Dear Families

As we navigate the winter months, some days warm, some days cold, some days warm/cold, I am writing to you today to share some exciting news and reflect on the recent activities within our school community.

Below is the poster for our upcoming Vinnies Winter Appeal. This initiative, run in partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society and our Social Justice student-lead team, is a wonderful opportunity for us to live out the values we hold dear as a Catholic school. The appeal focuses on collecting essential items like toiletries, shelf-stable food, and tinned goods. While these might seem like small donations, they represent a significant gesture of support for families in our local area who are facing hardship.

At its heart, this is a practical expression of Catholic social teaching, specifically the call to exercise a "preferential option for the poor." For our school community, both religious and non-religious, this principle simply means that we are called to look out for those who are struggling. It's about recognising the inherent dignity of every human person and ensuring that no one is left behind. By contributing to this appeal, we are teaching our children the lesson of compassion and the importance of creating a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

This spirit of generosity and care is a perfect way to demonstrate our school motto, "Let your light shine." This phrase comes from the Gospel of Matthew ($5:16$), where Jesus calls on us to live in a way that illuminates the world for others to see. Our students shine their light through their kindness, their academic efforts, and their commitment to helping those in need. This Winter Appeal is a way for them to let their light shine brightly for our community

This focus on positive action was also evident during our recent "Bullying No Way" week. I was incredibly impressed by our students' responses and their commitment to being positive role models and "upstanders" for their peers. They showed a deep understanding of what it means to be a good friend and how to make positive choices, even when others are making poor ones.

In our school, we are committed to fostering this positive culture not just during a single week, but every day. Our approach is guided by restorative practice, which focuses on building and repairing relationships. When a child makes a wrong choice, our goal is not simply to punish, but to work with them to understand the impact of their actions and find a way to make things right.

This is where we need your partnership.

We encourage you to support your children in speaking up when they are unsure or when they see something wrong, and to communicate with their teachers. We also ask for your support if your child makes a poor choice at school. By working with us in a restorative way, you can help us to support your child in learning and growing from the experience.

Finally, I am delighted to announce the launch of our new "Safe Place" website. This is another way for our students to connect and reach out for support when they need it. The website can be accessed at the following link: https://columbahome.wixsite.com/safeplace, and is also available on our school webpage in the Student Zone link under the OUR SCHOOL TAB.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school and for helping us to build a caring and compassionate community.

Prayer for Courage

Dear God, please grant me the courage to face the challenges of life with faith and trust in You. Help me to overcome fear and doubt and to step out in faith, knowing that You are with me always. Give me the courage to follow Your will, even when it is difficult, and to trust in Your goodness and love. I pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Andrew Greco

Principal

We recently celebrated our Prep students reaching a major milestone: 100 days of school! While the planned parade was unfortunately a wash-out due to the rain, the incredible costumes were definitely the highlight of the day. Our Preps and their families showed amazing creativity, with many dressing up as 100-year-old men and women. The sight of our students with painted wrinkles, grey hair, and walking sticks was both hilarious and heartwarming.

Even without the parade, the day was packed with fun activities that all revolved around the number 100. Our students participated in a variety of challenges

The day was a fantastic celebration of how much our Preps have learned and grown over the past 100 days. A big thank you to all the parents for their incredible effort with the costumes and for making this a truly special and memorable day for our youngest students.

Grade 3 Excursion

Grade 3 Excursion 3.02 MB

We are excited to share that three of our wonderful teachers, Lizzy Cunningham, Erin Howlett, and Janine Kilmartin, recently attended The Resilience Project's Teacher Seminar. This professional development event was a great opportunity for them to learn new strategies to enhance our classroom practices and further support student wellbeing.

During the seminar, they learned about the importance of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM) and how to incorporate these practices into daily classroom activities. The teachers also participated in a workshop on teacher wellbeing, helping them develop their own self-care plans, which in turn will benefit our entire school community. They also explored the power of vulnerability and authentic connection to help build strong relationships with our students.

Our teachers will be bringing these invaluable resources and ideas back to school to empower our students and staff with positive mental health habits and resilience. The strategies will be integrated into our school's approach to wellbeing, ensuring every student feels supported. We believe that by focusing on gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness, we can enhance the overall support for our students and create a positive and resilient learning environment.

A special bonus for the teachers was that they met a new friend while they were there.

Martin Heppell's SHOUT OUT to the Columba Family

Sad Farewell to Our Old Tree

It is with a heavy heart that we share some sad news. One of our special trees has needed to be been cut down. For many years the graduating class was invited to sign their name on the tree. It became part of the rite of passage for our year 6s to wander over and sign the tree. Over the proceeding months, the signatures gradually faded intot he bark, leaving space the next graduates to sign.

While we are saddened by its loss, the decision was made for the safety of our school community. Recent inspections revealed a significant split forming down the trunk, which posed danger. With the potential for high winds, there was a serious risk that the tree could have fallen, causing a major accident.

We know this tree held a special place in the hearts of many of our students and staff. Its presence was a familiar comfort and a beautiful part of our school landscape.

However, we are committed to honouring its memory and ensuring our green spaces continue to thrive. We have plans to plant an established replacement tree in a safe location, so that a new tree can grow and flourish for future generations.

In a wonderful display of turning a difficult situation into a positive one, the large stump of the old tree will not be removed. Instead, it will be incorporated into our yarning circle, providing a grounding and meaningful piece for students to gather around and share stories for years to come.

In this enchanting tale, an ordinary treehouse transforms into a portal for extraordinary adventures. Join a group of friends as they discover a world of magic, mystery, and wonder with every turn of the page. The book celebrates the power of friendship and imagination, reminding us that the greatest journeys are often found in the most unexpected places.

The Year 2s looked at how Mary MacKillop's courage and kindness can be an example for students at Columba.

They all signed a contract about 'seeing a need'

The Year 1s used role play to practice being 'upstanders' against putdowns 

Their catch phrase against putdowns - "no way! no joke!"

Be Bold: You have the power to help
Being bold doesn’t mean putting yourself in danger – it means choosing to do what’s right. Standing up shows others that bullying is not accepted.

Be Kind: Small actions make a big impact

Kindness builds connection, and connection helps stop bullying before it starts. 

Speak Up: Speak up against bullying
When you speak up, you become an upstander—someone who chooses to help instead of watching from the sidelines.

Think before you post or speak

The words we use can build someone up or tear them down. That’s why it’s so important to think before we speak, type or post.

Together, we can stop bullying – a whole of community approach

The best way to stop bullying is by working together. That means students, teachers, families, and friends standing up, speaking out, and supporting each other.

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Bullying No Way: National week of action, 11th-15th August, 2025

Fact Sheet for Families -bullyingnoway.gov.au

kidshelpline.com.au