Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 27 No. 9 - 25th July 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and caregivers and Friends of the College,

Thank you for your very warm welcome!

I am very blessed and honoured to be Principal of Columba Catholic College and I am looking forward to working in partnership with you, our students, and our dedicated College team.  A special note of thanks to Dan Kyle and Melissa Turner, past College principals, for their leadership and service. Our talented College Senior Leadership Team (Dan Kyle, Maria Peck, Rodney Lane, Christine O’Sullivan, Donna Maxsted, Rebecca Ebelt, and Brooke Stevenson), our Administration Team, and all our College staff, have worked very hard to prepare for a successful start to Term 3. My sincere thanks to all. I am sure that you will agree that we are most blessed with our beautiful College grounds, gardens, and facilities. My thanks to our hard-working College staff for their continued excellent maintenance and upkeep of our stunning grounds and facilities.  

Term 3 has started very well, with our College staff, students, Father Emmanuel, Parish, and our CSPA, supporting a range of wonderful events, featured inside this week’s newsletter. We are very proud to report a successful Validation Quality Assurance Inspection last Wednesday and showcase the hard work of the school team. Other school events over the first two weeks of Term 3 included; NAIDOC week liturgy and whole school celebration, Catholic Education Week events, Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Evening, debating, hosting the Charters Towers Inter School Formal, 100 Days of Prep, Year 7-9 Reflection Days, Boarder Parent Council Meeting, and Interschool Athletics Carnival. 

During my walk around classes, at school assemblies, and at College events, I have been impressed with our students' warm welcome, commitment, and manners. This week the College Senior Leadership Team hosted a student leadership lunch to continue facilitating our student-school collaboration, enhance student voice, and to further develop our existing College student leadership program. We aim to host a College student leadership lunch meeting once per month and we thank our student leaders for their leadership and service.

A highlight this week was celebrating Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is ‘Communities of Faith, Hope and Love’. It was an honour to be invited to Townsville for special events hosted at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Thank you to the staff and student leaders who represented the College in Townsville this week, attending the Catholic Education Week Mass and Ceremony. Congratulations to the nominees for the Spirit of Catholic Education Week Awards, Paula Smith, and Cecilia Louk. Congratulations to the recipient of the Deus Caritas Est Award, Year 12 student Caleb Kadiko.  

Our whole school College Catholic Education Week liturgy on Wednesday was a significant event.  I was very moved to receive a blessing and the passing of the College Principal’s candle, which is a great honour. At the liturgy we recognised the dedication and significant service to education of Michael Peck to the College. My thanks to Christine O’Sullivan and team for leading in this special Catholic Education Week liturgy. On Friday we  will host the Primary Interschool Athletics where our students will participate with great school pride in collaboration with other schools. Thank you to Bridie Johnson for her leadership and coordination of this event, and thank you to our CSPA and staff who will support this event.

A Prayer for Hope and Love

Heavenly father, I am your humble servant,
I come before you today in need of hope.
I need hope for a calm and joyful future.
I need hope for love and kindness.
I pray for peace and safety.
Some say that the sky is at its
darkest just before the light.
I pray that this is true, for today seems stormy and dim.
I need your light, Lord, in every way.
I pray to be filled with your light.
Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and service.
In your name I pray, Amen.

Jacqueline McNalty
PRINCIPAL

COLLEGE VALIDATION SUCCESSFUL!

Congratulations and many thanks to the College Senior Leadership Team and all staff who worked very hard to gather evidence and present the great strategic improvement work of the College, as part of last week’s successful Validation School Improvement visit. Our thanks also to Rohan Dixon (College Board Chairman), Angus Galletly (Principal St Teresa's College Abergowrie), Katherine Nelson (Principal St Catherine's College, Proserpine), Ross Horner and Kath Tartellin (Townsville Catholic Education). Thanks to all staff, students, Father Emmanuel, and community members who kindly spoke to the Validation panel. Our College Senior Student Leaders did an outstanding job welcoming the visiting inspecting team and in leading on the day.

PAST STUDENTS' GATHERING

Our thanks to Jo-Anne Thompson who kindly supported and helped facilitate this special event over the weekend in Brisbane, along with Jasmine Thompson (past College Captain 2020). Special thanks to Carmel Brougham (nee Lyons) who puts many hours into organising this event every year. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect and share recent College news and developments, sharing Columba pride with our alumni.

