Included this week:-
- School Visits
- Wellbeing Survey Data worth celebrating
- Footy Colours Day
- Lunch Orders
- Yoga for Parents and Students
- Grade 5/6 Expo
- 1/2 Learning Community Movie this Friday
Dear Parents
School Visits
Yesterday we had a number of visitors from Northern Bay College, Geelong and Lumen Christi, Delacombe visit our school for a tour of the junior classes to see the Walker Learning Approach in action. This year we have had more than six schools visit St Columba’s for a variety of reasons. The feedback from all of these schools has been extremely positive, which is affirming of the journey that we’ve undertaken with the introduction of the Walker Learning Approach, Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and our open learning environments. It is also testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers to bring about our vision for contemporary learning to best meet the needs of all our students.
Further, our PLC Leading Team has been invited to present at the Collaborative Professional Learning Community Network day in Horsham next month. At this day there will be teachers from Catholic schools from across the Ballarat Diocese.
Wellbeing Survey Data worth Celebrating
Each semester our students from grades 1 to 6 complete an online survey about their social emotional and wellbeing; the ACER Social-Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) Survey. This survey provides a view of students’ wellbeing by assessing:
Indicators of students' social-emotional wellbeing
Indicators of Social Emotional Wellbeing show that 68% of our students have high levels of wellbeing, 25% have moderate levels of wellbeing and 6% have low levels of wellbeing. These figures are well above the average of all schools across Victoria and have increased since 2016.
Our data also shows that 96% of students from Grade 1 to 6 ‘get along well with their teacher’ and 92% state that their peers like them. This is significantly higher than other schools. 98% of students stated that they think it is important to treat all people with respect.
These are fantastic results for our school and highlight the emphasis that all our staff have to build strong relationships with our students. Programs such as Peaceful Kids and Seasons for Growth, as well as the work of Narelle White, our School Social Worker, also support students to develop strong social, emotional and wellbeing skills.
Footy Colours Day
Last day of term - Friday 22nd September. Please see information below.
School Visits
Yesterday we had a number of visitors from Northern Bay College, Geelong and Lumen Christi, Delacombe visit our school for a tour of the junior classes to see the Walker Learning Approach in action. This year we have had more than six schools visit St Columba’s for a variety of reasons. The feedback from all of these schools has been extremely positive, which is affirming of the journey that we’ve undertaken with the introduction of the Walker Learning Approach, Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and our open learning environments. It is also testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers to bring about our vision for contemporary learning to best meet the needs of all our students.
Further, our PLC Leading Team has been invited to present at the Collaborative Professional Learning Community Network day in Horsham next month. At this day there will be teachers from Catholic schools from across the Ballarat Diocese.
Wellbeing Survey Data worth Celebrating
Each semester our students from grades 1 to 6 complete an online survey about their social emotional and wellbeing; the ACER Social-Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) Survey. This survey provides a view of students’ wellbeing by assessing:
Indicators of students' social-emotional wellbeing
- Positive and negative emotions and behaviours
- Resilience, attitudes and coping skills
- Social skills and values
- Work management and engagement skills
Indicators of Social Emotional Wellbeing show that 68% of our students have high levels of wellbeing, 25% have moderate levels of wellbeing and 6% have low levels of wellbeing. These figures are well above the average of all schools across Victoria and have increased since 2016.
Our data also shows that 96% of students from Grade 1 to 6 ‘get along well with their teacher’ and 92% state that their peers like them. This is significantly higher than other schools. 98% of students stated that they think it is important to treat all people with respect.
These are fantastic results for our school and highlight the emphasis that all our staff have to build strong relationships with our students. Programs such as Peaceful Kids and Seasons for Growth, as well as the work of Narelle White, our School Social Worker, also support students to develop strong social, emotional and wellbeing skills.
Footy Colours Day
Last day of term - Friday 22nd September. Please see information below.
