St. Columba's Primary School
NEWSLETTER | TERM 2 | WEEK 10 | 30 JUNE 2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our school term is almost over. Yesterday families were given access to reports. If you had issues accessing them please contact the school admin office.
Many thanks to Bobbie and the NAIDOC team who have organised NAIDOC Week this week. It has been a great experience for the students participating in the various activities.
Our Year 3-6 students participated in First Aid Training and it was an invaluable experience for them. Thanks must go to Mrs Van Oosbree for organising the two days training.
A reminder to families that if students are representing the school in interschool sporting activities that they are required to wear the correct school sports uniform. This means the current shirt and shorts. Families will be phoned if necessary and asked to provide the necessary shirt and or shorts. If they are not able to provide them the school will loan the necessary sports uniform to student's for them to represent the school.
Next term there will be a change to the P&F meetings. We will be going back to meeting in the staffroom and there will be no further Zoom meetings as it is no longer a COVID requirement and it is too difficult working out who is voting or not.
I am on the review committee for the new P&F Constitution which will come into effect from the start of 2023. There will be some significant changes for the way that the P&F operates. Until then we will continue to meet as per the past and reports will be tabled, each item for expenditure will be discussed, moved and accepted. Under the current Constitution items only need to be tabled five days in advance of a meeting, however, it has been pleasing to see this year that items are being tabled at the meeting prior to actual tabling for discussion etc to give people time to think about what their decision will be. A reminder that the P&F are able to support the school with resourcing from capital to classroom resources and are also to enable community building within the school community. Also a gentle reminder that the P&F is responsible to the Principal who is able to veto a P&F decision if it is considered in the interests of the school.
A reminder that students will return to school on Tuesday July 19.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday.
God Bless and keep safe.
Allen McMahon
Principal
The benefits of our upper primary experience
Message from the Principal
It has been brought to my attention that a number of single-sex Catholic Secondary Schools have been meeting with St Columba’s school families to increase their enrolments in their Primary campuses. Our school has excellent facilities and well-resourced learning and I ask that when participating in a school tour you ask the question, “Which facilities will my child be using in the primary school?” as primary students do not necessarily get to use the secondary facilities.
Years 4 to 6 are important upper primary years and we believe there are many benefits to your child remaining at St Columba’s to complete their primary education.
This is what Year 6 students have to say:
- “Staying with the friends that we have built up.”
- “The teachers know us and care about us.”
- “All the fun opportunities, like camp.”
- “Becoming a buddy.”
- “Being a school leader.”
- “Having a Year 6 Graduation.”
A few misconceptions that may arise:
Misconception 1: Unless you enrol your child in the Colleges in Years 4 or 5, the child will not be able to be enrolled in Year 7.
Our Response: The Colleges have an intake in Year 7 and you can have an enrolment interview when your child is in Year 4 to secure a placement in Year 7.
Misconception 2: Your child should receive single-sex education in primary school
Our Response: I believe it is important to honour parent choice regarding the education of their children and there are many opportunities that your child will receive by remaining at St Columba’s until they graduate in Year 6. The question of whether single sex or coeducational schools provide the ‘best’ environment for students in their primary years of education has been researched extensively in Australia. The existing academic research has considered the question in terms of academic achievement and various social outcomes for students in the school. It is important to make the distinction between the benefits of coeducation in the primary years, and the research which supports single-sexed educational in adolescent students. Therefore, I am a firm believer that we provide many beneficial outcomes for your child in a co-educational primary school before they move into a single-sex secondary education.
The issue for these schools is that their single sex primary student numbers are low, and they are looking at avenues to increase student enrolments to bolster their primary numbers. It is most disappointing, as these schools are taking away a parent’s choice, as to which primary school that a family would like their child/ren to attend.
Final thoughts
To reiterate the benefits for you child remaining at St Columba’s to complete their primary education:
- Socialisation formation opportunities, including the camps
- They are part of a smaller community of teachers
- Leadership opportunities
- Year 6 Graduation
- Our excellent facilities and well-resourced learning
Expressing your concerns
If you have any concerns about the pressure you are receiving from the Secondary Colleges regarding your child’s enrolment, you can record your issue via the following link https://www.cewa.edu.au/site/contact-us/
Important dates
Friday, 1 July - NAIDOC Day Assembly (Year 5) - Wear NAIDOC colours
Term 3
Monday, 18 July - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday, 19 July - Term 3 Commences
Friday, 29 July - Assembly 3W
Merit award winners - Friday, 1 July
Year 1G - Annie, Tayo
Year 1W - Maximiliano, Eloise
Year 2G - Lilli, Zara
Year 2W - Everlea, Wesley
Year 3G - Lucas
Year 3W - Tate
Year 4G - Arabella
Year 4W - Ari
Year 5G -
Year 5W - Florence
Year 6G - Amelie, Michael
Year 6W - Jack, Martina
NAIDOC Week
This week has been a celebration of aboriginal culture as we promote NAIDOC Week. Students have been involved in activities and tasks that build student understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s culture and customs.
