IONA 20

Celebration of Excellence

It was my pleasure to present students with their awards in recognition of academic and community leadership achievements.  All names are listed further on in this edition of the IONA.  I offer my congratulations to all of the award recipients.

Celebrating Community

I have spoken a fair deal about community this year, its importance and the impact of its absence, brought into stark relief by the restrictions forced on us as a result of the global pandemic.  I happened upon this in my parish bulletin last weekend.  Written by Henri J Nouwen, a Dutch priest and theologian, who later went on to work in and with disabled communities, it is an eloquent summary of all that I feel in my heart about our St Columba’s College community.

COMMUNITY MAKES GOD VISIBLE

Nothing is sweet or easy about community.  Community is a fellowship of people who do not hide their joys and sorrows but make them visible to each other as a gesture of hope.

In community we say: “Life is full of gains and losses, joys and sorrows, ups and downs — but we do not have to live it alone.  We want to drink our cup together and thus celebrate the truth that the wounds of our individual lives, which seem intolerable when lived alone, become sources of healing when we live them as part of a fellow-ship of mutual care.”

Community is like a large mosaic.  Each little piece seems so insignificant.  One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dull green, another warm purple, another sharp yellow, another shining gold.  Some look precious, others ordinary.  Some look valuable, others worthless.  Some look gaudy, others delicate.  We can do little with them as individual stones except compare them and judge their beauty and value.  When, however, all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic, portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them?  If one of them, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the face is incomplete.  Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God.  That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.

Farewells

I would like to wish all of the students leaving us at the end of the year all the very best for their new endeavours.  My prayer for you is that the story of the Sisters of Charity, women who have made a mark in the world on behalf of the poor and the marginalised, continues to inspire your lives.

It is also a sad time when we farewell the staff who will be leaving the College at the end of the year.  In different ways, each staff member has left an impression on those with whom they have journeyed, and they will be missed.  This year we farewell:

Shane Taylor, Nella Cirillo, Marian Birkett, Lina Basile, Yasmin Quinlan, Leo Twomey, Glen Borg, Joshua Di Pietro, David Lovatt, Melissa Vella, Gabriella Ibbott, Darcie Foley, Rowena Bernal-Richards, Marina Bartolameazzi.

We send off these staff members with our love and best wishes.  On behalf of the College community, I offer this beautiful John O’Donohue blessing for the students and staff who are departing:

Awaken your spirit to adventure,

Hold nothing back,

learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home

in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses

the world that awaits you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

After the tumultuous and turbulent year that we have all experienced, I am sure that everyone is looking forward to the peace that this holiday season will bring.  I take this opportunity to thank you once again for your overwhelming support this year as we have responded to the pandemic.  Your patience, understanding and feedback were instrumental in ensuring we provided the most appropriate response given the circumstances.

I would like to wish every family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May the joyful anticipation of the advent season be realised as we awaken our hearts to the love of the newborn Christ.

I look forward to welcoming you all back in 2021.

Advent Prayer

God of hope, who brought love into this world,

be the love that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world,

be the peace that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world,

be the joy that dwells between us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon,

be the centre, the focus of our lives

always, and particularly this Advent time.

The College’s Celebration of Excellence Assemblies took place on Friday 27 November for Years 7 to 10 award recipients, and Monday 29 November for Year 11 award recipients. It was an opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate students for their many and varied achievements throughout this tumultuous year.

It was unfortunate and disappointing that we were not able to have parents or guardians and staff attend the assemblies. The five assemblies have been combined to create a video for our College community. The link to the video is provided here.

Congratulations, once again, to the following students on their outstanding achievements:

