The Coracle - Term 4, Week 7

Junior School

On Monday 11 November, the whole College came together with a special service for Remembrance Day, to commemorate those who have given their lives in war and peacekeeping.

Flight Lieutenant, Joseph Chung, from the RAAF came to speak to the students and take part in our Liturgy. Several students were involved in the occasion. A very poignant part was the carrying of 41 crosses to remember those who had fallen in Afghanistan and was a representation of all who have given their lives in the cause of justice. The Rev Simon Bailey played the Last Post and the Rouse to accompany the Ode of Remembrance and observation of a minute’s silence. All students were very respectful and conducted themselves with a great sense of occasion.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Year 5 students have attended the ‘Year 5 Retreat’ at Para Wirra Conservation Park. They spent the day immersed in natural surroundings and enjoyed a walk around the Lizard Rock loop. They also engaged in stone painting, free time in the nature play space and prayer. Students enjoyed the day and felt a sense of calm and connectedness. It was a great opportunity for them to explore their spirituality, their thoughts about God, and their place in creation.

During Week 5 our students were engaged in an ‘Advent Day’. As a Christian community we are approaching the season of Advent and our students explored the themes of love, joy, hope and peace, that are brought to us in the birth of Jesus. Students took part in prayer, liturgy and learning through research, teaching, art and craft to develop a clearer understanding of this season of the church.

Our final important assembly for the year will be the Prayer and Presentation, which will celebrate the learning and achievements of students in our College. We look forward to this occasion on Wednesday 4 December at 9am

I wish everyone a safe and blessed Christmas.

Mrs Jane Bailey
Director of Spirituality R-5

Middle and Senior School

There is something very special about the way we celebrate and farewell our Year 12 students. Being an Anglican and Catholic College we have the added Leavers’ Liturgy where we pray for and bless the students as they depart the College to start a new chapter of their lives.

This year, the students chose the theme ‘Capture it! Remember it!’ for the Anglican Eucharistic Liturgy, that was celebrated by Reverend Tracey Gracey on Friday 1 November. The students chose the readings, songs and symbols that represented their cohort, which made the Liturgy a very meaningful celebration. Paper polaroid camera cutouts with the image of the student popping up the top decorated the back of the altar. The students processed to the prayer centre a toy microwave, a laptop and a music notation that represented their journey and memories from Reception to Year 12. At the end of the Liturgy, the following prayer was read to bless the students as they left St Columba. 

Go forth into a world of changes holding God’s message of peace.

Go forth into a world of challenges holding God’s message of hope.

Go forth into a world of choices holding God’s message of love.

Go with God’s peace and love.

On Thursday 5 December we look forward to the Middle and Senior School Prayer and Presentation at 9:30am, where we will celebrate and acknowledge the learning achievements of our students in Years 6-11.

Miss Eugenia Stopyra
Director of Spirituality 6-12

We believe that every student and staff member can find an avenue for success and explore their passions. Student Life at St Columba College is defined by these learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. As we round off the first year of Phase 1 in our strategic goal of providing a Vibrant Student Life, the College remains steadfast in delivering as many positive and meaningful opportunities for students as possible.

Reflecting on Term 4, after a tremendous year of growth in the Student Life program, it is an opportune moment to celebrate the achievements of the term. Our Strategic Plan, divided into two phases, ensures that Student Life programs remain adaptive to the evolving needs of our community. This term has been a testament to the vibrant culture of participation and involvement that defines our College, with activities and events that have not only showcased student talent but also strengthened our sense of community and belonging.

Notable Events and Achievements:

• Middle School Confi-dance Showcase:
  Year 6 and 7 students performed four routines they had been practicing throughout the year, captivating audiences across several classes.

• Future Problem-Solving National Competition:
  Students proudly represented the College in the Melbourne-based event at Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew.

• FTC State Championships:
  Our team, Society of Celestial Cryptids (SCC), placed third, earning a spot in the National Championships in Sydney this December.

• Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival, Division 1:
  The Year 5 Girls emerged as division winners, with Prestige Ashaolu named as Year 4 Girls Champion, and Makol Gai named as Year 4 Boys Champion.

• Year 4 Tennis North/North East Carnival:
  The team triumphed at the Playford tournament and went on to finish third in the state final this week.

• Graduation Ceremony – Children’s University:
  Held at Bonython Hall, Adelaide University, this ceremony celebrated the achievements of 17 graduating students.

This year, over 871 students and 68 staff members have actively participated in these diverse activities. These figures underscore our unwavering dedication to fostering a vibrant culture of celebration and involvement. Student Life at St Columba College is about offering a dynamic and engaging range of experiences that enhance learning and personal growth beyond the confines of the traditional classroom.

Mr Oliver Harms
Director of Student Life

With the end of the school year fast approaching, it is an opportune time to reflect on the remarkable progress our students have made this year.

The attention staff have given to create calm and focused classrooms has had a positive and direct impact on the students, enabling them to maximise their learning opportunities in environments that are supportive of their needs.

We can measure student growth using our recently completed PAT tests in both Reading and Mathematics, and we can proudly report the following success stories about the expected growth from last year to this year:

• Year 3 through to Year 9 exceeded the expected growth as a cohort in reading.
• Year 6 through to Year 8, and Year 10 exceeded the expected growth as a cohort in mathematics.

These are just two measurable examples of the positive impact our approach has had on learning this year.

We have also concluded the first iteration of our Mid-Year Reception program, where approximately 45 students began their formal schooling at the College. We were able to record their learning progress from the start of Term 3 to the end of Term 4, and pleasingly, our Little Columbans have shown significant gains in both literacy and numeracy. This is a testament to the tailored program we introduced this year, which will provide a solid foundation for these students to build upon for their future years at the College.

In the coming week, access to Semester 2 Reports will become available through SEQTA. Families and students should take the opportunity to look at the grades for each subject, the learner qualifiers, school values and any comments to capture a complete picture of engagement and achievement. These reports are both an excellent tool to measure progress through the year, and a catalyst for further improvement when we return in 2025.

Congratulations to all students on their hard work this year. Their perseverance has created positive outcomes, and we are proud of their achievements.