principal@scballarat.catholic.edu.

au
www.scballarat.catholic.edu.au










306 Howard Street
Soldiers Hill Vic 3350
Phone: 5332 4894
Fax: 5331 7196
St. Columbas School
Ballarat North











Engaging, Inspiring, Empowering
Dear Parents & Guardians,

Fr. Barry and the staf welcome you to our parish school and we thank you for
considering St. Columbas as your school of choice for your family.

Together with you we hope to share your childs education in learning, in
education and in life.

You are encouraged to be an active partner in your childs education and
become involved in some of the groups, activities and programs in the school.

We hope that you will fnd this booklet useful and look forward to a long and
happy association together.

Yours Sincerely,


Fr. Barry Ryan Principal & Staf

St. Columbas School
Ballarat North
306 Howard St,
Soldiers Hill, Vic. 3350
Telephone: (03) 5332 4894
Facsimile: (03) 5331 7196

email: principal@scballarat.catholic.edu.au
Website: www.scballarat.catholic.edu.au
OUR PRAYER
Deep peace of the
quiet earth to you

Deep peace of the
shining stars to you

Deep peace of the
Son of Peace to you

Deep peace of the
fowing air to you

Deep peace of the
rolling wave to you

Deep peace of the
bright blue sky to you.

Deep peace of the
Prince of Peace to you.
St Columbas Blessing
OUR VISION
The St Columbas school is a learning community
that is:
Engaging, inspiring, empowering
OUR MISSION
Our mission is underpinned by our commitment to promoting, sharing and
celebrating our Catholic faith within an educational community that
is inclusive and honours the teachings of St Columba. Through engaging,
contemporary and inspiring educational practice all children will
be challenged to achieve personal excellence thus experiencing our core
belief that The whole of life belongs to God.


Our Contemporary Learning Approach

At St. Columbas, we believe it is an essential element of a childs education to
engage all members of the community in a childs learning. We work to create
an educational environment that is driven by the identifed needs and
interests of our students, drawing upon the Walker Learning Approach.

As a Catholic school it is important to us that student learning refects the
vision of our school/parish community and an authentic understanding of the
life and teachings of Jesus.

Preparing students to succeed within a rapidly changing social and technical
environment, our focus is on developing critical thinking skills, problem
solving, risk taking and resilience as well as the integration of technology in
the daily processes of the classroom. There is also a strong focus on building
connections through student learning experiences to the real world and
broader community in which they live.

The school aims to maximise student potential in a safe and caring community
in which academic achievement, positive self esteem, cultural diversity and
the rights of all are highly valued and respected.




Learning Communities Prep & 1/2
Our Prep-2 Learning Communities draw from the Walker Learning
Approach as the model for their teaching and learning. The key features of this
highly evidenced philosophy are:
Using the interests of the children to guide the educational program and
blending these with the mandated out comes of the Australian Curriculum/
AusVels/VELs
Placing a focus on the Developmental domains of learning) Emotional
Maturity, Social Language, Congnitive & Physical)
Focused teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Literacy and numeracy are
a critical component of the approach and these skills are taught throughout
the day
Investigative activities to develop literacy and numeracy skills through
hands on, structured and intentional activities
The importance of parents as partners in the learning process
(more information on the Walker Learning Approach can be found at
(www.walkerlearning.com.au)

Learning Communities 3/4 & 5/6
The model of teaching and learning used in the 3/4 and 5/6 Learning
Communities shares many common elements with that used in Prep-Two. It
focuses on developing a needs based educational program using the interests
of the children to guide their learning.

The key features of the teaching and learning structures in 3/4 & 5/6 are:
Focused teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. This is needs based and
uses data to guide the program for each student interests of the children

Educational Research Projects (EPRs) . These are developed from the
interest s of the children and blended with the mandate d outcomes of the
Australian Curriculum /AusVels/VELs but must include a component of literacy
and numeracy
Educational Research Projects (EPRs). These are developed from the
interest of the children and blended with the mandated outcomes of the
Australian curriculum/AusVels/VELs but must include a component of literacy
and numeracy
The use of clinics. These might be non-negotiable clinics run by teachers
or optional clinics run by other staf members, students or parents
A focus on developing critical thinking skills
Structures that enable students to become self-reliant, refective and to
self-assess their work

Specialist Programs
There are three specialist programs within the school. Each class has a one hour
lesson each week in:
Sport
Music
Spanish Art /L.O.T.E (Spanish)


