IONA 6

Staff Learning at St Columba’s College

The Learning and Teaching space is a vibrant one at our College. Students and teachers alike are engaged in formative experiences that support their growth and development. The three-day professional learning conference for teachers at the start of the term provided various workshop sessions connected to our Annual Action Plan which inform teaching practices at the College. This included input from guest speakers Dr Amy Berry, speaking about the Continuum of Engagement, Glenn Pearsall extending our practice related to productive classrooms, and Fr Elio Capra exploring the theme of Hope through Art. Fr Elio’s session encouraged us to consider how our modern world distances us from the roots of human fulfillment, namely, oneness with nature, with the divine and with one another. His session encouraged us to consider how communally and individually we can reclaim this oneness and seek fulfillment in God.

The Professional Learning Committee, chaired by the Deputy Principal, Brigitte McDonald, takes a forward-looking approach to staff learning ensuring that we offer enriching learning and growth experiences for all staff members, connected to our strategic directions, that support the development of our faith, learning, teaching and wellbeing programs.

Board Formation

We have a committed Board of Directors providing Governance oversight of the College, and also offering support for the College Leadership Team. This past Saturday, Directors gathered at the College for a formation session facilitated by Paul Fumei, Mary Aikenhead Education Mission Formation Leader. The session focussed on our Catholic faith, and supported our reflection on how all our programs at the College permeate Mary Aikenhead’s profound love for God through her work with those who are on the margins. Mission informed governance is central to our work if we are to remain faithful to our heritage and tradition, while forging new paths for our community.

Pope Leo XIV

We join with all Catholic people in celebrating the appointment of Pope Leo XIV. His humble acceptance of the Fisherman’s Ring, and commitment to be our brother working with us in fulfilling the reign of God, provides a hopeful sign of a church that continues to be in and of the people. The excerpt below from Pope Leo’s homily from his inauguration mass, reminds us all that we are God’s love in the world, and this love should be offered to all without question bringing unity and wholeness to God’s creation.

This is the missionary spirit that must animate us; not closing ourselves off in our small groups, nor feeling superior to the world. We are called to offer God’s love to everyone, in order to achieve that unity which does not cancel out differences but values the personal history of each person and the social and religious culture of every people.

In recent months, Moonee Valley City Council and local police have received a growing number of complaints from the community regarding the improper use of electric power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes).

E-bikes are fast, efficient, and eco-friendly—but their increasing popularity comes with risks that many riders underestimate. These include:

• Greater weight compared to traditional bikes

• Operation on roads without proper training

• Modifications that increase speed beyond the legal limit

Legal Requirements for E-Bikes

To be legally used without motorcycle registration and licensing, e-bikes must:

• Have a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts, with power output:

  • Progressively reduced as the speed exceeds 6 km/h

  • Cut off entirely when:

    1. The cycle reaches 25 km/h, or

    2. The rider is not pedalling and the bike exceeds 6 km/h

E-Bikes Classified as Motor Vehicles

If an e-bike has been modified to meet any of the following criteria, it is classified as a motor vehicle and must comply with all relevant vehicle registration and licensing laws:

• Produces more than 250 watts or exceeds 25 km/h with motor assistance

• Can be propelled by the motor beyond 6 km/h without pedalling

• Is fitted with a petrol-powered motor

Enforcement and Penalties

Police have observed an increase in non-compliant e-bikes being used on roads, footpaths, and bike tracks in Moonee Valley. Such bikes pose a serious risk and may result in significant penalties under the Road Safety Act, Road Rules Victoria, and the Crimes Act.

Offences may include:

• Unlicensed driving

• Use of an unregistered motor vehicle or motorcycle

• Failure to comply with vehicle standards

• Culpable, dangerous, or careless driving

Penalties may include:

• Expensive fines

• Court attendance

• Criminal convictions

• Vehicle impoundment (with associated costs to the owner)

To avoid injury and fines, please ride safely and legally on an e-bike that complies with Victorian Law.

