IONA 17

The Poor Widow

This past weekend the Gospel from Mark 12:38-44 highlighted two contrasting attitudes toward giving and humility. In the first part, Jesus warns against the pride and hypocrisy of the scribes, who seek honour and status while exploiting the vulnerable. In contrast, He praises a poor widow who, despite her poverty, gives all she has to the temple treasury—two small coins—demonstrating true generosity and faith. Jesus emphasises that her offering, though small in monetary value, is greater than the larger contributions of the wealthy, as she gave from her need rather than her surplus.

“Give of your substance not just your surplus”. This is a saying attributed to a Sister of Charity, and it resounded strongly for me as I listened to the homily during mass. Jesus’ teaching in this passage goes beyond financial giving. It speaks to a generosity that is also about what we give of ourselves, and the graciousness and generosity of spirit that we do this with. At St Columba’s, while we certainly focus our fund-raising efforts to support those most vulnerable, we also encourage our students and staff to give of themselves, to embody our values through their generous donation of time and presence where there is greatest need. 

Parties and the service of alcohol

The care and safety of our young people is the responsibility of society as a whole, and specific laws and regulations support all of us in ensuring our children are protected. If you are hosting a party where alcohol will be served, it’s crucial to understand and follow the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 to avoid legal issues and ensure the safety of all guests. If minors will be present, you can only supply alcohol to those under 18 if you are their parent or guardian, or have explicit permission from their parent or guardian. Even with consent, you must serve alcohol responsibly, considering the minor’s age, drinking environment, and supervision. Always have clear rules around alcohol consumption, provide plenty of non-alcoholic options, and ensure that adults monitor the party actively and closely. It’s also a good idea to communicate with other parents beforehand to confirm their expectations regarding alcohol, ensuring everyone is aligned. By prioritising safety and legal compliance, we can work together to reduce risks and ensure a positive, responsible event. I have included two links for more information to support parent decision-making in relation to teens and alcohol. One is information and advice in relation to alcohol and minors from the Victorian Government and the other is from Drinkwise, an organisation promoting safe and responsible alcohol consumption.

In addition, this link takes you to some Instagram tiles produced by DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia), that can be used as great conversation starters with your children at home. As always, if you have any concerns about your child’s safety and wellbeing, please contact their House Leader at the College.

Loving God,

We thank You for the courage and sacrifice of those who served for peace,

especially the ANZACs who embodied strength and resilience.

Help us to remember that their service calls us to be peacemakers in our own lives.
May we be moved to act of kindness, charity, and healing for those affected by war

through Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity’s example.

We pray for all those living in places of conflict today.

Grant them peace, safety, and the comfort of Your presence.

May we work to build a world where such sacrifices are no longer needed,
A world where love and understanding prevail.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen.

Dear School Community, Educators and Administrators,

We are excited to invite you to an important and insightful webinar titled “Empowering Students to Manage Bullying” on Thursday, 14 November 2024, at 7:30 PM via Zoom.

This engaging session will be led by Evelyn M Field OAM, FAPS, a practising psychologist, Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society, best-selling author, and media spokesperson. With her extensive experience as an international expert in addressing school and workplace bullying, Evelyn will share valuable strategies to enhance social survival skills among students.

Evelyn’s dedication to combating bullying was recognised in 2014 when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Her approach combines factual insights with practical strategies, ensuring that participants leave with actionable ideas to implement immediately.

We encourage you to share this invitation with educators and families in your community. Together, we can empower our students to build resilience and effectively manage bullying, creating a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

Please register for the webinar using the link HERE.

Thank you for your support in spreading the word about this vital initiative. We look forward to seeing you and your community members at the webinar!

World-renowned bullying expert, Evelyn M. Field OAM, provides a detailed understanding of bullying in schools and provides tips, strategies and exercises that teachers, parents and counsellors can practice to really understand the concept of bullying and help provide practical and accessible support.

Victorian Parents Council Events Team

St Columba’s College has been supporting the Bahay Tuluyan organisation for many years especially since our Alumnae, Catherine Scerri, moved to the Philippines in 2003. It is only through the kindness of generous donors that Bahay Tuluyan is able to continue their valuable work supporting and caring for disadvantaged and homeless children in the Philippines. The Bahay Tuluyan’s programs and services are aimed at preventing and responding to abuse and violence against these children. With virtually no admin costs almost 100% of the money raised goes directly to helping the children.

