Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 26 No. 9 - 22 June 2023

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. The events of the last two weeks are testament to the holistic educational experience provided to our students. 

Special thanks to Mrs Caroline Jarmey for her work in promoting Residential life at Columba. In Week 8 Mrs Jarmey attended the ICPA (Isolated Children's Parents Association) State Conference in Julia Creek and promoted the college at the Richmond Field Days. She also spent some time at St Francis Hughenden. Thanks Mrs Jarmey for your advocacy.

Special thanks to Paula Smith and Gerard Webber for supporting our Primary students who participated in the Readers Cup in Townsville last week. Congratulations to the following students who represented Columba at the event in Townsville on Wednesday evening - Renae Yeo, Quade McMahon, Chloe Smith, Reece Taylor, Daniel Brandis, Allyssa Muchamore, Isabel Webber, Pippa Spurdle.

Last Thursday night we hosted our Primary Disco at St Mary’s Campus. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Ms Robecca Sorrensen, Miss Kalinda Large, Mrs Joanne Andrews, Mrs Donna Maxsted and our Primary staff for their support. Special thank you to our Year 6 Parents/Carers for their preparations and support of this event as a part of the Year 6 Fundraising plan for their Canberra trip. Thanks also to our Senior residential students for working the BBQ. We appreciate the efforts of our staff, students and families. The students had a fabulous time.

Last week we hosted the Secondary Interhouse Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Rice House who were overall winners on the day. Many thanks to Mr Callan Newman, Mr Jaymi Evans, our Grounds and Maintenance team and to the teaching and support staff at Mt Carmel Campus for facilitating these events on the day. The students had a great two days and it was good to see so many families and community members joining us across the carnival and to see our students enjoying the competition, atmosphere and great weather.

Our Primary students will participate in their Interhouse Athletics carnival tomorrow at Mt Carmel Campus. We look forward to a great day on the track and field and to seeing our community come together. All families and friends are welcome. Best of luck to all competitors.

On behalf of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, I wish to congratulate Mrs Nita Dxon and Ms Terrina Muston for being nominated for the state-wide Spirit of Catholic Education Awards for 2023. 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 Nita and Terrina exemplify in their daily work. Both of these staff members go above and beyond to render pastoral care and support to our students in both their daily organization and health needs. Mrs Dixon and Ms Muston will be recognised during Catholic Education Week Celebrations in Term 3.

This week our Year 10 students have engaged in a week of Work Experience as a part of their Career Education Program. Thanks to Mrs Natalie Grant and Mrs Kimberlee 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 outdoor challenges and team building activities. Special thanks to Miss Madeleine Carter, Mr Michael Ku, Miss Emma Systa, Ms Inji Jung and Miss Kalinda Large for their support of our students across the last few days. The students have had an awesome time and it has been a wonderful way to end a great term.

Staffing Updates: 

This term we farewell Mr Jaymi Evans, who has undertaken the role of School Officer Assisting Sport this semester. We thank Mr Evans for contribution and commitment, and wish him well as he embarks on a new role within our diocese next term.

We also say a special thanks and farewell to Mrs Leesa Rebgetz. Leesa has been working as a Residential Houseparent and came back in 2023 to assist us in this space. We thank her for her contribution to our community and wish her well.

Next week our Firsts Netball and Rugby League Teams travel to Brisbane for the 2023 Confraternity and QISSN Carnivals. We wish our students, their coaches and managers all the best for the week long carnival. I look forward to joining them next week as they represent our community with courage, commitment and compassion. Good luck!

This year’s theme for NAIDOC Week is For our Elders. NAIDOC Week is celebrated nationally from 2-9th July. As this falls in our school holiday period, NAIDOC celebrations usually take place during the holiday period so we will acknowledge NAIDOC Week in Week 1 of Term 3 with a special program and scheduled community engagement activities.

Reports: Next week families will receive End of Semester 1 Academic Reports via the Compass Portal. These reports are important point in time indicators for our students and will be valuable discussion tools as we head into Parent / Student/ Teacher Interviews in Week 1 of next term. Interviews can be booked through the Compass and I strongly encourage you to take time to engage in these interviews to discuss your child’s learning journey in Semester 1. 