AROUND THE COLLEGE

YEAR 7, 8, 9 REFLECTION DAYS

Our thanks to Christine O’Sullivan and staff who supported the Reflection Days last week. These were an impactful and meaningful experience for all who attended.

CERTIFICATE II ACTIVE VOLUNTEERING

Well done and thanks to Christine O’Sullivan, Andrew Butler, staff and students for supporting the State of Origin- Certificate II in Active Volunteering students. This event raised important funds for the Cancer Council Foundation. Well done!

CHARTERS TOWERS RODEO

Charters Towers Rodeo. Thank you to Christine O’Sullivan, Leanne Brandis, staff, CSPA, attending residential and day boarding students, staff and parish members who supported the Rodeo last weekend and helped in areas such as the clean-up, demonstrating our strong community connections, parish fundraising and service.

CCC DEBATING

Our thanks to Leanne Brandis and Dan Kyle for supporting the debating teams last Tuesday.

YEAR 11 2025 SUBJECT SELECTION EVENING

Thank you to Maria Peck, Curriculum Leaders, and teaching staff involved, for leading this important information session Thursday 7.00pm.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK MASS - BISHOP TIM'S HOMILY

This week, members of Townsville's Catholic Education community gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate Catholic Education Week. In his homily, Bishop Tim made a connection between Catholic Education Week's theme of One faith, One hope, One love and the distinctive mission of Catholic education through the work we do in our system of schools.

COLLEGE PRAYER

Over the last few years, the Catholic Identity has been working on a project to rewrite the College Prayer. Feedback has been sought from the CSPA and Board, staff, students and families on a number of occasions. We have acted on this feedback, considering the ideas and wishes of different parties.

The final draft, which is included below, focuses on Jesus Christ, our four founders (Saint Columba, Edmund Rice, Archbishop Polding, and Venerable Catherine McAuley) and their charisms, and the inclusion of First Nations’ people and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. We also emphasise our College motto – ‘Light to the World’ – which is drawn from scripture. There is even a reference to our College Song. Of course, the heart of our prayer is our Catholic faith and God. Please note that Bishop Benjamin has not been included in the prayer. Although one of our Sports’ Houses is named after him, he is not a founder of the College.

If you have further feedback, questions or ideas about the prayer, please email me at cosullivan@columba.catholic.edu.au

College Prayer

Loving God, like Jesus, call us to be light to the world every day.

Gaya nganhangu, mirangara (God of all creation), as we walk with the Gudjal people, unite us through our shared stories to shape a just future for all.

God of commitment, like Edmund Rice, enable us to build a Catholic community where all learn and flourish.

God of compassion, like Archbishop Polding, inspire us to be giving neighbours and share country warmth.

God of courage, like Columba, guide us to grow in faith, forgive each other and care for nature.

God of mercy, like Catherine McAuley, fill us with the desire to serve all, and to care for the poor and vulnerable.

Peaceful God, show us Your way as we walk in Jesus’ footsteps. Amen.

Christine O'Sullivan
APRE - MT. CARMEL CAMPUS

NRL SCHOOLBOY TROPHY

NORTHERN REGION GRAND FINAL WINNERS! Well done to our First XIII, who won the Northern Region Grand Final against Thuringowa SHS, 36-nil. The squad is now into the State Quarter-Finals in 3 weeks as they try to defend their State title. Thank you to coaches and staff who are supporting the team.

CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS

Congratulations to Kalani Geia who has made the NQ Team for 11-12years Rugby league and will be playing at the State Champs in Brisbane 12– 15 September 2024. This is a great achievement.

Kalani also recently made the Charters Towers and NQ Netball team. Well done!

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - SM CAMPUS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, and Students,

Well the term has certainly begun with a flourish, with students and staff returning from the mid-year break full of enthusiasm for the second half of 2024!  It is an enormous privilege for me to replace Mrs Jo Andrews whilst she is on leave, as the Deputy Principal Primary, and I look forward to meeting more members of our wonderful College community throughout this year. For those families who do not know me, I commenced at Columba Catholic College at the beginning of 2024 in the role of Assistant Principal – Pedagogy and Learning and taught Year 3 in Term One. Prior to starting with Catholic Education and the Townsville Diocese, I was the Deputy Principal responsible for the Primary School at a double stream, K-12 College in Townsville for a period of 15 years. As a teacher, prior to serving as a Deputy Principal, I have taught in various schools including Townsville Grammar, an Independent school, as well as the Department of Education Queensland. I am looking forward to serving the Columba Catholic College community throughout the remainder of this year in my new role, and getting to know more of our parents, students, and staff.

