Dear Parents and Carers,

We are fast approaching the end of Term and the students have been extremely busy the last couple of weeks.

Mrs McDonald and the classroom staff involved for the Performing Arts Festival are to be congratulated on some wonderful performances. The students were outstanding and a credit to the school. I was amazed at how the students were able to remember so many lines and not make a mistake.

Many thanks to Mrs Wilkes for the terrific effort she and the students put into preparing and participating in the Tournament of Minds. Their participation on the day was outstanding.

A big thank you must go to Mr Chatt for all the work that he has put into organising our Athletics Carnival, of which the Field Day was held today. The Athletics Carnival Day will be

on Friday, 16 September. It is a very demanding and complex event to organise. I know that the day will flow very smoothly and will provide much fun and excitement for our students.

A reminder that we have our Open Night next Thursday, 8 September from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

All are welcome to attend and walk through the classrooms, look at students work and talk to staff. I would ask that adults in classrooms be limited to between 12-15 at any one time.

I would like to thank the P&F, as at their meeting this week they have donated $1,000 to each year group, to purchase books for mini libraries within the classrooms. The staff will look at buying books that will extend students vocab and a wider knowledge of history, science and classic novels.

I am alerting families that the Government has made the decision to have NAPLAN tests next year in March and this will be ongoing into the future.

God Bless and keep safe.

Allen McMahon

Principal

From time to time trading of collectables becomes problematic at school. We are at the point where we need to take a break from trading the Coles Harry Potter Collection. Students are getting concerned about their collections and the 'fairness' of trades, which is a distraction to the school day.

Please keep these collectables at home - Thank you

The P & F are excited to invite all Fathers and Father Figures with Children in Pre-Primary to Year 6 to a Sausage Sizzle Breakfast this Friday 2 September from 7:30-9:00am in Kalyara Mia (Covered Assembly Area).

To pump up the atmosphere kids are encouraged to dress in their Superhero best and can stay in these costumes for the duration of the day. Dads are also welcome to dress up as well! Who doesn’t love to dress up as Batman or Superman right?

Please note the Drive Through will be closed on Friday morning from 7:30am to allow Dads and Children to spread out onto the top oval as needed.

We are excited for St Columba’s to enter the Interschool Spelling Bee next week at Corpus Christi College. This competition is for Years 4-6 students and will be held next Tuesday, 6 September. Students have been training hard and we look forward to celebrating their achievement.

ICAS Maths testing was completed this week and we congratulate all the students from Years 3-6 involved. A huge thank you to our LEAP coordinator Mrs Kate Wilkes for her organisation and preparation. As soon as results are sent to the school these will be released to parents.

We look forward to the annual Open Night event for 2022 on Thursday 8 September from 5:30pm - 7:00 pm. Lock this date and time away in your calendar!

What you need to know:

5:30pm-7:00pm Classrooms Open

Student work will be on display around the classrooms.

The Robotics Teams will showcase their amazing performances from the Robo Cup competition in Kalyara Mia.

Individual instrumentalists will be performing in Kalyara Mia over the duration of the night for your enjoyment.

The Library will be used to house the LEAP displays, with activities available for parents and students.

Kalyara Mia (Covered Assembly Area) will showcase the Art Exhibition. You do not want to miss this!

Dinner is sorted with food trucks in the Drive Through - Base Woodfired Pizzas, Opa Opa Greek Cuisine and Ruby on Wheels Coffee Van.

Students are encouraged to stamp their checklist as they move around the school.

Don’t forget to take a #selfie!

Thank you for your support of this great community-building initiative.

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.

Should you witness any action or behaviour that contravenes the School Code of Conduct we ask all parents and carers to advise the Principal via email.

Please take a few moments to review our Code of Conduct.

https://www.stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au/stcadmin/uploads/file/code-of-conduct-procedure.pdf

To assist us with planning for next year, please complete the form below if your child is not returning to St Columba’s next year (if you haven’t already done so). Families are obliged to provide at least one term’s notice in writing of their intention to remove a child from the school, otherwise a full term’s fees may be charged.

Well done Year 1 Green on a fantastic effort!

Keep your eyes out for the colour run colouring in competition next week!

Calling all Dads and Father Figures,

You are invited to the Father's Day Breakfast Event, run by our P & F Team, on Friday, 2 September from 7:30 - 9:00am in Kalyara Mia (Undercover Area).

This event is for dads and father figures who have children in Pre-Primary to Year 6. (Kindy and Pre-Kindy Dads will have a separate event. Class teachers will send communications regarding this.)

The P & F will provide a sausage sizzle breakfast and a selection of baked goods. #yesplease

Dads and their children are welcome to dress in "Superhero" attire for the event. Just for a bit of extra fun! (completely optional). Games will also be available for those who wish to participate.

Regards,

P & F Team

All proceeds from the calendars help support those needs experienced by families in need, education, health, and many other areas.

Enrolments are now open for VacSwim swimming lessons during the summer school holidays. VacSwim offers fun lessons at beach or pool locations. They are a great school holiday activity and they teach valuable safety skills to help keep your child safe in the water.

Enrol at education.wa.edu.au/vacswim

Term 3: Tuesday, 19 July to Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Term 4: Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December 2022

Term 3: Thursday, 22 September and Friday, 23 September (Catholic Day)

Term 4: Monday, 10 October 2022

Reconciliation: Saturday, 12 November at 10am