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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.
Painting Pathways
An innovative project for indigenous students at Thomas More College has opened new opportunities for positive connections.
CESA’s Living Learning Leading Framework encourages and empowers young people to thrive – in their education, their lives and their communities. But what does the word “thrive” actually mean? That was the question Aboriginal students at Thomas More College in Salisbury Downs set out to answer, with the help of indigenous artist Scott Rathman.
With the theme “thriving community” as their guide, the group of eight students worked with Mr Rathman to unpack their understanding of the term and its relevance to their own lives. “It’s really easy to say a ‘thriving community’ is about hope and respect but, unless you are exploring how you’re seeing hope and respect being demonstrated in your community, we really haven’t explored the theme properly,” he says. “So the idea was for them to dig deeper and explore exactly what those terms look like on a day-to-day basis in their school and their community.”
At the end of the collaboration, he incorporated the students’ responses into a striking mural spray painted onto a wall at the school. The centre piece represents a meeting or gathering place; green above and below link to the earth, while blue sections on either side represent water and a journey. “Water has a level we see – the surface – but below the surface there is much going on,” Mr Rathman says. “Within a community we see what people want us to see as well as what we want to see, but underneath there are a lot of other things happening. For me, that is a really powerful message.”
For the students, the project helped to renew connections with culture. “I have learned to be proud of my cultural heritage and this project has inspired me to explore this more,” Year 11 indigenous student Shaciara Marron says.
As assistant principal religious identity and mission, Ruth Taylor has also been touched by the success of the project. “My motivation is to see students connecting with their spirituality, so it has been an honour to witness and share in this experience,” she says. “It’s a beautiful piece of artwork sitting in the centre of our school.”
WORDS: Lynn Cameron.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Russell Millard.
Featured in the SA Catholic Schools Magazine, published in The Advertiser, July 31 2021.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On Wednesday, our teachers and Learning Mentors (LSOs) engaged in a professional development day, focused specifically on enhancing the teaching of Maths and English from Prep to Grade 6.
What Happened on Teacher Learning Day?
Our educators participated in a series of workshops and training sessions aimed at improving their instructional practices in Maths and English. The day was dedicated to exploring new teaching strategies and developing cohesive plans to enhance student learning in these areas of learning.
Benefits of the Day:
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Enhanced Teaching Knowledge and Skill: Teachers built on their knowledge and skills in innovative teaching methods and strategies tailored for Maths and English, which will help them deliver more engaging and effective lessons.
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Improved Student Engagement: By reflecting on current practice, we discussed ways that we can create more interactive and stimulating learning experiences, keeping students motivated and interested in their work in Maths and English.
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Data-Driven Instruction: Teachers explored how to use assessment data to inform their teaching practices, allowing them to better address the individual needs of students and ensure everyone is progressing effectively.
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Collaborative Planning and Strategy: Teachers had the opportunity to collaborate and share best practices, which enables us to continue to foster a supportive, professional staff.
Impact on Students:
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Higher Quality Instruction: From our work, students will benefit from more effective and engaging lessons in Maths and English, leading to better understanding and retention of content.
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Personalised Learning: Teachers continue to develop and tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students, ensuring there are plans to provide every child with the support they need to succeed.
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Increased Achievement: The focus on data-driven instruction and continuous improvement will contribute to higher academic achievements in Maths and English.
At Columba we continue to be committed to providing the best possible education for your children, and professional development days like this are a crucial part of our efforts to achieve that goal. We appreciate your understanding and support in making these days a priority for our staff and the efforts you all went to to find care for your children.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the day, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Take care
Andrew Greco
Principal
Why the Olympics are an AWESOME event to celebrate as a family!
The Olympics officialy start tonight. So why are they so awesome? Well, there are a few reasons, but by celebrating the Olympics as a family, you can foster a sense of global citizenship, inspire personal growth, and create lasting memories, all while enjoying the thrill of world-class athletic competition
1. Global Unity and Diversity:
- Cultural Exposure: The Olympics bring together athletes from all over the world, showcasing diverse cultures, traditions, and languages. Celebrating the event as a family provides a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate global diversity.
- Unity and Peace: The Olympic Games promote a spirit of international unity and peace, demonstrating how countries can come together in a friendly competition despite political and cultural differences.