I was thrilled to learn that one of our own exemplary teachers, Ms Brooke Stevenson, was the successful candidate stepping into my role as Assistant Principal responsible for curriculum this semester. Already I have witnessed, and been the recipient of, her innate leadership skills and I know that she has strong ties to Columba Catholic College over many years.

Our Year Six students and associated staff are very excited to embark on their long-awaited Canberra Camp in Week 8 this term, with various anticipated culminating activities regarding their learning about the Federal Parliamentary system and the history behind our nation’s capital city. An information session for parents and carers will be held at 5:30 pm in the school library (St Mary’s Campus) on Monday Week 6 on the 19^th August. This meeting will cover off on the essential components relevant to camp. An additional letter will go out to Year 6 families reminding them of the evening closer to the information session.

We are implementing some exciting changes to the playground processes from this week to enable students more time to play during the recess breaks and in the mornings before school, along with more variety each break. Essentially, both playgrounds will be open for play before school, along with both ovals and the Green. The Undercover area will remain the gathering place for students if they arrive before 8:15am. There will be a bell at 8:15 for students to disperse from the Undercover Area to the other play areas which will all be monitored by staff members. The Undercover Area will not be a play area before school anymore. We are also starting a Chess Club three lunch times per week, which can often result in additional academic and social benefits as well. These changes will come into effect this week after we have finished discussing the details with all of our students.

This term, like every term in every school, will be busy and event filled, and we will endeavour to communicate regularly to ensure that everyone is kept informed. Our Parent – Teacher interviews are in Week Three this term on Wednesday 31^st July, and whilst they are only 10 minutes in duration, there is always the option to arrange a subsequent time to speak with your child’s teacher. It will be important on the evening for us all to remain on schedule and be on time to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak to their child’s teacher. Later in the term in Week Four, our Year 6 students will have the opportunity to experience Secondary School at our Mount Carmel campus in the ‘Taste of Secondary’ day. More information regarding this event, along with other events such as Transition to Prep, Book Week, and Eisteddfod, to name a few, will be forthcoming.

If parents could ensure that we are starting the term well with correct uniforms, and neat and tidy haircuts, it would be very helpful. I am appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the Columba Catholic College community and am thankful for the wonderful staff we have at both of our campuses. Please feel free to contact me via the office and make an appointment to see me if you would like to speak with me on any matter. 

Rodney Lane
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - SM CAMPUS

FROM THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION

Term 3 is off to an incredible start, with successful reflection days for Year 7, 8 and 9, and our whole school NAIDOC day celebrations. Organising such events takes a great deal of time and patience, and I would like to congratulate Ms O’Sullivan for her work with the reflection days and our First Nations team of Ms Lorette, Ms Jessie, and Ms Kitrina for their outstanding work to bring these events to our College.

There are a multitude of upcoming events that the Mount Carmel staff are preparing for. This week, Mrs Peck has spoken to our Year 10 students about their upcoming senior subject selection. Students have been encouraged to reflect on what they learnt on their Work Experience last term to start the process of choosing subjects. Further to this, our Year 10 Parent and Student Subject Selection Information Evening will be held by the time this newsletter is published. This evening is designed to inform both parents and students about both senior subject selection and the Queensland Certificate of Education.

In Week 3, we will hold our Parent Teacher Interviews on Wednesday evening, followed by Interschool Athletics on Thursday afternoon and Friday. Our Parent Teacher Interviews are invaluable to all as we continue to strengthen the bonds between parents and caregivers and our teaching staff. Interschool Athletics allows our young people to demonstrate their athletic prowess with other strong competitors from BTC, All Souls and Charters Towers State High School.

This term, our Year 11 students will be reflecting on their leadership journey, and some of our young people will start the process of applying to be part of our Senior Student Leadership Team in 2025. An integral part of this journey is the leadership retreat, which will be held in Week 4. Also in Week 4 is our Taste of Secondary, where we welcome our 2025 Year 7 students to experience a day on the Mount Carmel campus.

In the latter part of this term, we will celebrate Book Week, continue our work preparing our Year 12 students for their External Examinations and end of year assessments with mock examinations. In amongst all these events this term, students can participate in Debating, as well as play softball or cricket.

Our College is a busy and dynamic place. I am proud to support and work with our staff as we continue to organise, prepare, and deliver a variety of academic, sporting, and cultural events to offer our students the very best term possible.

