What an amazing start we have had to the new school year had at Columba. I am hopeful the Christmas break was kind to families and that many memories were created.

Our main goal this year is to build on the work we did in 2022 in maintaining a welcoming and inclusive learning community. We want parents to be a key component to the learning journey for their children. At Columba we will continue to work on maintaining high standards in our classrooms and through the school, as well as continuing our work in the teaching of literacy and maths. I know that you will all be a big support in helping us live out our mantra of creating learning environments which are Challenging, Curious and Courageous.

A welcome out to all our new students and families who have settled in so well to the routines of school. Your kids have made an amazing start and have turned up for their first few days excited and eager to learn.

BIG WELCOME TO THE COLUMBA FAMILY

I would like to formerly welcome one new Columba staff member for the 2023 school year, Shae Forster, who will be working the the 3/4 and 5/6 classroom 3 days a week. 

A reminder to all in our learning community that Columba is first and foremost, a Catholic primary school and 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 3:35 (15 minutes). 

SCHOOL CROSSINGS

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

The transition back to school each year is challenging for many families. But some children and teens feel so much emotional distress that they may repeatedly balk at attending school or staying there — a problem known as school refusal, or school avoidance if it occurs consistently. Ways to identify school refusal and tips on responding to it quickly are described below.

What is school refusal?

Shifting from a more relaxed summer routine to early wake-ups, hours in class, and dreaded homework makes many students feel mildly anxious or cranky during the early weeks of a new school year. For some students, however, school feels so difficult and overwhelming that they experience significant, distressing anxiety around attending and staying in school. To relieve this anxiety, a child or teen may begin to avoid school.

School refusal can take many forms. It can include behaviours like frequently struggling to arrive at school on time, leaving before the school day ends, or not attending school at all. Headaches, fatigue, stomach aches, and other physical symptoms of anxiety may make it hard to get off to school in the morning or make it feel necessary to leave early.

School avoidance allows a child or teen to escape distressing aspects of the school day, which provides immediate short-term relief. However, when a student continues to miss school, returning can feel harder and harder as they fall behind academically and start to feel socially disconnected from classmates and teachers. Additionally, the child doesn’t get the chance to learn that it’s possible to handle school-related anxiety and cope with any challenges the school day brings. This can keep them stuck in a vicious cycle of school avoidance.

What can parents do to help stop the cycle of school refusal?

Step in quickly

Missed schoolwork and social experiences snowball, making school avoidance a problem that grows larger and more difficult to control as it rolls along. Be on the lookout for any difficulties your child might have around attending school on time and staying for the full day. If the problem lasts more than a day or two, step in.

Help identify issues

Try to find out why your child is avoiding school. Gently ask, “What is making school feel hard?” Is your child struggling socially or being bullied? Afraid of having a panic attack in the classroom? Worried about their academic performance or public speaking? Fearful of being separated from her parents for a full day?

Communicate and collaborate

Your child’s school is a key partner in combating school avoidance. Contact the school guidance counsellor, psychologist, or social worker to share what you know about why your child is struggling to attend school. The more information the school has about why school avoidance is occurring, the better they will be able to help you. Collaboratively problem-solve with your child and the school by identifying small steps that can help your child gradually face what they are avoiding at school. Let’s say fear about speaking in front of the class is a problem. A child might be permitted to give speeches one-on-one to a teacher, then to their teacher and a few peers, and gradually work up to speaking in front of the class.

Be firm about school

Be empathetic but firm that your child or teen must attend school. Tell them you are confident they can face their fears. Let your child know that while physical symptoms of anxiety, such as stomach aches, headaches, and fatigue, are certainly unpleasant, they are not dangerous. Generally, children should only stay home from school for fever, vomiting, gastro symptoms or a few other reasons. It’s important for anxious children and teens to learn that they can persevere and do what they need to do even when experiencing physical anxiety, just as adults must in their own jobs. Physical symptoms often ease up as the school day progresses and children face their fears. Learning this firsthand can empower a child.

Make staying home boring

Is there anything about the out-of-school environment that makes it extra tempting to stay home? Make home as school-like as possible. No unfettered access to screens of any kind and no sleeping or lounging in bed unless genuinely sick. Be clear that if your child or teen does not attend school, you will be collecting all screens and/or turning off data and home wifi. Then follow through! Ask the school to send work for your child to complete during the day.

