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Columba Catholic Primary School Acknowledges the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians, and pays respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Columba acknowledges the Bunurong’s continuing relationship to the land and waterways and respects that their connection and spiritual identify is maintained through ancient ceremonies, songlines, dance, art and living culture.
We pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of the Bunurong and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Elders who have guided and continue to guide the work we do.
I took a stroll through our classrooms over the last two weeks and was really impressed with the routines or 'predicatble classrooms' our teachers are developing and facilitating for our children. It’s important that we all support kids with their transition into mainstream schooling. Getting kids into routines is a great way to lay a solid foundation to build learning.
One of the key ways of supporting this transition for our students is via communication. If any parent has concern relating to your child your first point of call is always the classroom teacher. Your teacher will always listen and there is no question that can’t be asked.
It’s great to see all teachers using our WSAPB (Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviours) across our school to support classroom learning. The WSAPB values are a great way of reminding all in the Columba Learning Community that we are about building positive relationships with each other, and are designed to support students, parents and teachers. I touched on these values last week, but again want to make the link for families on how we connect this to supporting student behaviour and expectations.
The core values of our Columba WSAPB, Respect, Perseverance, Inspiration, Generosity, Fairness are crucial components in each of our student's individual development. Each fortnight all classes across our school will have a specific learning focus based on one of the core values listed below. We all work with the students to connect these values and the behaviours that come from these values.
HELP NEEDED
Do you have a current WWCC?
Do you have a spare hour or two every few weeks?
Do you want to make a difference and really help some Columba kids let their light shine?
Perhaps you are a community member, uncle, older brother, grandfather, grandmother or anyone else who can help us!!!
We are committed to ensuring all students have the ability to learn in a way that suits their needs, some students learn best with hands on learning and we need some help!
Our current project is underway and we are building a book shelf in the senior building, however we have many more ideas and are open to suggestions also, it might be creating gardens, cooking, sewing / knitting, building around our chook pen area etc…
If you think you could help us out please contact me
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means that the children are growing up!
However, for many it may also be a very anxious and stressful time for both parents and children. Parents need to be aware of their child’s feelings during any school transition and minimise anxiety so the process is an enjoyable experience for all. It is important for children to attend transition or orientation programs offered by schools. Familiarisation is often key to reducing stress levels. It is also important for parents to talk to their children about their expectations and being more responsible for their own needs.
The Specialist for this Edition
Michael sits on the Board of many organisations including the National Centre Against Bullying. In 1985 he founded CanTeen, a cancer support group for teenagers. He is the resident psychologist on Channel 7’s Sunrise and has worked as an academic, researcher and political lobbyist. Michael has written several best-selling books on parenting including ‘Surviving Year 12’.
Additional Assets
Take Care
Andrew Greco
Principal
NEXT Assembly
Friday 10th March 2023
2:20 pm
Multi-purpose Room
with assembly led by
1/2GC
Parents and Friends Upcoming Events
Free Dress Day
Friday 17th March - wear a touch of green!
On Friday 17th March students are able to wear free dress. In celebration of St. Patrick's day, students are invited to wear green or a 'touch of green' for the day. This is not compulsory.
EGG DONATIONS PLEASE
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday 21st March and Wednesday 15th March. The conferences will be 10 minutes each. All meetings will be at school in your child's classrooms.
All bookings should be made using our school's online booking system. The link to make a booking is below. The purpose of these meetings is to touch base with parents regarding
- Your child's transition to 2023
- Any new or existing learning behaviours that need to be discussed
- Clarification for parents/teachers on student learning
Bookings are available using the link below
Learning Leaders are contacting families of those children who require a PSG (Program Support Meeting) rather than a Parent-Teacher Meeting.
BOOK HERE
School Photographs 2023
Annual school photos will be taken on Monday, 6 March 2023.
Students are to be in full school uniform.
PRE-ORDER ONLINE (orders close at 5:00 pm on the day prior)
See the packages available and place your pre-order online.
To place your order Go to our website or scan the QR code;
Select> School Photo Pack Orders
Enter your School Access Key: BP3ZEG9U
Select the pack you want and complete the form.
Sibling photos are available for families with multiple children attending the school.
Sibling photos must be ordered online before 5pm the day prior.
** A complimentary family/sibling photograph is available for families who order an individual pack for 3 for more children at the same school. To be eligible, you must order all the individual packs first and then add the family photograph to the same shopping cart. The discount will be automatically applied.
Place your order online before 5pm the day prior, you do not need to return any paperwork.
If you have any inquiries, please contact SPARGP PHOTOGRAHY on (03) 5942 5234
ACCESSING PAM
Make it an APP!
