Founder’s Day 2025: A Catholic Ladies College adventure
Prayer
Notices From The Deputy Principal
Victorian School Music Festival and Upcoming Music Events
Welcoming Our Visiting Educators from Taiwan
Bullying No Way: National Action week – 11th to 15th August
Spring Music Concert – Thursday 4 September 2025
Study without Stress
2025 NAPLAN Results
Duke of Edinburgh at St Columba's
Helping Children Develop Healthy Screen Habits
Year 7 2027 Applications Close this Friday 15 August
Enrolment Confirmation Reminder
ACC Mixed Netball Competition
Free Webinars for Parents & Carers: Supporting Teen Mental Health
Bullying: A Calm, Practical Guide for Parents
Important Dates
Principal's Message
Grandparents’ Day Breakfast
It was an absolute delight to welcome grandparents to the College to celebrate Grandparents’ Day. For many of our families, grandparents play a pivotal role providing support and care for their children and grandchildren. There was a tangible sense of pride in the room as grandparents and their grandchildren bonded over a delicious breakfast and shared stories. Our young people tapped into the wisdom of their elders, asking key questions about lessons learned along life’s journey. Some of these responses were shared, with a central theme emerging about connection and love for family. We are very pleased that this is an annual event on our College calendar.
Professional Learning for Leadership
It was a pleasure to welcome Brendan Spillane back to the College for a follow-up session to the one he provided for middle leaders in January. All staff were invited to attend this session, with a full house tapping into Brendan’s Leadership wisdom. The basic premise of leadership learning is that when the leader improves, everyone improves. The most rewarding and challenging part of leading is the work we do with people. Our role is to lift others to ensure the full flourishing of each member of our community. “Strong leaders turn concepts into tools”, and Brendan provided much food for thought as our formal and informal leaders reflect on their work with and for others at St Columba’s College.
Feast of the Assumption
This coming Friday, 15 August, we will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is the patronal feast for the Religious Sisters of Charity, chosen by their foundress, Venerable Mary Aikenhead. As a young child one of my clearest memories is of my mother reciting the rosary each night before going to sleep, a structured prayer time for a busy working mother. She had a particular devotion to Mary, that took me a long time to fully comprehend. In Mary, my mother recognised love, sacrifice, patience and gentle accompaniment – gifts I received abundantly from my mother. Mary’s life was lived as a “yes” to God, something I also now recognise in my own mothers’ life.
As we celebrate this feast day, and the Sisters of Charity, it is a relevant moment to reflect on the ways our lives are lived as a yes to God. In the homily this past Sunday, a reflection on the responsiveness of Abraham and Sarah to God’s action in their lives, my parish priest mentioned a book (now on my reading list), God of Surprises by Fr Gerard Hughes. Saying yes to God, as Mary did, means being alive to where God is present in our lives, and being prepared and open to respond to this gift. May this coming week offer a surprise God moment in your life.
Founder’s Day 2025: A Catholic Ladies College adventure
On the 31st of July, members of the student executive team travelled to Catholic Ladies College for their celebration day. We travelled over to CLC early in the morning to arrive in Eltham for their assembly. We met with their executive team and our counterparts to go through their day, learn about their school, see their grounds and how they celebrate Founders’ Day and the Sisters of Charity.
We attended their morning assembly and were able to see how Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity have left their incredible mark on the school. We listened to the story of Mary Aikenhead and how she was able to see a need in her community and respond to it, and how we can do the same by following her footsteps. We listened to Mrs. Stephanie Evans, their college principal, tell Venerable Mary Aikenhead’s story and how five of the sisters moved from Ireland to Australia in the 1840s and were able to continue their important work for those in the community, such as providing education to all.
We also listened to their guest speaker, Deirdre O’Donnell, who shared her story about growing up, being a working woman, and her relationship with both schools. Then we went and saw their school campus, not before some food, of course! And it was big to say the least. They informed us about their facilities, including a full Virtual Reality classroom, a dedicated art space, their year 11 and 12 common rooms, and also their large oval made with real turf. Finally, we were able to get to see some of the behind-the-scenes action of what happens in the afternoon, with the lip-sync battle, teacher dares and many other fun activities. Then we said goodbye after what only felt like minutes, and headed back off to St Columba’s.
