Columba Catholic Primary School Acknowledges the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians and pay respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.  

Columba acknowledges the Bunurong’s continuing relationship to the land and waterways and respects that their connection and spiritual identity are maintained through ancient ceremonies, songlines, dance, art, and living culture.

We pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of the Bunurong and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Elders who have guided and continue to guide our work.

Scott Ratham

Dear Parents,

Please have a great long weekend.

I appreciate all the work parents have done and continue to do. Your help in keeping children home when they are unwell doesn't go un-noticed and is much appreciated. Your work in getting children to school with lunches and clean uniforms is very much appreciated.

Your work in helping your children make sense of their days when they are happy, sad, frustrated, angry or disappointed is much appreciated.

Please rest, enjoy your family and make memories.

At Columba we understand the importance of making sure all our kids are placed in a child safe and respectful environment at school. The message we send to our students daily is that Columba is a place of respect for fellow students, parents and teachers.

Teaching respect in the classroom is a critical element of classroom management. Respect is characterized by a feeling of sincere admiration for someone or something brought about by qualities they possess, their abilities, or their achievements. Simply put, respect is the regard with which we hold other people, and it’s demonstrated through our responses to others, through our intentions and our thoughts for other people.

Columba in the News!

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Mural becomes landmark in school's landscape

Columba Catholic Primary School at Bunyip was abuzz with excitement last week as staff and students worked on a large mural art project with contemporary Aboriginal artist Scott Ratham to transform the school grounds.

The project, supported by a Parents and Friends funding initiative, is part of the school's ongoing commitment to fostering a culturally safe environment for all children and adults.

Principal Andrew Greco said two large mural artworks would change the landscape of the school grounds for many years to come.

Mr Greco said as part of Reconciliation Week, student classes focused on First Nation's history and culture which culminated with the mural workshops with Scott Ratham.

Scott Ratham heads the Rusted Tin Contemporary Aboriginal Arts company, and Mr Greco said the school was excited that Scott worked with students to complete the murals within the school grounds.

"It is hoped the artwork will serve as a reminder, as a school community, to always devote ourselves to learning the truth about our past, and collaborate towards reconciliation, by reminding us of our place in the long-standing history of this land.

"We are thankful to our school community for supporting this project and we are hopeful that families will visit the school and see the work that will be a landmark not only for Columba, but for the entire Bunyip community-" Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Sale Paul Velten commended the Columba Catholic Primary School community for taking such a proactive approach towards reconciliation and creating safe environments for all people in our Catholic schools.

"This mural art project is a wonderful initiative that will not only beautify the school grounds but act as an active reminder of the importance of acknowledging our country's history and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."

Caption Text:
First Nations artist Scott Rathman (back) assisted by Ashalea Perry (left) has created a mural at Columba Catholic Primary School in Bunyip with students including Milla Vandeligt, Phoebe Greening, Isaac Feketeand Angus McKenna.

A Prayer For Sorry Day

said at our Flag Assembly on Monday 29th May

On Friday it was Sorry Day. We gather now to say sorry and to remember all those Indigenous Australians affected by the practice of forcibly removing children from their families and communities. We remember with great sorrow the pain and suffering this caused and we ask God to help us to work for healing.

Let us pray for healing. Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image, Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.

You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will be forgiven. We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.

We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and hopelessness. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families. We are sorry and ask Your forgiveness. Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits.

In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable. Lord, you are our hope. Amen.

Yaama is the First Nations Community of St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, QLD. In 2022, one of their key projects was to write a poem for Sorry Day, which "remembers

and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

We are now in National Reconciliation Week. This offers people across Australia the opportunity to focus on Reconciliation, to hear about the cultures and history of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, and to explore new and better ways of meeting challenges in our communities. It is a time for us to renew our commitment to Reconciliation and to think about how we can help turn around the continuing disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

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On Sunday Jasper and Archie completed their first reconciliation. All the First Communion candidates were there to support the boys and also receive the sacrament. A big thank you to Father Avinash for today

2023 Children's Sacrament Dates

FIRST COMMUNION

First Communion Sacrament - 18th June

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation Commitment Mass - 6th August

Confirmation Learning Mass - 27th August

Confirmation Workshop - 30th August

Confirmation Sacrament - 9th September

NEXT Assembly

Friday 16th June 2:20 pm

Multi-Purpose Room

All Families Welcome

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A big thank you to Callum, Sammy, Charley, and Isabella for their assistance to staff and exemplary leadership in our school community this fortnight!