School avoidance is a serious problem that can worsen rapidly. Work closely with your child’s school. It’s also a good idea to consult with a licensed mental health professional who specialises in child anxiety and can support you in helping your child or teen re-engage in school. Ask the school guidance counsellor or your paediatrician to refer you to an expert. Additionally, your paediatrician may want to schedule a visit to rule out health problems.

By Julia Martin Burch PhD, Harvard University

INFORM AND EMPOWER DIGITAL SAFETY PROGRAM

In 2023 our students will again be participating in the Inform & Empower digital safety & wellbeing program. This means that your child/children will be tuning in to live streamed incursions (with their teachers) every term that focus on healthy and safe digital habits. The incursion content is all written and delivered by qualified teachers who are endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.

These sessions aim to help children better navigate the online world and become more aware, clever, brave and kind. They will focus on topics including navigating unwanted contact, cyberbullying, help-seeking strategies, unsafe content, balancing screen time with "green time" and sharing personal information. While Foundation (Kinder/Prep) students do not participate in live streamed sessions, they will be exploring the basics of the online world through guided activities.

You, the parents and carers, will also be given resources to support conversations with your children at home. You will receive a concise “tip sheet” each term that outlines what your child learned about in class and how you might open up these important conversations.

STUDENT SURVEYS

In Years 3-6, Inform & Empower will invite students to complete anonymous surveys asking them about their digital habits. No identifying information, such as name or school, is collected. This survey is optional. You or your child may choose to opt out at any stage, please inform the school if you do not wish your child to complete these surveys. Questions examples include: What online games do you like to play? How many hours do you spend online each day/week? What are the best/worst things about the internet? The survey data will be used by Inform and Empower to help improve their programs and may be published online.

As a school, participation in this digital safety and wellbeing program forms part of our ongoing commitment to child safety.

Thank you all for contributing to such a wonderful start to learning in 2023. 

Take Care

Andrew Greco

Columba Principal

SCHOOL LUNCH ORDER NEWS 

Hello Families & Staff,

Welcome to a new school year and we look forward to continuing to supply your school lunch orders.

Please see below a few important updates regarding school lunches:

·  Your school’s class names have now been updated on Flexischools. You will need to update your child’s new class before ordering in 2023;

·  Please note the cut-off time for ordering lunches is now 8.00am on the morning of lunch orders. Late orders will now also be cut-off at 9.00am;

·  There have been some new items added to the menu – a Sandwich Bento Box and a Sweet Chilli Chicken Tender can be an option for your sandwich/wrap/roll;

·  We will also be utilising a new communication tool available on Flexischools throughout the year, so please ensure you have ‘notifications’ turned on for your Flexischools account to be sure that you don’t miss any important messages/updates;

·  Please also note our new contact number for any lunch order enquiries: Michelle 0409 437 341;

·  For any new school families, please remember to create a Flexischools account and register your child. Please visit: www.flexischools.com.au or download the Flexischools app.

Thanks,
Alimentos Lunch Orders

Check out the How to log into PAM HELP GUIDE on our school webpage HERE

PAM_Help_Instructions_Columba.pdf

PAM_Help_Instructions_Columba _pdf 312.90 KB

School Fees and Concessions 2023

Please contact the school office if you need to discuss your 2023 school fee payment. All school fees for 2022 are overdue. Term 1 2023 school fee statements will be emailed shortly.

???? DO YOU QUALIFY FOR A SCHOOL FEE DISCOUNT ????

For any families that have recently received a Government means-tested health care concession card, please forward a copy of your card to the office to check your eligibility, as a fee concession may apply. The card must be in the name of the parent/fee payer for a fee concession to apply. 

If you qualify for this, please contact the school as school fees will be considerably less for your family.

If any families would like to set up a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly direct debit schedule for school fees, please complete the Direct Debit Form below and return it to the school office.  For any assistance regarding calculations of payments, please contact us via email at: finance@bunyip.catholic.edu.au

If your current Health Care card is due to expire this year and your card is re-issued, please send a copy of your new card details to the office as soon as possible for the concession to be checked and applied for next year's fees, if not already done so.

For more FEE INFORMATION please visit our website

https://bunyip.catholic.edu.au/school-fees-and-levies

2023 School Fees Concession Program Financial Hardship

Eligible Centrelink Concession Card (CCC) Holder

Information for Applicants

Aim: To assist school families experiencing financial hardship in accessing a Catholic Primary education for their child/children.

