Included this week:-
- Working Bee thank you
- Parent Access Module (PAM)
- Centacare
- Megan Walton
- Review of minimum standards of Senior Secondary Literacy & Numeracy
- St Columba's Links Committee Playgroup Proposal
Pope Francis is not our first Pontiff to show a concern for our treatment of the world around us. His stance however is arguably one of the strongest, particularly in his recognition of the impact of human behaviour upon the earth. In his encyclical Laudato si’ - on care for our common home, Pope Francis draws on St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle, recognising the earth as our sister who sustains and provides for us. He continues this theme stating, “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.“ Francis, P. (2015). Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.
Later in the encyclical Pope Francis recognises the important role education can play in making a difference. ‘There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle. Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us...’ (211) One of the strongest message to come from this piece is the importance of social as well as ecological action in making a sustained change. A recognition that financial decisions so often impact on the world around us, and our work around social action, promoting equality of all, is an integral element of ecological change not a separate one.
This weekend saw an incredible coming together of the St Columba’s community (at short notice) for a school working bee. Thank you is not enough to recognise the contribution made by all those involved. Projects that would likely have taken us months have been completed in an intensive two days. Our kitchen garden beds are now ready for planting, just one of the many achievements of this dedicate group of workers. Whilst a garden bed may seem a simple thing, for the school they offer an opportunity for years of future ‘little daily actions’ as students learn about sustainable, seasonal planting and healthy eating choices. The ripple effect of these actions carries far beyond those directly involved.
Later in the encyclical Pope Francis recognises the important role education can play in making a difference. ‘There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions, and it is wonderful how education can bring about real changes in lifestyle. Education in environmental responsibility can encourage ways of acting which directly and significantly affect the world around us...’ (211) One of the strongest message to come from this piece is the importance of social as well as ecological action in making a sustained change. A recognition that financial decisions so often impact on the world around us, and our work around social action, promoting equality of all, is an integral element of ecological change not a separate one.
This weekend saw an incredible coming together of the St Columba’s community (at short notice) for a school working bee. Thank you is not enough to recognise the contribution made by all those involved. Projects that would likely have taken us months have been completed in an intensive two days. Our kitchen garden beds are now ready for planting, just one of the many achievements of this dedicate group of workers. Whilst a garden bed may seem a simple thing, for the school they offer an opportunity for years of future ‘little daily actions’ as students learn about sustainable, seasonal planting and healthy eating choices. The ripple effect of these actions carries far beyond those directly involved.
Parent Access Module (PAM)
A reminder to any families who haven’t yet completed the Parent Access Module Medical information to please update your child/rens’ details. Instructions for accessing PAM can be found below. You would have received a copy of the instructions and your login details late last term, should you need assistance with any part of the process please contact the office staff. All excursion and permission forms will shortly move to the PAM system and your child will not be able to attend if their details are not updated.
A reminder to any families who haven’t yet completed the Parent Access Module Medical information to please update your child/rens’ details. Instructions for accessing PAM can be found below. You would have received a copy of the instructions and your login details late last term, should you need assistance with any part of the process please contact the office staff. All excursion and permission forms will shortly move to the PAM system and your child will not be able to attend if their details are not updated.
| pam_set_up.pdf |
Centacare
Centrecare, is a not for profit organisation that provide a wide range of community services across Victoria. Part of their services is access to a Good Shepherd Microfinance fund to provide No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS) to eligible people living on low incomes. This may allow families to purchase items including household items, educational essentials, medical and dental services and car repairs. The school has a number of brochures in the office if you would like more information about the NILS, or you can contact Centacare directly on 5337899 and ask to speak to the NILS support worker.
Megan Walton
Recently the Catholic Education Office put out a call for interested special needs coordinators to take over a vacated role at the office supporting schools throughout the diocese. It is with great pleasure and a little sadness that I am informing you of Megan Walton’s successful application to this role for the remainder of term two. Megan will continue working at St Columba’s part time in addition to her new role and is still contactable for any parents in need. Danni Stephens who currently delivers a lot of our intervention programs will be increasing her hours and taking on some aspects of Megan’s role along with the intervention team.
Review of minimum standards of Senior Secondary Literacy & Numeracy
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is interested in hearing the voice and perspective of parents of children in Catholic schools across Victoria. Parents of children in primary or secondary level schooling have the opportunity to submit feedback for a review of the minimum standards of senior secondary literacy and numeracy at the request of the Minister for Education, The Hon James Merlino MP.
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will be presenting the review to the Victorian Minister for Education in August of 2018.
There are two options to have your say as a parent of a child or children in a Catholic primary or secondary school:
Option 1:
Download the consultation paper to be more informed about the review and what is required and email your submission directly to vcaa.consultation@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Submissions sent directly to VCAA are due by Friday 18 May at 5.00pm.
