DIARY DATES - St Columba's School, Ballarat...2016/11/04  · Joe McManus and Ben Mornane represented our Region (which includes Geelong, Hamilton and Horsham) at the State Finals

Term 4 Week 5

Friday 4th November 2016

Dear Parents & Carers, It has been wonderful to see some beautiful sunshine over the last few days. It is amazing how a little warmth and sunshine lifts the spirits. With the warmer weather now being a little more consistent, we would ask that all students wear their full summer uniform to school every day from now on. School Advisory Council (SAC) & Parents and Friends (P&F) Annual General Meeting All parents are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the SAC and P&F on Wednesday 23rd November in the 5/6 Learning Community. The AGM will begin at 7.00pm with reports from the various groups and committees. We will share a drink and nibbles prior to the P&F and SAC holding short, separate meetings. The evening will be finished by 9.00pm at the latest. I encourage all parents to attend. Parents & Friends Our Parents & Friends is an extremely important group within our school community. This dedicated and committed group of parents meet a number of times each term to plan for and organise many social and fundraising events for our school. The money that is raised each year by the committee is an extremely important part of the school budget and ensures that our students have the resources they need to learn and grow. To ensure that we keep the Parents & Friends Committee a strong and active group within our school community and to raise the funds that are needed, we are seeking new members to join. At the AGM next month (Wednesday 23rd November) all of the executives will be stepping down and we will need parents willing to take on the roles of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. I strongly encourage you to consider joining the Parents & Friends Committee. Perhaps invite one of your friends to come along with you. If you are interested in finding out more or feel that you are able to support the school through this committee, please let either one of our existing Parents & Friends members or Kathy or Chris in the office know. Staffing for 2017 This week we finalised the Leadership Positions for 2017. Congratulations to Susan Vowles, our Learning and Teaching Leader (3-6) and Julie Cooper, our Learning and Teaching Leader (Prep – 2). Congratulations also to our PLC Learning Community (LC) Representatives: Prep LC – Emily Mullane 1/2 LC – Lucy Ryan 3/4 LC – Kelly Siebring 5/6 LC – Cleta Forrest Teaching staff for 2017 Prep Learning Community Emily Mullane Julie Cooper 1/2 Learning Community Lucy Ryan Torie Waight Anne Petrie Megan Bourke

DIARY DATES Tues 8th November

Group A 2nd Transition

Wed 9th November

2.30 Assembly (art focus) 2017 Prep Information

Evening 7.00pm

Thurs 10th November

Group B 2nd Transition

Fri 11th November

Ballarat Show Day Holiday

Mon 14th November

Report Writing Day- Pupil Free Day

Wed 19th November

Hailey House visit Parish Christmas Lunch

Mon 21st – Thurs 24th Nov

PSG meetings

Wed 23rd November

2.30 Assembly (ICT focus) 7.00 SAC and P&F AGM

Sunday 27th November

1st Week of Advent

Mon 28th November

1/2 LC visiting Specialist School Farm

Tues 29th – Thurs 1st Dec

PSG meetings

Tues 6th December

‘Going Up’ day

Thurs 8th December

Carols & BBQ

Fri 9th December

Keyboard Concert 2pm

3/4 Learning Community Sharon Marshall Kelly Siebring

Wayne Lynch Alison Thorpe

5/6 Learning Community Rachel Martino Shane Bruty Susan Vowles Cleta Forrest

Prep 2017 Transition This week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons our Preps for next year joined us at school for transitions sessions. These sessions will continue next week with the transition program concluding with ‘Going Up’ day in early December. Parents of Prep 2017 children are invited to attend a Parent Information evening next Wednesday 9th November in the 5/6 Learning Community.

Building Update The works have slowed right down at the moment as we await the fabrication of steel beams. These are needed to support the building prior to any more work commencing. The building works are still on track to have the hand over of the new Prep and 3/4 LC spaces during February. It is most likely that we will be commencing the new year in the current spaces however, and moving into our newly renovated spaces during term 1. Count Us In Yesterday the children participated in the ‘Count Us In’ music initiative. This is an Australian initiative which promotes music in school. They joined with millions of other students to sing ‘Let Us Play’

Assembly Our next assembly will be held on Wednesday the 9th November. The focus of this assembly will be ‘The Arts’.

End of Year Dates Dates for end of year celebrations: Tuesday 6th December ‘Going Up’ Day (Transition)

Thursday 8th December Christmas Carols in Church followed by end of year BBQ at school in the evening

Friday 9th December Keyboard Concert 2pm Wednesday 14th December End of year school Mass 12 noon & student reports sent home Thursday 15th December Graduation Liturgy and supper in the evening Friday 16th December 3.15pm Students finish for the year

Dates for the Start of 2017 Mon 30th January Staff resume Tues 31st Jan & Wed 1st February Student testing

Thurs 2nd & Fri 3rd February Staff Professional Development days Mon 6th February All students start Kim Butler Principal

R E News Mission Efforts During this term in Religious Education lessons, all learning communities have been focusing on learning about missioning to others. The children from the 3/4 Learning community are working to promote the mission effort of providing Christmas Hamper for our parishioners who are sick and are unable to attend mass with the parish community. The children from Mini Vinnie’s are working together to promote the Giving Tree mission effort. We link closely with St. Vincent de Paul Society members to provide presents for children in our area at Christmas time. Both mission efforts link closely with our parish community. Visit to Hailey House Our next visit to Hailey House will be on Wednesday November 16th. We will be walking to Hailey House and leaving school at 10.50 and returning by 12 o’clock.

Prep Learning Community Parish Lead Mass

On Saturday 5th November, the Prep Learning Community will be leading some of the ministries at the 6pm Mass in St. Columba’s Church. All are welcome. An Appeal to Assist the Mothers in East Timor Our parish has an appeal to assist mothers in East Timor. The mothers are encouraged to have their babies in the hospital where they have a better chance of survival. To encourage this they are given a basic bundle for their baby containing a metre square rug, knitted jumpers, socks and bonnets and baby singlets. We are asking for donations of baby singlets. These can be new or those that you do not need any longer as your children grow. If you are able to help could you leave the singlets in the school office? Christmas Lunch

All parishioners are invited to attend our Christmas Lunch, which will be at the Specialist School in Norman Street. This will be held on Wednesday 16th November at 12 noon. The lunch will be two courses - Christmas themed and will include drinks and is a great bargain at $25 per person. Please bring exact change in cash for payment on the day. There is a sheet in the foyer to write your names on if you wish to reserve a seat. There is sufficient parking down the back of the school near the room we have booked and is easy access (it is separate to the cafe). If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Judith 5331 7131.

Important Dates for Term Four Carols - Thursday December 8th 6pm with a barbeque to follow End of Year Mass - Wednesday 14th December at 12pm Graduation Mass - Thursday 15th December at 6pm I hope you have a great week ahead. Alison Thorpe REC

Parish Help Wanted Church Lawns: We are looking for volunteers to help out with the mowing of the Church lawns on a roster basis. If you would like to be included on this roster please call Helen on 0409 501 926.

Sport News – Nicky Russell

Golf Last week 24 children participated in the Division Golf Tournament the children played extremely well. Paddy Murphy and Jarrah Bowman are now progressing into the Regional Competition on Tuesday 8 November 2016. School Sports Victoria State Titles Joe McManus and Ben Mornane represented our Region (which includes Geelong, Hamilton and Horsham) at the State Finals at Albert Park. Such a fantastic effort boys. Joe threw the shot put 8.44 metres in the 10 years and under category. While Ben ran well in the 11 years and under 800metres. Ben also competed in the 1500 metres running a personal best, placed seventh which is an exceptional effort for his final year in Primary School. Walk to School What a wonderful effort everyone made walking to school last month. It has improved the safety around the school by decreasing the traffic congestion at drop off and pick up time. The health benefits are wonderful too, so keep up the fantastic effort. Rebel Sport Whenever shopping in Rebel Sport mention our school and we receive free credit, which we can then use to buy sports equipment. It is a fantastic initiative, please consider supporting it. Regional Basketball We have two teams a boys and girls team in the Regional Basketball competition today the 4th November at the Minerdome. Eighteen children will be participating. Thank you to Megan and Will Clark who coached the teams. Run Ballarat Thank you so much to all the people who signed up for Run Ballarat under St. Columba’s Primary School Name, we have raised $700 to buy sports equipment. Junior Sport During week 6, 7 and 8 the Prep and year 1/2 children will enjoy softball sessions during their PE time organised by Kelly Sports and funded by a Sporting Schools Grant. The Preps will also participate in a Hockey unit in week 6, 9 and 10. They will participate in two sessions of sport during weeks 6 when the 2017 Prep Transitions are occurring. Hockey on Tuesdays and Softball on Thursday afternoons. Parents are more than welcome to come enjoy and assist in the sporting interactions. The children will need to wear their sports clothes on these days.

