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Columba Catholic Primary School Acknowledges the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians and pay 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 identity are 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 our work.
What an eventful fortnight it has been at Columba.
Firstly thank you to all families that helped celebrate the learning in the school by attending our first ever EXPO! We were overwhelmed with the number of people that attended, both current and prospective families. I am hopeful you were able to soak in some of the Columba spirit while you were here and if you missed it, I can assure you it will be bigger and better at the beginning of next year. I must acknowledge the work of the Columba staff who showcased our school wonderfully for our community. How lucky I am and you all are to have such dedicated educators caring for the children of our communities.
At Columba, our want is to celebrate all learning whether it be learning the ability to make friends, play with others, read, write, count, solve fractions, win a game and lose a game. We celebrate those that do their best to contribute to teams, ask questions, take a risk, challenge themselves or bounce back when things don't go their way. We know that events like the Expo provide us with the opportunity to involve you as parents, so again, how blessed we were to have so many take the opportunity to celebrate together.
While I couldn't be there, the talk of the school has been the Mother's Day event held yesterday. How wonderful it is that we were able to celebrate our mums as a community within our classrooms. Again thank to all that attended.
As the principal of this school, I want to wish all the mums out there a happy Mother's Day! This is a special day for all mothers, and I want to express my appreciation for all that you do for your children.
As a mother, you play a critical role in your child's education and development, and I am grateful for your ongoing support and dedication to their success as little people and over time, big people in our world. I know that being a parent is not always easy, but your commitment to your child's well-being and growth is truly inspiring.
On this special day, I hope you take some time to relax and enjoy the love and appreciation of your family. Thank you for all that you do, and for the positive impact you have on our school community.
NEXT Assembly
Friday 19th May 2:20 pm
Multi-Purpose ROOM
All Families Welcome
Our Term Two Learning Focus
In this week’s newsletter, we are providing a peep inside the inquiry learning happening across the school. The subject areas under particular focus this term are exploring big ideas around necessity (what we need vs what we want), community, and interdependence.
The Victorian Curriculum includes four capabilities we want to develop in our young learners which will set them up to be great citizens and have success. In this term, a particular focus is on Ethical Capability.
The Ethical Capability curriculum explores what it means for both an individual and society to live well. Students examine what we ought to do, how we ought to live, what kind of society we should have, and what kind of person one should be. These questions concern individuals alone and relationships between people, between people and environmental, social and economic systems.
This exploration strengthens students’ capacity to make decisions informed by an understanding of the values, principles, concepts, and ideas that underpin different assumptions, and an ability to analyse and evaluate these. Building capability in ethical understanding supports the development of informed citizenship at local, regional, and global levels.
Now to the learning at Columba!
Prep
This term the Prep students will finish their learning about the local Bunyip Community, exploring the different landmarks and land features. We went on an adventure this week to the local dentist and IGA to understand how they help their community.
Later in the term, we will learn that to be curious is to ask questions and investigate. We have many wonderings about the world around us including the different types of clouds and the instruments used to report on the weather. We look forward to becoming meteorologists and learning about how different types of weather affect the things we do and wear.
Junior School (grades 1-2) - Raw to Ready
What do we consume? And how is it made?
The students have embarked on an inquiry that challenges them to consider the things we consume and what their origins are. They have been sorting needs and wants, and trying to work out the steps involved in delivering to our plates products such as bread, honey, butter, and fruit.
We call this process - the ‘paddock to plate’ process.
GUEST SPEAKERS: In honour of Mother’s Day, students rolled up their sleeves and created gifts for someone special using raw and recycled materials. Next week we have 3 very special guest speakers: Steph, Brianna, and Mrs Priest - coming in to share their expertise in producing honey, caring for laying hens, and apple farming.
STEP RIGHT UP: We’d like to invite families who may have expertise in the ‘paddock to plate’ process to come and share this with the 1/2s. Whether it’s what you do full-time or just at home in the kitchen - we’d love to hear from dairy farmers, growers, bread bakers, ice-cream makers, candle makers etc.
Middle School (grades 3-4)
Money Makes the World Go ‘Round
In Term Two the middle school learners are focussing on Economics, Maths, and Ethical Understanding. We are exploring questions such as: Are there universal needs and wants?
How can I best save for something I need or want? How can I make good decisions when buying things I need and want?
The students have developed a classroom economy and are exploring ideas around the concepts of necessity, sustainability, fairness, value etc.
This week, being Federal budget week, and in a time of cost of living pressures, it is timely for students to look at budgets and the decisions we need to make between what we want and what we need.
Senior School (grades 5-6)
Earn and Learn: Economics
This term the senior students are learning all about the economy and how this affects them. They are exploring this through a simulation of the ‘real word’ within our classroom. They all have jobs - their usual school work, maintained at the level at which we know they are capable. For this, they get paid - a salary or a wage, depending on what they think their availability is to ‘work’ more hours and thus get paid extra. Then, they have to pay their mortgage or rent, taxes, storage for bags and tubs, wifi access, insurance, etc. Ask your child/ren what happens when all these expenses can’t be met! A profit and loss statement is kept on a weekly basis to keep track of their income and expenses.
Students are fined for breaking certain norms (as decided by them) and have begun to explore what second jobs they might have in our classroom to ensure the smooth running of the economy, and order within a social environment. Students are invited to draft a resume and covering letter, write an application and sit an interview for these possibilities. So far they have decided we need cleaners, police officers, vets (for when our chickens hatch and require care, along with the responsibility of looking after Lucy, of course), and even a lawyer to sort through the unfair fines they feel will be issued. With this there will be a need for a jury and courtroom, and we love the enthusiasm and ideas already flowing!
Mrs Parker: Why are you sad, Elyssa?
Elyssa: Because I don’t have enough money yet, and I’m homeless!
There is currently one opening in our school advisory group.
If you would like to have a voice in an official capacity as a parent in the school, you are welcome to nominate yourself for a position. Please contact Andrew with your interest at principal@bunyip.catholic.edu.au
Currently, our School Advisory Team is
Andrew Greco
Father Avinash
Julia Johnson - Secretary
Shara Mcauley - Chair
Yvette Goulette
Erin Howlett
Brad Walker
We will meet only 4 times a year between 7-8pm on Thursdays.
________________________
Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2023
Wednesday - 17th May
Monday - 10th July
Wednesday - 16th August
Thursday - 19th October
Monday - 6th November
2023 Dates
Wednesday 17th May - Pupil Free Day
Monday 12th June - King's Birthday Holiday
Sunday 18th June - First Communion Sacrament
Friday 23rd June - End of Term 2 (Early finish 2:15 pm)
Monday 10th July - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 11th July - First Day Back Term 3
Thursday 10th August - Book Week Dress Up Day
Wednesday 16th August - Pupil Free Day
Friday 1st September - Round Robin Sports Day 5/6
Saturday 9th September - Confirmation Sacrament
Thursday 31st August - Father's Day Event
Friday 15th September - End of Term 3 (Early finish 2:15pm)
Monday 2nd October - First Day Back Term 4 - Monday 2nd October
Tuesday 10th October - Athletics Day
Thursday 19th October - Pupil Free Day
Friday 27th October - Grandparents Day
Monday 6th November - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 7th November - Cup Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 12th December - Grade 6 Big Day Out Gumbya World
Tuesday 12th December - Grade 6 Graduation
Monday 11th December - Whole School Transition Day (find out grades for 2024)
Wednesday 13th December - Whole School End of year Mass at Iona Church
Friday 15th December - Last Day Students 2023
School Fees and Concessions 2023
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.