2025 Week 3 Newsletter - Term 4

From the Principal - Being Thankful

Dear families

Our Caulfield Event on Saturday was a brilliant success, showcasing our beautiful school and providing a wonderful day out for all who attended.

I am so very grateful to our generous and hard working Caulfield Committee and to all the volunteers who stepped up at various times before and during the weekend to make it a success.  Your giving of your time and talents was very much appreciated.

Our 50/50 Ticket Fundraiser did very well also, raising just over $10 000 for the school.  Congratulations to the Welch Family who were the lucky winner of the draw.

One of the things I am really proud of in my life is that I am a teacher.  It is a role I have thanked God for many times.  It is not an easy job. The demands and expectations and judgements have increased dramatically in the time it has been my vocation.  It is exhausting - Planning for everyone’s individual needs, extra study, extra-curricular demands,  sports carnivals, meetings and so on. The list is endless! 

Nothing can take away the joy that comes with this job though.  It is a special privilege to share with a child the excitement of ‘getting it’, to be allowed to get to know each of their unique personalities and walk with them on their journey of discovery of themselves and their world.  To share with them and their families their joys and their disappointments is something very precious that a teacher never takes for granted.

Every teacher is different and brings their own unique passions and expertise to the classroom.  Often the fruit of our efforts is not shown for a long time afterwards.  We have a great team of teachers here at Star of the Sea who constantly inspire me with their compassion, commitment and passion for being the best teacher they can be.  As Catholic School Teachers we have a wonderful role model to follow, who didn’t always have it easy either:

“What about this new Religion teacher they’ve got now?”

“I don’t know.  They’re certainly not learning their Faith the way we used to.  The other day he had them outside again.  They didn’t seem to be doing much about Religion – more about the government and taxes and some young fellow who had run away from home.  They like and respect him – and want to do what he does – but what’s the use of that if they’re not learning anything?  I think he’s only taught them one prayer in the whole time he’s had them – and it was a new one on me.”

“Yes, it makes you wonder, doesn’t it?  What’s this new teacher’s name anyway?”

“Oh, I did hear it – he’s from Nazareth I think – yes, that’s right – his name is Jesus.”

Next Friday 31^st October World Teacher’s Day.  This is a great opportunity to acknowledge the important role that teachers play in our lives.  Never forget the power of a Thank You.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

From Our APRE

At this time of the year I feel that it is important for us all to pause and show some gratitude for what 2025 has brought to us.  Showing gratuitude is not about forgetting the challenges that surround us on a daily basis, but within the hurt or challenge can we find just one thing to be grateful for?

The importance of GRATITUDE keeps presenting itself in my life.  I am a keen podcaster these days and find myself drawn towards those which focus on guests who share ways they have overcome great challenges in life and gratitude has helped them with this.

I am grateful that I also have a faith that can help me through tough times.  

“God will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.  There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” Matthew 6:34

Our worries can often outweigh our gratitude and practicing gratitude is a habit that needs hard work.  Human nature, unfortunately, has us go straight to the negative or the ‘what if’.  
Try to take some time this week to be grateful.  This poster may help you get started.

On Saturday I attended our annual caulfield event – what an amazing day it was.  The amount of work that goes into such an event is hard to fathom – I am extremely grateful to everyone involved in organising our caulfield event.

Thank you to the volunteers, sponsors and all those who came along to support the day.  From where I was standing I am claiming the day was a huge success – a wonderful community event bringing people together in an atmosphere of joy.

Be grateful,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

In our Prayers

From the APC

I was lucky enough to get up very early Thursday morning last week and joined the Year 5 classes on their camp.   At the Capricorn Caves the students were involved in a session of Adventure Caving where they were taken on a guided tour that required them to crawl, squeeze, climb, and slide through secluded and narrow cave passages. All our students were thrill-seekers and challenged themselves through the narrow and confined, dark spaces.  They also worked as a team to participate in a crate climb challenge while attached to a harness and high rope system.  

We then headed to the Yeppoon PCYC for the night and woke early to participate in rock climbing and problem solving / group dynamic building activities.   The Year 5 teachers and I would like to thank the parents who joined us on the camp and congratulate the students for giving their best to everything they did on the few days away.

Have a good week everyone.

 Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum 

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Date Claimers

Parents are most welcome to attend all assembly presentations and our masses and liturgies (In the Church unless notified otherwise).

