IONA 3

STAFFING

We have continued to appoint additional staff and welcome the following colleagues to our community:

• Debbie Rovere, Environment Steward, commencing 12 March 2026 (working Thursdays only)
• Caitlin Hamilton, Learning Support Officer, commencing 16 March 2026
• Suzi Purcell, Learning Support Officer, commencing 16 March 2026
• Siobhan Browne, Alumnae Coordinator, commencing 18 March 2026 (working Wednesdays only)
• Angelka Coter, Daily Organiser and Office Manager, commencing 23 March 2026
• Columba Coaches commencing 16 March 2026
  • Zara Cammerino 
  • Zara Cheel
  • Jemma Moschini
  • Amy Willoughby

MULTISPORTS DAY

Our recent Multisports Day was a wonderful celebration of participation, teamwork and House spirit. A sincere thank you to Shellie Murton and her team for their thoughtful planning and organisation of the day. We are also very grateful to the many staff who assisted to ensure the event ran so smoothly. Most importantly, thank you to our students for their enthusiastic participation and positive energy throughout the activities.

Days like this are an important part of school life, providing opportunities for students to connect across year levels, build House pride and experience the value of teamwork, encouragement and active participation. They help strengthen our sense of community and belonging.

Congratulations to Cunningham House, who finished the day in first place overall. Their effort and spirit were outstanding!

END OF TERM 1

The end of term is fast approaching. A reminder that the final day for students is Wednesday 1 April. College staff will be involved in a Faith Professional Learning Day on Thursday 2 April. The College will close at 2:45pm on this day.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 

College Captain – Tiana C

At St Columba’s College, International Women’s Day is one of the most significant days in the College calendar. The day not only celebrates the achievements, resilience and leadership of women around the world, but also reminds us of the importance of unity, equality and lifting one another up. As a community built on sisterhood, it is a time to reflect on how we can continue supporting and empowering women both within and beyond our College.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme was “Give to Gain”, encouraging individuals to give their time, support and generosity in order to create opportunities and positive change for others.

Our celebrations began on Monday, 28 February, with a countdown to International Women’s Day on VIVI. Each day, one inspirational women was highlighted, with fun facts and images, sharing stories of leadership, courage and innovation from women across the world. The celebrations continued on Thursday, 3 March with a much anticipated Student vs Teacher Netball Game. The atmosphere was electric, with music, cheering and a strong crowd of supporters creating a lively lunchtime event. The game was incredibly competitive, finishing with a

close score of 15–14 in favour of the teachers. However, there have been rumours circulating that special conditions and some very creative scorekeeping may have meant the students were the real winners!

A special thank you goes to the students who represented the student team:
Chloe C, Charlize B, Alyssa G, Jaida K, Ruby B, Carla P, Scarlett D, Tiffany M, and Alyssia R, along with all the teachers who joined in the fun.

Thank you also to Harper G and Gabriella L for helping organise and score the game. The event was a wonderful display of teamwork, school spirit and the strong sense of sisterhood that defines our College community.

The celebrations continued on Friday, 6 March, the day itself. Students were welcomed at the College gates by Lily the Lion, our beloved College mascot, alongside members of the Student Executive Team who handed out purple hair and blazer ribbons to commemorate the day and show solidarity.

The whole school then gathered for a special International Women’s Day Assembly, which was a vibrant and inspiring celebration. We were honoured to welcome Lana Wilkinson, a proud St Columba’s College alumna, who delivered a moving speech reflecting on her time at the College, her experiences as a LHD dancer and her journey to where she is today. Lana now works as a successful stylist and fashion personality. She is notably the owner of Lana Wilkinson shoe brand and The Archive Podcast. Her speech encouraged students to embrace opportunities, remain confident in themselves and pursue their passions.

We thank Lana for generously sharing her story and time with our community.

Following the assembly, Lana joined members of the Student Executive Team and special guests for a morning tea. Guests included parents, the College Board Chair and a member of the Alumnae Committee. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect, share experiences and learn from the journeys of inspiring women within our community.

At lunchtime, the Student Executive Team and House Captains led the Coin Line House Challenge, inspired by this year’s theme “Give to Gain.” Students were encouraged to bring along gold coins, which were placed in long lines on the basketball court for their respective houses. The challenge combined generosity with friendly competition, with the House that created the longest coin line earning 20 House Points. It was fantastic to see such enthusiastic participation from students across the College while raising $358 for Days for Girls, a charity dedicated to improving menstrual health and access to hygiene products for girls and women around the world, helping them stay in school and reach their full potential.

