School Notifications
Sibling Enrolments
I would ask that parents who have a child commencing Prep in 2021 to please enrol their child by the end of March so we can see how many places will be available to new families for 2021. Enrolment forms can be downloaded from the website or collected from the school office.
School Closure Days BASC Open
Due to the school closure days Thursday the 5th and Friday the 6th of March BASC will be OPEN 7am – 6:30pm both days. To book your child/ren in please contact Andy on 0407558316.
Elwood Sunday Marqt
Dear parents,
15-03 is the date, we'll have our first community market at our school grounds! Of course we cannot do it without your help.
For the children's flea market we would love to have children on board to sell their old toys, books or clothes.
For the bake sale, bbq and school stalls, we need volunteers. You can sign in the old fashioned way on the lists at the playground (every day at pick up) or online: via https://www.stcolumbasprimary.org/volunteer-here/?sheet_id=13
If you have old mugs, that you no longer use, please donate them in the crate next to the buddy bench.
Youth and Schools Clean up Day
On Friday 28th Feb, the Preps to Yr 4's participated in Youth and Schools Clean up Day. The preps set off around the school yard to find leaves for the compost and to collect rubbish. The 1/2s did an excellent job of cleaning up the neighbourhood of Elwood and the 3/4's left the canal sparkling clean!
Thanks to all the parent volunteers for their help. The less rubbish on the streets, helps to keep our environment healthy!
ECSI Survey
You should have received a Flexibuzz regarding the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Survey. This survey is part of the formal school review process that our school will be undertaking in 2021. This survey has been designed to assist us in better understanding how our Catholic Identity is expressed in work and practice here at St Columba’s.
It is a lengthy survey, taking approximately an hour to complete. All staff and Year 5 and 6 children will complete the survey. I encourage you to take this opportunity to participate in this. The last day to access the survey online is March 27.
There back...head lice
Please check your child/children's hair for head lice and treat accordingly.
Catholic Education Today: Term 1, 2020
The Term 1, 2020 edition is now available: https://www.cem.edu.au/News-Events/Catholic-Education-Today.aspx
Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities. The annual CSEF amount per student is $125 per year for eligible primary school students.
The applicant must be one of the following:
- parent/carer (of the relevant student) who is:
- on the first day of term one (28 January 2020) or the first day of term two (14 April 2020) an eligible beneficiary of either a Centrelink Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card; or
- an eligible beneficiary of a Veterans Affairs Gold Card; or
- a temporary foster carer
The parent/carer must submit an application to the school prior to the end of term 2.
Parents/carer who receive a carer allowance on behalf of a student, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF payment unless they also meet the above eligibility criterion.
Payments are made directly to the school and are tied to the student.
More information can be found here:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx
Please see Paula in the office who can supply you with the form.
Lent
-Around 2.8 million children in the Philippines do not go to school.*
We begin Project Compassion learning about the story of Shirley. Shirley was struggling to
support her family and keep her children in school. She faced regular discrimination and
disadvantage, limiting her family’s access to food, education, employment and healthcare.
With Caritas Australia’s support, Shirley trained to become an indigenous health worker. She
has learnt to supplement her income and is able to feed her family. The program has also
empowered Shirley to send her children to school. Watch a short film about Shirley’s story:
DONATE HERE: