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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.
Dear Families,
Welcome to the new school year! Whether you're joining the Columba family for the first time or have been with us for years, you are welcome and valued. We're so pleased to have your family as part of our school community.
The start of a new year is always exciting! We welcome new students and staff, returning students begin their new year levels and classes, friendships are renewed, and new ones are formed.
It was a delight last week to meet and work with 3 new staff members. Each one is a testament to God’s goodness and generosity in providing passionate, equipped, and dedicated individuals to serve our school.
I officially welcome
Connor Hinds - Grade 3 teacher
Meg Watts - Admin/Office Finance
Morgan Harris - Learning Support Staff
We also welcomed back our entire staff last week for professional learning and preparation. They have prepared to ensure we are ready for the school year. Their commitment and work over the holidays to be ready for the 2025 year is appreciated, and I thank all Columba staff for their efforts.
Finally, I thank all parents and guardians for your efforts in preparing yourselves and your children for a positive start to the 2025 school year. A special welcome to our new Columba families! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Teachers, administration staff, leaders, and other parents/guardians are happy to assist.
Catholic Identity
Columba Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary school. 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 3:30 (10 minutes).
SCHOOL CROSSINGS
If your child uses the crossing, please remind them to only cross the road at the crossings. We have had some near misses over the years and only when children are not using the correct crossings.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Good communication between school and home is essential. We use multiple channels, including email, telephone, and face-to-face communication. Here are three important systems, especially for new families:
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SZAPP: We ask all parents to sign up for SZAPP. This is our primary communication tool besides email, used to send school messages and alerts. It's vital for all parents to use SZAPP to stay up-to-date. SZAPP is available from your app store. [Link to SZAPP Installation Guide]
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PAM (Parent Access Module): PAM provides online access to various functions and information specific to your child. It also allows you to provide medical details, give permission for excursions and activities, and notify the school of absences. [Link to PAM Help Instructions] [Link to PAM Website] Our parent access module is set up with the primary email address listed on the enrollment form. Families can have more than one PAM account; please contact us if you need assistance. You can use "Forgot Password" to reset your password or try the generic password "password" (and then update it after logging in).
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Social Media (Facebook & Instagram): Our school has Facebook and Instagram pages to provide a window into daily school life. These are great for receiving up-to-date information on events, as well as seeing wonderful images and clips of learning in action.
- Email - the best way to communicate with teachers and staff is email. It ensures they receive your message but also gives staff time to respond. Staff will respond within a 24 hour period. Staff are not expected to return any family communication after 6pm (Please see our class newsletters for teacher contact details further down in this newsletter)
COLUMBA POLICIES - How We Do Things Around Here
Families can find important policies on our website
If you can't find a specific policy or procedure, please contact the school office at 03 5629 5933.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
As of 2025, Columba has insurance to support families with out-of-pocket expenses if their child is injured at school. Coverage applies to any time a student is engaged in school or organized sporting activities, including travel to and from these activities. Our Student Accident Protection Plan provides benefits for specific scenarios and incidents. If your child is injured at school, please work with our admin team to ensure communication is maintained and support is provided.
STUDENT PHOTOS
School photos are scheduled for Monday, March 3rd. Information on ordering photos will be sent through the newsletter and SZAPP shortly.
Together with all Columba staff, I look forward to partnering with you to provide a nurturing school environment that helps us all thrive.
Regards,
Andrew Greco Principal
Assembly is held in the Multi-Purpose Room at 2:20 PM every Friday
16 February 2024 : Prep & Junior Grades
23 February : Middle & Senior Grades
This year, assemblies will be run a little differently. Due to growth in classes and student numbers, it has been decided that the school will be split in two and each group will have their assembly and awards on alternating weeks.
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This Fortnight's Awards are for
Fairness
Well done to all our Award Winners!
Each fortnight we focus on one of our school values: Respect, Fairness, Generosity, Inspiration, Perseverance. We model and look for opportunities to teach our students values that underpin the way we believe we should live and interact with others and with our world.
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Learning to Learn
Students and teachers have been busy settling into their classrooms, getting to know one another, and establishing groundwork for a great year of learning. The first few weeks of school are a time for classes to discuss the ways they like to learn, and how they think they should be treated and should treat each other. Teachers lean strongly into incorporating our Columba values, Perseverance, Fairness, Generosity, Inspiration, and our overarching value, Respect. Already the classrooms are reflecting this in the displays of the work of students.
School Photographs for 2024
Annual school photos will be taken on Monday the 4th of March
School Photo Information Flyers with Access Keys will be sent home with students in the coming days.
Place your order online now to ensure the special pricing,
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 Access Key as Provided on the flyer sent home.
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. Bonus offer only applies to orders before 5pm the day prior to photo day.
Place your order online before 5pm the day prior, you do not need to return any paperwork.
Lost or replacement Access Keys can be requested www.spargophoto.com.au, Select> Student Access Code Request
Students are to be in full school uniform on photo day.
If you have any inquiries, please contact us on (03) 5942 5234
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2024 Dates
Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2024
Tuesday 20th February - PUPIL FREE DAY
Friday 15th March - 5/6 Students ONLY PUPIL FREE DAY
Wednesday 24th April - PUPIL FREE DAY
Friday 26th April - PUPIL FREE DAY
Tuesday 11th June - PUPIL FREE DAY
