AMAZING THINGS

‘For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
​and virtue with knowledge.’ 2 Peter 1:5

In Peter’s letter to his fellow Christians, he reminds them that God has provided everything they need to thrive. Whilst it is likely that Peter was using the word ‘knowledge’ specifically in reference to knowledge of God, in the context of a school, like ours, a broader interpretation can be drawn from Peter’s words:

‘Be a good person, of quality character’ Peter could be saying. And ‘through your faith and good character, do amazing things’ might be what he added.

‘Do amazing things.’ These are my words, but they are fitting at St Columba College; a school which seeks to instil in all students an understanding that they are unique, brilliant and of immeasurable value. A far less elegiac interpretation might be the words I used in assembly this week, where I reminded the students that all we require of them is that they are kind, respectful and that they work hard.

This term we welcomed our youngest Columbans in a mid-year ‘Foundation’ intake. 41 bright-eyed young people joined us, and I was delighted to be in their classrooms on their first day as they settled into their activities and began the process of making friendships that could well be lifelong.

These young people are going to do amazing things, and their brilliant teachers – Ms Griguol, Ms Salier and Ms Rosenzweig – are doing amazing things for and with them.

Congratulations to five of our amazing Year 12 students who received an A+ result for Research Project: Callan, Ramani, Kyan, Zahra, and Aalyeh.

Term 3, of course, is the time of our Musical and, as always, it will be an amazing thing.

Our inaugural Intercol, contested in Week 6, will show our students at their amazing best.

And each day, for the 7 hours or so that we have them in our company, we will provide every child here with the amazing opportunities.

I could go on, but in the interest of keeping your attention, I shall not.

What I would like to do, is invite you to our Open Day and ask you to pass on this invitation to your friends, neighbours and family. Hosted between 9am and 10:30am on Thursday 22 August, Open Day provides a great opportunity for the community and prospective families the chance to see the amazing things we offer for themselves. Presented by our students with opportunities to ask staff questions over a drink from the coffee van on site, the Open Day will be an amazing day and I hope to see you here.

Mr Darren Pitt
Principal

Pictured: Kevin Hua and Matala Kyemo (Year 12) with the Governor of Adelaide, Her Excellency The Honourable Frances Adamson AC, at the 2024 UN Youth South Australia State Conference

Year 12 student and College Captain, Kevin Hua, has been selected to participate in the 2024 UN Youth National Conference, in Brisbane these July school holidays.

The UN Youth National Conference is an intensive and immersive experience focusing on youth advocacy and civil education. It brings together young leaders from across Australia to engage in discussions, workshops, and simulations centred on global issues.

The conference involves a series of activities, including interactive workshops, keynote speeches by prominent figures in diplomacy and international relations, and detailed simulations of UN committees, where participants debate and negotiate resolutions on pressing world issues.

Kevin is one of only ten representatives from South Australia, and one of 80 across Australia and New Zealand, who have been chosen for this exclusive opportunity.

Kevin initially got involved in this program through our Student Life program, which highlights extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage in civic and community activities.

“My inspiration came from a strong interest in global issues, and a desire to contribute to meaningful change,” Kevin said.

“Participating in debates and model UN sessions at school sparked my interest in youth advocacy and diplomacy, leading me to apply for the UN Youth National Conference.”

By attending the conference, Kevin hopes to gain valuable experience in public speaking, negotiation, and diplomacy. It will also help him expand his network and connect with like-minded peers and mentors from across Australia and New Zealand.

"These experiences and connections will undoubtedly aid me in future endeavours, whether in further education, career opportunities, or continued advocacy work,” Kevin said.

Kevin is inspired to consider a career in international relations or public policy, so he can give back to his community and to the Australian people.

“My ultimate dream in the short term is to study a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford University,” Kevin said.

“This prestigious program would equip me with a deep understanding of legal principles and global legal systems, enabling me to advocate effectively for justice and equity.”

Kevin aspires to enact positive change to policy in Australia, and make a significant contribution to making his community, and the wider world, a fairer and better place.

Throughout his journey, Kevin says his time at St Columba College has been instrumental in “providing a supportive and enriching environment” for his growth and development.

“The school's focus on holistic education, including opportunities for leadership and extracurricular involvement, has allowed me to explore and develop my interests in advocacy and diplomacy,” Kevin said.

“The encouragement and mentorship from teachers and staff have also been invaluable in helping me achieve my goals.”

Kevin is grateful for the continuous support and encouragement he has received from the St Columba College community. He encourages his peers to take advantage of the vast range of opportunities the College offers, particular as part of the Student Life program.

“Engaging in extracurricular activities not only enhances your skills, but also helps you discover passions that might shape your future,” Kevin said.

“I hope to see more students get involved in events like the UN Youth Conference, as it's a fantastic platform for personal growth and making a difference."

We are excited to share with you the time-lapse transformation of our Middle School campus. The $21M redevelopment has been completed, with the new contemporary building ready for students to commence learning when they return in 2024.

We thank the dedicated teams at Swanbury Penglase, Mossop Construction and Interiors, and our Building and Grounds staff who have delivered these innovative indoor and outdoor learning spaces to meet the needs of our growing enrolments.

St Columba College is delighted to announce that Mr Daniel Ganama has been appointed to the position of Deputy Principal (R-12). Daniel will take up the role in January 2024. 

 

Daniel is an experienced educator with a demonstrated history of excellence in teaching and learning, and wellbeing. He has a decorated career, including as a teacher of languages and history, Learning Area Leader and House Leader at St Peter's College, and Head of Innovation and Acting Dean of Administration at Pembroke School.

Since 2022, Daniel has held the position of Head of Curriculum and Learning (R-12) at St Columba College. In this role, he has been responsible for introducing a number of strategies and programs to enhance the learning opportunities for our students.

The recruitment process was managed by Hender Consulting, and the interview panel was impressed with Daniel's commitment to achieving excellence, helping every child to achieve their potential, and his passion for and commitment to serving the St Columba community. Daniel is a man of faith and an active member of Glenunga Uniting Church. 

We look forward to the impact Daniel will have as Deputy Principal (R-12) next year and beyond.

The College has begun the recruitment process to find a highly qualified person to lead all aspects of the teaching and learning direction at the College. More information can be found at: https://bit.ly/SCC_Employment

Earlier this year, Ms Leanne Carr announced that she will conclude her time as Principal at the end of the 2023 school year. I thank Leanne for her dedication, care and commitment over the past eight years as Principal and the significant contribution she has made to the St Columba College community over this time.

Leanne has worked hard to honour the vision and mission of the College and has led with passion to provide the best opportunities for our students. She has strengthened the community to be inclusive and respectful, reflecting the values of our Anglican and Catholic tradition. With strong enrolment and financial growth, she has overseen extensive refurbishment and building programs including the sport court, outdoor play spaces and refurbished classrooms at the Junior School. More recently, the building program has seen the development of the Lake Art Theatre, four basketball courts, music and drama spaces and the new building currently under construction at the Middle School campus.

Leanne’s focus on the Strategic Plan 2020 and Beyond has resulted in an expansion of resources and programs to enhance student learning and wellbeing along with an expanded co-curricular program. In particular, I commend her leadership during COVID times when she led with strength and resilience, ensuring the delivery of the learning program while supporting the health and wellbeing of students, their families and staff. On behalf of the Council and the College community I acknowledge the outstanding leadership Leanne has given St Columba College and wish her every success in the future.

On behalf of the St Columba College Council I am delighted to advise you that Mr Darren Pitt has been appointed as Principal of St Columba College and will take up the role from the start of 2024.

Darren is well known to you as the current Deputy Principal of the College, a position he has filled with distinction since 2021. Prior to his current role Darren was Principal of The Springfield Anglican College, Deputy Principal of Seymour College and Director of Teaching and Learning at St. Peter’s College.

Mr Pitt has a Masters of Educational Leadership and Administration, a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, amongst other qualifications. He is a practising congregational member of St Chad’s Anglican Church, Highgate, and is a person of deep faith.

Darren is an outstanding Christian educator with a vision for excellence and inclusion. I know you will join with me in congratulating Darren on this appointment.

Arrangements for the appointment of Darren’s replacement as Deputy Principal are currently being considered and I will advise you further once these arrangements are in place.

