The Coracle - Term 2, Week 5

Combined Anglican Schools Worship 

On Tuesday 17 May, our Senior Leaders represented the College at the ‘Combined Anglican Schools Worship’ at St Peter’s Cathedral. The theme for the day was ‘Global Citizenship’. The worship service was celebrated by The Right Reverend, Denise Ferguson, Assistant Bishop for Adelaide and The Right Reverend, Keith Dalby, Bishop of the Murray. Prior to the service, the students were involved in several workshops that explored the theme and practiced prayer movements and songs that were to be used in the Liturgy.  

Casual Clothes Day & Food Collection 

Thank you to all families for your generous donations towards our Food Collection Day on Friday 27 May. Over 1000 items of cans and packaged food was donated to St Vincent de Paul at Elizabeth. Part of the Vinnies Shop is also a branch of Fred’s Van. Both the shop and van provide hampers of food for families in need, as well as providing hot meals to anyone who comes to Fred’s Van during certain times of the week. The volunteers at St Vincent de Paul were extremely grateful for the arrival of the food. 

House Liturgies 

Last term, all Liturgies were either in small Kinship gatherings or by MS Teams. Hence, it was with a lot of joy that we were able to have ‘face to face’ Liturgies this term. It has been quite a while since House groups have been able to gather in the Chapel, so we are very grateful.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra | Director of Spirituality (6-12)

This term we have been thrilled to have parents and caregivers back on site as well as the recommencement of excursions and assemblies. Coming together as a community has been the highlight of the term so far. It brings with it a sense of normalcy and the ability to celebrate the strengths of our students and provide them with all the opportunities they deserve to shine. Absenteeism of staff and students due to COVID and the flu continues to provide us with challenges, which we do our best to work through each day. There are times when no relief staff are available, and we need to cover classes with a mixture of other staff or spilt classes.  

We congratulate Mrs Michelle Arthur who is Acting Head of Junior School for the next 5 weeks. We commend Mrs Gina Dunning on her appointment at Xavier College in Term 3 and give our best wishes to Mrs Inge Forbes who will commence maternity leave from the end of term. We look forward to welcoming Ms Sarah Koch and Mrs Samantha Moore to the College in Term 3. 

Our children have engaged in a range of learning, wellbeing and community activities so far this term including the Mother's Day Stall, NAPLAN (Years 3 & 5), SACPASSA Sport Carnival, Sporting Schools AFL clinics, House meetings, and an “Animals in our World” incursion for our Receptions. Our Year 5 students are eagerly preparing for their Week 9 camp. 

We thank our Community Engagement Officer, Mrs Samantha Desmond, for arranging the ‘Banana Bites’ Program for students needing support to manage their experiences through family separation, divorce and loss. Mrs Desmond would also be happy to hear from you should you like to become a volunteer in the College! Our new volunteer induction process means we can efficiently get you started. Please contact her or your child’s class teacher if you’re able to help in any way.  

Our R-6 staff continue to engage in ‘Mathematics Professional Learning’ with Mathematics consultant, Ms Lisa Jane O’Connor. Our current focus is on developing number sense and building fluency of number facts. Ways that you can help at home include encouraging number sense – the ability to separate and put numbers together flexibly – by talking with your child about how you solve math problems. Never share with your children the idea that you were ‘bad at Maths at school’ or you dislike it, especially if you are a mother, as this can create a fixed mindset. Instead, encourage a growth mindset; the idea that ability and smartness change as you work more and learn more.  

We thank our families for engaging in 3-Way Learning Conversations over the past few weeks. If you have not met with your child’s teacher yet to hear about their learning, I encourage you to contact them to make a time. Working in partnership creates strong outcomes for students’ learning and wellbeing.

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School 

Fundraising – Casual Clothes Day 

On Friday 27 May we hosted a Casual Clothes Fundraising Day. I would like to sincerely thank the students who brought cans and non-perishable items to help those who are less fortunate. This week we were privileged to pass on over 1000 food items to St Vincent de Paul, which will support many families in our community. 

NAPLAN: National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy  

In Weeks 2 and 3, we had a successful NAPLAN campaign where students participated in both Numeracy and Literacy assessments. I would like to thank Mr Daniel Ganama for his work in organising and coordinating this important event. We look forward to seeing the results later in the year. 

Debating Competitions 

Our Middle School Debating Team commenced their first competition in Week 3. I would like to thank Miss Oliwia Derda and Ms Kylie Brown who have been coordinating the contest. Considering this was their first experience in this competition, our Middle School students did amazingly well. 

Reflection Days 

It has been unfortunate that we have been unable to hold our Year 7–9 Reflection Days this term due to the impact of COVID on staff availability. Reflection Days are a key part of the Liturgical program that we offer at St Columba College. We hope that we will be able to host these very soon in Term 3. 

School Attendance & Punctuality 

I would like to reiterate the importance of attendance and punctuality at school. These are absolutely paramount for success. In my professional experience, students who are late or not present at school will often have significant gaps in their learning. This can have a long-term impact – not only school completion – but on future job prospects. 

Please note that staff will be focusing on lateness throughout the term. Students are reminded that school begins at 8:40am. Our goal at the College is to work in partnership with our families to ensure students arrive on time and are ready to learn. We kindly ask for your support with this matter.  

I hope the rest of the term goes well for you. 

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

It has been a busy start to the term in the Senior School.  

We had a fantastic opportunity to talk with parents and caregivers at our 3-Way Learning Conversations early in the term. If you did not get the chance to speak with your child’s teacher, they are always happy to hear from you to discuss student learning.  

It has been delightful to open the school back up to guest speakers, specifically, the P.A.R.T.Y Program for Year 12s which highlighted taking risks in life, the Road Awareness Program for Year 11s which discussed road safety, along with the Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis presentation for our Year 10s. We also had an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning to others. The Stage 1 Drama performance, ‘Shakespear Bachelor’ was exceptional, as were the catering events set up by the Food and Hospitality classes. Our Stage 1 and 2 Outdoor Education classes have had opportunities to bush hike and our Stage 2 Sport Studies classes began engaging in lawn bowls.  

With the busyness of the term, a reminder to all Senior School students if they feel they are falling behind in their learning, that after-school study support is available to them every Monday to Thursday from 3.30pm until 5pm. Expert tutors are more than happy to support them on projects, discuss ideas and answer questions. I look forward to reading the Semester 2 reports at the end of term and celebrate the success of students.  

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School