The Week will conclude with a NAIDOC Assembly tomorrow, Friday 1 July, led by our Year 5 team. Students are welcome to wear free dress in NAIDOC colours on this day. We look forward to students deepening their understanding of the First Peoples of Australia as we celebrate the 2022 theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!”
CAPSS Inter School Cross Country Carnival
On 28 June, at Manning Park, students in Years 3 to 6 attended the CAPSS Inter School Cross Country Carnival. The students represented St Columba’s over various race distances against five schools. The students were wonderful sports people cheering their school and its competitors on. At the end of the carnival the school Cross Country squad was awarded 2nd place. A big thank you to Bobbie Ogg, Jermaine Beins and Lydia Neuman-Veitch and parent helpers for all your help!
There was a significant amount of awards presented to the school, please see below:
Individual awards
Year 3 Girls 2nd Zara
Year 4 Girls 3rd Emily
Year 4 Boys 2nd James
Year 5 Boys 2nd Aiden
Year 6 Boys 3rd Oliver
Team awards (highest scoring race team)
Yr 4 Girls
Yr 4 Boys
Yr 6 Boys
Overall
2nd Place - St Columba's CPS
Leigh Chatt
Vinnies Winter Appeal - Term 3
The Vinnies Winter Appeal is the next Catholic Charity Fundraiser the school will support.
This year Vinnies have asked us to collect sleeping bags and blankets, ensuring that all items donated are in good clean condition.
With the help of the wonderful P & F this fundraiser will run for the first 3 weeks of Term 3 (Tuesday 19 July – Friday 5 August), culminating in a Pyjama Day (gold coin donation) on Friday 5 August.
The P & F 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.
P & F representatives 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.
Staff PD Day - Monday, 18 July
The staff will come together on Monday 18 July to learn and grow as they focus on several School Improvement Goals for 2022. These include the effective use of the Brightpath Writing Software, Staff Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence and finally, Apple Teacher Training. We are excited to engage in this professional development and upskilling of our staff.
Climate Surveys - Term 3
Next term parents will have the opportunity to complete the Climate Survey for St Columba’s. The information collected will help us make informed decisions about how we can improve our school. The aim of this process is to build and maintain a positive school climate in which your child/children will flourish. To help us in our efforts, at the beginning of next term we will invite you to respond to the Parent and Caregiver Survey (PaCS), developed at Curtin University. Your response will provide us with the information and foundational focus points that we will use in planning our school improvement efforts.
ICAS - Online Academic Competition
ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. At St Columba’s we will be offering the Maths competition in 2022.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
HELP - Performing Arts Festival Costumes
Can you sew? Are you able to help with costumes?
All students from Years 1-6 have begun preparation for this Year's Performing Arts Festival. I am looking for some parent help to do some machine sewing for some simple costumes.
If you can help, please email Mrs. McDonald
Reports now on SEQTA
Semester 1 Reports for Pre-Primary to Year 6 students were made available on Wednesday 29 June at 3:30 pm.
The SEQTA Engage web address is https://stcolumbassp.coneqt-p.cathednet.wa.edu.au/
Please note there is also a ‘Reports – SEQTA Engage’ tab on the FAMILIES page of the school website that links directly to the above link.
Enrolment - we welcome new families
School Counsellor
School Holidays are coming up and whilst they are a break from school routines, there is no break from being a parent!. The links below are some suggestions for fun activities and ideas that children may be interested in, in the school holidays that may offer some respite for parents from the business of parenting.
City of South Perth
https://southperth.wa.gov.au/community/services/school-holiday-programs
Perth school holiday activities
Kids cooking classes
https://saltandcompany.com.au/
Dramaworkshops
https://www.barkinggecko.com.au/holiday-workshops/
Art classes
Parkour
Mental health workshops
https://helpingminds.org.au/school-holidays/
Additional to the workshops/programs above for kids to get active in community, Anglicare provides a range of FREE online workshops and programs for parents, to assist in supporting their children with various social and emotional issues/changes. Online programs are facilitated via ZOOM and both day and evening sessions are on offer. Next term I will be posting in the school newsletter workshops that are run on specific dates. Anglicare does run two workshops ongoing which are called Co-parenting Peacefully and Supporting Children to Transform their Anxiety into Resilience.
Registration details for these programs are provided on the bottom of each flyer. If you are interested, please email the email address provided to register and Anglicare will be in contact with you with further information.
Have a lovely School Holiday all, Stay safe and healthy.
