe Hands, Safe Schools’ initiative reminding staff, students and the school community about the importance of clean, hygienic hands for the safety of schools. More information regarding the new initiative will be made available once school commences. Promoting COVID-safe hygiene messages will enable that the St Columba’s school community plays its part in keeping Catholic schools open and safe for all.
First day for Pre-Kindy and Kindy students
Please come to the large glass sliding door (facing Forrest Street) upon your arrival and follow the signs to either Kindy or Pre-Kindy. This arrival procedure is temporary and will likely adapt as Covid-19 circumstances change. Thank you for your understanding.
Pre-Kindy children have the option of wearing the bottle green shirt. Kindy students wear their faction sports shirt and hat.
We look forward to a great year of collaboration, learning and fun in 2021.
First day for new students in other grades
On Monday you are welcome to go to the admin office from 8:15 am where the staff will show you to your classroom.
Students in Pre-Primary to Year Two will wear the sports uniform, and all other students will wear the summer uniform, unless it has been indicated that it is your sports day (see further down in the newsletter). You will need to bring all of your booklist items, lunch, recess, crunch and sip, water bottle and your hat. Remember, no hat, no play!
We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
Bring in all booklist items on the first day
Remember to bring in your additional classroom items such as tissues, hand sanitiser etc.
Medical alert information
The new uniform is compulsory in 2021
Uniform is important - it unites us as a school, makes us all equal and we wear it with pride. From Term 1 2021 all children will need to meet the new school uniform requirements.
NELL GRAY STORE:
30 Kembla Way, Willetton WA 6155,
Phone: 08 9270 4669
Email: willetton@uc.nellgray.com.au
Order online https://www.nellgray.com.au/Schools/St-Columba-s-Catholic-Primary-School
The school is selling bags and dresses - please contact the office.
Check your sports uniform day
Year 3 - Year 6: Check yours sports uniform day below. If you have Physical Education on a Monday, please wear your sports uniform for the first day of school.
Sports uniform is only worn on the class PE day and for Edu-dance in Term 1. Please wear school uniform on all other days.
Edu-dance Term 1 - Wear sport uniform on your Edu-dance day.
Pre-Primary - Year 2: Wear sports uniform every day.
Edu-Dance will be in Term 1
Edu-dance will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays - please wear sports uniform on the day.
Place canteen orders from Wednesday onwards
The canteen will open on Wednesday next week, so please provide your child with lunch on Monday, the first day of school.
Canteen operates on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for recess and lunch. Orders are placed online or handed in at the canteen by 9 am. Pre-Kindy students attending on Fridays are able to order from commencement of Term 2.
Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary students are unable to order recess.
Order online https://quickcliq.com.au/
Thursday 4 February - Commissioning Mass
P&F Picnic on Sunday 7 February
Our P&F have organised a Picnic for Sunday 7 February at 2 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get together as a school community and to celebrate the start of the new school year. We encourage our new families to attend as this function presents an opportunity to meet others and to get to know one another a little better.
Important Dates 2021
Edu dance commences - Tuesday, 2 February
Commitment and Commissioning Whole School Mass 9am Year 1-6 - Thursday, 4 February
Edu dance commences - Thursday, 4 February
P&F Picnic Welcome to School - Sunday, 7 February
Parent Information Evening 6-6.45pm PP, Year 3, 4 & 6 - Monday, 8 February
Parent Information Evening 6.45-7.30pm Year 1, 2 & 5 - Monday 8 February
Constable Care Incursion PP-Year 6 - Monday, 8 February
Parent Information Evening Kindy 6pm - Wednesday, 10 February
School Term Dates for 2021
Term 2: Tuesday 20 April to Thursday 1 July
Term 3: Tuesday 20 July to Friday 24 September
Term 4: Tuesday 12 October to Friday 10 December
Pupil Free Days for 2021
Term 2: Monday 19 April
Term 3: Tuesday 8 June, Friday 2 July, Monday 19 July
Term 4: Monday 11 October
St Columba's Catholic Primary School
Email: admin@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au
Website: https://www.stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au/
Location: 30 York Street, South Perth WA 6151, Australia
Phone: (08) 6436 9500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Education/St-Columbas-Catholic-Primary-School-South-Perth-173160579973945/