Thank you,
Moonee Ponds Police Station

This week, we showcase our music specialists, Ms Felicity Baldock (Voice) and Ms Taé Julien (Violin).

Ms Felicity Baldock
Ms Baldock is a highly respected soprano, educator, and adjudicator with an extensive career in opera, music theatre, and concert performance. A graduate of the South Australian College of Advanced Education with high distinction, she furthered her studies in Italy, Germany, and New York as a recipient of the South Australian Government Vocal Scholarship. She has performed with Opera Australia, Victorian State Opera, the Brisbane Festival, Melbourne City Opera and Melbourne Opera Company, making her debut as Violetta in La Traviata in 2003.

For over 22 years, Ms Baldock has been a dedicated voice teacher at St Columba’s College, where she also directs the Junior and Senior choirs. She previously taught at Lowther Anglican Grammar for 15 years and co-founded the Grace Notes Singers. Committed to fostering young talent, she has served as an assistant conductor and mentor in various state educational programs. Now retired from performing, she runs a private teaching practice and remains in high demand as a vocal teacher, examiner, and adjudicator.

Ms Taé Julien
Ms Julien is a professional violinist and violist from Melbourne. They hold a Masters in Music Performance in Baroque Violin from the University of Melbourne and completed their undergraduate studies in Modern Violin with Julian Quirit, William Hennesey, Helen Ayers, Nellie Shkolnikova and Mark Moghilevsky. They perform regularly with various theatre companies as well as Melbourne Baroque Orchestra and Melbourne Opera Orchestra; recently completing a season of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg the longest opera in the idiom at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.

They are touring to China in March 2025 to perform with Syndee Winters (The Lion King, Hamilton), Nic Rouleau (Book of Mormon), Aimee Atkinson (Six), Ben Crawford and Meghan Picerno (Phantom of the Opera). Ms Julien enjoys working with the students at St Columba’s and seeing that they reach their potential in their Upper String studies.

Want to take your skills to the next level? Sign up now for Term 2 private lessons. Fill in a Enrolment Form and Direct Debit Form today and return them to performingarts@columba.vic.edu.au

On Tuesday, 6th May, students from Years 7 to 9 took part in the STC cross country event.  We walked to Aberfeldie Oval, where the 3-kilometre course was explained to us before the race. Due to a small number of Intermediate runners, both Junior and Intermediate groups ran together. It was a sunny day, which made the run feel extra challenging, especially on the steep uphill sections. Despite the heat, all the girls completed the course while supporting each other. Congratulations to all the girls who competed.

St Columba’s College is calling on Parents, Friends and Alumnae Professionals to interview and provide feedback to our Year 9 Students as part of our Pathways Program

• Monday 30th June
• Tuesday 1st July
• Wednesday 2nd July

5.30pm to 8.30pm

Location: St. Columba’s College

Both the Interviewer (Parent/Friend/Alumnae) and the Interviewee (Student) will be onsite, face to face.

A current Working with Children Check is compulsory.

If you do not have a Volunteer WWCC, apply for free, via the following link: https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children

If you are interested in participating in this valuable program, please complete the questionnaire using the following link  by Friday 23rd May indicating your availability: https://forms.gle/LY6UQ6h9Ck3MDYsT6

Should you have any questions about the 2025 Year 9 Mock Interview Program, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Rosalba D’Astoli, Pathways Leader via the Front Office on 9337 5311  or send an email to dastoliiannuzzir@columba.vic.edu.au

The Parenting Breakthrough that Happened Between Takes

A couple of weeks back I was in Sydney filming Season Three of Parental Guidance. Studio days are long. It’s demanding work. (I’m thrilled to say that the show is going to be amazing again this time around!)

During a brief break, my phone rang. “Unknown number.” I hesitated. I only had about five minutes before I had to be back in hair and makeup. I had no idea who was calling me, and I needed to be in the right headspace for the next studio session. It was going to be a heavy one.

