Term 1 Week 10

Dear Families,

As I sit down to write to you, I find myself reflecting on the past few weeks—what an incredible time it has been for our school! I felt immense pride witnessing the true essence of our school community and culture at last week’s Opening Ceremony.

Welcoming not only our local distinguished guests but also those who travelled from afar was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our beautiful learning spaces, vibrant classrooms, and—most importantly—the warmth and kindness of our students. The heartfelt and positive feedback we received was truly uplifting.

As Principal, moments like these remind me of the dedication and effort that go into making such events possible. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank everyone who contributed their time, energy, and support in preparing for this special day. Your efforts truly make a difference in shaping the wonderful community we are all so proud to be part of.

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with former staff member and recently retired Principal, Peter Shearer, who will be covering for me while I am on leave. Peter was truly amazed by how much the school has evolved since 1995.

During his visit, he spent time in each classroom and out on duty, engaging with students and enjoying their company. He is eager to reconnect with past students, staff, and the broader community during his time in Yorketown.

Please join me in giving Peter a warm welcome when you see him each morning or around the school.

As many of you know, we are giving the front office a much-needed facelift. While most of the work will take place over the school holidays, it will continue into the first two weeks of Term 2.

During this time, our temporary office will be located in the second half of the current Year 5/6 classroom. Parents needing to see Nicki, Margaret, Peter, or Mirima should enter via the Marno Street gate, walk onto the deck, and use the closest classroom doors. This will be especially important if your child is arriving late or needs to be picked up early. All visitors must report this way until the refurbishment is complete.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this transition. Relocating can be challenging, and things may take a little extra time to settle. Your kindness and cooperation will make a big difference.

Wishing you all a safe and joyful Easter and a wonderful school break. I look forward to seeing everyone back in Week 2 of Term 2!

Warm Regards,

Luke Buchanan

Dear Students, Parents, Caregivers, Parishioners, and Community Members,

I am delighted to introduce myself as I step into the role of Acting Principal at St Columba's, Yorketown for Week 11, the school holidays, and Week 1 while Luke takes Long Service Leave. This past week, I have had the pleasure of meeting with Luke, the staff, and the students, giving me valuable insight into the wonderful things happening here and preparing me for the weeks ahead.

Returning to St Columba's is particularly special for me, as I first taught here 29 years ago, leading the upper primary class for three years. Yorketown holds a deep significance in my family’s history—my grandmother, Mary Taheny, lived here, my father was born here, and many of my childhood holidays were spent at Pt Turton. My connection to the region continued through my own family, with my second child born at Yorketown Hospital, and my love for the area remains strong—most recently, I enjoyed a fishing trip with my son off Marion Bay.

Since leaving Yorketown, I have had the privilege of serving as Principal at St Albert’s in Loxton for seven years and recently concluded 22 years as Principal of St Joseph’s School, Clare. In 2025, I have taken Long Service Leave to mentor emerging principals, assist schools with special projects, and pursue my passion for winemaking at our family’s vineyard, Wykari of Clare, where I also run our cellar door on weekends.

I am excited about the opportunity to reconnect with this wonderful school community, including students whose parents I once taught! I look forward to continuing the great work Luke has been doing and getting to know as many families and parishioners as possible.

Warm regards,

Peter Shearer

Hello!

What a fantastic start to the year we have had this term! Just yesterday we headed to Edithburgh for ‘The Big Water Walk’ raising money for Project Compassion. This campaign that happens every Lent and run by Caritas, raises money and awareness for those around the world who have next to nothing. This year’s focus being on those who don’t have easy access to water. Thank you to the students for their gold coin donation to go towards this!

Next week we will finish the term with a whole school Mass on Thursday, April 10 at 9:15am. Please join us as we reflect on our Lenten journey as we draw nearer to Easter.

I hope all the students have a restful and relaxed holiday and that you also get some time to rest. May you have a very blessed and joyous Easter, filled with chocolate, good food and company.

See you in Term 2 and God Bless,

Miriam Honner

APRIM

Reflection - by Scott March

"You sing like there are 500 of you."

These words, spoken by Dr Neil McGoran , echoed through the hearts of the 90 St Columba’s Memorial School students as they lifted their voices during the official opening of the new Primary facilities.

I had the privilege of returning to St Columba’s as a former Principal, invited to witness this significant milestone in the school’s history. It was a moment of immense pride—one that reaffirmed the essence of what makes this place so special.

Full credit must go to Luke Buchanan and Miriam Honner, whose careful planning created a liturgy that was both deeply moving and a true reflection of the spirit of SCMS. Every element captured the heart of the school—its past, present, and future, now housed within these new facilities.

