Columba Catholic College - Charters Towers eNewsletter

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

What an amazing week it has been as we hosted our 2022 Celebrations. These celebrations were an opportunity to reminisce, reflect and remember the deep history, tradition and story that is St Mary’s College and Mt Carmel College and to strengthen the binding relationship that exists between our past and our present.

I would like to extend my gratitude to the many past students and community members who joined us for these celebrations. Your presence and your stories helped to bring our history alive. Special thanks to the many staff and student volunteers who gave so freely of their time to ensure that the scheduled events ran like clockwork. Please know that your time and your contributions are greatly appreciated.

We were blessed to be supported by our clergy across the weekend. Special thanks to the Apostolic Nuncio for Australia Archbishop Charles Balvo, Bishop Timothy Harris and Father Emmanuel who not only presided over the Celebration Mass but joined us at different functions across the weekend.

I would like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors who have assisted in making the weekend’s events possible.We genuinely appreciate your commitment to our community. Special thanks to our Silver Sponsors - Kim Methven (Past Student 1966-1972), Minjar Gold, Ravenswood Gold, W Titley & Co and our Bronze Sponsors - Live Charters Towers and McDonalds Charters Towers.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give thanks for the contributions of the 2022 Celebrations Committee - A dedicated group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event together. Please join me in thanking Tonya Burgoine, Larissa Crowley, Deidre Martell, Christine O’Sullivan and Robecca Sorrensen. I am grateful for their dedication and enthusiasm and I thoroughly enjoyed planning the event with them.

A big shout out to the College Leadership Team our Facilities and Grounds Team, including Phil Capewell, Daryl Paxton, Robert Abdy (Darky), James Lee, Darren Hope and Ted Neilsen, our Household Team and to Jo Thompson, Nita Dixon and Christine Bell for their assistance in coordinating administrative aspects of the celebrations. We are grateful for the time and energy these good people have given as servant leaders in our community.

Last week we acknowledged National Reconciliation Week. Special thanks to Evelyn Capewell, Trish Phillips and Joanne Andrews for their work in this space and for providing the students with opportunities to reflect and engage with this year's theme Be Brave. Make Change.

Staffing Updates:

This week we welcome Mrs Kimberlee Lynch to the teaching team at Mt Carmel Campus. Kimberlee is an experienced system and school leader with experience across Primary, Secondary and Boarding contexts. Kimberlee joins us as our new Careers Advisor. We welcome Kimberlee to Columba and wish her both personal and professional success in the role.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Callan Newman as the new Middle Leader for HPE and Sport. He will be joining Columba in Term 3. Callan is an experienced HPE teacher and leader and has worked in developing and leading sports excellence programs. We look forward to welcoming Callan to the Columba community.

Yesterday we celebrated Founders' Day with a special Liturgy, the Columba Gift and Feast Day Relay activities and Columba’s Got Talent. Special thanks to Christine O’Sullivan, Ryan O’Connor, Father Emmanuel and all of our staff and student volunteers for their support and assistance on the day. Founders' Day is an important time for us to reflect on our story and the role that St Columba, Blessed Edmund Rice, Catherine McAuley and Archbishop John Bede Polding all played in living the message of Jesus Christ. These Founders are our inspiration, our models and guides. ‘You are the light to the world” Matthew 5:14

All the best for the week ahead.

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

2022 Celebrations

FOUNDERS' DAY 2022

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we are in the Flu season, it can be expected that an increasing number of students and staff will contract the flu. Influenza A and the Coronavirus are two of the more concerning illnesses that one may contract. As per our College’s expectations regarding keeping our community as safe as possible, students and staff who display symptoms need to stay home. Testing for Covid is also important for maintaining a healthy College environment. I encourage parents and caregivers to have their child/ren administered the flu vaccine if they have not already done so.

Child Protection

Creating and maintaining environments where the safety and wellbeing of children is at the centre of our thoughts, values and actions is crucial. The College will always take all allegations or disclosures of abuse or neglect seriously, will respond appropriately and report concerns to the relevant authorities. In ensuring the students under our care are safe, the College employs a number of staff to act as Safe Persons. The Safe People at Columba include Mrs Melissa Turner, Mr Dan Kyle (Secondary campus) and Mrs Joanne Andrews (Saint Mary’s campus), Mrs Michelle Burns (Girls’ Boarding) and Mrs Caroline Jarmey (Boys’ Boarding).

Mobile Phone Procedure

As there has been a spike in the number of students breaching the College’s mobile phone procedure, I feel it is necessary to remind all stakeholders at this point in time of the procedure. Below is an extract from the College’s mobile phone procedure.

