IONA 9

Parent Resources in the Sophia Library

I would like to acknowledge the work of our Library Team who have created a new Parent Resources section to support parents and families.  They have provided the means for our educational mission to extend to our parent community.

You can access this site via the Parent Resources Link on SEQTA, click on the Parent Library Guide button and enter the following password when requested: SCCparentresources. Click on the “Available Titles” button to see the list of titles available.

As Mr Mario Gauci has previously indicated, all the titles are available for loan. If you are interested in borrowing please contact the Sophia Library staff using the ‘Email Me’ button on the Parent Resources site to arrange collection.

The 9th of June the Church celebrates the feast of St Columba. 

St Columba or Colum Cille in Gaelic is known as the Dove of the Church, we are reminded of this on our college crest. Let prayer for St Columba and read his last words to the community in Iona. 

The last words: A Reading from Adamnan’s Life of Columba

These, my children, are my last words to you:

That you have heartfelt love among yourselves.

If you thus follow the example of the holy fathers,

God, the comforter of the good, will be your helper.

And I, abiding with him, will intercede for you,

and he will not only give you sufficient

to supply the needs of this present life,

but will also give you the good and eternal rewards

which are laid up for those who keep his commandments.

St Columba’s Day – Thursday 16 June

The structure of the day will be as follows:

Our theme of going to the margins is being embraced by students and staff alike with a special walk on the morning of our celebration day. The first Sisters of Charity were walkers! They walked to meet people in their homes, work places, on the street and in prison. In this journeying with others they become more beloved among the community and have left us with a legacy that calls us to action.

We are asking families to donate what you can between $10 – $50 through the school shop with all money going to work inspired by the Sisters. Parents will then need to login to the shop using their shop (CDF Pay) login details. Once in, select St Columba’s Shop – School Payments – Walk for the Margins. You may then select the amount you wish to donate from the list and process your payment. Students are encouraged to seek sponsorship for this money or work for these funds if they are able.

In donating towards this event, we can each participate in fundraising as ministry, as Henry Nouwen calls it. This act of financial support is investing in the good works of the Sisters through the resources that God has given you – your energy, your prayers and financial resources. In providing for others we hope to continue the legacy of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity Australia.

If the weather is inclement, the community will be advised early on that morning. In the event of this, students will be advised to arrive at school by 10.15am in time for House Group.

It is an expectation that all students will be involved in the 5.5km ‘Walk’. Students who arrive late to school will not be permitted to participate in the carnival activities and parents or guardians will be asked to collect them from school. We are aware of some students who are not able to complete the walk due to medical conditions. House Leaders will touch base with these students to discuss the alternatives and make arrangements for those individuals.

More details are contained within a letter which has been sent home to families. Please ensure that you have provided consent on Consent2Go.

We are looking forward to a wonderful celebration!

College Assembly – Thursday 23 June

A reminder that we are having an end of term Assembly on 23 June. Parents are invited to attend. Please ensure that you communicate your intention to come along to the College’s Front Reception so that we can ensure seating for guests.

As part of our 125 year celebrations, St Columba’s College will be hosting a Gala dinner at Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields on Friday 2 September. Be sure to put the date in your calendars, more information and ticket booking will be available soon.

After the challenges of 2021, St Columba’s College was invited  to participate in a unique opportunity to partner with RMIT University in a model of STEM engagement called The Future STEM Leaders program.

 The aims of the program are to break down stereotypes in STEM with visible role models and engage students with mentors from tertiary education and industry, inspiring STEM participation in high school and beyond. The program also supports the empowerment, confidence, and knowledge for student aspirations in STEM as well as boost positive STEM culture among student groups and the school community. The program has been designed to include multiple touchpoints for lasting student engagement.

On Monday 9th May, interested students from Year 9, 10 and 11  undertook targeted leadership development as STEM facilitators with industry experts and current university students.  Our students were given the opportunity to do some land surveying using specialist equipment facilitated by current RMIT students as well as land surveyors.  

As well as land surveying, students developed their coding skills using Mirco:bits. A Micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, can interact with you and your world.

Next term, the Future STEM Leaders  alongside the mentors from RMIT will guide students in younger years in the same workshops. With the view of inspiring others to consider a pathway in the STEM field as well as boosting their confidence to embark on  careers where women are underrepresented.