Lunch orders
Please find a copy of an updated lunch order form for this week with reduced pricing for some items. Children will need cutlery for some items of hot food. Cutlery can be bought from home or bio-degradable cutlery can be purchased from Bodega for a cost of 15c. Please note that tomato sauce has been added to the bottom of the lunch order listing as requested by some families.
Please be sure to refer to the updated menu attached in the Parents and Friends News for the correct costings. The updated menu and this week’s specials will be sent out on the Skoolbag App tomorrow.
Summer Uniform
Although looking out the window today it is hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner. Term 4 sees us return to our summer uniforms. We are likely to have a few colder days during the first few weeks of term, if the weather is particularly cold, children may wear their winter uniform.
Book Fair
We will be running the Scholastic Book Fair on Monday 16th October. We are hoping to have some parent volunteers to assist on the day. If you are able to help out, please contact Cleta Forrest or Julie Cooper for further details.
Yoga for Parents and Students
Due to illness, the yoga sessions planned to start today will not begin till next term. The first yoga session will be held on Wednesday 11th October and will continue for 5 consecutive weeks, concluding on Wednesday 8th November. There are a number of places left in the yoga sessions. Any Grade 3 to 6 student or any parent who would like to take part in the yoga sessions are asked to register your interest at the school office and pay the $25. Michelle, a qualified yoga instructor, will be running the sessions in the old 5/6 area. All equipment will be provided and there will be a maximum of 20 people in each session. The cost of the 5 sessions will be $25 ($5 per session).
Grade 5/6 Expo
The Grade 5/6 Community Expo will be held Wednesday 20th September 2.00pm – 3.30pm. The Expo will demonstrate some of the wonderful learning experiences from Term 3’s History and Health Unit and will feature “Blenders Bliss”.
1/2 Learning Community Movie this Friday
On Friday 15th September the 1/2 Learning Community will be watching the movie The Lorax. The movie has strong links with our current Religion unit of work about Creation and ties in with environmental week.
The Lorax movie is rated PG and therefore if you have any concerns regarding this please see your classroom teacher.
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Please find a copy of an updated lunch order form for this week with reduced pricing for some items. Children will need cutlery for some items of hot food. Cutlery can be bought from home or bio-degradable cutlery can be purchased from Bodega for a cost of 15c. Please note that tomato sauce has been added to the bottom of the lunch order listing as requested by some families.
Please be sure to refer to the updated menu attached in the Parents and Friends News for the correct costings. The updated menu and this week’s specials will be sent out on the Skoolbag App tomorrow.
Summer Uniform
Although looking out the window today it is hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner. Term 4 sees us return to our summer uniforms. We are likely to have a few colder days during the first few weeks of term, if the weather is particularly cold, children may wear their winter uniform.
Book Fair
We will be running the Scholastic Book Fair on Monday 16th October. We are hoping to have some parent volunteers to assist on the day. If you are able to help out, please contact Cleta Forrest or Julie Cooper for further details.
Yoga for Parents and Students
Due to illness, the yoga sessions planned to start today will not begin till next term. The first yoga session will be held on Wednesday 11th October and will continue for 5 consecutive weeks, concluding on Wednesday 8th November. There are a number of places left in the yoga sessions. Any Grade 3 to 6 student or any parent who would like to take part in the yoga sessions are asked to register your interest at the school office and pay the $25. Michelle, a qualified yoga instructor, will be running the sessions in the old 5/6 area. All equipment will be provided and there will be a maximum of 20 people in each session. The cost of the 5 sessions will be $25 ($5 per session).
Grade 5/6 Expo
The Grade 5/6 Community Expo will be held Wednesday 20th September 2.00pm – 3.30pm. The Expo will demonstrate some of the wonderful learning experiences from Term 3’s History and Health Unit and will feature “Blenders Bliss”.
1/2 Learning Community Movie this Friday
On Friday 15th September the 1/2 Learning Community will be watching the movie The Lorax. The movie has strong links with our current Religion unit of work about Creation and ties in with environmental week.
The Lorax movie is rated PG and therefore if you have any concerns regarding this please see your classroom teacher.
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