Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 27 No. 7 - 24th May 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Columba Families,

We are now in the second half of the term and the students and staff are very busy completing their academic and extra-curricular agendas. Commitment is the key tenet for successful outcomes, whether it be academic or extra-curricular. The saying, ‘you can't plough a field by simply doing it in your mind’, implies that success is effort related and this is certainly supported by research.  I often not,e when perusing student report cards, that there is a positive correlation between results achieved and effort sustained. Procrastination, poor study habits and sleeping habits are detractors for students achieving their potential.  Sustained effort and focus, having an effective study routine and obtaining at least 8 hours of sleep per night will assist students in realising their academic potential. 

This week the Cattle Club students are off to the Capella and Clermont shows. Special thanks to Sonia Wood and her dedicated team of parents and staff for enabling our students to attend and participate at these shows. We wish them every success. 

This week we had National Simultaneous Storytime. This event is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This year's book is ‘Bowerbird Blues’ by Aura Parker. Special thanks to Mrs Smith for organising this event for our students at St Mary’s.

This week we celebrated National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week with liturgies on both the Mount Carmel and St Mary’s Campuses. This year's theme is “Now More Than Ever”. This is a very important occasion on the College’s calendar and enables the school to promote an equitable, just and reconciled  Australia. For reconciliation to be truly effective, it must involve truth telling and genuinely address the issues of inequality, systemic racism and the rights of First Nations people. Special thanks to Ms O’Sullivan and Mrs Maxsted for organising the liturgies. 

On 23 May Mrs Brandis escorted a number of the College's students to the Zonta Women in Science Breakfast.  This event was convened at the RSL and its primary purpose was to educate and inspire young women into the field of science. Thank you Mrs Brandis for providing our students with the opportunity to broaden their career horizons.  

On 14 May the Year 11 & 12, Cert 2 Health Support Services class participated in an excursion to the Dalrymple Villa. This excursion enabled the students to complete a mandatory component of their assessment. 

On 17 May, Ms O’Sullivan was once again very busy fundraising for the upcoming Immersion experience by operating a  BBQ and food stall at the Rotary markets.This was backed up the following day by hosting a ‘sausage sizzle’ outside Harvey Norman. Ms O’Sullivan and her merry band of helpers have done a sterling job fundraising for this life changing experience. 

Next Thursday, the Year 10 and Year 12 students will be attending the Careers Expo at the Charters Towers PCYC. This will be a valuable opportunity for the College’s students to engage with universities, traineeship providers and potential employment opportunities. 

This week we say farewell to Ms Crowley. I thank her for her contributions to the Columba community and I wish her well in her future endeavours. 

Last week was National Boarding Week and the College Boarding Community was able to celebrate all things boarding. MKR  was a great success with Boys’ Boarding taking home the silverware this year. I would like to thank Mrs Natalie Moody and Mrs Jarmey, and all Boarding staff, for making the week a great success. 

Dan Kyle
ACTING PRINCIPAL

FOUNDERS' DAY LITURGY

FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - SM CAMPUS

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Last Sunday was the Feast of Pentecost.  Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It is celebrated on the Sunday, 50 days after Easter (the name comes from the Greek, pentekoste, which means fiftieth.  Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church’s mission to the world.

The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit;  that is the way Christians understand God.  Ministers in the church wear robes with red in the design as a symbol of the flames in which the Holy Spirit came to earth.  The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove.

Pentecost comes from a Jewish harvest festival called Shavuot.  The apostles were celebrating this festival when the Holy Spirit descended on them.  It sounded like a very strong wind, and it looked like tongues of fire.  The apostles then found themselves speaking in foreign languages, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  People passing by at first thought that they must be drunk, but the apostle Peter told the crowd that the apostles were full of the Holy Spirit.

Next Sunday is Sorry Day and is the start of National Reconciliation Week.  We pause to remember the mistreatment of our First Nations' brothers and sisters, and recommit ourselves to building bonds of friendship and reconciliation as we move together in building the future of our nation.  We remember the words of Pope John Paul II in his address to the First Nations people in Australia:

'You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others. '

In a few weeks’  time, on 16 June, several of the children in our Parish will be confirmed by Bishop Timothy Harris, where they, too, will receive the power of the Holy Spirit along with receiving the blessed Body of Christ in their first Holy Communion.  They have been preparing together as a group since last term.  Please include them in your prayers during the final weeks of their preparation that they will continue to grow in relationship with God through the reception of these sacraments.

Our Mini Vinnies group has been very active this term, promoting the Annual Vinnies Winter Appeal.  Classes are collecting items that will support needy families in our community as the colder weather approaches. If you are able to assist, please send your donations to school with your child, or drop them into the office.  All donations will be gratefully received. The students have also been active in supporting the Parish’s plant sale, potting up a number of plants to be sold at the recent street stall. We thank Holliman’s for their generous donation which assisted the student’s participation in this Parish community project.  The students are also enthusiastically working on a garden project here at school.

