Included this week:-
- Building update
- 3 Way Conversations
- School Concert
- School Review
- Visitors to our School
- Mrs Butler's Enrichment Leave
- Woolworths Earn and Learn Promotion
- Congratulations
- Next Assembly
Welcome back to Term 3!
Building Update
This term promises to be an exciting one with lots of things on. I had hoped to give a building update after a site meeting today, instead I can tell you that students will be moving in on Monday after the final inspection. Work has progressed rapidly over the break and our 5/6 community will soon be up and running in the Columba wing. This part of the build was on a much smaller budget and doesn’t yet have all the work done to the 3/4 area, we are hoping this may be possible in the new year depending on grants.
3 Way Conversations
This term we will also be having 3 way conversations taking place in week 8. These are a wonderful chance for your child/ren and their teachers to celebrate their learning with you. For those families new to the school, information regarding the conversations will be put out through the newsletter.
School Concert
We also have our all exciting, all singing, all dancing concert extravaganza! Taking place in week 5. Students and teachers are all busily rehearsing their items and getting ready for what is always an incredible night. Be sure to collect your family ticket slips from the office as soon as possible. See the concert section on the newsletter for more information regarding this. A big thank you to everyone involved in making this the success it will no doubt be.
School Review
We also have our school review taking place this term, a large part of our time this year for staff has been spent on reflecting on where we have come from over the last four years and working to set goals for the coming time. There will be a school closure day on Monday 14th August to finalise a lot of this before the review panel comes out to the school.
Visitors to our School
You may have also noticed a number of different groups throughout our classrooms over the last two months and more in the coming few. We have had a number of requests of late from other schools and educators to come and have a look at the work that is going on at St Columba’s. Most of these visits originate from conversations people outside of the school are having about the many great things that are taking place in our community and are focussed on, not just our new spaces, but our existing practice and work with the Walker Learning approach and Professional Learning Communities. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and efforts of all those involved in our school and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone, particularly our staff for making the school the success that it is. Our visitors consistently identify the warm and welcoming environment and the attention to students needs that is such a strong part of our culture here.
Mrs Butler’s Enrichment Leave
A week of Silence on Iona
It would be hard to find a more beautiful and spiritual place to spend a week of silence than the tiny island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland.
I was keen to spend time there as this was the island that Columba, with his 12 companions, travelled to from Ireland in 563AD. Columba established a monastery on Iona and from there, he and his fellow monks travelled all over Scotland spreading Christianity, especially to the Northern Picts. Columba spent 34 years on Iona; praying, reading, writing poetry and copying the Gospel. He died on Iona in 597 at the age of 77. After Columba died, his monks continued his work, going from strength to strength, establishing new monasteries across Europe. Iona was always a sacred place for them.
Iona is still a sacred place. Every year thousands of pilgrims from around the world journey to Iona. Some stay only a day, some a week and some much longer.
Iona is a tiny windswept and sun kissed island; a place of prayer; of healing; of extraordinary light. A place where it is easy to stop, reflect and listen. Perhaps it's the centuries of prayer in a beautifully rugged landscape - it's ancient rocks, sandy beaches, bracing air and glorious sunsets.
I stayed in the House of Prayer, stunningly situated overlooking the Sound of Iona (the stretch of water between the Isle of Mull and Iona). Through the windows of the little chapel where we gathered for morning prayer and evening Mass, I watched the movement of the sea mist across the Sound. It was easy to connect with God in this rugged and beautiful natural environment and spending long periods of time in silence helped me to turn inwards and switch off from the outside world.
Though it was a long journey to make my way to this tiny and remote island, I thank God for the week of utter tranquility whilst there.
My journey now continues as I follow Columba's trail through Ireland; the place of his birth and early years.
Building Update
This term promises to be an exciting one with lots of things on. I had hoped to give a building update after a site meeting today, instead I can tell you that students will be moving in on Monday after the final inspection. Work has progressed rapidly over the break and our 5/6 community will soon be up and running in the Columba wing. This part of the build was on a much smaller budget and doesn’t yet have all the work done to the 3/4 area, we are hoping this may be possible in the new year depending on grants.
