Welcome to the new school year! Whether you're joining the Columba family for the first time or have been with us for years, you are welcome and welcome back. We're so pleased to have your family as part of our school community for 2025.

The start of a new year is always exciting. We welcome new students and staff.

It was a delight last week to meet and work with 3 new staff members. Each one is a testament to God’s goodness and generosity in providing passionate, equipped, and dedicated individuals to serve our school.

I officially welcome

Connor Hinds - Grade 3 teacher

Meg Watts - Admin/Office Finance

Morgan Harris - Learning Support Staff

We also welcomed back our entire staff last week for professional learning and preparation. They have prepared to ensure we are ready for the school year. Their commitment and work over the holidays to be ready for the 2025 year is appreciated, and I thank all Columba staff for their efforts.

Finally, I thank all parents and guardians for your efforts in preparing yourselves and your children for a positive start to the 2025 school year. A special welcome to our new Columba families! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Teachers, administration staff, leaders, and other parents/guardians are happy to assist.

Catholic Identity

Columba Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school. We are about the development of the whole child; spiritually, academically, physically, emotionally and socially. We seek to prepare all our students for a life beyond school and we want to support all our students to develop the skills to be active and connected, life-long learners.

Could I please ask the following of all our Columba parents?

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S FAITH JOURNEY WHILST AT COLUMBA

Please embrace us as a Catholic School of action. Make an effort to attend Mass with your child on weekends. Make an effort to pray to God each day with your child. Make an effort to support your child in their Sacramental journey. Make an effort to use Christ as a role model to your children.

SHOW YOUR CHILD THAT YOU VALUE EDUCATION

It really helps if you show interest in your child’s learning. For example, when you see your child after school, ask them for 3 positives about their day. What they have learned today? What did they do in class? What did they do during play? Don’t be shrugged off too easily; deep down, even if they roll their eyes, they will be grateful you care enough to ask, and recalling what they learnt will help them remember it in future. Do your best to attend every school event relevant to them and most importantly please ensure that your child is at school on time for the beginning of each day. At Columba everyday of learning counts for our kids.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER AND BUILD A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP

Let us know how things are for you and your child, especially through your child’s class teacher or our Deputy Principal or Principal. It is particularly important for us to know if concerns arise, so that we can work with you to help your child. When parents, students and teachers work together, the young people benefit significantly and the learning partnership should create a wonderful year of learning and growth.

ALWAYS DRIVE SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY WHEN ENTERING OUR SCHOOL

Please adhere to an 8km speed limit within our school when dropping off and picking up. We will publish the correct procedures for both our carlines in this newsletter. I ask that everyone is patient and kind to each other in the morning at when picking up their children. While it seems like a time of chaos, the end of day pick-up is in fact a well oiled machine and almost all children and parents have completed drop off by 3:30 (10 minutes). 

SCHOOL CROSSINGS

If your child uses the crossing, please remind them to only cross the road at the crossings. We have had some near misses over the years and only when children are not using the correct crossings. 

COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Good communication between school and home is essential. We use multiple channels, including email, telephone, and face-to-face communication. Here are three important systems, especially for new families:

• SZAPP: We ask all parents to sign up for SZAPP. This is our primary communication tool besides email, used to send school messages and alerts. It's vital for all parents to use SZAPP to stay up-to-date. SZAPP is available from your app store. [Link to SZAPP Installation Guide]

• PAM (Parent Access Module): PAM provides online access to various functions and information specific to your child. It also allows you to provide medical details, give permission for excursions and activities, and notify the school of absences. [Link to PAM Help Instructions] [Link to PAM Website] Our parent access module is set up with the primary email address listed on the enrollment form. Families can have more than one PAM account; please contact us if you need assistance. You can use "Forgot Password" to reset your password or try the generic password "password" (and then update it after logging in).

• Social Media (Facebook & Instagram): Our school has Facebook and Instagram pages to provide a window into daily school life. These are great for receiving up-to-date information on events, as well as seeing wonderful images and clips of learning in action.

• Email - the best way to communicate with teachers and staff is email. It ensures they receive your message but also gives staff time to respond. Staff will respond within a 24 hour period. Staff are not expected to return any family communication after 6pm (Please see our class newsletters for teacher contact details further down in this newsletter)

COLUMBA POLICIES - How We Do Things Around Here

Families can find important policies on our website

If you can't find a specific policy or procedure, please contact the school office at 03 5629 5933.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE

As of 2025, Columba has insurance to support families with out-of-pocket expenses if their child is injured at school. Coverage applies to any time a student is engaged in school or organized sporting activities, including travel to and from these activities. Our Student Accident Protection Plan provides benefits for specific scenarios and incidents. If your child is injured at school, please work with our admin team to ensure communication is maintained and support is provided.

STUDENT PHOTOS

School photos are scheduled for Monday, March 3rd. Information on ordering photos will be sent through the newsletter and SZAPP shortly.

Together with all Columba staff, I look forward to partnering with you to provide a nurturing school environment that helps us all thrive.