Principal Message – Week 11 Term 4

Dear St. Columba’s Parents,

What an incredible journey it has been! It’s with a mix of pride and emotion that I write this, realizing it’s already time for our final newsletter of 2023.

This year, our school reached remarkable heights, marked by many unforgettable milestones. Thinking back, numerous moments stand out—the resounding success of our school musical, "Shrek Junior," our outstanding achievements in sports—especially in netball, basketball, and athletics—and the sheer talent showcased in the Year 6 Exhibition. Throughout these experiences, our children have epitomized the vision of our school, proudly representing us at various events, excursions, and within our local community. Witnessing their growth and accomplishments has been truly heartening.

Our community's collaborative efforts have resulted in the creation of the St. Columba’s Primary Strategic Plan 2024-2027, embodying our shared vision for the school's future. This milestone reflects the collective insights gathered through consultations with our teachers, staff, parents, students from Years 3-6, and alumni. Your invaluable input has been pivotal in shaping this plan, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions. You will receive a copy of the plan alongside the school newspaper.

Our parent community’s support has been a cornerstone of our success this year. On behalf of the staff and students, I extend heartfelt gratitude for your time, expertise, and relentless efforts. Special thanks to the 2023 School Advisory Committee and the Parents and Friends Association for their remarkable contributions, tirelessly striving to enhance our children’s learning environments and opportunities here at St. Columba’s.

A substantial amount of effort goes into laying robust foundations during the primary years. It's our commitment to ensure that the children at our school evolve into lifelong learners, equipped to engage actively in the present and future, adept at navigating challenges and shouldering responsibilities.

As we draw 2023 to a close, we are immensely grateful for the enriching learning experiences our students have shared. This year, we've witnessed tremendous growth across all year levels, particularly in reading and maths.

As an IB world school, both our students and teachers have continued to refine the learner profile and approaches to learning. Our educators have embraced responsive teaching—setting clear goals, tailoring learning based on individual needs, and keenly observing students' understanding levels—crucial in navigating the aftermath of the disjointed COVID years. This approach has allowed us to scaffold, challenge, and inspire students to be inquisitive learners. This commitment to responsive teaching resonated profoundly during the Year 6 Exhibition. Here, we witnessed the culmination of their holistic development, seamlessly integrating learning across diverse disciplines—literacy, numeracy, digital technologies, and the arts. This showcased their depth of understanding and their ability to synthesize knowledge across various domains, a testament to their growth as versatile and accomplished learners.

Our 2024 staff have dedicated substantial time to plan and craft units of work that will optimize learning opportunities for our children. Their readiness to transition seamlessly into the new school year reflects their commitment to building upon our progress. In 2024, our focus will centre on further professional development for teachers in mathematics, writing, and reading, emphasizing high-quality instruction. We aim to empower our students through amplifying their voice, agency, and feedback, propelling their learning journey forward.

Exciting prospects await us in 2024—a debut Art Show in term 3, amplifying both visual and performing arts, along with an intensified focus on STEM. We welcome back Rachael Bulcock, resuming her role after maternity leave, enriching our curriculum with a STEAM program across all year levels. Our extracurricular offerings for 2024 will encompass lunchtime clubs, instrumental music lessons, school choir, Lego and chess clubs, alongside STEM, Drama, and basketball sessions after school.

My deepest appreciation goes to our staff for their dedication, professionalism, and nurturing spirit towards our children’s education. Each team member has worked tirelessly to provide the best learning environment for your children.

On behalf of the staff, I extend heartfelt gratitude to you, the parents, for your unwavering support of our school and the St. Columba’s community.

May this holiday season bring joy and warmth to your homes. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Community News