Term 1 - Week 5

Prayer

Shrove Tuesday Celebrations

Shrove Tuesday Celebrations – Faith, Friendship, and Future

This week, St Columba's celebrated Shrove Tuesday, embracing our school values of Faith, Friendship, and Future.

Teachers and students enjoyed a pancake breakfast together, learning about the significance of Shrove Tuesday, reflecting on how this special day prepares us for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent – a time for preparation, kindness, and hope for the future.

The whole school community shared in the spirit of friendship, enjoying delicious pancakes! The day was a wonderful opportunity to come together, strengthen our friendships, and look ahead with positivity.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special.

Ash Wednesday

On the 5th of March, St Columba’s Catholic Primary School celebrated an Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
During our prayer ashes were placed on our foreheads in the form of a cross to remind us to:
“Repent, and believe in the Gospel”

Lent is when we prepare ourselves to fully celebrate the great feast of Easter.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty days from the first Sunday of Lent through to Holy Thursday.
During this time we become more aware of the people around us. We try to do good deeds for others to make their life easier. It was a great start to the Lent season as we pray, fast and give.

NAPLAN 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, we are committed to fostering the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of every student. I write to you about the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) and its importance for your child and our school community.

Why NAPLAN Matters
NAPLAN reflects key areas of literacy and numeracy, foundational to lifelong learning. Conducted annually for Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, it assesses skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and numeracy. While not the sole measure of ability, it offers a snapshot of progress and helps students build resilience under test conditions.

The Value of NAPLAN Data
For parents, NAPLAN data highlights your child’s strengths and areas for growth. For teachers, it informs targeted strategies to meet individual and class needs. On a broader scale, NAPLAN helps our schools:

• Identify trends and evaluate teaching methods.
• Allocate resources effectively.
• Enhance educational outcomes collaboratively.

Working Together for Your Child
NAPLAN is just one tool among many. Our schools approach it with a supportive mindset, encouraging students to do their best while emphasising their broader talents. Open conversations with your child about NAPLAN’s purpose can foster confidence, and regular communication with teachers ensures we are collectively supporting their learning.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN or how to support your child, please contact their teacher.

Thank you for your trust and collaboration. Together, we are laying the foundations for a bright future guided by faith, learning, and service.

Yours sincerely,
Glenn Corben
Principal

St Columba's - NAPLAN Schedule

Sport - Swimming

In Term 1 we will continue with our swimming program. 

Week5 – Friday, 7th March (11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

Week6 – Friday, 14th March (11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

Week7 – Friday, 21st March (11:30 am - 1:00 pm)

Students to bring:
Swimmers and rash shirt, goggles (if required), sunscreen, floatation device (if required) and towel.

3-Way Swimming Carnival

What an incredible day of friendship, hospitality and sportsmanship!
Last week we joined together with Yeoval Central School and Cumnock Public School in the annual 3-Way Swimming Carnival. All students gave it their all in the pool, showing determination, teamwork, and outstanding sportsmanship. From the fastest sprints to the bravest efforts, every swimmer made us proud!

A huge thank you to our amazing parents for the delicious lunch and sweet treats—your generosity made the day even more special! We are so grateful for our wonderful school community.

Southern Region Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday, 26th February, nine students from St Columba's represented the school at the Southern region Swimming Carnival. Many of the students recorded their Personal Best time. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Baily, Ryan, Preston and William who have advanced to the Diocesan Swimming Carnival:
Baily - 50m freestyle and relay team.
Ryan - 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and relay team.
Preston - relay team.
William - relay team.

We are so proud of you all. Keep up the amazing effort, team St Columba’s!

School Lunch Orders

Week 5
Hot Dogs

Week 6
Taco Bowel

Week 7
Chicken Wraps

Week 8
Pin Wheel

Week 9
Spaghetti Bolognese

Week 10
Chicken Burger

School Counsellor

The School Wellbeing Program is part of the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) commitment to the pastoral care and welfare of the school communities in the Bathurst area.

Our Counsellor Kate Dawson is employed by Centacare and is available at
St Columba’s every second Thursday. Kate has been working at St Columba’s since 2022 and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Referrals can be made for many reasons for example anxiety, grief and loss, emotional regulation and peer relationships. If you would like to access this service for your child or have any questions please contact your class teacher or Mr Corben. 

Volunteer Helpers - Reminder

Any parent volunteer who helps at St Columba's school must complete a ‘declaration for volunteers, child-related workers & exempt persons’ form and return it to the school.

Attendance

Schools in partnership with parents are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. While parents are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, schools monitor regular attendance daily, including part and whole-day absences, as a consequence of their duty of care and legislative requirements. 

If your child is sick, parents or carers are required to explain the absences of their children from school promptly. An explanation for absence must be provided to the school within 7 calendar days of the first day of any period of absence. When a school becomes concerned about a student's attendance, staff must address the student's learning and support needs with their parents or carers. Above a 90% attendance rate is legally required at all times.

Please contact the school if you have any concerns about your child's absences, we are here to work with you and support your child to achieve the best possible outcome.

Important Dates

School Uniform List

Community Information

Wellington Dance Academy

Wellington Dance Academy

Now Accepting new Students

Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical/ Contemporary classes

Girls & Boy Classes from ages 3 and Up

Enquires can be made by.

Phone- 0499 686 996

Email: danceacademywellingtob@outlook.com