2025 Week 1 Newsletter - Term 1

From the Principal - Working Together in 2025

Dear Families

Welcome to our 2025 school year.  An extra special welcome to all our new Prep families and all those families who are new to the Star of the Sea community.

We have a really great feeling about the year ahead.  We have many goals we hope to achieve on the journey together, building on the strong growth we have already achieved.  One of our core goals this year is to collaborate with our students and yourselves to deepen student learning and engagement.  We look forward to working closely with you all this year and encouraging you in your important role as first educators of your children.

There are many ways for you to be an engaged and connected part of our school community, including getting involved in the below events.

Our Parents and Friends (P&F) Meeting takes place next Tuesday 4th February in the staffroom (entry via the Office Ramp).  It is a great way to meet others and connect with what is happening and get involved with volunteering if you are looking to do so.

Our P&F Welcome Back BBQ on Friday 7th February is a really fun way to get to gather with the school community, meet other families and get a feel for what we are about.

Supporting your child’s teacher and getting to know the other parents helps you feel connected and allows for a rich sharing of ideas and support.  Come along to the Parent Information sessions in the coming weeks to learn more.

Please note that the below dates and times have been amended from the original dates this newsletter was published with.  

WEEK THREE
Year 4 - Monday 10 February @ 5pm

Year 1 – Monday 10 February @ 5:30pm
Year 5 – Tuesday 11 February @5pm
Year 3 – Tuesday 11 February @5:30pm
Year 6 – Thursday 13 February @ 4:30pm

WEEK FOUR
Prep – Monday 17 February @ 4:30pm
Year 2 – Tuesday 18 February @ 5pm

All presentations will take place in the classroom.

STAFF NEWS 

We welcome a number of new staff to Star of the Sea this year:

Miss Brittany Dingle who is teaching Year 5.
Mrs Raschelle Heymer who is teaching Health this year (and Physical Education in Term One while Kim Hooley is on leave).
Tracey Hall who is working in Prep as a Classroom Support Assistant
Ms Danielle Sirris who joins our Classroom Support staff.
Mr Brett (Alby) Mangelsdorf who is our new Facilities Officer.

We know you will all make our new staff feel very welcome.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

We have a number of communication methods that aim to keep us connected as a community.

Email and Text Messaging are our primary means of communication.  Please check that we have your most current details.

Our School Newsletter is the primary source of information provided each week. This is delivered via email (usually a Tuesday) with an electronic version placed on our website.  

Parent Orbit App & Parent Lounge is also an important communication tool used for reporting absences and viewing upcoming school events.  It is also an avenue for responding to school excursions and events as well as being the place for viewing report cards and paying school fee accounts.  We encourage you to download the Parent Orbit App if you have not already done so. Further detail regarding the Parent Orbit App is included in this week's newsletter.

Our School Facebook account is another source of information about our school for those who use this medium.  A reminder that this is the only official Facebook page our school has. 

Finally, our School Website is another important source of information about our school and its various events and procedures.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

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

School Tuckshop Closed this Week

Our School Tuckshop will be closed this first week to allow for staff inductions and preparations.

Our first day of operation will be Wednesday 5th February.

From Our APRE

Welcome to 2025 – as we journey together I pray that our community will thrive in ’25!

This year has been set aside as a Jubilee year in the Catholic Church and the theme is Pilgrims of Hope.  Pope Francis is inviting us all as Pilgrims to -

• See, listen and feel. To be in relationship with others.
• Welcome life as it is in the light of the resurrection. In spite of life’s pains and sorrows, to celebrate its gifts and joys.
• Live our faith as a journey with Christ. He is the way and the destination.
• Walk with others. To be accompanied by other brothers and sisters.
• Pray. For our lives, for others, for the world, for the Church and for the prayer intentions of the Pope.

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html

As a school community we can journey together for the good of all and strive to be pilgrims of hope in our daily lives.

It is part of our mission at Star of the Sea to do this.  People very quickly learn our school motto – Let Your Light Shine, but it is also important that we understand our vison and mission also.

OUR VISION

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, inspired by the story of Jesus, is a faith-filled learning community which respects and nurtures the giftedness and dignity of all.

OUR MISSION

• Love God as Mary did.

• Respect ourselves, others and the world.

• Value life-long learning.

• Strive to achieve our potential.

• Live our faith in Jesus within our community.

As a community we have so much to work towards – thank goodness we are never alone as we strive for success.  Please reach out if ever you feel like you need help or a chat – my office door is always open.

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 1 - Friday 31 January @9am

Our Opening School Commissioning Mass takes place this Friday 31 January at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church.  

At this mass we will ask God’s blessing on the year ahead and welcome our new students, parents and staff.  We will also commission our 2025 Year 6 School Leaders and present them with their leadership badges.

All are welcome but we particularly invite new families and the families of our Year 6 students.