Mobile phones are to be kept in lockers during the day. Mobile phones are ‘not seen, not heard and not used’ at any College related activities and events, both on and off campus.
Students who bring mobile phones/devices to school do so at their own risk and accept responsibility for the safety and security of their items.
Should a student be found to be holding or using a mobile phone during the school day, including before school, or at any school related event, the teacher / residential supervisor will request that the student turn the phone off and leave the phone with the teacher / residential supervisor for security. The residential supervisor/teacher will hand in the confiscated mobile phone to the Deputy Principal for safe keeping.
The phone will only be returned to the parents / guardians / caregivers of the student following an interview between the DP-P&R, the student and the parents / guardians / caregivers. The student may also be subject to disciplinary measures available to the DP-P&R, according to the College Behaviour Management Policy and Procedures.
Students are not permitted to use their mobile phones to contact parents / guardians / caregivers on occasions when they are ill. All phone calls of this nature must be through the College office on both campuses or Health Centre on the Mt Carmel Campus.
Students are not permitted to use the camera, voice recording or web-browsing components of their phone while at the College or during a College-related activity on- or off-campus.
Students are not permitted to interface their mobile phones with any computer owned by the College.
Any student who uses their mobile phone inappropriately, including for bullying and harassment, and/or accessing inappropriate websites, will have consequences imposed. Parents and caregivers will be contacted and depending on the action of the offending student, the Qld Police Service may be notified.

The Resilience Project

This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking, and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

View Part 2 of the series here - Gratitude https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub-hugh/

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a Wellbeing Journal. In the image below are a few ideas to get started.

Source: Psychology Today

For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

CURRICULUM NEWS - MT. CARMEL CAMPUS

PARENT STUDENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Prep ‐ Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th July from 3.30pm – 6.30pm. P-6 Interviews will take place on the St. Mary’s Campus and Years 7 - 12 interviews will take place on the Mt. Carmel Campus in the Dining Room. Please allow time to travel between campuses when booking interviews.

Students are requested to attend Parent Student Teacher interviews in their day uniform. This will provide students with an opportunity to express their needs and set learning goals in partnership with parents/caregivers and teachers for Semester 2.

Parents/caregivers of boarders who are unable to attend the interviews can request a phone interview with teaching staff. Please book an interview time with the teacher/s you would like to meet with and then email the office (office@columba.catholic.edu.au) to let the College know you would like a phone interview and provide us with the time booked and best phone number to contact you on.

Bookings will be opened on Friday 24 June and can be made until Monday 18 July 2022. Parents and Caregivers will be able to book Parent Student Teacher Interviews in the Compass Parent Portal.

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

Year 10 students will participate in Work Experience during Week 10 of this term (Monday 20^th – Friday 24^th June) as a part of their program of study (FSK20119 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways). Mrs Grant and Mrs Lynch are in the process of finalising work experience placements for students.

Students are required to attend voluntary work experience placement in a workplace setting that aligns with their career aspirations. A workplace supervisor will complete a third party report located in their Log Book that must be returned to Mrs Peck and Mrs Burgoine at the start of Term 3 as part of the course requirements.

Completing a formal work experience placement is considered a valuable experience when making decisions related to both future subject and career pathways options. Next term, Year 10 students will make decisions about their future pathways and the subjects that they will study in Years 11 and 12. Completing work experience will assist students in making informed decisions.

It is essential that Year 10 students are punctual to work while on placement; dress in appropriate attire as stipulated by the employer; and participate in the required work related activities.

Thank you to all of the employers who have generously agreed to host Columba students for work experience this year.

WELCOME MRS LYNCH

This week we welcomed Mrs Kimberlee Lynch to our College community. Mrs Lynch will be able to assist students with career advice, arranging work experience, university applications, school based apprenticeships and traineeships, work placements, VET questions and courses, writing resumes and cover letters for job applications. Mrs Lynch’s office is located in Kelly Block. Students seeking career advice should make an appointment with Mrs Lynch.

COLUMBA CATHOLIC COLLEGE CAREERS WEBSITE

Columba Catholic College has a careers website. This is a valuable resource for all Year 7-12 students and their parents. All students and parents are encouraged to access the website using this link. Please take the time to have a look.

2022 CHARTERS TOWERS CAREERS EXPO AT THE DALRYMPLE TRADE TRAINING CENTRE (DTTC)

The Year 10 and Year 12 students recently attended the 2022 Charters Towers Careers Expo which was held at the Dalrymple Trade Training Centre.

