Semester Snapshot

SEMESTER

In the Live FM recording studio, putting together Columba Live.

The Tunnels of Love’ winner of two MACS STEM MAD showcase awards.

PROJECT BASED LEARNING

HOUSE FEAST DAYS

Despite the lockdown our de Lacy House and O’Brien Feast Days were still celebrated. The Houses hosted remote liturgies, and held competitions to dress up themselves, or even their pets. Students didn’t let their remoteness get in the way of acknowledging their House patrons and joining together as a community.

(Left) Grace, Year 12, getting in the O’Brien orange spirit. (Right) Even pets celebrated de Lacy’s feast day. In Year 10, our students don’t undergo the traditional work experience program. Instead, they participate in Project Based Learning (PBL) with industry partners such as Amazon, Zoos Victoria, St Vincent’s Hospital, Akorn Educational Services, Moonee Valley Council, Making Media and Live FM, where they aim to solve real problems using design thinking. In a PBL first, the students presented their ideas, findings and recommendations in radio segments that were broadcast live on Friday 3 September. They had 400 listeners on the day, and further 450 listening to the podcast since. Projects from PBL were subsequently entered into the MACS STEM MAD Showcase in October, resulting in three awards for St Columba’s students:

- MACS Award for Wellbeing for the Helping Hand

Bot produced by the Technologists cluster working with Amazon.

- National Gallery of Victoria Award for Artful

Ingenuity, for The Tunnels of Love produced by the

Informers cluster working with St Vincent’s Hospital. - MACS Executive Director’s Award for

Demonstrating the Catholic Ethos, for The Tunnels of Love produced by the Informers cluster working with St Vincent’s Hospital. Well done to all involved in PBL Week and a big congratulations to our MACS STEM MAD showcase award winners.

HARVEST

Earlier this year Environment Captain, Adele Roeder, along with the Environment Group decided to take over a few of the garden-beds at the College and transform them into veggie patches. Starting with a design competition and conversations with the College Business Manager and Gardner, the garden beds were then transformed with the help of staff and students. In the last week of Term 3, the garden was flourishing and the first harvest took place. Some produce was left for staff members to enjoy, and the rest was distributed to people in the local neighbourhood. The garden has been a great success, and we will enjoy many more harvests to come.

(Right) A successful first harvest for the STC veggie patch.

PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY

In June, Year 7 student, Tiana Ciavarella, was the lucky participant in the Principal for a Day program and in November Madison Camburn, Year 9, had her turn. Tiana and Madison spent their day shadowing College Principal, Ms Rita Grima, where they learnt just what it takes to be the head of a school the size of St Columba’s College. With many meetings held, school walk throughs, yummy lunches and a chance to share their own ideas, both students were able to witness just how much goes on behind the scenes, and how staff work collaboratively to ensure that each student is able to thrive in their learning environment.

(Left) Tiana, Year 7, with Principal, Rita Grima. (Right) Madison joined Principal, Rita Grima, for a remote meeting.

RUOK

In the week leading up to this year’s RUOK? Day, the College’s Student Wellbeing Action Team (SWAT), set daily activity challenges for students as a way to promote prioritising wellbeing. On RUOK? Day, Bridget Kennedy, Social Justice Co-Captain, took over the College’s social media to share information regarding mental health, ideas and suggestions to help reach out to friends and encourage staff and students to acknowledge the day by wearing yellow. The College’s social media stories were a sea of yellow, as the community rallied together to promote wellbeing and mental health.

WEAR IT PURPLE

Wear it Purple Day aims to raise awareness and provide opportunities for youth organisations and schools to develop inclusive environments and experiences for rainbow young people. Florence Cooper, Liturgy Co-Captain, spearheaded the day for the College through our social media channels. She shared critical information and statistics regarding rainbow youth and led by example wearing purple for the day. Staff and students alike joined the cause and our social stories were turned purple.

SEMESTER

RECONCILIATION DAY

At the end of May, the St Columba’s College community acknowledged National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. The Social Justice Co-Captains and Indigenous Perspectives group organised activities for the week. Although restrictions impacted these activities, the group was able to lead a liturgy in the chapel and encourage students and staff to sign their name on a banner signalling their commitment to a future based on respect, recognition and reconciliation.

(Left) Bridget and Carla, Social Justice Co-Captains, showing the signed Reconciliation banner.

THE GREAT BOOK SWAP

Year 10 PreCal literacy students, in association with Sophia Library staff, held a Great Book Swap event on June 16 and 17 to raise much-needed funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The foundation provides literacy education and resources to over 400 remote communities around Australia. The event was a great success with many students and staff participating, making it possible to reach our goal of raising more than $500. We are so grateful to everyone who donated their time, money and books, to make the event such a success.

(Right) Students and staff looking for the perfect read at The Great Book Swap.

CHARITY RUN – MARIBYRNONG 150

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October, many of our staff and students joined in the 40th anniversary charity run, alongside their St Bernard’s College counterparts. The runners completed more than 700kms combined, with the St Columba’s College community raising more than $2700 funds for this year’s charity partner, the Brother Beausong Catholic Education Centre in Kenya. Congratulations to all involved.

(Left) Year 12 Charity Run participants.