The results were as follows:

1st Williams

2nd O’Brien

3rd Cater

IWD Breakfast

To conclude the week’s celebrations, myself, Williams House Captain Tiffany M, and Justice Captain Alessia H were honoured to attend the International Women’s Day Breakfast at Parliament House, hosted by the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools. The event brought together student leaders from girls’ schools across Victoria and provided a valuable opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and celebrate female leadership.

It was particularly exciting to connect with school captains from Lowther Hall Anglican Girls’ School and Melbourne Girls Grammar, exchanging ideas about student leadership initiatives and learning more about the programs taking place at other schools. These conversations sparked new ideas that we hope to bring back to the College in the future.

A sincere thank you to Ms McDonald and Ms Lang for accompanying us to the breakfast and supporting this valuable leadership opportunity.

Below is Williams House Captain Tiffany M’s reflection on the experience:

“On March 11, my classmates and I travelled into the city to Parliament House, where we had the International Women’s Day Breakfast presented by the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools.It started off as something I was a little unsure about. I wasn’t certain what the event was about, or how it was going to unfold. But when we arrived, the best thing in the end was the unexpected friendships I made at my table with young leaders from other girls’ schools! We spent the morning eating breakfast, seated at a table with other girls from various schools and listening to guest speakers who were a genuine inspiration to hear and speak about their journey and struggles.  It was a wonderful day and I’m grateful that I got to experience this special morning. Especially making new friendships and seeing women thrive in an environment together.” 

Justice Captain, Alessia H, said:

On Wednesday the 11th of March, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools International Women’s Day breakfast. It was a truly inspiring experience that allowed me to connect with student leaders from a range of girls schools across Victoria.

Throughout the morning, we had the chance to speak with members from different schools student executive teams and learn about the unique initiatives they run within their school communities. One of the most valuable parts of the event was sharing stories about women who inspire us and discussing why their achievements and leadership are meaningful to us. It was also interesting to hear about the different ways schools are raising funds for charities, particularly those that support and empower women.

We were also fortunate to hear from two guest speakers from Parliament, Georgie Crozier, the Member for the Southern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council, and Jess Wilson, the Member for Kew. They shared powerful insights into their experiences working in Parliament and spoke about the important role women play in shaping and improving political spaces. Their messages emphasised the importance of perseverance and confidence, reminding us not to let anyone stand in the way of achieving our goals.

Overall, it was an amazing and inspiring morning. Meeting new people, hearing different perspectives, and learning from such accomplished women made it a truly memorable experience.

International Women’s Day at St Columba’s College was once again a meaningful celebration of empowerment, generosity and sisterhood, reminding us that by supporting one another and giving to others, we all have the opportunity to grow, lead and make a difference.

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). 

Our meeting dates are as follows:

Tuesday 17 March

Tuesday 28 April

Tuesday 9 June

Tuesday 28 July

Tuesday 18 August

Tuesday 15 September

Tuesday 20 October

Tuesday 17 November                         

As part of our commitment to clear and transparent communication, the PEC has developed a helpful glossary of commonly used terms and acronyms within our College community. We understand that schools often use language that can feel unfamiliar, particularly for new families, and we hope this resource makes navigating College communications a little easier.

The glossary is reviewed and updated each year to ensure it remains current and relevant.

You can access the list here.

Parents Invited to Support 2026 School Raffle 

The Parent Engagement Committee is pleased to announce that the school raffle will return in 2026, following a pause over the last few years, and we’re inviting our parent community to be part of making it a success. 

Funds raised through the raffle will go towards supporting a range of school and community initiatives that strengthen connection, wellbeing and engagement across St Columba’s. These initiatives play an important role in nurturing a positive, inclusive school environment and ensuring our community continues to thrive. 

As we begin coordinating the raffle, we would love the support of families who may be able to donate a good, item or service. These generous donations will form the raffle prizes and play a vital role in helping us reach our fundraising goal. Whether it’s a voucher, experience, handmade item or professional service, every contribution is sincerely appreciated. 

If you’re able to donate or would like more information, please contact the Parent Engagement Committee at parents@columba.vic.edu.au As a committee, we feel privileged to support important initiatives and events that bring our community together, including the Father/Male Mentor Evening, Mother/Daughter Movie Night, and the Year 7 Parents’ Welcome. We thank our families for their continued generosity and support, and we look forward to another community raffle in 2026.

We encourage all parents and carers to make use of this resource whenever needed.If you have any questions or feedback for the PEC, please contact us at parents@columba.vic.edu.au                               

ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

We congratulate, Alumnae Committee member, Siobhan Browne on her successful application to take on the role of Alumnae Coordinator. We are looking forward to supporting her in this new position.

Our Alumnae Committee meets once each term on a Wednesday evening from 7:00–8:30pm, working to strengthen and celebrate the lifelong connection between the College and our former students. Through their dedication, the Committee supports opportunities for alumnae to stay connected with one another and with the College community, fostering meaningful engagement with current staff and students and nurturing a lasting 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 next meeting for the 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday 12 May.

