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Columba Catholic College Newsletter Volume 27 No.16 21 November 2024

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Friends of Columba Catholic College.

“ If you give hope to someone who is only experiencing despair, support when they feel they are totally alone, self-belief and affirmation when everything seems impossible; you have changed the world for that person. For them, you have been a light to the world” (Father Will Brennan; Mt Carmel Awards Night Speech 2024)

The inspirational words quoted above were spoken by Father Will Brennan during his Opening Address at our Mt Carmel Student Awards Evening on Tuesday 12th November at The World Theatre. Father Brennan’s message highlighted that we all have the power to change the world for others- it is in our actions, for good or for bad, that can change the world. Jesus calls us to be positive role models to others, embodying His teachings of love, faith, and service. Through our actions and words, we are invited to reflect His light in the world, demonstrating Courage, Commitment, and Compassion in all that we do. Our College values were beautifully highlighted by Madison Jesberg and Adam Brandis via their College Captains' Reflections (see below) at our Mt Carmel Awards Evening. Our College Captains have kindly given their permission for me to post their speech inside this newsletter and I encourage everyone to read their eloquent words.

Thank you to our staff who supported our Mt Carmel Awards Evening and we congratulate our student award recipients. Each accolade reflects the hard work and dedication not only of our students but also of our talented teachers and staff. We thank them for nurturing the minds and spirits of our students. We thank our parents for their support and partnership with our College. A special thank you to Father Emmanuel, Father Will Brennan, Maria Peck, Ben Naughton, Christine O’Sullivan, Dan Kyle, Megan Lucas, Katelyn Crouch, Kalinda Large, Gina Porter, Tonya Burgoine, Clare Stead, Nita Dixon, Cec Louk, Phil Capewell and team, and Megan Cundell. Thank you to our sponsors, our Townsville Catholic Education team members, Our College Board, Our CSPA, The World Theatre, our students, families, staff, community members and our visiting special guests. Our appreciation to Michael Barker-Hicks for arranging the stunning Visual Arts display that was showcased in the foyer. Congratulations to our staff receiving their Service Awards - Cecilia Louk (15 years), Robert (Darky) Abdy and Yvonne Streeter (25 years), Jo-Anne Thompson and Andrew Butler (40 years). Thank you to our students who performed beautifully at our Awards Evening; Anant Pujar, Lilly Lavery, Andrew Scharf, and Grace Taylor.

Last week we honoured our Year 12 Graduates and congratulated them for their completion of their Secondary education. Our Year 12 Students enjoyed the annual ‘Big Day Out’ in Townsville. On Thursday 14th November, we gathered as a Columba community for the Year 12 Final Assembly where our Year 12 students returned the symbols of their leadership, passing them onto the Year 11 student leaders for 2025. Our thanks to Christine O’Sullivan for her leadership and coordination of this moving Final Assembly, highlighting our 2024 Religious Theme of ‘Goodness, Love, and Mercy’. Our appreciation to Andrew Butler, Gina Porter, and Yvette Cassidy for the beautiful theme song performed at this assembly.

Later that day we gathered for a spiritual and moving Year 12 Liturgy where we listened to scripture and reflected on being mission-focused followers of Christ. God’s ‘Goodness, Love and Mercy’ will always be with us, guiding our journey. The procession of symbols was a moving part of the liturgy. This special day concluded with our College Year 12 Graduation Dinner where we celebrated as a Columba Catholic College community. Special thanks to Christine O’Sullivan, Haydn Champion, Katelyn Crouch, our CSPA for the drinks and supporting the bar, and Tonya Burgoine and our students who helped with the delicious food.

As we celebrate the achievements of our Year 12 Graduates, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey each student has undertaken. This year has been filled with challenges, growth, and remarkable accomplishments. Our graduates have not only grown academically but they have also demonstrated our College values of Courage, Commitment, and Compassion. They have been shining examples of our school’s mission, embodying the spirit of service and leadership that Jesus calls us to uphold. Our Religious focus for 2024 is ‘Goodness, Love, and Mercy’. These pillars will be firm foundations for our Graduates as they go out into the world. As they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, I encourage them to carry forward the lessons learned and the friendships forged during their time at our College. Remember, you are equipped to make a positive impact in the world, and we are proud of the role you will play in shaping the future. Congratulations, Class of 2024! We look forward to seeing all the wonderful things you will achieve.

