Principal's Message
Welcome Back
It has been a pleasure to welcome back students, staff and families to the 2025 school year. Students have settled well into learning routines, and classrooms across the College are focussed and engaged.
We are fortunate indeed to have commenced learning programs in the Foxford Innovation Centre. This project was completed three months ahead of schedule, which has allowed us to deliver curriculum programs earlier than anticipated. A reminder that we have an open afternoon on Friday 28 February from 3.15pm to 5.00pm for any families interested in visiting this new College facility.
Mission and Purpose of Catholic Schools
During our professional learning program to commence the school year, staff members spent some time reflecting on the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) paper “Life to the Full: The Mission and Purpose of Catholic Schools in Australia”. in particular, we discussed two questions:
“Every Catholic school exists to propose to their students the religious and moral beliefs underlying a life-giving Catholic vision”
- How does our school share a life-giving Catholic vision with students, staff and the wider community?
“Catholic schools form individuals to flourish and live good lives, and to contribute to building a just and healthy society”
- How does our school community promote the importance of individuals contributing to the building of a just and healthy society?
It was heartening to read staff reflections. This is a small sample:
- We provide parent information nights and wellbeing information sessions. We are challenged as individuals to be the face of God – to show care and love for one another.
- Commencing our meetings in the presence of God.
- Give the students, staff, and community sense of hope and self-belief. Important values such as justice, truth, honour are imparted through education systems and the example we set as fellow humans.
- Sharing the story of Mary Aikenhead Ministries, College masses Religious Education, promoting social justice, celebrating St Columba’s Day, supporting charities through house fundraising, immersion trips.
- A consistent message at assemblies, school mass, inviting people from the Catholic community, such as the representatives from MAM, special guests, to inform and inspire the community. Reaffirming our connection to tradition. Social Justice programs and Religious Education. Outreach programs such as the Bahay Tuluyan, Charity Run, tutoring. A community of faith expressed by masses with other Catholic schools.
- Offer a range of experiences through the curriculum, co-curricular and school community. Acknowledgement of individuals efforts and achievements through school notices, newsletters, assemblies, etc.
- We are a community that emphasises the importance of action, rather than just words and ideas. Roles such as the environmental steward, student leadership, classroom teachers encouraging conversations about justice, understanding marginalisation, challenging the status quo, when it excludes groups of people from full participation in society. Leadership structure allows staff with a passion to take on leadership roles and bring new and innovative ideas to the school community.
- Much of our work and programs are outward looking. Goals of pastoral programs are to address a just and healthy society. Looking inward and then taking these key skills, information and responsibilities to the wider community beyond StCC. We offer a rich justice program that enables students to get involved in a variety of ways.
- The Mission and Purpose of a Catholic School is alive and well at St Columba’s College.
Wellbeing at St Columba’s College
Under the Leadership of our Head of Students, Nakkita Egan, the College Wellbeing Leaders have worked to develop and define our Wellbeing Pillar, identifying what is important within our context in supporting student wellbeing. This was introduced to all staff at the beginning of the year.
One element of the pillar is the use of positive pastoral notes which serve to affirm student behaviour that supports the learning and community environment we aim to sustain at the College. More on the Engage Pillar and positive pastoral notes will be shared with you across the year.
