Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 25 No. 10 - 23rd June 2022

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

As we come to the end of a great term here at the College, there is so much to celebrate and share.

Last week Dan Kyle and I embarked on our annual Western Tour. This was a wonderful opportunity to touch base with current and prospective families and students. We are looking forward to getting to know our new 2023 students at next term’s Taste of Secondary and Taste of Boarding sessions.

Last week we hosted the Secondary Interhouse Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Rice House who were overall winners on the day. Special thanks to Cecilia Louk, our Grounds and Maintenance Team and to the teaching and support staff at Mt Carmel Campus for facilitating these events on the day. It was also great to see so many family members in attendance.

Our Primary students will participate in the carnival tomorrow. We look forward to a great day on the track and field and to seeing our community come together. Best of luck to all competitors.

On behalf of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, I wish to congratulate Mrs Maria Peck and Mr Darren Hope for being nominated for the state-wide Spirit of Catholic Education Awards for 2022. These awards were initiated by the Commission in 2006 to recognise people who are making an outstanding contribution within their Catholic school communities and this is certainly evident in the efforts that both Maria and Darren exemplify in their daily work. Maria and Darren will be recognised during Catholic Education Week Celebrations in Term 3.

This week our Year 10 students engage in a week of Work Experience. Thanks to Natalie Grant, Maria Peck and Kim Lynch for the preparation and organisation of this experience for our students. Students have been participating in a wide range of experiences including experience in the areas of administration, hospitality, education and trades.

This week our Year 8 students have been on camp at Marybank. They have been participating in a range of team building activities. Special thanks to Miss Madeleine Carter, Mr Dan Kyle, Mr Michael Ku, Mr Thomas Chitongo, Mr Kyle Krause, Miss Sarah Smith and Miss Jessica for their support of our students across the last few days. The students have had a fabulous time and it has been a great way to end the term.

Staffing Updates: 

Mr Murray Griffin and Mrs Gayle Griffin concluded their contracts at Columba last week. We would like to thank Murray and Gayle for their contribution to Columba and wish them well on their journey.

Miss Rebecca Wade will finish her time as the Pastoral Leader for Years 9 and 10 at the close of the term. Rebecca joined the College in Term 3 of last year. We thank Rebecca for her contribution to the college and wish her well in her new endeavors.

This term we also farewell Mr Sam De Waele. Sam has been a valued member of the HPE department in the last two years and has given freely of his time to support students in extracurricular sport. We thank Sam for his contribution and commitment, and wish him well as he returns to Townsville next term.

We would like to extend our well wishes to Miss Alix Phillips who is leaving Columba at the end of this term.  Alix has been an outstanding Residential Houseparent and will be missed.

We warmly welcome Ms Sam Kelly to the role of Acting Middle Leader Mathematics for Semester 2, 2022. Sam is an experienced Middle and Senior Leader who is well known in the Charters Towers community and brings a wealth of teaching experience to the College. We look forward to working with Samantha when she joins our team in Semester 2.

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Mrs Kimberlee Lynch has been appointed to the position of Acting Middle Leader Pastoral for Years 9 and 10 for Semester 2, 2022. Kimberlee joined us this term as our Careers Advisor. She has a depth of experience in school leadership and we look forward to working with her in this new role.

This week our Firsts Netball and Rugby League Teams travel to Mackay for the 2022 QISSN Carnival. We wish our students, their coaches and managers all the best for the week long carnival. I look forward to joining them in Mackay this week to cheer them on.

This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week is Stand Up, Show Up. NAIDOC Week is celebrated nationally from 3-10th July. As this falls in our school holiday period, we will acknowledge NAIDOC Week in Week 1 of Term 3.

As the term draws to a close, I wish to give thanks to our students, staff and families. A community such as Columba does not thrive as we do without the efforts of many. Congratulations to our students for a great term of learning. We wish you all a blessed and restful holiday, and look forward to seeing you in Term 3.