This partnership has been longstanding with both schools for many years, due to both schools being founded by the Sisters of Charity, built in the charism of the wonderful woman, Venerable Mary Aikenhead herself. This connection to the Mary Aikenhead Ministries has allowed both colleges to work together on many projects throughout the years, such as leadership formation days, school feast days, reflection days, and school trips, both interstate and overseas. It is important to keep these connections as they provide us students with another support network of friends, teachers and staff who we can connect to and continue on the work of the sisters in our communities. It also means we can make many new friends, try many different things, and ultimately become a part of something bigger than all of us, the continuation of the legacy of the Sisters of Charity and Venerable Mary Aikenhead.
Overall, we all quite thoroughly enjoyed the day out, listening and having a look around CLC Eltham. We forged and strengthened many relationships with our friends, teachers and staff, and we look forward to collaborating with them in the future. We will also carry forward with us the strength and the good work that Mary Aikenhead has done, and will continue to follow in her footsteps and spread the good, just as she did.
Author: Reflections by Amelia U, Liturgy Captain & Martine E, College Co-Captain
Prayer
Prayer of Hope:
Heavenly Father,
We give thanks for providing us with the confidence to maintain this longstanding partnership between both St Columba’s College and Catholic Ladies College to continue throughout the ages, through being linked by your beloved Sisters of Charity and through Mother Mary Aikenhead. It has allowed us to form many friendships, help each other through times of need and create many lasting memories.
Thank you for allowing both places to continue the ministry of Mary Aikenhead by providing us both with support, guidance, and strength to recognise a need in the community and do something about it, like she did to help so many. We honour your gifts of courage and grace to work alongside many wonderful young women and make such an impact on the communities around us.
May we ask for your continued support to maintain this connection for many years to come, and allow the community and our bond as schools to grow stronger every day and the impact of our work to reach more people in the community who are struggling, and those who need it most.
We ask this through Venerable Mary Aikenhead, and in Jesus’ name.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Author: Mr Lance Jilbert, Head of Faith and Mission
Notices From The Deputy Principal
Fathers’ Day
In the lead up to this Father’s Day, let’s gather to honour the men who support, guide and inspire us. Our dads or special father-figures are invited, with their children, to a heartfelt breakfast celebration on Thursday 4 September. Expect delicious food and a few surprises to make the morning memorable. Please use this link to RSVP, for catering purposes, no later than Wednesday 27 August.
Laudato Si Action Group
At St. Columba’s College, sustainability is more than a goal — it’s a growing reality. As part of our new Food Technology facilities, the Laudato Si Action Group, with the support of funds from our Parent Engagement Committee, were able to purchase two Eco-5 FoodCyclers.
The FoodCycler is an innovative appliance that transforms food scraps into usable organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer which is perfect for gardens and pot plants. This closed-loop process not only reduces landfill waste but also gives back to the environment in a meaningful way.
The fertilizer is now available for purchase at just $5 a bag to our school community, with all proceeds going back into the Laudato Si Action Group’s sustainability projects. It’s an easy and affordable way for our school community to support green initiatives while enriching their own gardens.
Their project reflects our school’s commitment to ecological responsibility and care for creation. Support the planet and our College — grab a bag of Eco-5 fertilizer at Front Reception.
Grandparents’ Day Breakfast
On 31 July we were delighted to welcome our students and their grandparents to our annual Grandparents Day Breakfast. The event is always a highlight of our calendar, as it provides the opportunity for students to share their school with some of the most important people in their lives. Over breakfast, our guests connected with staff and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren in a relaxed and joyful setting. Students had the opportunity to ask some questions of their grandparents and glean some wisdom from their responses. We are deeply grateful to our community for the incredible support and wisdom that grandparents offer. Thank you to all who joined us this morning and to the staff and students who made the occasion so special.
A special thanks to our VETEvents students who supported this event by helping with the preparations the day before and by arriving bright and early to assist on the morning of the breakfast. Their efforts are very much appreciated.
St. Columba’s Day holds a special place in our calendar — a time to come together as a community to celebrate our shared identity and honour the legacy of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity.
A key focus of the day is raising funds and/or goods for our House Partners and the Sisters of Charity Foundation, in support of their — and our — mission to serve those living on the margins.