As the term draws to a close, I would like to extend my thanks to our students, staff and families. Congratulations to all of our students for a great term of learning and thank you to our teaching staff who embrace the vocation of education with head, heart and hands. We wish you all a wonderful holiday and we look forward to seeing you all in Term 3.

All the best for the fortnight ahead.

Many blessings,

Melissa Turner
PRINCIPAL

FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Founders’ Day and the Colour Fun Run: We began the day with a special liturgy in the Iona Centre. This liturgy marked 25 years of Columba Catholic College (since the amalgamation of the three schools) and 150 years of Catholic education in the Townsville Diocese. Inspired by our 2023 theme song ‘Rise Up and Don’t Hold Back’, our College Captains, Beau Lavery and Hannah Wilson, recounted the stories of our founders, including Venerable Catherine McAuley, Archbishop Polding, Blessed Edmund Rice and our patron saint, Saint Columba. During this, both Primary and Secondary students carried symbols that represented our founders and their charism, placing them in the sacred space. Our two youngest Prep students, Deegan Stanford and Maggie Champion, together with College Captains, cut the Founders’ Day Cake, alongside Mrs Turner. All students and staff then created the number ‘25’ on Monagle Oval as aerial footage captured the moment to mark this special occasion. Students then gave it all they had in the Feast Day Cup Relay and the Columba Gift, highly coveted races which was won by Rice House and Benjamin Simpson. Thank you to Dani and Lance Birkett for their generous sponsorship of the Columba Gift. 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, we gathered back in the Iona Centre and enjoyed watching the breadth of talented students perform in our very own ‘Columba’s Got Talent’. At the close of this event, the judges awarded the following students first (Lilly Lavery and Anant Pujar), second (Chelsea Archer) and third (Alyssa Jeffries and Eliza Ramm). Primary and Secondary students enjoyed a sumptuous lunch and played together on the basketball courts. Finally, we all headed down to the ovals after lunch for the Colour Fun Run. There was lots of colour and water, and some lucky teachers and students even managed to get slimed. If the smiles on faces of students and staff were any indicator, then much fun was certainly had. The Colour Fun Run raised $14,122 which will be used to purchase outdoor play and gym equipment for both campuses. Students will receive their prizes early in Term 3. Thank you to all who helped with and supported this significant fundraising initiative in the College.

Vinnies Winter Appeal: This winter we have been asked to collect a range of items that will be donation to needy people in Charters Towers and the local region.  These items include socks, slippers, blankets, sleeping bags, backpacks, water bottles, cold/hot thermal mugs, tinned soup, tinned meat, sunscreen, torches and batteries, insect repellent, and band-aids. These items can be delivered to either College office and we thank you in advance for your generosity. We will present our Winter Appeal items to Prospect and St Vincent de Paul 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 21-24 September. The conference is a gathering of Catholics for four days of real-world formation, renewal of faith, great people and powerful worship. The 2023 theme is ‘Wonder’. This year, Columba students and staff will travel with the Mt. Isa Parish group, led by Father Emene. Further details will be provided to families of interested students in the coming weeks.

Year 7, 8 and 9 Reflection Days and the Year 11 Retreat: Later this week, parents/carers will receive information pertaining to our Reflection Days and Retreat. Dates for Reflection Days are as follows:  Year 7 – Tuesday 18^th July; Year 8 – Wednesday 19^th July; Year 9 – Thursday 20^th July. These Reflection Days will be held in the MC Dining Hall and will be led by the Passionist Youth Retreat Team. The Year 11 Retreat which will be held on 14-18^th August 2023 at the Bluewater Scout Park, north of Townsville. This Leadership Retreat, also led by the Passionist Youth Retreat Team, is a special retreat for our Year 11 students as they begin the Leadership Program at the beginning of Term 3.

NAIDOC Week Liturgy, and the Catholic Education Week Mass and Liturgy: In Week 1 of Term 3,  all Primary and Secondary students will celebrate NAIDOC Week with Liturgies on their respective campuses. On Tuesday 25^th July, the College Captains and Campus Leaders, together with Mrs Maxsted and myself, will attend the Catholic Education Week Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville. Then on Wednesday 26^th July, all Primary and Secondary students and staff will again gather on MC campus for a special Catholic Education Week liturgy at 8.40am.

