Welcome to Term 1, 2025. On behalf of the staff of St Columba’s Primary School, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our new families and staff members. We hope that you have all had a joyous and restful time over the school break. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead.  

As we begin the term, we look forward to commencing Liturgical celebrations this term, beginning with our Opening School Mass on the 26th February.  

In our Church tradition.... Sacramental Program for 2025 (Years 4 to 6)  

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2024: This year children in Year 4 or above have the opportunity to complete their Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. For students interested, flyers with all information will be sent home in the next two weeks. If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and would like to complete, please email: amie.harry@mn.catholic.edu.au to advise to ensure information is sent home. I will send home flyers to ALL Year 4 families.  

Important Dates for the Sacramental Program – TERM 1 Reconciliation 

Please note that all enrolment forms (to be sent home) and Baptism certificates need to be copied, completed and returned to Mrs Harry at the School asap as we are needing to inform the Parish of students involved. 

Please Note: There will only be ONE 3:30pm face to face session for each Sacrament offered in Adamstown. If you are unable to make the 3:30pm time in Adamstown – all Mondays (approx. 60mins), please advise as your child needs to complete one face to face lesson per Sacrament and can attend another in Kotara or Cardiff as an alternative. Dates and times will be provided.  

CLASS MASS: This year, children will continue to attend a weekly Mass with their class with Father Joseph and our Parish community. From this year, our children will take on a more active role during class Mass, completing readings, bringing up the gifts of bread & wine and singing a hymn to begin the Mass. One class will attend per week, with Father Jospeh taking some time to talk with the classes when the Mass concludes. Parents are very welcome, please see Compass for dates coming up for classes.  

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....  

Our Religion lessons have taken a new look in recent years, with Kinder to Year 4 now being educated using the updated units based on a Pedagogy of Encounter. Kinder to Year 3 have been on this journey for the last three years with some very positive feedback from teachers and the children. This is an exciting initiative as it invites dialogue, deep thinking and engagement with the Catholic story. Students are given time and support to answer the key questions of:   

• What do I know, think, sense and feel about ..... ?  

• What do others know, think, feel about .......?  

• What is the Catholic worldview about .......?  

• How does this challenge, change or transform me and my relationship with God?   

• What do I know, think and feel now?   

As you can see there is a strong focus on student voice and most importantly providing students with the opportunity to undertake a personal learning path through inquiry-based learning. I look forward to sharing Religious Education learning over the year to showcase the amazing work happening in classrooms.   

Have a lovely week and may God bless you always,  

Amie Harry and Emma McCulloch  

Religious Education Coordinators