Dear Families

Well what a fortnight it has been.

Athletics day, Grandparents Day, Comedy Night and Colour Run all in 2 weeks. A big thank you to all involved, especially those behind the scenes that have made these events happen. I do feel the community have really been happy to celebrate together again and how fun has it been!

I must acknowledge our wonderful Columba staff who through all these exciting events, have maintained learning continuity in all our classrooms. This has meant our students have continued to learn while still having a heap of fun at school, a perfect mix. We have an amazing staff at Columba and I am just so glad the community are able to see how passionate they all are on creating a sense of belonging for every child in the school.

Now that December is upon us, Advent is about to begin which is the Catholic Church's season for waiting. It the season of preparation for the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. The name was adopted from Latin adventus "coming; arrival".

For many of us the lead up to Christmas can be a very busy time. So how then do we live in the moment so that we are not always continuing to look toward the horizon or at 'whats next'? For me it is just taking time with the little things. Sitting down on my porch to drink my coffee instead of taking sips between chores. Reading the Aldi catalogue on my couch in my lounge room back to front, instead of quickly at the kitchen bench before stacking the dishwasher. In short, it is about knowing the little things you enjoy and doing those with all your attention and all your heart.

The feeling of Christmas was certainly in the air today and what better way to kick of Advent than by throwing colours at each other. Why? Well today many smiles were made and much joy was had by many. That can only ever be a good thing.

Take Care

Andrew Greco

NEXT Assembly

Friday 2nd December

Last Assembly 2022

2:20 pm

Multipurpose Room

________________

SCHOOL ATHLETICS SPORTS DAY

On Thursday the 17^th, we had our Columba athletics sports day. The Participation of the students was nothing short of amazing as they competed, and cheered on their teams, other teams, and friends. Many students reported that it was the first time they had received a ribbon for an event at a sports carnival. While ribbons are not the most important thing, it was a thrill to see students who wouldn’t normally consider sport as their forte, snagging the silky award!

There was a good mix of different activities including team events. This was provided by ‘up and Running’ who managed and ran all of the events and activities on the day. We thank them for their time. We also would like to share a letter they sent to us shortly afterward, which you can read below.

Thank you to Mrs. Kara Dedigama who organised the sports and to the Columba staff for their consistent efforts. Many thanks to the parents who helped and attended to contribute to our atmosphere for what was a fantastic sports day for our students.

House placings:

1st MacKillop - 2nd Alcott - 3rd Freeman - 4th Hollows

________________________________________________

On Friday the 18th, Columba held Grandparents Day. It was a great turnout of visitors and a great turnout for the weather! The sunny morning started on the Basketball court with a liturgy. Students then invited their visitors to their classrooms for a look around and a chat, followed by morning tea. Thank you to everyone who came for such a lovely morning! The students had a great time showing and telling their Grandparents what they do at school!

_______________________________________________

On Friday the 24th, we held our School Colour Fun Run. This was a major fundraiser organised by the Parents & Friends. The day was a smash hit! Students had a sausage sizzle at 12:30, then started the FUN RUN which was full of colour and full of fun. Thank you to all those parents who helped organise the event and on the day that threw the colour.

The school raised a whopping $21,300 which will go toward much needed upgrades in our classrooms. Thank you again to all those that supported the event either with donations or helping the day to happen.

One last well done to two students who raised over $1000

Summer and Eli - Thank you both!

Concert Information

School Concert Tickets

ON SALE NOW

Concert Date - Wednesday 7th December

Location - Warragul Arts Centre

Show times

1pm (unlimited tickets available)

7pm (limit 4 tickets per family)

To purchase tickets visit the link below

https://sales.wgac.com.au/event/379:2247/

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We are very excited to be performing in our school concert ‘The Columba Evening News’.

Students have been working hard in Performing Arts and in class, ready to entertain you. The details are as follows:

Wednesday 7th December the whole school will travel, by bus, to the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul. We will leave Columba at 9am and return to school for normal pick-up at 3.20pm. Students will need to wear their costumes to school. Everyone will need to bring their morning tea and lunch and a named water bottle.

All staff will be attending.

CONCERT NIGHT PARENT INFO

Families are then asked to bring their performers back to the West Gippsland Arts Centre at 6:30pm, dressed and ready for the evening performance. The drop off point is the Fountain Room, located under the Arts Centre. School staff will be waiting to sign students in. Parents can then take their seats in the theatre, ready to enjoy the show.

