Included this week:-
- End of year / School Reports
- Leaving Families/Staff
- School Captains 2019
- End of Year Excursions / Information
- 2019 School Fee Agreements
- Returns Amnesty
- Final Assembly for 2018
- Literacy Testing Days - start 2019
And another term and another year nears its end here at St Columba’s. It has been an incredible year and a fantastic experience for me working alongside staff and the leadership team on any number of projects. One aspect of this role I absolutely love is the fact no two days are ever the same, working with such a diverse range of students, families and staff you never quite know what the day will bring. For me this helps ensure each day is fresh with its positives and challenges and allows me to make use of a wide range of skills to support others. As Principals we know we have about 5-10% impact on student learning (30% teachers, 30% family), I’d like to believe that my role has been a positive % for our school this year. I’d also like to thank all the families and staff that have supported me throughout the year as I find my feet in the role and recognise the trust and faith our community puts in the school to always be making decisions in the best interests of all students.
Reports will be coming home shortly, well, digital access to reports will become available to families via the Parent Access Module (PAM) shortly. If you have forgotten your login or how to go about this, please contact the office for support. These reports form one part of our communication and reporting process and are supported by Student Led Conversations and SeeSaw along with the multitude of other communication tools we employ. I was presenting to our new Foundation families last week and it really is amazing when you stop and compile all the communication methods we have at school. Apart from just letting you know what is going on we also recognise that parents that are actively involved in their child’s learning have a significant impact on attitude towards and effort at school. I would encourage parents to take the time to discuss your child’s report with them, recognising that this may be an anxious time for some. There is an attached pdf from Michael Grose on things to consider when working with a formal report with your child, a large part of this is around our own beliefs around learning and being aware of these before we begin a conversation.
Reports will be coming home shortly, well, digital access to reports will become available to families via the Parent Access Module (PAM) shortly. If you have forgotten your login or how to go about this, please contact the office for support. These reports form one part of our communication and reporting process and are supported by Student Led Conversations and SeeSaw along with the multitude of other communication tools we employ. I was presenting to our new Foundation families last week and it really is amazing when you stop and compile all the communication methods we have at school. Apart from just letting you know what is going on we also recognise that parents that are actively involved in their child’s learning have a significant impact on attitude towards and effort at school. I would encourage parents to take the time to discuss your child’s report with them, recognising that this may be an anxious time for some. There is an attached pdf from Michael Grose on things to consider when working with a formal report with your child, a large part of this is around our own beliefs around learning and being aware of these before we begin a conversation.
| reading_your_childs_report.pdf |
Leaving Families/Staff
It is also that time of year when we say farewell to a number of our families and staff. Thank you to all our departing community members for everything you have contributed over your time with us. St Columba’s would not be the place it is without your presence and you will leave a lasting impression on many.
I wish our departing staff Sharon, Kate and Clare all the best in their new workplaces, and enjoying the retired life, know that we will always be here for you.
To our Grade 6 families whose final child is leaving, again, thank you for your contributions to the school over many years and all the best with your upcoming Secondary School experiences. We say farewell to the following Grade 6 families:- Antonio, Barnett, Blee, Britt (S&M), Britt (T&J), Bull, Clark, Doherty, Dridan, Gladman, Goad, Hayward, Jolly, Kingdom-Pearce, McManus, Pollock, Rinaldi, Seneviratne, Stott, Trainor, Turpie and Wood.
We also farewell a number of other families for a variety of reasons and I wish them all the best in their new educational settings:- Huf, Reuterink and Pitman families.
School Captains
At St Columba’s we view all students as leaders within our school, particularly our Grade 6 cohort. We expect our students to be proactive and take responsibility for what is happening around them within the school. To support this leadership we have a small group of students who act in a liaison role between school leadership and the student community. Elected by their peers these students meet regularly with the school leadership group to discuss what is happening within the school and how we can continue to improve. Leading this group is a significant responsibility within the school and I am pleased to announce our 4 school captains and vice captains for 2019.
School Captains: Shae Cronin and Hannah Dwyer
Vice Captains: Mia McTigue and Jack Burton
End of Year Details
There are a number of end of year events coming up, please keep an eye on the Skoolbag app and PAM along with the school calendar for details on these. Please ensure that you have approved your child to attend any upcoming end of year excurisons.
2019 School Fee Agreements
Just a quick reminder to families that the 2019 School Fee Agreement paperwork (sent home to all families recently) needs to be returned to the office by the end of this week, Friday 14th December.