St Columba’s College Annual Bike Ride is pleased to support this wonderful organisation that makes such a huge difference. This year our Bike Ride occured on Friday 1 November. Students and teachers rode from Essendon to Williamstown and back, approximately 35km. It was a successful day thank you to the enthusiasm and dedication of staff and students.

I enjoy participating in the Bahay Tuluyan Bike Ride as the money raised is for a fantastic cause and the girls that participate generally have little experience in long distance bike rides, but clearly demonstrate great resilience as well as having a lot of fun riding with their friends. (David Bramham, Teacher)

Going on the Bahay Tuluyan bike ride was a really fun experience to raise money to help others. I particularly loved how I could use my love of cycling to do good. It was also amazing to meet other young people with a passion for social justice and connect with others on a lovely sunny day. (Charlotte M, Year 11, Liturgy Captain)

I love to participate in this annual event since it is supporting a great foundation that is run by one of our very own alumni. (Shellie Murton, Sports Administrator)

If you would like to help support such an incredibly worthy cause you can go to their website https://www.btpa.org.au

Innovative Programs- Year 7 Design Code Create students have been learning about processing and sequencing before they code. Students were required to write a letter to someone they admire and ask them some questions that would generate positive action and inspiration for their code designs. Included are some letter responses.

Amelia M wrote to Make A Wish Foundation Australia supporting Children with illness.

They responded, “We are very grateful for your kind words of appreciation of what we do here at Make-A-Wish Australia.” They also had some practical advice for her questions:

Do you have any personal strategies or practices that help you navigate tough times and maintain resilience? As well as taking a mental step back from the source of your stress or upset, I think it can be good to take a physical step back too. Find a quiet space where you can be alone and focus on breathing slowly (counting in, holding, and counting out on the exhale). This can help to distract you and regulate your body again. And if you really feel like it, a little cry can release some pent-up emotions too!

Given the current climate of uncertainty and stress, what advice would you offer to someone seeking to stay motivated and focused? To stay focused and motivated in times of uncertainty and stress can be tough but I think to help yourself do this it is important to remind yourself of your priorities and end goals and, if you find yourself getting distracted, to bring yourself back to focusing on those goals. However, it is also about a balance – don’t become too obsessed with the “end product”, take time to relax and be patient with the process!

Dear Emily,

Thank you so much for your letter, it was lovely to read. My name is Katie Collins, I am one of the sisters on the Paediatric Burns and Plastics ward at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. It was great to hear you feel so inspired by Ariana Grande. The staff on the Burns unit at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital cared for some of the patients injured in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017 and were very inspired by Ariana’s care for the patients injured in the attack and her visits to the hospital were very inspirational to the patients in their recovery. Ariana continues to donate to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital every Christmas time and donates gifts to children who spend their Christmas in the Hospital away from their extended family. I am very inspired by your letter, and I am happy to answer your questions as a nurse that cared for some of the patients injured in the arena attack in 2017.

What inspired you to help others? Working with Children and families to support them during a traumatic event is very inspiring to us as nurses on the Burns Unit. Seeing patients get better and progress in their recovery in an inspiration to us all and gives the motivation to continue to provide good care.

What did you think or do when you were challenged during times of stress? During challenging times and stressful situations staff work together and support each other to ensure that patients and families continue to receive a high standard of care. As a team we try to help boost moral of both fellow members of staff and the patients in our care. We are inspired by the children in our care and like to see them overcome traumatic experiences and get well and go back to their normal lives. This is our goal as nurses and what motivates us in stressful situations.

Do you have a personal strategy that gets you through tough times? When I am not working as a nurse, I enjoy spending my personal time with my own children at home. Working with sick children makes me appreciate spending time with my own children. This is a good stress relief for staff to have time away from work with friends and family doing fun things. Doing such a difficult job makes you appreciate and value free time away from work.

What advice can you give me during these times of stress? Take each day as it comes and appreciate the good times and the good people around you. Remember that bad times do not last forever, and tomorrow is another day.

It was lovely to receive your letter and it has brightened our day! We wish you well in your project and at school!

Oliva M inspiring response included the following advice:

How did you cope with stress and pressure during hard times? It is important to rely on your team. They can often suggest better ways to do things or offer to take on some of the workload. They can also help you re- prioritise what is important. It is important to recognise if things are stressful but remind yourself that this will pass. If we manage it ok, stress/ pressure can be a good thing – it can help us focus and get things done. 

