Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 26 No. 2 - 17th February 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

Learning is our core work. This year we have a whole school focus on improving writing across the College. Staff have been engaging in targeted professional learning and have been collaborating regarding the use of explicit teaching strategies to improve student outcomes in this domain. This focus will continue through developing enhanced skills in explicit instruction and will involve staff reviewing student writing samples across learning areas to ensure that we target learning to those specific areas that require improvement. I commend the staff on their commitment to this focus in 2023 and to the use of data and team based practices to ensure our students are being met at their point of need. We are focused on student growth in all aspects of learning at the College. Students are engaging in the use of a resource called Writer's Toolbox and I look forward to sharing more information regarding this in the coming weeks and months.

The term continues to move forward with positivity and with a real sense of purpose and direction in 2023. New and existing students have settled well and are engaged in regular routines and activities. Students are now reaching out to engage in a wider range of lunch time and extracurricular activities and with this in mind, I would like to focus on sun safety so that we can continue to keep safe and shine in the College and wider community. 

A gentle reminder to all members of our community that we are a Sun Safe school. Please find below an extract from our Parent Handbook which is available here:

• Sunscreen and school hat must be worn at all times whilst outdoors. 
• Caps are not part of the school uniform because of sun safety reasons. The rule is no hat, no outside activity during the school day. 
• Students should be under a shade structure unless wearing a clean, neat and graffiti free College hat or College House Hat. 
• The navy wide brimmed College Hat or House Hat (for students on the Mt. Carmel Campus) is to be worn for sun safety purposes (Sun Safety Policy). 
• Sunglasses may be worn outdoors. 

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work to keep our students safe when outdoors. 

On Friday 3rd February we hosted the Secondary Interhouse Swimming Carnival. Thanks to Callan Newman, Jaymi Evans and the Secondary staff for facilitating a great Swimming Carnival. Thank you to our families and community members who joined in supporting our students across the day. Special thanks to Melissa Wilson and the team from Charters Towers Amateur Swimming Club for their support of our carnival also. Congratulations to Benjamin House who were overall points winners on the day.

On Tuesday 7th February we celebrated the Opening Celebration of the Word and Induction of Student leaders for 2023. This is a special time in our community where we bless and welcome our leaders into their roles for the year ahead. It is also a time where we prepare for the year ahead and commit ourselves to the mission of Jesus Christ through our words and actions as servant leaders in our community.  At this celebration we also announced the Dux of the College for 2022, Cassandra McIntosh. Congratulations to Cassandra. We wish her well as she embarks on her new journey at James Cook University where she will begin first year studies in Secondary Education. Special thanks to Father Emmanuel, Joanne Anrrews, Maria Peck, Larrissa Crowley, Christine O’Sullivan and to members of staff who assisted in preparing for this important event in the calendar. Thank you also to the many families and friends who joined us for this celebration.

Thanks to Joanne Andrews for organising our visit from Living Ripples on Thursday of last week and for the preparation of the Intergenerational Workshop. It was great to see our students, staff and families discussing new ideas to improve wellbeing on St Mary's Campus.

On Monday we were visited by the members of the Service from Townsville Catholic Education. The team spent time with members of the Senior Leadership Team team to discuss our 2023 Annual School Plan and ways to work together to achieve our goals. Special thanks to some of our senior students for their leadership on the day. Angus Ford, Imogen Ruyg, Hannah Wilson, Beau Lavery and Assariah Lenoy led us in prayer and joined the team to share their experience of life at learning at the college. 

This plan is an important part of the school improvement agenda and enables us to have a clear, focused vision. In 2023, we have identified key priorities for student achievement and academic growth across the scope of P-12 here at Columba. Please find a copy of our 2023 Annual School Improvement Plan here . This plan will be reviewed at interim periods and provides leadership and staff with clear direction informed by strategic planning. This document has been shared with a number of key stakeholders for feedback and we are confident that in addressing this plan, we will be growing the learning opportunities for our students in a targeted, collaborative and productive way.

Next week we acknowledge Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday as we prepare for the beginning of Lent. Traditionally this is time for prayer and for giving. Please consider how you can pray for, and give to others as we move forward this term.

All the best for the fortnight ahead,

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - SM CAMPUS

Dear Parents and Caregivers

A warm welcome back to our new and  existing familes to the 2023 school year. It has been a very busy start to the term, welcoming new staff, students and families to the campus.  Our parent information sessions were well attended and the BBQ dinner was enjoyed by many.  Thank you to our CSPA for their support of the meet and greet BBQ. If you were not able to attend the evening teachers have shared their class presentations with families.

Specialist lessons this term are Music (Ms Liz Ward),  PE (Mr James Lowe), Dance (Ms Camryn Guldbransen) and Digital Technologies (Mrs Robecca Sorrensen).  Students have enjoyed learning their dance movements and the skills of mixed martial arts. In Digital Technologies, the Prep to Year 3 classes are becoming familiar with a variety of devices and their practical application to learning. Our Prep students were very excited to go on a scavenger hunt to find where and how devices are used across the campus.  In Music, our junior students have been learning to keep a beat with movement,  while our senior students are exploring keeping time to rhythmic patterns with music. All students are really enjoying using their musical instruments to follow the beat and rhythm in songs and rhymes. 

Inter-School Sport starts this Friday.  We will be fielding a boys and girls T-Ball team in the inter-school competition. Training will be on Monday at lunch times.  Thank you to Ms Crowley and Mrs Sorrensen in prepairing and taking the students to T-Ball this season. The draw has been shared with the families of the students participating in the T-Ball competition.

As an ongoing commitment to the Ripple Program implemented in 2021, an Intergenerational workshop was conducted last Thursday on the St. Mary’s campus.  This workshop asked key questions of our group that reflected some of the responses to the wellbeing survey completed by parents, staff and students at the end of term 4, 2022.  The Intergenerational workshops use a community consultation process involving a group of parents and carers, staff and students reflecting on the the things they see as a priority to student wellbeing.  Additionally, the core classroom program is run twice weekly by our students in class time which includes short, fun wellbeing video brain breaks and check-ins (5-8 minute duration).  The Ripple Program continues to support our students in identifying the people, places and activities that help them to feel safe and supported in school. 

Literacy improvement strategies continue to be a focus across the college in 2023. Teachers have recently engaged in professional learning in the Writer’s Toolbox and will be using this online application to support the teaching of writing in their classes.   On the St. Mary’s campus, Ms Heiskell, Ms Carroll and Mrs Sorrensen have taken up the opportunity to engage in a 2 year Writing Project.  While the focus is on Writing initially, the natural links to Reading and Spelling will be outlined and explored further to ensure our learners become confident and motivated to use their literacy skills  broadly.  This project will see the teachers engaged in professional learning,  developing professional knowledge, embedding practices within the school context and to gather data to assess impact on student learning.  

This year Naplan testing for Yrs 3, 5, 7 & 9 students will be conducted earlier than previous years. The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 15 March and finishes on Monday 27 March 2023.  Over the last two weeks teachers have been familiarising students with the test platform. Schools have transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments. Keyboard skills therefore are a large part of preparing our students for the test.  All Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper. Next week students will be participating in practice tests in preparation for the test week. At home you can help your child prepare for the testing period by re-assuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. 

School Photos will be taken on the St. Mary’s campus next Thursday 23rd February. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day, a small number of envelopes are available in each campus office. www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

Many blessings for a great term ahead.

Joanne Andrews
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - SM CAMPUS

CSPA NEWS

The Catholic Schools Parents' Association Columba Catholic College (CSPA) would like to welcome all the new and returning parents for 2023.  As part of our support for the school we have supporters shirts available for parents to purchase at the office on the St Mary's campus.  They come in a long sleeved fishing shirt style as well as short sleeved polo style.  For more information on these you can contact the St Mary's office on 47546333.

The CSPA would like to inform all parents that the AGM for 2023 will be held on the 6th March at 7pm at the St Mary's campus (room to be advised).  All positions will be declared open.  If you would like to be a part of our Executive please fill in a nomination form and come along to our meeting.  It will be followed by a General meeting.  For more information on what the positions may involve contact Fiona on murraybf03@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT - MC CAMPUS

In our English lessons we focus on many skills including the traditional writing, reading, and speaking. But this year we want to focus on what we can do easily outside school to help us succeed across all areas of life – that is, introduce some regular reading into our routine. Reading is an essential skill that provides us with access to a wealth of knowledge and information, and the foundation for all learning. By setting aside time each day for reading, we can reap many benefits and set ourselves on the path to success.

Regular reading:

• Improves vocabulary: it exposes us to new words which, in turn, can improve our communication skills and make us more confident when speaking and writing.

• Enhances comprehension: by regularly reading and understanding written material, we can better process and retain the information we are reading, which is essential for success in all academic subjects.

• Increases knowledge: whether it's reading a textbook, a novel, or a magazine, reading provides access to a wealth of information that can be used to enhance our education and our lives.

• Reduces stress: whether it's lost in a good book, reading for pleasure, or reading to learn, reading provides a welcome escape from the demands of daily life.

• Develops critical thinking skills: by reading and processing information, we are challenged to think critically about the ideas and themes being presented, which can lead to greater understanding and insight.

Let's make reading a part of our daily routine in 2023 and enjoy all of the benefits that come with it!

Clare Stead
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - ENGLISH

SECONDARY INTERHOUSE SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our annual Inter-house swimming carnival was held on Friday 3rd February. Although a hot day, it was not enough to stop long standing records toppling. Dale Beatty renamed our record books on 3 occasions. These included Female 15s 50m Freestyle 28.62, Female 15s 50m Breaststroke 38.07 and Female 15s 50 Backstroke 34.22.

The first two sessions saw Rice and Benjamin going head to head, with only a few points separating at the lunch time break. In the afternoon session Benjamin brought the energy and created a gap between the two. We held 25m races and novelty events between our championship events, which were both entertaining and popular. The staff vs student race concluded the day, with youth beating experience. 

Congratulations to Hannah Wilson, Holly McHugh and the Benjamin team on winning this year's inter-house swimming carnival. We also congratulate the following students on taking out their age championship.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 42

Next

In this edition of SchoolTV - FRIENDSHIP & BELONGING

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally; for others, this can be much harder to navigate. In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to support their young person’s friendship so that they experience a sense of belonging.

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 your child's teacher for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Friendship & Belonging edition of SchoolTV

Aleesha Watson & Sarah Smith
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

PHOTO DAY

St Mary’s Campus - Thursday 23/02/2023

Mt Carmel Campus - Friday 24/02/2023

School photography day is coming up soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day, a small number of envelopes are available in each campus office.

NEW
advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay! To take advantage of LatitudePay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule; it’s that easy.

3 easy ways to purchase:

1. LatitudePay – Click on the link below, set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
2. Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
3. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day

visit: www.advancedlife.com.au  and enter online order code: GBQ DYW 9M6

School photography information:

• Online orders- do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos- Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school.
• Late fees- a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately.
• Package delivery- School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
• Previous Years’ photos- Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Columba Catholic College for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

FROM THE HEALTH CENTRE

The College is offering access to the School Immunisation Program for Year 7 students this year. In week three, a large green envelope was sent home with your Year 7 child with reference to this. 
Please read the information brochure contained in the envelope. Then if you would complete and return the consent form to the College office, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Even if you do not wish for your child to receive the offered vaccination, if you would please complete the "No" sections and return the consent form to the College office, we would be most grateful. 

The Year 7 Immunisation Clinic will be held on Tuesday the 7th of March.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Terrina Muston (College Nurse) on 0407165583.

YEAR THREE NEWS

We have had a fantastic start to 2023 in Year 3! Our favourite part of the term so far has been Art. We are learning how to create visual artworks that evoke feelings. Over the last few weeks, we have been exploring primary and secondary colours, colour mixing, variation, tone and complementary colours. Check out some of the amazing artwork that Year 3 has already produced! 

Shae-Kia Carroll
YEAR THREE TEACHER

YEAR FOUR/FIVE NEWS

It’s crazy to think we are starting Week 4 of term 1! The year 4/5 class have been busy settling into our classroom, developing respect for our daily responsibilities and routines, and coming together as a class of 25 committed learners. It’s been a beautiful start to the year so far.

This year we are the largest class with new students, therefore our focus has been getting to know one another as classmates, friends and learners. We’ve expressed who we are through daily writing tasks and found we can be good listeners and peer reviewers when we take time throughout the week to meet up in small groups and share what we’ve written about. In turn, many students have been courageous and offered to share their writing pieces and brainstorm with the class to further cultivate our understanding of one another. 

Last week, our class took the opportunity to share our learnings in Religion with the whole school at the assembly on Thursday. As our religious unit centres around the essential forms of prayer- petition and intercession, personal and communal– we shared a Psalm of thanksgiving with our school community. The students made beautiful artwork to showcase their interpretation of this Psalm and each class member had a part in delivering the message. Our class finished our part of the assembly by leading the school in extending a blessing on the students with birthdays last week. It was a very thoughtful addition Mrs. Andrews helped our students come up with. 