Shona Simpson
Social Worker
Support Catherine Stoke's CEO Sleepout fundraising
St Columba's parent Catherine Stokes will be sleeping out in the cold later this month to raise money for Vinnies Australia to provide crisis accommodation, food, healthcare, counselling, education, employment, and support to find a permanent home for thousands of people who experience homelessness. If you would like to help ensure Vinnies Australia can continue to be there, providing support services to get people experiencing homelessness back on their feet, please donate to the link below:
P&F News
Happy last week of term everyone!
Woweee. How are we already half way through the year? I want to take this opportunity to reflect on all the incredible things the P&F has achieved so far.
Mid Year Reflection
The P&F commenced the year by gathering ideas and requests from each year group and teachers, to come up with a collective goal for 2022. Our aim has been to try and focus on the mental and physical wellbeing of our children, by providing them with extra support and opportunities to build resilience and understanding in this space (in particular, those in the upper year groups).
In the first half of the year alone, we have achieved some fantastic outcomes:
- School Incursions and Interactive Workshops: Cyber Security and Wellbeing/Resilience Workshops have been organised for Term 3/4
- Co-Curricular Activities: After school Basketball is locked in for Term 3 as well as Kidz N Sports arranged for Term 4
- St Columbas Sustainable Community Garden: Work has commenced on the new St Columbas Garden
- Canteen Improvements: New oven has been purchased and installed
- 2 new water coolers are being installed within the school
- A second working BBQ has been purchased (and already used multiple times)
- Performing Arts Festival Costumes: The P&F will be providing funding for costumes
- Desk Upgrades for the year 5 students
- Additional LEAP and InitiaLit resources for the school
- A second table tennis table has been purchased
What an incredible list, something everyone should be proud of.
Social Gatherings
Let's not forget the fantastic work our class reps have put into organising all the various activities outside of school. Sailing, whiskey tasting, dinners, coffee catch ups, park plays, even paint and sip nights! Have a look at the photos, I think it is safe to say, we have an incredible school community.
It has been a learning curve for all of us with the challenges of covid, but it has definitely not taken away the passion and dedication of our hard working P&F. The executive and I are looking forward to seeing everyone back in person for Term 3.
Have a safe and wonderful school holidays.
Hayley Mitchell
P&F President
Dads of St. Columba's Footy Tipping 2022
Hello St. Columba’s Families,
Many tipsters bounced back into strong tipping form this round, none more so than AFLawton (Roger L) with a perfect tipping round of 9! A great result Roger, well done. Those perfect rounds have been few and far between this year.
A change in the leader board again this week, showing just how crucial 1 or 2 tips difference a week is making.
The Overall Leader board
1. The Merenda Family – Lee M - 82 points
2. Kinnane Dockers – Tristan K - 81 points
3. Binns Clan – David B - 80 points
4. Freo Donovan – Pat D - 79 points
5. Trish09 – Tricia A – 78 points
6. Scarymans - Mark S – 76 points
7. JChamps – Jennie D - 76 points
8. BenBristow18 – Ben B - 75 points
9. Oggace – Brendon O – 75 points
Round 16 starts tonight night with Brisbane hosting Western Bulldogs. The game starts at 5:20pm WA time.
On another note, a great casual catch up for some Dads of St Columba’s last Friday night at The Como Bowling Club, thank you to those could make it. We are looking forward to connecting again in Term 3.
Regards,
Todd Dawson
Entertainment Books
The year starts from the date of purchase of your Entertainment Book.
Bricks 4 Kidz - Term 3
Bricks 4 Kidz
My name is Rachel from BRICKS 4 KIDZ. This Winter School Holidays we are running Workshops with LEGO® and Coding with Robotics. Our holiday programs are designed for kids ages 5 -12. We have many themes to inspire creativity and fun.
We would appreciate if you could kindly download our attached E-Flyer (jpg format) to be included in your School Newsletter. Online enrolment is at the following link:
Our Winter School Holiday Workshops are located at the following locations:
- BRICKS 4 KIDZ City West @ West Perth
Thank-you. If you have questions, please contact us.
Best Regards,
Rachel Koo & The Bricks 4 Kidz Team
School Holiday Clinics
School Holiday Athletics Clinic for boys and girls aged 8 to 16 years. Tues 5th & Wed 6th July 2022 . WA Athletics Stadium. 9am-3pm. $95 per day. Or $170 for both days. Includes a T-Shirt or Shoe Bag or Cap and also a certificate. CHOOSE ANY 4 EVENTS PER DAY! More Info: http://sprintingfast.com/
School Term Dates
Term 2: Wednesday, April 27 to Friday, 1 July 2022
Term 3: Tuesday, 19 July to Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Term 4: Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December 2022
Pupil Free Dates
Term 3: Monday, 18 July, Thursday, 22 September and Friday, 23 September (Catholic Day)
Term 4: Monday, 10 October 2022
Sacrament Dates
Reconciliation: Saturday, 12 November at 10am
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/