Dear Parents and Carers

I begin this term by both welcoming everyone back and wishing you all well for the remainder of the term as I go on leave from the end of next week. Lisa Matzanke will again be Acting Principal in my absence and Taylor Stokes will continue as Assistant Principal. Lisa will share further staffing information later in the term as details become finalised.

Thank you to my fabulous staff and to our amazing supportive parent community. The greatest thanks go to the children of St Columba’s. We get so many compliments throughout the year about our children and about our school. It’s truly a privilege to be a part of the staff at St Columba’s. Many thanks for all you do in our beautiful school community.

Jenny Howard

Hello St. Columba’s community! Thank you to Miss Stokes for taking on the AP role while I was on leave – and for continuing this term when Miss Howard is off from week 4. As some members of the community are aware, I commenced a PhD study earlier this year and took some time away from school to begin this. I am loving this new challenge and different type of learning. Taking this on, has reinforced my commitment to ongoing learning and opened my eyes and mind to the many and varied intricacies of school leadership. This study is ongoing and I look forward to sharing the journey with you! 

Term 4 is a busy but fulfilling term at school. We have lots to plan and lots to look forward to. Updates on term 4 events will continue to be communicated and noted on compass and in the term calendar.  

Welcome Back!

I hope all families enjoyed a restful and refreshing break. It’s been wonderful to see the students return with energy and enthusiasm for the term ahead.

For the next three weeks, our Grow Your Mind Character Strength Focus is Leadership. We’ll be exploring what it means to be a leader in both big and small ways, whether that’s showing initiative, being a positive role model, or supporting others with kindness and courage.

Our PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning) focus is on Using Equipment Respectfully. While this is a familiar focus, it remains an area where many students benefit from ongoing support and reminders.

We’re also excited to introduce a new initiative: our Emotional Literacy Word of the Week. This aims to build students’ emotional vocabulary and help them better understand and express their feelings. Last week’s word was optimism, and this week we’re exploring overwhelm. Families might like to try and use them together in conversations throughout the week.

I’m looking forward to a term of meaningful learning and growth as we work together to finish the year.

Taylor Stokes
Acting Assistant Principal

Welcome back to Term 4—the final term of 2025! We’re looking forward to a joyful and busy season filled with exciting celebrations, including our Grandparents’ Day Liturgy (tomorrow) and End of Year Mass. As we prepare for Christmas, we’ll also be supporting those in need by collecting donations for Catholic Care and the Seafarers, continuing our mission of compassion and service.  

In our Church tradition.... Parish Mass and Children’s Liturgy 

CLASS MASS: Please see dates below for Class Mass for Term 4. Parents are very welcome to attend. Children will be participating in readings and the offertory during these Masses.   

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. 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY: We have Children's Liturgy at St Columba’s Church in Adamstown at the 8:00AM Sunday Mass, Kotara at the 5:00PM Saturday Mass and Cardiff at the 9:30PM Sunday Mass.  

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is when the children leave the congregation to celebrate and reflect on the Sunday Gospel in an age-appropriate way. Our volunteer facilitators may be outside before Mass to welcome the children. They are all registered with the Parish and have a current WWCC.  

To Attend, a parent or adult representative is asked to print the child’s name in the book labelled ‘sign in book’ which is at the Church entrance so that we know to expect them. After the Processional Hymn and Opening Prayer, the Priest will invite our facilitators and children to come forward. He will bless them and send them forth together (mums and dads welcome as well). Children will return before the Presentation of the Gifts. 

In our Community .... Grandparent’s Day and End of Year Mass 

GRANDPARENT’S DAY is TOMORROW: Friday 24th October 9:15am. Our Grandparents Day Liturgy will be held at St Columba’s tomorrow in the Church from 9:15am, followed by some fun in open classrooms and a morning tea on the playground with the children. All grandparents or those who are like our grandparents are invited to celebrate on this morning. Thank you to our Year 3 and 4 teachers for helping to organise this special day.  

END OF YEAR MASS/AWARDS: On Monday, December 8th, at 9:30am, our End of Year Mass will be held in the Church. After the Liturgy has finished, we will present awards to students. Parents, carers and friends welcome to attend. 

In our Curriculum.... Module in Focus: Year 5 – The History of the Church 

In Term 4, Year 5 students will explore the shared origins of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, known as the Abrahamic religions, by learning about Abraham, whose belief in one God was a groundbreaking idea. They will reflect on how inter-faith dialogue can promote peace and unity, and discover how the early Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, spread the message of Jesus through word and service. Students will also consider how the Holy Spirit continues to empower individuals and communities today to live out Jesus’ mission. I look forward to visiting Year 5 this term to hear all about their learning and about their understanding of our Church history. 

Building Faith Together: Conversations for Parents and Kids 

This section provides conversation starters to help parents engage with their child’s Religious Education and deepen their understanding together.  

Conversation Starter: 

Did you know that Abraham is important in three different religions? Why do you think one person could be so special to so many people? 

• Discussion Prompt: Talk about how Abraham’s belief in one God a new idea at the time was and how it helped shape Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 

• Note: Abraham trusted in one God when most people believed in many gods. His faith became the foundation for three major religions that still exist today. 

Conversation Starter: 

How do you think people from different religions can work together to make the world more peaceful? 

• Discussion Prompt: Explore the idea of inter-faith dialogue, how talking and listening to people of other beliefs can help us understand each other better. 

• Simple Explanation: When people from different religions share their ideas and respect each other, it helps build friendships and peace in communities. 

Have a lovely week and may God bless you always,  

Amie Harry and Emma McCulloch  

Religious Education Coordinators 

Last week, your child received a Scholastic Book Club catalogue. There are some great Christmas gift ideas there! If you wish to purchase something for your child as a gift, let us know via email and we can keep the items aside for you to collect from the office. The closing date for this issue will be Friday, 31 October. We really appreciate your support for Book Club as we get points from your purchases to buy back books for our library.

We will continue library borrowing until Week 7. Until then, your child might receive an overdue library loans reminder. Thank you for helping your child locate their lost library books. We need all books returned and accounted for our annual year end stock take. To those families who have replaced the lost loans, we really appreciate this.

Janet Carmichael (Teacher Librarian)

Congratulations to Miller Austin who had another fantastic few days at NSWPSSA Athletics.

She got the silver medal in the 1500m and bronze in the 800m. It was some really tough racing in 38 degree heat and wind, but all of the girls competing were amazing.

She will compete at the School Sport Australia Nationals in the ACT in November now.

Australia will celebrate the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day on Friday 31 October.  Let’s celebrate our teachers for their skilled work in educating, inspiring and supporting our young people. Hats off to teachers this World Teachers’ Day!  Make sure to tell teachers what they mean to you.

This is your chance to join Australia in celebrating teachers. Get cards, selfie frames, gift tags and more at www.worldteachersday.edu.au

At St Columba’s we’re so lucky to have such a dedicated and caring group of teachers. It’s a real privilege to be a leader in this school!

Kim McDonald has been busily working with all classes on a Christmas performance to be held at Trinity College on the afternoon of December 8, the same day as our End of Year Liturgy.

The Office of eSafety has released a number of resources to support the social media age restrictions taking effect on 10 December. Find information in this hub to help you understand and prepare for the change.

Social media age restrictions hub | eSafety Commissioner