CELEBRATING OUR STUDENTS

This weeks Awards

Inspiration

Reminder - Drop Off

A reminder that our school gates do not open until 8:30am. if you leave your child at the gate prior to 8:30am, you are leaving them unsupervised which is not safe and potentially dangerous for your child. We ask that if you arrive at school prior to 8:30, that you wait with your child until the school gates open.

What sort of start is your child getting?

Just a little bit late does not seem much but…

My child is 'only' missing…	That equals…	Which is…	And over 13 years of schooling that is…
10 minutes per day	50 minutes per week	Nearly 1.5 weeks per year	Nearly half a year.
20 minutes per day	1 hour and 40 minutes per week	Only 2.5 weeks per year	Nearly 1 year.
30 minutes per day	Half a day per week	4 weeks per year	Nearly 1.5 years.
1 hour per day	1 day per week	8 weeks per year	Over 2.5 years.
1 day per fortnight	20 days a year	4 weeks per year	Nearly 1 .5 years.
1 day per week	40 days a year	8 weeks a year	2.5 years.
2 days per week	80 days a year	16 weeks a year	5 years.
3 days per week	120 days a year	24 weeks a year	Nearly 8 years of schooling.

Comedy Night

SAVE THE DATE

Sat 26th August 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Bunyip Football Club Rooms

After the great success of our 2022 Comedy Night, Columba Parents and Friends have organised another Comedy Night in August. Please add this date to you calendar and stay tunes for ticketing information. If you missed out last year, don't make the same mistake this year, It was and again will be a super fun night!

Parents and Friends Meeting Monday July 17th

7:00pm

Our next P&F Meeting will be on the above date in the Columba Staff Room. There is much to discuss and organise. We look forward to seeing many there.

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Student Disco

Thursday 13th July

SAVE THE DATE

Prep - 2 - 4:30-6:00pm

3-6 - 6:30pm-8:00pm

All students are invited to attend the Student Disco. Permission forms need to be completed and will be sent through PAM.

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BOOK YOUR TICKETS ASAP!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

As a Columba Community, we are always happy to help not for profit organisations especially when they are giving the community a chance to participate in the Arts - Especially, performing arts.

This school holidays we have a Columba Family on stage, performing in a musical in Cranbourne. Live Theatre is a fantasic way of providing opportunities for expression and allows adults and children explore their passions.

If you are in town on the school holidays, please consider driving to watch a live performance. THE KIDS WILL LOVE IT!

ELF THE MUSICAL

Cranbourne Community Theatre

We are extremely excited to be putting on our first post Covid large scale show of "Elf - The Musical".

If you don't know the story of Buddy the Elf, he is a human (who thinks he is an Elf) who grows up on the north pole and travels to find his real dad in New York! Elf is an extremely family friendly show (as are most that are performed by Peoples Playhouse) and one of Columba's students, Logan, is a member of the cast.

Logan's want ot be back on stage after the Columba School Concert was so much that he is now in a show!

Opening Night is Friday 30th June and closing night is Saturday 8th July. There is also the option of a matinee.

Link to try booking is:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1027185?eid=1027185&

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NCCD Information

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Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2023

Monday - 10th July

Wednesday - 16th August

Thursday - 19th October

Monday - 6th November

2023 Dates

Friday 9th June - Feast of Saint Columba - Columba Day

Monday 12th June - King's Birthday Holiday

Sunday 18th June - First Communion Sacrament

Friday 23rd June - End of Term 2 (Early finish 2:15 pm)

Monday 10th July - Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 11th July - First Day Back Term 3

Thursday 10th August - Book Week Dress Up Day

Wednesday 16th August - Pupil Free Day

Friday 1st September - Round Robin Sports Day 5/6

Saturday 9th September - Confirmation Sacrament

Thursday 31st August - Father's Day Event

Friday 15th September - End of Term 3 (Early finish 2:15pm)

Monday 2nd October - First Day Back Term 4 - Monday 2nd October

Tuesday 10th October - Athletics Day

Thursday 19th October - Pupil Free Day

Friday 27th October - Grandparents Day

Monday 6th November - Pupil Free Day

Tuesday 7th November - Cup Day Public Holiday

Tuesday 12th December - Grade 6 Big Day Out Gumbya World

Tuesday 12th December - Grade 6 Graduation

Monday 11th December - Whole School Transition Day (find out grades for 2024)