Year 7

Art – Daisy L

Art – Daniella S

Dance – Isabell M

Dance – Daniella S

Drama – Danielle C

Drama – Martine E

English – Annabelle B

English – Daisy L

French – Lucia R

French – Mary S

Health and Physical Education – Zara C

Health and Physical Education – Summer H

Humanities – Isabella R

Humanities – Summer H

Italian – Sienna D

Italian – Jemma L

Japanese – Brielle G

Japanese – Ashleigh N

Mathematics – Isabella R

Mathematics – Zara C

Music – Gianna N

Music – Charlotte M

Religious Education – Emily S

Religious Education – Daisy L

Rich Task – Amy W

Rich Task – Celeste U

Science – Emily S

Science – Zara C

Art Acquisition: Head of Students – Evie F

Outstanding Community Service Award – Olivia S

Year 8

Art – Kathy V

Art – Mia T

Dance – Emma S

Dance – Erin D

Drama – Charlotte H

Drama – Erin D

English – Jaz D

English – Poppy G

French – Darcie R

French – Emy A

Health and Physical Education – Madeleine C

Health and Physical Education – Mia T

Humanities – Jaz D

Humanities – Tereza Q

Italian – Tara G

Italian – Madeleine C

Japanese – Kathy V

Japanese – Mia T

Mathematics – Mia T

Mathematics – Tara G

Music – Isabella P

Music – Maddison P

Religious Education – Madeleine C

Religious Education – Kiran N

Fiontar – Madeleine C

Fiontar – Poppy G

Science – Mia T

Science – Erin D

The Cronin Encouragement Award – Claire O

Art Acquisition: Head of Learning & Teaching – Isabella T

Outstanding Community Service Award – Charlotte H

Year 9

Music – Serena C

Beauty and the Beast – Emily P

Dance – Alessia M

Designer Life – Bridie S

Digital Design and Technology – Charlotte L

Drama – Emily P

English – Rose-Mary V

English – Genevieve G

Journalism – Loretta P

French – Piashay S

Humanities – Lauren R

Humanities – Sarah T

Health and Physical Education – Claudia D

Health and Physical Education – Tara W

Italian – Alessia M

Japanese – Emily N

Advanced Mathematics – Stella V

Mathematics – Tara W

Mathematics – Siena M

Reality Check – Ai-My Vu

Religious Education – Siena M

Religious Education – Tara W

Riot of Colour – Laura S

Science – Tara W

Science – Rachel D

Tinker Design and Create – Zoe C

The Dinner Party – Grace S

What’s the story – Verona A

Art Acquisition: Deputy Principal – Jenelle S

Outstanding Community Service Award – Zoe D

Bruton House Patron Leadership Award – Lara P

Cahill House Patron Leadership Award – Eleanor B

Cater House Patron Leadership Award – Monique D

Cunningham House Patron Leadership Award – Georgia C

de Lacy House Patron Leadership Award – Sienna A

O’Brien House Patron Leadership Award – Emma C

Williams House Patron Leadership Award – Genevieve G

Year 10

Be Active – Macey B

Astrophysics – Isabella B

Community Health – Lillian N

Collage to Camera – Zoe D

Corset Couture – Liana B

English – Zoe D

English – Lillian N

French – Katherine K

Geography – Isabelle D

History – Ellie D

iDesign – Emma G

In Sickness and in Health – Scarlett W

Italian – Isabella R

Introduction to Psychology – Christina Z

Life Science – Reyziah P

Leisure – Be in it! – Reyziah P

Make it Funky – Caitlin H

Media Maker – Kristy N

Modern Mona – Milla F

Foundation Mathematics – Eden M

General Mathematics – Lily B

Mathematical Methods – Isabella G

Music – Siana L

Power and Law – Katherine K

PreCal Literature – Reyziah P

Pathways – Lillian N

Unit 1 Religion & Society – Giuseppina S

Unit 1 Religion & Society – Scarlett W

Science – Zoe D

Science – Leah T

Sports Coaching – Morgan K

STEM – Tiana L

World of Business – Rhiannon P

The Eileen Stainkamph Award – Siana L

The Eileen Stainkamph Award – Imogen R

Marshall Medal Excellence in STEM – Rachel D

ADF Future Innovators Award – Corrie S

ADF Leadership & Teamwork Award – Annalise F

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program – Eloise S

Outstanding Community Service Award – Imogen R

Year 11

Unit 2 Texts in Society – Therese H

Accounting – Chelsea M

Applied Computing – Isabelle D

Art – Quynh P

Biology – Alexandra H

Business Management – Ruby P

Chemistry – Alysha L

Dance (Unit 1 & 2) – Imogen R

Drama – Mikaela M

Economics – Olivia T

English – Jasmine B

Literature – Florence C

French – Jasmine B

Geography – Jasmine B

Health and Human Development – Alexandra H

History – Karen C

Italian – Alexandra H

Japanese – Ammie N

Legal Studies – Therese H

Media – Zoe B

General Mathematics – Therese H

Mathematical Methods – Therese H

Specialist Mathematics – Lucy S

Music Performance – Allanah H

Physical Education – Ciara C

Physics – Alessandra D

Psychology – Alisha M

Studio Arts – Maxy K

Visual Communication and Design – Quynh P

VET – Sport and Recreation – Chloe P

VCAL – Hannah B

Outstanding Community Service Award – Bridget K

Year 7 Pursuit of Excellence Award Isabella R

Year 8 Pursuit of Excellence Award Madeleine C

Year 9 Pursuit of Excellence Award Tara W

Year 10 Pursuit of Excellence Award Lillian N

Year 11 Pursuit of Excellence Award Therese H

The St Columba’s College VCAL program endeavors to create opportunities for students to gain  industry experience in a vocation they love whilst still studying at school.