Christine O'Sullivan
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGOUS EDUCATION - MC CAMPUS

Photo Credits: Libby Goodwin - G Creative Marketing

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CURRICULUM NEWS

SEMESTER 1 REPORT CARDS

Semester 1 Report Cards will be available to families on Tuesday 27^th June 2023.

PARENT STUDENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Prep ‐ Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 19th 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 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 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 23 June and can be made until Monday 17 July 2023. Parents and Caregivers will be able to book Parent Student Teacher Interviews in the Compass Parent Portal.

Columba Catholic College uses the student management system called ‘Compass’. An important component of this software is the Compass Parent Portal. The Parent Portal is our main point of contact with parents. Each parent is issued with an individual login name and password for the 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)

Parents and Caregivers will need to access Compass to receive your child’s Year 7-12 Semester 1 Report Card and book P-12 Parent Student Teacher interviews.

TERM 3 ASSESSMENT SUPPORT AND HOMEWORK CLUB

Years 7-12 Assessment Support and Homework Club on the Mount Carmel Campus will commence in Week 2 of Term 3.

Assessment Support will commence on Wednesday 26^th July and Homework Club on Thursday 27^th July 2023.

YEAR 12 EXTERNAL ASSESSMENTS

The 2023 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 2023 External Assessments will be held from Monday 23^rd October until Tuesday 14^th November 2023.

Please use this link to access the 2023 External Assessment timetable.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT EXAM INVIGILITATORS – APPLICATIONS OPEN

Apply now: Year 12 exam invigilators

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is now recruiting members of the community as invigilators to observe Year 12 exams at Queensland schools.

These are paid positions, and all exams are held during school hours from late October to mid-November 2023. Paid training is provided.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, eligible to work in Australia and hold a current paid blue card, or exemption card, or a Queensland College of Teachers registration.

Find out more and apply via the QCAA website.

Maria Peck
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

SECONDARY INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

The atmosphere was charged with energy and anticipation as students from Rice, Benjamin, Polding, and McAuley Houses gathered to showcase their athletic prowess and compete for the coveted Inter-House Athletics title. The competition was fierce, and participants gave their all, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of glory.

After a day filled with exhilarating races, impressive jumps, and remarkable throws, we are proud to announce the final standings. The results of the Inter-House Athletics Carnival are as follows:

1. Rice House - 934 points
2. Benjamin House - 839 points
3. Polding House - 807 points
4. McAuley House - 765 points

Tensions were high throughout the day as athletes showcased their talent in a range of track and field events. From explosive sprints to graceful long jumps, and from intense shot put throws to endurance-testing long distance runs, every participant displayed admirable sportsmanship and determination. The incredible performances of the students left the spectators in awe, proving that the spirit of healthy competition was alive and thriving.

Rice House emerged as the victors of the day, showcasing their incredible skill and dedication. Their consistent performances across various events propelled them to the top of the leaderboard. Their athletes' remarkable speed, agility, and strength were on full display, earning them a well-deserved victory. Congratulations to Rice House for their outstanding achievement!

We must also congratulate the efforts and performances of our individual athletes. Congratulations to the following age champions and runner ups. 

We must also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, teachers, coaches, and staff members who dedicated their time and effort to make this carnival a resounding success. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and instrumental in nurturing a culture of sportsmanship and teamwork.

Callan Newman
SPORTS MIDDLE LEADER

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FROM THE SPORTS DEPARTMENT - MC CAMPUS

Term 3 Coaching Opportunities

Cricket

We are looking for cricket coaching for the 13s, 15s and Opens (Boys only) . Commitments include team selection trials, 1 training session per week and 3 games over a 4 week period

Wednesday afternoons

Round 1- 2nd August (Week 3) BTC @ All Souls

Round 2- 9th August ( Week 4) All Souls @ CCC ( 13s @ ASSG/ 15s & Firsts @CCC)

Round 3- 16th August (Week 5) CCC vs BTC ( 13s@ BTC/ 15s & Firsts @ CCC

Grand Final- 23rd August/ TBC (Week 6)

Softball

We are looking for softball coaches for the 13s, 15s and Opens (Girls only). Commitments include trial selection, 1 training session per week and 3 games over a 4 week period.