Did you have a personal philosophy that gets you through? Remember to focus on what you have done/ achieved not just on all the things still to do. And lastly, What advice can you give me during these times with so much going on in the world and so much influence from social media? 

At RVA we say the very first step in advocacy is actually to ask questions. My advice is to remain a critical thinker, don’t just believe what you hear, ask questions and trust your gut/ instincts. Trust those that know the real you.

Charlotte Doheny, a 2023 graduate of St Columba’s College, recently returned as an Artist in Residence while developing her arts practice.

Inspired by the contrast between shells’ earthy exterior and pearlescent interior, Charlotte created a wearable ceramic piece titled ‘Maristella Mother of Pearl.’ The piece combines three elements; a dress featuring an ivory, sandy-colored exterior and a train designed to mimic the opalescent interior of oyster/clam shells; a ceramic corset; a waist chain decorated with pearls and a shell connected to the ceramic corset.

The College extends its congratulations to Charlotte and appreciation for her sharing her creative process.

To showcase our Everyday Heroes in our own community we will interview someone for each Iona issue to highlight how blessed we are to belong to a community inspired by the life of Mary Aikenhead. We aspire to carry on her legacy of service to the poor and vulnerable and alleviating poverty in all its forms in society today. 

Our Everyday Hero this week is Mary S in Year 11 – Serving with Purpose

Volunteering has been a deeply transformative experience for me, guided by faith, love, and the values my grandmother instilled in me. Growing up, I witnessed my grandmother ope

n her heart to those in need, running a shelter for disadvantaged individuals and showing unconditional love to everyone she encountered. Her boundless compassion lit a spark in me, one that drives me to serve my community wholeheartedly.

I am blessed to volunteer through my church, which has given me a purpose beyond myself. Every week, I spend hours preparing and serving food for those who are struggling or without shelter. Using both my time and resources, I feel honoured to provide even a small moment of comfort and dignity to those who come to us hungry. Seeing a warm meal bring relief and a smile to someone’s face is an experience I can’t quite describe – it’s humbling and fulfilling beyond words.

Beyond food service, I also volunteer with children from our local area, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds where English may not be their first language. I help them with their schoolwork, mentor them, and aim to inspire them to dream big and work hard. It’s a challenge at times, as we bridge language and cultural barriers, but the joy of seeing a child grasp a new concept or believe in themselves is a reward I wouldn’t trade for the world. Knowing I can be a positive influence in their lives and make learning a little easier is incredibly fulfilling.

Why do I do this? The answer lies in faith and love. I believe we are called to serve others, to lift each other up, and to be a light for those in darkness. My volunteering is an expression of that call, a way to honour my grandmother’s legacy and to make a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small. I truly believe that every act of kindness ripples out, touching others in ways we may never see. And I am grateful every day for the chance to serve, to love, and to be a part of something bigger than myself.

For me, volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s about growing in spirit and compassion. It’s taught me resilience, empathy, and the power of a simple, loving presence. Serving with open hands and an open heart has become a part of who I am, and I hope to continue this journey for as long as I am able, helping and loving others as my grandmother taught me to.

On November 8th, a lucky group of nine Year 8 students, including us, had the exciting opportunity to visit GTAC in the city to create a bionic arm. We were tasked with designing a bionic arm for Zahar, who dreams of becoming an incredible drummer. Our STEM coach, Ash, guided us through the process, helping us explore the challenges involved, such as weight, aesthetics, and functionality.

We examined different types of joints and learned how they work in the human body to determine which ones would best support Zahar’s drumming. The most exciting part was designing the bionic arm and using sensors on our own arms that allowed the bionic arm to mimic our movements. It was an amazing experience that taught us valuable insights into the world of biomedical engineering and left us feeling inspired.

On Thursday 7th of November, the Year 9 cohort visited ACMI to watch a film called De Toutes Nos Forces (The Finishers).

Both classes were really excited as the excursion had previously been postponed. We caught the train from Essendon to Flinders Street station. We stopped at 7/11 for a quick treat before the movie, then we headed into ACMI’s theatrette and settled down.

Before the movie, our host Susan explained the premise of the film. The main character Julian, a 17 year old boy with cerebral palsy, tries to convince his workaholic dad who had just lost his job to participate in the Ironman triathlon to Nice with him. She also discussed various shots and deliberate choices made by the director, Nils Tavernier. The best detail she discussed was how the title of the movie, De Toutes Nos Forces, has the word Nos in it, which means us. This was a symbol of the teamwork
shown in the film between a father and his son.

