IONA 9

St Columba’s Day

St Columba’s Day was as usual a wonderful community celebration. The day is planned as follows:

• We begin with the Eucharistic celebration, immersing ourselves in the faith tradition that underpins who we are as a College community.
• Students and staff spend an hour working on activities for advocacy and fundraising to support their House Partners, organisations that support the most vulnerable members of our community. Through our House Partnerships we are always conscious of the fourth vow taken by the Sisters of Charity, service to the poor, and through our service we commit ourselves to living the Gospel and serving the poor.
• We all then move into fun carnival activities for the rest of the day, with proceeds raised going to House Partners and/or the Sisters of Charity Foundation;

It is a day in our calendar where faith, tradition, heritage and fun come together to unite as a community and to celebrate the gifts we contribute in giving life to a faithful, inclusive and welcoming College. 

With grateful thanks to Ms Egan, the Student Executive, House Leaders, and each community member who contributed to a tremendous day.

End of Term Assembly

Our end of term assembly on Tuesday morning was a tremendous celebration of the many and varied learning opportunities at the College. Justice initiatives, sporting achievements, overseas immersions, leadership opportunities, camp experiences, Performing Arts presentations and upcoming events, wellbeing promotion, all of which featured in the assembly, highlighted a term full of initiatives and exciting prospects. Congratulations to each student who took the opportunity to further their learning through our extensive co-curricular program.

My address to the community focussed on technology, and particularly the upcoming changes to the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2025, due to come into effect in December this year. This is an excerpt from that address.

As we integrate these powerful tools into our learning, it’s crucial to be mindful of our digital safety. The Australian government has recognised the importance of protecting young people online, leading to the enactment of the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. This legislation, set to take effect in December 2025, prohibits individuals under 16 from creating accounts on certain social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The responsibility for enforcing this law lies with the platforms themselves, not with parents or you (students).

The aim is to safeguard young Australians from potential online harms during critical stages of development. The law emphasises the need for a safer digital environment for all young users. I wonder what that means for many of you, and what this will actually look like in practice. Perhaps over the coming term break, you might try a break from social media. Maybe clear a part of each day that is completely tech free, or try one day without social media, or whatever could work for you. The legislation is coming, and with any change, it is good to think about the impact that the change could have, and how we can work positively with that.

Term Break

I would like to wish all our students a restful and safe term break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the College on Monday, 21 July.

After this winter break, we invite you to join us in a meaningful act of solidarity with the homeless community through our Winter Sleep Out initiative on September 5th. This event supports St Vincent’s Winter Appeal, aiming to bring hope and practical support to those experiencing homelessness in our city. Join us in the MPC for an unforgettable night of compassion and action. Together, we will share dinner, participate in activities, enjoy a movie, and raise vital funds. There is a prize for the person who raises the most money from sponsorship and if you can’t make it on the night, fear not, we’ll be streaming live from the MPC to run some online games and presentations.

At St Columba’s College, our recent Parent-Teacher Interviews provided a valuable opportunity to foster the partnership between families and teachers, working together to support student learning and development.

We would like to thank all families who took the time to engage in these important conversations. The feedback from parents, students, and staff highlighted the significance of these interviews in building understanding, celebrating achievements, and identifying areas for improvement.

Many parents commented positively on the open and honest discussions that took place, acknowledging the constructive nature of the feedback provided. Teachers appreciated the opportunity to share insights into student progress, learning behaviours, and classroom engagement, while also hearing from parents about how students are managing their learning beyond the classroom.

To help us continue to improve our Parent-Teacher Interview process, we invite all families to complete a short feedback form. Your insights are valuable and will help us refine future interviews to better support our students.

We encourage all students to take the feedback from their teachers and parents as an opportunity to set clear learning goals for the remainder of the semester. Families are reminded that teachers are available for ongoing communication should you wish to follow up on your child’s progress.

Thank you once again for your continued support in building a strong learning community at St Columba’s College.

