Dear Parents,

This week we attended a special Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the church.  On Ash Wednesday we received a cross of ashes on our foreheads to remind us to turn back to God and to live lives filled with love, compassion, forgiveness and kindness. As we enter the church season of LENT we take time to reflect on ourselves and our actions and try to become closer to God. Through prayer we encounter God in our lives. We pray not only for our needs, but the needs of others. At St Columba’s, we encourage the children to pray and thank God for the many gifts we have received. We ask God for help to be more like Jesus in the way we speak and act towards others.

 Jenny Howard

In this Jubilee Year, we embrace the theme of Pilgrims of Hope.  On Sunday we proudly joined the Diocesan Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope celebration, walking together from Nobbys to the Cathedral. The pilgrimage was a powerful expression of faith and unity, culminating in a beautiful Mass and a joyful festival. It was a meaningful opportunity for our school and parish community to connect with the wider diocese, reflecting on hope and renewal in this special year.

The National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. This year students in Year Three and Year Five will be completing assessments in the following areas:

Writing 
Reading
Conventions of Language
Mathematics

NAPLAN is just one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

Children complete NAPLAN online, except for the writing test for Year 3, which is completed in a booklet. The results of the tests allow us to identify and celebrate student achievement, and additionally we use the data to identify where we as a school are using effective strategies and programs in our teaching of English and Mathematics.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.  
 

The public demonstration site is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests. 

 Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website .

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact Lisa Matzanke as the NAPLAN coordinator.

The public demonstration sitehttps://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

NESA Websitehttps://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information

As we begin 2025, St Columba’s remains committed to being a place of learning, growth, and hope, centred on and nourished by the love of Jesus Christ. We have established three key strategic goals, each focused on Catholic Identity, Learning, and Wellbeing. These goals are intentional, time-bound, and designed to foster reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement, ensuring that the impact of our work is seen and felt across our community.

We have again received complaints from neighbours regarding behaviour of drivers who are either dropping off or picking up children from our school.  Most recently, a neighbour has described a car, which she was able to identify but didn’t want to pass on at this stage, clearly doing more than 40km per hour as she tried to cross the road with her own 3 children to take them to school.  It’s understandable that she was frightened for her children and for her own safety.  I do appreciate the drop off and pick-up routines are a busy time but trust in the patience and understanding from our families to ensure this is done safely and respectfully to all families, our neighbours and most importantly, our students. Yes, it is busy but if we all do the right thing at the expense of a few minutes of time, we can ensure the safety of our community.

During Week 9 & 10 Parents are invited to make an appointment to meet with their child's class teacher.  Notification of this will be coming up soon on Compass.

Years 2-6 are student led conferences and we invite the children to attend and be part of this conversation, Kinder and Year 1 will be parent/teacher only.

If your child is in a class with a teacher job share arrangement, please note the day you book the interview is the teacher you will have the interview with (whoever is teaching that day). Please do not book two interview times so you can speak with both teachers.

Please don't make a booking less than 24 hours prior to your selected appointment time as the teacher may not be aware of this as they receive a list of bookings the day before. We look forward to seeing you.

A reminder that parents and carers are encouraged to attend our Term 1 PEG at 2pm on Friday March 28^th in our school library.  Our focus for this meeting is student wellbeing and the Grow Your Mind Program.

At St Columba’s, we recognise that students who think and learn differently have many strengths and talents. Most neurodivergent students work very hard to overcome the challenges and obstacles caused by their learning differences.  We celebrate the talents and gifts that neurodiverse minds bring.  We are lucky to have a staff with experience and training in working with children who have neurodiverse brains.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week provides us with the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many strengths, talents, and advantages of being neurodivergent. By flipping the narrative, we can create a more inclusive school environment that embraces the benefits and positive aspects of thinking and learning differently and empowers every student to reach their potential. This year, this week is from 17^th to 23^rd March and we will be recognising this event by raising awareness in our classrooms.

For more information: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/

In our Church tradition.... Sacramental Program for 2025 and Mass

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2025: We continue to pray for those students who are currently undertaking their Sacramental Journey. Students will make their First Reconciliation on Thursday 27^th March at 6:00pm at St Philip’s Kotara.

CLASS MASS: Please see dates below for Class Mass. Parents are very welcome to attend.

WEEKEND MASS TIMES FOR ST COLUMBA’S: It is always lovely for children and their families to attend Mass in our Parish. Currently Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 8:00am.

In our Community.... Dates for the Term 1 Calendar  

In our Curriculum.... Unit in Focus: Kindergarten – Knowing God the Father

This term, Kindergarten are learning all about knowing God the Father. In this module students will come to know God through a sense of wonder and awe about who God is and what God is like. They will understand that God created human beings in His own image, in order to form a loving relationship with them and that they are special.  Students will also explore the experience of God in the created world, through prayer and reflection. There will be a special focus on the links between knowing God and the seasons of Lent and Easter as a special time.

Year 5: Images of Jesus!

Have a lovely week and may God bless you always,

Amie Harry and Emma McCulloch

Religious Education Coordinators

What a fantastic start to 2025 we have had at St Columba’s!!!

It is so lovely to have all our Aboriginal students standing proudly at our weekly assembly and special events to lead our school Acknowledgement of Country in Awabakal language.

I have loved visiting some of our classes to lead learning experiences and look forward to further opportunities each week to work across all grades, integrating Aboriginal perspective learning experiences for students that align with the units and content being taught in class.

Significant Cultural Dates

13th February: Anniversary of the National Apology

This is the anniversary of the National Apology, made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations.