Congratulations to our Student Executive, House Leaders, and all staff and students on the outstanding success of the day, raising a total of $6920.75, a significant increase from $4165.34 in 2024. We also appreciated the many donations we received from families – thank you so much!
Funds raised by each House and for the Sisters of Charity Foundation were as follows:
Bruton: $654.73
Cahill: $1200.45
Cater: $1079.64
Cunningham:$264.47
De Lacy: $717.83
O’Brien: $494.07
Williams: $1168.75
Sisters of Charity Foundation: $1340.58
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this meaningful day.
2026 Student Executive Applications
A reminder that current Year 10 and 11 students have the opportunity to apply for the following roles for 2026:
College Co-Captain (Yr 11 only)
House Captain (Yr 11 only)
Liturgy Captain
Justice Captain
Arts Captain
Environment Captain
Sports Captain
Student Wellbeing Action Team (SWAT) Captain
Applications will open on Monday 11 August and will close promptly at 9:00am Monday 25 August. Late applications will not be accepted.
Students aspiring to leadership were invited, by our current Student Executive team, to attend an information session about these leadership roles. The team provided valuable advice and tips to their peers.
Student leadership plays a vital role in our school community. It offers young people the chance to:
build confidence through public speaking and decision-making;
develop key skills like communication, teamwork, and time management;
foster responsibility and a strong sense of accountability;
enable positive impact on school culture and student voice; and
enhance future opportunities with valuable experience for resumes and applications.
We look forward to receiving many student leader applications to continue to build our College culture with the support of an enthusiastic Student Executive team.
PARENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE (PEC)
Every parent in our community is a member of the PEC and we welcome your involvement. If anyone is interested in joining the PEC or learning more about what we do you can join us in person or online – 7.30pm – meet.google.com/fij-hziu-ymk). Here are the PEC meeting dates and events planned for 2025:
We are excited to host this event again. We encourage you to put a table together of family members, friends and or colleagues and come along for a fun night. The PEC is hoping to raise funds to provide useful and fun resources for our students, so your participation would be valued and appreciated.
Our Alumnae Committee meet once per term on a Wednesday night between 7:00pm and 8:30pm. They are working hard to build the College’s connections to our former students so that our alumnae are able to remain in touch with each other and with the college, improving engagement with our staff and students, fostering lifelong relationships and a sense of belonging.
If you are an alumna and would like to become a member of the Alumnae Committee, please contact alumnae@columba.vic.edu.au.
Author: Ms Brigitte McDonald, Deputy Principal
Victorian School Music Festival and Upcoming Music Events
On Wednesday, 6 August 2025, both Junior and Senior Choir participated in two separate sections at the Victorian School Music Festival.
The Junior Choir received a Silver award for their performance in the Junior Secondary section. This is the first time for the Junior Choir to participate as a stand alone ensemble at the Victorian School Music Festival.
The Senior Choir received a Gold award for their exceptional performance.
Congratulations to both ensembles in their commitment to achieving such high standards in their performances.
Junior Choir student acknowledgements:
Anwesa A, Alyssa B, Mimi D, Eliza E, Sienna F, Charlotte H, Senudi K, Sarang K, Sofia M, Charlotte M, Imogen R, Mila R, Natalie S, Alannah V, Lucy W
Senior Choir student acknowledgements:
Annie J, Sienna A, Zee E, Charlotte M, Sophia S, Elizabeth P, Charlotte P, Taylah R, Hannah T, Mariana V
On behalf of the Music Department and students, we would like to thank Ms Felicity Baldock for her efforts and commitment in building the Choral program at St Columba’s College.
A special mention to Mr Ed Chan for his musical skills in accompanying the both Choirs.
This week, the Chamber Choir will be participating in the Monash Youth Festival on Monday, 11 August 2025. Under the direction of Mr Chan, they will be performing two contrasting pieces as an a cappella vocal ensemble.
Following this is the College String Orchestra performing at the Victorian School Music Festival – Orchestra section at Hawthorn Arts Centre on Tuesday, 12 August 2025. This will be the first time the College String Orchestra participates at the Victorian School Music Festival. Best of luck to Miss Fogarty and the String ensemble at the upcoming festival.