O’Brien House Celebration Day

This week our College community celebrates O’Brien House Celebration Day on Thursday, 19th March. House Celebration Days give us the opportunity to remember the women whose lives helped shape the mission and spirit of the Sisters of Charity. O’Brien House is named after Sister Francis de Sales O’Brien, a woman whose courage, faith, and commitment to others continues to inspire our community today.

Sister O’Brien was born in Ireland into a family that valued education and responsibility. While her early life included many privileges, it was also marked by significant personal loss. These experiences deepened her faith and her desire to dedicate her life to serving others. As a young woman she joined the Sisters of Charity, drawn by their mission to care for those who were poor, sick, and forgotten. Her gifts as a teacher and leader were quickly recognised, and she was entrusted with important responsibilities within the community of Sisters.

When the Sisters of Charity were invited to begin their mission in Australia, Sister O’Brien volunteered to make the long journey across the world. Upon arriving she began working in Parramatta, where she taught children and cared for women in prison who often had no one else to support them. Later she travelled to Hobart, where she helped guide new Sisters in their vocation and continued serving the community through teaching and leadership. Even when her health was fragile, she remained deeply committed to the people she served.

The life of Sister O’Brien speaks powerfully to our College theme of Justice. Justice in the tradition of the Sisters of Charity is not only about fairness, but about recognising the dignity of every person and responding with compassion and courage. Sister O’Brien’s life reflected the love of Christ in action. She lived a preferential option for the poor by standing beside people who were often overlooked or forgotten. Her willingness to travel to a new and distant land shows her readiness to go to the margins where help was most needed.

Throughout her life, Sister O’Brien trusted deeply in Divine Providence. She believed that God would guide and sustain the work she had been called to do. This trust allowed her to serve generously and wholeheartedly, striving to be extensively useful in the service of others. Her example reminds us that justice grows when ordinary people respond to God’s call with courage, compassion, and faith.

Prayer

Loving God,
we thank you for the life of Sister Francis de Sales O’Brien.
Through her courage, compassion, and trust in you,
she showed what it means to live a life of justice.

Help us to follow her example.
Open our eyes to those who are struggling or forgotten.
Give us the courage to go to the margins,
the compassion to serve with love,
and the faith to trust in your guidance.

May the love of Christ inspire our actions
so that we too may bring hope, justice, and kindness to the world.

Amen.

Students have recently been participating in the Developing Your Learning Toolkit Program, a series of sessions designed to strengthen the way they approach their learning.

The program introduces students to evidence-based learning strategies that are known to improve understanding, memory and long-term academic success. Throughout the sessions, students explore practical ways to apply these strategies across their subjects and begin building a personalised “learning toolkit” that they can use throughout their studies.

One of the key strategies students have been working on is spaced and retrieval practice. Rather than leaving study until the last minute, students have been revisiting and reviewing information over time. Spacing out their practice helps strengthen memory and improve their ability to recall information when needed during assessments.

Students have also been practising retrieval practice, which involves actively recalling information from memory rather than simply rereading notes. Activities such as flashcards, quick quizzes and self-testing help students check their understanding and identify areas that need further revision.

Another strategy students recently explored in the program is dual coding. This technique combines words and visuals to help students process and remember information more effectively. Students are learning how to use diagrams, flowcharts and simple visual representations alongside written explanations to organise their thinking and deepen their understanding of key concepts. Students are currently in the curious application stage of this module and have been asked to explore dual coding study strategies. On Thursday 26 March during the extended House Group session, students will engage in reflective practice and be required to share their insights with their peers.

The Developing Your Learning Toolkit Program empowers students with practical strategies that support deeper learning and greater confidence in their studies. By embedding these approaches into their everyday learning, students are building skills that will benefit them not only throughout their time at St Columba’s College but also in their future pathways. 

• Using the PTV and Tram Tracker apps to help plan their journey’s, to see disruptions and watch live updates of tram movement.
• Why it is still very important to tap on and off trains and tap on trams to assist with providing data for how busy these services might be, as well as to track your belongings if you forget something on the vehicle.
• Rules and expectations for using public transport, including those generally expected behaviours such as moving out of doorways and putting backpacks between legs when it’s really busy
• Distractions and the importance of keeping safe, especially whilst crossing tracks
• How to get help on trains and trams and at stations if you’re feeling unsafe or uncomfortable

Welcome to the 2026 school year! 

The beginning of the school year is a great opportunity to establish positive habits that support students’ wellbeing and learning. Encouraging simple routines can help young people feel calm, confident and ready to learn. Here are some practical strategies to support your child in starting 2026 strong!

Looking after the body:

Regular sleep, healthy meals, staying active, drinking water and spending time outdoors all help students stay focused, energised and better able to manage stress. These habits can be supported by setting a consistent sleep schedule, encouraging students to bring a water bottle to school, and allocating time each day for movement.

Looking after the mind:

Taking time to pause, breathe and reflect can help students manage emotions and build resilience. Encouraging self-kindness, positive self-talk and gratitude supports a healthy mindset, especially when things feel challenging. It is also important to support your young person to take a break from technology. This can include: having technology free zones at dinner time or during family time and putting limits on screen time. Show an interest in what your young person is doing online, their interests and hobbies, and look out for ways they can pursue these interests offline – such as gaming groups at school or in the community, reading and writing clubs.

Managing time:

Managing time well helps students feel more organised and less overwhelmed. Using a planner, breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic goals and having a clear study space can make a big difference. It is also important for students to balance schoolwork with rest and downtime. These skills can be developed by setting SMART goals, prioritising tasks, creating a study schedule and trying different study strategies (such as flashcards, summarising notes, attending homework club to ask teachers clarifying questions).

Staying connected:

Strong relationships with friends, family and teachers support confidence and a sense of belonging. Encouraging students to reach out to others, join activities or clubs, and be open to new friendships can strengthen their sense of community and overall connection. This can be supported through setting up study groups or joining school-based/ external clubs and activities.

By focusing on these small, practical habits, students can start the year feeling supported, balanced and ready.

Term 1: CAREER NEWS – Newsletter 6, Monday 16^th – 27^th March

Please find the link to this week’s Career News. The link will now be published in the IONA newsletter every fortnight:

Careers Newsletter

In this edition:

During the Term 1 holiday break, the Sophia Library will be open from Monday 13 April to Friday 17 April, operating daily between 10:00am and 3:00pm.

Students are warmly invited to make use of the space for reading, study and quiet reflection throughout this period.

Valley Youth and Moonee Valley Libraries are excited to be hosting a range of engaging school holiday activities for young people aged 12-25 across Moonee Valley!

Young people can sign up for the activities via our website https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/youth/youth-events/ OR by clicking on the links below. Places are limited so we encourage early signups!

• Anime Drawing Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/anime-drawing-workshop-for-young-people-aged-12-18-tickets-1984096017599?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Op Shop Hop: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/op-shop-hop-for-young-people-aged-12-18-tickets-1984105279301?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Intro to Coffee Course: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/intro-to-coffee-course-for-young-people-aged-17-25-tickets-1984094893236?aff=oddtdtcreator
• Move, Munch & Vibe: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/move-munch-vibe-for-young-people-aged-12-18-tickets-1984103368586?aff=oddtdtcreator

View the VY April 2026 School Holiday Calendar here.

Wednesday, March 25^th 2026
A/Prof. Elizabeth Hinde
Title: Glow in the Dark: How Fluorescence Reveals Hidden Details from Art to Living Cells
https://GymnasiumLecture-2026-2.eventbrite.com

Wednesday, April 1^st 2026
A/Prof. Suzie Sheehy
Title: How Curiosity-Driven Experiments have Changed the World
https://GymnasiumLecture-2026-3.eventbrite.com

Resilience is Relational

What if everything you thought you knew about resilience was… wrong? Or at least incomplete? Resilience, to many, means when the going gets tough, the tough get going. If you’re resilient, you go solo with that individual grittiness, push through the pain, and get it done. It’s perseverance. It’s getting up when you get knocked down. It’s drinking some concrete and hardening up. Perhaps this is true – sometimes.

But experience and research point profoundly towards a different story: Resilience is relational. What does this mean?

Read the full article here via the link.

Anti-Fragile Presentation

In Anti-Fragile, a presentation on building resilience in children, Dr Justin Coulson challenges the idea that childhood should be free from stress and struggle. He argues that challenges are essential for growth and that parents can empower their children by allowing them to experience developmentally appropriate adversity while providing the right kind of support to help them overcome it.

If you missed the session, you can watch the recording HERE.

We would like to advise families of an update to the process for accessing lift fobs at the College. Moving forward, all lift fob requests will be managed by the College Nurse, Michelle Potter, rather than your child’s House Leader.

If your child requires a lift fob, please contact Michelle directly and provide relevant medical documentation to support the request. A lift fob agreement will be issued to both you and your child, and we ask that you carefully read and familiarise yourselves with the conditions outlined.

If you have any questions or require further support, please contact Michelle Potter.

19 March – O’Brien Celebration Day

23 March – Year 7 Immunisations

24 March – Athletics Carnival

27 March – Stations of The Cross

30 March – Year 7 Camp

1 April – End of Term 1