Confidentiality: At all times, the dignity and privacy of those seeking a fee concession will be respected.

Level of Concession:  School office staff can advise applicants of the concessional fee to be charged. This concessional fee is fixed annually by Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. Approved applicants will be charged only the concessional fee which will cover all standard school fees and levies including any charges remaining for camps, sports and excursions after the application of the Camps, Sports, Excursion Fund (CSEF) benefit.

Eligible Concession Cards:  Centrelink issues a number of concession cards for a variety of reasons. Some cards have a generous or no income test and therefore holders of these cards are ineligible for a fee concession under Category One. Only CCC’s that are eligible for CSEF are eligible for the School Fees Concession Program. 

The following CCC’s are the most common cards that are eligible for CSEF. The CCC type is specified as a two or three letter code printed on the concession card.

• YA or YAL – Youth Allowance
• PPS – Parenting Payment Single
• PPP – Parenting Payment Partnered
• DSP – Disability Support Pension
• NSA – New Start Allowance
• LI – Low Income
• FA – Family Tax Benefit
• SA or SKA - Sickness Allowance
• CAR - Carer Allowance
• ABA or ABY - Schooling Applicant
• AGE - Age Pension
• AUS - Austudy
• HCC - Health Care Card
• PTA - Partnered Allowance
• SPL - Special Benefit
• WID or WFD or WFA – Widow Allowance/Pension
• The CCC must be issued in the name of the fee payer and list the students for which the concession is to be applied.
• The expiry date of the card must be on or after 1 January of the year (2023) for which the concession is to be applied.
• If an eligible concession card expires after the start of the year, the concessional fee rate will still be applied for the entire year.
• If a family becomes eligible during the course of a school year, then a pro-rata concession may be granted.

Lodgement of Application: Application for 2023 close on Friday 23rd June 2023, please lodge your application immediately for your card to be checked and a pro-rata concession to be applied if applicable.

The following application forms must be completed and are available from the school office:

• Complete the school’s application form & the Direct Debit Request (DDR) Service Agreement (or Centrepay application form)
• Submit the completed forms and present a valid CCC for verifying and copying.
• Complete and return the CSEF application form immediately after receiving it from the school.

Important Notes:

• The concession is automatic for a parent/guardian responsible for the school fees, who holds an eligible CCC.
• Any offer of a concession is subject to the applicant entering into a DDR Service Agreement or CentrePay arrangement for a regular payment plan of remaining fees (either weekly or fortnightly payments preferred). Any default in payment may result in the concession being withdrawn.
• The Direct Debit form is available from the school office or alternatively the CentrePay application form is available online at https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/forms/sa325.
• A CSEF application must be submitted for a concession to be granted.
• A new application must be made for each school year.
• Where the fee account is split, the concession applies to only that portion payable by the eligible card holder.
• All families requesting, or receiving, a fee concession must notify the school should their financial circumstances change sufficiently to affect the level of concession offered or if cards are cancelled.

CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE

Eligibility:

An application on behalf of a student may be submitted if the student is:

• a Victorian resident;
• school aged and enrolled (3) three or more days per week at a school; and

A student who meets the above requirements may be eligible if they:

• attend their nearest appropriate non-government school/campus
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from the school attended

Note: Eligibility is assessed when the School completes your child’s application on the Student Conveyance Allowance System

(SCAS). If approved, the allowance payable is based on the one-way distance to make the journey to and from school.

If you are eligible and wish to apply for this allowance, please click the link to the Conveyance Allowance Application Form, which must be printed and completed and returned to the school office by Friday 10^th March, 2023. Late claims cannot be accepted.

Conveyance allowance rates - Money You Get Back

Private car conveyance allowance rates

Distance (kilometres)	Amount paid annually
4.8 to 10	$450.18
10 to 15	$563.24
15 to 20	$675.17
20 to 25	$788.33
25 to 30	$900.26
30 to 35	$1,011.16
>35	$1,126.37
Additional student	$225.19
Next nearest school (government schools only)	$337.74
Next nearest additional student (government schools only)	$168.82

Private bus conveyance allowance rates

Distance (kilometres)	Amount paid annually
4.8 to 10	$506.15
10 to 15	$619.31
15 to 20	$731.24
20 to 25	$844.19
25 to 30	$956.33
30 to 35	$1,069.28
>35	$1,182.44

FORM - Conveyance Allowance - Bus Private travel

FORM - Conveyance Allowance application - Private Car travel only