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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.
TERESA BAKER
Minma Marilu Tjukurrpa
Acrylic on Linen
PLAY AUDIO RECORDING
Dear Families,
Thank you.
Why?
In 2024, Columba made the decision to support the Mental Health of our students in all of our classrooms, by providing our teachers with a tool kit to help better prepare our students to support their own mental health. Paired with our Catholic ethos which is 'love for all', we knew that the Resilience Project was a perfect match for what we already do, and hasn't it paid off!
So far we are so pleased at how far the students have come in shifting their mindset when it comes to caring for the other. We know our younger ones will take a bit more time as their minds are still developing, but the shift in our 3-6 classrooms has been extraordinary. I want to focus on one area that I have noticed a change
Empathy
The benefits and importance of practicing empathy
- The Relisance Project
When you sit down and ask yourself, ‘am I making an effort to be kind?’, or, ‘am I taking time to show empathy?’, chances are the answer might be no. Just so we’re clear, if the answer is no, it doesn’t mean we’re bad people! There are so, so, SO many things and distractions filling our day-to-day lives, and it’s incredibly easy to be pulled away from what we’re doing and who we’re with, both physically and mentally.
We know if we want to be truly kind and empathetic, and being kind and empathetic is huge if we want to have positive relationships and improve our overall wellbeing, it’s important to make time to connect with people and show a genuine interest in their lives. This will come more easily to us if we practise being present when we’re with others, actively listen during conversations, and minimise those distractions which try and take our attention away (we’re looking at you, phones). While it’s not easy, the benefits of doing this are massive – for us and for the people we’re connecting with!
The science behind empathy:
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and is strongly linked to kindness. When you do something kind for someone, you make them feel great and you also feel amazing as a result of your body releasing oxytocin. Now, if you’re wondering what oxytocin is, it’s a hormone which boosts your energy levels and self esteem. When we produce more oxytocin, it can help reduce stress, increase positive emotions and improve overall life satisfaction. And by the way, this is all on top of those stronger, more compassionate relationships that come from those empathetic conversations. How great is that?!
If you’re searching for inspiration, here are some ideas on ways you can practise empathy in your daily life:
- Actively listen. One of the most important ways to practise empathy is by actively listening to others. This means giving them your full attention, asking clarifying questions, and truly trying to understand their perspective.
- Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Try to imagine what it would be like to be in the other person’s situation. This can help you to understand their feelings and respond in a more compassionate way.
- Show understanding and validation. Let the person know that you understand and validate their feelings. This can help them to feel heard and supported.
- Do it in your everyday interactions. Empathy is not just for big or serious situations, you can practise it everyday and with literally anyone. Being kind towards a cashier, a friend or a family member can make a difference and improve your wellbeing.
- Be a role model. This stuff rubs off, and in the best possible way. Lead by example, show empathy towards others and encourage others to do the same.
Each and every day, we as Catholics, are called on by God to be compassionate – and this is true for all things. From our interactions with the people around us to our most significant life passions, compassion is very much central to the Christian identity.
As Catholics, understanding and relating to the people around us is essential to growing in our faith and becoming better people.
The Importance of Empathy in the Christian Faith - Authentic empathy has nothing to do with imposing one’s own standards of behavior on others. In fact, Catholics, we believe in the importance of intentionally cultivating an awareness of another person’s reality in order to gain a more genuine understanding of their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives.
When we all do this, we position ourselves to respond to difficult or confusing situations with a spirit of gentleness. We can derive this element of compassion from our conscious decision to walk alongside others in their struggles and show them empathy for their true humanity.
Accepting another’s difficulties and seeing their whole humanity is what empathy is all about. Empathy – not condemnation or retaliation – is an essential aspect of being a Catholic School, and in order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, it’s important for us to practice empathy in every interaction we have with others and the world around us.
So how can we as adults support our students/children to be more empathetic? Firstly it is our responsibility to model empathy. We model this in every conversations we have with our children. When they tell us stories from their day, do we try to help them put themselves in the other student's and/or parent's shoes? Do we try to understand what they are going through and what we can do to support them? Do we care about the other child as a person?
So thank you.
Thank you to all the families that have continued to show empathy and support over the past fortnight, especially those that have had their children experience other students struggling at school, but doing their best to be the best little learners they can be.
Thank you to the families who openly support the school when others might be reactionary or frustrated with something that has happened.
Thank you to your children who turn up each day and understand that we all do not have the same opportunities outside of school and that everyone is doing their very best, with a sole focus on love and kindness for all.
I am just so very proud of our community and how many of us care for each other through kindness, empathy and love. All attributes that we will continue to grow and nurture in our Columba kids and their families, helping them to be the special people our world needs.
Take care
Regards,
Andrew Greco
Principal
Please enroll your child for Prep in 2025...
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Please don't miss out
This includes:
• Staff
• Students
• Parents, grandparents, families and friends
• Parishioners
• Bishop and clergy
• Local, State, and Federal politicians
• Feeder school students
• Prospective students and families
• Media
• Wider community/general public
Friday 24th May - week 6 Junior Assembly - Prep S on prayer
Friday 31st May - week 7 Senior Assembly - Grade 3/4F on prayer
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Last Friday we celebrated
Fairness
(MacKillop House value)
Today we celebrated
Perseverance
(Alcott house value)
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 how we believe we should live, and interact with others and our world.
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2024 Dates
Pupil Free Days - NO STUDENTS 2024
Tuesday 11th June - PUPIL FREE DAY