A comprehensive range of careers, employment and further training opportunities were showcased at the Charters Towers Regional Careers Expo. Examples of exhibitors at the Careers Expo include:

Universities from around Australia
Local & National Employers
Government agencies
Private Training Colleges
TAFE
Employment Agencies
Defence Force Recruiting
Apprenticeships & Traineeships Providers

This event provided students with a great opportunity to explore future career path options.

YEAR 10 DATE CLAIMERS

Year 10 students are beginning the process of selecting their future Year 11 and 12 pathway and the subjects that they will study in Years 11 and 12. Please note the following important dates which will involve students and parents finding out more about the Senior curriculum, subjects that students can study in Year 11 and 12, possible pathways and opportunities, attending SET Plan interviews and making subject selections.

WEEK 1 TERM 3: Year 10 Curriculum information presented to students and Year 10 Subject Information Session with teaching staff.
WEEK 2 THURSDAY 28 JULY: Year 10 Parent and Student Information evening. Information about pathways available and curriculum and subjects on offer in 2023 will be presented in the Mount Carmel Campus Dining Room commencing at 7:00pm. Curriculum Leaders and teaching staff will be available to answer questions.
Week 3: Monday 1 August Subject selections due.
Week 3 : Tuesday 2 August – Friday 5 August SET Plan interviews and finalisation of subject selections.

Please note that the Year 10 Subject Selection Information evening scheduled for Tuesday 14^th June has been postponed until the commencement of Term 3.

Maria Peck
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

SECONDARY INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Thursday 16th 1.00pm – 3.00pm Friday 17th 8.00am – 3.00pm

ALL students will be required to be in FULL Sports Uniform, including a school hat (bucket hats are acceptable), on BOTH days. Students are to wear their House colour shirt on Friday. Students who are not in full sports uniform (including a hat) and who do not have a note will be removed from the carnival to complete community service.

Female athletes wishing to compete in skins or bike pants are reminded they must be plain navy or black in colour. Otherwise, the CCC PE shorts may be worn. Boys must wear CCC PE shorts or skins. You may NOT wear CCC football shorts.

On Thursday, events will commence at 1:00pm. The Thursday schedule will include hurdles, one round of field events, and the 1500m. On Friday morning any 400m competitors may make their way to the ovals at 8:00am (no earlier) to commence a warm-up. All other students are required to assemble in the Iona Centre for a roll call and uniform check at 8:10am sharp.

Please note: This is a slightly early start to the school day on Friday. Presentations should be finished by 3:00pm.

Lunch will be provided for boarders, and for those day students who purchase a lunch. All other students will need to provide their own lunches as normal. The SRC will be selling tea and coffee for staff and parents as well as soft drinks, sausage rolls, pizzas, pies and chocolates.

ST. MARY'S CAMPUS AWARDS

Term 2 Week 7- Keeping my workspace organised, neat and tidy

Prep: Piper Barnes
Year 1: Serenity Price
Year 2: Elsie Bennetto
Year 3: Georgia Stout
Year 3/4: Jessica Troung
Year 4: Evelyn Bennetto
Year 5: Indi Pattel
Year 6: Isabella O’Sullivan

MT. CARMEL CAMPUS NOTABLE MENTIONS

Congratulations to the following students who received certificates at Assembly on Tuesday 7th June.

Respect for Learning: Follow class routines and expectations that support learning

Year 7: Shayla Jonsson
Year 8: Isla Scott
Year 9: Angela Valenton
Year 10: Madison Jesberg
Year 11: Conner Smith
Year 12: Venedict Valenton

PREP NEWS

Wow! Time is flying in Prep, as students near the halfway mark on their first year of school.

Prep have participated in many special events for the very first time. Jaxx, Ava, Mercy, Liam and Alexis respectfully participated in the ANZAC Day Procession and Service. This was a perfect opportunity to support their learning as students have been exploring different events in the past and how they commemorate them. We also hosted our first assembly as the students shared their knowledge on Jesus’ life, his family and his teachings.

Within the classroom, students have been learning new letters and sounds, moving through their sight word levels, growing confidence with their reading and have even started to write. In Mathematics, they have been measuring the mass, length and capacity of objects both formally and informally. Throughout Science, the students have been weather watchers as they investigate the weather and learn how it affects living things.

Let’s hear what the students love about being in Prep.

