2022 Week 3 Newsletter - Term 2

Weekly Focus

Each week we provide you with a short video supplying our key messages for the week.  

From the Principal

Dear Families

A very Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday to all those who play a mothering role to our children.  It is an important day where we get to show our gratitude for all you do, and the essential role you have in caring for our present as well as creating our future.  I do hope you feel all the love you deserve this weekend. 

Our P&F Parents have organised an awesome array of gifts for your children to purchase this Thursday.  If you are free to help with this shopping day (even for a short time) please let the office know.  We also have a fun evening planned on Friday at our School Disco. I look forward to seeing you at 5:30pm if you are able to join us.

Parenting is one role where we often feel very underprepared and are often way too tough on ourselves.

Scott Mautz shares Stiffelman’s ten key things we should all let our children see us doing:

1.    Let them see you struggle.
It is important that we do not try to hide that life does encompass struggle at times instead of worrying that we will shatter their illusion of ‘heroic’ parents.  We teach valuable lessons when we show them the full cycle of handling adversity. “Let your kids see you struggle, how you handle it, how you get through it, how you rest, or how you ask for help."

2.    Let them see you cry.
It’s okay to show that you are sad sometimes and that you feel emotion.  You give them permission to do the same.

3.    Let them see you showing affection.
Showing affection to your partner and to your children, no matter how busy you are, has a therapeutic benefit to all in the household.

4.    Let them see you exercising.
Setting an example of regular movement is valuable for children, especially in this digital age. They benefit from a message that it is not about body-judging/ shaming but about healthy living and the need to just ... keep ... moving.

5.    Let them see you attending to the universe, not just the "you-niverse."
Show your children how to volunteer to uplift another and to shift the focus from self to showing kindness to others.  You show them a world beyond self and how meaning can come from improving the life of others.

I will share a few more of Stiffelman’s uplifting suggestions next week.  Take care everyone.

God bless you and Live Jesus in Your Hearts Forever!
Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au  

2022 School Goals

From Our APRE

I may be known around the school as a bit of a ‘uniform police person’.  I admit it is one of my bug bears at school – I totally understand that there are times when the incorrect uniform will be worn for various reasons.  My bug bear is more about when students choose to wear their uniform incorrectly; especially when they tuck the shirt in when you ask them to and they pull it out as they walk away from you, or they tell you that they couldn’t find the correct socks, or the shoes got wet in the rain and it hasn’t rained in a week – the list could go on.

I think I may need a recording of the words ‘tuck your shirt in please’.  Last week I was challenged by a younger student  when I asked them to do this for me.  I must admit I was taken aback a little, but we continued our conversation, as we are very keen for students to have a voice.

When the student asked very sincerely and politely, “why do we have to tuck our shirt in?”, I gave my usual answer of ‘because it is a school rule’.  This did not suffice and we continued, still with the shirt hanging out – ‘BUT why do we need to have our shirt tucked in?’  I went on to give a little bit more of an explanation about rules and respect and wearing our uniform with pride.  Still looking perplexed, and still with the shirt hanging out, the child skipped off to play with the rest of the students – leaving me to figure it out!!! I will keep working on it, I am definitely not one to give up.

So why do we ask our students to tuck their shirts in?  I know that when students wear their uniform correctly we have a school full of students who look good and I am proud of the way most students wear their uniforms with pride.  It is more than just looking good though – it helps with equity and belonging.

From the Parent Handbook - A uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school. Issues of equality, health and safety, and expense are also factors that contribute to the establishment of the Dress Code.

♦ Jewellery should be kept to a minimum: only a cross or other Christian medal on a chain, a watch, one stud per ear lobe (no other visible body piercing is allowed).

♦ Fingernails should be trimmed to fingertip length and no colours are allowed.

♦ Long hair should be worn tied back. Coloured hair (fully or partially dyed) is not allowed at all.

♦ All ribbons, headbands etc worn by girls must always be royal or navy blue, white or yellow in colour.

♦ School pullovers or jackets are always navy in colour

♦ In Winter, boys and girls can wear navy blue tracksuit pants over their school shorts. ♦ Bicycle pants are not part of the Sports Uniforms.