Donna Maxsted
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - SM CAMPUS

YEAR 5 NEWS

Year 5 has had a very busy term so far. In Week 3 we led assembly and then also performed a fantastic number for the school in our St Mary’s Country Music concert. 

Quite a few year 5 students competed in the Interschool Cross Country and a big congratulations goes to Cooper Groves who came away with 10 years age champion. Another congratulations goes to Harry Peterson who recently attended the NQ soccer trials in Ayr. 

We have been very lucky to have Ms Johnson cover Mondays in Year 5. She is teaching Science and Health on this day. In Science, students are learning about the solar system and investigating how our Earth was formed. In Health, we are completing research on prominent figures from the past who have displayed strength in character and contributed  great things to the global community.

In English, we have been looking at figurative language and poetic devices. The students have blown me away with some of their writing so far.

In Mathematics, we have learnt how to convert between 12 and 24 hour time and are now working on measurement. 

In HASS, we are exploring how the economy works and will be devising a business model to cater to needs and wants in our community. 

In Religion, we are exploring the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our technologically savvy students are creating mazes in Scratch for our technology units. The skills they have shown so far are outstanding! With only four weeks remaining in the term, we certainly have some work to do, but I am sure Year 5 will continue to wow us with their efforts!

Jemma Webber
YEAR FIVE TEACHER

PREP NEWS

What busy bees Prep have been! Throughout HASS this term, Prep students have been learning about significant events and how we celebrate and commemorate them. They have explored and sequenced the order of events during different celebrations and recognised different traditions families have. 

To commemorate ANZAC Day, Michaela, Hugh, Leo, Reece, Jackson, Kash, Ahana, and Jack respectfully participated in the March down Gill Street, and the memorial service. It was fantastic to see these children understand the different symbols and order of events during the ceremony, to reinforce what they have learnt in the classroom.

Country Music was a fun-filled day, with all students dressing in their best western attire for the day. To celebrate, students paraded their spectacular outfits, with Frankie and Leo being the judges pick for best dressed cowgirl and cowboy. The fun didn’t stop at 3 o’clock, with Hugh, Tillie, Jackson, Michaela, Ahana, Leo, Kash, Leon, Jack, and Frankie turning into cattle dogs, who made our Aussie Banger ute look the part. They stepped into character, waving and barking the whole way!

Mother’s Day at school was a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate their amazing Mothers. After a beautiful liturgy, Prep students invited them into the classroom, which was transformed into a cafe. Students presented a special gift of a custom made mug, illustrated with a picture of them holding their Mum’s hand. In addition to their mug, students mastered making a Mummy and Me cookie, following a special recipe to reflect just how beautiful, kind, and patient they really are. A big thank you to all our Mothers for making this morning so special.

We look forward to participating in Founders’ Day and the Interhouse Athletics Carnival this term, before celebrating the end of our HASS learning with a well earnt, three week holiday. 

Lara Burns
PREP TEACHER

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PRIMARY INTERHOUSE CROSS COUNTRY

On Wednesday 20 March, our Primary school  spent the morning at Mt Carmel to participate in the Interhouse Cross Country. Our Prep students opened the day with their 300m course, followed by Year 1 running 600m and Year 2 completing 1500m.

Our 9 to 10 year olds completed the 2km and 11 to 13 year olds covering 3km of running.

A number of keen students joined our Little Legs Running Club and trained before school  in the lead up to the event and their commitment to training resulted in the majority being top 5 finishers. It goes to show that hard work pays off!

Congratulations to Benjamin House on being the Overall Primary Cross Country winners of 2024.

Bridie Johnson
PRIMARY PE TEACHER - SM CAMPUS

PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

On Wednesday 24 April, our Primary Cross Country team enthusiastically participated in the Primary Interschool Cross Country event at Richmond Hill State School. Everyone ran with determination and most importantly, with strong CCC school pride!

A special mention to Sarayha, Annabelle, James, Cooper, Joel, Ryhen, Reece and Charli for placing in the top 5 in their age group. This year the 10, 11 and 12 year olds will  compete at the Northern trials in Townsville on Tuesday 28 May. Also to Quade, who placed 5th at the Secondary Interschool  Cross Country event recently and will also head to Northern trials. Wishing our amazing Primary Columba Catholic College runners all the best next week.

Bridie Johnson
PRIMARY PE TEACHER - SM CAMPUS

HASS AND LANGUAGES

FROM THE HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Welcome to an exciting term in the Humanities and Social Sciences Department!

Careers Education

This final term of Careers Education, our Year 10 students are finding out more about preparing for and going to workplace interviews, the future of work and how they can manage their own career journey. Thanks to Mrs Milton, our Careers Adviser, who has provided insights to our students for investigating their career aspirations.

Next fortnight on 30th May, Year 10 and 12 students will participate in the Charters Towers Regional Careers Expo. Every student will have the chance to connect with industry experts to gain valuable insights and explore exciting and aspiring career paths. Week 10 will provide students the opportunity to complete a week of work experience. 

