Principal Message – Week Term 4

The year has flown by, and it's hard to believe that we're already well into the second half of term 4.

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting Grandparents and Special Person's Day at our school. It was a heart-warming morning, brimming with enthusiasm and joy. The occasion boasted an impressive turnout, with numerous family and friends travelling from far and wide to participate in this unique celebration and engage with our children in their school environment, providing them with a firsthand glimpse of our school.

The day was marked by countless beautiful moments, spotlighting the strong sense of school spirit and pride shared by both the children and staff. The children truly rose to the occasion, creating a heartfelt and engaging tribute to all the special people in their lives. Their genuine excitement in sharing this precious time with their family and friends was evident to all.

Occasions like these emphasize the remarkable contributions our families make to our school, and we express our gratitude for your support and your willingness to be part of such meaningful events.

Year 6 Exhibition

Next week, our Year 6 students will showcase the culmination of their seven years of learning through the PYP Exhibition.

For the Year 6 Class of 2023, the Exhibition represents the pinnacle of their learning journey at St Columba’s and within the PYP framework. It requires them to delve into an area of personal passion and interest, demonstrating their ability to take responsibility for their learning and to effect positive change.

The Exhibition exemplifies the attributes of an IB learner, emphasizing the qualities of inquirers, knowledgeable individuals, critical thinkers, communicators, principled citizens, open-mindedness, caring, risk-taking, balance, and reflection.

I commend our Year 6 students for their passionate commitment and perseverance in addressing the pressing issue of climate change and instilling hope through their exploration of regenerative and ethical practices. Their projects, which skilfully incorporate elements of literacy, numeracy, digital technologies, indigenous perspectives, and the arts, emphasize the significance of these foundational skills and underscore the interdisciplinary nature of the exhibition. All whilst highlighting their ability to comprehensively tackle real-world challenges.

It is essential to recognize and amplify the voices of all individuals, especially our children. By granting them agency, we empower them to advocate for a better world and for their beliefs, fostering their capacity to make a difference and ensuring their perspectives are acknowledged and valued.

The Exhibition process values the journey as much as the destination. The collaborative work, the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the development of critical thinking skills will be lasting memories for our Year 6 students, equipping them for success in their secondary school journey.

The International Baccalaureate's mission is to nurture inquiring, knowledgeable, and compassionate individuals who promote a more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. As a Catholic school, we are dedicated to instilling compassion, empathy, respect for the world, care for the vulnerable, the promotion of inclusion, and the building of a strong community. Our students exemplify these values during events like the Year 6 Exhibition, embodying the aspirations of our community.

I extend an invitation to all, irrespective of whether your child is in year 6, to join us for the opening of the Exhibition on Thursday, November 16th at 6:30 pm in the hall. It's an opportunity to witness firsthand the amazing learning and growth that our students experience over their 7 years at St Columba’s.

Looking Ahead to 2024

We have already started planning for 2024, and we are enthusiastic about the growth and development opportunities ahead. Our goal to establish a learning culture that is inspiring, rigorous, relevant, purposeful, and engaging for all members of our community, is well underway. Our aim remains clear and focused: to equip all learners with the skills and attributes they need to confidently embrace a rapidly changing world.

Introducing our 2024 Classroom Teachers:

Prep: Angela Rush

Grade 1: Gemma Canalini

Grade 2: Meaghan Payne

Grade 3: Isabella Do Rozario-Romic

Grade 4: Karen Driscoll

Grade 5: Amanda Reardon

Grade 6: Tara Murray

Grade 6: Jane Dixon

The children will meet their new classroom teacher on Thursday, December 7th, during their 'Step Up Day' orientation session from 9:00-11:00 am.

We are incredibly excited about what 2024 holds and the opportunities that await in the coming year.

In the meantime, with just five weeks remaining in this term, we invite you to participate in our many end-of-year celebrations, starting with the Art Walk this Sunday, November 12th, from 4-6 pm. We look forward to seeing you there and hope to raise funds to revitalize our kitchen garden area.

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