The Coracle
Term 3, Week 5

Retreat Program

Year 3 Delaney were the first class to experience our new Retreat Program for students in Years 3 to 5. The purpose of the program was to allow students to explore what they think and believe about God and to connect more fully with their own spirituality. A retreat is an opportunity to rest from everyday life activities and take time to reflect, create and notice.

The theme for the retreat was "I notice, I wonder" and engaged students to explore beauty in their local environment as well as consider how they relate to this gift of creation. The day began with a grounding and centering guided meditation, followed by an opportunity to learn new songs and develop their own actions. 'Godly Play' including art and craft activities, allowed students to express their ideas creatively and represent their thoughts in a variety of ways. Students made 'Prayer Jars' that included prayers of thanks, petition, appreciation and forgiveness. The day ended with a Eucharistic Liturgy incorporating the songs and prayers of the day. The students responsed to the day very positively and we look forward to the next Retreat.

Mrs Jane Bailey | Director of Spirituality R-5

Saint Mary MacKillop

On Sunday 8 August, Catholics in Australia celebrated the feast of Mary MacKillop, Saint Mary of the Cross. One of our Houses is named after Mary MacKillop. Born in Fitzroy, Melbourne, in 1842, she spent her life educating the children of poor families and dedicating herself to God by starting the Sisters of St Joseph order. She became Australia’s first Saint in 2010.

God, through the intercession of Mary MacKillop, 

we pray that the fire of your compassion will ignite many hearts. 

May Mary’s attentiveness to your dream inspire us. 

May her energy to overcome injustice empower us.

May we, like her, make manifest your Presence in our troubled world.

We pray that the beacon of her holiness shine 

as a blessing for the universal Church and our world.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Academic Assemblies

Last week we celebrated the achievements of our students who had consistently worked at a high level during the first Semester. These students are to be congratulated on their persistence, organisation and love of learning.

Photo highlights of the Academic Assemblies and other Term 3 events are included in the gallery below.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra | Director of Spirituality 6-12

This term is moving quickly! With a week of Learning@Home to begin the term, we are grateful for the chance to be teaching face-to-face during these uncertain times. Thank you to our families for the flexible and quick adjustments made to access the Junior School Portal Pages and supporting your child/ren at home. Our staff are to be congratulated for the high-quality teaching and learning provided to ensure ongoing learning at home. In this uncertain time across our country, we remain prepared for change and continue to care for and keep each other safe.

Our celebrations, incursions and sporting opportunities during the past 5 weeks have been rich and varied. Our Receptions celebrated '100 Days of School' on Friday 30 July! We have enjoyed watching them grow, make friends and become independent learners under the nurturing guidance of their skilled Early Years Teachers. Our 'Green & Gold Day' marked the conclusion of the Olympic Games with the Junior School cheering on our Cross-Country competitors during the in-school competition. Congratulations to the winners:

Year 3 Girls: Lueth Deng
Year 3 Boys: Robee Lual & Hudson Edwards
Year 4 Girls: Lily King
Year 4 Boys: Barach Akoy
Year 5 Girls: Awel Malou
Year 5 Boys: Elijah Jones
Year 6 Girls: Puonriel Monykok
Year 6 Boys: James Bannah  

The Year 2s experienced a fun, hands on, collaborative incursion exploring toys past and present on Wednesday 28 July. This past week, our 3Delaney class had a Retreat Day, where they were engaged in making prayer jars, Godly Play, Eucharist and other fun and crafty activities. 

Our Academic Assembly on Monday 16 August recognised the endeavour and academic excellence achievement of our Year 3-5 students. An assembly held on Friday 20 August will acknowledge the high achievement awards.

Thank you to Mr Tristan Lorensini for coordinating Netball Clinics, Tri Skills and Soccer Clinics for the Junior School students, keeping them fit, healthy and engaged in active learning.

This term we have welcomed Ms Megan Akeroyd to Year 5, Mrs Jade Salier to Year 1 and Miss Tara Molo and Mr Aidan Oliver as Educational Support Officers. Mrs Samantha Desmond commences her Community Engagement Officer role across R-12, too. We wish everyone well and congratulate them on their new roles at the College!

Our thoughts and prayers are with our Afghan community who are deeply affected by events in their homeland. We continue to hold them close to our hearts.

