Mother's Day Stall

To celebrate our Mother’s and the Special women in our lives, we will hold a Mother’s Day Stall on Friday, 3rd May. Gifts will be $5 each, and families will be invited to attend the stall together to purchase the perfect gift for their mum. Children have the option of cash on the day or the option of paying via QuickCliq. Please sign in to your QuickCliq account (via the SZapp as you would for Lunch Orders). Scroll to events, and you will note the Mother’s Day Gift Stall, where you can place your order. Gifts are limited to one per child. Cash purchases will be accepted on the day.

ANZAC Day Thursday 25th April

As we return to school, we also want to take a moment to acknowledge and reflect on the significance of Anzac Day, on April 25th, in week two of our term.

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance for all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. It is a time for us to pay tribute to their bravery and sacrifice and to honour their memory. We will invite our Student Leaders to represent St Columba’s at both the Ballarat Dawn and 11:00 am services.

Final Mass for Ft. Marcello

We extend an invitation to all families to attend a special mass on Sunday, 7th April at St Columba’s Parish Church to bid our farewells to Fr Marcello Colasante, who has been our Parish Priest for the past 7 years. Fr Marcello will remain at Our Lady Help of Christians at Wendouree and will also be the presiding priest of Daylesford and Creswick. We wish Fr Marcello every blessing and we wish him well as he continues his service at these Parishes.  A morning tea will be served after the 10 am Mass for those who may be able to attend.

Winter Uniform

As the weather gets cooler, we would like to remind all families that our school has now transitioned to our winter uniform. It is important that we all take pride in our uniform and appearance, as it reflects the values and identity of our school community. Wearing the correct uniform is also a way of showing respect for ourselves, our peers, and the school, and helps to promote a sense of unity and belonging. Thank you for your continued support in making this school one we can all be proud to be a part of.

Orders can be made by logging into Quickcliq and orders will be sent home with your child.

Important Dates

2025 Sibling Enrolment

A gentle reminder that if you have siblings that will be starting at St. Columba’s next year, that you must complete the Expression of Interest form via the DOBCEL website.

Sustainability Tip

Here’s a handy little tip for Easter;  Save up all your easter egg foil to make a ball as big as your palm and put it into your recycle bin. Unfortunately, if it’s any smaller, it will fall through the cracks in the recycling belt. You could make it a family competition to see who can make the biggest ball with all their foil! Pop those pesky scrappy bits of foil into an aluminium can to be recycled!'

School Photos

Our school photos will be held on Tuesday, 23rd April. MSP has emailed families their login details so they can access their online portal. If you are an existing family, it will be the same as last year. Students are to wear their full winter uniform with their woollen school jumpers.

If you have any queries about logging in to purchase your photos, please contact MSP directly on 53335577

School Athletics Carnival

Our students are busily practising in preparation for our School Athletics Carnival, set for Thursday, 18th April, at Llanberris Reserve. Students will be bussed to the event, parents are encouraged to pick their child/ren up prior to 3 pm. Please accept the permission sent out on PAM and indicate if your child needs to be bussed back to school, as we need to finalise bus numbers ASAP. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to gather in their house groups and participate in various events. Thanks to those parents who have registered their intent to support the day. Please note that due to some changes in arrangements at Llanberris, the podium is no longer available to schools.

Welcome

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of this week, we mark not only the conclusion of the first school term but also the beginning of the Easter period. With anticipation and excitement, we're reminded that school holidays commence this Friday, offering a well-deserved break for students, teachers, and staff alike. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for their unwavering patience and support throughout the duration of our building project. Your understanding and cooperation have been invaluable during this time of growth and development. As we enter this holiday season, we wish everyone a safe and joyful time filled with warmth and cherished moments. Here's to a rejuvenating break and a happy holiday for all!

Important Dates

2025 Sibling Enrolment

A gentle reminder that if you have siblings that will be starting at St. Columba’s next year, that you must complete the Expression of Interest form via the DOBCEL website.