Yours sincerely

Mr Bruno Vieceli | Chairperson, St Columba College Council

St Columba College’s F1 In Schools teams conquer the 2023 SA State Finals yet again!

With the exhilarating and highly competitive F1 In Schools SA State Finals 2023 now behind us, it's time to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our students.

Representing St Columba College with unwavering dedication, professionalism, and remarkable sportsmanship, our three teams—Boost, Quantum, and Maverick—left a lasting impression on the competition. Their diligence and determination shone throughout the event, making us immensely proud.

The outstanding achievements of our teams were duly recognised at the award presentation. Accolades were bestowed upon teams Quantum and Boost, highlighting their excellence in enterprise, branding, innovation, and marketing.

Team Quantum—comprised of Year 9 students Alyssia Saliba, Hayley Robb, Brayden Hopgood, Ashton Hopgood, and Oscar Anderson—took home the awards for Best Team Portfolio and Best Managed Enterprise, as well as the Innovation Award for excellence in engineering.

Team Boost—consisting of Year 9 students Cameron Smith, Alysha Tanner, Charlotte Talbot, Jack Reidy and Rowan Powell—won Best Team Marketing, Best Graphic Design and Best Team Trade Display awards.

In the final standings, Team Boost secured an impressive second place, with Team Quantum in third. This remarkable feat not only showcased their exceptional skills but also earned Team Boost a golden ticket to the National Finals in 2024, which will take place right here in Adelaide.

Despite not receiving any awards, Team Maverick—consisting of Year 10 students Aaron Johnson, Elijah Marsden, Noah Patrick, Amos Pearce, and Logan Harris—demonstrated remarkable competitiveness throughout the competition and finishing in 5th place. The judges commended their efforts, particularly recognising the quality and aesthetics of their uniforms, car, and trade display. It is a testament to their dedication and passion for the F1 In Schools challenge.

In the racing category, all three teams demonstrated their prowess, advancing to the knockout rounds. Both Boost and Quantum even reached the semi-finals, demonstrating their exceptional speed and agility on the track.

Overall, this year's State Finals were a resounding success, with intense competition and an impressive number of participating teams.

As we reflect on this incredible achievement, it's essential to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, and teamwork of our students. They've not only represented our college with distinction, but also showcased the potential and talent that resides within the College.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the students who participated in the F1 In Schools SA State Finals 2023. Your dedication, professionalism, and sportsmanship have made us proud, and we look forward to cheering on Team Boost as they prepare for the National Finals in 2024. This journey is a testament to what can be achieved through passion, perseverance, and collaboration, and we eagerly anticipate the future successes that lie ahead for our F1 In Schools teams.

F1 In Schools is not just a competition; it's the world's largest STEM challenge that ignites students' passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while also paving the way for career pathways in fields like engineering, enterprise, marketing, graphic design, and project management. At St Columba College, our commitment to excellence in STEM education has been proven time and time again.

In 2022, our College proudly clinched the State Champions title with Team Magnitude, who went on to represent us at the National Finals in Sydney this year. While they narrowly missed a ticket to the World Finals in Singapore, they left an indelible mark by winning accolades such as the Best Team Portfolio, Best Newcomer, and the title of Fastest Reaction Time.

Securing a fourth-place finish in their very first season of our F1 program was nothing short of astonishing, earning them the respect and admiration of the judges, and highlighting their immense competitiveness. Congratulations to Team Magnitude for their remarkable achievements, and we eagerly anticipate more groundbreaking accomplishments in the seasons to come.

We would like to express our greatest gratitude to our sponsors and supporters. Without our sponsors we would not be able to achieve success. Thank you to our sponsors below for their generous and passionate contributions to our F1 In Schools teams. We hope to continue our collaborations for National Finals and beyond.

Click the image below for more info about our sponsors:

Last, but not least, a big thank you to the organisers, RE-Engineering Australia (REA), for hosting such a prestigious and professional event.

Mr Ali Arifi | Learning Area Leader – Business and Technology

St Columba College is proud to launch our Acknowledgement of Country video. It includes a special Welcome to Country from Senior Kaurna Man, Uncle Mickey Kumatpi O'Brien.

The project was a collaboration between the students, Aboriginal Education Lead Teacher, Mrs Susan Warrior, and the filmmakers at Fastbreak Films. The concept was to create a video that would be used by students and staff before significant events, meetings and assemblies and will be featured on the College website. It serves as a warm welcome and instils a sense of respect and gratitude for the land and its people. The video features the natural environment across our three campuses 

Uncle Mickey's warm and heartfelt words invite the St Columba College community to embrace the spirit of learning and honour the land on which they gather. The Welcome to Country tradition holds immense significance as it is performed by an Aboriginal Elder, Traditional Owner, or custodian to extend a heartfelt welcome to visitors on their traditional country.

The Acknowledgement of Country is an important part of recognising and respecting the traditional owners of the land on which events take place. It is a way of showing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their culture, and their connection to the land. The visual elements of the video were inspired by the Welcome to Country and highlight the beauty of the natural environment surrounding our College.

The video not only acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land but also celebrates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who attend St Columba College. It is an important way of promoting cultural awareness and understanding within the school community. The students involved in the project should be commended for their initiative and leadership in creating the video.

Thank you to Kylie and the team at Fastbreak Films for bringing the ideas of the students together and creating a powerful and meaningful video that will have a positive impact on the school community for years to come.

In Week 3, our Year 8 students embarked on an immersive journey into the captivating world of medieval history and invention. From sword skills to archery, capture the flag to bocce, and medieval dice games to a student work exhibition; it was a day filled with excitement, learning, and celebration. 

This event marked the culmination of our students' hard work in Humanities and Science over the past six weeks. It was a remarkable showcase of their knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm for exploring the rich tapestry of the medieval era. Through various engaging activities, they deepened their understanding of this captivating historical period. 

A key workshop focused on honing ancient sword skills. Under the guidance of skilled instructors from Adelaide Sword Academy, our students learned about the art of sword fighting and the importance of discipline. It was a truly empowering experience as they embodied the spirit of these legendary warriors. 

One of the highlights of the day was the student work exhibition. In this display, our talented Year 8 students showcased their projects, creations, and research from their Humanities and Science classes. The exhibition was a testament to their hard work, dedication, and creativity. It allowed them to share their newfound knowledge and skills with the school community, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

We hope this day will leave a lasting impact on our students, inspiring them to continue exploring the wonders of the past, nurturing their creativity, and fostering a love for learning. 

Mrs Natasha Williams | Interdisciplinary Learning Leader

Welcome to Term 2 2023. Looking back at Term 1, we experienced a ‘full term’ with students enjoying excursions, events, assemblies, sport, music, drama, retreats and camps. We welcomed families back to the school grounds and now have over 80 parent volunteers supporting College activities. We held learning progress meetings for R-5 last term, and next week families are meeting with their Year 6-12 Kinship Teacher to share and celebrate their child’s progress so far this year. 

In this edition, I want to share with you some significant developments that are currently underway. We are excited that in Term 3 2024, we will be offering a Mid-Year Reception class for children who turn five years between 1 May and 31 October. This means these children will experience six terms of Reception, providing a solid foundation for their start to school. Enrolment interviews are taking place this term, so should you have a child eligible for this class, please contact our Enrolment Officer, Ms Jelena Vidacic.

By now, you would have noticed the construction of the new building at the Middle School campus. We are thrilled in how this building is taking shape. I was able to do a walkthrough recently and saw firsthand how the internal structure was developing. It was impressive! The building will house eight classrooms for Year 8 and Year 9 students. Upstairs, two additional learning spaces will be used for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning, and teachers will also be able to use these two spaces for other hands-on learning. Adjacent to the classrooms will be breakout spaces, allowing for small groups and individuals to work.

The Learning Centre on the ground floor will be an open space with varying furniture to support students with additional needs. The new space for Student Services will provide counselling, first aid, and opportunities for students to meet with key staff. Student lockers will be located inside, enabling students to keep their belongings in safe and lockable storage. The furniture planned will give students and teachers the flexibility to work as a whole class, in small groups and independently. We expect the building and its surrounds to be completed by September.