Wednesday 13th December - Whole School End of year Mass at Iona Church

Friday 15th December - Last Day Students 2023

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A message from Cardinia Shire

It is expected that School Crossing Supervisors will get to know the children and adults that use their crossing. Supervisors are discouraged from becoming too friendly as such behaviour can be misinterpreted as ‘favouritism’ towards individuals, and in some circumstances, may even lead to accusations of inappropriate behaviour. Cardinia Shire Council, in accordance with the Child Safety Standards, encourages supervisors to interact with the children, but any physical contact including High 5’s and hugging and distribution of gifts such as lollies, toys or cards is not acceptable, under any circumstance.

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SCHOOL FEES FOR

TERM 2 are NOW DUE

School Fees and Concessions 2023

Please contact the school office if you need to discuss your 2023 school fee payment.

DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A SCHOOL FEE DISCOUNT?

For any families that have recently received a Government means-tested health care concession card, please forward a copy of your card to the office to check your eligibility, as a fee concession may apply. The card must be in the name of the parent/fee payer for a fee concession to apply.

If you qualify for this, please contact the school as school fees will be considerably less for your family.

If any families would like to set up a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly direct debit schedule for school fees, please complete the Direct Debit Form below and return it to the school office. For any assistance regarding calculations of payments, please contact us via email at: finance@bunyip.catholic.edu.au

If your current Health Care card is due to expire this year and your card is re-issued, please send a copy of your new card details to the office as soon as possible for the concession to be checked and applied for next year's fees, if not already done so.

For more FEE INFORMATION please visit our website

https://bunyip.catholic.edu.au/school-fees-and-levies

2023 School Fees Concession Program Financial Hardship

Eligible Centrelink Concession Card (CCC) Holder

Information for Applicants

Aim: To assist school families experiencing financial hardship in accessing a Catholic Primary education for their child/children.

Confidentiality: At all times, the dignity and privacy of those seeking a fee concession will be respected.

Level of Concession: School office staff can advise applicants of the concessional fee to be charged. This concessional fee is fixed annually by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. Approved applicants will be charged only the concessional fee which will cover all standard school fees and levies including any charges remaining for camps, sports and excursions after the application of the Camps, Sports, Excursion Fund (CSEF) benefit.

Eligible Concession Cards: Centrelink issues a number of concession cards for a variety of reasons. Some cards have a generous or no income test and therefore holders of these cards are ineligible for a fee concession under Category One. Only CCC’s that are eligible for CSEF are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program.

The following CCC’s are the most common cards that are eligible for CSEF. The CCC type is specified as a two or three letter code printed on the concession card.

YA or YAL – Youth Allowance
PPS – Parenting Payment Single
PPP – Parenting Payment Partnered
DSP – Disability Support Pension
NSA – New Start Allowance
LI – Low Income
FA – Family Tax Benefit
SA or SKA - Sickness Allowance
CAR - Carer Allowance
ABA or ABY - Schooling Applicant
AGE - Age Pension
AUS - Austudy
HCC - Health Care Card
PTA - Partnered Allowance
SPL - Special Benefit
WID or WFD or WFA – Widow Allowance/Pension
The CCC must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for which the concession is to be applied.
The expiry date of the card must be on or after 1 January of the year (2023) for which the concession is to be applied.
If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year.
If a family becomes eligible during the course of a school year, then a pro-rata concession may be granted.

Lodgement of Application: Application for 2023 close on Friday 23rd June 2023, please lodge your application immediately for your card to be checked and a pro-rata concession to be applied if applicable.

The following application forms must be completed and are available from the school office:

Complete the school’s application form & the Direct Debit Request (DDR) Service Agreement (or Centrepay application form)
Submit the completed forms and present a valid CCC for verifying and copying.
Complete and return the CSEF application form immediately after receiving it from the school.

Important Notes:

The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian responsible for the school fees, who holds an eligible CCC.
Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a DDR Service Agreement or CentrePay arrangement for a regular payment plan of remaining fees (either weekly or fortnightly payments preferred). Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
The Direct Debit form is available from the school office or alternatively the CentrePay application form is available online at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/sa325.
A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
A new application must be made for each school year.
Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
All families requesting, or receiving, a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered or if cards are cancelled.