On Tuesday, 24 June, both Year 11 cohorts from St Columba’s College (STCC) and Catholic Ladies’ College (CLC) joined together at Australian Catholic University (ACU) for our annual reflection day. It allowed both schools to have more interaction with each other and build those friendships and connections. Our main presenter for the day was Father Rob Galea, who is famous all around the world, and was able to make some time for us in his busy schedule to come and share his story with us. We learnt about his childhood and teenage years growing up in Malta, and how he struggled with addiction, troubled relationships and later with anxiety and depression. It was a heartfelt story, but was even more interesting to hear how he was able to turn to God in his darkest hour, and how one youth group session made all the difference. He started talking to Jesus like he had just had coffee with him that very morning. That was what helped him out of the struggles, along with helping him build his relationship with Jesus, and repair the broken ones with his family and friends around him. He realised that that was what he wanted to do with his life, by sharing his story with the world with others and helping people like him, down on their luck, low in their life, or struggling with the same things he did. He also sang to us many songs, both ones that he had written inspired by events he went through, and also ones we knew that we could sing along with the girls from CLC. We even managed to get a few big group dance circles in there, too! Overall, it was a very inspiring day, full of reflection, and we all took away a powerful message. I was able to learn that it’s important to know that Jesus is there as someone to turn to, even when there is nowhere/no one else to turn to, and that he always has a plan for us, as his followers, and that we have a choice to follow the plan or not. We all learnt lots about ourselves and the Lord, and had tons of fun!

Written by Amelia, Year 11 Student & Liturgy Captain 2025

Our Year 11 Reflection Day at ACU’s city campus was an unforgettable experience that left a lasting impact on many of us. We were fortunate to hear from Fr Rob Galea, whose story of overcoming hardship and finding hope through faith was both raw and inspiring. His honesty, humour, and humility made his message genuine and personal, and it was clear that it resonated deeply with everyone in the room. Between powerful reflections, Fr Rob shared his music with us, lifting the atmosphere and bringing everyone to their feet. There was laughter, singing, and even dancing, but behind it all was a real sense of connection and meaning. In a world that often encourages us to hide our struggles, Fr Rob reminded us that there is strength in vulnerability and hope in the darkest moments. It’s not often that a speaker can move a whole room of teenagers, but this day was different. We walked away feeling uplifted, reflective, and reminded of the importance of faith, community, and staying true to who we are.

Written by Mietta, Year 11 Student

Action or Management plans required

I have been reviewing the medical information listed in Consent2Go and have noted a number of students with documented medical conditions that do not have an action or management plan supplied to the college. There are also a number of students who are yet to supply the required medication to the college as outlined in their plan.

In line with our school policy, any medical condition listed on Consent2Go must be supported by a current action or management plan from your child’s healthcare practitioner, along with any required medication provided to the College Nurse.

If your child no longer requires management for this condition while at school, we kindly ask that you update their medical profile on Consent2Go and remove the diagnosis to ensure our records are accurate.

If you do wish to keep this condition listed, please ensure:

• A current Action/Management Plan is uploaded to Consent2Go or submitted to the college nurse.
• Any necessary medication is provided to the College Nurse for safe storage and administration if required.

We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a safe and well-prepared environment for all students.

On Monday, 23rd June, 27 students from Years 9 to 12 participated in the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition, held at the University of Melbourne. In preparation for the event, each student learnt and memorised an Italian poem, ranging from excerpts of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy to works by contemporary Italian poets. On the day, students recited their chosen poems individually in front of a judge, showcasing their pronunciation, fluency, and expression. It was a valuable opportunity for students to develop their confidence and skills in spoken Italian. The day concluded with a visit to Brunetti in Carlton, where students enjoyed Italian food and celebrated their efforts.

On Thursday 26 June, the Frank Fitzgerald Auditorium was filled with the sounds of harmony, rhythm, and vibrant energy as St Columba’s College and St Bernard’s College came together for the annual Combined Music Concert.

This special evening showcased the extraordinary talents of students from both Colleges, with a program that highlighted the breadth and depth of our shared music community. From contemporary pop to classical arrangements and jazz standards, the concert offered something for every musical taste.

The event featured a range of ensembles, including the Combined Senior and Intermediate Concert Bands, String Orchestra, Choirs, Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensembles. Highlights of the evening included powerful renditions of Shackelford Banks, Havana, Pompeii, Blue Moon, and a crowd-pleasing performance of (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. The Combined Jazz Band captivated the audience with Satin Doll and Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, while the Percussion Ensembles impressed with their creative and dynamic pieces.

Our students from St Columba’s performed with dedication, confidence, and a strong sense of collaboration, exemplifying the values of teamwork and artistic excellence. Their hard work and preparation were clearly evident in every performance.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Music Departments, instrumental staff, and backstage crew from both Colleges for bringing this event to life. It was a joy to witness our students sharing their talents with such professionalism and enthusiasm.

The Combined Music Concert was a true celebration of the joy of live performance, and we congratulate all students involved on a memorable and inspiring evening.

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au).

If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the Learning Diversity Team.

Moonee Valley City Council have the internationally acclaimed exhibition, The Playground Project Melbourne opening in June at the Incinerator Gallery in Aberfeldie.