Parents & Friends

Next meeting: will be the AGM on Wednesday the 23rd November @ 7.30pm in the boardroom. All welcome to attend. Parents and Friends Executive Positions for 2017 At the end of the school year all executive positions of the P&F will be available. If you or anyone you know is interested in taking on one of these positions, President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary please come along to the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 23rd November at 7pm or contact Megan Bourke for further information – [email protected] Your Inspiration at Home presentation Do you find it hard to find Christmas gifts for your friends and family or even for those work KK’s. The Parents and Friends committee will be holding a “Your Inspiration at Home” presentation on Monday 7th November at 7pm in the staff room. Do you love food? Do you like to try new things and experience different cultures? Now, with Your Inspiration at Home (YIAH), you can experience unique international flavours without leaving your kitchen. Enjoy the exact same meals as other families throughout the world, quickly and easily. We gather the globe around the same table with products you simply can’t find in a store or anywhere else. Come along on Monday 7th November to sample some of these amazing products and 40% of all purchases will go directly to the school.

5c Challenge: A fun and slightly competitive way to raise money. We are continuing to collect our 5 cent pieces, don’t forget to bring them in and support your house group.

Uniform Shop Roster The uniform shop will be open Tuesday 8.30am-9.00am or Thursday 3.00pm-3.30pm. If you are unable to come in during these times please leave an order at the office and it will be filled when the shop is open. Volunteers for next week are: Tuesday the 8th November: Jane Bowman & Megan Britt Thursday the 10th November: Kerryn Drew & Kate O’Hehir

No Icy Pole next week due to the Show Day Holiday Icy Pole Volunteers for Friday 18th November are: Jacqui Plumridge & Jo Barlow

Second Hand Book Sale!!

Parents and Friends Fundraising Event

Monday 21st November – times to be advised so stay tuned!

Wanted – Donations of second hand books in excellent condition!

If possible we would love 5 books from each family to be donated to this great

fundraising event! Please leave donated books in marked box in the office by the 18th

November. Thank you!

See you there!!

St Columba’s School Advisory Council Nomination Form

I ______________________________________________wish to nominate for the St Columba’s School Advisory Council commencing in 2017.

I am keen to join the School Advisory Council because:

Signed:

Date:

Witnessed by*:

*(Witness can be any member of the school community ie parent, carer or teacher)

Please return this nomination form to the St Columba’s School Office by no later than Thursday 10th November

Senior Learning Community News – Grade 5/6

On Wednesday the school had a transition day. The grade 5s and 6s for next year came together and had so much fun! First we did a quiz. It contained different questions about a lot of cool things! The group I was in got all the questions right! The next activity we did was my favourite! We had to build a tower out of straws and masking tape that would support a tennis ball and the highest tower that could hold the ball won! It was really tricky and not many people were successful but it was so much fun and I also learned tonnes about the people in my group! In the end it all came down to how high the tower was. And guess what, we won!!!! Our tower was 60cms high and held the tennis ball! I was so thrilled! I am now looking forward to spending more time with the new grade 5s next year. By Emily S

Division Strategies We learnt a new division strategy which is a really efficient strategy, it is a strategy that uses subtraction and is very effective. On Tuesday in Maths Olympiad, Mrs Forrest asked if anyone didn’t know about this new strategy. At the time I knew about it but never noticed how effective it was! I said that I knew it but Mrs Forrest made me solve some questions anyway (thanks!). When I finished they got corrected and they were all correct! This new ‘chunking’ division strategy is my new favourite strategy! By Darby

The 5/6 community is focusing on division in maths. One of the division strategies is called the ‘chunking strategy.’ It can also be called the ‘fishing line’ strategy. This strategy involves breaking down the number to find the answer. It is an easy way of finding the answer to the question. Mr Bruty taught us the strategy in a whole community focus. After that some kids did a clinic with Mrs Mac and she went over it and helped us to understand it better.

She taught us the specific vocabulary to help us understand better. They are shared equally, remainders, dividend, divisor and quotient. Shared equally means equal groups. Remainders mean you divide the number but it does not go into equal groups. Dividend is the large number that you are breaking up into smaller groups. Divisor means the number of groups you are breaking up to get the answer. Now I am confident on doing this strategy. By Mollie

End of Year Celebrations As an end of year celebration, the senior students will have a picnic day around Lake Wendouree on Friday the 16th December. The students will travel by bus to the shelter near the Adventure Park and then settle into a number of activities (bike riding, walking, running, fishing, cricket, free time etc.) In order to assist with adequate supervision for these small group activities, as well as provide the students with pizza and an icy pole for lunch, we will need the assistance of several parent helpers with Working With Children cards. If you are able to assist with one of these activities, please contact one of the Senior Community teachers as soon as possible.