This year, our focus is to increase student participation beyond the classroom. The Director of Student Life, Mr Oliver Harms, has led this new initiative, and already we have seen an increase in student numbers participating in sport, the arts, and various clubs and activities. We are proud to say that 486 students from Years 6 to 12 have engaged in these programs and initiatives so far in 2023. We expect this number to grow and, in the coming weeks, we are excited to offer similar opportunities for our Junior School students, such as soccer and basketball leagues, Health Hustle, Confi-dance, and cheerleading groups.

This term promises to be a fulfilling one for our students. Please let us know if you need any support – we are here to help.

Ms Leanne Carr | Principal

Congratulations to Year 11 student, Seth Powell for receiving the City of Playford’s Award of Young Active Citizenship!

Seth was recognised at this year’s Australia Day Breakfast for his outstanding work in the community as a member of the Edinburgh Scout Group. Through his six years of Scouting, Seth has had the opportunity to teach valuable life skills and mentor young people in his community. He was nominated by his Scout leaders for his valuable membership and active role-modelling.

Seth said he felt he contributed to his community by “being able to help where I can, to help those who need assistance and to those who want to learn”.

Seth has learned many important skills through his time with Scouts that he has applied to his everyday life, particularly communication, meeting new people, and working with others in the community. He has also led Anzac vigils and dawn services as the guard commander and is especially proud to honour his family and ancestors in military service.

We are very proud of Seth’s achievements and his exemplary work in the community.

The South Australian Premier’s Reading Challenge, which began in 2004, is now celebrating its 18^th year. The College has successfully participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge since its inception.

Students are challenged to read 12 books between February and September. The challenge may be completed by shared reading experiences and reading independently with the support of teachers and library staff.

The Junior School Students have done an awesome job participating in and completing the Premier’s Reading Challenge. There were over 20 students who completed the Reading Challenge early and received stickers, bookmarks and certificates to congratulate them.

I am pleased to report that a total of 601 R-5 students (over 96%) successfully completed the Reading Challenge this year.

Premier's Reading Challenge Awards were presented to our students to celebrate and reward their reading efforts in 2022. We are very proud of our students for their reading commitment and achievements.

Mrs Ruth Sumner | Junior School Teacher/Librarian

The development class team, Magnitude—made up of Year 9 students, Jackson Eastwood, Bailey Thompson, Ben Keane, Jayden Heng, and Gabriel Jones—were crowned the SA Champions at the Reunion Return of the Royal Adelaide Show. Students from across South Australian schools participated in the 2022 State Finals during the Show, some travelling from over 700 kilometres away. 

Team Magnitude is our first ever development class team to have competed in the world’s most competitive STEM challenge, with over 17,000 schools in 51 countries involved. Students design, make and race a miniature F1 car capable of reaching a top speed of 80km/h in under a second. Since its establishment in Australia in 2003, there have been approximately 22,000 students involved each year. Mimicking the world of Formula One, students work in groups as team managers, designers, engineers, and marketing experts to collaborate and create the ultimate car. 

In their debut, Magnitude won in four categories—Best Managed Enterprise, Best Team Trade Display, Best Graphic Design and Best Team Marketing. The judges were very impressed with every element of their project, and this achievement has earned Magnitude their place in the National Finals for 2023. They are on their way toward achieving their goal of becoming the World Champions of F1 In Schools. They are humble and hungry.  

“F1 In Schools was a really fun and engaging course,” said Resource Manager Jayden Heng. “I was able to learn about aerodynamics in a more in-depth way and in a simpler form.” 

Team Manager, Jackson Eastwood, said, “F1 In Schools has given me the opportunity to enhance my skills and has given me an insight into the real world.” 

F1 In Schools makes learning more relevant, rewarding, engaging, and exciting. It has a proven route to STEM career pathways in design, enterprise, engineering, marketing, and much more.  

Preparing for the two-day competition was a journey of its own, in which the group of students worked extremely diligently. The holiday sessions to design, test and develop the car. The countless hours of staying back after school to design the trade display. The early morning sessions before school and the sleepless nights to get the portfolios completed. It all came together, and as a team, they thrived. 

“I found my experience with F1 In Schools incredible,” said Graphic Designer, Gabriel Jones. “I had the chance to experiment with different technologies, such as the CNC machine and the 3D printers”.  

“F1 In Schools has improved my confidence immensely, and I hope in the future that I can improve on my skills and knowledge as well.” 

Manufacturing Engineer, Ben Keane, said, “I hope Team Magnitude wins Nationals, is given feedback and extra knowledge, and moves on to becoming World Champions.” 

And in the words of Marketing Manager, Bailey Thompson, "We started F1 as a team, but now we are a family. We are Magnitude." 

On behalf of Team Magnitude, a special and sincere thank you to the Re-Engineering Australia (REA) staff and the Royal Adelaide Show Society for organising a very exciting competition. Congratulations to the other 22 teams who competed in the competition, and we wish you all the best. Our utmost appreciation and gratitude to our sponsors—RFTEQ, Thompson Family, Fluro Skip Bins, JS Meats, Xel Graphix, Terry White Chemmart - Elizabeth Park, and CasTech 3D. Thank you to everyone who supported us and believed in us. 

Mr Mohammad Arifi (Class of 2016) | Middle/Senior Teacher 

St Columba College is excited to announce the launch of the 'Dogs Connect' program at our Junior School. This new wellbeing program will see the introduction of Ziggy, who will become a much-loved and important member of our community.

Schools with a wellbeing dog have experienced a positive impact on school attendance and improved student behaviour. It also assists children to develop their communication skills with peers and gives them a sense of responsibility.

In one Dogs Connect survey, 92% of students said they felt more relaxed during teaching and learning time when there was a dog in the classroom.

The Dogs Connect program will provide support to the College in implementing this gradually, thoroughly, and considerately. At this stage we encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website links below:

We are very excited to be introducing Ziggy next term. He is a 2-year-old medium-sized Groodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle), and has been selected due to his gentle temperament, hypoallergenic coat and willingness to work. We have a core team of staff who have been through the Dogs Connect training and will be handling the dog at school. 

We would also like to assure the community that this program will not involve anyone who does not wish to be involved. We know that this work will have a really positive impact on many people in our community, and we acknowledge and respect that connection with our wellbeing dog will be offered on a great variety of levels.

Dogs Connect Introduction Video

I was invited by RE-Engineering Australia (REA) to be on the judging panel at the F1 In Schools National Finals - 2022, Melbourne. Thank you to the REA staff, Bosch Australia, and my fellow judging partners for their hospitality and collaboration. I look forward to continuing our partnership in STEM education. 

It was an exciting opportunity for professional development and an insight into the pinnacle of STEM education. I am incredibly grateful and appreciative to my colleagues and the Leadership Team for supporting me with this enriching experience. 

Across the three days, I was involved in intense judging of the development class and shadowed some of the professional class judges. It was amazing to see the quality of work and the level of engagement students had for F1 from schools across Australia.

On the final day was the awards presentation, and Team Aero Racing from Modbury High (SA) came 2nd in the Development Class. Brighton Grammar from Victoria won the Professional and Development class and will be competing at the world finals next year. The Headmaster said that he would personally carry everyone's luggage if they made it to the world finals. It looks like he's got a bit of lifting to do. 

At the competition, they also had Subs In Schools; a development team from SA came 3rd, and a professional team achieved 2nd place.

Overall, the experience was fantastic. I learned a significant amount which has allowed me to gain a hands-on insight into STEM education and the benefits of incorporating and developing our F1 In Schools program. I developed connections and networks with schools, judging partners, teachers, and students, and I now have an engineering friend.

I am excited, motivated, and enriched to share what I have experienced and learned with colleagues and develop our F1 program so that we can compete at a national level and even take on the world one day. This year, we plan to take teams to the State Finals at the Royal Adelaide Show. 

Mr Mohammad Ali Arifi (Class of 2016) | Middle/Senior Teacher

Works have begun on this transformative project which will improve connection and flow across the Middle and Senior campuses and provide a welcoming and contemporary learning environment. The new building will include classrooms for Year 8 and Year 9, breakout spaces, spaces for practical work, Iona Learning Centre, a new Student Services area, offices and meeting rooms.