SCHOOL ROUTINES
SCHOOL TIMES
Supervision in the school yard begins at 8.25am. Students must not arrive at
school before this time.
8.25am Teacher on duty
8.40am 1
st
Bell
8.45am 2
nd
Bell - School starts
2 hr teaching block
10.45am Morning Play
11.15am Play ends
2 hr teaching block
1.15pm Bell for Eating Time
1.25pm Lunch time
2.15pm Lunch ends
1 hr teaching block
3.15pm End of the School day
Teacher on Duty
3.30pm Duty ends. All children must now be collected

Children are to be collected as close to 3.15pm as possible. If the
person collecting the children is going to be late please notify the ofce so the
child waiting can be informed and not worry.
ABSENTEES: If children are unable to attend school, parents need to notify the
school, prior to 8:45 am, either by:
- Phoning the ofce on 53 384 894
- Emailing columba@scballarat.catholic.edu.au

Children will not be permitted to leave school grounds at any time.

PREP TIMETABLE
The children in Prep have full days, however each WEDNESDAY, up to the long
weekend in March, children stay at home for the day.

From then on: School commences at 8.45am
School fnishes at 3.15pm

Student Leadership
School Captains
There are two school captains and two vice-captains elected by some
students and the staf at the end of each year. These four students represent
the school at a number of functions and greet and guide important visitors to
our school. They also lead school assemblies and other similar events.
The Voice
Each class elects a representative to sit on the Student Representative
Council we call The Voice. This group discusses areas of concern to students
and provides advice to the school Leadership Team and feeds back infor-
mation to each class. Each student representative sits on this committee for a
semester.
House Captains
Each house at school (Donegal, Clonard, Iona and Argyle), is represented by
two House Captains. These students help the sports teacher organise sporting
events and represent their house at these events.

Environmental Representatives
Each class has two Environmental Representatives. These students meet as a
committee to discuss and organise environmental initiatives within the
school.
Arts Council
Each class nominates a representative to attend Arts Council meetings. This
group is focused on integrating arts initiatives with the school.
PARENT INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATION

At St. Columbas we are fortunate to have a very active and engaged parent
community. We strive at all time to be a welcoming community and encourage
parents and caregivers to contribute to the life of the school. As a community, we love
to see parents at school, using their gifts and telents to support the learning of the
students.

Parents and Friends
St. Columbas has a very active P&F committee. This group holds a meeting every four
weeks and supports the school through fundraising and social activities. We
encourage all parents wherever possible to attend these meetings and support this
group.

Classroom Coordinators & Classroom Helpers Program
In each classroom, parent coordinators work with the P&F executive and
teacher in the efective communication of needs and coordinators of activities.
A parent helpers program is run at the start of the school year to provide parent
volunteers with a frame-work for helping in classrooms.

Advisory Council
The Advisory Council meets twice a term. This group supports and advises the
Principal and the Leadership Team in setting the strategic direction of the
school and developing future goals.

Sub-Committees
We have a number of specialist sub-committees that advise the Principal and
the Advisory Council in relation to specifc areas.


As part of our eforts to create a cohesive and engaged school community,
we encourage parent attendance at any scheduled school event.
Assemblies
Each class is scheduled for one assembly a year. These showcase the work the
students have been completing in class. Assembly is held every second
Wednesday at 2.40pm in the school hall.
Masses & Liturgies
Each Learning Community organises one mass or liturgy a semester, excluding
periods such as Holy Week or Advent. These are generally held on a Friday,
though can fall on the date of a particular feast day.
Athletics Carnival
All children at St Columbas participate in the annual Athletics Carnival. This is
usually organised for Term 2 and takes place at Llanberris Athletic Reserve.
Communication
Efective communication between the home and school is a critical component
of a successful school. At St. Columbas, we encourage regular communication
and are committed to maintaining open and professional communication
between educators, parents and caregivers.
Newsletter
The newsletter is emailed to parents each Thursday. Hard copies are available
on request from the school ofce. The newsletter communicates important in-
formation to parents about what is happening within the school.
Website
Our school posts information about the school community and events and
activities taking place within the school. This can be accessed at
www.scballarat.catholic.edu.au A new website is currently under construction.
Diaries
Each student has a personal diary. This is used to record upcoming events and
for communication between the school and home. Diaries are checked by the
class teacher daily.
HOME LEARNING
At St. Columba's School home learning is set at the discretion of the individual
teacher. It will generally be an extension or application of the day's work.
Home learning is set for students:

to develop study habits such as time management, commitment to tasks and
organisational skills
to encourage children to take growing responsibility for their own learning
to inform parents of work being covered at school
to provide opportunities for parent and child to work together to make
connections between school learning and the outside world

Parents are informed of the individual teacher's expectations regarding home
learning at Information Nights held at the beginning of the year.