I glanced at the number on the screen again. No idea. And then, impulsively, I answered.

“Hello, this is Justin.”

“Daddy?” The sobbing, nearly inaudible voice belonged to my 14-year-old daughter, Lilli. Her tears told me everything I needed to know. My little girl was not doing well.

What would you normally say in this situation? “What’s wrong? Talk to me. What happened? Why are you crying?”

With the best of intentions, this is where we typically begin to interrogate our child. I chose a different path.

“Oh, Lilli. You’re crying. It sounds like you’re having an awful day.” I stopped. Waited. Then, “I’m here for you if you feel like talking.”

Lilli opened up like a flower after rain. She was on school camp, distressed, and calling from a teacher’s phone (since phones were, rightly, banned). A boy had fat-shamed her. Several of the kids were creating challenges. She was struggling with their immaturity. And camp felt awful.

When Emotions Run High, Intelligence Runs Low

Our children’s big emotions create ripple effects throughout their lives. For our child, these emotions can leave them feeling disconnected from us and others. They derail interest in school, learning, hobbies, and engagement in life itself.

For us as parents, big emotions (either in our child or ourselves) cloud judgement and decision-making. They hijack our effectiveness, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

In short, high emotions = low intelligence.

Emotion Coaching: The Science Behind the Approach

Pioneering research by Dr John Gottman has revealed that children whose parents practice “emotion coaching” develop stronger emotional intelligence and resilience. In his landmark studies published in “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child,” Gottman found that emotion-coached children experience fewer behavioural problems, higher academic achievement, better social relationships, and improved physical health compared to their peers.

The research shows these children develop greater self-regulation skills and the ability to calm themselves in stressful situations. Most importantly, the parent-child relationship benefits from deeper trust and connection, creating a secure base from which children can explore their world with confidence.

The Five Steps of Effective Emotion Coaching

Coming home from camp was not an option for Lilli. Instead, I followed these five crucial steps to support her through her emotional moment—and no, you don’t need a psychology PhD to do this:

1. Be emotionally stable and mentally present: I took a deep breath, centred myself, and gave Lilli my complete attention despite the studio pressures waiting for me. Your calm creates a safe harbour in their emotional storm.
2. Say what you see—no judgement or direction: “Lilli, that sounds so hard. This must feel so rough.” Simple observations acknowledge their experience without telling them how they should feel or behave.
3. Offer to hug, help, or hear them: “I’m here for you if you feel like talking.” This gives them options while assuring them of your unconditional support.
4. Let them process with your strength and support: I remained silently supportive as Lilli worked through her feelings. Your steady presence gives them the security to experience difficult emotions fully.
5. Ask how they want to move forward: “What do you think might help in this situation?” This empowers them to develop their own solutions while knowing you’re ready to guide if needed.

Whether your child is 4, 14, or the 44-year-old partner you married, these steps serve as a powerful guide.

Sometimes you do have to step in, make decisions, and take action. But more often, your child simply needs you to be there emotionally. Not as a therapist. As a parent who listens.

Support. Don’t solve.

Do you have a daughter currently in Grade 5 and wish to enrol her at St Columba’s College? If so, please take note of the following important enrolment dates for Year 7, 2026:

• Applications for Enrolment close on Friday, 15 August 2025
• Offers of Enrolment will be mailed on Friday, 17 October 2025
• Offers of Enrolment must be accepted or declined by Friday, 7 November 2025

Online applications for Year 7 2026, are now open and can be accessed via the College website. Please ensure you submit an application for your daughter, even if you already have another child at the College.

Tuesday 20 May – PEC Night for Fathers, Male Mentors and their children

Monday 26 May – Year 9 Reflection Day

Monday 9 June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday 10 June – Year 10 and Year 11 Exams Commence

Monday 16 June – Year 9 Exams Commence