St Colman's School - Home Hill eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land the Birri-Gubba Juru people and pay our respects to the elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.

Key Dates - Term 2

Week 7 (29th - 4th June)

Wednesday 31st - Burdekin Softball Trials
Thursday 1st - Volleyball Clinic Prep-Year 6
Friday 2nd - Year 3/4 Assembly
Sunday 4th - St Colman's Family Parish Mass

Week 8 (5th June - 11th June)

Monday 5th - Sacramental Program 3.15pm
Tuesday 6th - Open Day Tennis Clinic 3.15pm
Wednesday 7th - School Mass 9am Possum Magic Workshop Prep-Yr 1/2
Thursday 8th - Volleyball Clinic Prep-Year 6
Friday 9th - Year 1/2 Assembly Interschool Carnival Yr 5/6

Week 9 (12th June - 18th June)

Monday 12th - Sacramental Program 3.15pm
Tuesday 13th - Tennis Clinic 3.15pm
Thursday 15th - Volleyball Clinic Prep-Year 6
Friday 16th - Prep Assembly

Principal & Teaching and Learning Update

As we draw closer to finalizing our mission statement. I ask you to read our Draft Religious Character Statement and the draft Mission Statement of our school. Please make any comments if you feel that it does not truly reflect St Colman's School Home Hill. We are now working on our motto - does Strength in Faith reflect who/what St Colman's School is in 2023 ? Feedback is greatly appreciated.

Draft Statement of Religious Character

St Colman’s Catholic School was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1927 on Birri-Gubba Juru land. For a time, there was some uncertainty about the particular saint after whom the school was named. However, parish records located in 2022 indicate that the school is named after the Irish St Colman of Cloyne (c.530-600 CE).

St Colman, who was a well known poet, established a monastery after becoming a monk later in life than other monks around this time. St Colman is well known for his poetry. The courage and tenacity shown by St Colman also characterises the story of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, who persevered through challenges in order to reach out to the poor and distressed. In a similar way to St Colman’s work in the education of monks, Catherine McAuley worked tirelessly to provide education pathways. Both St Colman and Catherine McAuley are models of lifelong learning, as they followed their vocation to serve others in ways which allowed them to “have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

A Mercy education challenges those involved to develop each person’s gifts and nurture a desire to serve others so that they “may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). The Mercy Cross, one cross super-imposed on another cross, symbolises Catherine McAuley’s view that the Sisters of Mercy symbolically place themselves on the cross when they offer their sufferings for others, thereby showing mercy. The Mercy values of respect, courage and compassion guide St Colman’s Catholic School. St Colman and Catherine McAuley both showed courage in following their call to a life of service to others. Catherine McAuley’s compassion was shown in the way she walked through all kinds of weather and conditions to reach those in need of care and help.

At St Colman’s Catholic School, students are inspired to be confident lifelong learners who show respect, courage and compassion as they live Jesus’s mission to serve others.

Draft Mission Statement

St Colman’s Catholic School lives Jesus’ mission

[to serve others so that they “may have life, and have it in abundance” (Jn.10;10)

by fostering the Mercy values of respect, courage and compassion. In a nurturing and inclusive community, students are inspired to be confident lifelong learners who share their gifts with the world.

A new school logo consultation meeting

We would like to invite you to participate in a meeting to discuss the rebrand of our school logo.

We are looking for your feedback. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 6 June at 2 - 3pm in the staff room. The meeting is expected to last approximately one hour. Refreshments will be provided

We are very excited to hear your thoughts and ideas. We believe that this is a great opportunity for our school and community to come together and make a positive change.

No change will be made to the school uniform logo (as we have lots in stock!).

School Satisfaction Survey

Have you completed your survey? We value your feedback!

Your responses are very important in this process as we continue to strive to provide the best educational, social, spiritual and emotional resources and environment for our children.

The surveys will be distributed via email on Wednesday 10 May and we ask that they are completed by Wednesday 31 May.

I would like to thank you in advance for providing feedback and assisting us to improve our school.

Transition day for Years 5 & 6

Our Years 5 & 6 students will be particapting in the transistion day at Burdekin Catholic High School on Wednesday 14th June.

St Colman’s students will be picked up by the BCHS bus at 8.50am and transported to the school where they will participate in various activities. Lunch will be provided for the day. Mrs Karen Keys and Mrs Kellie Swaffield will accompany the students. Students will return by BCHS bus at 2.15pm.

Disco

Thank you to all those that assisted at the disco. It was a great night and as one Prep student said "It was the best night in my life !!" A special thank you to Donna Sgori for all her work behind the scenes.

Principal's Meeting

Wednesday to Friday I will be away at the Principal's Meeting. During this time I will be discussing with the office how to cater for our growing numbers. We will have some very exciting news about how we will be making smaller classes. More news next week !!

Prep 2024

We are currently taking Prep enrolments for 2024. If you have a child beginning school next year or know someone whose child is due to begin Prep, please get your enrolment forms in ASAP. Don’t forget about our Prep Open Days on Tuesday 6th of June. Parents and students of 2024 Prep students are invited to join us on this day.

Birthdays

Religious Education News

Next Sunday at our school mass we celebrate the feast of the Trinity. Trinity Sunday is a Christian festival widely celebrated by Western Churches. It falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost, which is the 50th day after Easter. Trinity Sunday, celebrates the mystery of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The sign of the cross that we do so often is a sign that we have a belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Everyone is welcome on Sunday.

First Reconciliation

Congratulation to

Bryar Totorica Archie Sgori Ben Watkins Ryder Vass

Daley Caspanello Madison Fiamingo Phoebe Cordingley Jorja Vasta

Jace Duncan Isahia Forbes Matilda Forbes Fletcha Forbes Young

Prince Mendoza

who received their First Reconciliation on Monday. Well done.

Student Awards

Reading Awards - 25 and 50 Nights Awardees

Sports News

Cross Country results

Congratulations to Eden who ran in the NQ Trials for Cross Country in Townsville this morning. Eden came 14th out of 32 competitors. Great running Eden.