With an individualised learning program, students have the opportunity to study at school, TAFE and also complete a work placement in an industry of their choice

This year The VCAL students have undertaken study in various fields such as Allied Health, Beauty, Interior Design, Business, Hospitality, Screen Media, Events, Early Childhood Education and Care, Community Services and Electrotechnology.

Year to year the VCAL program has grown in success and despite the challenges of 2020 our students have flourished to become the best they can be.

Here is what some of families and employers have to say:

I went to ACU yesterday to hand in her application. The person processing that application was very impressed by the fact that Teresa had completed.

Certificate III in Allied Health

Certificate II in Community Services

First Aid Certificate

Certificate III in Business Administration

Plus her VCAL High Achiever award.

This is a clear endorsement of the St Columba’s College VCAL Program and their VCAL Staff. I am very thankful for the VCAL program at St Columba’s College!!

Year 12 parent Joe Vartulli

Teresa V has been accepted into the Diploma of Nursing at Australian Catholic University and was also the recipient of the St Columba’s College VCAL High Achiever Award for 2020.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you have done for Ella over the last two years.

After struggling in the early years, Ella has thrived in VCAL. Her confidence and maturity grew and she has great life experiences through school and work.  I rave to all my friends about the benefits of VCAL.

I am really proud of what she has achieved both in and out of school. They are really impressed with her at the hospital so fingers crossed she can get a part time job there.

Year 12 parent Angela Brebner

Ella is a credit to the school and the VCAL pathway she has studied.  Ella presented extremely well, spoke clearly, delivered concise appropriate answers to each of the questions.  Very impressive…..at one point in the interview I was looking at Ella thinking at her age I could not have carried myself as well nor answered the questions so professionally as she was doing. The Women’s Health Clinics are looking forward to her joining our team.

Tracey Tormey, Nurse Unit Manager, Royal Women’s Hospital

Ella B has been successful in securing a part job at the Royal Women’s Hospital and has also been accepted into the Diploma of Nursing at Australian Catholic University.

Over lunch today, Cert II student, Alessia C, told me how she made up her mind to study at Elly over 3 years ago, and this year moved to St Columba’s so she could enrol in our Cert II Retail Cosmetics VET course. Once she completes Cert II will progress to Diploma and then the Dermal Therapy Degree.

She’s so focused on her career plan into the work of Advanced Skin that she already knows that she wants to work at HUD skin & Body with Gry and work with DMK.

So today she came to organise her CV to Gry to apply for Friday work experience whilst still at School.

Another example where age is irrelevant and attitude is everything. Totally impressed by the focus and ambition of this serious skincare future leader.

Alex Zotos, Principal, Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College (Alessia C)

Alessia will be studying her Certificate 3 in Beauty at Elly Lukas College and has been offered an ongoing work placement at HUD Skin + Melbourne located in St Kilda for 2021.

On Tuesday the 1st of December, St Columba’s raised awareness for World Aids Day. World Aids Day is acknowledged each year, to raise awareness for the HIV virus. This year, members of the Social Justice group welcomed students into school, while handing out red ribbons.

Students were asked to pin these ribbons onto their blazer, to show their support for people living with HIV. This event, hoped to start conversations between students, about this serious continued issue in our society.

This year, we chose to commemorate Freddie Mercury, by celebrating his talents. Students entered the gates, hearing Queen’s famous songs, to remember one man that died, due to this virus.

We would just like to thank Mr Fournier, Ms Fleeton, Ms Tran, Sophia Chiera and Lauren Nicolas for their support.

In the subject of Work Related Skills (WRS) in the VCAL program, the girls split into two teams and developed projects to help those in need and working to help others. My team, worked towards helping the front line workers who have tirelessly worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a team, we joined forces to make positive message cookies and thankful cards using the laser-cutter we have here at school.

Ms Bajada and I delivered the gifts last Monday and the staff were absolutely joyous and grateful for all we had done for them.

Overall, we all enjoyed the project very much and were so happy to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.

In a year where most things were canceled the Nunan Cup tournament was one of those very few events that was fortunate enough to take place in 2020.

The junior competition was well fought out, congratulations to Zahara Gruar who successfully took out the inaugural Godman Cup. The intermediate competition was played with immense skill and competitiveness, congratulations to Olivia B who successfully took out the inaugural Wade Cup. The senior competition was decided in a thrilling match, congratulations to Adele R who successfully took out the inaugural Nunan Cup.

It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement in which the students approached each match. Thank-you to all the students who participated in our annual Nunan Cup tournament, without you this tournament wouldn’t continue to be as successful as it is.  We look forward to seeing all of you next year and for many years to come.

It is that time of year again! The second hand book and uniform sale will be held virtually this year, with the launch date set as Monday 7 December.

The PEC have created a private Facebook group to help facilitate sales, you can join the group from today, to buy or sell.

Click here to join the group

If you have any questions please email parents@columba.vic.edu.au