If you require another copy of the paperwork please contact the office.
Should you wish to discuss your account please call Chris on 5332 4894.
Returns Amnesty
Library stocktake is on next week. We love that you’ve been appreciating any books that may have found their way home, and under a bed, or fridge or back of a cupboard. Now would be a great time to have a clean out and return anything so we can get an idea what we still have. This would also apply to any technology that may have ‘accidentally’ found its way home.
Final Assembly for 2018
The Final Assembly for 2018 will be held at the earlier time of 2.15pm Friday 14th December in the school hall. The Assembly will commence with our Foundation students leading our final Advent celebration - Love.
The Parents and Friends Christmas Raffle will be drawn this Friday at our Final Assembly. It would be appreciated if raffle tickets could be returned by tomorrow.
Literacy Testing Days - start of 2019
Please make sure that you book at time for your child/ren to meet with their 2019 teacher/s at the start of next year. This is a special time where your child can spend quality time with their teacher prior to school commencing, as well as complete some literacy assessments.
Bookings for Literacy Testing Days - Thursday 31st January and Friday 1st February 2019 will be made online.
It is also that time of year when we say farewell to a number of our families and staff. Thank you to all our departing community members for everything you have contributed over your time with us. St Columba’s would not be the place it is without your presence and you will leave a lasting impression on many.
I wish our departing staff Sharon, Kate and Clare all the best in their new workplaces, and enjoying the retired life, know that we will always be here for you.
To our Grade 6 families whose final child is leaving, again, thank you for your contributions to the school over many years and all the best with your upcoming Secondary School experiences. We say farewell to the following Grade 6 families:- Antonio, Barnett, Blee, Britt (S&M), Britt (T&J), Bull, Clark, Doherty, Dridan, Gladman, Goad, Hayward, Jolly, Kingdom-Pearce, McManus, Pollock, Rinaldi, Seneviratne, Stott, Trainor, Turpie and Wood.
We also farewell a number of other families for a variety of reasons and I wish them all the best in their new educational settings:- Huf, Reuterink and Pitman families.
School Captains
At St Columba’s we view all students as leaders within our school, particularly our Grade 6 cohort. We expect our students to be proactive and take responsibility for what is happening around them within the school. To support this leadership we have a small group of students who act in a liaison role between school leadership and the student community. Elected by their peers these students meet regularly with the school leadership group to discuss what is happening within the school and how we can continue to improve. Leading this group is a significant responsibility within the school and I am pleased to announce our 4 school captains and vice captains for 2019.
School Captains: Shae Cronin and Hannah Dwyer
Vice Captains: Mia McTigue and Jack Burton
End of Year Details
There are a number of end of year events coming up, please keep an eye on the Skoolbag app and PAM along with the school calendar for details on these. Please ensure that you have approved your child to attend any upcoming end of year excurisons.
2019 School Fee Agreements
Just a quick reminder to families that the 2019 School Fee Agreement paperwork (sent home to all families recently) needs to be returned to the office by the end of this week, Friday 14th December.
If you require another copy of the paperwork please contact the office.
Should you wish to discuss your account please call Chris on 5332 4894.
Returns Amnesty
Library stocktake is on next week. We love that you’ve been appreciating any books that may have found their way home, and under a bed, or fridge or back of a cupboard. Now would be a great time to have a clean out and return anything so we can get an idea what we still have. This would also apply to any technology that may have ‘accidentally’ found its way home.
Final Assembly for 2018
The Final Assembly for 2018 will be held at the earlier time of 2.15pm Friday 14th December in the school hall. The Assembly will commence with our Foundation students leading our final Advent celebration - Love.
The Parents and Friends Christmas Raffle will be drawn this Friday at our Final Assembly. It would be appreciated if raffle tickets could be returned by tomorrow.
Literacy Testing Days - start of 2019
Please make sure that you book at time for your child/ren to meet with their 2019 teacher/s at the start of next year. This is a special time where your child can spend quality time with their teacher prior to school commencing, as well as complete some literacy assessments.
Bookings for Literacy Testing Days - Thursday 31st January and Friday 1st February 2019 will be made online.
| literacy_flyer_2019.pdf |
I wish you and your families a very Happy and Holy Christmas.
When the Christ child was born and placed in a crib he was a source of wonderment and awe for anyone who saw him. May that same sense of wonderment be yours at this very special time of year when you look upon your own children who, like you and me, have been made in the image and likeness of a loving God.
Happy Christmas!
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