Last Friday we participated in the Inter School Volleyball Gala hosted at BTC. Our thanks to Nathan Juhas, Andrew Butler, Louise Duffin, Tom McFarlane, Jordan Moy, and Emma Systa, who supported this event and congratulations to our students involved. On Sunday 17th November we held a ‘Transition to Boarding’, hosting some prospective Residential students. Our thanks to Dan Kyle, Caroline Jarmey, Natalie Moody, and our Residential team for their support. Our ‘Year 7 Transition Day’ and ‘Year 7 2025 Parent Information Evening’ was successfully held on Monday 18th November. Our thanks to Maddi Carter and staff who supported this event and our appreciation to our Subject Leaders who shared information regarding their curriculum area. Out thanks to Michael Ku for hosting the Columba 2025 China Trip Information Evening on Tuesday evening. This is a wonderful example of the growth and development of our College experiences offered to our students.

On Wednesday 20th November we hosted a College BBQ to thank our Sport Coaches and Volunteers at our Mt Carmel Campus pool area. We greatly appreciate the time and effort given to our students and College by our Sport Coaches and Volunteers. Recently we held our last College Board meeting for 2024. Our appreciation to Rohan Dixon, Father Emmanuel, Colleen Young, Stacey Kirkwood, Ted Harrington, Ben Naughton and Megan Cundell for sharing their wisdom this year as College Board Members. Last week we held our last CSPA meeting for 2024. Our sincere thanks to our CSPA for their support of our College. The CSPA has worked tirelessly to fundraise for our College this year and we have been blessed with new resources, including but not limited to; refrigerators in our Primary classrooms, a new bus shelter (to be installed in December), support of swimming lessons, College scholarships, and support of College activities such as OptiMINDS. We thank the CSPA Executive Committee Erin Bryant, Fiona Murray, Corinna Gleeson, and Kate Phillipson and all CSPA members for their support.

Over the next few weeks we will focus on preparing for special events such as the Prep Christmas Concert, our St Mary’s Awards Afternoon, the Year 6 Rite of Passage, Primary Step-Up Day, Carols on the Green and our final Thanksgiving Liturgy. Please keep an eye on the College 'What's On’ for dates and times of events. We also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2025 Primary Student Leaders on their appointment. Thank you for your kind support and donations for the College Christmas Appeal. The food hampers will be delivered to Prospect and St. Vincent de Paul closer to the end of term, and we are still taking donations at each campus.

Our 2024 Strategic Report is posted below, and we have much to celebrate as a College community due to the combined efforts of every single individual. Together we will continue to build on these achievements in 2025 with our focus on our College Mission, Catholic values, and strategic objectives. Thank you for your support as we grow together in faith, purpose, and knowledge.

Many blessings,

Jacqueline McNalty
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

2025 PRIMARY STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

With less than three weeks until Christmas holidays commence, there is much excitement in the air for all! Below is a snapshot of some of the key happenings and events in Term 4:

World Mission Month: In Weeks 4 (MC campus) & 5 (SM campus), we celebrated World Mission Month with whole campus liturgies, the Annual House Money Lines Competition, Crazy Sock Day, a bake sale and soccer games with Father Emmanuel. Thank you also to John Duiker, Townsville Diocesan Director of Catholic Mission, who joined us for the SM soccer game. Congratulations to Benjamin House who raised the most money and Polding who led the way with the longest money line. Both campuses raised over $1025.95 for Mission Month, which will support the Mongolian Church to further develop life-changing projects on the ground and provide a helping hand to our brothers and sisters most in need.

Liturgies, Masses and Prayer: This term, we celebrated the McAuley House Mass at St. Columba’s Parish on Saturday 12^th November. On Friday 1^st November, as part of the Day of Prayer Across the Diocese, we focused on the Feast of All Saints and I led Christian Meditation across both campuses. We also marked Remembrance Day with special liturgies across both campuses and then played ‘The Last Post’, followed by a minute’s silence and then ‘The Rouse’. Father Emmanuel have also celebrated Mass with the Year 8 students and will celebrate Mass with Year 10 students next week. In the coming weeks, both campuses will end the term with Thanksgiving Liturgies. These are special liturgies when we reflect on all that we are grateful for throughout the year and farewell and bless students and staff who are leaving the College. We also hand over our Christmas hampers to the ladies at Prospect and St. Vincent de Paul. A truckload of hampers will be delivered to Prospect at the end of term and given out to needy people in our local and wider community. We thank students, families and staff for their Catholic generosity. Each Friday this term, our incoming Senior Student Leaders have led Staff and Student Prayer in the MC Chapel. We thank them for stepping up and leading in this important area.