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - MT. CARMEL CAMPUS

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

2022 Celebrations Mass:  Our prayer theme for 2022 is ‘I Will Follow’. This was at the forefront of my mind when I recently worked with Sister Judith to plan the 2022 Celebrations Mass which was held on MC campus on Friday 3^rd June. On this special occasion, Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Charles Balvo, Bishop Tim and Father Emmanuel. One of our Senior altar servers was Will Brennan (a former student) who is currently studying to be a priest. Our Junior altar servers were Charli Hedges, Jayden Thomas and Isabella O’Sullivan, all of whom are current students and who serve regularly at St. Columba’s Parish. Our various special roles in the Mass were filled by Good Samaritan Sisters, as well as current Primary and Secondary students and staff. Our prayer theme was truly central on this occasion as we follow in the footsteps of the Mercy and Good Samaritan Sisters, as well as the Christian Brothers and lay leaders, who’ve paved the way for us at Columba. We follow the leaders of our Church who light the way of Christ. We follow Christ.

Founders’ Day: We began what was a rather cold winter’s morning with a special liturgy in the Iona Centre. Our theme was ‘I Will Follow’ and each House, represented by Primary and Secondary students and staff, carried in and passed on symbols that the represented that House’s namesake and their charism: Bishop Benjamin, Catherine McAuley, Archbishop Polding and Edmund Rice. Our two youngest Prep students, Cory Pollock and Piper Barnes, together with College Captains, Tamika Truong and Liam Brown, cut the Founders’ Day Cake, alongside Mrs Turner. Students then gave it all they had in the Feast Day Cup Relay and the Columba Gift, a highly coveted race which was won by Jake Richards. Thank you to Dani and Lance Birkett for their generous sponsorship of this event. One of our special traditions on Founders’ Day is cream buns and we certainly didn’t disappoint this year as staff and students alike feasted on this special treat at morning tea. After morning tea, all students and staff played a range of House games on the oval including Tug-O-War, Circle activities, Hula Hoop Relay and soccer. After lunch, we enjoyed watching the breadth of talented students perform in our very own ‘Columba’s Got Talent’. Although there were many fine performances, the judges awarded the following students first (Andrew Scharf), second (Kiara Muchamore) and third (Alexander Zhao).

Vinnies’ Winter Appeal: This winter seems to be shaping up to be a colder than usual winter here in Charters Towers. We have been asked to collect and donate a range of items including sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, towels, beanies and socks, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, torches and batteries, and band-aids. These items can be delivered to either College office and will be given needy people in Charters Towers and the local region. We will present our Winter Appeal items to Prospect as part of our Catholic Education Week liturgy in Week 2 of Term 3.

Ignite Conference:  The Ignite Conference is a National Catholic Conference which will be held at St. Laurence’s College in Brisbane from 22-25 September. We have a group of students and staff who will be attending this excellent opportunity for faith formation. Further details will be provided to families of interested students in the coming weeks.

Vinnies, CCC Youth Group, SRC Breakfast Club and CCC Recycling: Are you looking for something to do? Do you want to help others? Consider one or more of the following opportunities at Columba…  Our Teen Vinnies group meets once a fortnight. Students have been delivering presentations on various social justice issues within society, including the war in Ukraine, the flooding in Brisbane, women in the Middle East and gun violence in America. The CCC Youth Group meets once a month in the Parish Meeting Room. We begin with a liturgy, and then engage in a range of activities based on a theme. The SRC Breakfast Club is held every Tuesday from 7.45-8.15am at the SM Tuckshop. Our Secondary and Primary student volunteers serve hot Milo, toast, yoghurt and fruit to the younger students. Finally, the CCC Recycling Club meets every fortnight and we prepare the recycling items to be taken to the local depo. Students earn House points for helping out and also help to save the environment. All money saved from our Recycling Program goes to the SRC.