Option 2:
Download the consultation paper to be more informed about the review and what is required. Email your feedback to Catholic School Parents Victoria at secretary@cspv.catholic.edu.au so that we can review your recommendations for possible inclusion in the CSPV submission to the VCAA.
This is an opportunity to contribute to a review of VCE/VCAL announced by the Victorian Minister for Education this year. It has been 30 years since the VCE was piloted and it is timely that there is a review into this standard of qualification for students.
Submissions sent to CSPV are due by Thursday 10 May at 5.00pm.
We look forward to hearing your perspective and in providing further opportunities for Catholic school parents to contribute to education reform in Victoria.
Regards,
Rachel Saliba
Executive Officer - Catholic School Parents Victoria
PO Box 3, East Melbourne Victoria 8002
Ph: 03 9267 0458
Mob: 0419 371 876
St Columba’s Links Committee Playgroup Proposal
The St. Columba’s Parish Links Committee was formed several years ago to explore ways to further develop our relationship between school and parish. It comprises of representatives from our school community including myself, Shane Bruty and Kate O’Hehir along with Fr. Marcello, Judith O’ Sullivan, Marg Schreenan and Troy Severino representing the parish community.
In recent meetings we have been discussing the idea of forming a parish playgroup involving families with preschool children to be held in our school hall each week. We feel that this could be a positive way for families to get to know each other.
We are inviting anyone interested in this idea to meet with Judith and Marg at Bodega for a coffee and a chat to look at further exploring this proposal, on Tuesday 15th May at 9am. If you are interested or would like to know more about this proposal could you please call Judith on 53311012. The parish office is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm.
Alison Thorpe
Chairperson of Links Committee
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Centrecare, is a not for profit organisation that provide a wide range of community services across Victoria. Part of their services is access to a Good Shepherd Microfinance fund to provide No Interest Loan Schemes (NILS) to eligible people living on low incomes. This may allow families to purchase items including household items, educational essentials, medical and dental services and car repairs. The school has a number of brochures in the office if you would like more information about the NILS, or you can contact Centacare directly on 5337899 and ask to speak to the NILS support worker.
Megan Walton
Recently the Catholic Education Office put out a call for interested special needs coordinators to take over a vacated role at the office supporting schools throughout the diocese. It is with great pleasure and a little sadness that I am informing you of Megan Walton’s successful application to this role for the remainder of term two. Megan will continue working at St Columba’s part time in addition to her new role and is still contactable for any parents in need. Danni Stephens who currently delivers a lot of our intervention programs will be increasing her hours and taking on some aspects of Megan’s role along with the intervention team.
Review of minimum standards of Senior Secondary Literacy & Numeracy
Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is interested in hearing the voice and perspective of parents of children in Catholic schools across Victoria. Parents of children in primary or secondary level schooling have the opportunity to submit feedback for a review of the minimum standards of senior secondary literacy and numeracy at the request of the Minister for Education, The Hon James Merlino MP.
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority will be presenting the review to the Victorian Minister for Education in August of 2018.
There are two options to have your say as a parent of a child or children in a Catholic primary or secondary school:
Option 1:
Download the consultation paper to be more informed about the review and what is required and email your submission directly to vcaa.consultation@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Submissions sent directly to VCAA are due by Friday 18 May at 5.00pm.
Option 2:
Download the consultation paper to be more informed about the review and what is required. Email your feedback to Catholic School Parents Victoria at secretary@cspv.catholic.edu.au so that we can review your recommendations for possible inclusion in the CSPV submission to the VCAA.
This is an opportunity to contribute to a review of VCE/VCAL announced by the Victorian Minister for Education this year. It has been 30 years since the VCE was piloted and it is timely that there is a review into this standard of qualification for students.
Submissions sent to CSPV are due by Thursday 10 May at 5.00pm.
We look forward to hearing your perspective and in providing further opportunities for Catholic school parents to contribute to education reform in Victoria.
Regards,
Rachel Saliba
Executive Officer - Catholic School Parents Victoria
PO Box 3, East Melbourne Victoria 8002
Ph: 03 9267 0458
Mob: 0419 371 876
St Columba’s Links Committee Playgroup Proposal
The St. Columba’s Parish Links Committee was formed several years ago to explore ways to further develop our relationship between school and parish. It comprises of representatives from our school community including myself, Shane Bruty and Kate O’Hehir along with Fr. Marcello, Judith O’ Sullivan, Marg Schreenan and Troy Severino representing the parish community.
In recent meetings we have been discussing the idea of forming a parish playgroup involving families with preschool children to be held in our school hall each week. We feel that this could be a positive way for families to get to know each other.
We are inviting anyone interested in this idea to meet with Judith and Marg at Bodega for a coffee and a chat to look at further exploring this proposal, on Tuesday 15th May at 9am. If you are interested or would like to know more about this proposal could you please call Judith on 53311012. The parish office is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9am to 1pm.
Alison Thorpe
Chairperson of Links Committee
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