In addition, the Lecture Theatre is being transformed into Performing Arts Space, creating two Drama spaces, Languages classrooms, an additional Music space and new covered Sports Courts. The new car park will be located on the western side of the site, while pickup and drop off zones will be created on both sides of President Avenue.

The Uniform Shop has been relocated to the eastern side of the Middle School Soccer Pitch and a new carpark has been created on Crittenden Road.

We look forward to sharing more updates with you throughout the year.

LINKS

The Advertiser - $21m upgrade planned for St Columba College

I am very excited to have joined St Columba College this year as Head of Curriculum and Learning. In this newly created role, I am overseeing all matters connected to students’ academic progress from Reception to Year 12. I am aided in this by a team of dedicated teachers who deliver a first-class set of subjects.

Like the wider community and the world at large, schools are not frozen in time. We need to constantly evaluate what we are doing and why we are doing it. And the most relevant question we must ask ourselves is, whether we are preparing our students well for the challenges they face in life and work beyond 2022.

Practically this means it is my responsibility to ensure that our school offers an interesting and diverse curriculum that both engages and challenges students at a level appropriate for their ability. Students are often the best judges of their learning, and I am looking forward to learning from them what we can do to make their time at school the best possible foundation for their future lives.

In my eyes, students are on a learning journey that takes them from their very early years through to adolescence and then into young adulthood. And our teachers and all our support staff are doing a wonderful job in ensuring that this journey is meaningful and students remain on track as they develop intellectually, socially and emotionally.

It is my firm belief that, with the right attitude and support, every single student at St Columba College can thrive and reach his or her personal best. But we can only do this in partnership with our school community and I am looking forward to working with you to help our students be the best versions of themselves, now and in the years to come. 

Mr Daniel Ganama | Head of Curriculum and Learning

On Friday 11 March, six Year 12 Prefects attended the 2022 National Student Leadership Summit hosted by St Peter’s College. Over 113 students attended from 30 schools around Australia. The day was facilitated by Ms Nicole Dyson, CEO of Future Anything; a company which supports youth entrepreneurship. It was also hosted by two St Peter’s College School Captains, Aidan and Chirath.

The summit was structured around the VIA Character Strengths (Values in Action) and the day was split into three sessions; Connect, Communicate and Create. Early in the day, each student was given a phrase saying ‘hello’ in a range of languages. During the Connect session, students were asked to form groups of five and perform a check-in with those who responded to hello in the same language as them, then share their fears and hopes for the day. They were then asked to draw a map of their lives in the booklets given and discuss it with their group members. In between this, Ms Dyson taught the importance of ‘Ikigai’; a Japanese concept of finding the balance between what you are good at, and what you can be paid for. 

The Communicate session was largely based on the VIA Character Strengths. Students were encouraged to form a range of groups based on their top character strength and its virtue group. In these groups, students explored different perspectives on good leadership qualities, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their virtue groups. The students were then divided into another group based on the ‘scissor, paper, rock,’ concept of leadership and asked to create and fly paper planes. There were many innovative ideas, ranging from paper balls to upside-down planes.

During the last session of the day, Create, students were put back into their school groups and tasked with creating solutions for problems in their school. Our Prefects came up with some brilliant ideas, including a school mural highlighting diversity and fundraisers for local issues. These ideas were shared and exchanged with other school groups. At the end of the seminar, Ms Dyson encouraged the students to keep in touch with each other and the opportunity was taken to exchange emails.

Overall, the National Student Leadership Summit was eye-opening and provided the students with the opportunity to meet others from a range of backgrounds, allowing them to view the world from a different and more creative perspective.

Intisaar Ofori | Year 12 Prefect

On International Women's Day, our inspiring women tell us about those who have inspired them.

St Columba College is proud to offer a broad curriculum that provides all students with degrees of support and challenges suitable to their particular needs.

As part of our commitment to help all students achieve their best, regardless of their academic ability, a new strategy will be added to our suite of learning opportunities this year in the form of an Academic Extension Program.

The Academic Extension Program is designed to cater to the needs of students in Years 3 ­- 11 who possess academic gifts and talents. Nationally, we see this in approximately 10% of school-aged children. Our program will have both curricular and extra-curricular aspects and will help gifted students to reach their potential and thrive. Students will have the opportunity to work with like-minded peers, engage in project and investigative work, and participate in competitions, all geared to their areas of interest. In the coming weeks, students eligible for inclusion in the Academic Extension Program will learn about the exciting opportunities provided for them.

Ms Oliwia Derda with student Zahra

Academic Extension at St Columba will be coordinated by Ms Oliwia Derda, who is working closely with Dr Rebecca Napier - Gifted Education Adviser at the Catholic Education Office. Oliwia’s role is twofold; firstly in assisting our classroom teachers to ensure learning is tailored, and secondly, that we have meaningful extension activities on offer for our most gifted students. Already Oliwia has undertaken the process of implementing holistic identification processes. This involves collating school-based information and standardised testing data so that we have an evidence-based strategy to ensure that no student with an academic gift goes unrecognised.

The College will also be launching an Academic Scholarship Program in the coming months. Parents and Caregivers with gifted children who would like to enrol at St Columba can apply for financial support for their family.

We are excited for this new learning direction at St Columba College and have confidence these programs will present excellent opportunities for our gifted students to flourish and maximise their potential. Should you wish to discuss the Academic Extension Program or Academic Scholarships, I encourage you to contact me at darren.pitt@stcolumba.sa.edu.au in the first instance. Thank you.

Mr Darren Pitt | Deputy Principal

A Student Update from Principal Ms Leanne Carr, welcoming students back for Face to Face and Online Learning.

A Parent Update from Principal Ms Leanne Carr, outlining the return to school and close contact procedures for students in the classroom.

We are excited to introduce our 2022 St Columba College Captains, Gemma Eckermann and Erasmo Di Fava. Both students began at the College in Reception and have exhibited the St Columba College values throughout their time here.
 

We also congratulate our new Middle School Captains, Lachlan Arias (Year 9) and Mia Kee-Tui (Year 9), and Junior School Captains Alek Nyok (Year 5) and Eli Scherer (Year 5).

The College will be undertaking a significant shift in our Student Leadership structure in the Middle and Senior Schools from 2022. This is the first time we will be led by College Captains (formerly Head Prefects), and 16 Senior Prefects will support them. The responsibilities of SRC, House Captains and Prefects, have been merged into the one role of Prefect to ensure Student Leaders perform a more significant role.

Senior Prefects also will have the additional responsibility of either being a Portfolio Captain or a House Captain - meaning they will run a student team or be the Student Leader representative of their House. The six portfolios are Academic, Arts, Cultural, Environmental, Social Justice and Sports. All Student Leaders will sit on one of these teams run by a Portfolio Captain.

The Middle School will have two Year 9 Middle School Captains who will oversee 16 Middle Prefects, and the Junior School will be led by two Junior School Captains and eight House Captains. These leaders will support younger students, promote House spirit and assist at College events.

We congratulate all of our 2022 Student Leaders.
 

College Captains: Gemma Eckermann (12) and Erasmo Di Fava (12)

Middle School Captains: Lachlan Arias (9) and Mia Kee-Tui (9)

Junior School Captains: Alek Nyok (5) and Eli Scherer (5)

Senior Prefects: 

Brian Phan (11), Benedict Mapor (11), Zahra Yousefi (10), Aleah Poole (11), Joseph Scott (11), Kyan Davis (10), Ramani Van Kooten (10), Happiness Mukungwa (12), Isabella Kouimtzis (12), Sarah Wells (10), Francis Chapman-Wardy (11), Jordan Pitt (12), Agnes Selemani (11), Jessica Ishimwe (10), Jacob O'Neill (11), Intisaar Ofori (12)

Middle Prefects: 

Grace Muhama (9), Isabel Arias (8), Kiki Ajak (8), Charlotte Talbot (8), Jozephine Ashby (9), Brayden Hopgood (8), Izak Scherer (8), Alessandra Dumbrell (9), Jackson Eastwood (9), Michael Murimi (7), Myah Richards (7), Rahmat Rahimi (9), Christie Chapman-Wardy (8), Molly Ruedigar (9), Stella Connor (9), Hayley Buller (9). 

