IONA 13

Spring Music Concert

This spectacular event once again highlighted the depth of musical talent within the student and staff community of our College. From VCE Music Solos to band and ensemble performances, the audience were treated to an evening of quality entertainment. Congratulations to Ms Pei Sun Lai, our Music Programs Leader, for her leadership of the music programs that give rise to dedicated and passionate musicians.

College Co-curricular Program

Co-curricular programs at the College enhance the classroom learning program across the curriculum. They offer opportunities for students to pursue their particular interests and passions, and provide a means to explore different types of learning. They also offer invaluable opportunities to create connection and belonging. Through the co-curricular program, students meet other students with similar interests, those who may be outside their social circles, and students in other classes, house groups or year levels. Connection and belonging are critical factors underpinning mental health and wellbeing and support all of us to foster a sense of purpose and identity. The Daily Notices, which you can find in SEQTA Engage, promote the various co-curricular offerings at the College. I encourage you to have a look at what our staff offer across the year, and encourage your child to tap into at least a couple of these activities each year.

Upcoming Social Media Ban for Under 16s

Following on from my article in the last edition of the IONA, I share this great piece with you, written by Jennifer Oaten, the Principal of a Catholic girls’ College in Western Australia. Her main thrust is that we must prepare and work together to support this timely and necessary change that has the wellbeing of our young people at its core. The article recognises the realistic challenges that families will confront in enforcing this ban with their children, and offers some useful approaches.

The following is an excerpt from her article:

Gradual Transition, Not Sudden Removal

Consider implementing a stepped approach over the coming months,

• Phase 1 (Now to September): Establish device-free times during meals and homework. Start small; even 30 minutes of disconnection can feel challenging initially.
• Phase 2 (September to October): Introduce “phone parking” hours where devices are placed in a central location. Begin exploring offline activities together.
• Phase 3 (October to November): Gradually reduce social media time. Help your child identify which platforms they use for genuine connection versus mindless scrolling.
• Phase 4 (December 2025): Support the transition to approved platforms and strengthen real-world connections.

Navigating Resistance with Compassion

Expect pushback. Expect “everyone else is still on it.” Expect “you are ruining my life.” These responses are normal and valid expressions of frustration. Here is how to respond,

• Acknowledge their feelings: “I understand you are upset. This is a big change.”
• Stay consistent: “The law applies to everyone under 16. This is not our rule, but we support it because we love you.”
• Offer alternatives: “Let us find other ways to stay connected with your friends.”
• Share the bigger picture: “This is temporary. When you are 16, you will have the maturity to navigate these platforms more safely.”

Fathers’ Day                                                              

On Thursday 4 September we celebrated the fathers and father figures of our St Columba’s College community with a delicious breakfast shared over coffee, conversation, and connection. It is always a special privilege to work with other staff and students to provide this opportunity for our community to celebrate important events.

It was wonderful to see so many families sharing time together, strengthening the special connection between home and school. Events like these remind us of the important role fathers and father figures play in shaping the lives of our students – supporting, encouraging and inspiring them each day. Students took part in a special activity, choosing a word that captured what their father or father figure means to them, filling the room with warmth and appreciation. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the staff and students who helped make the morning so memorable. 

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.

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:

• Tuesday 16 September
• Tuesday 14 October
• Tuesday 11 November
• Friday 14 November Year 7 2026 Parents Welcome

If you have any questions or feedback for the PEC, please contact us at parents@columba.vic.edu.au 

ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

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. 

Our Year 12 Ministry Retreat was a special two-day experience where five dedicated students lived out Mary Aikenhead’s call to bring the love of God to the poor and vulnerable through practical service and reflection.

Day One invited us to listen to the inspiring work of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, hearing first-hand how they walk alongside refugees and people seeking asylum. Moved by their mission, we put faith into action by cleaning and preparing an apartment for an asylum seeking family; a real and tangible way of creating a welcoming home. After returning to school for a reflection, we shared a meal at a social enterprise restaurant, supporting their mission while trying new foods. A social enterprise is a business that uses its profits to make a positive difference for people or the planet.

