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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 this is your first year at Columba or you have been involved for a number of years, you are welcome and valued. We are so pleased that God has placed your family as part of our school community.
The beginning of a new year is always very exciting. New students and new staff members are beginning their Columba journey, continuing students are in different year levels and classes, many friendships have been renewed and exciting new friendships are being formed.
It was a real delight last week to meet with 7 new staff members to welcome them to Columba. Each of them is a reminder of God’s goodness and generosity in providing passionate, equipped and called staff members to serve in this place.
Last week, we also welcomed back all staff members for days of professional learning and preparation. Each one of them has diligently prepared in order to ensure that we are as ready for the school year as possible, with many of them undertaking important training in preparation for the year ahead. Their commitment to their various responsibilities is no small matter, and I sincerely thank all Columba staff for their efforts.
During the summer break, our school was a hive of activity at times. Many staff members across Columba worked tirelessly to ensure that we were ready for a fresh start this week. I wish to commend and thank everyone for their efforts.
Finally, I wish to thank all parents and guardians for the work that you have each done to prepare yourselves and your children for a positive commencement to the 2024 school year. If you are a new Columba family, I wish to extend a special welcome to you. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask; you will find teachers, administration staff, leaders and other parents/guardians happy to assist.
Please find below some information regarding a number of important matters.
Communication Systems
Good communication between school and home is a key component of our partnership with all families. This occurs in multiple ways, including via email, telephone and face-to-face. Especially for new families, please find information below regarding three important communication systems.
SZAPP
We ask that all parents be signed up to the SZAPP. This is the primary communication tool outside of email and is used to send school messages and alerts. It is imperative that all parents use SZAPP to stay up to date with the daily operations, requirements and requests from our school. SZAPP is available from your App Store.
PAM
The Parent Access Module (PAM) provides parents on-line access to a range of functions and information specific to their child. It is also allows parents to provide medical details, give excursions and school activity permissions and notify the school of their child(s)absence.
Having trouble logging into PAM?
You can locate information on how to use PAM by clicking the following link:
PAM_Help_Instructions_Columba.pdf
Shortcut_to_PAM_Parent_Access_Module_1_.pdf
Click here to access PAM website
Our parent access module has been set up with the email that was listed on the enrolment form from parent one. This is the primary email address. Families can have more than one PAM aacount; please contact us if you need assistance with this. You can choose Forgot Password to reset your password or try the generic password 'password' please update your password once logged in.
Currently our school has an Instagram and Facebook page, dedicated to providing the community with a window into the daily life of the school. This is a great way of receiving up to date information on up and coming events, as well as some wonderful images and clips of the learning within the school.
COVID-19 Measures
Whilst we are no longer bound by the range of measures that we faced previously, we still need to be cautious and wise in how we work together to ensure that Columba is a healthy and safe place for everyone. We still have a COVIDSafe plan in place and information will be communicated as appropriate.
Columba Policies
Families can find a number of important policies on our website. If you cannot find a policy or procedure there that you think you may wish to refer to, please do not hesitate to contact Admin on 0356295933
Insurance of Student Injury
If your child is injured at school, as of 2024, Columba has insurance to support families affected to cover out of pocket expenses. The coverage is for any time a student is engaged in school or organised sporting activities, including travel to and from such activities. Our school's Student Accident Protection Plan is an insurance arrangement that pays benefits for specific scenarios and incidents that may occur. If your child is injured at school, you will work with our admin team to ensure communication is had and maintained to support all involved.
Student Photos
Our school photos are booked in for Monday 4th March. Information on how to order photos will be sent though the newsletter and SZAPP shortly.
Together with all staff members at Columba, I look forward to working in partnership with you as we seek to provide a nurturing school environment which continues to get the very best out of us all.
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
