The Coracle - Term 1, Week 5

Junior School

The beginning of the new school year has been a busy time in the Junior School. We started with an R-12 Beginning of Year Liturgy to celebrate our return to school and to look forward to all the opportunities to learn and grow that we will have this year. During the Liturgy, the Reception students were led in by their Year 12 buddies and were given a medal to acknowledge them becoming members of the St Columba school community.

This was closely followed by Ash Wednesday, a day that marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days before the Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. During Lent, Christians spend more time in prayer, fasting and giving to help others. Students were marked with a sign of the cross on their foreheads which is an old tradition in both the Anglican and Catholic churches. It is a sign of saying sorry for our mistakes and a promise to try harder in the future.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality, R-5

Middle and Senior School

We have had a busy start to the year with our R-12 Beginning of Year Liturgy to bless the school year. The following week we started the season of Lent by spending time in House groups and making pancakes to acknowledge Shrove Tuesday. The following day was our Ash Wednesday Liturgies, with the call to improve ourselves and remember the upcoming resurrection of Christ. 

Our Year 12 cohort recently spent time together, reflecting on personal goals for their own learning and suggesting input to their Year 12 Charter. This time was concluded with a blessing and the presentation of the Year 12 Jumper to each student by our Principal, Mr Darren Pitt.

The Year 7 students had a Reflection Day which is part of the Connect, Inspire, Celebrate Retreat Program. During this time, the students had the opportunity to meet others in their cohort and explored the importance of our words and how they can be used to change someone’s life for the better.

Our Year 9 students celebrated the official start of The Rite Journey Program which combines the Health, Personal Development and Religious Education courses.  It is designed to complement the role of the parent/caregiver in guiding their son/daughter from child to adulthood. The day began with a Liturgy and then the students went on a hiking challenge at Cobbler Creek Recreation Park.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra | Director of Spirituality 6-12

It has most certainly been a whirlwind of a start to the year at the Junior School. I am enjoying getting to know the students and many of the families. I especially love my morning duties at the back school gate where I am able to meet and greet so many of you.

Thank you to the families who came and met the teachers the week before school started. I know they all appreciated meeting you and your children. It has been an excellent start for our students, especially our newest St Columbans. The Reception students have impressed us all, as they have settled in well to the daily rhythms and routines of school. I have also seen how much they are excited to meet with their Year 12 buddy classes every week.

At the other end of the Junior School, our Year 5 students have been very busy learning new skills and excelling with their additional responsibilities. We have several of our Year 5s volunteering as Crossing Monitors after a very extensive training session. Ms Boraso has been working the students who have volunteered to join the Restorative Peer Mediator program. These students are being taught how to support their peers and peacefully resolve minor conflicts in the yard. The Year 5 classes also had a wonderful time during their Leadership Training Day. They were encouraged to take risks and build resilience as they faced the climbing wall. They learnt about leadership skills and were engaged in various team building activities. It was a fantastic experience brought together by the Year 5 teaching team.

I have been so encouraged by the learning experiences around the Junior School and I am excited for what the rest of the term has to offer.

Mrs Ceri Stanley | Head of Junior School

The Rite Journey – Departure Ceremony

Our Year 9 students began The Rite Journey Program and this week participated in their Departure Ceremony. This celebration marked the official commencement of the program, which aims to empower students to grow into responsible, resilient, resourceful, reflective, and respectful children and adolescents. The students have been involved in many activities to prepare for this and it was great to welcome our parents to the ceremony. The students enjoyed the excursion to Cobbler Creek Recreation Park where they wandered a bushwalking track and shared some morning tea with their cohort as a symbol of starting the journey together. You can learn more about The Rite Journey here.

Reflection Day – Year 7

During Week 4, we conducted our Year 7 Reflection Day. The theme was ‘encouraging others with our words’. Students were involved in several activities that drew on examples from the life of Jesus with how they may also ‘live life to the full’. Our thanks to Miss Eugenia Stopyra, Director of Spirituality (6-12) for leading and organising  this special day.

NAPLAN

In Week 5, the Year 7 and 9 students prepared for NAPLAN. The practice session was designed to help students perform to the best of their ability on test day. Practices tests and resources are available to help students become familiar with the format and types of questions they may encounter. At the College we are committed to helping our students develop strong literacy and numeracy skills. Thank you to Mr Jack Griguol, Head of Teaching and Learning, for leading and organising the sessions.

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

The first five weeks have been a whirlwind of enriching experiences and poignant moments as we navigated the academic term in the Senior School with zeal and purpose. One significant event that reverberated through our corridors was the Year 12 Commissioning Ceremony. This solemn occasion marked the commencement of the first chapter for our graduating seniors, igniting a sense of pride and anticipation as they embark on their journey in their final year.

Our commitment to fostering experiential learning was evident in the immersive Outdoor Education experiences provided to our students. Stand-up paddleboarding sessions allowed students to cultivate teamwork, resilience, and environmental stewardship against the backdrop of nature's tranquillity.

Furthermore, our dedication to fostering cultural understanding and reconciliation was seen through the Reconciliation Action Plan ceremony and Kaurna Day celebrations. These events served as meaningful platforms for students to engage with Indigenous culture, nurturing mutual respect and understanding within our community. 

During the Year 7-12 Student Leadership Camp at Nunyara Conference Centre, students explored diverse leadership roles and discovered their unique styles in a dynamic environment. Through immersive activities, they honed their skills and embraced their potential as future leaders.

It has been a delightful start in the senior years with the campus alive with learning.

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School