2024 Week 9 Newsletter - Term 4

From the Acting Principal

“Leadership is unlocking peoples potential to be better.”  Bill Bradley

I was very proud of our Year 5 students last week as they presented their individual hopes and dreams for their 2025 leadership journey.  Each student showed great courage and strength, and I know our school will be in very good hands next year with our 2025 School Leaders.

At Friday’s Swimming Carnival we saw true team spirit, courage and determination.  Congratulations to all our students who competed and who encouraged each other so well.  The weather held off for us and I could see students who were pleased to be cooling off in the water.

Congratulations to our winning House Team – Marsden and to Murlay who took out the Spirit Award.  A massive thank you to Mrs Blake and all her helpers who made the day such a great success.

There were some very competitive swimmers out there on Friday.

9 & U Girls Champions

Frances M

Penny S

Bella-Maree McG

9 & U Boys Champions

Noah W

Noah T

Daly C

2014 Girls Champions

Harlie McN

Macy S

Arabella C

2014 Boys Champions

Bon A

Grady C

Arlo T

2013 Girls Champions

Sophie G

Sienna K

Meiye K

2013 Boys Champions

Leo T

Ethan H

Hudson S

Open Girls Champions

Mackenzie J

Amarni T

Open Boys Champions

Cooper B

Tobin J

Leo M

2025 School Leaders

We are so proud of our Year 5 students and the way they showcased their leadership potential last week.
Special congratulations to our Captains for 2025:

School Captains – Sienna D & Lachlan G 
Murlay Captains – Isla C & Bon A
Breslin Captains – Loni B & Harrison G
Marsden Captains – Ellie G & Bodi O
Cultural Captains – Annabelle W  (Band) & Sophie G (Choir)

Choose kind,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

From Our APRE

Our Free Dress Day last week was a huge success with the St Vincent De Paul Christmas appeal being the winner on the day.

The generosity of our families never ceases to amaze me – thank you to everyone who donated something on the day.  This week is our last week to collect for this appeal and next week the Vinnies volunteers will collect all the donations so they can sort and distribute to people in need.

It is that time of the year again when we begin the ‘end’.  This week our Year 6 students present their last ever Primary School assembly.  They then prepare for their Primary School Graduation. 

Each year we present a number of awards at our final Mass.  This is a chance to recognise students who have stood out in our school community.

The award recipients are carefully chosen and it is never an easy task.  The following criteria helps us with our selection process.

“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE” AWARD

This Trophy was commissioned by the Marist Sisters in 1990 to be presented to a student in their final year of Primary School who had let their light shine most consistently throughout the year.

At Star of the Sea School, letting your light shine is an activity which is demonstrated in the true spirit of love and loyalty to the school community.

The recipient of this Award will have demonstrated qualities such as…..

• being positively active within the school
• using one’s gifts and talents in a productive way
• showing enterprise
• demonstrating true Christian qualities, and
• constantly striving to live our school’s motto.

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD FOR CONSISTENT EFFORT

This annual award is presented to a student who has consistently demonstrated the following qualities…

• showing a responsible, helpful and caring attitude towards themselves, fellow students and staff
• always putting 100% of their effort into school work and activities
• showing a true Christian spirit
• and always letting their light shine.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award goes to a student in Year Six who has worked hard and consistently shown excellent results in all areas of the curriculum.  One student from each Year Six class will receive this award.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is presented to a student in each Year Six class who has demonstrated not only an improvement in effort and results in the academic areas but also growth in confidence and character.

MARIST SISTER’S BURSARY AWARD

This award was established in memory of the valuable educational work undertaken in Gladstone by the Marist Sisters from 1971 to 1999.

This deserving student has demonstrated a sense of relationship, openness, community spirit, leadership, prayer, worship, social justice, participation, reconciliation and parish.

MERCY SISTER’S BURSARY AWARD

The Mercy Sisters established Catholic Education for Primary Students at Star of the Sea School on 12 July 1900 continuing until early December 1971.  To celebrate this lifelong commitment, this bursary is presented to a conscientious, hardworking, committed student who shows an encompassing attitude toward faith and school work while reaching out to members of the school community. 

CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award was commissioned by Mrs Norma Tanna to be presented to a student who has demonstrated a level of commitment across the areas of the Arts. The student will have participated in school and community based Arts or Cultural activities. These may include:

• Music
• Drama
• Dance
• Visual Arts
• Media

AWARD FOR SPORTING EXCELLENCE

The recipient of this award has excelled in school sport and shown an active dedication to their chosen fields, achievement at a high level, commitment to their sporting endeavors as well as their academic pursuits.

I pray for strength and determination for everyone as we head into the final stages of the year.

You’ve got this,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

From the Parish

Nativity Play

School-aged children are invited to join rehearsals for the Nativity Play to be held during Star of the Sea Church’s Christmas Eve 6pm Mass. Rehearsals will be after 8am Masses at Star of the Sea Church on Sundays 1^st, 8^th, 15^th & 22^nd December.

Please email the parish office sosgladstone@rok.catholic.net.au to register or ask questions.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

Can you spare an hour or two to make a difference in your community? You're invited to join the St Vincent de Paul Society. Vincentian work is hands on and practical. The Gladstone conference needs people who can assist with assisting those in need directly But, if becoming a Conference member is not for you, volunteers are also required to:

• Drive the truck to pick up and deliver donated clothing and goods;
• Prepare goods for sale or redistribution;
• Repair furniture and appliances;
• Serve customers behind the counter of the shop. Training provided | No experience necessary.

If any of this work interests you, please email olss4680@svdpqld.org.au and a member of the local St Vincent de Paul Conference will contact you to discuss how you can get involved.

From the APC

Swimming Carnival Wrap Up

Term 4 has seen many days spent at the Gladstone Aquatic Centre as our students honed their swimming abilities ready for the much anticipated and final chance to win bragging rights at the annual Swimming Carnival. 

There were lots of nervous swimmers before the 100m race, but after a small warm up, many of the nerves disappeared and some great racing took place.

Throughout the day, it was wonderful to see so many students leaving their comfort zone to challenge themselves in races and being proud of their own efforts. It was also fantastic at the finish line to see so many students cheering each other on and celebrating others’ achievements.

A huge thank you must go to all of our parent volunteers, all of the teachers and staff who helped with the organising and running of the day and of course to all of the students who showed great sportsmanship and behaviour throughout the day, as well as the staff at the Gladstone Aquatic Centre for their help in hosting the event. Well done to the Parents on winning the Student/Parent/Teacher relay, rather convincingly.

Congratulations to Marsden on winning the 2024 Swimming Carnival and Murlay for winning House Spirit.

Anthony King - Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Star of the Sea Christmas Concert Friday 29th November

Our Star of the Sea Christmas Concert is an important event in our school calendar.  It is a major event that involves a significant number of attendees, so we ask that you make yourself familiar with the following set up and procedures to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone present.

We start at 6pm so try to be there by 5:45pm.  We are unsure of our finishing time.  It usually takes a couple of hours and you can collect your child after the whole school finale.

SEATING ARRANGEMENTS

Students are to sit in their class groups with their teacher in the main car park.   Parents, siblings and other family members are asked to stay on the grassed area please.

The front section of the viewing area is for blanket/mat seating only.  You are welcome to bring chairs to sit on also, but these must be placed further back behind the blanket area.

Please do not set up before the end of the school day.

PAPARAZZI ARRANGEMENTS

During the Nativity Play / Singing of the carols, no family members are permitted to come forward to take photos.  There will be combined classes and the increased numbers mean the paparazzi option cannot be safely accommodated.  The event will be live streamed onto a large screen that will improve your viewing experience.

During the class dances, we suggest one person from each family may come forward to film/take photos.  Even with only one person from each family, that will be a group of more than 50 and we cannot accommodate much more.

Entry to the performance area is via the ramp please. This seemed to worked well in 2023 and we will continue the same system this year.  Please follow the arrows →.  The stairs are only to be used to return back to your place. For safety reasons, no-one is permitted to stand on the stairs or pathways please.

TOILETS

Students will be provided their own toilets for the night near their seating.   All other adults and children are to use the shed toilets at the back of the grassed viewing area.