Day Two was filled with energy and purpose. We joined volunteers at Big Group Hug, helping to organise, sort, and pack Christmas gifts for children in need. The joy of giving, paired with Christmas music, reminded us of God’s call to be people of hope and generosity. We ended the retreat with lunch at another social enterprise, Salamatea, who exclusively hire refugees and asylum seekers new to Australia. We tried Persian food and reflected on how we can continue to serve in our everyday lives.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr Jilbert and Ms Saade for organising and accompanying us on this retreat.

One student reflected that “I realised that serving others doesn’t have to be grand — even small things bring joy and show God’s love.”

This retreat was more than two days away from school; it was a journey of faith, compassion, and mission. Our students stepped into the heart of Mary Aikenhead’s vision, becoming a light of God’s love for others.

The Year 8 Design and Technologies Materials & Systems class recently took on an exciting challenge: designing a prototype kennel for the College’s dog, Millie. Working individually, students followed the design process. They researched existing kennels, developed their own creative ideas, and produced technical drawings including both orthogonal and isometric views. After presenting their concepts in small groups in a formal critique session, they selected the strongest designs to build as cardboard prototypes using Make-do components. The final designs varied widely in size and shape, and Millie was more than happy to test them all.

The Spring Music Concert was a spectacular celebration of the vibrant musical life of our College. Families, friends, and staff were treated to an evening that showcased the remarkable depth of talent across our student and staff community.

From soulful Fleetwood Mac classics like The Chain to a lively Michael Jackson medley, from the raw energy of Queens of the Stone Age to the haunting tones of Billie Eillish, the program offered something for everyone. Audiences were treated to jazz brilliance with Herbie Hancock, the elegance of Chopin, and a nostalgic singalong to Teenage Dirtbag. The evening culminated in a show-stopping finale of Back on 74, which had the whole auditorium buzzing. Each performance highlighted not only technical skill, but also the creativity, passion, and joy our students bring to their music.

A heartfelt thank you to all staff who supported our students in preparing for this special event. Congratulations to all who performed, you should be very proud of what you achieved.

The evening was a testament to the role of music in bringing our community together, reminding us of the power of performance to inspire, uplift, and connect.

After several weeks of brainstorming, collaboration, rehearsals and excellent team work, our Year 7 and 8 L.E.A.P. students participated in the Tournament of the Minds competition at La Trobe University, Bundoora on Saturday 23 August. All 4 teams from St.Columba’s College entered in the ‘Language Literature’ division of the competition, with original and insightful interpretations of selected works from renowned Australian author, Shaun Tan. Our LEAP students demonstrated impressive creativity, innovative problem solving and an astute interpretation of Tan’s themes and characters. Their impressive performances and admirable conduct throughout the competition is a true credit to our school community. Well done, L.E.A.P. students! You made us all very proud!

In partnership with St Bernard’s College, the 44th Maribyrnong 150 Charity run (formerly the Bendigo 150) will take place on the Maribyrnong River Trail circuit between the Maribyrnong Road and Afton Street bridges. Since the beginning of term 3, we have held two training sessions per week to build fitness amongst our dedicated team of 51, in preparation for the event. Across the 12-hour event (4.00 am – 4.00 pm), each student will complete at least four laps of the 4 km circuit, working together to reach the collective goal of covering 150 km as a team.

Annual Charity Run Netball Match

Last Friday, St Columba’s and St Bernard’s came together for the annual Charity Run Netball Match. In a thrilling game that went down to the wire, St Bernard’s narrowly claimed victory, 16–15, after an intense final two minutes. Thanks to the generosity and spirit of our community, we raised $226 from our students/spectators, which will be donated to the Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre in Kenya.

Donations

Funds raised will support the Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre (Kenya) and the Ruben Centre (Embulbul, Kenya) which are longstanding partners of St Bernard’s and St Columba’s Colleges for this event. Donations will go directly towards education, teacher wages, resources, healthcare, and daily hot meals for students in these communities. Together, our schools continue Edmund Rice’s mission: offering a liberating education, building inclusive communities, and standing in solidarity with those in need. Support the Maribyrnong 150 and make a tax-deductible donation here.

The Essendon Rowing Club is running a Learn 2 Row Program across both weeks of the September holidays. Perfect for Year 8 students and above, the program is open to anyone keen to give rowing a go – no prior experience needed!