On Friday 22nd July, parents/guardians will be able to access the Semester One Report. Instructions on how to access the Semester One Report and Assessment via SEQTA Engage can be found on the SEQTA Engage homepage under Reports. As you already have access to your child’s feedback across the term through SEQTA Engage, this is a good time to initiate a constructive conversation with your child about your child’s progress over the Semester.

This year’s musical production of Strictly Ballroom is in full swing. Tickets will be on sale from Friday 17th June. Make sure you get in quick and book your tickets via www.trybooking.com/BZRJL

SET stands for Student Engagement Team and consists of the College Co-Captains, 2 House Captains and 2 House Representatives from each year level. Once every three weeks during lunchtime, this group works together to discuss ways to support school improvement. 

Some of the topics that we have discussed in term 2 are the Raps and Niggles which we collated after the Student Leadership Training Day (the things we love about our school and things that may need to be improved), the Laudato Si Action Platform, Child-safe Policies, Learning Walks and St Columba’s Day. 

Currently, the SET has collated and categorised the statements (Raps and Niggles) to allow different SET members to meet with and talk to the relevant Leadership Team staff member to listen to the Raps and assist with the Niggles. These team members have reported back to us on what has been discussed and SET is now looking at this closely to come up with suggestions as to how we can make an impact and convert some of the Niggles into Raps. More recently, members of the SET have been involved in an Energy Audit at the school. We will report on this in a future Iona.

I really enjoy being a part of this committed group of people because I am able to be a voice for my year level cohort and be able to help to co-create my school.

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2022 was “Be Brave. Make Change” encouraging all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, whilst challenging each individual to be brave, confronting the unfinished business that is reconciliation and ultimately making change for the benefit of all Australians. Reconciliation week each year has been an excellent opportunity for St Columba’s students to uplift Aborigional and Torres Strait Islander voices and express our determination for a reconciled Australia. We began the week with the introduction of our Acknowledgement of Country plaque, Mulana, a piece of art created by Kinya Lerrk (Wemba Wemba for ‘women coming together’) a 100% Aborigional owned business. The plaque is displayed proudly in the front office of the Bruton building and will be a timeless and concrete reminder of the way we pay respects to the traditional custodians of the land on which St Columba’s College stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. Students were then invited to trace their hands on a black canvas in either yellow, red or white marker as a representation of their hand in and role they play making change towards reconciliation.

Throughout the school we had posters featuring key Indigenous role models and change makers, such as Adam Goodes, Eddie Mabo and Cathy Freeman, celebrating the paths these individuals have paved to amplify Blak youth and their voice. Students were also invited during the week to create ribbons coloured red, yellow and black to place on the blazers, so that their strive for justice will remain a constant part of their identity as a St Columba’s student. Although Reconciliation Week has ended, it is incredibly important that we continue to be determined in our goal of Reconciliation every day, it is important that we Acknowledge the Country we stand on, it is important that we support Blak businesses and voices, and it is imperative that we Be Brave and Make Change.

On Friday 27th may, St Columba’s took a team of 46 students to compete against other schools in the SCSA athletics competition. Melbourne Sports Centres – Lakeside stadium where the event was held, brought some excellent weather for the day with the sun shining. On Friday, Juniors placed second and earned a total of 187 points, Intermediates placed sixth and earned 396.50 points and Seniors placed fifth and earned 241.50 points. All the students competing on the day gave it their all, bringing home 5th place with an overall tally of 825 points. Congratulations to everyone that participated!! Below is an image of the Year 12s and Year Level Captains that participated in this event. 

Are you or do you know a DJ?

We are looking for musical entertainment for our 125 year Gala Dinner, to be held on Friday 2 September. If you can provide a recommendation please contact Brigitte McDonald at mcdonaldb@columba.vic.edu.au

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 enrolment dates for Year 7 2024:

• Applications for Enrolment close Friday 19 August 2022
• Offers of Enrolment will be mailed out Friday 21 October 2022
• Offers of Enrolment to be accepted/declined by Friday 11 November 2022

Online applications are open for Year 7 2024 and can be accessed here. Please ensure you submit an application form for your daughter even if you already have a daughter at the College.

St Columba’s College is offering Academic Excellence Scholarships for students entering Year 7 2024 as well as Year 9 and Year 11 in 2023. Students are encouraged to take up this opportunity and will receive a report of their achievement levels for each area tested. Further details and online registration are available here.

Registration closing date is Friday 15 July 2022

Scholarship testing date is Saturday 23 July 2022

Please note the College does not have practise papers for the testing as this is conducted by an external organisation, Academic Assessment Services.