Principal Report

Principal Message – Week   Term 2

Principal Message – Celebrating 105 years

It is with great excitement that we look forward to our St Columba’s Feast Day celebrations, Friday 9 June. 2023 marks 105 years in the Elwood community. This incredible milestone is testament to the enduring commitment of our school, staff, children, and families.

We are proud of the strong educational foundation and values that our school has consistently upheld over the years. For over a century St Columba’s has provided quality education and created a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can flourish and grow. Our dedicated teachers and staff have worked tirelessly to inspire a love of learning, encourage curiosity, and support the wholistic development of each child. 

We also acknowledge the support and active involvement of you, our parents, in creating the welcoming, vibrant and close-knit community. Your commitment to your children’s education, your participation in school events and your engagement have played a significant role in shaping the warm and nurturing atmosphere we enjoy here at our school.

Finnish educator and author, Pasi Sahlberg, stated, “Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” This statement encapsulates what we strongly believe as a school. At St Columba’s we strive to provide our learners with an education that not only nurtures their intellect but also their character and wellbeing. And as a proud IB World School, we passionately embrace the idea that learning is a lifelong journey that extends well beyond the confines of school.

In a rapidly changing world, we recognise the importance of equipping our children with essential skills such as critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and collaboration. We are committed to preparing them to be agile learners and responsible global citizens who can thrive in an uncertain future. Valerie Hannon, education thought leader, “We need to prepare young people for jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, to solve problems we don’t yet know are problems.” This resonates deeply with our vision for the future.

Looking ahead we are excited by the opportunities that lie before us. We are dedicated to embracing innovative teaching practices, leveraging technology, and providing our children with learning environments that fosters and supports curiosity, exploration and problem solving. As we celebrate our 105th year, we invite you to join us in envisioning a future where our children graduate as compassionate, resilient, and empowered individuals who are ready to make a positive impact in the world. Together, we can and will build upon the strong foundations of St Columba’s and continue to create an inclusive and froward thinking learning community.

Next Friday we will celebrate this momentous milestone with Mass at 9:00am followed by celebrations in the playground including a very special surprise for the children. We invite you to join us in our celebrations.

Thank you for being an integral part of our St Columba’s family and remarkable story.