School Closure Days: Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 November. 30 October 12 November

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1 COLUMBA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Hope Street Phone Bunyip 3815 Fax Website 30 October 12 November Dear Columba Families, This Friday is World Teacher s Day and we have organised a variety of activities this week to celebrate the wonderful work of the Columba Staff. Research indicates that the major factor in effective learning is teachers! The presence of a dynamic and enthusiastic teacher far outweighs the impact of facilities and resources in children s learning. At Columba, as I m sure you will agree, we have a happy and committed group of people working together for the benefit of the children. During 2014 I have been impressed with the professionalism and hard work of the entire staff and I feel very privileged to be part of this wonderful group of people. It is very important as a school community to acknowledge the achievements and efforts of the staff and to provide opportunities for relaxation and stress relief. Part of our School s Vision is the care of staff, recognising all the challenges in their personal and professional life. IONA-MARYKNOLL & KOO WEE RUP CATHOLIC PARISHES IN PARTNERSHIP Including the communities of St Joseph s, Iona; St James, Nar Nar Goon; Holy Family, Maryknoll; St John s, Koo Wee Rup and St Mary s, Lang Lang. Administrator Fr. Dom Hilarion Fernando OSB Parish Deacon Rev. Tony Aspinall Parish office, St James 60 Nar Nar Goon Rd Nar Nar Goon 3812 Phone ionaparish@dcsi.net.au Sacramental Co-ordinator Sr Patricia Hickey sgs Thoughts from Grade Prep/One: Brodie: Teachers let you play games and do drawings Olivia: Teachers tell us to work and teach good things Will: Teachers smile all the time and help you out Kashya: Teachers help you learn more stuff Lucy: Teachers help you get a lot of work done and tell you when you re good School Closure Days: Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 November WEEKEND MASS TIMES: St Joseph s, Iona Sunday 11am Holy Family, Maryknoll 2nd Sunday 8am St James, Nar Nar Goon Saturday 6pm St John s, Koo Wee Rup Sunday 9.30am St Mary s, Lang Lang 3rd Sunday 8am Reconciliation: Refer to Parish Office

2 Grade Structures 2015 In 2015 the Grade Structure is likely to be: Prep One/Two One/Two One/Two Three Three/Four Four/Five Five/Six Teachers will begin the process of grade placement for 2015 in the next few weeks. Teachers consider a number of factors when placing students in each grade including friendships, social skills and class dynamics. The main objective is to create the optimum learning environment for each student. It is important to emphasise that where a grade has been split, there will be a cross - section of students placed in each grade. Often there is a perception that students combined with a younger grade are at a disadvantage. With modern teaching methods and assessment procedures, teachers are adept at providing activities to specifically meet the needs of each student regardless of grade level or ability. You will notice that after much consideration we have opted for 3 Grade One/ Two classes next year. This arrangement allows teachers to work closely together in planning curriculum activities and gives students further opportunities to socialize with a broad range of classmates. If you have information regarding the placement of your child please place it in writing by 10th November. As professionals, teachers make an informed judgment about student placement and consider the best interests of every child. Information about Grades and classrooms will be sent home with your child s report in December. If you are leaving Columba at the end of the year, could you please let the office know as soon as possible. We have had several enquiries for 2015 enrolments in recent weeks and have a Waiting List across all grade levels. We would like to accept new families if at all possible. School Bank The Columba School Bank WEDNESDAY Assembly The next Assembly is scheduled for Friday 7th November at 2:30 pm. The Prayer will be lead by students from Grade 5/6. Please come along and help celebrate the achievements of the students. All families are welcome to attend each Assembly. Columba School Christmas Concert Tuesday 25th November Bunyip Hall 7:00 pm (Please keep this night free!) Tennis Balls Many thanks to the Osborn Family for a donation of Tennis Balls which will be most welcome during sports and play sessions. Website Please make sure you have a look at the school website which can be accessed at;