Author: Ms Pei Sun Lai, Music Programs Leader
Welcoming Our Visiting Educators from Taiwan
On Tuesday 5 August, St Columba’s College had the pleasure of welcoming a group of visiting teachers from Taiwan, thanks to a collaboration with RMIT. Their visit was a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange, professional conversations, and sharing our passion for innovative teaching.
Throughout the day our guests immersed themselves in life at St Columba’s, visiting classrooms, talking with staff about pedagogy and curriculum design, and exchanging ideas about teaching and learning. They were especially interested in how we integrate STEAM and digital learning and in our commitment to culturally responsive teaching.
As they observed lessons, our visitors were struck by our students’ confidence and curiosity, and by the warm welcome they received in every classroom they entered.
Hosting our Taiwanese colleagues was both an honour and a powerful reminder of how much we grow as educators when we share ideas, listen to new perspectives, and look beyond our own borders. We’re proud to be part of global conversations that connect educators, inspire students, and enrich communities and we’re excited to continue building our connection with RMIT.
Author: Ms Sandra Boicos, Emerging Innovations Leader
Bullying No Way: National Action week – 11th to 15th August
This week is Bullying No Way: National Action week – Australia’s bullying prevention initiative for schools. The theme this year is “Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up” – a call to students, schools, families and communities to be bold and say something, be kind and support others, and be proud to take a stand against bullying.
Bullying is everyone’s responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate.
Cyberbullying is quickly becoming more prevalent than ever before. 44% of young Australians report having a negative online experience in the last 6 months, this includes 15% who received threats or abuse online. Parents can play a key role in preventing and responding to cyberbullying by monitoring their teens social media use and understanding how to respond/report cyberbullying. See the following links for more information.
Author: The College Wellbeing Team
Spring Music Concert – Thursday 4 September 2025
Join us on Thursday 4 September in the College Hall for an evening of outstanding student performances celebrating the talent, dedication, and passion of our young musicians.
Throughout the night, there will be raffles and prizes on offer – so be sure to bring along some cash and get involved. All funds raised will go directly towards supporting and enriching the College Music Program.
Come along, enjoy the music, and help us continue to nurture creativity and excellence in our students:
The Study without Stress program equips students with knowledge and practical tips on how to approach and overcome stress associated with heavy workload and exams in the final years of secondary school. The College Counsellors are offering this program to current year 10 and 11 students, the program will commence later this term and will be run during the school day. This is an excellent opportunity for students to develop essential knowledge and practical tips to overcome stress and prepare for year 12. Please see attached flier for more information. Contact Rebecca Pratt 9331 9163 for more information or to register your child.
Recently, the NAPLAN Results were released. The reports allow us to monitor student academic achievement and provides the College with information on how we can further develop our curriculum planning.
We are pleased to announce that 98% of our students in year 7, and 97% of our students in year 9, are meeting the national standard for literacy and numeracy. Furthermore, approximately 20-30% of our students in year 7 are in the Exceeding range, which indicates that they are working at ‘above standard’ for their literacy and numeracy skills. In addition, 15-25% of our year 9 students are also in the Exceeding range. Another report provided for schools is the strand group report, which provides an estimate of literacy and numeracy based on previous achievement. In year 7, all literacy reports were ‘as expected’, with the numeracy reports showing ‘higher than expected’ in number and algebra. In year 9, all literacy and numeracy scores were ‘as expected’.
You might recall that three years ago, the VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) changed the way reported on NAPLAN, specifically changing the criteria. The following table provides some information regarding how the performance level at St Columba’s College has changed over the last three years.
Additionally, this year NAPLAN has provided schools with a relative growth report which compares a student’s 2025 results with the test they completed in 2023. The following table is a breakdown of the data.
Both tables clearly show that literacy and numeracy data is increasing at the college and that the majority of our students show either medium or high growth for each of the five NAPLAN tests. It is a credit to each student who has shown dedication to their studies. We also would like to acknowledge the teachers who have helped the students with their literacy and numeracy skills.
All parents and guardians should now have received their NAPLAN results through the mail for the testing that was held in March earlier this year. If you have not received your child’s results, require support in understanding the results, or would like to have a conversation about NAPLAN, please contact our Performance and Growth Leader, Brad Taylor.