The National Apology to the Stolen Generations was a recommendation from The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal Children from their Families, as published in the 1997 Bringing them Home Report by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The students and staff at St Columba’s Primary School recognise this hugely significant event in our Country’s history and journey towards Reconciliation.

Please click HERE for more information

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher

Welcome back to another year in our school library! Library borrowing has commenced, and Mrs Newcombe (library assistant) tells me it’s been great to see so many excited faces borrowing books from our wonderful, current and varied school collection.   The classroom teachers will bring the children to the library for borrowing with Mrs Newcombe every Friday. Kinder will borrow every Tuesday. If your child is absent on these days, they can borrow on other days.  Please encourage your child to bring a library bag (preferably waterproof) for borrowing.  Waterproof bags help protect the books from leaky water bottles.  Though single use plastic bags are not as available in shops, a plastic bag is preferable over a cloth one.  

Library lessons are underway.  I teach information literacy and skill development in research linking the English syllabus to content in relation to the History and Geography Syllabus.  The students will apply these skills under the information communication technology (ICT) umbrella to support the effective use of technology.  We have a lot of fun with our learning, research and technology in the library.  

I have been talking to all students in Years 1 to 6 about the Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) which officially kicked off last week.  Last year, we had nearly 40 students independently participate in the challenge and our goal is to double that this year! Years 3-6 must read (and record) 20 books and K-2 must “experience” 30 books by 22 August this year.  The challenge is not compulsory but certainly encouraged and is very achievable considering the six-month timeframe. Years 4 to 6 are encouraged to record their reading log on their BYOD devices but children can find spare reading logs in the library.  If you have any questions about the PRC, please follow this link or email me at janet.carmichael@mn.catholic.edu.au

Soon, your child will take home a Scholastic Book Club catalogue.  This is an excellent opportunity for families to purchase books, stationery, and educational games at excellent prices. The school earns 15% of all items purchased which is then used to organize terrific resources for our students at no cost to the school.  Please follow the link on the student order form to read about how to pay online or via the LOOP app (you do not need to complete the paper order form if using LOOP).  Cash is still happily accepted if your child wishes to pay that way.  Send it along to the office and it will find its way to us. 

Would you please pop this event, my favourite day of the school year, into your calendars: St Columba’s Book Week celebrations is Wednesday, 11 June (Week 7, Term 2.) The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) theme for 2025 is Book an Adventure!  I will be discussing costume ideas with the students for this special day.  More details to follow.

Last year, our library space was relocated to two demountable buildings.  We have made this new library learning space welcoming and are thrilled to have so many students visit our “new digs” during the second half lunch for Lunch Club.  This is a place to socialize and play card games such as UNO, board games and chess and build and create with Lego and Kapla blocks.  We read, draw, talk and meet other children in the school.  All students are more than welcome. 

Thank you,

J. Carmichael (Mrs C), Teacher Librarian

Share Your Expertise – Children's University Program

I am reaching out to invite parents and caregivers to take part in our Children’s University program, an initiative designed to provide our students with diverse learning experiences beyond the classroom.

We know that within our school community, there is a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience across a range of industries and interests. We would love to invite parents and caregivers to share their expertise with our students in a short lunchtime session (1:00 pm – 1:30 pm) at any stage throughout 2025.

The session would involve a group of 20 students aged 9 to 12, where you would have the chance to:

• Talk about your job, industry, or area of expertise.
• Share insights into the skills involved.
• Engage with students and possibly lead a short hands-on activity.

If you would be interested in participating, please reach out to me via email at ella.pappalardo@mn.catholic.edu.au. Your involvement would not only enrich our students’ learning but also help strengthen the connection between school and home, showing students the many pathways available to them in the future.

Kinder 2026 Enrolment

Online enrolments are now open for Kinder 2026, please see the link below to complete enrolment if you have a child attending in 2026. This year we are having an open day for Kinder families on March 26th, there is a morning and afternoon session, please see the link below to register your interest.

https://www.adamstownsc.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/enrolment-information/

Open days | Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle

School Fees

School fees statements have now been emailed, if you are the holder of a health care card or pension card (in the parent/carer name) please send a copy of this through to lisa.jackson@mn.catholic.edu.au 

Volunteering

Please see the link below if you wish to complete the process to volunteer at St Columba's, please note this can take 2-6 weeks. You still need to complete this process if you are the holder of a working with children check.

https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/families-communities/volunteers/

Uniform ordering

Below is due to transitioning from BME Uniforms to Yeronga

BME - 1st option 

https://scpsuniformshop.bigcartel.com/?fbclid=IwAR2fp08x9txkjn_M_gojY1clV-EFrH80Wuj9_JUrUzbqcxd-a6Au9gHCuMw

If there are items that are no longer available through BME you can visit the Yeronga Uniforms web site. We are in the process of moving over to this supplier. Link below. Some items not yet available.

Yeronga Uniforms

https://www.yerongauniforms.com/product-category/schools/st-columbas-adamstown/

Application for leave

If your child is going to be away for more than 10 school days (consecutive) the leave needs to be applied for and approved by the school principal. This form is available on Compass under School Documentation.

Adding attendance note to Compass

Full day absence can be added via Compass but partial abesence is to be entered by the parent/carer at the school office on the Compass Kiosk (late arrival/early leave). You can also put in a date range for more than one day.

A reminder that if there is a change to arrangements for your child in the afternoon, please contact the office prior to 1.30pm when possible so the note can go via the note basket, this way we are not interrupting the class learning time with phone calls.