Week 6 - Term 4

The year has flown by, and it’s hard to believe we’re already heading into the final stages of 2024.

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of welcoming grandparents and special guests to our school for Grandparents and Special Person's Day. It was a joyful morning with an incredible turnout, as families and friends travelled from near and far to be part of this special event, sharing a firsthand experience of their grandchildren's school life. These moments highlight the importance of strong partnerships between school and family. When families are actively involved in their children's school experiences, it creates a support network that enhances students’ learning and fosters a sense of belonging and pride.

One of the most moving aspects of the day was the beautiful reflection by our Year 5 students, who shared their intergenerational experiences with the residents at sacred Heart Aged Care. These visits by the year 5s have created meaningful bonds, deepened understanding, and sparked genuine friendships—showcasing the reciprocal benefits for both our students and the residents. There was hardly a dry eye as our Year 1-4 students performed a beautiful song about the special people in our lives that truly pulled at the heartstrings. And where would be without the hilariously candid reflections from our Preps on what they love about their grandparents or the heartfelt words about the unique bonds our Year 6 students share with theirs?

The day was filled with countless beautiful moments, demonstrating the shared pride and spirit within our school community. We are immensely grateful for your support and for joining us in creating these cherished memories.

Year 6 Exhibition

On November 26, our Year 6 students will showcase the culmination of their seven years of learning through the PYP Exhibition.

For the Year 6 Class of 2024, 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.

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.

I commend our Year 6 students for their passion and commitment as they’ve tackled the profound question, "What does it mean to be human?" Their inquiries skilfully weave together elements of literacy, numeracy, digital technologies, Catholic Social Teachings, and the arts, showcasing their creativity, insight, and empathy. Through their work, they have explored themes of identity, compassion, and responsibility, bringing fresh perspectives to these complex ideas and highlighting for us all that, no matter their age, our children have the power and ability to make a meaningful difference in the world they live in right now.

I extend an open invitation to our entire school community irrespective of whether your child is in year 6, to join our Year 6 class of 2024 for the opening of their Exhibition on Tuesday, November 26th 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

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited about the new growth and development opportunities that await. Our commitment to creating an inspiring, rigorous, and relevant learning culture is well underway, with purposeful engagement for everyone in our community at the heart of our vision. Our focus remains steadfast: to empower all learners with the skills and attributes they need to confidently navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Introducing our 2025 Classroom Teachers:

Prep: Angela Rush and Meaghan Payne

Grade 1: Isabella Do Rozario-Romic

Grade 2: Karen Driscoll

Grade 3: Aideen Madden and Ruby Elkin

Grade 4 and 5: Amanda Reardon

Grade 6: Jane Dixon

The children will meet their new classroom teacher on Thursday, December 5th, during their 'Step Up Day' orientation session starting from 8:30-11:00 am, giving you the opportunity to meet your child’s new teacher.

PYP at St Columba's