At the end of the evening performance, approximately 8:30pm, students can be collected by one parent, from the Fountain room; house flags will be on display at each door to collect your child from their house.

If your child needs a sleep in the next morning, that is fine. Staff will be at school at normal time.

CONCERT DAY - Timeline:

Wednesday 7th December

Students arrive at school, on time, dressed in their costumes.

Bring morning tea and lunch with them to the theatre.

9:00am Buses depart Columba for the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.

Morning: Each class will rehearse on the stage

12:15pm: Lunch at the theatre/ Fountain Room or at the park directly opposite, supervised by staff.

1pm: Matinee Show

3:20pm: Normal dismissal from school.

6:30pm: All students to meet their teacher, in costumes, hair and makeup, at the Fountain Room (Underneath the West Gippsland Arts Centre)

7pm: Evening show begins

Approximately 8:30pm: Show ends and students are collected from the Fountain Room from doors marked with house colours

Regards,
Kelly Lucas

COSTUME REMINDERS

Grade 6 - 2023 Jackets

(current grade 5 parents must purchase)

example only

Dear 2023 Grade 6 Parents,

After a vote by the current grade 5 students last week, we have come up with a design for the bomber jackers for 2023 and are looking to order these by the end of the school year so they are available to students on the first day of Term 1 next year.

The price per item is $45.00.

The jackets will need to be paid for before you collect the item next year. This can be done over the phone using EFTPOS or paying by EFTPOS in person at the office or online using CDF pay at the link below

PURCHASE THROUGH ONLINE CDF PAY HERE

As the bomber jackets will be worn most of autumn, winter and spring in 2023, it is recommended you purchase a size up to allow for your child’s growth over the next 12-18months.

The current grade 6 students have kindly allowed the grade 5’s to try on their jackets to get an indication of size, so please have a chat with your child about sizing, and consult the link below if in doubt.

Please email Tory Parker: tparker@bunyip.catholic.edu.a u with your intent to purchase and your child’s size by Friday 10th December.

Sizing:
Standard Kid’s Sizes from 6-12
Adults range from XXXS-XXXL

Size Chart available here –
https://www.bodenclothing.com.au/en-au/childrens-size-and-fit-chart

Thank you and kind regards,
Senior School Teachers

Second Hand Uniforms Available

Please consider picking up some second hand uniforms from the office if you need them. We have many lost jumpers, mostly grades Prep-4 sizes. Please contact the office to see what is available 56295933.

Items that are not collected will eventually need to be thrown away due to the excess so please see what you can grab, free of charge.

Garfield Christmas Festival

Date: Friday 16 December 2022

Time: 5.00pm – 9.00pm

Location: Garfield Main Street

There will be a street parade and local community groups, schools, a vintage car club and organisations all walking in the street parade. Columba will join in this year!

It starts at 7.00pm, followed by Santa’s arrival at 7.30pm.

Then fireworks at 9:00pm!

Wednesday 14th December

END OF YEAR MASS - Iona Church 9:40am

All parents and friends are welcome to attend mass.

CHRISTMAS IN A

SHOE-BOX-2022

Christmas will soon be upon us, yet again! Every year Columba families have helped bring joy and hope to less fortunate children and families within our local community, through our Catholic Social Justice initiative, “Christmas in a Shoe-box Appeal”.

We are seeking to assist families through donations of gifts for children and adults. Last year’s contribution was incredibly successful with over 100 gifts donated to this most worthy cause and we are again asking families to be involved in this simple, hands-on project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. This is a real opportunity to encourage our children to reach out to others.

If your family would like to be involved in this thoughtful and generous project, simply shop for a gift and place it in a box or gift bag. Then label the gift with the age and gender of the person you think it would suit.

If you are unable to assist, you might consider donating some festive non-perishable goods for Christmas hampers.

I thank you for considering this hope filled project as a way of giving thanks for what we have and keeping in mind Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift.

Step 1

Shoe Box/Christmas box
Use an empty shoe box/Christmas box or bag.

Step 2

Fill With Gifts
Fill the box with a variety of gifts or single gift. Please note: we have been asked to secure the box with a ribbon or elastic band rather than wrapping them as St Vincent de Paul often add donated vouchers to the boxes.

Step 3

Drop Off
Place a gender and age label on each shoe box lid and drop off at Columba before Friday December 9th when we will present our gifts to a representative of our local St Vincent de Paul chapter.