Dear Parents,

Last Thursday we had a visit from Catholic Schools and Diocesan Shared Services.  We shared data from the period since our last visit in 2023 and planning around our strategic improvement goals for Catholic Identity, Learning and Wellbeing.  It was a positive experience for us all with wonderful feedback on our beautiful school and our students.  It’s always great to have our own thoughts about our school reinforced by visitors.

We’re seeing some wonderful leadership amongst our Year 6 students.  As they began in this year, they all nominated the qualities they demonstrate that would make them a leader for St Columba’s.  Our visitors last week were just some of the people who have commented on the way our children conduct themselves, particularly the Year 6 children who invited them in and showed them to the meeting room.  We also have 10 of our children leading the Open Day tours next week.  Well done Year 6!

 Jenny Howard

Term 2 will bring us some staffing changes.  Louise Walsh has decided to cut back to 3 days per week and will share Kindergarten with Justine Owens, who will work on Thursdays and Fridays.  We currently have the release teaching role for Year 1 advertised and will let you know who will be teaching with Mrs McCulloch once that’s finalised.

Lisa Matzanke is taking well earned long service leave for Term 2.  Taylor Stokes will be stepping into the Assistant Principal role for the term.  This will not affect her days teaching Year 2.  Virginia Dunkley will remain the Year 5 teacher but will be on class full time.

Next Wednesday we hold our Open Day for Kinder 2026 enrolments and prospective enrolments for Years 1-6. We will have additional opportunity for parents and students to visit and tour our beautiful school if they’re unable to make the two sessions on this day. If you know any family or friends that are interested, please let them know they can attend on Wednesday 26^th and register here.

Our wonderful Year 6 leaders will be showcasing our school by leading the tours. We have a Diocesan Enrolment timeline with applications for enrolment currently open and closing on Friday 23^rd May. Letters of offer will be sent on Friday 13th June.

Parents of Year 6 children are advised to ensure that you’re aware of the timeline for Year 7 enrolments as their round one applications close on May 9^th.  St Columba’s is fortunate to be the only school with a choice between St Francis Xavier’s College in Hamilton or Trinity College in Adamstown.

Our Easter raffle prizes are ready and waiting!  We thank those parents who have offered their time to organise.  Tickets are available on QKR now and books will be sent home with children next week.

During Weeks 9 & 10 Parents are invited to make an appointment to meet with their child's class teacher.  Bookings can be made 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.

Please remember that there is no staff on duty at school until 8:30am. This means that staff can drive into the school until the boom gates are closed at 8:30am.  The best place for children, who are early, to wait is on the paved area immediately outside the school gate.  Children on bikes or scooters are to stand just off the paved area so that walkers can be at the front when the gate opens.  Children are not to play in the driveway while waiting. Preferably, children shouldn't arrive before 8:30am or they should attend OOSH.  OOSH have use of our playground until a teacher begins morning duty.

We are supporting Newcastle City Council in their commitment to improving the safety, convenience and comfort of active transport options for students to and from school. This includes supporting initiatives like Bicycle Network's National Ride2School Day.

We thank Newcastle Council for supplying fruit for some of our students for tomorrow. We look forward to sharing a photo of the children who ride or scooter to school tomorrow.

https://newcastle.nsw.gov.au/.../cycling/ride2school-day....

NAPLAN

We have reached the end of NAPLAN testing! NAPLAN tracks growth of students and monitors trends as a school, diocese and state.

The following tests have been completed:

Wednesday 12th March – Writing Year 5; Writing & Reading Year 3

Monday 17th March – Language Conventions Year 3 (spelling, grammar and punctuation,) Reading Year 5

Tuesday 18th March – Language Conventions Year 5

Wednesday 19th March – Numeracy for both Year 3 and Year 5

Well done to all our students! I was present for nearly all tests across both grades and can proudly say that every single student demonstrated resilience and self-belief!

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

Bookings for this are open! You will find them through the compass app or website under “Conferences.”

In previous years, nearly 100% of parents and students attend, which affirms to students that their learning is important and that students, parents and teachers have a united front when it comes to student improvement and celebrating their successes! During these conferences, students share a few pieces of work they are proud of and learning goals for Mathematics and English are set, as well as a social goal.

HARMONY DAY LITURGY

All welcome to attend a short Harmony Day Liturgy in the church at 9:15am on Friday 21st March! All students are encouraged to wear orange to create awareness of Harmony Day, or cultural dress of choice. Enclosed shoes are required, as is a hat for recess and lunch.

PB4L

We are constantly revisiting and refining our school Positive Behaviour for learning at St. Columba’s. Our school expectations were shared with parents at our Parent Information Night earlier in the term. In case you missed it, here is a copy:

Each 2-3 weeks we will explicitly teach one to two of the above rules/expectations, to ensure all members of the community are aware of what exactly each point means. E.g. What exactly does “We show integrity with our work” mean? This is explained in class and then the class receive class rewards for demonstrating this expectation. Another example is “We greet all members of our school community with kindness.” This is discussed in whole school assemblies and in class. We discuss what “all members” means and how we might greet different people in different ways – e.g. our friends v parents coming in for canteen. The aim is to show how RESPECT, COMPASSION and HOSPITALITY are evident in our everyday lives and how we can live these values.

In  future, we will put these focuses onto compass so our parent community is aware of our focus.

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 27th March at 6:00pm at St Philip’s Kotara. Lessons for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin in July.  

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   

You are Invited to our Holy Week Liturgy

HOLY WEEK LITURGY:  Friday 11th April (last day of Term 1), children will be presenting the events of Holy Week through song and action with their class at our Holy Week Liturgy. This will commence at 11:30am in the Church, with children in classes reenacting parts of Jesus’ journey. Parents, friends and carers are invited to come along to this liturgy. 

**IMPORTANTfor YEAR 1 PARENTS** As YEAR 1 is presenting the resurrection, they will NOT be singing on the last day at the Liturgy. If you would like to see YEAR 1 present the resurrection, they will sing together under the COLA on the FIRST DAY OF TERM TWO at 9:00AM. 

In our Curriculum.... Unit in Focus: Year 4 – Called to share our Gifts 

This term, Year 4 have been focusing on "Knowing God the Father." The students are exploring how Christians are called to share their gifts as part of discipleship. They are learning about Jesus' mission and ministry, and how His teachings continue to guide the Church today. The class is also discovering the mission of the Church and how it acts as a community of disciples, continuing Jesus' work through various ministries. As part of their studies, students are reflecting on Lent as a time to renew their commitment to Jesus’ mission and are concluding the module with a focus on Easter as a time of service and sacrifice. Be sure to check out their amazing artwork below, showcasing their learning so far! 

Building Faith Together: Conversations for Parents and Kids 

A new addition to RE News, this section provides conversation starters to help parents engage with their child’s Religious Education and deepen their understanding together. 

• How do you think we can share our gifts to help others, just like Jesus did? 
  This question encourages your child to reflect on the ways they can use their talents and resources to serve others in their daily lives. 

• What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus (follower), and how can we follow His example in our own lives? 
  This helps open-up a conversation about discipleship, Jesus' mission, and how they can apply these teachings to their actions at home, school, and in their community. 

Have a lovely week and may God bless you always,  

Amie Harry and Emma McCulloch  

Religious Education Coordinators 

Kinder 2026 Enrolment

Online enrolments are now open for Kinder 2026 and round 1 offers have been sent. Please see the link below to complete enrolment if you have a child attending in 2026.

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

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.