Junior School House Captains:

Ivette Cooke (Broughton), Chelsea Banks (Faulkner), Adrina Kollie (Lashmar), Saahil Choudhary (MacKillop), Flynn Hughes (McLennan), Zainab Rahimi (Mitchell), Neville Stowe (Polding) and Mia Arias (Short)

St Columba College is delighted to announce Kassidy Tamlin as the College Dux for 2021, achieving a 96.2 ATAR.

This fantastic result follows on from her other outstanding academic achievements throughout the year, including the St Columba College Medallist and the first-ever recipient of the St Columba Cum Laude award.

Cum Laude is Latin for “with praise” or “with honour” and is granted to the student who demonstrates honourable excellence in academic coursework.

This year, Kassidy excelled at her Academics, receiving the highest coursework grade for all five of her subjects; Society and Culture, Health, Outdoor Education, Food and Hospitality, and Religious Education. She was recognised by her teachers as a student who sought help regularly, acted on advice and engaged positively in all aspects of the academic life of the College. She embraced the opportunity to learn, placing equal value upon all her learning and subject areas.

Kassidy attended St Columba College for the past thirteen years. During this time, she was known by her teachers and peers as an honest, reliable, and hardworking student with a mature approach to all facets of college life. She was a self-motivated student with a strong commitment to her studies.

Two students received a Merit, achieving an overall subject grade of A+ and demonstrating exceptional achievement in the subject. Congratulations to Kassidy Tamlin (Food and Hospitality) and Mason Highcock (Material Solutions).

St Columba College had four students achieve an ATAR above 90;

Kassidy Tamlin (96.2) 

Thomas Grindlay (94.95)

Connor Bell (93.35)

Olivia Inwood (90.85)

We congratulate Kassidy and the Class of 2021 for their outstanding SACE results and recognise the hard-working staff who have supported the Year 12 cohort. They have overcome unique and challenging circumstances throughout the COVID-19 affected year. We wish them all the best for the next stage of their journey and welcome them to our St Columba College Alumni Network.

In Term 4, Indonesian language students across Years 7 to 9 took part in learning a traditional Indonesian dance known as the Saman. The Saman is a UNESCO heritage listed dance due to its significance for the Aceh people of Indonesia.

The dance was led by St Columba College Alumni Christina Mathieson (Class of 2016). Christina shared her journey with the language and people of Indonesia before teaching them a part of the Saman performance.

Our students had a great time learning the dance. St Columba Alumni contribute to the life of the College by engaging and inspiring our current students. If you would like to be involved, please follow the link to update your details or follow our St Columba College Alumni Facebook group: http://bit.ly/St_Columba_Alumni 
 

Mr Scott Hoban | Learning Area Leader - Languages

On Tuesday night we held our annual Art & Tech Show. It was a fantastic evening showcasing the work of our talented Year 12 students. There was high standard of work with such variety. Congratulations to the students and teachers for this amazing effort and to all those involved in making the event a success. It was wonderful to see a number of old scholars join us for the evening.
 

Congratulations to all our Award winners.

The People's Choice Award Winners:
Stage 2 Visual Art - Chelsea Davies
Stage 2 Material products - metal - Mason Highcock
Stage 2 Material products - timber - Daniel Searle
Stage 2 IPP -graphics - Georgia Berry
Stage 2 IPP website - Logan Baxter
__

Visual Art
Principal’s Award – Chelsea Davies
Commendation – Nathan Diep
__

Material Products - Metal
Principal’s Award – Mason Highcock

Material Products - Woodwork
Principal’s Award – Daniel Searle
Commendation – Yazdan Abdullahi
__

Information Processing and Publishing

IPP Website
Principal’s Award – Georgia Berry
Commendation  – Connor Bell

IPP Graphics - Print
Principal’s Award – Connor Bell
Commendation – Logan Baxter

As we begin Term 4, it is timely to share with you the progress of the College Strategic Plan. The second goal of the plan is to ‘Empower Compassionate Global Citizens’. This means developing in our students the skills, attitudes and dispositions to live in an ever-changing world.

We cannot predict the future, but we know that to thrive, our students will need to be curious, resilient, problem solvers and be able to self-regulate. They will need to respect, value and appreciate the ideas and perspectives of others, as well as cope with failure and be able to move forward in the face of adversity. Our world is driven by accelerating globalisation and advanced technological developments. As well as future career motivations, our young people will also need to care about the wellbeing of their families, friends, their community and the planet.

Future-ready students will need to exercise agency in their own learning and throughout life. This is a tall order, yet it is a shared responsibility between students themselves, teachers, parents and caregivers.

So how do we address this challenge and motivate our students to be compassionate global citizens? At St Columba, we are intentional with our actions and set personalised learning approaches for students to help set goals and track their own progress. We involve our students in an interdisciplinary approach across Reception to Year 9. This approach focusses on integrated learning across two or more subjects with choice in how they may demonstrate their learning. Working with others successfully is also a priority in classrooms, where students are taught explicitly in how to collaborate with others. Thinking and talking with each other about complex problems is so important to develop cognitive skills. In particular, we place a high value on social and emotional learning; getting along with others in a respectful way, handling emotions when things go wrong and having the confidence to give things a go. Underpinning our work this year has been developing literacy and numeracy – the foundation for all learning. Finally, we continue to teach the Gospel values upon which the College was founded; to follow Jesus’ example to welcome all, include everyone and show compassion to those in need.  

This year we endeavoured to provide the extra support for students across Years 6-12 with our after-school study program in the Middle School Resource Centre. This program has been taken up by a high number of students who have accessed one-on-one tutoring though our Alumni network.

Next year, we will embark on a new initiative to extend the learning of students who have demonstrated academic strength across Reception to Year 10. This will be an exciting strategy and one we believe will meet the needs of all our students.

Term 4 is such an important time for great learning, so I encourage parents and caregivers to consider how they can help our children to strive to do their best.

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students at the following presentations this term:  

Thursday 28 October
The whole College will gather to farewell and present Awards to our Year 12s 

Wednesday 1 December
Junior School 'Prayer & Presentation' (R-5)

Thursday 2 December
Middle Senior School 'Prayer & Presentation' (6-11)

We pray for a successful, healthy and safe Term 4.

Ms Leanne Carr | Principal

Junior School

The South Australian Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC), which began in 2004, is celebrating its 17th year and the College has successfully participated since its inception.

Students are challenged to read 12 books between February and September. The challenge may be completed by shared reading experiences and reading independently with the support of teachers and library staff.

Despite COVID-19 disruptions, the Junior School students have done an awesome job participating in and completing the PRC. There were over 40 students who completed the Reading Challenge Early and received stickers, bookmarks and certificates to congratulate them.

On Friday August 27th the Head of The Premier’s Reading Challenge S.A. Mark Williams and Author / Puppeteer Sue Harris visited the Junior School Book Week Assembly. Mark and Sue encouraged our students to keep reading towards the challenge and congratulated those who had already finished. Sue is an amazing puppeteer and author. She spoke about the importance of reading and wove her puppeteer skills into her speech whilst giving a history of her puppets and showing us how they work. The students were entranced by the puppets and two of our staff were lucky enough to join Sue on stage as puppeteer assistants.

PRC data entry was completed on September 17th and I am pleased to report the following data for R-5: All Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 successfully completed the Reading Challenge. 71 Year 4 students and 67 Year 5 students have successfully completed the Reading Challenge. PRC Awards will arrive at the College in November and be presented to our students to celebrate and reward their reading efforts in 2021. We are very proud of our students for their reading commitment and achievements.

Mrs Ruth Sumner | Junior School Teacher/Librarian

Middle School

This year 8A, 8B and 8D participated in the Indonesian section of the Premier’s Reading Challenge 2021, supported by the province of West Java.
 

The students read a book called “Itam dan U” by Yovita Siswati in Indonesian. “Itam dan U” is about the experiences of a young boy during the 2004 tsunami. This book can be found at https://literacycloud.org/ which provides free online books to students from countries around the world in their own language. Look out for stories in a language you know! Students were then assessed on their book review submissions and were presented with their awards at a ceremony in Week 9.