I admit my bias, but I’ll say it anyway: St Columba’s is an extraordinary place.

Like so many country schools, it is a community shaped by generosity and a deep sense of responsibility for one another. In a remote part of the state, that kind of selflessness isn’t just a value—it’s a way of life. The liturgy embodied this beautifully: humble, understated, yet profoundly rich in meaning. The reflection on the generosity of the school’s founders was both moving and inspiring, a reminder of the deep Josephite roots that continue to shape its identity.

And then, there was the singing.

Not from sheets of paper, not from screens—but from the heart. The children sang with joy, filling the space with a presence far greater than their number. They sang of faith, of gratitude, of a school that has nurtured so many before them. As two past scholars harmonized while Archbishop Patrick O’Regan DD blessed the facilities, the students sat spellbound, witnessing not just a performance, but a living connection to their school’s history.

Last week was more than an opening. It was a testament to what St Columba’s has always been—a place where voices, young and old, carry a story of faith, community, and boundless generosity.

Scott March

This term, our Reception students have been exploring patterns—learning that a pattern is something that repeats and that they can be found all around us.

To put this into practice, students created pattern fish, using repeating pictures and colours in their designs. We also took a pattern walk around the school, taking photos of the different patterns we could find in our surroundings. Back in the classroom, students recorded their discoveries by drawing the patterns into their maths books.
 

We celebrated Harmony Day with activities in the hall run by Sarah-Jane and Jo! The 1/2s loved engaging in the fun activities prepared as they discussed the importance of belonging and exploring where people from around the world live and call home 🌏🧡

Food Tech has already begun for the 3/4 class, and will extend throughout term two for years 3 - 6. We were fortunate enough secure a wonderful amount of cooking equipment from the Oz Harvest program, lots of which we have already used. This new equipment enables students to become even more involved in kitchen processes, developing practical cooking and living skills, health and nutrition knowledge and understanding, as well as fine motor skills. 

DIBELS Testing Term 1 Week  10

As a school, we are required to test students 3 times a year, from Year 3-Year 6 using DIBELS, which stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Learning. This system includes a variety of tests which chart each student’s progress in reading and comprehension. Year 3 students are also tested in their phonics knowledge, to highlight any gaps in their understanding from the early years of their schooling. The ESO’s and I divide amongst ourselves, the task of testing each student individually. These tests are carried out at the beginning, middle and end of each year.

I mark and collate these test results, entering them on a digital spreadsheet, which is sent to Catholic Education Office. This allows for our students to be tracked and standard comparisons to be made. Once teachers have been informed as to how each student performed, together class teacher, ESO’s and myself, begin 1:1 work with each student. We listen each week to the reading of every student, from those who performed excellently in the reading tests, to ensure that this high standard is not only maintained, but that the student is able to rise to even greater heights, as well as students who struggled, as they are designated extra time for practising their reading.

We are constantly monitoring, working individually, reassessing and assisting students to strive to improve and raise their test results. We do not focus on what students cannot do, but rather what they are currently able to achieve and work to lift their skills and understandings. I speak to every student individually, after each of the 3 test sessions, to show them their test results, talk of their strengths and what they did well, and explain their personal challenges. They realise that all staff are helping them to lift their scores by improve their skills.

Regards,

Mandy Thompson

Green Space

We are looking forward to plenty of action in the green space now that the season has changed and the weather has cooled. All of the beds have had plenty of mulch settling on them for the last few weeks, and it's time for planting potatoes and garlic. The extended dry weather has meant that we haven't harvested or planted as much as usual, but we have still made good use of the last of the summer capsicums and zucchinis in our cooking, and lemons galore on our Shrove Tuesday pancakes. 

Wellbeing permeates everything we do, and the kitchen and garden continue to provide a space for regulation and reflection. Small group and individual programming in both areas encourages students to emotionally connect with themselves and others, and aims to provide support and enrichment through experiential learning opportunities.

Harmony Day was a great whole school experience, we chatted about the things that make us all the same, as well as the things that make us different from each other, and the importance of celebrating both. Have you seen our Harmony Day octopus in the front office showing how we are all linked? You can't miss it! 
 

Nharangga Cultural Day – Sunday 4th May – Minlagawi Gum Flat (Minlaton)

This annual event, now in its fourth year, is a day of culture, community and celebration!

With free entry and activities, on offer is a range of sessions and experiences, immersing in the rich culture of Nharangga people.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate!

For more information and to register, visit https://events.humanitix.com/nharangga-cultural-day-2025

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