Tuesday & Thursday afternoons

Round 1- 17th August ( Week 5) - BTC vs ASSG @ ASSG

Round 2- 24rd August ( Week 6)- ASSG vs CCC @ CCC

Round 3- 29th August ( Week 7) - BTC vs CCC @ BTC

Grand Final ( Week 8) - 5th September/TBC

Debating

We are looking for debating coaches/helpers for the 13s, 15s and Opens. Maggie Georgopoulos will be overseeing this even, hosted by State High.

Tuesday nights

Round 1- 25th July (Week 2)

Round 2- 8th August ( Week 4)

Round 3- 15th August (Week 5)

Round 4- 29th August  (Week 7)

Round 5- 5th September  (Week 8)

Rugby 7s

We are looking for coaches for our upcoming Rugby 7’s Gala evening. Coaching for the 13s, 15s and Opens. Commitments include trial selection, 3 training sessions and 1  afternoon/night.

6 Teams available

Girls 13s, Boys 13s, Girls 15s, Boys 15s, Girls Opens, Boys Opens.

12th September

3:30pm@ ASSG until late.

Karyn Murphy  Cup

We are looking for coaches for our teams heading to Townsville  for the Karyn Murphy cup in week 2. (Thursday 27th July)

There are 3 teams, including 13s,15s & Opens ( Girls only). Possible trial for team selection will be a part of this role.

If you can help us in any way please contact me at the College cnewman2@columba.catholic.edu.au.

Callan Newman
SPORTS MIDDLE LEADER

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS SCHOOLBOYS CUP - FIRSTS XIII RUGBY LEAGUE

A decision was made by 5 schools towards the end of Term 1 to form a new competition featuring Townsville and Charters Towers schools playing Opens Rugby League in preparation for the Confraternity Carnival. The competition consisted of 5 teams with the 2 top teams to play off in the Grand Final.

In Round 1, Columba travelled to Southern Cross Catholic College. The team had a convincing 36-0 victory and quickly showed that Columba would be the team to beat this year. Man of the Match was Assariah Lenoy with Max Campbell and Mathias Santo-Hero gaining 2 and 1 point from the judges.

Columba travelled to Ryan Catholic College in Round 2. Despite finishing the match with only 1 player on the bench due to injuries, and many boys having to play out of position, Columba were again dominant 34-6 winners. Unfortunately, Cooper Nibbs received a serious concussion and had to sit out until the Grand Final. Mathias Santo-Hero was a stand out and was awarded Man of the Match with Assariah Lenoy awarded 2 points and Warwick Kingham getting 1 point for his defensive work at hooker and playing so well out of position.

Round 3 saw the team play arch rivals All Souls St Gabriel’s on their home field. Despite conceding the first try, Columba then scored 30 unanswered points to eventually win 30-18. Max Campbell was named Man of the Match with Brady Horan and Tom Kirkwood having their best games of the competition to be awarded 2 and 1 point.

In our final round match, the team returned to Monagle Oval and defeated BTC 38-16 to earn a place in the Grand-Final. Jerremy Singleton had his best game of Firsts Rugby league to earn Man of the Match with Max Campbell and Naqarne Oui, also proving hard to stop all game to gain 2 and 1 point off the judges.  

Columba hosted All Souls St Gabriel’s in the Grand Final on Monagle Oval. In what can only be described as a perfect afternoon for rugby league, Columba were in total control from the opening set and scored in the first 3 minutes of the match, leading 10-nil early on. After withstanding three sets of defence on their own try line, Columba then led 22-nil at half time with 2 late tries in the 1st half and were well in control. In the second half, tries were scored on each side in the back line with the forwards regularly punching holes through the middle. The final score was an emphatic 48-6 victory and certainly one of the largest wins over All Souls St Gabriel’s in the last 20 years. The home crowd and players were certainly excited to achieve such a dominant win.

