2024 Week 5 Newsletter - Term 3

WEEKLY FOCUS - Family Rules

From the Principal - Developing Digital Intelligence

Dear families

It’s been a difficult start for many of our families who have been hit hard with sickness.  There are a lot of sick children (and adults) at the moment and we appreciate your support in keeping them home and helping them recover from their symptoms.  Luckily, we are all well practised at the basic cleaning and self care habits that help stop the spread of germs. I also draw your attention to the Qld Health communication emailed home to families today and included in this newsletter.

Our Band and Bells performed wonderfully at the Eisteddfod today with our Band achieving first place and our Bells achieving second place.  They should all be so proud of their efforts and we are very grateful to Mrs Mallet, Miss Richards and Miss Erin for all their work in training and supporting them.  Congratulations everyone!

I am reading a great book at the moment about growing habits which I strongly recommend – ‘Atomic habits’ by James Clear.  It is never too late to start teaching our children good habits, and this is especially so with the use of technology.

Building digital intelligence is not something many of us feel equipped to teach our children but it is an essential skill for them to learn, and it includes much more than just knowing how to operate digital technologies.

I cannot recommend the E-Safety Commissioner website enough to assist in this task: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents  

It is very hard for us as parents and educators to keep up with the constant advances and emerging issues in this area, but the E-Safety Commissioner does that for us and presents it all in an extremely useful way.  They suggest a number of things we need to teach our children to help build digital intelligence:

Encourage empathy and Promote respectful communication - If it is not OK to say or do something face to face, it is not OK online. 

Remind them to avoid responding to negative messages and to tell you or another trusted adult if they receive them.  Tell them it is OK to report others who are not being nice.  

Teach them to question and think critically about what they see online. Teach them to ask questions so they can identify content or messages that may be misleading or exploitative. 

Talk to them about ‘fake news’, or false information that is designed to look like a trustworthy news report, and how quickly it can spread on social media. Teach them to fact check news sources and do their own independent searches on issues. 

Remind them to be careful when making new friends online as people may not be who they say they are. 

Help them achieve a healthy balance in their online and offline activities and set boundaries for digital device use in your home. 

Remind your child of the importance of safeguarding personal information that can be used to identify or locate them.  

Help them build resilience - Build your child’s confidence and encourage positive ways of thinking — looking on the bright side, thinking rationally, understanding that difficult times are a part of life but there is help and support available.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

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

From Our APRE

The Catholic Church celebrates two significant Feast Days this week.

The first is today – The Transfiguration of the Lord.  The Transfiguration is a Christian commemoration of the occasion upon which Jesus Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a mountain, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured, his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. (Mark 9:2–13; Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36)

What is the meaning of the Transfiguration of the Lord?

What does the word “transfiguration” mean? The word “transfiguration” comes from the Latin roots trans- (“across”) and figura (“form, shape”). It thus signifies a change of form or appearance. This is what happened to Jesus in the event known as the Transfiguration: His appearance changed and became glorious.  (Britannica.com)

Thursday 8^th August is the feast of Mary Mackillop – Australia’s very first saint and another shining example for us here at Star of the Sea.

Mary Mackillop had a real heart for educating poor children and spent time teaching not only her cousins but also many other children from her local area. In 1866, Fr Julian Tenison and herself co-foundered the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.  It was the first religious order to be established by an Australian.

PRAYER

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement 
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop 
We ask that you grant our request.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit 
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.

‘Find happiness in making others happy’ - Mary MacKillop

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

A number of students from Star of the Sea have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.  At Mass, over the coming weeks these people will join in communion with our parish to receive the sacrament.

Congratulations to Liam, Arabella, Avery, Michael, Theo, Ari, Arlo and Aspen. We pray that you will continue to be nourished by the Eucharist as you journey in Faith.

Capricornia Track and Field Trials

Congratulations to Luke P and Tahara H for making the Port Curtis Track and Field Team.  Luke and Tahara will compete in the Capricornia Track and Field Trials to be held in Mackay later this month.

2024 Catholic Education Week Kindness Project

In 2023 our Year 3 class, with the help of Mrs Churchill, reached out to Simberi Primary School.  Mr Rodda, who works in Simberi organised a collection of leftover and unused materials to be delivered to the school.  They were extremely grateful and continue to pray for our school knowing that we helped them with something they needed.

This year we would like to reach out and assist Simberi again.  They are in constant need of supplies.  Our Kindness Project for 2024 will assist Simberi Primary School.

Mr Rodda will co-ordinate the collection and delivery of all supplies for the school.

If you are able to assist, please deliver items to school.  We will continue to collect the stationery items until our School Feast Day in Week 10.

Simberi are in need of the following items.

• Backpacks
• Kmart teach the time clocks
• Exercise books
• Coloured A4 Paper
• Loose Paper
• Coloured A4 Cardboard
• Lined paper
• Paint brushes/paint pots
• Calculators
• Watercolour paints
• Tissues
• Chalk – teachers only have chalk boards
• Reading books P – 10
• Activity Books for a range of years P-7

From the APC

Eisteddfod season is upon us.  We have had students busily preparing for their performances in our Intermediate Band, Bells Ensemble and Choir.  Over the next few weeks children will be coming and going from our school to attend the Eisteddfod.  They work hard each year to prepare for this event and they will be rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment, regardless of their placings.