Sue Roberts | Teacher Indonesian and Mathematics

A special message from Principal Ms Leanne Carr, teacher Mr Ali Arifi and Year 12 students Yazdan and Hamida. St Columba College is holding fundraising events in Week 10 to raise money for Welcome to Australia, an organisation directly supporting the recent arrivals in South Australia.

Welcome to Term 3!

This term promises to be an exciting one and I am delighted to share with you our plans for the development of the Middle School campus. We engaged Swanbury Penglase Architects in August last year and since this time they have worked with students, staff and the College Council to provide input into our needs that will enhance student learning for the middle and senior years.  

The project drivers are:  

At this stage there has been significant work undertaken and currently the plans are with Playford Council awaiting building development approval.  

The proposed plans include a new building that will provide classrooms for Years 8 and Years 9, a new Middle School Student Services area, two spaces that will allow students to be hands on and develop products that will integrate learning across subjects, a learning centre that will provide specialist support for students across Years 6-12 with additional needs, break out spaces for students to work with each other and various meeting rooms.  

In addition, two Indonesian rooms will be located on the ground floor of the main building, along with an additional Music space upstairs. The Lecture Theatre will be converted into a Performing Arts Space for Drama lessons and recitals. The space will also be able to be used for a lecture-style presentations and assemblies. An additional Drama room will be developed next to the Canteen.

The new building will be two storeys and connected to the main building. It will be positioned in what is now the car park. The car park will be relocated to the western-side of the campus and will be equivalent to the spaces we currently have.  

What will change is the construction of drop-off and pick-up zones on both sides of President Avenue. These will be outside the Middle and Senior campuses.  

The Uniform Shop will be moved to the eastern-side of the Soccer Oval where a small car park will be built with an entrance and exit from Crittenden Street.  

The next stage of the process is to obtain council approval. Once approval is obtained the Architects will complete extensive drawings to go to Tender for a builder.  

We envisage the development of the site to begin in January 2022.  

With significant capital development project there will be disruptions to how the College will operate next year. We will work closely with both the Architects and the builder to ensure we limit disruptions and carefully plan the work to be undertaken.  

I am also pleased to share that another major project at the College will be the redevelopment of the Junior School car park, due to begin at the end of this term. We need over three months to undertake this work and believe that Term 4 (8 weeks) along with the January break will be needed. The car park will include a smoother and safer drop-off and pick-up zone. There will be disruption to the Junior School as parents will need to park away from the campus and walk in. We will be communicating more about these plans as we move forward this term.  

Please see below the architectural impressions of the new building for the Middle School campus.  

We are excited for this next stage of the College's development. 

Ms Leanne Carr | Principal

Ground Floor

First Floor

Download a copy here

This year the College is in its 25th year of providing education in the north of Adelaide. We are proud of our past students and what they have achieved. Our record shows that our students enter University, TAFE and gain apprenticeships after completing Year 12. There are high aspirations for academic success and we are proud of the fact that students continue to succeed beyond school.

We wish to recognise their achievements and highlight a past student annually with the St Columba College Alumni Award.

The Alumni Award will be presented at the Senior Academic Assembly in Term 3 allowing the recipient to address the Senior Students about their achievements since leaving the College.

Do you know a past student who is succeeding and making a difference in their field of work or community? This could be an Alumni who is a researcher, teacher, doctor, lawyer, sportsperson, businessperson or is involved in not-for profit organisation.    

If so, we would love to hear from you. The Nomination Form is easy to access and all you need to do is to click on the link: https://bit.ly/SCCAlumniAward.  

Nomination close on Friday 16 July at 9am. The St Columba College Alumni Award will be presented on Thursday 5 August at 9am.

If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Marketing and Communications, Mr Michael O’Dwyer, at alumni@stcolumba.sa.edu.au

Ms Leanne Carr | Principal

A group of  our Year 9 girls attended the A-Maze Maths excursion at UniSA Mawson Lakes.

‘A-Maze Maths is a component of the UniSA STEM Girls agenda, encouraging girls to continue the study of science and mathematics throughout their schooling and into university. The program is designed to empower girls to pursue careers in mathematics.’

Students learnt about current research problems that UniSA students are working on then engaged in three different workshops. Workshop activities included finding the best route through a network, performing division using "exploding dots" and using origami to create hexaflexagons. Over 100 students from across the state participated in the event, with many creating new friendships.

"The Amaze math excursion was fun and an enjoyable learning experience for all. I loved every bit of it from the activities and to making new friends and on top of that, we got a delicious pizza lunch. Overall, it was a great day!" - Celina

"The Amaze maths program was a fantastic and enjoyable experience, it was very interesting, and there were many hands-on activities to do throughout day. The excursion was a good learning experience, and I would definitely go again if I had the chance" - Ella.

To learn more about the program click here: https://study.unisa.edu.au/unisa-connect/mawson-lakes/a-maze-maths/

Sarah Makestas | Teacher

Our Principal, Ms Leanne Carr, has been busy this week meeting with community leaders, Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty and Member for Light, Mr Tony Piccolo MP.

They discussed a range of matters including the progress of the College and Stage 2 of the Master Building Plan. This next stage of development will see upgrades to the Junior School car park and a new Middle School building, with classrooms and breakout spaces for Year 8 and Year 9, a new Students Services area, a Learning Centre, and outdoor play spaces. In addition, a modern performing arts theatre for Drama and Music will be created, as well as new Language classrooms.

It was great to welcome back St Columba College Alumni, Mr Ben Innes (Class of 2018), who is currently completing a traineeship with Mr Piccolo.

At St Columba College, the community is called to Live Faith in Action. As part of this goal, students in Stage 2 Essential Maths were asked to make and sell a product, donating all profits to Project Compassion. It was wonderful to see students engaged and excited about creating their own business and using Mathematics to simulate the scenario of running the business for a whole year. They needed to take into consideration ongoing costs and the cost of making the product when determining how much they would sell the products for. 

I would like to congratulate this group of students who demonstrated creative thinking, determination, and dedication to using their knowledge to better someone else's life through supporting a charity. Well done!

Miss Georgie Toth | Teacher and Co-Learning Area Leader in Mathematics 

Earlier this term, a group of our Year 9 students participated in a promotional video for the new STEMfooty program created by the Adelaide Football Club. These students were among the first to complete the pilot course in 2019 as Year 7s. This year, the program is being offered to schools across South Australia after it was unfortunately cancelled in 2020.

The 10-week collaborative partnership between schools, classroom teachers and the Adelaide Football Club, is designed to give students an appreciation, understanding, and passion for the science and mathematics underlying the sport. The program is linked with Maths, Science and PE/Health subject areas, with learning units in statistics, nutrition, trajectory and distance. 

It is run by former St Columba College staff member, Katie Gloede (Bell). Katie worked overseas and for the University of South Australia, before being appointed to the role of STEMfooty Program Manager at the Adelaide Football Club.

St Columba Middle School teacher, Mr Adriaan Vollebregt, was interviewed along with some of the students. They spoke about benefits of the program and the impact it had on studying STEM. St Columba College was one of the first schools to take part in the trial and our current Year 7s will get to experience it for themselves later this year.

Well done to all involved. For more information on the program and to watch the video, visit our Facebook page or follow the link to the Adelaide Crows website: https://www.afc.com.au/community/programs/STEMfooty

On Friday 26th March, the Stage 1 and 2 Visual Art students attended the ‘Art Gallery of South Australia’. Students were engaged with the various collections and exhibitions as we had a self-guided tour of the gallery.

We visited the Jam Factory and watched the glass blowers and explored their contemporary exhibitions of jewellery, glass, furniture and ceramics. We headed to the Adelaide College of the Arts for the SACE Art Show at the Light Square Gallery. Students viewed more than 100 artworks including paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewellery, costumes and multimedia works on display. This exhibition highlights a selection of 2020 Stage 2 Visual Art students.

The aim of this excursion is for students to gain a better understanding of the quality and quantity of work expected from them in Year 12 and to provide them with inspiration and direction for their own arts journeys.

Kelley Lewis | The Arts Learning Area Leader

Last year, our Year 8 and 9 students engaged in a book writing project to benefit the libraries of both St Columba College and a variety of Primary Schools in Indonesia. Through the project, students worked with Mrs Grindlay who showed our students a range of children’s books and talked about what makes an engaging book for children aged 5 - 7. We read a variety of Indonesian children’s books before students were given the task of writing their own, using language and structures they had become familiar with. Through this process, the importance of literacy was discussed in class from an author and readers point of view.