Below are some instructions on how you can add PAM to your phone, so that it looks like an APP. Please note that Columba uses only two apps/platforms to communicate with parents
SZAPP
PAM
Please see our school website for more details
https://columbacpsbunyip.schoolzineplus.com/parent-information
Class Mass Wednesday 22nd March
Mutipurpose Room Columba
Starting 9:15am
3/4 & 5/6 Students
Holy Thursday April 6th Mass of the Lord’s Supper
St John the Baptist – 7.30 pm
Good Friday April 7th
Stations of the Cross
Maryknoll 10.00am
Kooweerup 11.00am
Solemn Liturgy of the Passion
St Joseph’s Iona – 3.00 pm
Holy Saturday Vigil April 8th
St Joseph’s Iona – 7.30 pm
Easter Sunday April 9th
Holy Family Maryknoll – 8.00 am
St John the Baptist Kooweerup – 9.30 am
St James Nar Nar Goon – 10.45 am
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PROJECT COMPASSION 2023
Each year Columba participates in Project Compassion. Students are encouraged to think about the ways in which they can improve their compassion during the time of lent. Any donation is appreciated.
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Ash Wednesday – 22 February 2023  The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion |
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First Week of Lent  We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Laxmi, a 16-year-old girl living in Jajarkot, a remote district in Nepal where almost half of the population live below the poverty line. Tragedy struck when Laxmi was 10 years old and her father passed away. Her father worked hard to pay for his children's education and, after losing him, Laxmi was at risk of falling further into extreme poverty. With the support of our partner Caritas Nepal, Laxmi joined a child's club at her school where she was encouraged to resume her education. Through the child’s club, Laxmi developed the skills and confidence to become a leader, advocating for clean water taps at her school. Laxmi is now excelling in her studies and working towards her dream of becoming a civil engineer. She continues to be involved in the child's club, serving as an advisor and mentoring the next generation of young leaders at her old school. Watch a short film about Laxmi’s story here. Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion. |
Second Week of Lent
(Week beginning Monday 6th March)
This week through Project Compassion we learn about Tereesa, a Gamilaroi woman from Western Sydney who struggled with homelessness while raising her four children. At just 16 years old, she had to leave school after falling pregnant with her first child. A single mother struggling with homelessness, Tereesa’s only concern was finding stability for her children.
Seeking a better future for her family, Tereesa joined Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation’s Young Mums and Bubs Group, supported by Caritas Australia. Baabayn helped Tereesa access housing and psychological support. Through Baabayn, Tereesa was also able to hear stories from Indigenous Elders and reconnect with her culture.
Today, Tereesa is studying a certificate in Community Services so that she can strengthen her skills and give back to her community. Tereesa now works at Baabayn, providing support to young mothers and mentoring the next generation of young people.
Watch a short film about Tereesa’s story here.
Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion
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Third Week of Lent  We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Priscilla, who lives in the Hwange district in Zimbabwe with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in the most vulnerable and remote communities in Zimbabwe. During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food. With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. Priscilla was able to produce a bumper harvest in her first year of practising in conservation farming. Priscilla also used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. The poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought. While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis. Watch a short film about Priscilla’s story here. Please support Project Compassion: www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion
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Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2023
Monday - 24th April
Wednesday - 17th May
Monday - 10th July
Wednesday - 16th August
Monday - 6th November
2023 Dates
School Photos - Monday 6th March - School Photos
Monday 13th March - Labour Day Holiday
Tuesday 14th March - 3/4 Day Camp
Friday 17th March - Free Dress Day (Touch of Green)
Wednesday 15th March - Friday 27th March - NAPLAN
Wednesday 22nd March - Junior & Middle level Mass at Columba, MP Room, 9:15 am
27th - 29th March - 5/6 Camp Forest Edge
Wednesday 5th April - Prep & Senior level Mass at Columba, MP Room
Thursday 6th April - Hot Cross Buns to all kids and Easter Raffle Drawn
Thursday 6th April - Holy Week & Easter Liturgy lead by grade 5-6
Thursday 6th April - End of Term 1 (Early finish 2:15pm)
Friday 7th April - Good Friday
Saturday 8th April - Easter Saturday
Sunday 9th April - Easter Sunday
Monday 10th April - Easter Monday
Monday 24th April - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 25th April - ANZAC Day
Wednesday 26th April - First Day Back Term 2
Thursday 11th May - Mother's Day Event
Wednesday 17th May - Pupil Free Day
Monday 12th June - King's Birthday Holiday
Friday 23rd June - End of Term 2 (Early finish 2:15pm)
Pupil Free Day - Monday 10th July
First Day Back Term 3 - Tuesday 11th July
Book Week Dress Up Day - Thursday 10th August
Pupil Free Day - Wednesday 16th August
Round Robin Sports Day 5/6 - Friday 1st September
Father's Day Event - Thursday 31st August
End of Term 3 (Early finish 2:15pm) - Friday 15th September
First Day Back Term 4 - Monday 2nd October
Athletics Day - Tuesday 10th October
Grandparents Day - Friday 27th October
Pupil Free Day - Monday 6th November
Cup Day Public Holiday - Tuesday 7th November
Grade 6 Big Day Out Gumbya World - Tuesday 12th December
Grade 6 Graduation - Tuesday 12th December
Whole School Transition Day (find out grades for 2024) - Monday 11th December
Whole School End of year Mass at Iona Church - Wednesday 13th December
Last Day 2023 - Friday 15th December
School Fees and Concessions 2023
School Fees for Term 1 are now Due - 2022 school fees are overdue
Please contact the school office if you need to discuss your 2023 school fee payment.
???? 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 10th 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