3 Orientation Prep Orientation Days for Columba are fast approaching and we welcome the 2015 Preps: Ellie-Ruth, Lily, Pippa, Tayla, Grace, Mitchell, Bridget, Owen, Louis, Matthew, Molly. Charli, Riley, Harvey, Thomas, Max, Tyrese, Banjo, Sophie, Claire-Rose, Bailey, Cohen and Oscar. Parents & Friends Meeting The Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Friday 21st November at 9:15 am. All are welcome. We would love to see you there! Orientation Days take place on: Thursday 13th November 2:00 pm 3:15 pm Wednesday 19th November 2:00 pm 3:1pm Upcoming Excursions: Friday 7th November Grade 2, Grade 2/3 & Grade 3/4 Coal Creek Friday 14th November Grades 4, 5 & 6 V8 Super Cars (Phillip Island) Friday 12th December Grade 6 Vic Market Please ensure that all permission form are returned as soon as possible. GRADE 3 Last Friday the Grade 3 students had a sleepover at school. The excited students arrived back at school at 5pm where they set up their beds and participated in a photo game called The Amazing Race (Thanks Ms. Websdale). They then enjoyed hamburgers for dinner (Thanks Mrs. Hester and Mrs. Robbins), where they decided the burgers are better at Columba. With more games, running around and fun they soon settled in their pyjamas in bed to watch a movie. Popcorn was enjoyed and then teeth were brushed. The children were fantastic and had a great time. It was great to see their enthusiasm and they are already looking forward to camp next year. Miss Frindt and Miss Kilmartin enjoyed their nana naps on Saturday afternoon. Thanks Ellie and Janine

4 Out of Hours Care As you would be aware we have been working towards an Out Of Hours Care Program for Columba. We must especially acknowledge the efforts of Megan Mathieson on behalf of the Parents & Friends who has been working behind the scenes to help this become a reality. There are at present some short term issues which need to be addressed before we can proceed. These issues include, ensuring the program is self-sustaining, that we have sufficient numbers for all sessions, costs for families are minimised and most importantly that we have an appropriate space to house the program. (A space which would not compromise learning opportunities for students at the beginning and end of the school day, nor impact on the safe and efficient dismissal of students.) Once our issues are addressed a proposal from the preferred provider is sent to the Catholic Education Office for approval. Personnel from the Catholic Education Office then evaluate the proposal and contract, and make a recommendation to Father Hilarion for his consideration. The establishment of a Out of Hours Care Program is a lengthy process with an extra layer of scrutiny, because several schools have incurred substantial out of pocket expenses in trying to sustain Out of Hours Care. We ask you to remain patient and we will keep everyone informed of developments as they occur. Columba Sunday Mass Iona 9th November 11:00 am Congratulations to Shainia, David, Eddy & Teagan who have been selected as school leaders for the next fortnight. I am sure they will continue to set a great example for all our School leaders to follow. Thank you to Zali, Campbell, Xavier and Cailyn who were school leaders for the last fortnight. Our outgoing leaders used their initiative to make sure their responsibilities were efficiently completed. Well done! Catholic Women's League Raffle Over the next few weeks the CWL Ladies and Friends will be selling Raffle tickets after all Masses. 1st prize: A Baccarat Stainless Steel Wok (Valued $140 ) 2nd prize: Pair Matching Photo Frames ( Valued $90) Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. The CWL does a lot for our parish so please support them with this fundraiser. Raffle to be drawn after 11am Mass on the 14th December. This term Fr Hilarion has invited Columba families to participate in Sunday Mass on the 9th November at 11:00 am. If you would like to attend, please fill in the attached form and return it to school by Wednesday 5th November.

5 Puffing Billy Excursion Grade preps and ones On Monday we had parent helpers because we went to Emerald Lake. I was really excited! I was counting down the days. My Mum came to help. I was in her group with my friends. We went on Puffing Billy. The colour was redish greenish. I saw a waterfall. The park we played at was like a gym. I saw paddle boats. We went on the bus to Emerald Lake. -Carlie, Gr 1 Steve the bear joined the Preps on our excursion. I really liked that we went on real train tracks. Brodie, Gr 1 Chris and Erin enjoying the sunshine! It was really fun because we got to go on Puffing Billy. MJ, Gr 1

6 On Monday I went to Puffing Billy. It was so fun. I saw baby ducks they are so cute. I sat next to Jessica. We played games they were fun. We went on the playground. We had so much fun. Meredith, gr 1 I liked it when we went on Puffing Billy because I have never been on a train before. Sam The boys trying to find their way around Emerald Park lake. Puffing Billy was really fun and I got to touch a tree branch from on the train. Matilda We went to a lake we had snack. we had a ride on puffing billy. We went on the bus we had a ride back home. Tegan, Prep