Year 12 Final Assembly: On Thursday 14^th November, all Year 12 students gathered in the Iona Centre for their Final Assembly. This is a special assembly where the incoming Year 11 Senior Student Leaders are called forth and current Year 12 Senior Student Leaders hand over the symbols of their leadership and our founders to them. There is a blessing of the graduating class and then the Year 11 students form a guard of honour as our Year 12 students depart. The theme of the liturgy was ‘Goodness, Love and Mercy’, and following on with our College tradition, Mr Butler played the guitar, and Ms Cassidy and Mrs Porter sang ‘Goodness, Love and Mercy’ which has been our Religious Theme Song for 2024. Following this Final Assembly, our Year 12s rang the school bell, walked through an arch, formed by students and staff, from the administration block to the Library stairs, and then chanted the College war cry. There was certainly a lot of Columba pride and some tears flowing as we said goodbye to the Year 12s.

Graduation Liturgy: On the evening of Thursday 14^th November, Year 12 students, together with their families, gathered in the MC Dining Room for the Graduation liturgy. The theme of this liturgy was also ‘Goodness, Love and Mercy’. Students were presented with lanterns, and they used these to light the way for their families and friends as they walked through a guard of honour leading out onto the basketball courts at the end of the liturgy.

EREA Leadership Conference: Final preparations are being made for our 2025 College Captains, Layla Ford and Callum Bartschat, to attend the Edmund Rice Education Australia Conference in Brisbane in January. This is a leadership conference where they will have the opportunity to meet and engaged with students from Edmund Rice schools around the nation.

Coming Events: Over the next few weeks, we will have the Primary Awards Afternoon and the Year 6 Rite of Passage. At both events, students, staff and families will engage in special liturgies.

In January 2025, the new College Prayer will be rolled out with all College staff. This prayer will be used at Assemblies, in meetings and included on all school documentation. Framed versions of the new College Prayer and the former College Prayer will be hung in the Chapels, Dining Rooms, Boarding and Office Foyers. Each staff member will be given a framed version of the new College Prayer which they can keep in their workspace/office or on a prayer table. All teachers of Religious Education will be provided with resources that they can use in their classes for the first 3 weeks and this will enable students to develop an understanding of what the prayer is about. The official launch of the new College Prayer will be at the Opening Celebration of the Word and Induction of Student Leaders in February 2025.

Curriculum: Throughout 2024, we have been using new units from Prep through to Year 9. New assessment tasks have been developed and Religious Education teachers are finalising Scope and Sequence documents before the end of the year. These documents are important planning tools to guide teaching and learning in the coming year. This year, Maddi Carter and Yvette Cassidy have been teaching the new Religion and Ethics program and I thank them for all of their hard work in this area. Andrew Butler and I have also delivered the Certificate II in Active Volunteering, with all students achieving their certification and 4 points towards their QCE. Thank you to all Primary and Secondary teachers of Religious Education for their dedication in this subject area this year.

Advent and Christmas 2024: Advent 2024 begins on 1^st December. Our Religious Education teachers have focused on Advent and Christmas in their final units, and Advent liturgies have been conducted in some classes and during Assembly. During the four-week period of Advent leading up to Christmas is a time of preparation and expectant waiting for the birth or Nativity of Jesus and return at the Second Coming. During this time of spiritual preparation for Christians, we are reminded of the sacred or real meaning of Christmas. Wherever you find yourselves over the Christmas period, I hope you spend quality time with family and loved ones, that you reflect on the goodness in your lives and that you look to the future with hope.

Christmas Mass Times: Mass will be celebrated at St. Columba’s Parish on Christmas Eve at 6.00pm and on Christmas Day at 8.30am.

Have a happy, holy Christmas with your loved ones.

God Bless.

Christine O'Sullivan
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

RESIDENTIAL NEWS

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Students,

At the time of writing this article, the Residential students can see the finishing line. At the end of next week, the Secondary students will be home with their parents and caregivers. The holidays will be a good time to recharge the bio-batteries for 2025.

Last week the school hosted a number of very important College events including Awards Night, Year 12 Big Day Out, Boarders’ Final Chapel and Kris Kringle, Year 12 Boarders’ Dinner and Graduation. It was a huge week in terms of effort by the College staff. A special thanks to Mrs Jarmey and Mrs Moody for their efforts in ensuring that the Year 12 Boarders’ Final Dinner, Chapels and Kris Kringle were meaningful and enjoyable occasions for all in attendance.

