As Term 1 draws to a close, I would like to wish all families a peaceful and relaxing vacation break. The two week holiday is an ideal opportunity for students to recharge their batteries, reflect on what they have achieved so far and start planning for Term 2.
Schools are extremely busy places and Term 1 is usually characterised by students meeting the expectations and standards of their new year level. This year has been very special as we welcomed Kindergarten to St Columba. It has been exciting watching them adapt to their new setting.
For those students who entered Year 3 from Stage
Highlights of the term have included:
- The enhancement of Visual Arts and Performing Arts with the introduction of specialist teams. Mrs Pip Catlin and Miss Mekayla Newell have achieved some remarkable examples of our students’ creativity in a relatively short time. Our end of year Visual Arts show, SCAS Art, will be spectacular.
- Our Grandparents Day was the culmination of a term of dance, drama and music in the form of our new Performing Arts Hour program. It was a special day for our Performing Arts team led by Mrs Isabella Mistry. Our collaboration with the University Of Newcastle and Dr Chris Hatton will be showcased next term, with the Year 5 Sanctuary Project Festival. Stay tuned Year 5 parents!
- The introduction of French into the Primary school, with our specialist French Teacher Mrs Christine Moore, has been well received by students and we look forward to cultural experiences later in the year such as French Day and le Tour de SCAS!
- Primary School have showcased their skills in a wide variety of academic enrichment activities such as Public Speaking, Chess and Debating. Our students have represented SCAS at HRIS and regional competitions.
- The Swimming Carnival, Cross Country Carnival, tennis, soccer, basketball and netball successes have been due to the hard work and training by our students, coaches and our excellent K-12 Sports and Activities Manager, Mr Tony Judge. The introduction of
the Stage 3 elective sport program has shown that staff and elite sports coaches can offertop quality programming at a Primary School level.
- Our Primary School camps were hugely successful. The bond between our staff and your children is the perfect link towards learning relationships throughout the year.
- The opportunity to immerse our Year 6 students in a Leadership Week provided opportunities to meet inspirational local heroes, service initiatives and wellbeing activities.
- Stage 1 Water and STEM days have shown that innovation and creativity within programming and utilising our K to 12 resources can create experiences that are authentic, rich and a lot of fun!
During this Term, staff have concentrated on developing a ‘Deeper Learning’ culture in our students. Deep Learning is a powerful approach which transforms the role of teachers to that of architects of learning, designing experiences that build global competencies. Six deep learning competencies (the 6 C’s) activate learners and enable them to engage in authentic learning experiences, to flourish and influence in an increasingly complex world.
Thank you also to parents for your support of our uniform policies. We have had a noticeable improvement in our students presenting each day smartly dressed and ready for school.
A reminder that St Columba Anglican School has again been invited by the Port Macquarie Sub-Branch of the RSL to attend the ANZAC Day observance on Thursday 25 April, commencing at 10.00am. All students and their families who are available on that day are very welcome to represent our School at this event.
In closing, on behalf of the staff of the Primary School, I wish you an enjoyable Easter holiday. We look forward to seeing everyone’s eager, cheery faces next term. Best wishes!
Ms Shannon Rosewood
Head of Primary