Healthy Eating School

St Columba College Junior School is a Healthy Eating School. This means we promote action and change to our school community. We have fruit and vegetable breaks in class and use water bottles for classrooms (hydration program).

We have exciting plans in 2021 where St Columba College Junior School will operate as a Rubbish Free School. This is a practical, real and positive way to encourage healthy eating, teach waste minimisation and respect for our environment. Students are encouraged to bring food without packaging. There are many types of lunchboxes that support this program.

The waste generated from student lunches will be disposed of in the following ways:

1. Food scraps: sent to compost or worm farms
2. All other waste: will be put back into the students’ lunchboxes and taken home.

At recess, if food is taken out of its wrapper it will be put straight back into the student’s lunchbox. Snacks like muesli bars and crackers should be sent to school in a container, without wrapping. Students only take their lunchboxes outside with them if needed, and put them back in their bags when they have finished. At lunch, students who have not finished when the bell goes will take their lunchboxes out with them and put them in their bag when finished. 

Food purchased at the canteen can only be consumed in the canteen area or designated classroom eating area where there is a bin or lunchbox to put waste in.  

Our Commitment: Waste Minimisation and Rubbish Free Food

Like all schools, we can produce large amounts of waste. However, it is our aim to send as little waste as possible to landfill. This will lead to financial savings for the school, considerable benefits for the environment and many opportunities for the students to learn environmentally-sound attitudes and habits. It is also our aim to have the least amount of litter in the school buildings and grounds. This will make our school more attractive and save money and time in collecting carelessly discarded litter. It is also important from a health viewpoint. The school is committed to a whole-school approach to environmental education of which waste minimisation and rubbish free food plays a vital role.

During the last week of school we will be trialling this with all students and classes. We ask you start thinking about what goes into your child’s lunchbox and considering healthy alternatives and wrapper free foods. Thank you.

Mrs Julie Hancock | Head of Junior School

Term 3 has been a busy one! It was fantastic to see students return from lockdown with a positive mindset. I would like to acknowledge and thank all Middle School students who have been supporting the community by wearing masks and adhering to the COVID guidelines. This truly displays our College’s Christian values to look after and respect one another.

It was exciting to hear that the Year 8/9 Girls Soccer team won their Round 2 encounter against Thomas More College and Port Augusta Secondary School after a long road trip to Port Pirie on Monday 16 August. The team now advances to the next round which is a fantastic achievement. You can keep up to date with more sporting news via our College Facebook page and website.

In Semester 2, Middle School students focus on our ‘Made in the Image of God’ (MITIOG) program. The units are conducted primarily in our Religious Education lessons. This is an integral component of our curriculum which focuses on developing self, understanding human dignity and developing quality relationships.

On Thursday 19 August, I had the pleasure of attending the Anglican Schools Student Leadership Day held at St Peter’s College. The theme was connected to Reconciliation and our students worked collaboratively with student leaders from other schools to discuss the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). They shared initiatives, ideas for programs and networked with other students. They also listened to some guest speakers who shared their story. Our students demonstrated great confidence and leadership. It was pleasing to see their exceptional representation of the College.

Enjoy the rest of the term.

Mr Shane Dowling | Head of Middle School

The Senior School has been abuzz as thoughts begin to drift towards plans for 2022. Our Year 12s are only 33 days out of finishing school and have been active in their discussions with Senior Leaders around their exit plans. Our 11s and 12s have been exploring subjects for 2022 in Kinship and at the Subject Showcase, which was held on Wednesday 11 August. It was a delight to see so many students speak passionately about their subject choices for 2022.  

On Monday 16 August, we had the opportunity to celebrate with students at the Senior School Academic Assembly. This year was the first year we recognised the Year 12s for their endeavour in the first semester. It was such a special occasion that saw 54 students recognised for their outstanding academic performance and endeavour. 

Another highlight from the beginning of this term was an opportunity to have the 'Pelvic Pain Foundation' come and speak with our Year 10 and 11 female students on Monday 9 August. This positive and interactive session was informative and supportive of teenagers who suffer severe period pain, pelvic pain and Endometriosis. It encouraged them to seek support and live pain-free. I know the students who attended were appreciative of the session and left feeling encouraged about who they are as individuals.

I trust the rest of Term 3 goes well for your family.

Mrs Deirdre Walters | Head of Senior School