Assariah Lenoy was named Man of the Match for the Grand Final and was the dominant player of the entire competition. Assariah was also the only player from the competition to be selected in the Under 18’s North Queensland team.

The team certainly had a magnificent competition with 5 dominant wins and finishing with a positive 140-point differential.

The success of this inaugural competition can’t be understated, as the Townsville Bulletin provided excellent media coverage with a regular Team of the Week from the 5 teams. This has certainly given our players much deserved exposure in the northern region.  

The competition has been such a success that the competition will grow to 8 teams in 2024 and Under 15s will also join.  

Gerard Webber
MANAGER

THE ARTS AT MC CAMPUS

The Arts department has been very busy this term creating and presenting amazing artworks and performances. Hopefully some of these have made their way home, or perhaps been rehearsed in the lounge room, so you can see your child’s talents shine.

Congratulations to those students who recently performed at Columba’s Got Talent! It takes a lot of bravery to get up on stage in front of the whole school. Early next term, a group of students will be heading off for a week of workshops culminating in a performance at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre for Mulkadee. This year’s play is Robin Hood. It’s always a long and challenging week but our students get so much out of it. We are very excited to see what they can do!

Not long after that our music students will be off on an excursion to the World Theatre to participate in a workshop and view a performance by the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Another group of students will be presenting their short play at the World Theatre as part of Queensland Theatre’s Scene Project in week 5. Students in this group have already participated in a full-day workshop with a visiting actor, and will be performing in front of other schools, and actors from Queensland Theatre.

The following week (week 6) will be the Charters Towers Eisteddfod. Relevant sections have been listed on the daily notices this week so students can organise their entries. Information regarding dates and times will be sent out next term, once the program has been released, to students and families who have expressed an interest in entering.

Gina Porter
CURRICULUM MIDDLE LEADER - THE ARTS

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV - RESILIENCE

Resilience is one of those skills that all kids need and should have. It refers to their ability to cope and adapt in situations when confronted with challenges such as adversity, trauma, tragedy, or even stress. It is essential to their mental health and wellbeing as part of their journey to adulthood. It is a skill that can be learned from an early age through the support of an adult role model.

However, being resilient does not mean your child won't experience any difficulties, but it will better equip them to manage those situations. Over-protective parenting can be viewed as being unhelpful towards the building of resilience. Although this may be a natural instinct, potentially experiencing failure is all part of the process. Encouraging children to take healthy risks will help them trust their capacity to deal with uncomfortable situations and increase their capacity for courage.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will gain an understanding of how to support their child’s brave behaviour to help them adapt and build resilience.

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 Guidance Counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Resilience edition of SchoolTV.

Aleesha Watson, Sarah Smith & Leah Chrisp

Guidance Counsellors

Aleesha Watson & Sarah Smith
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Residential Families,

It’s been a busy end of term for our boarding students. Whilst many have been laid low with sickness, the rest have been occupied with finishing off assessments, the Interhouse Athletics Carnival and getting ready for the holidays.

Athletics Carnival was a hugely fun couple of days with many of our boarders taking part. Congratulations to all our residential athletes, but special mention goes to our Age Champions and Runners Up: Nikki Bethel, Conrad Spratt, Jessica Wosomo, Jessica Braes-Polke, Assariah Lenoy, Ryan Kime, Alexander Lorraine, Chantel Wilson and Shahara Spratt.

Some of our students spent the weekend at the Bunburra Touch Football tournament held this year at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Organised by PCYC Queensland, this tournament for Indigenous boys and girls aged 14-17 is a fantastic opportunity to develop the confidence and ability to play a key role in sports development and engage with the community. Congratulations to Anastacia Johnson, Latisha Spratt, Travis Mitchell, Blake Wallace, Zarleece Clay and Shaun Gold.

I’d like to thank all our boarding staff, in particular the two Heads of Boarding, Caroline Jarmey and Michelle Burns, for a wonderful Term 2 and keeping our boarders safe. Thanks also to Terrina Muston and her crew for keeping our boarders comfortable during the recent wave of sickness. I hope all of our residential staff and students enjoy a most happy, peaceful and relaxing break over the holidays.

Clare Stead
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

A TASTE OF COLUMBA

FLEXISCHOOLS