Principal's Message
Principal Message Week 10 - Term 4
As we bring 2025 to a close, I find myself reflecting deeply on the extraordinary journey we have travelled together over the past ten years. Writing this final message as Principal of St Columba’s is something I do with a full heart. This little school with the big heart has been such an important part of my life and it has been the greatest privilege to walk alongside you, your children and our staff throughout this past decade.
This term, like so many before it, has been filled with learning, celebration, connection and moments that remind us of who we are as a community. We continued to shine on both the local and global stage; being celebrated for the strength of our PYP programme and recognised as one of Australia’s best schools by The Educator. These acknowledgements reflect the shared vision, creativity and commitment that have shaped St Columba’s into the school it is today: a place known for high-quality teaching, an inclusive culture and genuine belief in every child.
Our Year 6 Exhibition was a beautiful expression of this. It showed the depth of curiosity, confidence and compassion our students develop here. Their ability to inquire, reflect and take meaningful action is a testament to the IB philosophy that now sits so naturally at the heart of our Catholic identity, woven through social justice, our focus on sustainability and our strong sense of service and community.
Community spirit was on full display at our Carols Night and Art Auction last week, which brought together past, present and future families and raised an incredible $4,300 for our Art Studio. The highly anticipated Market, held the week before, was another highlight, an authentic reflection of who we are as a community and a wonderful celebration that showcased our school at its best. These events are only possible because of the extraordinary people behind them. I am deeply grateful to Bern, Rachael, Chris, Bec, Pam, Tanya, Nicola, Andrew, Ava, our SAC members, our dedicated PFA team and all our volunteers for giving so generously of their time, talent and leadership. Their commitment ensured each event was not only successful but truly top-class!
Our students also continued to shine well beyond our gates. The school musical was a standout, showcasing the camaraderie, perseverance and sheer joy of our young people. Having their achievement tabled in State Parliament is something we can all be incredibly proud of.
Our commitment to social justice has been equally inspiring this year. The Vinnies Christmas Hampers, along with our growing partnership with Sacred Heart Mission’s aged care community through the intergenerational project with Year 5 and 6, have been powerful reminders of what it means to live our values with authenticity and care. The beautiful artworks created through this project are now proudly on display in our garden, a lasting symbol of connection, compassion and shared humanity.
As I reflect on the past decade, I am reminded of how much this community has created together. The spaces where our children play, learn and grow have been shaped by countless hands and generous spirits. What began as small ideas gradually became much-loved parts of our school, the places where friendships form, imaginations spark and a sense of belonging is nurtured. These changes didn’t happen overnight, and they certainly didn’t happen alone. They reflect perseverance, community spirit and a shared belief in giving our children the very best environment we can.
Yet the true heart of St Columba’s has always been the people. Every day, I have been moved by the joy and honesty of our children, the generosity and professionalism of our staff and the warmth and trust of our families. Our parish community has also walked closely with us, grounding our work in faith, mission and purpose. Together, we have shaped a culture where every child is known and valued, where curiosity is encouraged and where kindness is lived, not just spoken about.
It has been a privilege to walk alongside you, to watch your children grow and to share in both the everyday moments and the milestones. I am deeply grateful for the support I have received over the years and for the collective strength that has carried us through both the celebrations and the challenges. This school is in a wonderful position to continue flourishing and I know it will go from strength to strength.
On behalf of all the staff, I wish every family a peaceful and joy-filled holiday and a New Year full of promise. St Columba’s will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I will carry its spirit with me wherever I go.
Thank you for making my time here one I will never forget.
Daniella
