IONA 14

Welcome Back to Term 4

It has been a pleasure to welcome back students for the start of Term 4. The College will be a hive of industry and activity this term as semester 2 classes continue, students in years 9-12 prepare for exams, and as teachers begin to plan for our transition program which commences on 24 November. 

College Captains 2026

The election process for student leaders is a rigorous one. Students who apply for the College Co-Captain positions must provide a written application, addressing key selection criteria. This application, along with their student record, are considered before students are short-listed for interview. Those who progress to the next stage are interviewed by a panel of three – the College Principal, the Head of Students, and a member of the St Columba’s College Board, Ms Anne Young. From the interviews, students are short-listed to present their speeches to the College community, who then vote for the students they believe show the leadership qualities we are looking for in our Year 12 College Captains. It is my pleasure to announce that after undertaking this demanding process, Charlize Bellette and Tiana Ciavarella, are our College Co-Captains for 2026. Congratulations to Charlize and Tiana for the way they demonstrated their understanding of, and commitment to, the College values throughout this process. We look forward to working with them next year.

I would like to express my gratitude to Martine Eid and Jemma Moschini for their exemplary leadership this year. Their commitment to building and celebrating an inclusive school community has been outstanding.

College Reunion – For Graduates of Years ending in “5”

On Sunday 13 October, we proudly hosted alumnae who graduated from the College in 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015. It was enlightening to listen to stories about their time at the College, to hear their expressions of gratitude for the staff who were at the College at the time, and to appreciate the friendships formed in adolescence which have spanned decades. Thank you to members of our Alumnae Committee, and to Joan Dillon, who supported this event.

Loving and gracious God,
As we begin this final term of the year,
we pause to give thanks for the gift of Hope —
a light that guides us through uncertainty,
a promise that your love is always near.

In the spirit of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity,
may our Hope move us to action —
to see, serve, and stand with those who are poor, forgotten, or without voice.
Give us courage to bring comfort where there is struggle,
and to share joy where there is need.

As we live out our Preferential Option for the Poor,
open our hearts to listen deeply,
to recognise Christ in the faces of those who suffer,
and to walk alongside them with compassion, justice, and truth.
May our choices this term reflect your Hope made visible —
a Hope that includes, uplifts, and transforms.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4!

Welcome back to Term 4! As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we are excited for the many opportunities ahead for our students. This term will be filled with academic challenges, personal growth, and community engagement, as we continue to support each student’s journey. We encourage parents to stay connected with us, as your partnership is vital in helping our young people thrive. Let’s work together to make this term a successful and memorable one!

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025

Best wishes to our Year 12 students who are finishing formal classes this week. To date this term, the cohort has been really settled and working towards their final days of classes and their upcoming exams. This week, our aim is to celebrate them and their 6-year journey. We look forward to celebrating their Graduation with them on Monday 20 October.

STUDENT EXECUTIVE 2026 APPLICATION PROCESS

The Student Executive selection process is currently underway, marking an exciting time in the life of our College as we seek to identify and form our next group of student leaders.

This process invites students to reflect on their personal strengths, values, and the contribution they wish to make to our community. Through applications, interviews, and opportunities for discernment, students are encouraged to consider what it means to lead in the spirit of service, compassion, and integrity — qualities central to our Catholic faith and the legacy of Mary Aikenhead.

For students, the process itself is a valuable experience. It provides a chance to develop confidence, communication skills, and self-awareness, as well as a deeper understanding of leadership as service to others. Many find it to be a meaningful step in their personal growth and a highlight of their school journey.

For the College, this period is one of renewal and hope. It allows us to witness the emerging gifts and talents of our young people and to continue building a culture where student voice, responsibility, and care for others are at the forefront of our community life.

We look forward to announcing our 2026 Student Executive Team in the coming weeks and celebrating the leadership potential that flourishes within our College.

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 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. 