Rebecca Ebelt
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - ADMINISTRATION 

LEARNING AND TEACHING UPDATES ON THE MC CAMPUS

YEAR 10 PARENT AND STUDENT SUBJECT SELECTION      INFORMATION EVENING  EVENING FOR YEAR 11 2025

During Term 3, Year 10 students will make important decisions about future study and career goals as they plan their QCE pathway and consider the subjects they will study in Year 11 and 12. Students in Year 11 and 12 will work towards achieving their Queensland Certificate of Education. There are many resources available on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and myQCE website to assist students in thinking about and planning their pathway. It covers QCE eligibility and helps them to explore future study and career goals.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday 25 July: Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Parent and Student Information Evening

All Year 10 parents and students are invited to attend the Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Parent and Student information Evening at 7:00pm in the Mount Carmel Campus Dining Room on Thursday 25th  July 2024. It is important that all Year 10 students and Parents attend this evening as information about the Queensland Certificate of Education, Senior pathways available, and subjects / certificates on offer will be shared. The information shared with parents and students will assist in making an informed decision about what to study in Year 11. Curriculum Leaders and teaching staff will be available to provide information and answer questions.

PREP - YEAR 12 PARENT / STUDENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Prep ‐ Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 31st 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. Provide us with the time booked and best phone number to contact you on.

Bookings open on Monday 15^th July and can be made until Monday 29th July 2024. Parents and Caregivers will be able to book Parent Student Teacher Interviews in the Compass Parent Portal.

Maria Peck
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - LEARNING AND TEACHING

FIRSTS NETBALL TEAM SHINES AT QISSN

Our Firsts Netball Team, consisting of Erin Day (Captain), Zyanne Bartlett (Vice Captain), Ashlyn Hoey, Jada Cafe, Chantelle Santo-Hero, Shahara Spratt, Anastacia Johnson, Ella MacPherson, Taelah Morgan, and Leah Cronin, recently competed in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools' Netball (QISSN) carnival in Townsville. These talented athletes showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout a challenging week of matches. Despite facing formidable opponents, our team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and resilience.

The team, led by Captain Erin Day and Vice Captain Zyanne Bartlett, kicked off the carnival with a win against St Joseph's Stanthorpe, securing a 19-15 victory thanks to standout performances by Anastacia Johnson and Erin Day. The momentum continued as they triumphed over St Catherine's Whitsundays with a score of 19-13, with Zyanne Bartlett and Ashlyn Hoey earning MVP honors for their exceptional play.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. The team faced a tough loss against St Michael's Merrimac, falling 13-17 despite strong efforts from Erin Day and Taelah Morgan. Another hard-fought match saw the team narrowly defeated by Calvary Christian College, 12-18, with Erin Day and Ella MacPherson being named MVPs for their perseverance and skill.

The team encountered further setbacks with losses against Gilroy Santa Maria College (17-20) and St James Lutheran College (15-25), though Taelah Morgan, Chantelle Santo-Hero, Zyanne Bartlett, and Erin Day were recognised for their outstanding contributions. In a thrilling game against St Anthony's, the team clinched a 17-14 victory, with MVPs Taelah Morgan and Ella MacPherson leading the charge.

As the finals approached, the team faced Southern Cross in the quarter-final, where they fought valiantly but ultimately lost 21-8. Ella MacPherson and Shahara Spratt were commended for their efforts. The semi-final match against Calvary Christian College was a nail-biter, ending in a draw at full time and resulting in a 17-15 loss in extra time. Erin Day and Ashlyn Hoey were once again pivotal in the team's performance.

The grand final against St John's Roma was a true thriller. The match ended in a heartbreaking one-point loss, decided by a last-second penalty shot. Ella MacPherson, who was on fire in the shooting circle, was deservedly voted MVP by both teams.

A standout performance came from our captain, Erin Day, who was rightfully awarded the Player of the Carnival for her outstanding efforts and leadership throughout the event.

Off the court, the team bonded over shared experiences and created lasting memories. They visited the Strand, enjoyed ice cream outings (twice), and tackled a challenging escape room together. The girls also watched the State of Origin on the big screen with the Firsts' Football boys, adding to the camaraderie and excitement of the week.

They enjoyed a fun-filled team dinner at the Dalrymple Hotel Steakhouse, where memories, laughter, and presentations were shared. The girls presented cards and gifts to our dedicated volunteers - Emma Systa (manager), Andrew Butler (chief cheerleader and the best bus driver ever), Morgan Day (acting coach), and Jordan Moy (coach). A special mention goes to Andrew Butler, whose spirited cheering and driving skills kept the team motivated and energised throughout the week.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the supporters who showed up to cheer the girls on. Your presence and encouragement made a significant difference and helped lift the team's spirits.