📅 Week One: 22–26 September, 8:30–10:30am
📅 Week Two: 29 September–3 October, 8:30–10:30am
💲 $80 for one week or $140 for both weeks

With expert coaching, hands-on sessions, and a welcoming team environment, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn a new skill, keep fit, and have fun on the water.

Spots are limited, so bookings are essential. For details and registration, visit www.essrc.com or email learn2row@essrc.com.

Soccer

On Tuesday 27 August, our students braved wet and windy conditions at the CGSAV competition. Despite the challenging weather, our teams showed great perseverance and spirit. The Juniors placed 3rd, the Intermediates finished 6th, and the Seniors had a fantastic run to the grand final, finishing 2nd. A special congratulations to Layla C, who was named Best Player of the Match in the grand final – an incredible achievement! While the weather meant our Juniors and Intermediates missed out on a team photo, here ‘s a shot of our Senior team.

Have you ever noticed how, when you’re thinking about buying a certain kind of car, you suddenly see it everywhere? It’s not a coincidence. Psychologists call it selective attention—we tend to notice what we’re already focused on.

As parents, we do this with our children.

If you’ve had a rough day and your child is dragging their feet, mumbling, or rolling their eyes… you start seeing only those behaviours. Before you know it, every interaction feels like a battle. You expect the worst—and that’s all you see.

What you focus on grows. If we’re not careful, we can unintentionally reinforce the very behaviours we’re trying to change.

The Danger of “Pre-Agitated Parenting”

In a recent moment of less-than-ideal parenting, I found myself walking into the living room already annoyed—just because one of my daughters was there. She hadn’t done anything wrong in the moment, but it had been a rough day for us. We had endured some conflict. I was pre-agitated. Just seeing her brought back frustration and disappointment. My brain was viewing her through a clouded lens, scanning for faults and finding them… because that’s what I was looking for.

The result? Snarky comments. Escalating tension. A disconnection that neither of us wanted—but both contributed to.

So How Can We Do Better?

The good news is, we can turn this around. It starts with one powerful insight: If you look for the good, you’ll start to see it.

Even in challenging moments. Even with difficult behaviours. Our kids are more than their eye rolls and messy rooms. But we have to choose to notice the gold flecks—because they’re there.

Here are three practical strategies to help:

1. Change the Lens

Ask yourself: What’s one good thing I’ve noticed about my child today? Maybe it’s the way they helped a sibling. Or how they finally put their dish in the sink. Or just the way their eyes lit up when you walked into the room.

Write it down. Say it out loud. Let them hear it. Positivity is contagious—and when our kids feel seen for their good, they’re more likely to repeat it.

2. Avoid “Always” and “Never”

Statements like:

● “You always leave your stuff everywhere.”

● “You never listen.”

…are never true, and always harmful. They shut down conversations, create shame, and damage connection.

Instead, try:

● “I’ve noticed the room’s still messy—what’s your plan for cleaning it up?”

● “I feel like I’m not being heard right now. Can we try again?”

Focus on the behaviour, not the identity.

3. Fill the Bucket Before You Correct

Relationships are like buckets. The water in the bucket represents positive connection. The air is correction and direction. If the bucket is full of air (constant criticism) and no water (connection), it’s not a healthy relationship. We don’t tend to carry empty buckets around. So before you correct or direct, pause and ask:

● Have I connected with my child today?

● Have I spent time with them, laughed with them, listened to them?

If not, start there. Fill their bucket first.

See the Gold

There’s an old story about a young man looking for gold in a river. He wanted big nuggets—but only found small flecks in dirty rocks. He gave up… until a wise prospector showed him that those tiny flecks, collected steadily over time, are what real wealth is made of. Our children are like that.

Yes, they’re messy. Emotional. Confusing. And hard work. But if we look closely, we’ll see the glimmers of who they really are—kind, capable, resilient, funny, generous humans in the making.

You find what you’re looking for. Let’s look for the good.

Action Step for This Week: Each night, reflect on one gold fleck from your child’s day. Then tell them.You’ll be amazed at how it changes the tone of your relationship—and your home.

Fri 12 September – Marby Charity Run

Thu 18 September – End of Term Assembly

Fri 19 September – Year 12 Trial Exams Commence

Fri 19 September – Term 3 Ends