OUT OF BOUND AREAS

For safety reasons, the new playground area is out of bounds, as is the area to the side and back of the shed/ courts area and our Courts and Terrace – please supervise your children/ teens carefully.

ALCOHOL AND FOOD

A bar providing both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks for purchase will be operating for your convenience and a sausage sizzle for the adults will be provided as well.  Both cash and EFTPOS will be available.  To assist us in complying with Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation, please note that BYO alcohol is not permitted.  All alcohol must be consumed within the grassed viewing area and cannot be brought down to the performance area.

As students will be required to stay with their teacher for the duration of the concert, they must bring their own drink bottle (with name on it please). We ask that students have dinner before arriving - the P&F will kindly be providing students with snacks during the night – this will include plain potato chips, tiny teddies and an apple.  Please inform your child’s teacher if there are any dietary requirements.

Please make sure you familiarise yourself with the information and picture below:

Blue Crosses - Seats can be used in this area behind the red line

Yellow Crosses - Blankets / Mats only

Green Arrow - Move down the ramp

Black Arrow - Only use stairs to travel up (unless assistance is required).

Parent/toddler/teen toilets in the shed

Bar / Sausage Sizzle in the shed

Main Car Park Closed Thursday & Friday

To allow for rehearsals for our Christmas Concert, the main car park will be closed to traffic Thursday and Friday this week.

End of Year Mass - Friday 6th December at 9am

FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL 2024

12:15pm Final assembly and farewell

We will have a final assembly in the Covered Courts area where we will farewell our Year 6 students.  Parents may take children home after this.  All children left at school will be supervised in the Library.

Children will not be permitted to walk or ride home until 2:55pm unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult.

Please note: There will be no Tuckshop in the last week of school

Important Dates in Term 4

WEEK 9

Year 6 invite you to their FINAL assembly presentation on Thursday 28^th November at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Everyone is invited to attend our annual Christmas Concert on Friday 29^th November.

WEEK 10

Monday 2nd December, Instrument testing for the 2025 Instrumental Music Program

Everyone is invited to attend our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy on Monday night @ 6pm in the Star of the Sea Church. 

Everyone is invited to attend our End of Year Mass on Friday 6^th December in the Star of the Sea Church at 9am. 

Instrumental Music Program Recruitment Process

It is that time of the year again when our Instrumental Music Program begins their recruitment process.

On Wednesday (back on the 23rd October) our Beginner and Intermediate Band performed for the school and demonstrated the various instruments that are available.
 
All students currently in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 are eligible to be tested for the Instrumental Music Program. There are many benefits to playing a musical instrument, including self-confidence, team work, social skills and much more.

All Instrument testing will take place on Monday 2nd December.

For more information about the program and if your child is interested in joining the Instrumental Music Program for 2025 please click on the link below to complete the form.  Please complete the form by this Friday 29th November for your child to be included in Instrument testing on Monday 2nd December. 

https://forms.gle/hjtdsXhPFAdL7KWcA

We thank Mrs Kerrie Mallet for the work that she has put into this program at our school for many years. Kerrie will retire at the end of this year and Mrs Carmen Tankard will be returning to the role in 2025.  

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 2025.  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.

Rockhampton Summer Camp Group 2025

Summer Camp is back in January 2025 and the Rockhampton Diocese will be there!

The camp will be returning to QCCC Mapleton, which is a fantastic facility. The dates for 2024 are the 8th to 12th of January, which includes our group travelling down a day early and staying an extra night at the camp so we are ready to go when it starts on the morning of the 9th. The event is open for all students who will be year 7-12 in 2025.

You can find all the details about registering with our diocesan group here: https://rok.catholic.net.au/services-agencies/pastoral-services/youth-ministry/summer-camp/. Earlybird prices are only available until October 31st so make sure you register ASAP!

For more information about Summer Camp go to https://igniteyouth.com/summercamp. For any questions about our diocesan group please don't hesitate to get in touch with me at youth@rok.catholic.net.au or 0433 897 973.

Mick Otto
Executive Officer - Vocations, Youth & Family Life

Wearitto Uniform Shop Extended Trading Hours

Wearitto Uniform Shop Normal Trading Hours

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.

2024 School Priorities

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 2024 Sponsors