Congratulations to our Firsts' Netball Team on their admirable performance, sportsmanship, and the many unforgettable moments at QISSN!

Jordan Moy
FIRSTS NETBALL COACH

QISSRL CONFRATERNITY CARNIVAL

Our Firsts XIII rugby league squad competed at the QISSRL Confraternity Carnival over the school holidays in Townsville. The team had a great week placing 4^th in their division, but the week will likely be more remembered by supporters and players for the wet weather and extremely muddy fields.

The team were undefeated in their opening 3 Pool games and topped their Pool. The team had a dominant win in the Quarter-Final, before losing their Semi-Final to eventual champions, Aquinas College, Gold Coast. Below are the results from the 6 games for the week.

1. Pool game – Defeated Marist College, Emerald 12-4
2. Pool game – Draw against Villanova College, Brisbane 16-all
3. Pool game – Defeated St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 8-6
4. Quarter-Final – Defeated Assumption College, Warwick 26-6
5. Semi-Final – Lost to Aquinas College, Gold Coast 36-0
6. 3^rd place playoff – Lost to Holy Spirit, Mackay 16-14

At our Presentation Night, the following players received our annual awards:

• Player of the Carnival – Max Campbell
• Spirit of the Carnival – Warwick Kingham
• Rookie of the Carnival – Jesse Lavery
• Travis Green Memorial Players’ Player – Cooper Nibbs
• Captain’s Award – Max Campbell

The boys had a terrific week and no doubt, made memories they will never forget. To all our coaches who give up some much of their time coaching this squad, thank you for all your help throughout the week.

Gerard Webber
FIRSTS XIII MANAGER

INTERSCHOOL FORMAL HOSTED BY COLUMBA CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Thanks to Haydn Champion, Katelyn Crouch, and the staff who helped to organise a very successful formal with supporting team members. Our thanks to staff who assisted with set up, supervision, and clean-up- Maria Peck, Chistine O’Sullivan, Leanne Brandis, Dan Kyle, Donna Maxsted, Brooke Stevenson, Michael Ku, Madeleine Carter, Justine Pickering. We gratefully thank the CSPA and all our community providers for their support. We also thank our Charters Towers school community for sending their staff to help support with supervision. All attending students demonstrated exemplary manners and were a wonderful ambassador for their associated school!

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100 DAYS OF PREP

Thank you to Lara Burns, Mr Rodley Lane and visiting parents for supporting and leading in this Early Years celebration on Monday.

PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL CARNIVAL

Date:  Friday 26^th July

Time:  8:00am - 2:45pm

Venue: Columba Catholic College, Mt. Carmel Campus

Clothing: Students will be given a Columba Catholic College athletics singlet that they are to wear under their full College sports uniform including College hat.

Food:  CSPA canteen will be in operation during the day or students can bring their own food.

Students aged 9-12 years are to be dropped off and picked up from Mount Carmel on the day.  Students aged 5-8 years are to be dropped to the St Mary’s Campus as normal and will be bussed to and from Mount Carmel for their events.  Junior sprints and relays are scheduled to begin at 9:45am.

CCC Supporters are strongly encouraged to attend.

Schedule of Events:

NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS

On Friday, 19 July, the Columba Catholic College community came together to celebrate NAIDOC Day on the Mt Carmel Campus.  The theme for NAIDOC, this year, was Keep the Fire Burning:  Blak, Loud and Proud.  The event was well attended by visiting guests throughout the day including Fr Emmanuel, Catholic Education Office personnel and the members of the Queensland Police Service.

The day commenced with a liturgy.  Aunty Tanya Ault welcomed us all to country and her son, Zac Bond, performed a fire smoking ceremony.  In First Nations’ culture, smoke is a purifying force and an important ritual in preparing for ceremony.  We have a similar ritual  in our Catholic tradition when we burn incense during special masses. 

We also commissioned a message stick during our liturgy, joining hundreds of other schools and churches who have been a part of the National Message Stick relay, an initiative inspired by Pope John Paul II’s visit to Alice Springs in 1986.  During the Mass which was attended by First Nations’ people from all over Australia, he proclaimed:

“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.”