Years 7 and 8 Civics and Citizenship

For the next few weeks, Years 7 and 8 students will be focussing on Civics and Citizenship until the end of the term, exploring the democratic values that underpin the Australian Constitution and our rights as citizens in the society. Students have engaged in finding out how the House of Representatives and the Senate work together and how laws are made. Ordinary citizens can influence how the Government makes decisions that affect the Australian people. It would be good to engage in discussions about the  the above topics at home to reinforce their learning.

Year 9 Geography

This term, students continued with the next Geography unit: Geographies of Interconnections, investigating how people, through their choices and actions, are connected to places throughout our world, and how these connections help to make and change places and environments. 

Homework Club

At Columba Catholic College, we aim to ensure students are supported with opportunities to catch up on classwork and assessment tasks, as well as provide a space for students to seek assistance from our awesome and supportive teachers. 

One of these opportunities is our Homework Club, hosted in M4 on Thursday afternoons from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Students have the option to come to get additional tutoring and assistance from their teachers, who volunteer their time to provide students with additional support with their learning. At times, a student may not even need help from teachers, but would rather work in a quietude space for learning. Just having a space to work productively without distractions can make a huge difference in a child’s learning! 

Michael Ku
MIDDLE LEADER - HUMANITIES

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

We have reached the second half of the term in what feels like record time. Our students have been incredibly busy this term in both residences and day school. This trend will continue for the remainder of the term no doubt. Week five held significant importance for our College with our residences celebrating National Boarding Week. I would like to thank everyone who is involved in the residential life our College. As you will read in Mrs Moody recap of the Boarding Week activities, our students celebrated this unique facet of our College in style. A special thank you to Ms Caroline Jarmey and Mrs Natalie Moody, along with their wonderful staff, who allowed this week to be so successful.

As the weather has turned and the mornings are becoming brisk, COVID, amongst other influenzas, are making their way around day school and the residences. I encourage you to check in on your children and remind them of the benefits of good hygiene practices, particularly in our shared living spaces.

Looking forward, there are several events at the end of the term that are integral in the growth and development of your children. Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival will now take place in week 9 which leads into work experience for year 10 and camps for our year 8 and 9 cohorts in week 10. If possible, I strongly encourage you to plan your travel arrangements around these events so you child/ren are able to benefit from these experiences.

Jordan Marty
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

From the Residences – Mrs Natalie Moody

It has been a busy two weeks for our boarding students, from Rockhampton Beef Week to National Boarding Week.  From the 5th to the 11th of May was the renowned Rocky Beef Week, which is held every 3 years. Ms Wood and her team were fortunate enough to take a group of Columba’s Cattle Club students down to participate in the phenomenal event. When talking to some of our girls when they returned, it seemed as if they had done it all - from competing in cattle judging comps, property tours where students learnt a range of land types and property management styles and listening in on seminars that aim to shape the future leaders of the beef community through supporting and educating the next generation.

National Boarding Week then commenced on the 12th of May through to the 18th of May. The week is aimed at raising awareness about the many benefits of boarding school and a time to celebrate the fantastic efforts and commitment from our boarding students and boarding staff. To kick off National Boarding Week, Caroline and myself worked hard to organise our annual National Boarding Dinner. We decked out the dining room, our boys and girls dressed in their finest attire and bonded over a delicious meal. A big shout out to Bronwyn, Glenis and the team who worked tirelessly to provide our boarding students with a five star meal. To end our National Boarding Week, we had the almighty "My Kitchen Rules" cook off between the girls and boys. This year the theme was Italian food. Our boarding students had to come up with a three course menu and execute their chosen meals with perfection, in order to take out the 2024 MKR title. Unfortunately, the girls came out second best, however, it was not from the lack of determination or creativity. I am very proud of the efforts our girls put in. Both teams delivered restaurant quality food. A big congratulations to the boys and Mrs Jarmey, a well-deserved win.

However, we will be back bigger and better next year!

Natalie Moody
ACTING RESIDENTIAL LEADER - GIRLS' BOARDING

GET TO KNOW OUR RESIDENTIAL TEAM

Name: Bradley Christensen

Role and time with us: Full-time residential house parent for the last 9 months.

Hometown: Born in Townsville but raised in Charters Towers.

Interesting fact: I completed preschool to Year 12 at Columba Catholic College. I have a mechanical engineering trade along with certificates in body science and fitness training.

Something I’d like you to know: I’ve got three sons of my own. All I am looking to do is pass down the knowledge I have learnt over my time to the younger generation.

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV - DEPRESSION

We all know that diet and nutrition is vital to your child’s development and growth, but are you aware of the effects it has on your child’s brain development and how it can impact their academic achievement?

In this era of convenience, it is easy to reach for pre-packaged and processed foods to cope with busy schedules. However, these foods are usually packed full of sugar and salt which can have adverse health effects. Making a habit of reading food labels can help reduce the risks. It can also help to stabilise your child’s energy, improve their mood, maintain a healthy weight and improve their general wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will discover practical advice for teaching your kids about the benefits of incorporating a healthy diet and good nutrition.

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

Here is the link to the Diet & Nutrition edition of SchoolTV
https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/diet-nutrition