Year 11 Retreat: This week, letters and permission forms will be sent home to parents/guardians for our Year 11 Retreat which will be held on 8-10 August 2022. This Leadership Retreat will be led by the Passionist Youth Retreat Team and will be held at Bluewater Scout Park, north of Townsville. This is a special retreat for our Year 11 students as they begin the Leadership Program at the beginning of Term 3.

Catholic Education Week Mass and Liturgy: In Week 2 of Term 3, our Primary and Secondary Captains will attend the Catholic Education Week Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. On the Wednesday of this same week, all Primary and Secondary students will gather on MC campus at 8.30am for a special liturgy.

Christine O'Sullivan
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION  

CURRICULUM UPDATES

SEMESTER 1 REPORT CARDS

P-12 Semester 1 Report Cards will be available to families in Compass on Tuesday 28 June 2022.

PARENT STUDENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Prep ‐ Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th July 2022 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 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.

COMPASS

Columba Catholic College uses the Compass Parent Portal to communicate with families. This portal is our main form of communication with parents. Each parent is issued with an individual login and password for the Compass Parent Portal.

The Parent Portal allows you to:

• view your child's timetable and the school calendar
• view up-to-date attendance information for your child
• access your child's Semester Reports
• make bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews
• view the news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
• communicate by email with your child's teachers
• update your contact details (email and mobile phone number)

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 and Expo with teaching staff.
• WEEK 2 THURSDAY 28 JULY: Year 10 Parent and Student Information evening.  Information about pathways available, 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.

2022 EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT TIMETABLE NOW AVAILABLE

The 2022 external assessment timetable is now publicly available. Students final results for General subjects are based on their achievement in three internal assessments and one external assessment that is:

• Common to all schools
• Administered under the same conditions, at the same time and on the same day
• Developed and marked by the QCAA according to a commonly applied marking guide.

External assessments are held annually in Term 4.

The 2022 external assessment timetable for general subjects is now available at www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/assessment/external-assessment/timetable.

A copy of the timetable can be accessed using this link.

ST. MARY'S CAMPUS AWARDS

Term 2 Week 8- Caring for School Property and the Belongings of Others 

• Prep - Cory Pollock
• Year 1 - Levi Porter 
• Year 2 - Eliza Ramm
• Year 3 - Lucy O’Connor
• Year 3/4 - Milton King
• Year 4 - Brodie Beatty
• Year 5 - Chaynce Hawkins
• Year 6 - Peggy Pickering

Term 2 Week 9 - Playing Fair when Participating in Sports and Games

• Prep - Charlee Muchamore
• Year 1 - Nicholas Germano
• Year 2 - Maicey Walsh 
• Year 3 - Chayse Taylor
• Year 3/4 - Noah Hermann
• Year 4 - Ned Webb
• Year 5 - Tyler Scharf
• Year 6 - Kaitlyn Venning

Term 2 Week 10 - I Lead Others by Demonstrating Courage, Care and Compassion

• Prep - Cruz Bryant
• Year 1 - Jacques Thomas
• Year 2 - Grace Shaw 
• Year 3 - Isabelle Pilcher
• Year 3/4 - Clare Brady
• Year 4 - Mylah Ebsworth
• Year 5 - Bridie Jenkins
• Year 6 - Renee Meehan

MT. CARMEL CAMPUS NOTABLE MENTIONS

Congratulations to the following students who received certificates at Assembly on Tuesday 21st June. 

Respect for Environment: Demonstrates Care for Creation in the school grounds

• Year 7 - Nikki Bethel      
• Year 8 - Kai Lindsay     
• Year 9 - Grace Kuhl    
• Year 10 - Bella Duddy     
• Year 11 - Haylee Phillips   
• Year 12 - Courtney Guild     

YEAR SIX NEWS

As Term 2 comes to a close, let’s look back on all the fun we’ve had in Year 6 and what we have been learning about the last 10 weeks. Term 2 began with ANZAC Day and the Country Music Festival. The class did themselves proud during the Dawn Service and march up Gill Street. Line dancing was our class act for school Country Music Concert with plenty of groovy moves on show.

