Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back everyone to the start of Term 3. I am positive that families had a restful break and enjoyed the holidays. However, I am sure that there would be a number of families who are looking forward to a rest while their child /ren are attending school.

We have a very busy term ahead with our students participating in the Performing Arts Festival, The Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Robocup and our school Athletics Carnival.

On a sad note, we are losing Mrs Sadowski who has resigned to take up a position with the MultiLit group. She will be a liaison person between WA schools and the MultiLit group. She has been an integral part of the support programme at the school and has provided outstanding service to the school community and will be very much missed. She will always be welcome back and we will see her at the school on a regular basis in her new role. We have been very lucky in being able to employ Mrs Gemma Tsang to replace her. Mrs Tsang has a similar position at St Joseph’s Queens Park and will be a great addition to our staff. We welcome two new teachers to our staff, Mrs Vuckovic in Yr 2 and Mrs McFarland Yr 2&3.

I will be away in Week 3 attending the National Primary Principal’s Conference in Hobart. While there, I will also be visiting catholic schools who have taken on the Science of Learning/Reading. It will provide a valuable opportunity for St Columba’s to compare what we are implementing in the Science of Reading, to how the Tasmanian schools are implementing it.

Year 3 & 5 families, please be advised that student NAPLAN results will be sent home to families next week.

All Australian governments have agreed to implement a new annual national data collection on school students with a disability. St Columba’s will be contributing to this data as a school to provide information around the resourcing models that are needed for schools with students with disabilities. The process is confidential and there is no personal information disclosed to the government. If you have any questions please see Mrs Sadowski or myself.

Many thanks must go to Mrs McDonald for organising our school’s participation in the Catholic Education’s Performing Arts Festival this term. It requires a significant amount of time and organisation and it is very much appreciated.

For the purposes of future planning, we need to be aware of students who will not be returning in 2024. If you know that your child will not be returning to St Columba’s next year, please inform the school in writing as soon as possible.

A reminder, students will finish this Term on Thursday, 21 September.

God bless and keep safe.

Allen McMahon

Principal

The Vinnies Winter Appeal is the next Catholic Charity Fundraiser the school will support.

This year Vinnies have asked us to collect warm clothing for older women such as jumpers, pants, scarves, beanies, socks etc, ensuring that all items donated are in good clean condition.

This fundraiser will run for the first 3 weeks of Term 3 (Thursday, 20 July – Friday, 4 August), culminating in a Pyjama Day (gold coin donation) on Friday, 4 August.

The school will distribute a washing basket to all classes and we encourage students to bring in blankets and sleeping bags to donate to those who need them. Students can bring these to school and place in the baskets for collection.

Year 6 leaders will empty the baskets at regular intervals and store the items for donation.

We thank parents in advance for their support of this charitable initiative.

• Monday 7 August: 9am - 9.30am or 3.00am - 3.30pm
• Tuesday 8 August: 9am - 9.30am or 3.00pm - 3.30pm
• Wednesday 9 August: 9am - 9.30am or 3.00pm - 3.30pm

In Catholic schools across Western Australia, students enrolled in Years 3 and 5 participate in a system-wide, online assessment in Religious Education. The administration of the assessment commences Monday, 24 July. Students following a regular classroom program are expected to participate.

The purpose of the assessment is to measure student learning of the content in the Religious Education Curriculum. Test items relevant to each participating year level are developed by the Religious Education Directorate at the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia. The test items consist of multiple choice, short and extended response. Formal student reports are produced and made available in Term Four. The reports from the assessment complement the school-based assessment programs in Religious Education. As a system-wide, online assessment, classroom teachers, school and system leaders are provided with a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student performance in Religious Education.

The P&F Friend-raiser - Games Night (Op Shop Themed) is only a few weeks away. We are ready to start selling tickets.

This is for adults only (parents, caregivers and teachers are invited).

Information:

Date: Saturday 12th August

Time: 6pm - 11pm (with the main games finishing around 9:30ish)

Location: South Perth Community Hall (Cnr of Sth Terrace and Sandgate Street, South Perth)

Dress Code: Op Shop Theme

BYO: Food, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), plastic cups (there is also a range of food available for pre-order if you prefer the convenience)

Price: $30 per ticket

ONLINE TICKETS: click on the button below. If you arrive at the CEWA landing page, just 'Request Access' to proceed.

YEARS 3-4 (Wednesday 26th July to Wednesday 13th September, 3:15pm - 4:40pm) - FULL

Cost: Parents to pay half, P&F to pay half

Please Note: Information regarding what to wear, room location and other important messages will be sent directly to the parents who have enrolled.

Dates: Week 2 - Week 9 - Tuesday's (Friday's - FULL)

Time: 3:15pm-4:15pm

Cost: Parents to pay half, P&F to pay half

Please Note: There is a strict 10 student per class capacity for this club. St Columba's will provide laptops and the appropriate software required.

ISSUE 5 has been sent home today. Book orders are due on Wednesday, 2 August.

Did you know that every purchase you make on Book Club earns our school 15% of the order value in Scholastic Rewards? We use these to purchase more books and educational resources for the school. It all helps!

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