We are having a lot of fun as a class which makes our learning journey a lot more enjoyable. It’s going to be a fantastic year together! 

Samantha Heiskell
YEAR FOUR/FIVE TEACHER

YEAR SIX NEWS

Year 6 have made a terrific start to the school year. The students have been getting though plenty of work in class and are looking forward to all the exciting events this year which comes with their final year of primary school. The trip to Canberra is already getting mentioned quite often.

Last week, our Campus Leaders were presented with their badges and have started taking on those roles such as leading assembly and assisting with House Games on a Monday. Students have nominated for Mini Vinnies and SRC and will assist with Shrove Tuesday and selling pancakes next week.

In class, the students have been focussing on the Number strand in Mathematics and writing persuasives in English. Students have been enjoying undertaking tasks on Writer’s Toolbox and applying the instant feedback this program provides about their writing skills.  

In Religious Education, the class have been learning about Prophets and in Science, been exploring microorganisms. We have gone back in time in HASS to the 1800’s to explore how Federation occurred and what were the pros and cons for this major event back then.

Interschool sport starts this week with Round 1 of tee ball. I’m sure they’ll do well.

If there are any issues that arise during the term, please don’t hesitate to come and see me.

Gerard Webber
YEAR SIX TEACHER

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,

It is now Week 4 and it has been a very busy start to 2023. The boarding students have settled into the daily routine of residential life. It is important that Boarding is a safe place where people care for them, where their needs are supported, respect and friendships are met and where all students are able to get help to work out problems. Recently, it has been evident that students have developed a belonging to residential life. 

A big thank you to our senior students for doing planned activities and assisting our younger students. Older buddies will help our younger students feel that residential life is a place to feel safe. Our goal is to  continue to build strong positive respectful relationships with all students and families. This includes things like:

• Making the environment welcoming for all Boarding students and families
• Encouraging Boarding staff to continue to get to know all their  boarding students and their families
• Identify ways of improving communication with families
• Making sure that policies on safety, welfare and discipline and are clearly communicated and support a sense of belonging for Boarding students and families.

The recent Inter House Swimming Carnival was a great success for our school and many of the boarding students performed very well. Last weekend students travelled to Fletcher Creek for an afternoon of fishing and swimming. 

It is at this stage of the term it is important that we assist students with a number of strategies in order to achieve academic success. Stress levels can be elevated at this time of the term when assessments are issued. Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges, and in this instance, I am referring to both personal and or school related stressors. Stress can be helpful though in motivating oneself into taking action. Too much stress, however, can not only impede motivation, but can also have long term health side effects on your body and general wellbeing.

It is therefore important to recognise the signs and symptoms of stress and how one can manage it. Healthy lifestyle choices will contribute to healthy mindsets. The importance of healthy eating, regular moderate exercise, and adhering to good sleep pattern routines can not be emphasised enough when managing one’s stress levels.

Ms Terrina Muston has done a sterling job in ensuring our students are healthy and safe. I would also like to thank our boarding staff who have also worked tirelessly in this space.

On 3 & 4 March, Columba will be hosting the Catholic Schools’ Carnival. Rugby League and Netball will be contested. I look forward to catching up with as many Boarding families as possible over the weekend.

Jason Buczynsky
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL 

ZONTA BURSARIES

The Zonta Club of Charters Towers Inc is calling for applications for its 2023 bursaries.  

• Two bursaries valued at $750 each are available;

• The Bursaries are available to girls studying at Charters Towers secondary schools who are entering Year 11 or Year 12 in 2023;

• Applicants must attend secondary school in Charters Towers (either Charters Towers State High School, Blackheath & Thornburgh College, Columba Catholic College, All Souls St Gabriels School or Charters Towers School of Distance Education);

• Applicants are required to complete an application form, including copies of two recent school reports and one reference, and attend a face to face interview.

• Applications will close at 5.00pm on MONDAY 20^th FEBRUARY 2023.

• Interviews will be held on SATURDAY 11^th MARCH 2023 and applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after.

• Bursaries will be presented to the winners at a school assembly (to be arranged by Zonta CT with the relevant school). Winners will also be recognised at a formal Zonta function (to be held around the beginning of May).

• Application forms are available at each secondary school or by contacting the Zonta Club of Charters Towers:

• Julie Swinton, Phone: 0466 831228; Email: swinton@yahoo.com  
• Hilary Grant, Phone: 0419 787955; Email: garygrant2@bigpond.com