On Friday 12 September, our College community came together for the 44th running of the Marby150 in partnership with St Bernard’s College. From the early 3:30 am start at the Essendon Rowing Club to the famous “staff lap,” it was incredible to see so many students pushing themselves and supporting one another. The Marby150 isn’t just about the kilometres covered, it’s about resilience, teamwork, and the spirit of both of our college communities. Together, we raised over $9,000 for the Ruben Centre located in Mukuru slums of Nairobi for Edmund Rice Tutoring.  Thank you to everyone who participated, cheered, or helped make the day a success. What a tradition to be proud of!

On the 3rd of September, we had the Junior CGSAV Netball Competition. We took 3 junior teams to the Junior Competition – and although we didn’t take home any awards it was a fun day of netball for all!  We would like to thank Chiara, Harriett and Alice who volunteered to coach a team each which the juniors really appreciated.

On the 17th of September we had the CGSAV Netball Competition where we saw 4 of our 7 teams make it through to the finals – but unfortunately after some close games, we only took out one major win. Congratulations to our Junior A team for winning 1st place overall, and to Milla H for the Player of the Match award in the Grand Final.  Another congratulations to Lara S who also took home the award for Player of the Match for the Intermediate A team in the Grand Final, even though CLC were the winning team.

Congratulations to all 100 netballers who participated over two competition days representing STC.

On Tuesday, September 16th, the Unit 2 Biology classes attended an excursion to the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. Bordered by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Womens’ Hospital, the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and The University of Melbourne, the area delivers cutting-edge healthcare, world-class research, and education opportunities for a wide range of health and medical professionals. Twenty-eight Unit 2 Biology students attended the excursion, which aimed to give them first-hand experience of what a career in biological research might look like by touring the wet labs at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI). There were three different tours which were hosted by postgraduate research students and staff at WEHI. Our students were very attentive and asked an array of questions of our hosts. Students came away from the tours excited about the possibilities and career pathways that were available. 

We then had lunch on the grounds of Melbourne University before attending the Science Gallery to have a guided tour of the ‘Distraction’ exhibition. This exhibit had a range of interactive displays and artworks to challenge the students to consider how they interact with devices and technology, and how much time could be reclaimed from being distracted by their mobile devices. The exhibit also had a range of alternative suggestions for students to engage with mindful activities and hobbies. The staff from the Science Gallery were also available for the students to discuss pathways and ask questions about university study. There were some wonderful conversations between all parties.

We hope that the students found this a thought-provoking excursion and that it helped to inform them about their own future careers or possible study pathways.

On the last day of term, our Year 9 maths class, along with Mrs Saad’s other Year 9 class, hosted an exciting Probability Fair. Students from Years 7, 8, and 9 visited to try out a range of games designed to explore the fun side of maths and probability. The event was a huge success, with everyone enjoying the games and discovering how probability plays a role in many of the activities we enjoy every day. It was a fantastic way to finish the term!

This term in Religion, our Year 7 students have been engaging in a rich and meaningful exploration of creation. Beginning with an investigation of creation stories from a variety of belief systems, students considered how different cultures and faith traditions explain the origins of the world. Their journey then led them to the Book of Genesis, where they reflected on the biblical account of God’s creation and the call to see the world as a gift entrusted to us.

In connection with this, students explored Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which reminds us that “nature is God’s gift” and calls all people to care for our common home. In the words of Pope Francis: “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” Our students discussed how this urgent message ties directly to the Catholic social teaching of stewardship, the responsibility to nurture and protect creation for future generations.  It also links with the current liturgical season we are in – The season of Creation. 

As part of their assessment, Year 7 entered the Columban Missionary Society’s international Creation Competition, held across Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Students selected one of three creative prompts:

• to represent what peace with creation looks like,
• to explore what we can do to live at peace with creation, or
• to explain why it is vital for young people to reconnect with the earth. 

The responses were truly inspiring. Through paintings, watercolours, mixed-media artworks, and poetry, students gave voice to their hopes and concerns for the world. Their creativity and passion reflected a deep understanding that caring for the environment is both a moral and spiritual responsibility.

Looking beyond the classroom, Year 7 also brainstormed practical initiatives that could make a difference in our own school community. Their suggestions included:

• introducing more recycling and paper waste stations in every classroom,
• collecting bottle tops for reuse,
• setting up composting systems,
• planting more trees across our grounds, and
• building habits of switching off unused lights and heaters.