The message stick is a symbol of First Nations’ culture and it is a great privilege to be able to incorporate this symbol into our own liturgical celebrations.  The message stick will become for us, a symbol of the sacred Word of God.

Following our liturgy, the students participated in a variety of activities, including: craft, dance and didgeridoo, face painting, storytelling, bush tucker tasting and a variety of Indigenous games.  After sharing a special NAIDOC cake, our wonderful kitchen staff provided us all with a tasty morning tea of damper and a popular First Nations’ dish, Chop Chop, for lunch.

The children participated wholeheartedly in all the activities and had a fun-filled day of learning about First Nations’ culture.  Thank you to Ms Tassan, Ms Huen, and Ms Otto for all their hard work in planning and organising the day and to all the teachers and support staff who enabled such a big event to take place. 

Events like this truly exemplify out school motto, Be a Light to the World, as students and staff fully displayed the welcoming, hospitable and inclusive culture of Columba Catholic College.

Donna Maxsted
ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

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RIDE TO SCHOOL MORNING FOR THE SM CAMPUS

As part of the Towers Rush lead-in events Adventurethon are again running our very popular Ride 2 School mornings in 2024. Local Police and Charters Towers Council assist with Rides 2 School to help ensure the safety of participants so it would be fantastic if schools also contributed by helping get the message out to students and their parents to ensure we see good numbers of students ride. These events also provide a great opportunity for teachers to ride and interact with their students outside of the school confines and in a friendly communal atmosphere, something that can help build stronger bonds and understanding between students and teachers.

Additionally, in previous years we have noted that some students who would love to have participated were unable to do so because their bikes were not functional. To assist those students we are presently negotiating to try and provide some bike maintenance workshops to enable students to get their bikes working to a safe standard so that they are not excluded because they lack the knowledge and/or assistance to repair their bikes. We will provide more information about the workshops soon.

The Ride 2 School schedule for 2024 is:

Columba Catholic College, Central Primary School, Millchester State School – Tuesday 13^th August & Tuesday 3^rd September – Ride assembly point is the corner of My Leyshon Rd and Lister St.

Richmond Hill State School, Blackheath & Thornburgh College, All Souls – Wednesday 14^th August & Wednesday 4^th September – Ride assembly point is Charters Towers Airport

All rides commence at 7:00 am and have participants at the school by 8:30 am.

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

I trust that you have enjoyed the holiday period with your sons and daughters and that they are ready for another term.

You should have received your child/ren’s report card over the holiday period and this is generally a good time to discuss their academic results. Furthermore, it is a good opportunity to discuss areas needing greater focus and/or increased effort.

I had the pleasure of watching our Firsts' Rugby League and Netball teams over the first week of the holidays at the Confraternity Rugby League and QISSN carnivals. This year the carnivals were hosted in Townsville, with the girls playing out of the Murray Complex and the boys at the Brothers’ Leagues Club and Ryan Catholic College. Even though the weather was not particularly favourable for the boys rain wise, our students gave a good account of themselves. Luke Dagge, a partner with the My Fortress Financial group, and former student of the school, hosted both the girls and the boys at his facility on the Wednesday night to watch the State of Origin. Luke could not sing the praises of our students high enough and wished to convey the message that they were an outstanding group of young men and women.

This term the Boarders will be engaged in a myriad of weekend activities. As per usual, the weekend activities schedule will be emailed to parents and caregivers in a timely manner. 

This week, we had our Term 3 Boarder Parent Council meeting. It was great to discuss all matters related to boarding. This is a great forum for our parents and caregivers, and it is therefore timely to note that all Boarding parents and guardians are welcome to attend in the future.

Last weekend, both Girls’ and Boys’ Boarding assisted with the clean-up of the rodeo grounds. From all accounts that I have heard, they all did a sterling job. I would like to thank both Mrs Natalie Moody and Mrs Jarmey for enabling our students the opportunity to willingly serve the wider community.

On Friday 19th of July, the College hosted the Interschool Formal. The girls looked very elegant in their gowns and the boys most dapper in their suits. They all had a great time as they ate and danced the night away with their friends.  

Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks for choosing Columba to educate your child/ren. It is an honour and a privilege to be associated with such a fine body of young men and women.

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

BOOK WEEK ON THE SM CAMPUS

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV - BULLYING

Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, the research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying. 

Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe. Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour. 

In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it.

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 Bullying edition of SchoolTV
https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/bullying

Aleesha Watson
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR | REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST
COLUMBA CATHOLIC COLLEGE