In Our Prayers

From the APC

WELCOME TO 2025

Welcome back to all returning families and a warm “Welcome to our School” to all new families. I hope you all had a good holiday and found time to relax and refresh with family and friends. 

It was so great to see everyone yesterday, the students, parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles.  There was a very eager buzz around the school.  I imagine there would have been some tired students yesterday afternoon and evening from all the excitement of the day.

Our staff here at Star of the Sea are ready for 2025.  I took some photos of the classrooms to share with you all.  Each room has a unique set up and will provide a wonderful space for learning for your children.

Communication throughout the year is key between us all.  I know at times it can be overwhelming keeping up with the emails, parent lounge, google forms etc.  I too struggle to keep up with communication for my daughter at her school but it is important we do.  In order to have less paper in our lives we have more emails….they just keep coming and coming.  

The start of a new year allows us all to begin again, set goals, work hard and strive for more.  If we work together we can achieve great things and 2025 is going to be great.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum 

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Parents & Friends Meeting - All welcome

We invite all of our Parent Community to our P and F Meeting next  Tuesday 4th February at 6:30pm in the staff room (entry via the front office).

Although the meeting starts at 6:30pm you are welcome to join us a little earlier for a chat and a glass of something if you can.

P & F News / Class Parent Volunteers

Our Parents & Friends is an organisation that all our Star of the Sea parents/ guardians are a part of.  It plays an important role in supporting our students and their families and we are grateful to everyone who is able to be involved in any way.  

Our 2025 Executive is as follows:
        President – Beth English
        Vice-president – Leanne Frost
        Secretary – Peta Weilharter
        Treasurer – Natalie Braddon

CLASS PARENTS

As part of our P&F goals to support the teachers and parents in their care for students, we invite one or two parents from each class to take on the role of ‘Class Parent’.  It is not meant to be a particularly demanding job but it does provide an important bridge between the parent body and the teacher.  

• The responsibilities of this role are as follows:
  •   Liaising with the classroom teacher 
  •  Assisting with Class Morning Teas (Held in the Outside Hours Care Room): This involves making sure the urn is filled and turned on ready before the Class Assembly item or whenever there is a Year Level Cuppa.  (You can even get someone else to turn on the urn if needed). You can also invite parents to bring along a plate to share.  
  •    Sending an email as a reminder for class events etc.  This just involves writing what you would like said and then emailing it to the office and your child’s teacher for us to send out for you.
  •    Administering the Class Facebook Group – Whilst these Facebook groups are not officially associated with the school, they can be used as a form of communication.  Your role would be to ensure all communication is in line with our Parent Code of Conduct.  As not all of our parent community use Facebook, an email through the school about important things will still be needed at times. 
  •    Helping serve food and drink to the students in your class at events such as the Christmas Concert (or organizing someone else to do it).  
  •    There are other optional things you can do such as organize class get togethers for parents etc. but this is not a mandatory part of the role.  I know some of you have already put together such events and I thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment.

If you would like to nominate for this role for your child’s class this year, please complete the form below: 

https://forms.gle/H1jnnmyFs9M8yBHMA  

Volunteer Inductions

ARE YOU PLANNING ON HELPING IN THE CLASSROOM OR AT SCHOOL EVENTS SUCH AS OUR CROSS COUNTRY?

You will need to join us for a Volunteer Induction first please!
 
These inductions do not take long but serve a very important purpose in helping us to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.

Please note that this is an Annual Induction that must be completed each year.

Join us if you can in the staffroom at the following times:

Tuesday 4th February @ 6pm (Before the P&F Meeting)

Friday 7th February @ 2:30pm

Monday 10th February @ 8:50am (After Assembly)

Tuesday 11th February @ 5pm

Parents & Friends Welcome Back BBQ

We are looking forward to seeing you all at our Welcome Back BBQ next Friday 7th February at 6pm.

This event is kindly organized by our P and F and is a great chance to meet new members of our Star of the Sea family and to reconnect with others.

Our P&F will kindly be operating the BBQ and drinks will be on sale.

Parents should please be aware that this is a Parent run event and therefore no formal supervision of the children is being provided by the school.  Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children during this social gathering.  Students should not attend this function without being accompanied by a supervising adult. 

2025 Term Dates

2025 Term One Date Claimers

Use of School Toilets

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning space for our students we have strict rules surrounding the use of our school toilets.  

Only students who are currently enrolled at Star of the Sea School are permitted to use the student toilets, including the PWD Toilet.  

Parents, volunteers, toddlers and high school students are asked to go to the School Office to be directed to suitable toilets if required. 