These thoughtful proposals show that our students not only understand the need to care for creation but are ready to lead the way. Their learning is a reminder to us all that stewardship begins with small, concrete actions, and that, as Pope Francis urges, “we are called to protect creation and to care for one another.”

By Scarlett E

By Sophia K

This week, we showcase our music specialists, Mr Chris Johnstone (Guitar) and Ms Nicole LoBartolo (Violin).

Mr Chris Johnstone

Queensland-born guitarist Chris Johnstone spent over 25 years in Canberra, where he established himself as one of the region’s leading guitar educators and a highly regarded performer. A graduate of the Australian National University and prize-winner of the prestigious Ike Isaacs Jazz Guitar Competition, Chris has performed with many of Australia’s foremost jazz musicians, including Dale Barlow, Carl Dewhurst, James Sherlock, Mat Jodrell, Warwick Alder, Carl Mackey, Ben Hanlon, Ben Robertson, Mark Fitzgibbon, Brendan Clark, Anton Delecca, Tom Lee, Danny Fisher, Emma Gilmartin, Con Campbell, John Mackey, John Morrison, Jacki Cooper and Gary France. Renowned for his stylistic versatility and musical depth, Chris is now based in Melbourne, where he is active as both a performer and one of the city’s most sought-after private guitar tutors.

Ms Nicole LoBartolo

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Graduate Diploma in Education. She has performed both locally and internationally with orchestras and a variety of jazz and classical ensembles. Her recent passion lies in the rich and expressive world of Argentine Tango, and she has formed the Tangology Tango Trio, which performs at venues across Melbourne and regional Victoria, including festivals and milongas. Nicole shares her love of music through her teaching, working with students in both individual and group violin settings, and conducting or supporting school ensembles.

Want to take your skills to the next level? Sign up now for Term 4 private lessons. Fill in a Enrolment Form and Direct Debit Form today and return them to performingarts@columba.vic.edu.au

From 10 December 2025, new legislation will come into effect requiring social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 years of age from holding social media accounts. The change aims to protect young Australians at a critical stage of development, supporting them to build stronger real-world connections and online resilience.

To help families prepare for these changes, there are a variety of informative sessions available:

Community Forum: Hear directly from Jo Briskey MP, Federal Member for Maribyrnong, and the Hon. Anika Wells, Minister for Communications and Sport, about how the new law will be implemented.

• Date: 6.00 – 7.00 pm, Monday 10 November 2025
• Location: Rosehill Secondary College Auditorium
• RSVP: www.trybooking.com/DFZVP

Free eSafety Webinars for Parents and Carers: The eSafety Commissioner is hosting a series of free live webinars to support families as the new law takes effect. These sessions provide practical guidance on how to talk with your child about online safety and understand how the changes may affect them.

• Upcoming sessions:
  • Algorithms and Adolescents – Wed 15 Oct, 3.30–4.15 pm
  • AI-Assisted Image-Based Abuse – Tue 21 Oct, 12.00–12.45 pm
  • The Changing Face of Cyberbullying – Wed 29 Oct, 12.30–1.15 pm
  • Parental Controls to Help Protect Your Child Online – Thu 6 Nov, 12.30–1.15 pm
  • Supporting Healthy Tech Use as Your Child Transitions into Secondary School – Tue 18 Nov, 12.30–1.15 pm

For more information or to register, visit the eSafety website.

We actively encourage families to engage with these opportunities and begin conversations at home to prepare for these important legislative changes.

Wednesday 5 November, 7pm AEST / 8pm AEDT

On-demand gratification has become the modern-day norm, and our children have never known anything different. As a result, parents are noticing a clear pattern of declining levels of resilience and frustration tolerance. We naturally want them to be happy and successful, but we also recognise that a sense of entitlement can hinder their journey. While our hearts yearn to give them the world, we know it’s equally important to nurture gratitude, responsibility, and respect within their hearts.