♦ It is inappropriate and unacceptable for swimming costumes such as long board shorts to be worn under normal school shorts for boys.

♦ The Dress Code applies during school hours, while travelling to and from school, and when students are on school excursions.

♦ Extreme hair colours (eg: green, pink or purple rinses) and/or extreme hairstyles (eg: tracks, spikes or mohawks) are not permitted.

♦ Other than clear nail polish, cosmetics may not be worn at school.

♦ The only headwear that is acceptable is Sunsmart hats consistent with our Sunsmart Policy.

♦ If for any reason children are not in correct uniform the class teacher should be informed in writing.

Wearing the uniform correctly is something else that we need to be in partnership with parents on. We truly appreciate the part you play in this space.

Together we can make a difference.

God bless

Kellie Richardson
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

MONTHLY MJR  MESSAGE

© Images used with permission from Garratt Publishing.  All rights reserved.

This month we focus on recognizing Spirit of Jesus moments.

Look closely to see if you can pick someone living with Jesus in his or her hearts this week.

Liturgies and Assemblies

In Our Prayers

From the APC

NAPLAN TESTING

The children in Years 3 and 5 will be participating in NAPLAN testing on the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th May. 

The children participate, over the course of three days, in a series of tests which will assess the areas of language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation); writing; reading; and numeracy (including number, measurement, chance and data, space, working mathematically, algebra function and pattern).

Although we do not ‘teach to the test’ our teachers have been and will continue to be providing opportunities for children to develop strategies to help them work to the best of their ability.

Teachers in Years 3, & 5 have been working with students on skills such as: resilience - to ‘keep trying when the going gets tough’; working to a set time to complete work; being familiar with the language of the tests and their format; and knowing what to do when they encounter a question they are unsure how to answer.

We are sure each child in Year 3 and 5 will do their very best and we will all be proud of their efforts.

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant: Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Port Curtis Cross Country

Congratulations to Annalise Ginn and Amarni Thetford on being selected  for the Port Curtis Cross Country Team.  The Capricornia trials will be held in Rockhampton on Tuesday 17th May.  Well done girls!

Citizen Science

Citizen Science is a global movement to engage the community in scientific research and encourage public participation in science with collaborative projects that support decision-making and community engagement. A group of our Year 6 students were given the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Citizen Science Festival at The Boyne Island Environmental Education Centre recently.  It was a great day focussed on opening students' minds to real world, hands-on, engaging scientific activities.

Uniform Shop News - Cooler Weather

Please note the Uniform Shop is open each Wednesday from 8.30am to 10.30am.    With the cooler weather approaching,  a reminder to families that school jumpers are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop @ $33.50. Orders can be placed online via our school website http://www.staroftheseagladstone.qld.edu.au/about-us/uniform.html 

PREP 2023

Children born between 1^st July 2017 and 30^th June 2018 are eligible to commence Prep in 2023.  If you have a child eligible for Prep in 2023 please visit the school website and complete the Online Application Form.

http://www.staroftheseagladstone.qld.edu.au/enrolment/enrolment-information.html

All current families with a child eligible to commence Prep 2023 are required to complete and online application form.

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. 

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

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

Notification of Positive Covid Cases

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School wishes to advise you that, during the past week, we have been notified of positive cases of COVID-19 in our school community.
Star of the Sea regularly consults with the Catholic Education Office and relevant authorities and continues to follow the advice of Queensland Health regarding cleaning requirements.
Queensland Health has advised that no quarantine of students or staff is required as a result of school based contact.

As COVID-19 remains active in our community we ask you to continue to monitor your child’s/children’s health and if they develop any flu-like symptoms:
• Keep your child/children at home
• Seek a PCR or Rapid Antigen test where it is recommended and notify the school of positive results.
• Follow the advice of Queensland Health

As we continue to navigate the pandemic, please remind your child/ren to:
• maintain good hand hygiene at all times
• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of their elbow and dispose of tissues in the bin immediately.
• practice social distancing from others where possible
• wear masks when required

We will continue to work closely with health authorities to keep our school community informed of any developments and advice. Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors