Term 1 Week 1 Monday 31st January

Our Prayer This Week

Dear Loving God,

Please bless our School. Help us to be like St Colman, people of faith who welcome, learn and care.

Amen

From the Principal

Welcome to 2022!

After an uncertain start to the year, it was fantastic to have the children return to school today. We particularly welcome the new members of our community Maddie Tegelhuter, who will be teaching in the middle room, and Charlotte Dorey, our new trainee, as well as our new Prep students,  Jack Allen, Blair Bassett and Elias Martinez Villalobos.

We're straight into things this week with swimming lessons starting tomorrow. There are plenty of other updates as well so please take time to read the newsletter carefully. 

We're all looking forward to a great year and feel confident that with the continued support of the community that we can embrace any challenges that come our way. 

Kind regards, Stacey Atkins

Welcome

Maddie Tegelhuter, who will be teaching in the middle room, and Charlotte Dorey, our new trainee, Connor Toleman (another Tiger's supporter) in Grade 4 as well as our new Prep students,  Jack Allen, Blair Bassett and Elias Martinez Villalobos.

Firstly, I'm Stacey. Some of you will remember me from my time teaching as St Colman's from 2009-2014.  For the past 5 years I have been the Deputy Principal at St Pius X, Warrnambool. I'm excited to return to St Colman's and look forward to working with all members of the community. 

Maddie Tegelhuter is originally from Minyip and enjoys getting out on her parent's farm. Maddie has been teaching at Camperdown P-12 the last 3 years and has a breadth of experience in both Australia and in London. Maddie plays netball for the Camperdown Magpies and is looking forward to all the new experiences she'll have this year at St Colman's. 

Charlotte Dorey has joined us as a trainee after graduating from Warrnambool College. Born and raised in Warrnambool, Charlotte is very proud to have recently gained her driver's licence. She has a dog called Bruno and yes, she's Mikayla's little sister. 

We are all looking forward getting to know each other.

My New Gallery

Swimming this week

On Tuesday 1st February all P-6 students will be participating in the swimming program. All staff will be involved with the program. The program will run over 8 lessons (Tuesday-Friday), concluding on Friday February 11th.

The children will be getting changed into their bathers and walking to the Mortlake Pool. They will change back into their clothes prior to returning to school. 

On their swimming day, children need to bring their bathers, towel, goggles and a plastic bag to place their wet swimming gear into after class. Please note that a rash vest is compulsory. Children without a rash vest will not be able to participate. Please ensure all belongings are CLEARLY labelled.

Lessons will take place between 2-2.45pm.

Please complete the consent form, as well as the swimming competency checklist, and return as soon as possible via PAM. Children who have not been given permission will be unable to attend.

Congratulations

We are all very excited to share in the happy news of the safe arrivals of two beautiful babies over the holidays. 

Congratulations to Bridget, Micheal and Macie Van Den Broek on the birth of Thomas Lawrence and to Tom, Lily, Mason, Archie and Knox Dale on the arrival of their daughter and sister, Mila Aiset Rose on the 17th of January. 

My New Gallery

COVID updates

Please find following, an extensive letter outlining the current COVID arrangements. Some key points include things we are doing to protect our community:

• Mask wearing for all staff and Grade 2-6 students is compulsory. It is highly encouraged for all other children. Students must provide their own masks. 
• Masks are required for ALL children who travel on a bus. 
• Visitors must check in via the QR code and be vaccinated. 
• RATs have been delivered with each member of the community being invited to test themselves twice a week. The school must be notified if there is a positive case.  Head to this link for a video on how to conduct a RAT. https://youtu.be/AyrggazYk_0

Please contact me at school if you have any concerns or queries. The new school mobile number is 0409 539 167.

Forms and Fee Accounts

Welcome back everyone

I am busy getting things organised for the new year and I plan to have information regarding school fees, uniform, lunch orders etc. sent out as an eNewsletter by Thursday at the latest. If you have any questions in the meantime, please give me a call or send an email.

Jane Lee

Summer Uniforms

A reminder that we have made some changes to the uniform. Thank you to everyone in correct uniform today. 

Please note the children are to wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays. 

Prep Rest Day

A reminder to all Prep parents that Wednesdays will be a rest day for our youngest students.

Medical Plans to be Updated

All parents and carers are asked to review their child's medical information via PAM. If you require assistance to do this please contact the school. 

Birthdays

Congratulations to all who celebrated their birthdays during the holidays. 

Isabella Dolling                              10th January
Gus Carmody                                   31st January

What is love?

As a Catholic school teacher, I've been asked to read at friends' weddings on a number of occasions and on many of these occasions I read the same reading. This reading is the second reading from Sunday's mass this week. It comes from the book of Corinthians and it oulines what love is. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Whilst this reading is often associated with romantic relationships, it seems that it can also relate to our school community. During this time of our certainty, we are all called to be patient and kind. There are so many things that are out of our control but love can endure all things. St Colman's is a place of welcome, learning, faith and caring and will continue to be so whatever the challenges of 2022.