Beyond an exhibition, the playground components, including the exciting and interactive Lozziwurm, Ringtales and Brutalist Playground, offer a fun and immersive experience for kids of all ages and art enthusiasts!

Moonee Valley City Council is excited to offer school holiday activities this July for young people aged 12-25 across Moonee Valley!

Activities include a Fantasy Cosplay workshop, Battle of the Bands, Terrarium workshop, Game Off, and Jurassic World: Rebirth screening and more.

Students can register here: https://mvcc.vic.gov.au/youth/youth-events/ Places are limited.

We are thrilled to announce that Saana J from year 10, has achieved an outstanding 6th place in the Under 17’s race at the All Schools State Cross Country Championships held at Bundoora Park in June. Saana ran a time of 14.17 in the 4km event.

This remarkable performance has earned Saana a spot on the Victorian team, representing our state at the 2025 Australian Cross Country Championships in Ballarat in August. 

Saana’s achievement is a testament to her dedication and discipline as she consistently trains and competes for her club, showcasing her commitment to excellence. Saana also secured 1st place in the CGSAV cross country competition, representing St Columba’s College and has since been selected to represent CGSAV in a team that will be competing in the 2025 Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria (AGSV) cross country event at Yarra Valley Grammar.

Congratulations to Saana for this exceptional achievement and we wish her the best of luck as she competes at a national level again. 

We are pleased to advise that the Sophia Library will be open during the second week of the July school holidays, providing students with a quiet and welcoming space for study, research or reading.

Opening Hours:
Monday 14 July – Friday 18 July
10.00am – 3.00pm daily

Whether you’re preparing for Term 3, catching up on reading, or simply seeking a calm environment, the Library team looks forward to welcoming you.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and wellbeing, and in line with current best-practice guidelines, St Columba’s College has reviewed and clarified its response protocols for suspected head injuries and concussions. We request clear communication between parents, the school and the students healthcare provider to ensure a safe and successful transition back to the learning environment post a concussion/mild head injury. This is in line with our existing policy that all students with medical conditions require a medical management plan to support their treatment whilst at school. Our commitment to student safety and wellbeing is priority in supporting student back to school post a concussion/mild head injuries. Therefore to support this transition we require either:

• A medical clearance letter from their treating healthcare practitioner stating they are fit to return to school, or 
• A concussion management plan provided by their healthcare practitioner that outlines a supported return to school, including any temporary modifications or adjustments required.

This process ensures we can provide the appropriate support and care as students reintegrate into their learning environment. Concussion symptoms can sometimes be delayed or subtle, and incorrect or premature return to activity can result in serious long-term consequences. Our updated approach ensures we are taking every precaution to support a safe recovery for students. With this in mind the following processes will continue if your child sustains a suspected concession at school:

• All students with a suspected concussion will be removed from play or physical activity immediately and assessed by our trained First Aid staff. Ambulance called if required. 
• Parents/guardians will be contacted and advised to seek medical assessment, even if symptoms appear mild at the time.
• A medical clearance will now be required before a student can return to school sport, physical education, or any other physical activities.
• We will follow the “If in doubt, sit them out” principle to prioritise student safety.

These changes are based on updated recommendations from the Australian Concussion Management Guidelines: AIS, which emphasise a cautious and graduated return to activity after a concussion.We ask that you;

• Seek medical attention if your child experiences a knock to the head, even outside school hours.
• Provide the school with a medical clearance letter following any concussion diagnosis.
• Keep your child home if they are experiencing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion.

We appreciate your support as we implement these important changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

At St Columba’s College, we believe brilliance should never be limited by circumstance. That’s why we’re proud to offer a range of scholarships designed to open doors and create opportunities for students to shine, regardless of their financial background.

Our Academic Excellence Scholarships provide full or partial tuition support for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and a passion for learning. These scholarships are about more than just financial assistance, they’re an invitation to grow, lead and thrive.

Applications for our Academic Excellence Scholarships are closing soon – open to new and current students entering Year 7 2027, Year 9 2026, or Year 11 2026.

Registrations Close: Friday 18 July 2025
Examination Date: Saturday 26 July 2025

Registrations for Year 7 2027, Year 9 2026, and Year 11 2026 scholarships are now available via this link:  https://parentportal.aas.systems/?schoolId=97

Tuesday 1 July – End of Term Assembly

Friday 4 July – Term 2 Ends

Monday 21 July – Term 3 Begins

Thursday 24 July – College Musical Opening Night