On Thursday 14 November, the College staff and continuing students said their final goodbyes to the Year 12s. The Liturgy and Graduation Dinner were well-planned and convened, and our thanks extend to Ms O’Sullivan (Assistant Principal – Religious Education and Mr Champion (Year 11 & 12 Pastoral Leader) for the roles they played in seeing the evening come to fruition. The young ladies looked very elegant in their gowns and the boys looked quite dapper in their suits. The Graduation Dinner was divine to the palate and from what I personally observed, everyone had a great time.

For the remaining students at the College, it is business as usual as they go about completing their final assessment agendas. I wish them all the success they deserve. When families receive their child/ren’s report cards, it will provide the opportunity to ascertain where their child/ren are currently at academic wise. It will also provide the platform for discussing areas needing further attention in order for them to achieve their potential.

As the term draws rapidly to an end, parents are reminded to please contact the relevant Head of Boarding to discuss your child/ren’s travel plans. Whilst on the subject of end of term travel, I feel it is important that children stay to the end of the term – leaving prior to get an early start to the holidays is something that the College does not endorse. Every day counts in realising one’s academic potential.

Finally, I would like to say goodbye to this year’s Seniors. It has been both an honour and a privilege to have played such a small part in your lives. I truly hope you leave this College with fond memories that will be etched in your minds forever. May you realise all your dreams! To their parents, I sincerely thank you for choosing and entrusting Columba to educate your child/ren.

Dan Kyle
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PASTORAL/RESIDENTIAL

IN THIS EDITION OF SCHOOLTV -A SPECIAL REPORT: SURVIVING CHRISTMAS

Many people see Christmas as a wonderful time of celebration and an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. However, there are some that view it as a time of stress and hardship. This may be due to a combination of things: financial pressures, relationship issues and, quite often, loneliness, making it a very challenging time.

Support organisations often report an increase in the number of calls from people seeking help due to their inability to cope during this time. If you, or a loved one, is finding that it is all too much, then it is important to reach out to a trusted friend, family member or medical professional.

In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of ideas on how to achieve a stress-free Christmas and where to seek help should you need it.

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

Here is the link to your special report:

https://columba.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/surviving-christmas-au

Aleesha Watson
GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR | REGISTERED PHSYCHOLOGIST

PRIMARY INTERSCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our school’s swimming team proudly represented us at the highly anticipated Primary Inter-School Swimming Carnival, held at the Millchester State School and Central State School pools. The event brought together skilled young swimmers from various schools, each determined to make waves and bring glory to their teams.

Our well-prepared Columba team arrived with enthusiasm and skill, showing off their hard work and dedication in every race. From start to finish, they delivered a series of ribbon-winning performances, earning accolades in both individual and relay events. Thanks to the depth of experience within our squad, every swimmer had the opportunity to showcase their talent. Under the guidance of our Swim Captains, Brodie Beatty and Owen Neilsen, our team displayed exemplary sportsmanship and leadership, setting a remarkable example for their peers.

The carnival was filled with thrilling races and personal achievements, as each athlete pushed themselves to beat their own records in speed and endurance. One of the day’s most exciting moments came during the relay events, where our speedsters—Brodie Beatty, Jessica Scharf, and Charlie Webb—delivered spectacular performances. They thrilled the crowd with their powerful finishes, overtaking competitors in nail-biting chases to the finish line.

By the end of the carnival, our CCC Primary Swimming Team proudly emerged as the overall points winners, capturing the coveted Bob Katter Trophy. This victory was a testament to our swimmers’ skills, unwavering determination, and the incredible team spirit they brought to each race. Their dedication to training and supporting one another truly shone through.

Special congratulations go to Flynn Bailey, Jessica Scharf, and Brodie Beatty, who were awarded the title of Age Champion for their respective age groups—a recognition of their outstanding performances throughout the day. A huge round of applause also goes to our Runner-Up Age Champions, Aiden Simpson, Isabel Webber, Owen Neilsen, and Jacob Gleeson, whose efforts contributed significantly to our team’s success.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the CSPA and parent coaches Desiree Beatty and Kate Scharf, for their generous support of the swimming program for Years 3-6. Their contributions have been invaluable, empowering our swimmers to achieve their full potential and represent our school with pride.