7 Grandparents day 2014

8 IONA-MARYKNOLL PARISH 60 Nar Nar Goon Road, Nar Nar Goon 3812, Vic., Australia, 3815 Or PO BOX 1, Koo Wee Rup, 3981 Telephone: (03) Catholic Women s League Last week an information sheet about our Parish C.W.L. was distributed and we thank those who have returned the form, indicating their continued support. Please consider how you would like to be involved in one, or some of the many ways listed to enrich this active Parish group. As always, thank you in anticipation for your generous response. Parish Pastoral Council The Parish Pastoral Council is a vibrant group of parishioners with representatives from all areas of the parish including Bunyip and Garfield. The Council is seeking new members and asking people to fill in a nomination form if they would like to nominate a parishioner or even themselves to the council! Nomination forms will be available after Mass on Sunday or may be obtained from the school office. The Parish Pastoral Council plays a very important role in the Parish; Our Mission Statement is to be a part of the wider Parish, coming together to share in the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, to listen to God s Word and to provide a sense of belonging and connection to the members of our Parish, Schools and Community. For more information please contact a member of the parish council or the Parish Office. Cleaner required for St Joseph's church at Iona. Approximately 2-3 hours per month at $25 per hour Please contact Sharon at the Parish office on or ionaparish@dcsi.net.au. Altar Servers The Parish Liturgy Team are looking for Altar servers to volunteer to assist with Parish celebrations. Students from Grade 4 to Grade 6 are eligible to Serve and will be trained by Hilarion and the Parish Office Staff. Altar Servers do need to make a regular monthly commitment especially to Sunday Mass. The Parish is hopeful of having new Altar Servers to assist during the Christmas Liturgical Celebrations. If you are interested in finding out about Altar Serving please contact Sharon or Karen at the parish office. SCHOOL LITURGIES Parish Mass will be held in the Multipurpose Room each Tuesday Morning (except the second Tuesday of each month) unless otherwise specified. Masses begin at 9:30 am and parents, friends and parishioners are most welcome to attend. Next Mass: 4th November: NO MASS Melbourne Cup Public Holiday 11th November: Hillview Hostel (No Mass at Columba) Fr

9 October Friday 31 World Teacher s Day November Monday 3 School Closure Day (Staff PD) Tuesday 4 School Closure Day (Cup Day) Friday 7 Middle Excursion to Coal Creek Friday 7 Assembly Prayer: Grade 5/6 Sunday 9 Columba Weekend Mass (Iona 11:00 am) Monday 10 Special Guest Speaker Jonathon Lancaster Wednesday 12 School Board Thursday 13 Prep 2015 Orientation Thursday 13 Newsletter Focus: Art Friday 14 V8 Super Cars (Phillip Island) Tuesday 18 Buddy Mass, Grade P, P/1, 4/5, 5/6 Wednesday 19 Prep 2015 Orientation Friday 21 Parents & Friends AGM Friday 21 Lucky Bottle Day Friday 21 Assembly Prayer: Grade 2/3 Tuesday 25 School Christmas Concert Thursday 27 Newsletter December Tuesday 2 Mass prepared by Gr 1 & Gr 2 Wednesday 3 Combined Parents & Friends and School Board Dinner Friday 5 Lucky Bottle Day Christmas Theme Friday 5 Assembly Prayer: Gr 6 Sunday 7 Graduation Mass Thursday11 Newsletter Friday 12 Grade 6 Excursion Friday 12 Bunyip Community Carols Tuesday16 End of Year Mass Wednesday 17 Last Day of Term (1:00 pm finish) Sick Bay Linen 31st October Hower Family 7th November Kinder Family 14th November Eveleens Family 21st November Fry Family GOAL: To ensure that the sick bay linen is clean and hygienic. TASK: Stripping the sick bay bed of linen and making it up again with fresh linen, which is usually done on a Friday. The linen from the bed needs to be laundered and returned by the following Thursday. Tan Bark 1st /2nd November Davis Family 8th/9th November Jackson Family 15th/16th November O Farrell Family 22nd/23rd November Dijkstra Family GOAL: To ensure there is a consistent and even coverage of Tan Bark throughout the adventure playground. You will need to bring a rake with you. This task can be completed anytime between 3:30pm Friday and 8:00am Monday. With kindest regards, Jan Gubbins Principal