I took a stroll through our Prep and Grade 1/2 classes this week and was really impressed with the routines our Junior School Teachers are building in our youngest children. Its important to remember that alot of our students have had a COVID interrupted Kinder/School experience and we need to support kids who may be struggling with the 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 are 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 is a great way of reminding all in the Columba learning community that we are about respect for each other and is designed to support Students, Parents and Teachers.

The core values of Columba's WSAPB, Compassion, Respect, Inclusiveness, Resilience and Teamwork are crucial components in each individual’s development. Each fortnight, all classes across our school will have a specific learning focus based on one of the core values listed below.

Respect

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets". - Matthew 7:12

Perseverance

Alcott House - Named After Dylan Alcott

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised". - Herbrews 10:36

Inspiration

Freeman House - Named after Cathy Freeman

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing". - Thessalonians 5:11

Generosity

Hollows House - Named after Fred Hollows

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. - LUKE 6:37–38

Fairness

MacKillop House - Named after Mary MacKillop

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all

times! - Psalm 106:3

Take care

Andrew Greco

MASK REMINDER! 3-6 Parents

Just a timely reminder that it is a requirement that all students bring a mask to school from grade 3-6 unless they have a medical exemption.

On the odd occasion a student may forget or misplace their mask, we have been able to provide a mask at these times.

In recent weeks, we have found that many students are not bringing a mask to school and are requiring one or more per day to be provided. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable. Our teachers are doing their best to ensure that the classrooms are covid safe for all and we require your support on this.

Please ensure your child has a mask with them each day, just like they would their hat.

Tarago District Swimming

On Thursday 24th February our swimmers from grades 3-6 competed in the Tarago Swimming Sports at the Warragul Outdoor Pool. Many students came second in their races and relays. While students will not be continuing on to the next stage, students were exceptional in the way they represented themselves and their school. We are very proud of them, their conduct, and their participation.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The dates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are below. Please note that many Grade 3 & 4 students will be making their Reconciliation and First Communion this year. Please keep up to date with communication from the school and the parish.

Wednesday 23rd March - Reconciliation Sacrament

Please stay tuned for more information if your child is making their first Reconciliation in Term 1.

ASH WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday 2nd March, Columba was involved in Ash Wednesday.

Students were involved in a liturgy during which they were able to have ashes put on their hands. We also spread ashes on our precious cross at the front of the school.

WHAT IS ASH WEDNESDAY?

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday. It begins the season of Lent, which is 40 days, not counting Sundays, of fasting and repentance prior to the celebration of Easter.

What do people do to celebrate?

Many Christians attend an Ash Wednesday service at their church. During this service the priest or minister may rub the sign of the cross on their foreheads using ashes. The ashes represent mourning and repentance. Sometimes the ashes are gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. Christians often fast on Ash Wednesday. They are allowed to have one full meal and two smaller meals, but many fast for the day on bread and water. They also do not eat meat on this day. Fasting may continue throughout Lent and especially on Good Friday. In addition to fasting, Christians often give up something for Lent as an offer of sacrifice. This usually is something people enjoy like eating chocolate, playing video games, hot water for showers, or even sleeping in a bed.

History of Ash Wednesday

The day of Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in the Bible, but it is in honor of events that occurred in the Bible. The 40 days of Lent are meant to signify the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert getting tempted by the devil. The dusting of Ashes is mentioned in the Bible as a sign of mourning and repentance. The cross drawn on the forehead symbolizes the cross that Jesus died on to cleanse the world of its sins. It is believed that Ash Wednesday was first observed in the Middle Ages around the 8th century. It was first called the Day of Ashes. Since then the practice has become an annual ritual in many Christian churches including Catholics, Lutherans, and Methodists.

To view the short films, click on the link

Caritas Australia Youtube Channel

School Photographs for 2022 - Columba Catholic PS

Annual school photos will be taken on Tuesday, 29 March 2022.

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 order Sibling & Individual photographs, click on the following link;

School Photographs Orders

School Access Key: FX8ET3EW

Sibling photos are available for families with multiple children attending the school. Sibling photos must be ordered online before 5 pm the day prior.

** A complimentary family/sibling photograph is available for families who order an individual pack for 3 or 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.

If you place your order online before 5 pm the day prior, you do not need to return any paperwork.

If you have any inquiries, please contact us on (03) 5942 5234

ASSEMBLY FRIDAY 11th March 2:20 pm

PARENTS INVITED TO OUR

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY!