3 Way Conversations
This term we will also be having 3 way conversations taking place in week 8. These are a wonderful chance for your child/ren and their teachers to celebrate their learning with you. For those families new to the school, information regarding the conversations will be put out through the newsletter.
School Concert
We also have our all exciting, all singing, all dancing concert extravaganza! Taking place in week 5. Students and teachers are all busily rehearsing their items and getting ready for what is always an incredible night. Be sure to collect your family ticket slips from the office as soon as possible. See the concert section on the newsletter for more information regarding this. A big thank you to everyone involved in making this the success it will no doubt be.
School Review
We also have our school review taking place this term, a large part of our time this year for staff has been spent on reflecting on where we have come from over the last four years and working to set goals for the coming time. There will be a school closure day on Monday 14th August to finalise a lot of this before the review panel comes out to the school.
Visitors to our School
You may have also noticed a number of different groups throughout our classrooms over the last two months and more in the coming few. We have had a number of requests of late from other schools and educators to come and have a look at the work that is going on at St Columba’s. Most of these visits originate from conversations people outside of the school are having about the many great things that are taking place in our community and are focussed on, not just our new spaces, but our existing practice and work with the Walker Learning approach and Professional Learning Communities. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and efforts of all those involved in our school and I would like to congratulate and thank everyone, particularly our staff for making the school the success that it is. Our visitors consistently identify the warm and welcoming environment and the attention to students needs that is such a strong part of our culture here.
Mrs Butler’s Enrichment Leave
A week of Silence on Iona
It would be hard to find a more beautiful and spiritual place to spend a week of silence than the tiny island of Iona off the west coast of Scotland.
I was keen to spend time there as this was the island that Columba, with his 12 companions, travelled to from Ireland in 563AD. Columba established a monastery on Iona and from there, he and his fellow monks travelled all over Scotland spreading Christianity, especially to the Northern Picts. Columba spent 34 years on Iona; praying, reading, writing poetry and copying the Gospel. He died on Iona in 597 at the age of 77. After Columba died, his monks continued his work, going from strength to strength, establishing new monasteries across Europe. Iona was always a sacred place for them.
Iona is still a sacred place. Every year thousands of pilgrims from around the world journey to Iona. Some stay only a day, some a week and some much longer.
Iona is a tiny windswept and sun kissed island; a place of prayer; of healing; of extraordinary light. A place where it is easy to stop, reflect and listen. Perhaps it's the centuries of prayer in a beautifully rugged landscape - it's ancient rocks, sandy beaches, bracing air and glorious sunsets.
I stayed in the House of Prayer, stunningly situated overlooking the Sound of Iona (the stretch of water between the Isle of Mull and Iona). Through the windows of the little chapel where we gathered for morning prayer and evening Mass, I watched the movement of the sea mist across the Sound. It was easy to connect with God in this rugged and beautiful natural environment and spending long periods of time in silence helped me to turn inwards and switch off from the outside world.
Though it was a long journey to make my way to this tiny and remote island, I thank God for the week of utter tranquility whilst there.
My journey now continues as I follow Columba's trail through Ireland; the place of his birth and early years.
Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers
Starting on Wednesday 26th July, anyone from our School community – staff, parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends – who shops at Woolworths can collect stickers for your kids. We would love if you could support the school gain valuable extra resources – and let’s stick together with Earn & Learn! Stickers or completed Sticker sheets can be dropped into the office any time during the promotion.
Congratulations!
We would like to congratulate one of our parents, Jean Flynn as she celebrates the publication of her first book published, a wonderful achievement. The launch of Jean’s novel “Lovesick” will be held at Ballarat Books, Saturday 5th August 3.00pm – 5.00pm.
Next Assembly
Our next assembly will be Friday 28th July 2.30pm in the school hall. This Assembly will be lead by LG 12.
At this assembly 6 of our Prep students will be introduced to the school community by their grade 5 buddy.
The following prep students will be introduced:-
Shanae Lin, Reuben Pougnault, Elandra Dualan, Samara O'Keeffe, Ebony Rogers & Mali Kinniburgh.
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