In English, the students have been learning how to write narratives using the correct structure and language features. Students have been learning skills to engage the reader’s attention and how to build suspense or humour into their stories. We have been reading and comprehending different Paul Jennings’ novels to help us with our narrative writing.

During Mathematics, the class has been learning about decimals, decimal operations, fractions, percentage, angles and how to use a protractor. The class also continued to focus on their tables and division facts. I have certainly been impressed with how well the class have grasped these concepts.

Religious lessons had a large focus on the ‘Our Father’ prayer and the scripture behind each line on this common prayer. For assessment, the students rewrote their own version of this prayer which they did well.

As we get ready to go to Parliament House in September, when we embark on school camp to Canberra, the class covered Federal Government in HASS. Although it is a difficult topic for younger students, they were engaged and keen to understand how our Federal Government operates.

In Science, we are explored the Chemical Sciences strand. In particular, we looked at reversible and irreversible changes, and how physical and chemical changes are different.

HPE lessons have been preparing students for the Interhouse Athletics Carnival which will be at the end of the week. During Health lessons, the students have completed their PowerPoint presentation as part of their assessment.

It’s certainly clear from all the work we’ve done this term, that Year 6 have earnt themselves a holiday.

Gerard Webber
YEAR 6 TEACHER

PRIMARY TOUCH FOOTBALL

Primary Girls Interschool Touch

The Primary girls touch season was held throughout the term on Friday afternoons. For most of our girls, it was the first time they had played touch.

The girls finished the season in 3^rd spot, but enjoyed the experience and looked forward to their game each week. The results for the season are listed below:

1. Columba drew Richmond Hill State School 3-3
2. Columba defeated Millchester State School 5-1
3. Columba defeated BTC 5-4
4. Columba lost 3-1 to All Souls St Gabriel’s 3-1
5. Columba lost to Millchester State School 5-1
6. Columba defeated Central State School 7-1

Well done to Mary Sproat who was awarded Columba’s Best and Fairest player for the 2^nd consecutive year.

The girls should be proud of their efforts as they had a terrific season and learnt many new skills. They were a pleasure to coach and train each week. I’d like to thank all our supporters who came along to cheer on the team throughout the season.

Gerard Webber
YEAR 6 TEACHER

Primary Boys Interschool Touch – Undefeated Premiers!

The Primary Interschool Touch season was held this term on Friday afternoons at Friemann Oval.

The boys defeated each school from Charters Towers and were by far the most dominant team in the competition. For most of the team, it was the first time they had played touch. The team played an excellent and entertaining brand of touch football. The results for the season are listed below:

1. Columba defeated Richmond Hill State School 9-0
2. Columba defeated Millchester State School 10-0
3. Columba defeated BTC 13-0
4. Columba defeated All Souls St Gabriel’s 7-3
5. Columba defeated Central State School 10-1

Well done to Ryan Kime who was awarded Columba’s Best and Fairest player for the season.

These boys were a great side to work with and coach. I’d like to thank all the parents, friends and grandparents who came along to cheer on the team throughout the season.

Gerard Webber
YEAR 6 TEACHER

DIGITAL THEATRE SUBSCRIPTION

Digital Theatre subscription for all Mt Carmel students and teachers.

Attention all Mt Carmel Campus students The Arts and English department have joined forces to purchase a Digital  Theatre + membership.
This resource includes:

• Professional  quality productions
• Interviews with actors and directors
• Learning resources for students and teachers 
• Poetry resources
• And lots more.

You will receive an email invitation to set up your account.
We hope you enjoy this new resource! 

Jessica Simmons
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - THE ARTS

Clare Stead
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - ENGLISH

MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND

A must see these holidays is the Museum of Tropical Quensland's upcoming school holiday program, Dinosaur Discovery - which includes performances of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo is scheduled during the school holidays. Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo is a ticketed event with limited numbers. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage hands-on with life-size dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. Other activities, such as fossil casting, trails and craft are available for free with admission.