Week Three 

• Monday 20 October - 2026 Prep Transition
  
• Friday 24 October - Swimming Lessons for Years 1 to 6
• Friday 24 October - Year 5 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
  

Week Four

• Monday 27 October - Year 6 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Tuesday 28 October - Board Meeting
• Wednesday 29 October - Band Recruitment Performance @ 8:35am
• Friday 31 October - Swimming Lessons
• Friday 31 October - Year 4 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Friday 31 October - World Teachers Day

Week Five

• Wednesday 5 November - 2026 Prep Transition & Information Session
• Friday 7 November - Year 5B Assembly @8:35am on the Courts

Week Six - Book Week

• Monday 10 November - Googabinj Show -  Indigenous Cultural Music Incursion 
• Tuesday 11 November - Parents & Friends AGM Meeting @6:30pm in the Staff Room - All Welcome
• Tuesday 11 November - Remembrance Day Prayer Service
• Tuesday 11 November to Friday 14 November - Year 6 Camp

Week Seven

• Tuesday 18 November - Year 5 Leadership Speeches
• Wednesday 19 November - Year 5 Leadership Speeches
• Wednesday 19 November - Band Recital @6pm
• Thursday 20 November - St Vinnies Appeal Free Dress Day Fundraiser (Wear sun safe clothes and closed in shoes and bring a Gold Coin Donation)
• Friday 21 November - Swimming Carnival

Week Eight

• Tuesday 25 November - Board Meeting 
• Thursday 27 November - Year 6 Final Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Friday 28 November - School Christmas Concert @SOS

Week Nine 

• Monday 1 December - Year 6 Graduation Liturgy & Dinner
• Thursday 4 December - Year 6 Pool Party
• Friday 5 December - End of Year Mass, Farewells & Award Presentations @9am
• Friday 5 December - Mayor's Carols

2025 Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons continue this Friday 24th October and then again on Friday 31st October.

All classes will have their lessons in the outdoor pool so it is essential that your child has their swimming shirt/ rashie etc to keep them sun safe while swimming and appropriate footwear for walking to the pool.

Lesson times are outlined below:

• Year 6:            9:15am - 10:00am
• Year 5:          10:00am - 10:45am 
  
• Year 4:          10:45am - 11:30am 
  
• Year 3:          11:45am - 12:30pm 
  
• Year 2:          12:30pm - 1:15pm 
  
• Year 1:            1:15pm - 2:00pm  

Please have the following items packed in a suitable bag for your child:
* togs and swim shirt
* towel
* thongs / crocs to walk to the pool (wear school shoes and socks to school please)
* goggles if needed
* School hat

If your child has their lesson at the start of the day, they can wear their togs under their uniform (but don't forget to pack underwear in their swimming bag).

If you can assist with walking with your child/ren’s class to and from the pool, please let your classroom teacher know the days you are available to help.  A volunteer induction will need to be completed at the office.

2025 Swimming Carnival

Dear Families,

This term we are in the process of organising our 2025 Swimming Carnival which will take place on the 21^st November.

Every year our nomination process is reviewed and we have made the decision that this year we will be completing nominations with the students at school, instead of families completing the Google Form from previous years. Mrs Blake and Mrs Hooley will oversee all the nominations to ensure that students are in the correct races and all students who wish to be eligible for Age Champion will be included in the required races. For students in the lower grades, we will also be confirming with swimming teachers that they are able to swim in the races they nominate in.

If you have not yet given permission for swimming lessons and Swimming Carnival on Parent Lounge, can you please make sure this is also completed.

Departing Families

At this stage of the year, work and personal circumstances sometimes mean that we have families moving from Star of the Sea. If you have not already done so, please send us an email or a note to let us know.  This allows us to make accurate preparations for 2026.  It also allows other families on our waiting lists for certain year levels to be considered for a place with us next year.

We hope you can join us for our End of Year Mass so that we can pray a special blessing for you and your family.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 7

Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 brochures were handed out to students today.

If you wish to place an order please follow the instructions (inside the back cover of the brochure) to access LOOP online ordering.

Orders are due by Friday 24th October.

Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting

Our Parents and Friends Committee is open to ALL parents in our school.  Its primary purpose is to provide support and empowerment for parents in their vital parenting role.  They do this in many ways – Organising school events, inviting guest speakers and, most importantly, providing parents with the opportunity to have a voice.  They also assist in providing resources that enhance the learning environment for our students.  

Once again, our P&F have had a huge year working in all these ways for the betterment of our school and the benefit of our children.

2026 Student Information Form

As we prepare for our 2026 Class arrangements we invite you to notify us of any important information that should be considered for our class composition by completing a 2026 Student Information Form.

These forms are available from the school office and are designed for parents to formally communicate any important information in relation to their own child, for class placements in 2026 in regards to social, emotional, physical or learning concerns.

Please be aware that these forms are not to request a specific class, nor teacher, but rather to inform the Principal formally of any relevant concerns that pertain directly to your child.

All information included in the 2026 Student Information Form will be treated confidentially.  As always, requests will be considered by the Principal but, as you are aware, many factors are well-considered when forming classes, and teachers’ professional judgement is vital in this process also.

Please also know that classroom teachers are not the only professionals involved in finalising classes for the following year.  Teachers also meet with Learning Support staff and the Leadership team to finalise these lists.  

Please do not put requests to teachers directly.  Only those submissions made to the Principal will be formally considered.

2026 Student Information Forms must be returned to school in an envelope addressed to the Principal no later than Tuesday 11th November.

Sporting News

Seven Star of the Sea teams attended the Spikezone Volleyball competition held at Gladstone State High, on Wednesday, 16th September.  Honing their skills during PE in Terms 2 and 3, students played 6-10 games against schools from across the Gladstone region.  Some games were on a high and some on a low, a bit like the volleyball, but all in all they had lots of fun and played with great sportsmanship.  Once again our students made our school proud.  Thankyou to our parents who volunteered their time to walk students to and from the carnival, managed a team and cheered the students on.  We could not have taken so many willing participants without your support.  On a side note, if you are available to assist with the upcoming swimming carnival we would really appreciate your help.

After winning the Gladstone School Cup Cricket Gala Day, the Star of Sea boys’ Team were invited to attend the Schools Cup Regional Final in Rockhampton on Friday, 10th October.  Supported and encouraged by family looking on, the boys bowled, ran and batted their way to winning the cup.  Although we are very proud of their effort to win the trophy, what I was most proud of on the day was the co-operation and sportsmanship they showed to one another and the teams they played against.  It was a great example of how the students at our school let their lights shine.  A big thankyou to the parents who drove the children up and back and to Marty Gott who umpired and coached the boys for the day.

125 School Anniversary Committee

In 2027 our school celebrates 125 years of learning and growth as a school.  This may sound like a long time away but it is not when you are planning for a significant event such as this.  We have such a rich story that so many people have been a part of. 

We are calling for interest from those who may like to assist with the preparations for this event, in particular, we are hoping to put together a steering committee that will work together to get a few ideas into a plan.  Please let us know if you are interested.  The committee can be made up of past and present community members.

Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

Free Carer Support

We are excited to let you know about a new local service supporting carers in our community.

The Carer Gateway is a free national service that provides practical advice, support, and resources for people who look after a family member or friend. Whether you’re caring for an older person, someone with disability, a mental health condition, or a chronic illness—support is available for you.

🌟Services include:
•    Free counselling and peer support groups
•    Respite care to give you a break
•    Practical help with navigating services and government supports
•    Workshops, skills training, and tailored resources

📍 Visit Your Local Carer Hub
We now have a Carer Hub conveniently located at 1 Buller Street, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

👉Here, you can:
•    Register with the Carer Gateway
•    Speak directly with friendly staff who understand the challenges of being a carer
•    Access personalised advice and information
•    Connect with other carers in a supportive environment

💬 You don’t have to do it alone — help is here when you need it.

Thank you for everything you do as a carer. 
Your role is invaluable, and support is here for you.

Feel free to contact via telephone or email if you want to know more.

Important Information about Changes to our Parent Orbit APP

Due to recent changes with TASS, the URL for our Parent Orbit app has been changed.

Unfortunately this means that parents will need to update the App currently used. 

The new link to download our school’s app via a mobile device is https://parent.tassorbit.com.au/sosg 

Please not that this link is only accessible via a mobile device, you cannot access this on your pc.

It can also be found by using the QR Code below.

Wearitto Uniform Shop Opening Hours - Extended Trading Hours

The Wearitto Gladstone Uniform Shop trading hours have extended for Term 3 and Term 4.  The new hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm. 

The shop is located at Shop 1/90 Goondoon Street for all school fittings and uniform needs.

Student Absentee Line

If your child is not attending school, you can call us, 24/7, to leave a message to report the absence. The  phone number is 4994 8301.  

This designated phone line gives you the opportunity to call the school at a time that is convenient to you.

As always, absences can be reported using Parent Lounge or by emailing your child’s classroom teacher  and                                                                                                                SOSG_Absentee@rok.catholic.edu.au).