Parents are encouraged to read with or to their children each night to assist them to
develop a love of good literature.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP
EARLY NUMERACY SKILLS
Should you wish to encourage your child to become interested in numeracy, here are some
helpful hints to you:

ROTE COUNT
Start to count small groups of objects by pointing to each object as the counting progress
(gradually extend the sequence).

NUMBER RECOGNITION
Play games (such as Snap or Memory) which will help your child identify the number and
associate it with its name.

PLAY GAMES
Use dot dice to play games. This helps your child to identify the dots as a number and
encourages 1 to 1 counting as the moves are made.

CALCULATORS
Use calculators to revise all of the above.

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN TO READ
Should you wish to encourage your child to become interested in books and
be a fuent reader, here are some helpful hints for you:
Talk to your childHelp him/her add to ordinary conversation.
Read to your childEvery time you read to your child you are building
an appreciation of books and reading.
Listen to your childThe more the child talks in general the better
he/she is likely to read.
Teach your child how to care for books
Build up a reading atmosphere at homePresent a good model. Let
your child see you reading frequently.
Encourage your child to join a public libraryJoin yourself!
Buy games and puzzles for your child These help in the learning of
shapes and form and assist him/her to relate words to things.
Buy books for your childA child who owns good books is usually
interested in reading. Encourage your child to join a Book Club.
Praise your childEncourage your child. Set aside a regular time to hear
your child read.
Show a real interest in schoolRemember that teachers and parents
are partners.

SCHOOL FEES
School fees are set each year by the School Advisory Council and the
Principal. These fees are vital for the continual growth of our school.
Fees for 2014:
Tuition Fee $850.00 per family;
A Capital Levy of $200.00 per family;
Technology Fee $100 per child;
Student Fee $150 per child;
Excursion Fee $30 per child;
Outdoor Education Fee :
PrepGrade 2 $25.00 per child;
Grades 3/4 $100 per child;
Grades 5/6 $210 per child;
If there is difculty in meeting the school fee, please contact the Principal
who will arrange for payment of a fee which you can aford. This contact will
be handled with the strictest of confdence.
All fees are subject to change each year

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You have the right to
be an individual at school.
You have the responsibility to value others
individuality at school.

This means that you should not treat others
unfairly because of their diferences.
You have the right to
be respected.
You have the responsibility to treat others
respectfully.

This means that you should treat others as
you hope to be treated.
You have the right to
express yourself whilst
considering others.
You have the responsibility to let others
express themselves.

This means that you must give others the
opportunity to talk freely about their ideas
and feelings when it is appropriate and in an
acceptable manner.
You have the right to
be safe at school.
You have the responsibility to keep yourself,
others and the school safe.

This means that you should make safe choices
in the way you act and interact with others in
the school environment.
You have the right to
learn at school.
You have the responsibility to create a
positive learning environment for all.

This means that you will engage in good
learning and support, encourage and
celebrate good learning in others.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
TO PARENTS
Reporting to parents and students will clearly communicate in a variety of ways
the achievements of students and provide recommendations which will assist
their future learning.

We use a mix of formal and informal methods of assessment and reporting.

ASSESSMENT:
At the end of each year the children are scheduled for a one to one
Mathematics Assessment Interview with their teacher to assess their
progress and identify any barriers.
At the start of each year one to one Literacy Assessments are also
conducted.
On-going standardised and formal testing is conducted throughout the
year.
REPORTING:
Formal reports at the end of each semester;
Learning portfolios with a selection of the childrens completed work
from that semester ;
Parent/Teacher conferencesin Term 1 or as requested by teacher or
parents;
Three way conferences (teacher, parent & student) are held mid way
through the year;
Informal parent/teacher chats;
For students with special needs regular Parent Support Group meetings.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
You are welcome to bring cakes etc. to the classroom for your child's birthday so
that the whole class can participate in birthday wishes.
Should you wish to have a party at home for your child, we would prefer you to
mail these invitations to the home address or give them to the parents of the
children you are inviting.
PLEASE NOTE: We have children in the school who have severe food
allergies. Please check with the teacher what would be safe
to share. Lolly pops should not be brought to school due to
the choking hazard.

