Dear Parents, carers and friends of St Columba’s

Celebrating International Day of Friendship

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13

This week, our school community joins people all around the world in celebrating International Day of Friendship. It's a wonderful opportunity to pause and give thanks for the gift of friendship, a gift that sits right at the heart of our Gospel values.

Friendship, the Jesus Way

Jesus himself modelled true friendship. He walked alongside his disciples, shared meals with them, forgave them, and called them not servants but friends. He welcomed the lonely, the overlooked, and the outcast, showing us that real friendship is not just about who makes us feel good, it is about who we choose to include.

As a school community, we try to live out that same spirit every day: welcoming the new student, sitting with someone who's on their own at lunch, forgiving a friend after a disagreement, and celebrating each other's gifts.

A Family Reflection – Friendship Glimmer Moments

Friendship is something we can nurture at home too. This week, why not ask at the dinner table:

Who was a good friend to you today?
How were you a good friend to someone else?
Is there someone who might need a friend right now?

Happy International Day of Friendship to all our students, families, and staff — may our school always be a place where everyone knows they belong.

God Bless.

Emma Bell

Principal

St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) Winter Appeal this term.

As part of our ongoing commitment to living out our Catholic values through service and compassion, St Columba’s will once again support the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) Winter Appeal this term.

The appeal will run over the first three weeks of Term 3, from Thursday 23 July to Friday 7 August, and will conclude with a whole-school Pyjama Day, where students are invited to wear their pyjamas to school in exchange for a gold coin donation.

This year, Vinnies has asked schools to collect blankets, warm coats and jumpers, and thick pairs of socks to assist individuals and families experiencing hardship during the colder winter months. We kindly ask that all donated items are clean and in good condition.

Each classroom will receive a washing basket to collect donated items. We encourage students and families to support this important initiative by contributing any warm clothing or blankets they can spare.

Our Mini Vinnies student leaders will regularly collect the donations from each classroom and organise them ready for delivery to Vinnies.

KISS and DRIVE

I have noted while on duty that the children gather so respectfully and calmly at Kiss and Drive. They should be proud of this, as should you. There will be a small change to the process of children being picked up in the afternoon.

Children will remain in Kalyara Mia, supervised by staff, until their parent or carer arrives.

Staff will walk children out to their cars in the Kiss and Drop line, three cars at a time.
Once your child is safely in the car, please move off promptly through the Kiss and Drive area, this keeps traffic and pedestrian movement safe and flowing for everyone.
For safety reasons, parents are asked to remain in their car and not walk up to Kalyara Mia to collect their child.

The reason for this change is to continue the calm movement from school to home. It is also to ensure the safety of the children and wider community during this busy time within the school grounds.

Book Fair is coming soon!

Our school is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair on August 3rd, 4th and 5th.

You and your child will have the opportunity to explore a huge range of affordable books featuring characters and subjects kids love and want to read about. From newly released books and bestsellers to award-winning titles and perennial favourites.

This is also a great way for you to learn about, and discuss your child's interests and every book sold benefits our school, adding resources to our library and classrooms.

Scholastic Book Fairs help us show students the wonder of reading. After all, when kids choose their own books, they will be more excited to read, and they will naturally read more!

We ask that different year groups attend on different days to reduce the amount of people in the library at one time and to reduce queuing outside. See the schedule below. Parents are welcome to attend before and after school.

How to purchase

The children will be given a brochure with online payment details. The classes will visit the fair in school time on Friday before the Book Fair to complete their wish list to bring home. Students can pay with cash or use the receipted online payment form in their shopping time. Please ensure the receipt number and payment amount is clearly noted and please take a copy in case it gets mislaid on the way. Parents and students will also have access to use EFTPOS and cash option during their shopping time. Only books can be put on the wish list and paid for using the pre -payment option. There will also be stationary, posters and journals for sale at the fair which will need to be paid for using cash or EPTPOS.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Book Fair!

The P&F are proud to be offering 4 extracurricular activities for Term 3, 2026.

Registrations are now open! Please see the details below:

TERM 3: STEM CLUB: Sphero RVR Program (AICODE) YEARS 4 – 6 only, very limited spaces (be quick!)

Explore the fundamentals of robotics using the Sphero RVR's unique capabilities.

Dates: Monday 3rd August (week 3) to Monday 21st September
Duration: 8 sessions
Time: 7:30am to 8:30am
Cost: $120 per student (P&F will kindly cover the remainder)
Location: Kalyara Mia
What to bring: Fully Charged Ipad
Discount Code: SC2026

REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.aicodeaustralia.com.au/service-page/t3-st-columba-s-catholic-monday-y4-y6?referral=service_list_widget

(when you get to payment screen, click on ‘enter promo code’ and add SC2026 to receive discount)

TERM 3: AFTER SCHOOL AFL LITTLE MAYNES (RUN BY CHRIS MAYNE ACADEMY) YEARS 1-6
Dates: Tuesday 28th July (week 2) to Tuesday 15th September (for new registrations, select 8 weeks when you sign up)
Duration: 8 sessions
Time: 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Cost: $176 per student
Location: Bottom Oval
What to bring: Water bottle, sunscreen
What to wear: Your child must wear their allocated school uniform for the day. They are welcome to wear suitable clothing for the activity and can get changed straight after school.
Other: Coach to Player Ratio: 1 Coach to 10 kids

REGISTRATION LINK: Term 3 | 2026 Bookings | Little Mayne Academy (follow the link to Term 3 School Term Booking)

TERM 3: LUNCHTIME CHESS CLUB (YEARS 3-6)
Dates: Tuesdays commencing 28th July
Duration: Lunchtime (after eating lunch)
Time: 1:10pm - 2:00pm
Cost: No costs to parents no registration required, P&F will kindly pay
Location: School Library

TERM 3: BEFORE SCHOOL SOCCER (YEARS 1-6)
Dates: Friday 31st July (week 2) through to 18th September.
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7:30am - 8:30am
Cost: $159 per child
Location: Bottom Oval
What to bring: Water bottle, sunscreen
What to wear: Your child must wear their allocated school uniform for the day. They are welcome to wear suitable clothing for the activity and can get changed straight after school.

REGISTATION LINK: Term 3 Before School Soccer

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS:
By registering for any of the above extracurriculars, you acknowledge that the duty of care does not lie with St Columba's Primary School but with yourself and the external company providing the activity. If you have any questions, please contact Hayley Mitchell, P&F President via email pandf@stcolumbassp.wa.edu.au

We are excited to again be able to provide the St Columba's community with extracurricular options for their children in 2026.