2025 Staff

Principal        Mrs Jennett O’Mullane

Assistant to the Principal Religious Education (APRE)   Mrs Kellie Richardson

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum (APC)           Mr Anthony King
 
Administration and Financial Officer                          Mrs Katherine Dawe                                   

Administration and Enrolment Officer                       Mrs Louise Hanrahan
 
Teachers

Prep    - Mrs Fiona Adamson PA) & Ms Anita Christensen (PB)
Year 1  - Mrs Brenda Emerick (1A) & Mrs Lana Kammholz (1B)
Year 2  - Mrs Ange Jenner (2A) & Mrs Catherine Melrose / Jenna Gibbs (2B)  
Year 3  - Mrs Ruth Kelly (3A) & Mrs Genelle Little (3B)
Year 4  - Mrs Lorrie Columbus (4A) and Mrs Suzanne Smyth (4B)
Year 5  - Mrs Kaylee Cleary/ Mrs Prudence Tate (5A) & Miss Brittany Dingle
Year 6  - Mrs Renee Alletag (6A) & Mrs Kathryn Murray (6B)

IT /Drama /Music Specialist  - Mrs Helena Sedgwick 
PE / Health Specialist - Mrs Vicki Blake / Mrs Kim Hooley/ Mrs Raschelle Heymer (Term One)
Inclusive Curriculum – Mr Anthony King, Miss Renae Richards, Mrs Louise Sisley & Mrs Susan Pacheco

Support Staff

School Counsellor - Melissa Davey 
Library Assistant - Miss Jen Casey
IT Assistant - Miss Erin Moynihan 

Teacher Assistants - Mrs Amanda Sydes, Mrs Tracey Hall, Mrs Christine Wright, Mrs Jodie Sharp, Miss Lauren Jaenke, Mrs Linda Smith, Ms Danielle Sirris, Mrs Stephanie Murray, Mrs Kylie Hamelink, Ms Gemma McGlennon, Mrs Alicia Ashe, Mrs Sandra Khalu, Mrs Anita Street, Mrs Deb Mackay and Miss Kasi Richardson.

Facilities Officer - Mr Brett (Alby) Mangelsdorf
Tuckshop - Mrs Julie Cook, Witney-Bre Robson & Bianca Vea-Vea
OSHC Coordinator - Mrs Ros Lisle
OSHC Assistants – Mrs Kylie Best, Miss Jen Casey, Miss Lauren Jaenke, Mr Matt Perkins, Mrs Tracy Oliver, Miss Kasi Richardson, Miss Amelia Langton & Mrs Christine Wright. 

Parish Priest  - Father Andrew Chase
Associate Priest - Father Peter Doherty
 

We all look forward to working with you this year.  

School Drop Off /Pick Up Procedures

As we start the new year it is a good idea to refresh ourselves with the rules and procedures surrounding the safe arrival and collection of our students.

Students arriving at school in the morning are to wait on the steps in front of the Music Room please.  No child is to be on site before 8am unless they are enrolled in Before School Care. Teachers are on duty from 8:10am.  Failure to comply with this rule puts your child at risk.

In the afternoon, there is only one designated Pick Up area for parents - The Car Park near the Herbert Street Cul-de-Sac.  Students are supervised in this area until 3.15pm.

When using the Car Park we urge you to remember the following

• The Drop Off Lane is for short drop off and pick up only please.  You cannot hop out of your car to help your child, say goodbye, watch them walk in etc.
  
• Please do not block the exits to the properties along the road.  Keep your eye out and make room for them.  This is especially important near the ambulance at the bottom of Central Lane.
• PLEASE TURN LEFT at the bottom of Central Lane.
• It is a wide turn for some vehicles to enter the car park and we ask you to be aware of this as you are travelling in the opposite direction and give way as necessary.
• You are not permitted to exit the car in the drive through area.  Students may only enter the car from the fence side.  If this does not work for your family, please park your car and collect them.  
  
• Please watch out and give way to others entering and exiting the drive through area.
  
• Feel free to come a little later to pick up if you can.
  
• Smile…and breathe…we are doing all we can to keep your children safe.
  

Family Name Labels to use in your car for drive through pick up in the afternoon

Having your child's surname clearly printed and placed where it can be seen on the sunvisor or dash helps us find your child quickly and speed up the collection process in the afternoons.

In the past we have printed names for all families in our school – if you would like us to send home a label for your car to be used at pick up please email us and we will get one ready for you and send it home.

Email sosg@rok.catholic.edu.au if you make the subject SCHOOL PICK UP SIGN we will know to make one and send it home for your use.

Important Health Notice

In order to make sure all of our children are kept as safe as possible we need to let you know that we have a number of students in our school with severe allergies to nuts and other allergies.

We are not a ‘nut free’ school but we do encourage you to be mindful of these allergies as you pack your child’s lunch and talk with them about disposing of rubbish carefully and cleaning hands carefully afterwards please.

If your child has any form of Health Action Plan we ask you to bring a copy to the School Office.  Also, any medication to be administered must be taken to the Office where the necessary paperwork can be completed.

Parent Orbit 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.  New families for 2025 will have their login details provided this week.

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.

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).

Community Notices

St Joseph's Cathedral Appeal

Caulfield 2024 Sponsors