'PRIZED' POSSESSIONS
It would be appreciated if expensive or "treasured" possessions were not brought
to school.
We cannot take responsibility for these and children become very upset if such
items are damaged or misplaced.
EXCURSIONS
All excursions are planned to tie in with topics being studied at school. The
shared real life experiences become the focus of research, recording, reporting
and other related school activities.
Excursions are relevant to the curriculum and children are expected to attend.
The cost of all excursions is included in the annual excursion fee. A permission
form and information notes are sent home as required on each occasion.

IN-SERVICE DAYS OR PUPIL FREE DAYS
The Catholic Education Ofce encourages all teachers to continue to keep
abreast of new ideas in the education feld through the wide variety of in-service
programs it ofers.
It is necessary from time to time for a full staf in-service to be held within school
hours. Therefore you will be asked to keep your child home on four separate
days during the year to enable us to enrich the quality of education we ofer your
children. You will be given notice in advance of these days.
PARKING
Parents are requested to obey the rules of the road in regard to
parking in surrounding Streets. The Lydiard Street School Crossing is
policed by Trafc Supervisors.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
Teachers supervise children eating their lunch from 1.15 1.25pm.
Lunch orders are available each Wednesday and Friday during Term
1 and Term 4. Lunch orders for Term 2 and 3 are available Friday
only. Parents are asked to:
provide brown paper bag;
write child's name, room number, and lunch order on bag;
place correct money in the bag.
Place order in lunch tray in the classroom.
In Terms 1 & 4 the P&F sells icy poles on a Friday.
In Terms 2 & 3 the P&F sells hot dogs on a Thursday.
WET DAY PROCEDURE
Classes proceed as normal on wet days. Children spend the lunch
and recess times in their classrooms under supervision. The children
engage in quiet activities (eg. games, reading etc). Dismissal is at the
normal time. Computers are not used on wet days.
TRANSITION PROGRAM
Our Transition to Prep Program runs in Term 4 for three weeks.
Children enrolled for Prep in the following year are invited to attend
sessions in order to become familiar with the School.
More information provided on enrolment.
There is a separate Transition to Secondary School Program that
begins in Grade 5.
Each December the school has a Going Up day.
Ballarat Catholic Schools Transition Program
Students in Years 5-6 are invited by the Catholic Secondary schools
to visit their school as part of the primary/secondary transition
program.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LESSONS
Mr. Maurice Cowie has a private arrangement to teach keyboard to
children from Grade 2 onwards. For details regarding this please
contact the ofce .
SCHOOL UNIFORM
SUMMER UNIFORM Terms 1 & 4:
Girls: - Navy and white check dress or
- Navy blue shorts & long or short sleeve gold polo
shirt with school emblem
- Navy Woollen jumper with school emblem
- Plain White socks
- Black school shoes
- Royal blue school broad brimmed hat with school emblem

Boys: - Navy blue shorts
- Short sleeve gold polo shirt with school emblem
- Woollen jumper with school emblem
- Plain White socks
- Black school shoes
- Royal blue school broad brimmed hat with school emblem


WINTER UNIFORM Terms 2 & 3:
Girls: - Option 1 (preferable)
- Short or long sleeve gold polo shirt with school emblem
- Navy woollen jumper with school emblem
- Tunic/skirt
- Navy tights
- Black school shoes

Option 2
- Short or long sleeve gold polo shirt with school emblem
- Navy woollen jumper with school emblem
- Navy school pants
- Navy socks
- Black school shoes

Boys: - Short or Long sleeve gold polo shirt with school emblem
- Navy woollen jumper with school emblem
- Navy school pants
- Navy socks
- Black school shoes

- School Bag with school emblem &

- Art Smock.
Continued...
SCHOOL UNIFORM Cont.
P.E. UNIFORM
Children wear the sports uniform on their designated Physical Education day and when
Involved in P.E. activities.
Girls and Boys:
Royal blue rugby jumper with school emblem
Royal blue track pants (straight leg or cuff) or
Navy shorts
Gold polo shirt with school emblem
Plain white sport socks
Runners
Royal blue school broad brimmed hat with school emblem

If a student is not wearing correct uniform a written note explaining the reason must be given to
the office.

REGULATIONS/ACCESSORIES
For Health reasons hair that is shoulder length or longer is to be tied back.
Hair ribbons & head bands are to be blue, yellow or white only.
Jewellery is limited to a watch.
For safety reasons only gold or silver studs & small sleepers are to worn in pierced ears.
No Nail Polish

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS
Second hand uniforms are also available for purchase through the schools Uniform Shop.

NAME TAGS
Please have all articles of clothing CLEARLY MARKED.
This allows lost items to be return to childrens class rooms.