The film was in French and it had English subtitles, which helped us to learn new words and expand our French vocabulary. It was also good to see French dialogue being
spoken in real world scenarios as opposed to just learning the words in class.

Overall, the day was extremely fun. Both French classes thoroughly enjoyed the movie and hopefully the Year 9’s can continue to go on more enriching excursions like this one in the future.

Adieu!

On Tuesday 25th October, the Year 9 students had the opportunity to visit a tertiary institution. Classes set off in the morning and visited Melbourne University, RMIT, Swinburne University, Deakin University, Victoria University, La Trobe University or William Angliss. Here are some reflections of the day.

On Tuesday, October 15th, Year 9.1 went on a Future Directions excursion to different universities. We learnt about different pathways and what courses each university had to offer. Each class attended a different university, such as Melbourne Uni, RMIT, and La Trobe. Our class went to Deakin University and Deakin College in Burwood. We started the day by listening to a presentation about Deakin’s different courses and pathways. Did you know they are the number 1 university in the world for sports science? After that, we tested a new program that Deakin had been working on using VR goggles. Through the VR goggles, we played a game that taught us about cybersecurity and how to prevent cyberbullying. Lastly, we went on a tour of the campus. There were many science labs, gyms, a mock courtroom, and even a fake primary school classroom for those studying education! There were also a few cafes where we could buy lunch food before returning on the bus home. It was a fantastic experience for us all and gave us an excellent insight into life after school.

– By Carla P, Charlotte P, and Deborah B, Year 9

9.4 Victoria University Experience

On Tuesday the 15th of October, our Future Directions class ventured to Victoria University. After a brief and exciting bus ride, we arrived at our destination where we were then given a tour of the amazing campus. To start, we split into groups where one met two paramedics, and the other was taught how to make a hospital bed (don’t expect us to start making our own).

When talking to the paramedics, it was obvious that saving lives isn’t quite the same as in the movies. There aren’t always capes and good hair, and there aren’t always happy endings. In this field, mental health needs to be looked after, and confronting situations is part of the job. We then got a demonstration of a defibrillator in action in a room designed to look like a typical home (cue intense music).

After our lunch break, we left for the next activity, our pockets considerably lighter than before. We were shown a PowerPoint on the importance of marketing for big brands, it was interesting learning about colour theory and how it relates to how we see these brands and their products. We were then gifted a Victoria University pen.

We then focused on law, learning the difference between Solicitors and Barristers. Soon after, each table group was handed a fake case file, and we had to solve a crime. Inside was a small summary of what had happened and about ten photos, which we were instructed to put into order of how we interpreted the scenario. Though my group didn’t solve our mystery completely, it was discovered that there were a few future detectives in the room.

In conclusion, our trip to Victoria University gave us a chance to explore different career paths and learn about the world beyond our school. While we might not all become paramedics or hospital bed-making experts, we did gain a lot of insight into those professions. We also learned about marketing and the psychology behind brand colours, and had fun trying to solve a fake crime. The day helped us see that there’s a lot to think about when it comes to our future careers, and while we might not have it all figured out, we’re definitely one step closer – especially after getting some free pens!

By Sophia S and Eva W, Year 9

A snippet from 9.6 of a Mock Trial that the class participated in during their visit at Swinburne University.

• The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free vaccines provided by the National Immunisation Program each year to students in Year 7 (HPV and Diphtheria/Tetanus/Whooping cough) and Year 10 (Meningococcal ACWY).
• If your child missed out on receiving their vaccinations at school this year, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
• Free adolescent vaccines can be accessed at your local council immunisation service, GP or pharmacist immuniser.
• To see if your child is due for any vaccines, check your child’s immunisation history statement on the Australian Immunisation Register using your MyGov account. Children aged 14 years of age and over can access their own immunisation history statement via MyGov.
• Better Health Channel – Secondary School Immunisation Program Fact Sheet
• Adolescent vaccinations outside of school and catch-up immunisation

Friday 15 November – 2025 Year 7 Parents’ Welcome

Tuesday 19 November – Parent Engagement Committee Meeting

14 – 21 November – Year 10 to 11 Exams

19 – 21 November – Year 9 Exams

Friday 22 November – Student Free Day

Monday 25 November-  2025 Program commences for all students

Wednesday 27 November – Celebration of Excellence Evening