Jaxx: “I love learning my sounds.”
Ava: “I love it all. Prep is the best.”
Piper: “I love reading groups.”
Cruz: “I love playing soccer.”
Paizley: “I love colouring-in the Soundwaves craft.”
Mia: “I love it because all my friends are here.”
Charlie-Rose: “I love learning my numbers.”
Ollie: “I love learning my sounds and doing the craft for them.”
Quinlan: “I love playing soccer and being the goalie.”
Mercy: “I love counting.”
Jaden: “I love playing with my friends.”
Charlee: “I love Miss Burns.”
Wyatt: “Learning the days of the week.”
Cory: “I love Miss Burns and Mrs Laffey”
Sophie: “I love learning my letters.”
Liam: “I love learning my sight words.”
Noah: “I love writing words and sentences.”
Alexis: “I love playing on the playground with my friends.”

Lara Burns
PREP TEACHER

My New Gallery

In this edition of SchoolTV - MANAGING SCREEN TIME

As a result of the global pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families are transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.

Parents play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Children tend to do more of what they see us do, and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.

Parents need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child’s overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent children from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Parents need to also be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a child’s social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.

In this edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Managing Screen Time edition of SchoolTV

https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time

Sarah Smith & Lena Hewitt
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,

I trust that everyone is doing well. The continuing promise of ongoing rain is certainly a welcoming phenomenon. The highlight for our boarding and extended school community over the last fortnight has been the 120/140 years Celebrations, marking 120 years of Mt. Carmel and 140 years of St. Mary’s.

The weekend commenced on Friday 3rd June, with a special Mass on the Bullring Terrace. This Mass was celebrated by Bishop Tim and the Nuncio (Pope Francis’ ambassador to Australia). On Saturday, there was a High Tea event held on the St Mary’s campus, followed up with tours of both Mt Carmel and St Mary’s. The College Museum in particular was a highlight for many who were part of the experience. I would like to thank our boarders, Mrs Burns and Mrs Jarmey for assisting with this event.

The day continued with a Cattle Judging display and our First netball team playing ASSG in a hotly contested match. Unfortunately, they did not take home the silverware this time, but the girls can be proud of their efforts. The Firsts Rugby League team also played against their archrivals ASSG. Columba won the game 28-10. It was great to see many of the past students chanting the old war cries. Later in the evening, we held the Celebrations Dinner. This, too, was a fantastic evening filled with good cheer, company and fine dining. The weekend culminated with Mass celebrated at the Parish, followed up with a brunch on St Mary’s campus.

Next week (Week 9) Mrs Turner and I will be on the road conducting our annual Western Tour. We are looking forward to catching up with as many of our families as possible. Please see the itinerary included in this newsletter.

End of Term Travel

Just a reminder that the College will run the end-of-term bus services, numbers pending (minimum of 5 students per service). For those who would like to access the service please contact the relevant Residential Leader (Mrs Burns or Mrs Jarmey) by no later than Friday 17 June.

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

MEET OUR GAP STUDENTS

Introducing Maricalize Herbst

Current Occupation: GAP Student/residential houseparent

Favourite meal: Nachos

Favourite Music: I don't really have a favourite.

Favourite Artist: Jay

Favourite Movie: Mamma Mia

Best piece of advice you have received: You only live once so make every day count.

If you could oversee the world for one day, what is one thing you would change? To remove plastic from the environment

What do you like to do in your spare time? I am currently doing a couple online courses and some travel when time permits

What are you looking forward to in 2022? Exploring more of Australia and meeting new people.

What has been your most memorable moment/event while you have been at Columba:

There has been so many but one is the Lip Sync Battle and the camp.

MEET OUR GAP STUDENTS

Introducing Kyle Crous

Current Occupation: GAP Student/Residential Houseparent

Favourite meal: Lamb Stew

Favourite Music: R&B

Favourite Artist: Jaycee

Favourite Movie: Gladiator

Best piece of advice you have received: Love the life you live and live the life you love!

If you could oversee the world for one day, what is one thing you would change?

The use of unsustainable energy sources and fossil fuels.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Socialize with friends and listen to music.

What are you looking forward to in 2022?

The new people, way of life and experiences I will encounter.

What has been your most memorable moment/event while you have been at Columba:

The grade 9 camp.

Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 25 No. 9 - 10 June 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

2022 Celebrations

FOUNDERS' DAY 2022

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

CURRICULUM NEWS - MT. CARMEL CAMPUS

SECONDARY INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

ST. MARY'S CAMPUS AWARDS

MT. CARMEL CAMPUS NOTABLE MENTIONS

PREP NEWS

My New Gallery

SCHOOLTV

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

MEET OUR GAP STUDENTS

MEET OUR GAP STUDENTS

2022 WESTERN TOUR