The Coracle - Term 3, Week 10

This term, it has been a joy to welcome our families back into our community and celebrate them in our liturgies.

Our Year 3 students led a ‘Bless the Blokes’ Liturgy, which was followed by a breakfast cooked by the College Leadership Team. It was fantastic to see so many significant males spending time with their children and enjoying breakfast together. It was also a wonderful opportunity for our Leadership Team to catch up with our families.

Later in the term, we were especially blessed to have over 90 grandparents attend the College for the Grandparents Liturgy. Receptions led this liturgy with a guest appearance from our Junior School percussion group, Columba Rumba. Grandparents then visited students’ classrooms and toured the school, joining in activities with their grandchildren. They finished their morning with a delicious Morning Tea, prepared by our wonderful canteen staff and served by our student leaders.

My thanks go to all who helped and supported with these liturgies and to the grandparents and men who were able to take time out of their day to attend.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality R-5

This term has been a busy one with many events and celebrations. It has been wonderful having a large number of parents, caregivers and community members participating in the life of the College and being a part of their child’s learning. We thank all those who have visited, volunteered and contributed to the life of our school.

As a Junior School, we are committed to all dimensions of learning: academic, spiritual, physical and social. We understand that children are learning and don’t have all their skills developed in the primary years. It’s an ongoing process. Sometimes, students may need academic support with learning to read or with Mathematics. Sometimes, they may need social or emotional support to help them navigate social interactions or problem-solve effectively. Each child is unique and has strengths and areas for growth. For us as educators and you as parents, it’s important we work together in a respectful partnership to help them reach their potential.

Throughout this year, we have focussed on explicitly teaching play skills and friendship skills. The yard can be a challenging place with many faces, lots of movement and many options to choose from. We have widened the play choices to engage students in activities they enjoy, such as totem tennis, Just Dance and skipping activities.

We have also focussed on clear rules for group games to eliminate rough play and build positive teamwork and sportsmanship. The rules and consequences were co-constructed with students in Years 3 - 5. Referees have also been trained to ensure that soccer games are being played fairly. Students playing group games need to commit to the rules before being able to participate. Please see the agreement below.     

St Columba Junior School Sports Games Rules

A Choices

• Show sportsmanship
• Safe play (tackling) 
• Play the ball
• Self-Regulate emotions
• Teamwork -share the ball around
• Include others
• Encouraging words
• Fair teams
• Set boundary
•  ‘Good game’ when the bell rings
• Accept referee’s call

B Choices

• Poor sportsmanship - Fighting
• Unsafe play (Slide tackling, tackling from behind)
• Play the man -using physicality
• Emotional outbursts
• Hogging the ball
• Excluding others
• Swearing/ Teasing/ trash-talking
• Inequal teams
• Interfering in others game
• Arguing over score
• Argue with referee

​Student Acceptance:

I accept the rules and will listen to staff and referees.
If I do not adhere to these rules then the consequences are:

• 1st Incident – (Yellow card) Banned from the game for remainder of day
• 2nd Incident – (Red card) Banned from soccer and the oval for 1 week
• 3rd incident – (2nd Red card) Banned from soccer and the oval for the remainder of term

Please note: The referee reports incidents to yard duty teachers and seeks support

Next term, we will continue to focus on building other play opportunities and continuing to explicitly teach the skills needed to play well. We hope you enjoy the school holiday break and can also enjoy outdoor play activities and games with your child to support their social development. Some great ideas can be found at:

https://playandgo.com.au/adelaide-school-holiday-ideas/

https://kiddomag.com.au/do/top-things-to-do-with-kids-school-holidays-adelaide/

https://schoolholidayactivities.com.au/school-holiday-activities-adelaide/

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School

Term 3 has been packed with some fabulous and exciting events in our Middle School. These have included the Year 6/7 Catholic Schools Music Festival, Year 8 Knights of the Southern Cross Competition, Girls in Engineering Program, Knockout Sport, Year 9 Defence Force Recruiting Presentation, Saint Columba Day celebrations and The Lion King Jr College Musical.

All these activities would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our students as well as our outstanding staff. Our students consistently demonstrate the values of service to others and collaborate well with each other in so many ways. Our staff spend hours of extra time coordinating and organising these events and I want to sincerely thank our Middle School teachers and ESOs for their tireless efforts this term.

As we reach the middle of Semester 2, it is timely for our students to look at the goals they set at the start of the term. Moving towards the end of the year, the skills and attributes that students can develop now will help them prepare and be successful in 2024.  As always, if parents and guardians would like to discuss their child’s academic progress or wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s House Leader or a member of the Leadership team.

I wish all families a happy and safe holiday break. We look forward to seeing you in Term 4.

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

Across the second half of Term 3, our students have demonstrated remarkable skills and enthusiasm across a range of activities, embodying the spirit of growth and development at St Columba College. Our students continue to shine in various areas. Their dedication, hard work, and talent are truly awe-inspiring. From academics to the arts and athletics, they consistently impress us with their achievements. 

Our students in Years 11 and 12 embraced kayak training, developing teamwork and watercraft skills while staying physically active. Year 10 students had an adventure in stand-up paddleboarding, connecting with nature and refining their balancing skills. Year 12 Sports Studies students enjoyed a fun and competitive game of lawn bowls, reinforcing sportsmanship, precision, and strategy. Our Year 12 Outdoor Education students embarked on an unforgettable Outdoor Education Camp in Renmark, fostering resilience, teamwork, and lasting memories. 

At the Health Day at the University of Adelaide, 40 students got a glimpse into the future of healthcare and its career possibilities. Several students in Years 10 and 11 received Peer White Card Training, enhancing their knowledge and safety in the workplace. Our Year 10 and 11s had a special presentation by ‘Making Her Mark’, empowering our female students to make their mark on the world with confidence. Along with this, students had an informative career session about the Defence Force, broadening their horizons. 

Our recent Saint Columba Day Fete was a resounding success, with outstanding participation and fundraising efforts by our school community. The day of celebration for our patron Saint brought together students from Reception to Year 12 in a demonstration of unity and shared values.

We are immensely proud of our students and look forward to more inspiring achievements in 2024. Thank you for your continued support in fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment at St Columba College.

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School

This week, over 100 students across our Middle and Senior School gave the performance of a lifetime in Disney's The Lion King Jr! 

The annual College musical, held at The Shedley Theatre on Wednesday 27 September and Thursday 28 September, was seen by students at St Columba and local primary schools, plus all the proud parents and family members. Musical Director, Mrs Kerryn Harris and the cast have been in rehearsals since February. 

Audiences were in awe of the incredible sets and costumes, sang along to their favourite songs, and were delighted by one outstanding student performance after the other. We are so proud and extend our congratulations to everyone involved. Please enjoy the gallery of this incredible show!