SCHOOLTV

In this edition of SchoolTV - A SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Sarah Smith & Lena Hewitt
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,

It is now only a few days before all of the boarders will be home spending some much needed time with their families. I do acknowledge that many of the boarders will be working in their family businesses, but I trust that everyone will get some of that much needed rest and recreation and spend some quality time together. 

Last week, Mrs Turner and I travelled around northern and western Queensland on our annual Western Tour. It was great to catch up with so many of our past, current and prospective families. This event is something I personally look forward to each year as it is a great way to maintain and build on our community relationships. This year, due to circumstances out of our control, we had to postpone our visit to St Patrick’s School (Winton) and the Boulia State School. Hopefully, we can visit these wonderful communities in Term 3.    

In the next few days, parents and students will receive their Semester One report cards. I encourage parents to take the time to discuss the report cards with their children. Parents are the first educators of children and keeping a vested interest in their children’s academic progress is paramount for long-term positive education outcomes. If there are any concerns or issues in relation to your child/ren’s academic progress, please make contact with the College to arrange and meet at the Parent Teacher interviews at the beginning of next term.

On Sunday 17 July, we will host our third Boarder Parent Council meeting. We will aim to conduct the meeting at 2.00pm this time. All boarding parents are invited to attend either in person or through a video conference. A link will be sent to boarding parents during the holidays. 

On 11 & 12 August 2022 Columba will be hosting its annual Taste of Boarding and Taste of Secondary. This event allows prospective students to come and sample life as a boarding student. It is also a valuable medium for transitioning students into our College as they begin to form new friendships with existing and prospective students.

Next term, we will welcome Mr Matthew Guy to the Boys’ Residential Team. I am highly confident that he will make a positive contribution to Boys’ Boarding. He is very much looking forward to joining our team. Ms Alix Phillips has resigned from the Girls’ Boarding team to concentrate on her own personal business. I wish Ms Phillips every success in the future. I am sure students and staff alike will miss her dearly. 

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and look forward to catching up with everyone early next term. 

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

MEET OUR GAP STUDENTS

Introducing Alwande Hlengwa

Residence you are working/residing in this term?  

I work in the Comerford and in Ryan residences this term.

Favourite meal: 

It’s hard to say, but maybe right now, I like Waffles and ice cream. 

Favourite Music: 

I listen to a bit of everything.

Favourite Movie: 

Not sure, but anything that will make me laugh should be good. I am a big fan of Comedy. 

Best piece of advice you have received:

Without commitment you will never start and without consistency you will never finish .

If you could be in charge of the world for one day, what is one thing you would change? 

A hate invested world, to promote love for each and every individual and sharing the love of God.

What do you do when you are not at work? 

Play soccer and gym.

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Play soccer and gym.

What are you looking forward to in 2022? 

Looking to make it in as a professional soccer player, to grow as a person in all areas of my life and make my parents/family proud.

Introducing: Jessica Van Der Mescht

Birthplace: South Africa 

Residence you are working/residing in this term? Good Samaritan Residence

Favourite meal: Chicken Wraps

Favourite Music: R&B 

Favourite Artist: Mac Miller

Favourite Movie: Maze Runner

Best piece of advice you have received: Don’t be a follower; be a leader.

What is the best thing about working in Boarding at Columba? Working with the other staff members and making memories.

 If you could be in charge of the world for one day, what is one thing you would change? I’d give everyone equal opportunity and allow them to see the negative effect they could have on the environment and how they should help protect it.

What do you do when you are not at work? Go shopping, spend time with friends and nap.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Listen to music and hang out with friends. 

What are you looking forward to in 2022? The new opportunities that I’ve got in the future as well as making memories with my friends and family.

BASKETBALL CLINIC

SIX-A-SIDE SOCCER WINTER COMPETITION