Building Works Update

The demolition work in both buildings is almost complete, with the ceiling now removed from the Columba building. Some changes to the temporary fencing have occurred to accommodate the installation of the new playground. Over the next few weeks, the new playground will be installed.

The outside building works on Iona will begin to take shape, with the east deck being framed and the concrete being poured.

After the Easter break, the Columba building will ramp up with the installation of services and the new ceiling.

Overall, it has been a busy and productive first term at St. Columba's, and we are proud of all that our students have achieved. We are grateful for your continued support, and we look forward to working together for the remainder of the academic year.

Loose parts area refresh

As you will all be aware, our current playspace has been reduced during the building project, and temporary fences have been erected throughout the yard. With this reduced space and demolition of the current playground, we are asking for donations of materials for loose parts to support children in engaging in alternate activities. If you have any items to donate, please let us know.

Examples being: tyres • straw • rocks • stones • pebbles • buckets • cups • containers • digging tools • chalk • scarves • ribbons • fabric • smooth sticks • wooden spools • pots • pans • elastics

Foundation Enrolments for Foundation 2025 - Key 2024 Dates

• Foundation (Prep) enrolment expressions of interest opened Monday, 12th February.
• Expression of interest forms close Thursday, 23rd May
• First-round placement offers will be sent Friday, 31st May at 12.00 pm
• First round acceptance closes Friday, 7th June at 4.00 pm
• School principals meet to determine the allocation of placements on Wednesday, 12th June
• Second round placement offers will be sent Friday, 14th June at 12.00 pm
• List of schools with vacancies published Friday 14th June at 12.00 pm
• Second round acceptance closes Friday, 21st June at 4.00 pm

Register your interest in enrolling your child at a Catholic school in the City of Ballarat by completing an online “City of Ballarat Expression of Interest for Enrolment” form found here.  At this stage, you will be able to nominate St Columba’s Primary School as your first preference.

When completing the Expression of Interest form, you must indicate your first preference school and upload your child’s birth certificate and baptism certificate (if applicable).

School Photos

Our school photos will be held on Tuesday 23rd April. MSP have emailed families with their login details to access their online portal. If you are an existing family, it will be the same as last year. Students are to wear their full winter uniform with their woollen school jumpers.

If you have any queries about logging in to purchase your photos, please contact MSP directly on 53335577.

Year 3/4 Camp - Log Cabin

Next week, our Year 3 / 4 students will participate in their School Camp experience at Log Cabin Creswick. This will be a fantastic experience for all involved. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, canoeing, and team-building exercises. The camp provides many opportunities for students to bond with their peers and teachers, develop new skills, and create lifelong memories.

Family Group Holy Week- Wednesday 27th March

On Wednesday, 27th March, we invite you along with our students to gather at 9:15 am in the church for a liturgy focusing on the events of Holy Week. This will be followed by a reflective craft activity at school in Family Groups. You are most welcome to join your child/ren and work together on the response activity. We look forward to working with you at this significant time in our church calendar.

School Athletics Carnival

Our students are busily practising in preparation for our School Athletics Carnival, set for Thursday, 18th April, at Llanberris Reserve. Students will be bussed to the event, parents are encouraged to pick their child/ren up prior to 3pm. Please accept the permission sent out on PAM and indicate if your child needs to be bussed back to school as we need to finalise bus numbers ASAP. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to gather in their house groups and participate in various events. Thanks to those parents who have registered their intent to support the day. Please note that due to some changes in arrangements at Llanberris, the podium is no longer available to schools

Caritas K's

We were also delighted with the participation in Caritas K's on Monday, 18th March. It was wonderful to see our school community come together to raise awareness for those less fortunate than us and raise funds for those in need. We are proud to report that we raised  $1468.50 for this worthy cause. Well done to our Mini Vinnies Team, Year 5 / 6 Team and our Religious for their organisation of the event.

Our Easter Raffle and Hot Cross Bun Drive also proved to be great. Thanks to our amazing parent helpers for your organisation and supporting the logistics of making this happen