Author: Mr Brad Taylor, Performance and Growth Leader
Duke of Edinburgh at St Columba's
The College has 15 students who are actively involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 12 students who are working their way through the Bronze award and 3 completing the Silver Award. The participants need to complete hours for each section, being Voluntary Service, Skills and Physical Recreation as well as an Adventurous Journey supervised by the College. Mietta S has nearly completed her Silver award, only 3 hours of voluntary service to go. Harriet C and Sapphira R have nearly completed their Bronze award with just a few hours outstanding for Physical Recreation and Voluntary Service. The rest of the participants are well on their way to completing their awards.
Here is some of their evidence for completion of their hours:
Reading more than 10 novels in 3 months for skills
Scoring tennis matches at her local club for Voluntary Service
Stuffing Trauma Teddies for a local Red Cross Branch for Voluntary Service
Cooking healthy meals for families, service at local and regional charities and cake decorating are other examples of activities being undertaken.
Author: Mrs Joan Dillon OAM, Alumnae Coordinator
Helping Children Develop Healthy Screen Habits
In our digital world, screens are part of everyday life – but how, when, and why we use them matters just as much as how long we use them. This article explores practical ways to model healthy digital habits for children, from creating regular screen-free moments to using technology in positive, purposeful ways. By setting the example and engaging fully when you’re together, you can help your child build a balanced and mindful relationship with technology.:
Year 7 2027 Applications Close this Friday 15 August
Do you have a daughter currently in Grade 5 and wish to enrol her at St Columba’s College?
Online applications for Year 7 2027 are closing this Friday. Please ensure you submit an application, even if you already have another child at College.
Applications for Enrolment close on Friday, 15 August 2025
Offers of Enrolment will be mailed on Friday, 17 October 2025
Offers of Enrolment must be accepted or declined by Friday, 7 November
The Enrolment Application and further information can be found on the College website.
Author: Mrs Tammy Colson, Registrar
Enrolment Confirmation Reminder
2026 Confirmation of Enrolment
A reminder to please complete your child(ren)’s 2026 Confirmation of Enrolment form, which has been sent to each family via Direqt Message (DM).
This information is essential for the College’s forward planning, particularly regarding staffing and resource allocation for the upcoming year.
Kindly ensure the form is completed by Friday 15 August, even if your child will not be returning to St Columba’s College in 2026.
Consent2GO Update Reminder
We kindly ask that you review and confirm your contact details, emergency contacts, your child’s photo permissions, and medical information. Ensuring this information is accurate is crucial for the College to provide appropriate care and support for your child.
Author: Mrs Tammy Colson, Office Manager
ACC Mixed Netball Competition
Now in our second year participating in the ACC Mixed Netball Competition, our Year 9 and 10 students once again joined St Bernard’s College for a full day of round robin matches. It was a wonderful chance to showcase teamwork, skill, and community spirit. A great day had by all! 🏐💛
Author: Ms Shellie Murton, Sports Administrator
Free Webinars for Parents & Carers: Supporting Teen Mental Health
We know that parenting a teenager can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to their mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we’re inviting parents and carers to attend our upcoming free mental health webinars, designed to provide practical tools, strategies, and insights to help them support the young people in their lives.
Co-delivered by a clinical psychologist and a youth lived experience advisor, these webinars will explore:
Understanding mental health in adolescence, including insights from the Future Proofing Study
What is mental health, and when to be concerned
Key strategies to support adolescents
Having the conversation – what to say and how to create a supportive environment
Getting help – health professionals, online and digital support for parents and adolescents
Promoting healthy habits – including building connections, sleep, and screen use
The reality is sobering: Australian children face some of the highest bullying rates in the developed world, with 7 out of 10 kids aged 12-13 experiencing harassment within a year—worse than nearly every other English-speaking country we’re compared to. International studies rank us among the worst performers alongside only a handful of nations. And evidence shows bullying starts in Early Learning Centres and continues right through school. It’s not isolated to one age group, or one identity. Bullying is a huge challenge in every learning context throughout this country.
Dr Justin Coulson offers a calm, practical guide for parents to recognise and respond to bullying. Covering the different types of bullying, how to start open conversations with your child, and steps to work effectively with schools, this resource provides clear, compassionate strategies to support children—whether they are experiencing bullying or engaging in it.
