The Coracle - Term 1, Week 5

JUNIOR SCHOOL

We have had a strange start to our school year, but it has been really inspiring to see how people have worked together to support each other and our whole school community. Our 'Beginning of Year Liturgy' was moved online and I would like to congratulate the students for their participation and focus in the new way of engaging in prayer and praise.

The Junior School celebrated Shrove Tuesday this week with pancakes for all students and staff. The occasion was enjoyed by everyone. Shrove Tuesday is traditionally the day when all rich and extravagant foods are used before the solemn feast of Lent.

Ash Wednesday was celebrated in classrooms and led by teachers. In order to be COVID safe, the students did not receive an ash cross on their forehead this year. Instead, they drew their own small cross on a larger fabric cross as they thought about ways to demonstrate love. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the season before Easter when Christians focus on helping others and their own spiritual relationship with God.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality (R-5)

MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL

Lenten Season

This week, the Christian church moves into the season of Lent. It is a time of renewal as we pay more attention to praying, fasting and doing things for others.

During the Ash Wednesday Liturgy, students made a commitment about something they were going to do during Lent to help themselves improve or to help others. As a symbol to remind them of their commitment they were given a cross that was made by a Year 6 student.

Blessing of Year 12 Jumpers

This week, the Year 12s were blessed by the College Leadership Team as they began their journey as Senior Leaders of the school. As a visible symbol of their status, they were presented with their Year 12 Jumper.

Elizabeth Catholic Parish Sacrament Program 2022

The sacraments of Christian Initiation; Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, lay the foundations of every Christian life. We are born anew by the Sacrament of Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and nourished in the Sacrament of Eucharist: the food of Eternal Life.

Parents and caregivers whose children are 8 years of age and over, baptised in the Catholic Church, and who are interested in enrolling their children in a Sacrament, are invited attend an afternoon workshop on Friday 25 March at St Thomas More Church. Details can be found here.

Year 11 Fundraising Carnival

Students are invited to join the fun at lunch time on Thursday 17 March at the Middle School Oval for a Fundraising Carnival, hosted by our Year 11 classes.

All money will go to a range of charities, including the 'Hutt St Mission', 'Salvation Army' and 'Backpacks 4 Kids'. Your support will help many families in our community. A range of stalls from cakes to games will be available. Prices range from 50c to $2.00.

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

Thank you to our parents and caregivers for your continued support during the challenging start to Term 1. We have had numerous cases of COVID in the Junior School and continue to maintain measures to protect and minimise spread in our community. We have been busy ensuring strong communication with families and staff to ensure the safest environment possible. We thank families for their communication back to us and quick responses in collecting children who are unwell. It is important we all keep supporting one another to maintain consistency of learning for students and a safe environment.

Your child may understandably have questions about the pandemic. 'Beyond Blue' suggests families with young people in their care should discuss news of the virus in an open and honest way. Try to relate the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it is normal to feel concerned. If the media or the news is getting too much for them, parents and caregivers are encouraged to limit their exposure.  

Learning@Home is continuing for students impacted by isolation through our learning portals which will remain open and updated whilst we move through these times.

This year, the Junior School teachers have committed to professional learning in the area of Mathematics. Last year, (Term 4, Week 9), our staff engaged in a full day with our Mathematics consultant, Lisa-Jane O’Connor. Teachers and support staff discussed and reviewed the explicit teaching of the rules for our Base 10 system. Understanding the Base 10 system is foundational for further learning in Mathematics. Our specialist teachers explored how they are including learning from the Australian Curriculum Maths Continuum into their specialist area of teaching. Helping children to think like a Mathematician and understand the different areas of Mathematics is our first focus. We are asking students to identify which of the 5 drawers of Mathematics their learning belongs to. At home you can also use these questions and terms to encourage Mathematical thinking.

Number: Do I need to use quantity?
Algebra: Do I need to use patterns and relationships?
Geometry: Do I need to use the properties of a shape?
Measurement: Do I need to use size?
Data: Do I need to produce, use or read data?

We are also developing a Mathematics Intervention Program (MINT) to assist students with additional needs in Mathematics which will commence in Term 2 with small group booster sessions.

Ash Wednesday this week marked the beginning of Lent; the 40 days of preparation for the Easter season when Christians are called to deepen their spiritual lives through the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The belief is that our consistent participation in these practices — like exercise we do for our physical health — improves our spiritual wellbeing by stripping away all that is unnecessary and becoming more mindful of how God is working in our lives. 