Our children are growing up in a world defined by instant gratification. They’ve never known a time when things weren’t immediately accessible, which has contributed to declining resilience and frustration tolerance. As parents, we yearn to give them the world and shield them from disappointment, but we also know that fostering gratitude, responsibility, and respect is essential for their true happiness and success.

Entitled with Dr Justin Coulson will dive deep into the issue of entitlement. We’ll explore its root causes, its impact on our children’s development, and most importantly, we’ll equip you with practical strategies to turn things around. You’ll learn how to shift your child’s mindset from “gimme” to “thank you”, and how to foster a sense of appreciation even in an age of abundance.

In this presentation, we will navigate the challenges of parenting in today’s world and discover how to raise children who are not just responsible and respectful, but empowered, resilient, and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.

Register to receive the webinar link as well as email reminders here: https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/answers-with-dr-justin-entitled-register-hfs

Little Niggles Can Lead to Big Dramas: Why Parents Should Act Early

Sometimes, it’s not the big meltdowns or obvious problems that cause the most stress in family life—it’s the little things. The constant whining. The bedtime battles. That one child who just won’t listen. It’s these small, everyday frustrations that slowly wear us down. This strange but common experience can be described by a psychological concept called the Region Beta Paradox: we’re more likely to act on a big problem than a small one. Why? Because when something is just mildly annoying, it doesn’t feel urgent. We wait. We tolerate. We tell ourselves it will pass.

Yet over time, those little issues can become big dramas—ones that might have been avoided with earlier action. Think of:

• A child who is quietly anxious but “functioning okay”—until they’re not.
• A sibling rivalry that’s “just bickering”—until it becomes daily screaming matches or bullying, or even violence.
• A speech delay that “might sort itself out”—until it’s interfering with learning and confidence.

Why This Matters for Parents

We all do it. We wait for things to get bad enough to justify action. But sometimes, by the time it feels serious, we’ve lost valuable time, made things harder for our child, and added unnecessary stress to the whole family. Moreover, with our medical system and our mental health system so strained, wait times to see a mental health professional, occupational therapist, or obtain other allied health support have blow right out. The “wait and see” approach could backfire if things become a problem, you need help, and you discover that there’ll be a 6-, 12-, or even 24-month wait. So how can we avoid falling into the Region Beta trap? Here are a few simple, practical ways to act sooner and support your child more effectively: LINK HERE.

As we approach the exam period, it’s natural for students to experience a mix of nerves, anticipation and pressure. Learning how to manage these feelings can make a meaningful difference to wellbeing and performance.

Surviving Year 12: A Parent’s Guide to Self-Care as written by Stephanie Osfield, an award-winning health and science journalist, family and carer peer-support worker, and trained counsellor, teacher and mentor. Stephanie is passionate about connection, community, and the importance of family-inclusive support in the mental health care of young people.

You can view the article here: https://parents.au.reachout.com/school-and-education/exam-stress/surviving-year-12-a-parents-guide-to-self-care

Dear Parents and Carers,

At St Columba’s College, we place great importance on students arriving to class on time. Punctuality supports a calm and focused start to learning, ensures students don’t miss key instructions, and sets them up for success throughout the day. It also models respect for teachers and peers, and builds strong personal habits that will serve students well beyond school.

We’ve recently updated our punctuality procedures to better support students in building these routines. This includes more consistent follow-up for late arrivals and clearer communication between school and home. If a student arrives late to lesson three times they will automatically be issued with a 30 minute after school restorative.

Your support plays a key role in helping students develop these habits. Encouraging your child to be organised and arrive punctually each day to each lesson makes a significant difference to their learning and overall school experience.

Thank you for partnering with us to help every student thrive.

20 October – Year 12 Farewell Assembly, Graduation Ceremony and Dinner

28 October – VCAA Exams Commence

29 October – Instrumental Music Concert

3 November – Student Free Day

4 November – Melbourne Cup

11 November – Junior Performing Arts Concert

13 November – Year 10 and 11 Exams Commence

14 November – Year 7 2026 Parents’ Welcome Night

18 November – Art Exhibition, Year 9 Exams Commence

21 November – Student Free Day

24 November – Commencement of 2026 Timetable

26 November – Celebration of Excellence Awards