St Columba's News

School notifications

School Calendar 

Currently we are in the process of removing our school calendar from our website.  We are going to trial using the Flexibuzz Calendar. The advantages of the Flexibuzz Calendar are:

  • Calendar dates will only be sent to you if it relates to your child’s class.  You will only see events that effect your child.
  • Flexibuzz will send you a reminder 24 hours prior to each event.
  • Flexibuzz allows you to add the event to your own calendar.

We will continue to update the Dates to Remember section in the newsletter with all key dates. 

Reporting for Semester 1 2020

As our school moved to remote learning as a result of COVID-19, the usual ways of working and engaging with students looked different in Term 2. Included in this change is how we assess and report on student learning. There have been countless positive opportunities and new learning, but there have also been challenges and we have each responded as best we can on a weekly basis.

 

I would ask you to appreciate that the content on which we will be reporting has been reduced, as the usual assessments undertaken in the everyday classroom have not been possible this term.

 

Teachers will use a broad evidence-base to make their own balanced assessments of your child’s progress at this point in time. Such evidence includes student-led conversations and teacher observations, online work submitted, online assessments, Term 1 assessments, notes and work samples.

 

The student report for semester 1 will look different. Following the advice of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), Victorian Department of Education and Training, and Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV), the report will provide:

  • a description of the areas of the Victorian Curriculum F–10 taught in Semester 1
  • a comment of student learning in the areas of English, Mathematics, Religious Education and units of inquiry
  • a comment on how your child has adjusted to the remote and flexible learning environment.

The end of year report (December) will provide a more comprehensive view of the year’s learning. 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns. 

 

Please note: parent/teacher interviews will be held in term 3 week 2 via Zoom and more information will be available soon.

Sacraments Update

As a result of COVID-19 and the lock down at the end of term 1 and for most of term 2 we were unable to continue our Sacramental program. Now that restrictions are beginning to ease around groups gathering, we have decided to go ahead with Eucharist in Term 3 as planned. 

 

Parent Eucharist evening 7:00pm via Zoom Tuesday 21 July (Zoom link will be sent via email).

 

First Eucharist celebrations 29 August 6:00pm, 30 August 9:00am, 5 September 6:00pm, 6 September 9:00am. 

 

Due to the cap on numbers attending Masses it will be very important that you respond promptly to the bookings request when it becomes available early Term 3. 

 

Reconciliation will also be held in Term 3 over three Saturdays commencing August 8, 15, 22 at 4:30pm. You will need to book into one of these if your child is making their First Reconciliation. Bookings will be made available early Term 3.

 

We were meant to be celebrating Confirmation with our Year 6s this week but once again due to COVID-19 this was postponed. Fr John has written to the Vicar General to ask when restrictions are eased, if he would be able to officiate this important milestone Sacrament for our Year 6 children. The response is promising and we are hoping to be able to proceed with this in Term 4. We have tentatively put aside the following two dates October 23 and November 6. We may need to celebrate the occasion over two dates if the restrictions on gathering in Church remain at smaller numbers. Until we have an official statement we are unable to confirm these details.

St. Columba's Apple Fundraiser

Order delicious healthy Apples and raise money for your school at the same time!

Jonagold Apples - Chemical free, wax free, hand picked and totally organic (just not certified yet!).

 

For every kg ordered the school receives $1.00 - Don't miss this opportunity!

 

5kg @ $20.00 ($5 is donated to your child's primary school)

 

Jonagold apples are a cross between a Jonathan and a Golden Delicious. Crisp, juicy and perfect for eating or cooking. They are scrumptious in apple crumble!

 

Click here to place your Order

 

(https://www.trybooking.com/BKBRT)

Any questions please call: Geraldine Pepper 0438517233

Art Competition

Student diaries provide so many learning benefits, including planning and organisational skills, but what we also know is that if they're fun and fresh-looking, students use them more.

 

What better way to produce a diary that appeals to primary students, than to have them design the cover!  

 

We're inviting students to create a design or piece of art using the specifications on the entry form. Please forward this information to all of your teachers, especially your art and creative teachers so they can encourage your students to get involved.

 

The winning entry, as selected by our Graphic Design team will become the cover of our 2021 Primary Student Diary and the student will also win a $50 voucher. The school will win $100 in vouchers also.

 

CLICK HERE to download a poster that we encourage you to print and put in the staff room and around the school. CLICK HERE to download the 2-page entry form which can be photocopied and given to students to enter.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I wish you and your students well, and we look forward to receiving your entries.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Kim Cudbertson

Marketing & Communications