Students engaged in this process which resulted in 40 books being published. Some of these books will help to make up the Indonesian In-Class Libraries at St Columba College for future students to read, whilst others have been sent to several schools in Indonesia to become a valuable reading resource for the schools and children. The schools have welcomed these resources with open arms and are excited to share the stories that were created by our students when schools in Indonesia cease on-line learning.

To recognise the fantastic achievement, a small celebration was held where students were able to view and read their published book, as well as sharing these stories with family and friends. The books that were created are fantastic, and we look forward to using these as valuable in-class resources.

Congratulations to all students who had their book published.

Mr Scott Hoban | Learning Area Leader - Indonesian

Congratulations to St Columba College Year 9 student, Georgia McKee, who has been selected to join the Adelaide Football Club Crows Academy.

The program was created to identify and educate young talent, nurture their skills and provide a pathway to the AFL level. The 2021 Bridgestone Australia Crows Academies NGA Girls program kicked off last night in search of the next AFL Women's Adelaide Crows AFLW superstars.

Georgia’s passion for football is well known across the College and we are very proud of her achievement. We look forward to watching her development over the coming years.

Mr Harms and Mr D'Antonio have announced the squad chosen to represent the College at the 2021 Open Boys Knockout Tournment. The team is attempting to defend the Division 2 title they won last year.

Congratulations to the following students:

On Tuesday the 23rd of February, the Stage 1 and 2 Drama students attended the Adelaide Showgrounds to view the Slingsby and State Theatre Company production titled, 'The Boy Who Talked To Dogs'.

This production was performed in the style of immersive theatre, which had students sitting at round dining tables in an Irish pub setting. As the story unfolded, the set physically unravelled around the perimeter of the room. This was an entertaining and creative production that has sparked new ideas in our young creatives.

A message to our families, leaders, educators, staff and students from Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education SA, as we begin the 2021 school year. 

Aren’t we glad to have 2020 behind us? It was certainly a year that challenged us, but one that enabled us to learn a lot about ourselves and also the importance of community and being together, and the opportunities we have in Catholic education to make a real difference for young people, families and the community.

To our families… We’re committed to your children.  

We at Catholic education, all of the staff who work here, are committed to Catholic education, for the purpose of supporting your children in their learning, their formation, their development and their wellbeing.

We have the opportunity to listen attentively to what young people are saying to us. Each term, every student in our schools has the opportunity to speak directly to his or her teachers, to their principal, and to me, to express how they are feeling about themselves, their learning, their relationships, and their sense of belonging in the community. All students are being given a voice they are entitled to, and one that we will listen to.

We are also recognising the challenges for families at the moment. Following the fee reductions in our primary schools in 2020, we will continue that work into this year and next year in our secondary schools. Our Catholic schools are available to anybody. If you experience challenges, we will work with you to ensure that your child is able to have a Catholic education that makes a difference to their lives.

2021 is a time of partnership, and it’s a time of trust. And fundamentally it is a time of being together and supporting one another through the challenges that inevitably arise as we work our way through young people’s learning, wellbeing, growth and development.
 

To our leaders, educators, and staff… We’re in this together.  

Last year, we learnt a lot about each other. We learnt that in times of challenge, when we’re together we are incredibly strong and united, and we are awfully creative. 

Through all of those challenges, as staff, we came together fundamentally to ensure the learning entitlement for young people was maintained and fulfilled, and we did that brilliantly.

I’m excited about what it is you have in front of you in 2021. I ask you to be curious, ask questions, always explore how things may be done differently and how you can respond in new ways. And ask how we may listen more attentively to each other and to our young people, who are all born for this wonderful life where they can make a contribution, be passionate, and be loved.

Best wishes for 2021. I thank you for your enormous commitment and your rare expertise and passion you all have.
 

To our children and young people… We’re here for you.

Our commitment to you is that you matter. Your education, wellbeing and development are the most important things we’re going to focus on this year.

You have an opportunity to show your true self in everything you do in your learning and your formation and development.

I want our Catholic schools to do two things – allow you to be an amazing person, but also to be there when you try something and it didn’t work and you need to get up again.  

We’ll be there for you in both ways.

Best wishes for 2021. It’s going to be a great year. No doubt we’ll experience things we’ve never thought about but we’ve got the agility and capacity to deal with those because fundamentally we’re people of faith and we are people who are committed to one another and to doing the right thing for everybody and our community.

Go well.

Dr Neil McGoran

Director
Catholic Education South Australia

The Reception cohort have made a wonderful start to their school journey at St Columba College. They have been working hard to learn the school rules and routines. They have enjoyed getting to know each other, making new friends and exploring their new learning environments. Students have loved discovering all the amazing areas in our nature play space. To start our year off each student is bringing in a photo of their family to share with their peers. As we begin our second week we look forward to starting our specialist lessons and experiencing a full week of school. The students are very excited for a great year ahead filled with lots of learning and fun! 

This week the State Government introduced QR codes across South Australian schools. All Parents/Caregivers, staff and visitors to the College need to check in each day and scan the Code using the free mySA GOV app. A paper register will be available for those who don’t have the app. Students are not required to check in as our Attendance records will provide this data if needed.

Restrictions on parents/caregivers entering classrooms still applies and the College will update families of any changes.

Volunteers are highly valued and are still able to assist the College in various roles. Volunteer Induction Sessions provide mandatory training for parents and caregivers to volunteer at the College. If you would like to register your expression of interest, please fill out your details on our website and the College will contact you regarding your Volunteer Application.

​Term 1 Volunteer Sessions

18th February 9am-10.30am - JS P14

23rd February 6pm-7.30pm - MS Lecture Theatre

23rd March 6pm-7.30pm MS Lecture Theatre

Welcome to the 2021 academic year! 

This week we welcomed 94 new Reception students to the College and we are excited about what lies ahead for each of them as they progress through their formal years of schooling.

In the past 12 months, we have discovered that the world and how we live our daily lives has changed significantly. I could not have imagined that this time last year, we would be using a QR code to enter a café, shop, church or gym. This calls us to continue to reflect and plan for an education that is going to develop and equip our students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to live and work in an ever-changing world. 

The direction of the College this year focuses on the following Five Goals: 
1. Live Faith in Action
2. Empower Compassionate Global Citizens
3. Deliver High Quality Teaching
4. Enhance Partnerships 
5. Be an Enterprising College. 

We believe it is equally important to develop the whole person; to help our children and young people find meaning in their lives, to understand their place in the world, develop mindsets that they can achieve, and that they feel equipped with self-confidence and resilience. 

Underpinning our work in 2021 is to continue to develop a school culture where all students are included, feel safe, are engaged with their learning and have a strong connection to school. We will do this by promoting the value of respect in how we speak and act with each other. The example of Jesus when he lived on Earth provides the opportunity for our students to reflect on His life and what this means for them personally. We want our school to reflect Jesus’ example where each person experiences and displays love, hope, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Our goal to ‘Live Faith in Action’ provides opportunities for our students this year to not only be thinking of others but undertaking acts of service. As such, a framework has been developed across R-12 for students to respond to the needs in our community both locally and globally. This stems from our Christian calling for justice in the world. We believe our God is a God of justice, as is written throughout scripture in both the First and Second Testaments. 

As Christians, we have a responsibility to work towards the ending of any injustices and the restoration of right relationship between God, humanity and creation. This is a call to action, to live our lives in a way that is not detrimental to the world but actually enhances the life of others and creation. 

This calls us to work to engender in our students a desire to discern need, respond effectively and reflect on their action. We will seek to nurture in our students empathy and concern for issues of injustice and exercise agency with increasing wisdom and integrity.

Finally, with the new school year we are pleased to present you with a fresh College website. Here you will find current news and updates, as well as a showcase of student achievements.  

We therefore look forward to 2021 with much enthusiasm. We hope and pray all our students experience a happy and successful year.

