Dear Families

As we navigate the winter months, some days warm, some days cold, some days warm/cold, I am writing to you today to share some exciting news and reflect on the recent activities within our school community.

Below is the poster for our upcoming Vinnies Winter Appeal. This initiative, run in partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society and our Social Justice student-lead team, is a wonderful opportunity for us to live out the values we hold dear as a Catholic school. The appeal focuses on collecting essential items like toiletries, shelf-stable food, and tinned goods. While these might seem like small donations, they represent a significant gesture of support for families in our local area who are facing hardship.

At its heart, this is a practical expression of Catholic social teaching, specifically the call to exercise a "preferential option for the poor." For our school community, both religious and non-religious, this principle simply means that we are called to look out for those who are struggling. It's about recognising the inherent dignity of every human person and ensuring that no one is left behind. By contributing to this appeal, we are teaching our children the lesson of compassion and the importance of creating a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

This spirit of generosity and care is a perfect way to demonstrate our school motto, "Let your light shine." This phrase comes from the Gospel of Matthew ($5:16$), where Jesus calls on us to live in a way that illuminates the world for others to see. Our students shine their light through their kindness, their academic efforts, and their commitment to helping those in need. This Winter Appeal is a way for them to let their light shine brightly for our community

This focus on positive action was also evident during our recent "Bullying No Way" week. I was incredibly impressed by our students' responses and their commitment to being positive role models and "upstanders" for their peers. They showed a deep understanding of what it means to be a good friend and how to make positive choices, even when others are making poor ones.

In our school, we are committed to fostering this positive culture not just during a single week, but every day. Our approach is guided by restorative practice, which focuses on building and repairing relationships. When a child makes a wrong choice, our goal is not simply to punish, but to work with them to understand the impact of their actions and find a way to make things right.

This is where we need your partnership.

We encourage you to support your children in speaking up when they are unsure or when they see something wrong, and to communicate with their teachers. We also ask for your support if your child makes a poor choice at school. By working with us in a restorative way, you can help us to support your child in learning and growing from the experience.

Finally, I am delighted to announce the launch of our new "Safe Place" website. This is another way for our students to connect and reach out for support when they need it. The website can be accessed at the following link: https://columbahome.wixsite.com/safeplace, and is also available on our school webpage in the Student Zone link under the OUR SCHOOL TAB.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school and for helping us to build a caring and compassionate community.

Prayer for Courage

Dear God, please grant me the courage to face the challenges of life with faith and trust in You. Help me to overcome fear and doubt and to step out in faith, knowing that You are with me always. Give me the courage to follow Your will, even when it is difficult, and to trust in Your goodness and love. I pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Andrew Greco

Principal