2. Inspiration and Motivation:
- Role Models: Olympic athletes serve as role models, demonstrating the results of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Their stories can inspire children and adults alike to pursue their own goals with determination.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Watching top athletes compete can motivate family members to engage in physical activities and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
3. Educational Value:
- Learning Opportunities: The Olympics provide a wealth of educational opportunities, from geography and history to physics and nutrition. Families can learn about different countries, historical events related to the Olympics, and the science behind athletic performance.
- Cultural Awareness: Understanding the customs and traditions of different countries enhances cultural awareness and global understanding, which is valuable in today’s interconnected world.
4. Family Bonding:
- Shared Experiences: Watching the Olympics together creates shared experiences and memories, fostering a sense of togetherness and family unity.
- Fun Activities: Families can engage in related activities, such as creating their own mini-Olympics at home, making themed crafts, or cooking international dishes, all of which strengthen family bonds.
5. Values and Sportsmanship:
- Teaching Moments: The Olympics provide numerous teachable moments about values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and resilience. These are important life lessons that can be reinforced through discussions and observations during the games.
- Handling Success and Failure: Watching athletes handle victories and defeats gracefully offers an opportunity to discuss how to cope with success and setbacks in everyday life.
6. Tradition and Celebration:
- Historical Significance: The Olympics have a rich history dating back to ancient times, and celebrating them connects families to this long-standing tradition.
- Celebratory Spirit: The excitement and celebratory atmosphere of the Olympics bring joy and enthusiasm, providing a festive occasion that families can look forward to.
7. Promoting Inclusivity:
- Paralympics: Celebrating the Paralympics alongside the Olympics highlights the achievements of athletes with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and respect for all individuals regardless of physical abilities.
PULSE SURVEY - Parent Survey to HELP our school
Each term we send out a parent survey which helps us get 'the pulse' of how our parent community. Below is a link to the survey. The surveys will always be brief and will support us in creating the best possible learning environment for your children.
This survey is CONFIDENTIAL and no names or email addresses will be collected unless you provide them for us. The school will not contact you personally to discuss your responses.
This is your best opportunity to let us know how you are feeling, and your best opportunity to let us know what we are doing well and what you know we could do better.
I ask that this survey be completed by Friday 2nd August
HELP US HERE - https://forms.gle/VfGTXamuWcYHctvu9
Next Friday's assembly is a whole-school assembly on the theme, Fairness which is of course the MacKillop (green) house value inspired by the life of St Mary MacKillop.
Grade 3-4R will host and lead our assembly.
Assembly begins at 2:40 PM (please arrive from 2.30pm)
in the Learning Centre.
Parents & families welcome!
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Increasing Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Cases
The Department of Health, Victoria has issued a health alert regarding increasing pertussis (whoopingcough) cases in Victoria.
The key messages are:
- cases of pertussis are increasing in Victoria, mostly affecting children aged 10-12 years
- pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough and can lead to life threatening infections in babies
- symptoms of pertussis may be very similar to other respiratory infections, especially in the early stages, meaning diagnosis by a doctor as soon as possible is important.
I am reminding the school community about the importance of seeing their General Practitioner if their children exhibit any of the symptoms listed.
If a student at our school is diagnosed with pertussis, the diagnosing doctor will be
responsible for notifying the Department of Health.
The below exclusion periods apply to diagnosed cases and contacts:
For diagnosed cases:
- students diagnosed with pertussis should be excluded from primary schools for a
minimum period of 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have completed five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment
- the treating doctor will complete the required notifications to the Department of Health
For contacts of diagnosed cases:
The exclusion requirement only applies to contacts who meet all three (3) of the below criteria:
- aged less than 7 years;
- in the same class as the student with the diagnosed case; and have not received three (3) effective doses of pertussis vaccine.
Students meeting these criteria should be excluded for 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious case, or until they have taken five (5) days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment.
Please advise the school admin if your chiild is diagnosed with pertussis by a GP as soon as possible.
School Concert News!
The students have begun practising in class for this very important event. We want to give families as much notice as possible, so everyone has time to get organized.
Costume items must be supplied for the school concert by the end of August.
Our school concert will be held on Tuesday 17th September.
The name of the concert is ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and we will see each class perform to music from different decades. Some costume items will be supplied by the school, and some we ask families to provide which is included in the list/link below.
If you need any help or have any questions, please reach out klucas@bunyip.catholic.edu.au
SEE FULL COSTUME REQUIREMENTS HERE
2024 Dates
Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2024
