Principal's Message

Principal Message Week 7 - Term 2 

As National Reconciliation Week draws to a close, we’ve had many opportunities to reflect on the importance of truth-telling, respect, and shared commitment to healing. This year’s theme, Now More Than Ever, calls us to continue the work of reconciliation through learning, listening and action.

During week 5, I was fortunate to attend the South-Central Principals’ Network Conference in Broome. The focus was Education in Faith and Indigenous Perspectives, and we visited two remote Catholic schools—Holy Rosary in Derby and Sacred Heart in Beagle Bay. Despite their very different contexts, what stood out most was the sense of joy, belonging, and pride in culture and language in each community. A particularly moving experience was listening to an elder, a member of the Stolen Generations, share her personal story. It was a powerful reminder of why reconciliation matters and how schools, including our own, play a vital role in this ongoing journey.

Back at St Columba’s, our community has shared in two joyful celebrations. On Saturday evening, our Year 6 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation, with Bishop Tony Ireland and Fr John leading a beautiful Mass. It was a lovely occasion, and Bishop Tony’s personal and engaging homily left a lasting impression on our candidates and their families.

Today, we gathered as a whole school to celebrate the Feast of St Columba—our patron and a true Pilgrim of Hope. His story continues to inspire us to act with courage, kindness and a strong sense of purpose. These values are reflected in our school’s mission and the IB Learner Profile, and we see them each day in the way our students learn, play and care for one another. Celebrations like today help strengthen the sense of belonging that is so important to us at St Columba’s. They remind us of the value of coming together, of being part of something bigger, and of the inclusive and connected community we are continuing to build.

We’re also excited to share that work on our school courts is progressing well, and we are now into the final stages. Thanks to the fantastic efforts of families who joined our working bees over the past two weekends, we’ve completed the rendering and painting of the timber fencing and brickwork. This has significantly enhanced the appearance of the space and prepares the area for the installation of a mural—a vibrant and meaningful artistic addition that will mark the long-awaited rejuvenation of this part of our school.

Each of these moments—Reconciliation Week, Confirmation, our Feast Day celebration, and the progress on our courts—highlight the strong sense of connection, purpose and pride we share at St Columba’s. Whether it’s through learning, contributing, or coming together as a community, it’s clear that we are continuing to grow something special. Thank you for the many ways you support and shape our school—it’s this collective spirit that makes St Columba’s such a vibrant and welcoming place for our children to learn and thrive.