Located to the far right of the learning

centre on the grass. Enter from Gate 2.

_______________

__________________

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Tuesday 29th March and Wednesday 30th March. The conferences will be 10 minutes each. All meetings will be at school in person.

All bookings should be made using our school's online booking system. The link will continue to be distributed to parents in the coming weeks. The purpose of these meetings is to touch base with parents regarding

- Your child's transition to 2022

- Any new or existing learning behaviours that need to be discussed

- Clarification for parents/teachers on student learning

Bookings are availbe using the link below

https://columbacpsbunyip.schoolzineplus.com/term1conferences2022

CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE

BUS FAMILIES PLEASE READ or PASS ON

The Conveyance Allowance application is now open for Term 1 for any families that qualify for the travel allowance as per the criteria below. You must lodge a new application each year.

Eligibility is assessed when the School completes your child’s application on the Government 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. No private car allowance is payable if the journey to and from school could be made using a public transport service or contract school bus.

You live more than 4.8 kilometres by the shortest practical route from our school and we are the closest Catholic school to your place of residence.

You live more than 4.8 kilometres from our school and you cannot access a bus.

You access a bus and live more than 4.8 kilometres from the bus stop.

Please complete the Conveyance Allowance Application Form and return to the school office by Friday 11th March 2022. Late claims cannot be accepted.

11_Conveyance_Allowance_Application_Form.pdf

11_Conveyance_Allowance_Application_Form _pdf 690.11 KB

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS

As visitors to our school are becoming more accustomed to the electronic sign in system, we are asking that anyone wanting to enter the school as a volunteer or to be involved in school events have a Working with Children Check. This is compulsory in Victoria.

When you sign in at the office, you will need to enter your Working with Children Check number.

You will not need a Working with Children Check to pick up your children.

All adults can apply for a working with children check which are

FREE for volunteers at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/.

If you have a current Working with Children Check and have forgotten the number or misplaced your card, please log onto the website and get your card reissued and find your number. You can log into your account at https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwccu/login.doj?next=mycheck#_ga=2.162912252.1158808644.1582516652-816484934.1582516652

Mass Times Iona Church and more...

St James Nar Nar Goon Saturday 6.00pm

St Johns Kooweerup Sunday 9.30am

St Josephs Iona Sunday 11.00am

Holy Family Maryknoll 2nd Sunday of the month 8.00am

1st , 3rd and 5th Sundays Liturgy of the Word 9.00am

St Marys Lang Lang 3rd Sunday of the month 8.00am

All other Sundays Liturgy of the Word 9.00am

SCHOOL CLOSURE - NO STUDENTS 2022

School Closure Day - Tuesday 15th March

School Closure Day - Monday 11th July

School Closure Day - Thursday 28th July

School Closure Day - Monday 31st October

School Closure Day - Wednesday 9th November

Labour Day Holiday - Monday 14th March

School Closure Day - Tuesday 15th March

5/6 Camp - - Wednesday 16th - Friday 18th March

Reconciliation Sacrament - Wednesday 23rd March

Parent-Teacher Conferences - Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th March

School Photos - Tuesday 29th March

End of Term 1 (Early finish 2:15 pm) - Friday 8th April

ANZAC Day - Monday 25th April

First Day Back Term 2 - Tuesday 26th April

First Communion Commitment Mass - Saturday 30th April or Sunday 1st May

First Communion Workshop - Wednesday 4th May

Grade 4 Camp - Monday 9th - Tuesday 10th May

NAPLAN - Tuesday 10th - Friday 20th May

First Communion Sacrament - Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th June

Queen's Birthday - Monday 13th June

End of Term 2 (Early finish 2:15 pm) - Friday 24th June

School Closure Day - Monday 11th July

First Day Back Term 3 - Tuesday 12th July

100 Days of Prep - Thursday 21st July

School Closure Day - Thursday 28th July

Book Week Dress Up Day - Thursday 11th August

Confirmation Commitment Mass - Saturday 10th September or Sunday 11th September

End of Term 3 (Early finish 2:15 pm) - Friday 16th September

First Day Back Term 4 - Monday 3rd October

Confirmation Workshop - Wednesday 19th October

Confirmation Sacrament - Saturday 29th October

School Closure Day - Monday 31st October

Cup Day - Tuesday 1st November

School Closure Day - Wednesday 9th November

School Concert - Wednesday 7th December

Last Day 2022 - Friday 16th December

Grade 6 Graduation - Tuesday 13th December

Auskick.pdf

NNG JFC registration day.pdf