Principal Message Week 6 - Term 2

As we hit the last few weeks of Term 2, I want to reflect on the beautiful sense of community that has been on display recently. Last Friday evening, our Year 6 candidates celebrated their Confirmation. It was a truly lovely evening centred around the values of love, integrity and compassion. We were treated to a beautiful homily by Fr Andrew, which deeply resonated with everyone present. I want to extend a huge thank you to Aideen and Angela for expertly preparing our students. Fr John, Christine and Jane, I want to thank for their organisation and amazing support they showed our families and students.

Our connection to the Parish was further strengthened over the weekend at the Dine with Heart - Soup and Sweet Lunch event. Seeing our families attend and connect with each other truly showcases the wonderful support within our community.

The parish social committee wrote a beautiful email to me this week. We feel incredibly blessed by the generous support and collaboration of our school community. On behalf of the Parish social committee, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. These partnerships truly strengthen the bond between our Parish and school and we look forward to seeing this collaboration continue to bear fruit for our wider community. Please extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in supporting us.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/what-is-reconciliation/

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As we acknowledge National Sorry Day and begin Reconciliation Week, we are reminded of the importance of truth-telling, understanding and walking together with respect. These significant occasions provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and to continue building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At St Columba’s, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, compassion and reconciliation. Throughout the week, students will engage in learning experiences and conversations that encourage empathy, understanding and respect for First Nations cultures, histories and perspectives.

As a community, we are called to be peacemakers and people of compassion. Reconciliation Week reminds us of the importance of listening, learning and working together to create a more just and inclusive community for all.

Prep 2027 Transition Begins

Over the last term and a half, it has been an absolute privilege to lead school tours and interview kindergarten children for our upcoming Prep 2027 cohort.

A few highlights from the enrolment season:

We have 40 future Preps ready to join the school! These growing numbers promise a vibrant and exciting new era ahead.
On Wednesday, we officially kicked off the Prep transition process. Our incoming students had a wonderful time enjoying fun activities designed and set up by our Year 3 and 4 students.
While the children played, our new families spent time getting to know one another and building those vital home school partnerships.

Showcasing our school and sharing what makes our community so special is always a joy. We are incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated staff and passionately supportive families who make days like Wednesday possible!

A simple need. A real impact. Support our students this tax time.

This year, we’re raising funds to replace old and worn water bubblers across our school. It’s a simple but essential upgrade to ensure students have access to drinking water, reduce the spread of illness and minimise water waste.

We know many families are feeling the cost of living pressures, so there is no expectation, just an invitation.

If you are able to give this tax time, every contribution will make a real difference.

💧 All donations over $2 are tax-deductible

👉 How to donate:

Bank Transfer > Account Name: Building Fund > BSB: 083 347 > Account Number: 776212369 (Please include your family name in the transaction description)
In Person: Cash or cheque donations can be dropped off at the school office

A Bright Transformation

What do you notice? It’s a question we ask our students every day, but now we are asking our families! If you’ve stayed after school or picked your child up from basketball training, you’ve probably noticed something incredible. The brand new artwork around our courts is officially finished and it looks absolutely amazing!

We are incredibly grateful to Ang (Anastasios and Nikki’s dad) for dedicating his time, creative energy and hard work to this project. It captures the fun spirit of our school perfectly. A big thank you also goes to Anastasios and Nikki for helping their dad bring this to life! Thank you for capturing the fun and wonderful spirit of our school so perfectly.

Learning Diversity News