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the middle of Term 1. It is always challenging starting the new school year and this year has been very unique. Firstly, I would like to thank all of the students, families and community members who have worked so hard during this time where COVID continues to challenge us. My prayers and thoughts are with all families who are or have been impacted by COVID during this time and I wish everyone health and happiness. It was great to see everyone back face-to-face from Week 3, allowing students to fully engaged in their learning at school.

Our Year 9 students have started The Rite Journey Program and they will soon partake in their Departure Ceremony, which is a celebration that marks the official commencement of the program. The students have been involved in many activities to prepare for this. On Monday 21 March (Week 8) they will be involved in the ceremony during lesson 1 and 2, then participate in an excursion to Cobbler Creek. Here they will go on a bushwalking track and share some morning tea; a symbolic gesture of starting the journey together.

Exciting times at the Middle School from Week 6, as work commences on some of the new school buildings. Our building contractor will soon work on developing the new Drama facility (formally the Lecture Theatre) and construction of 4 new basketball courts. Two of these courts will have significant shade covering. May I ask students and families to be mindful that there will be some disruptions to the school during construction (i.e., use of car parks and College facilities) so your understanding and cooperation in this is much appreciated.

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

It was a quiet start to 2022 in the Senior School with only our Year 12s returning onsite with face-to-face learning. Having the campus to themselves allowed them to ‘find their feet’ and make a good start to their learning. Our Year 10s and 11s began the school year online, with the vast majority of them overcoming this challenge quickly, readily engaging in their new subjects. Week 3 saw the Senior School come alive again! There was much energy and excitement from staff and students who converged back through the school gates for the journey of a ‘normal’ new term.

The first five weeks of the year have gone fast! It has been fantastic to get into classes and see students clarifying their understanding, readily working through tasks and seeing feedback from teachers. I would like to thank our staff for their unrelenting ambition to seek improvement for every child, and for their capacity to navigate the many challenges brought on by the pandemic that we have already encountered in 2022.  

This week, the Class of 2022 were presented with their Senior jumpers by members of the College Leadership and House Leaders. We wish all of our Year 12s the very best for their final year at St Columba College.

The new driveway for the Senior School is almost complete. It will be fantastic to have our own space for student drop-off which will alleviate the pressure on the Middle School and President Avenue.

As always, should you have any concerns or questions around how your child is transitioning into the new year, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School

St Columba College is proud to offer a broad curriculum that provides all students with degrees of support and challenges suitable to their particular needs.

As part of our commitment to help all students achieve their best, regardless of their academic ability, a new strategy will be added to our suite of learning opportunities this year in the form of an Academic Extension Program.

The Academic Extension Program is designed to cater to the needs of students in Years 3 ­- 11 who possess academic gifts and talents. Nationally, we see this in approximately 10% of school-aged children. Our program will have both curricular and extra-curricular aspects and will help gifted students to reach their potential and thrive. Students will have the opportunity to work with like-minded peers, engage in project and investigative work, and participate in competitions, all geared to their areas of interest. In the coming weeks, students eligible for inclusion in the Academic Extension Program will learn about the exciting opportunities provided for them.

Ms Oliwia Derda with student Zahra

Academic Extension at St Columba will be coordinated by Ms Oliwia Derda, who is working closely with Dr Rebecca Napier - Gifted Education Adviser at the Catholic Education Office. Oliwia’s role is twofold; firstly in assisting our classroom teachers to ensure learning is tailored, and secondly, that we have meaningful extension activities on offer for our most gifted students. Already Oliwia has undertaken the process of implementing holistic identification processes. This involves collating school-based information and standardised testing data so that we have an evidence-based strategy to ensure that no student with an academic gift goes unrecognised.

The College will also be launching an Academic Scholarship Program in the coming months. Parents and Caregivers with gifted children who would like to enrol at St Columba can apply for financial support for their family.

We are excited for this new learning direction at St Columba College and have confidence these programs will present excellent opportunities for our gifted students to flourish and maximise their potential. Should you wish to discuss the Academic Extension Program or Academic Scholarships, I encourage you to contact me at darren.pitt@stcolumba.sa.edu.au in the first instance. Thank you.

Mr Darren Pitt | Deputy Principal