Next week is the National Science Week and the theme in 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.

This theme delivers an amazing variety of topics to investigate and be able to dive into issues of particular interest to them: disease-causing organisms, life-saving chemicals, clean water, photosynthesis, genetic screening, physics of building structures, artificial intelligence, and microplastics. 

Have a great week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Book Character Dress Up

In Our Prayers

Date Claimers

WEEK 5

Year 4A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 9^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 6

GLADSTONE SHOW HOLIDAY – Monday 12^th August.

Parents & Friends Meeting - Tuesday 13th August at 6:30pm. (**Please note that this date has changed)

Year 3 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 13^th August at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.   (**Please note that this date has changed)

Year 4B invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 16^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 7

BOOK WEEK

Good luck to our Choir performing at the Eisteddfod on Thursday 22 August.

Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 23^rd  August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 8

Prep Vision Screening - Monday 26 August

Father's Day Stall - Thursday 29 August

Year 3B invite you to their assembly presentation on Thursday 29^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

PUPIL FREE DAY – FRIDAY 30^th AUGUST.

WEEK 9

Year 2 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 3^rd September at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.   

Parents and Friends Meeting - Tuesday 3rd September at 6:30pm.

Year 6B invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 6^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Family Trivia Night run by our P&F - Friday 6th September at 6pm.  Bring your food and drinks and get ready for a great night together.

WEEK 10

SCHOOL FEAST DAY – Thursday 12^th September.

Everyone is invited to attend our Feast Day Mass on Thursday 12th  September at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church. 

Year 6A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 13^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

Position Vacant - Parish Administration Officer

Our parish is seeking to employ a
Parish Administration Officer
and is calling for applications.
 
The role is part-time (20 hours a week) and provides assistance to the Parish Priest in the administrative tasks of the parish. 

Principal duties include:
•    Provide general secretarial/administrative assistance to the Parish Priest
•    Produce the weekly parish bulletin 
•    Maintain administrative documentation and filing systems 
•    Print liturgical texts and other requirements for liturgies
•    Maintain rosters for Sunday Mass
•    Monitor and order stock for office & church 
•    Maintain copyright log for hymns each week
•    Maintain parish sacrament registers
•    Prepare paperwork and make appointments for baptisms, marriages, and funerals
•    Other general reception duties as required.

The position involves sharing of some duties with another staff member. The position would be suitable for someone who can provide a warm and welcoming presence to parishioners and others who attend the parish office, is proficient with Microsoft Office software, and is well-organised and attentive to detail.

A familiarity with the elements of parish life and practice will be a significant advantage.

The successful applicant will be provided with in-house training and a hand-over period during which s/he will work with existing staff.

A copy of the full position description and instructions for applying can be obtained by contacting the parish office (sosgladstone@rok.catholic.net.au or 49721025).

Due date has been extended to Friday 9th August.

Important Message from Qld Health

Father's Day Stall

Caulfield Sponsorship Opportunities

The annual Star of the Sea Caulfield event is on again on 19 October 2024! 

This event involves transforming our school into an amazing venue that hosts over 250 people to enjoy an afternoon of fun whilst raising funds for our school. These funds have continued to help the P and F Association to develop a supportive and caring learning environment for our school and have contributed to the building of play equipment and learning areas, classroom resources and travel bursaries.  

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the event this year, there are a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available. Our Platinum and Gold Sponsors also receive exclusive access to Early Bird Tickets. Please contact SOSCaulfield@outlook.com to request a sponsorship prospectus. 

Have you thought about becoming a Catholic?

2025 Prep Enrolments Closing Soon

This is a last call for any existing families with children eligible to be enrolled in Prep 2025.

Places are in the process of being finalised and you must have enrolled your child online to be considered for a place in one of next year's classes at Star of the Sea.

Please contact the office with any questions.

Story Dogs Fundraiser

Catholic Education Week saw us taking part in some special Kindness Projects.  One that is very dear to our heart is Story Dogs which has been a huge support to our literacy program at Star of the Sea.  

We have been blessed to work with a number of great Story Dogs like Meeka who are much loved members of our school community.  Dave and Meeka visit us each week and we love reading them stories and they love leaving us with huge smiles on our face.  Our Free Dress Day helped to raise funds to continue the great work of Story Dogs Australia.

Have you downloaded our new App yet?

We already have way over half our parent community who've downloaded our new mobile App.  

The App, Parent Orbit, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, check the school calendar, update details and permissions and much more.

Some of you may already be using the Parent Orbit App for Chanel College and you will simply add Star of the Sea as another school you can access.

The App uses your Parent Lounge log in to access and will be a great way to access Parent Lounge features as you will not have to log in every time.

To download the App to your mobile device you can click on the link https://parentorbit.page.link/sosg  or visit your APP store.

Most of our Term Dates for the rest of the year are already installed on the App so it really is a good resource for you.

Community Notices

2024 School Priorities

Wearitto Uniform Shop Trading Hours

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).

St Joseph's Cathedral Appeal

Caulfield 2023 Sponsors