Included this week:-
- AGM tonight
- Student Absences
- Hair
- Baby News
- Colour Run
- 2019 Teaching Positions
- Book Fair
- Next Assembly
- A Message from Kim Butler
Tonight we hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) a combined meeting of the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Group. These two groups form the core of our parental engagement and communication for the school. Their voice helps to assist us in setting directions for the school and in particular providing another insight into change initiatives and plans within the school. The success of so many of our projects over the years has come from having the voice of our parents heard, not to set the agenda but to allow us to quickly identify the areas for concern and improvement. They are also an invaluable group when it comes to celebrating the many success’ of our school and recognising the incredible work of all involved at St Columba’s. Prior to the meeting tonight I’d like to publicly recognise the efforts of these two groups in particular in helping to create the community we have. It is a privilege to work at St Columba’s and our parent community play a large part in keeping it that way.
If you are interested in supporting the school in other ways you don’t have to put yourself forward for one of these groups. Together they host a wide range of events and initiatives and are always looking for a few extras to lend a hand for one off or short term projects. If you feel this might better suit your availability rather than locking in to a regular group be sure to touch base with a member of either group once memberships are announced.
While these two groups are the bigger visual example of our school engagement there are countless other things going on daily that help keep our parents a part of the school community and I thank the many people who make these things happen. From the parents helping out with uniform shop, icy poles and family day events, to the parent sitting up the back at assembly, or taking a friend in need for that all important coffee after drop off. It’s the little things our parents do to support one another that keeps this school ticking over and what may not seem much to you can make all the difference in another’s life. Thank you.
Student Absences
Attendance at school plays a critical part in a student’s learning. It may sound obvious but students being at school is one of the most important things in determining a students success. Whilst we don’t have a lot of issues around truancy or school avoidance one of the dangers is the slow growth absence. Anything below 90% attendance is something we consider a ‘risk’ and below 80% becomes critical. It doesn’t actually take all that much to drop below those numbers. A student who has one day a fortnight off over the course of a year (90%) misses 20+ days of schooling, that’s four full weeks of education which equates to 100 hrs of learning and social skills they are missing out on. Over seven years of primary school that’s 28 weeks of school missed. ¾’s of a year. A student with 90% attendance at the end of grade six has attended nearly a full year less than other students… If that drops to 80% you can see why it is considered critical. I’m certainly not encouraging people to send students who are unwell or sick, I am asking parents to be mindful of the impact absences can have on their child’s learning. When you consider what I talked about in previous newsletter in terms of time and practice being critical indicators, 90%+ becomes a lot more important in guaranteeing our students have the best opportunities to be successful in the future.
Hair
A reminder, as part of our occupational health and safety policies all students (regardless of gender) who have hair that is shoulder length or longer must tie their hair back. We are seeing a growing number of lice issues and this along with not sharing hats is one of the simplest ways to minimise the issue.
Baby news
It is with great pleasure that we announce the pregnancy of Maree Cooper. Maree and Luke are expecting their third child …., as you can imagine this is an incredibly exciting time for them and their extended families as well as the school. We wish them every happiness and joy in this special time of their lives.
Colour Run
It’s on again, your chance to take part in what was an incredible event last year and is fast becoming a favourite item on the St Columba’s Calendar. Our annual fun run in Vic Park will take place on Sunday the 2nd December with the 5k run starting at 9am and the 1/3k run at 9:30am. Registration can be made through https://www.trybooking.com/ZHSX
2019 Teaching Staff list
Foundation
Anne Petrie/Julie Cooper
Michelle McMahon/Whitney Bruty
1/2
Timothy (Tim) Gilbert
Torie Waight
Megan Bourke
Emily Mullane
3/4
Nicky Russell
Sarah Jones
Alison Thorpe
Lucy Quanchi
5/6
Cleta Forrest
Shane Bruty
Lucy Quinlan
Kelly Siebring
Specialist Roles
Music - Ruth Hackwill
Physical Education - Wayne Lynch
Languages - Erica Hare
Art - Maree Cooper
Other
Learning & Teaching Leaders - Susan Vowles, Julie Cooper
Wellbeing - Julie Cooper
Additional Learning Needs - Megan Walton
Digital Technology - Shane Bruty
Sustainability - Erica Hare
Co Principals
Shaun Mohr, Kim Butler
Book Fair
Thank you to our School Community for the wonderful support shown to the School Book Fair. It was very well supported and the School will be able to purchase some fantastic new resources from the proceeds.
If you are interested in supporting the school in other ways you don’t have to put yourself forward for one of these groups. Together they host a wide range of events and initiatives and are always looking for a few extras to lend a hand for one off or short term projects. If you feel this might better suit your availability rather than locking in to a regular group be sure to touch base with a member of either group once memberships are announced.
While these two groups are the bigger visual example of our school engagement there are countless other things going on daily that help keep our parents a part of the school community and I thank the many people who make these things happen. From the parents helping out with uniform shop, icy poles and family day events, to the parent sitting up the back at assembly, or taking a friend in need for that all important coffee after drop off. It’s the little things our parents do to support one another that keeps this school ticking over and what may not seem much to you can make all the difference in another’s life. Thank you.
Student Absences
Attendance at school plays a critical part in a student’s learning. It may sound obvious but students being at school is one of the most important things in determining a students success. Whilst we don’t have a lot of issues around truancy or school avoidance one of the dangers is the slow growth absence. Anything below 90% attendance is something we consider a ‘risk’ and below 80% becomes critical. It doesn’t actually take all that much to drop below those numbers. A student who has one day a fortnight off over the course of a year (90%) misses 20+ days of schooling, that’s four full weeks of education which equates to 100 hrs of learning and social skills they are missing out on. Over seven years of primary school that’s 28 weeks of school missed. ¾’s of a year. A student with 90% attendance at the end of grade six has attended nearly a full year less than other students… If that drops to 80% you can see why it is considered critical. I’m certainly not encouraging people to send students who are unwell or sick, I am asking parents to be mindful of the impact absences can have on their child’s learning. When you consider what I talked about in previous newsletter in terms of time and practice being critical indicators, 90%+ becomes a lot more important in guaranteeing our students have the best opportunities to be successful in the future.
Hair
A reminder, as part of our occupational health and safety policies all students (regardless of gender) who have hair that is shoulder length or longer must tie their hair back. We are seeing a growing number of lice issues and this along with not sharing hats is one of the simplest ways to minimise the issue.
Baby news
It is with great pleasure that we announce the pregnancy of Maree Cooper. Maree and Luke are expecting their third child …., as you can imagine this is an incredibly exciting time for them and their extended families as well as the school. We wish them every happiness and joy in this special time of their lives.
Colour Run
It’s on again, your chance to take part in what was an incredible event last year and is fast becoming a favourite item on the St Columba’s Calendar. Our annual fun run in Vic Park will take place on Sunday the 2nd December with the 5k run starting at 9am and the 1/3k run at 9:30am. Registration can be made through https://www.trybooking.com/ZHSX
2019 Teaching Staff list
Foundation
Anne Petrie/Julie Cooper
Michelle McMahon/Whitney Bruty
1/2
Timothy (Tim) Gilbert
Torie Waight
Megan Bourke
Emily Mullane
3/4
Nicky Russell
Sarah Jones
Alison Thorpe
Lucy Quanchi
5/6
Cleta Forrest
Shane Bruty
Lucy Quinlan
Kelly Siebring
Specialist Roles
Music - Ruth Hackwill
Physical Education - Wayne Lynch
Languages - Erica Hare
Art - Maree Cooper
Other
Learning & Teaching Leaders - Susan Vowles, Julie Cooper
Wellbeing - Julie Cooper
Additional Learning Needs - Megan Walton
Digital Technology - Shane Bruty
Sustainability - Erica Hare
Co Principals
Shaun Mohr, Kim Butler
Book Fair
Thank you to our School Community for the wonderful support shown to the School Book Fair. It was very well supported and the School will be able to purchase some fantastic new resources from the proceeds.
Next Assembly
LG3 will host our next assembly this Friday 30th November at the special earlier time of 2.30pm in the school hall. Maths Olympiad Certificates will be given to participating grade 5/6 students. Also as part of the Assembly the Grade 5/6 Community will lead our Week 2 Advent celebration of Peace. All are welcome to attend.
We will continue our Advent celebrations on December 7th at 2.00pm when the 3/4 Community will lead our celebration of Joy. Families are then invited to join in the afternoon’s activities.
Our final Assembly for 2018 will be held on Friday 14th December at 2.30pm. The Foundation students will lead us in the celebration of Love.
A Message from Mrs Kim Butler
An Outing to Maubara Beach
There was great excitement after the Sunday service held in St Damian’s on Sunday 25th November, as 51 excited patients, carers, staff and their children prepared for an outing to the beach.
The kitchen staff had been busy for hours preparing a picnic lunch for us to take; not a typical Australian picnic, but instead large buckets of rice, noodles and some chicken and vegetables.
We piled into two of the Hilux utes and the Jack bus and the convoy was off. As I followed behind one of the utes, I was amazed to count ten bodies crammed into the tray; some standing and some sitting (a few even on chairs!). One of the girls had a guitar and was providing the travelling entertainment. Everyone wore large smiles as the wind whistled through their hair and covered their faces with a fine film of dust.
LG3 will host our next assembly this Friday 30th November at the special earlier time of 2.30pm in the school hall. Maths Olympiad Certificates will be given to participating grade 5/6 students. Also as part of the Assembly the Grade 5/6 Community will lead our Week 2 Advent celebration of Peace. All are welcome to attend.
We will continue our Advent celebrations on December 7th at 2.00pm when the 3/4 Community will lead our celebration of Joy. Families are then invited to join in the afternoon’s activities.
Our final Assembly for 2018 will be held on Friday 14th December at 2.30pm. The Foundation students will lead us in the celebration of Love.
A Message from Mrs Kim Butler
An Outing to Maubara Beach
There was great excitement after the Sunday service held in St Damian’s on Sunday 25th November, as 51 excited patients, carers, staff and their children prepared for an outing to the beach.
The kitchen staff had been busy for hours preparing a picnic lunch for us to take; not a typical Australian picnic, but instead large buckets of rice, noodles and some chicken and vegetables.
We piled into two of the Hilux utes and the Jack bus and the convoy was off. As I followed behind one of the utes, I was amazed to count ten bodies crammed into the tray; some standing and some sitting (a few even on chairs!). One of the girls had a guitar and was providing the travelling entertainment. Everyone wore large smiles as the wind whistled through their hair and covered their faces with a fine film of dust.
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Heading first into Dili for a look at the ‘big smoke,’ we then changed course and drove west along the coast road for about 45 minutes, through the town of Liquica and onto the small beachside village of Maubara. Lunch was served on the pebbly beach under the shade of an enormous tree and there was relative quiet while everyone enjoyed their food. Looking around we had every age group represented; from babies in arms through childhood, adolescence and into old age. There was a mix of TB, MDR-TB, dialysis and disability patients, as well as students from St Damian’s, eight of the staff and their families and myself – a real motley crew!
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After lunch had settled, the children were itching to get into the water and there were screams of delight as the waves knocked them over. Slowly some of the older students and staff joined in the fun, enjoying playing with a couple of soft volleyballs. The highlight for me, was taking each of the young children with disability one by one, out for a swim. The joy on their faces as the warm water caressed their skin was priceless, along with the squeals of pleasure from learning how to make big splashes with their hands.
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Many Timorese don’t know how to swim and don’t feel confident in the water, especially those who come from the foho (mountains). Most love an outing to the beach however, and many of the patients enjoyed wandering along the sand and pebbles collecting little treasures.
Tired but happy, the convoy headed back to Klibur Domin, arriving just before the late afternoon rain shower hit.
(written by Kim Butler)
Tired but happy, the convoy headed back to Klibur Domin, arriving just before the late afternoon rain shower hit.
(written by Kim Butler)
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