Ms Leanne Carr | Principal

Over the holiday break our Grounds and ICT team have been busy preparing the College for the new school year. The Gymnasium has been fitted with 2 5mx3m SMD LED screens and a new 750 Watt variable speaker array with a 15' subwoofer. The new system will be utilised for R-12 events, as well as by the PE Faculty for sports lessons.

Twenty-two 75” interactive panel touch screens were installed in senior school classrooms, along with other maintenance and upgrades across the College.

On Thursday 29 October, an R-12 Farewell Assembly was held in the gym to acknowledge the Year 12s and thank them for the contribution they have made to the life of the College. Earlier this year in Term 1, the Year 12s entered the ‘Opening of the College Year’ Liturgy with the new Reception students; a symbolic gesture to welcome them to the start of their education. Similarly, at the Farewell Assembly last week, the Year 12s walked out with the Reception students; signifying the conclusion of the Senior students’ education at St Columba College.

We also congratulated these students on their special achievement awards:

Caritas Awards: Awer (Paul) Ajak, Adut Aken, Josie Caravaggio, Shania Tunley, Joseph Wills, Caitlin Hughes, Deng Garang Deng, Daniel Perkins

St Columba Medals: James Bottroff, Catherine (Gloria) Kiwele

Mary Woznitza Medal: Cobie Young

The Arts Award: Stephanie Romano.

Another tradition was continued on Friday morning with the College staff cooking breakfast for the Year 12s. This was followed by a Eucharist with the chosen theme ‘If you can imagine it, you can achieve it!’ celebrated by Rev. Jo Smith, our Anglican Chaplin. It was an emotional yet uplifting service that included words of encouragement from Ms Carr, an inspirational message from the two Head Prefects, Joel and Rosa, plus a short video celebrating the memories made in 2020. We wish all our Year 12s every blessing for their exams and future ahead!

David, tell us about your interests since leaving school:

Outside of education and work, I have been playing football for Central District Football Club.

Could you please tell us about your current role:

I am currently the Sports Engineer at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). SASI supports local Olympic and Paralympic athletes in sports such as swimming, cycling, rowing, sprint canoe, and beach volleyball. This includes some current Olympic champions and world record holders, as well as developing athletes who are looking to make national under-age or senior teams.

My role supports athletes, coaches and support staff in innovation around their training or competition environments. Effectively, we try to make things easier in terms of how they complete specific aspects of training or receive feedback on their performance. These ideas often come from coaches or staff who would like to achieve something, but don’t quite know how to do this. It is then my job to try and work out how to make it happen. This can be through designing equipment, modifying software, using new or different sensors, or adding in some data analysis methods.

What has your journey been, leading up to the career you are in today?

Following Year 12, I went straight into studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical and Sports) at the University of Adelaide. This was a four year degree and built a base of engineering knowledge in the first couple years before learning how to apply these skills to sport specific environments in the later years of the degree. I graduated in 2014 with First Class Honours.

Following this, I was lucky to have an opportunity to begin studying for a PhD. This was again through University of Adelaide but I also had support and guidance from Paralympics Australia.

My research focused on wheelchair rugby to determine a method for finding the best wheelchair set-up for individual athletes, based on their physical impairment and on-court role. With the involvement of Paralympics Australia, my research was able to focus on the Australian wheelchair rugby team who were current Paralympic and World Champions. We received great support from the coaches and athletes. This work led to some changes in athlete set-up and promoted more discussion about aspects of wheelchair set-up that had previously been neglected. I officially received my Doctorate in May 2019.

Towards the end of the PhD (late 2017), a role was advertised at SASI for the Sports Engineer position. I started there in January 2018, and the next 6 months were spent trying to balance full-time work, completing and submitting my thesis and sport. It was pretty chaotic!

What do you enjoy most about your role at SASI?

It is a very broad role, working on projects from mechanical design to software development to electronic systems. This means I can go from designing and 3D printing a part in the morning to writing code for data analysis or automation in the afternoon.

There is also the opportunity to work with elite sports, which is what interested me in the field initially. I am a sports nut, so being able to be involved - and hopefully have a positive influence - on an athlete’s performance is an exciting part of the role.

How did your education at St Columba help you along the way?

St Columba College gave me a good base in a range of areas that has helped throughout my education and in my current role. I still use some aspects of all my Year 12 subjects (Maths, PE, Biology, Physics, English – the last year before the research project), including having a base understanding of athletes biomechanics and physiology. Most importantly, I have been able to communicate to people with a range of skills and backgrounds.

What aspects of St Columba College did you enjoy the most?

We had a good group of students and had some great experiences as a Year 12 group, particularly at the retreat. Events like Saint Columba day and Sports Day were a lot of fun and there were always various activities to get involved in around the typical classes. We also had teachers who would go out of their way to support you and push you to get as much as you could out of their subjects.

What advice would you give to Senior Students deciding on a career path?

I was lucky that I had an area I was interested in (sports) that had an overlap with skills that I enjoyed (maths, design) which led to a potential profession. However, you do not need to know exactly what you want to do right now. If you can give yourself options, you will have opportunities to explore areas you are interested in. From my experience, if you are open to listening to people and willing to put in the effort, opportunities will arise.

What are your future career aspirations?

I would like to have a greater impact on South Australian sports, allowing more of our athletes to compete and be successful at major events. I think SASI can be the heart of South Australia's sporting success and build on its current reach and have impact across a wider range of sports and athletes and I would like to help achieve this.

I am also getting opportunities through my current role and previous experience to be involved in national sporting teams and support them; particularly with the Australian Para-Athletics team. I had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Para-Athletics World Championships as an Engineer/Mechanic, particularly for the wheelchair racing group. My role there is to ensure the athlete’s chairs are ready to go for their races and that they make it to the start line with no concerns about their equipment. It also gave us a chance to check out any innovative equipment from other nations and consider what the next step will be in para equipment. I’m also looking ahead to the next opportunity to attend a major event with this group will hopefully be the Tokyo Paralympics.

14 girls from Years 4 - 8 competed at the Aussie Gold State Championships on Sunday at Priceline Stadium. They placed 4th by 0.3 of a point. It was a great competition to be a part of and we are very grateful that we could showcase our routine in front of an audience this year. The girls are coached by Amy Cavuoto and assisted by Samantha Griguol. 

Watch the performance below:

This year the Year 6 students began learning about refugees and migrants; what it means to be a refugee or asylum seeker and the urgency in finding a new country that is safe. The Year 6's then felt like they had a sense of agency and responsibility to try to make a difference.

Ms Gordana Crowe, a volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul Society at the Migrant & Refugee Centre came to visit Miss Royal’s Year 6 students to explain where their donations would be going. Gordana shared with the students about the amazing work of Vinnies House of Welcome. This centre provides refugees and asylum seekers with emergency relief that maintains their dignity and encourages self-reliance in their new country and will assist these families for the first 2 years of arrival. The House of Welcome also helps with food, clothing, utility bills, applications for Visas, legal information, financial counselling, preparing CV's, applying for jobs, housing information, form filling and so much more. Gordana explained the Vinnies House of Welcome really relies on donations from the public to help fund their work and help distribute donations of blankets, clothing, toiletries, and food to it’s visitors.

The students were very eager to present Gordana with their donations of clothing (adult and children), blankets and food. The Broughton Kinship classes also made hygiene and food parcels as part of their acts of service to go to the Vinnies House of Welcome. Gordana was incredibly grateful for the compassion of the Miss Royals Year 6 students and of the other Kinship classes for their kind and generous donations.

Miss Melissa Royals | Year 6 and Senior School Teacher

Congratulations to our Open Boys Soccer Team who won the final of the Open Boys Knockout State Finals! Well done to the players and coaches, Mr Harms and Mr D’Antonio. After being down 1-0 at half time, St Columba College equalised late in the 2nd half and won in a penalty shootout thanks to a great save! A well deserved win after all their hard work!

The Covered Sports Court has enabled our P.E. lessons to occur outdoors regardless of weather and with the storage facilities located on site, at the rear of the court, equipment is easily accessible. During recess and lunch breaks students from Years 3-5 have borrowed equipment to use during breaks which has added to the range of games students can engage in. The nature play space has been very popular for our younger students, with such a variety of choices, children have explored their outdoor environment with confidence and developed their imagination, physical coordination skills and enhanced play-based learning opportunities.