All uniforms are available from our St Columbas Uniform Shop.

Please Note:
Correct school uniform is a parental responsibility.
If a student is not wearing correct uniform, a written note explaining
the reason, must be given to the childs teacher or to the school
office.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ISOLATION PERIOD FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES:
MUMPS: Until fully recovered.
MEASLES: Until at least 5 days from the appearance of rash or until receipt
of a medical certifcate of recovery from infection.
RUBELLA: Until fully recovered or at least 5 days after onset of rash.
CHICKENPOX: Until fully recovered or a least one week after the eruption frst
appears.
IMPETIGO: Until sores have fully healed. The child may be allowed to return
provided that appropriate treatment has commenced and that
sores on exposed surfaces such as scalp, face, hands and legs are
properly covered with occlusive dressings.
HEAD LICE: Until appropriate treatment has commenced.
ASTHMA: If your child has asthma, an Asthma Management Form needs
to be completed, updated regularly and handed to the ofce for
our records.
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE
The School Nurse visits the school annually to check all children in Prep. Children
in other grades may be checked if referred by teachers. Parental permission is
required in all cases.
IMMUNIZATION
Children will receive all immunizations prior to commencement of school. School
entry certifcates issued by Australian Childhood Immunization, Medicare can
also provide these certifcates. Register must be presented on enrolment.
SECURITY
When visiting the school during school hours, or when collecting children early
please sign in and out at the ofce.
MEDICATION
Where children require medication parents are asked to discuss this with the class
teacher. All medication, including over the counter medication, to be
administered at school should be accompanied by a signed Medication
Permission Form (available from the ofce) signed by a parent. Wherever
possible, parents are encouraged to administer the medication themselves.
If your child sufers from any complaint (heart trouble, convulsions, diabetes,
asthma etc) or is allergic to anything (e.g.nuts, bee stings) please inform the
school in writing, describing the specifc treatment.
The school has CODE RED protocol for each and every student who has been
identifed as having severe medical needs. This includes Anaphylaxis Action
Plans and Ambulance/Hospital Information Sheets, which parents will need to up
date annually.


PRIVACY STATEMENT
STANDARD COLLECTION NOTICE
This statement outlines the schools policy on how the school uses and manages personal information
provided to and collected by it.
The school is bound by the National Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act.
The school may from time to time, review and update this Privacy Policy to take account of new laws and
technology, changes to the schools operations and practices and to make sure it remains appropriate to the
changing school environment.
1. The School collects personal information, including sensitive information, about pupils and parents/
guardians before, during and after the course of a pupils enrolment at St Columbas School. The primary
purpose of collecting this information is to enable the School to provide schooling for your son or daughter.
2. Some of the information we collect is to satisfy the Schools legal obligations and allow the school to
discharge its duty of care.
3. Certain laws governing or relating to the operation of schools require that certain information is
collected. These include public health, child protection laws and ACCARA (my school website).
4. Health information about pupils is sensitive information within the terms of the National Privacy
Principles under the Privacy Act. We ask that you provide medical reports about pupils from time to time.
5. The School from time to time discloses personal and sensitive information to others for administrative
and educational purposes. This includes other schools, government departments, Catholic Education Ofce,
Catholic Education Commission, Ballarat Diocese, and St Columbas Parish, medical practitioners, and
people providing services to the school, including specialist visiting teachers, sports coaches and volunteers.
6. If we do not obtain the information referred to above we may not be able to enrol or continue the
enrolment of your child.
7. Personal information collected from pupils is regularly disclosed to their parents or guardians. On
occasions information such as academic and sporting achievements, pupil activities and other news is
published in school newsletters, magazines and on our website.
8. Parents may seek access to personal information collected by the School about them and their daughter/
son by contacting the school. Pupils may also seek access to personal information about them. However
there will be occasions where access is denied. Such occasions would include where access would have an
unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, where access may result in a breach of the Schools duty of
care to the pupil, or where students have provided information in confdence.
9. As you may know the School at times engages in fundraising activities. Information received from you
may be used to appeal to you. It may also be disclosed to organizations that assist in the Schools fundraising
activities solely for that purpose. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their own
marketing purposes without your consent.
10. We may include your contact details in a class list and school directory. If you do not agree to this you
must advise us now.
11. If you provide the School with the personal information of others, such as doctors or emergency
contacts, we encourage you to inform them that you are disclosing that information to the School and why,
that they can access that information if they wish and that the School does not usually disclose that
information to third parties.