2022 Week 6 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

I loved my rainy day on Saturday, relishing the opportunity to curl up and listen to the rain as I enjoyed a good book. At the same time was a sinking feeling knowing that this beautiful rain was making our sporting fields way too wet for our students to run and compete upon.

It is frustrating to have to reschedule these things and continually make new plans.  It is life though and is an opportunity for us to model resilience as we cope with the changes.  Please read this newsletter and your emails for updated information regarding our sporting events.  We appreciate your understanding and support.

May is a month where Catholics traditionally reflect on what we can learn from Mary, Jesus’ Mother.  Lately I have been pondering the courage Mary showed in her life.  It is one of our school virtues and it is a virtue that allowed Mary to help reveal God’s love to the world.  As we begin Reconciliation Week with its 2022 theme of "Be Brave.  Make a Change.", Mary is a model for all who seek the courage to make the world a better place.

God was dependent on Mary to bring Jesus to the world.  It is only through her ‘yes’ that Jesus became human.  It is also through our ‘yes’ today that Jesus reaches out to touch the world through us. 

She could have said no, you know.
Even as the angel told her what would be, Mary still had a choice.
The angel waited for her response.

God sought Mary’s yes.
Mary could not have done this alone.
But neither could God.

 Mary needed God.   God needed Mary.

God’s suggestion and Mary’s assent
heralded an alliance of Heaven and Earth.
A union so perfect, so complete, so potent, that it would set the world alight.

Have I known moments of annunciation? Perhaps…
…a creeping feeling of what will be.
…a prompt to become more fully who I really am.
…a nudge towards my destiny.
…an invitation to partner with God and await what unfolds ahead of me.

I don’t have to say yes.
But are there things that God cannot do without my yes?

Do I ponder, perplexed and disturbed as Mary was, on how God might be using my own moments of annunciation – and my quiet submission to them – to change my own small corner of the world?

And do I know that I am cradled by God, even as I seek the courage to say “yes”?https://jennybridgman.wordpress.com/tag/mary/

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

2022 School Goals

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL POSTPONED

The uncertain weather is playing havoc with our sporting events and turning our sporting fields into muddy messes unsuitable for prolonged use unfortunately.  Already we have seen the postponement of our Junior and Senior Field Events and Friday’s Athletics’ Carnival has now also been postponed.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work hard to make these events happen.  We must also work around the Zone Athletics and Cross Country events which a number of our students will be attending.  At present, we have the below revised dates planned.

We are very much in need of volunteers for each event.  If you are able to assist, please click on the link below the date and complete the form.  We ask that you do this even if you have done so before as the revised dates may have changed people’s ability to assist.

Monday 30 May – Junior Jumps at SOSG (as per the same times and details that were emailed previously).   A short presentation ceremony will take place immediately after the Prep races.

https://forms.gle/eCeQQUjtKDFQjv117

Tuesday 31 May – Senior Field events at SOSG

A reminder to students who qualified to participate in the Discus event, to return their signed  Discus Participation Permission form as soon as possible.

https://forms.gle/Vy3UG7UBBVH2u9LBA

Wednesday 1^st June – Athletics’ Carnival at Chanel College

https://forms.gle/oiE9HVx71scMVacR7

If all these events proceed as planned, the Presentation Ceremony for Senior Field Events and Athletics Carnival will take place on Monday 6^th June at 8:40am on the Courts.

From Our APRE

National Reconcilliation Week begins on Friday.  I love the theme for this year.  “Be Brave. Make Change.”

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

Taken from the website

https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

We are blessed to have 2 lovely ladies working within our school to help make this a reality.  We always have more we can do, but Skye and Jade work closely with staff, parents and students to help build relationships and knowledge within our school.  We are grateful for the difference they make.

BE BRAVE.

Have a wonderful week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Prayer for Reconciliation

Loving God,

Who created all people in your image,

Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.

You gave us your only Son, Jesus, to teach us how to love and forgive.

We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land, language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have experienced.

We are sorry and ask Your forgiveness.

Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their spirits.

In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey of healing to create a future that is just and equitable.

Lord, you are our hope.

In the spirit of Reconciliation Week, we make these prayers in your name,

AMEN

©National and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (www.ncca.org.au/natsiec)

Weekly Wondering

Virtues

Liturgies and Assemblies

In Our Prayers

From the APC

I was teaching my Year 4 class a lesson from the Daniel Moorcombe Child Safety program last week and the focus was on responsibility.

We looked at the definition of the word ‘responsibility’ - A duty or a task that you are required to carry out and that you are capable of doing.  For children it could be a task that you have promised you will do to help (e.g. making your bed).

This example started a huge debate in my classroom focusing on the purpose of making your bed.  Some students disagreed that it is part of everyone’s responsibility to do this as it is your bed, so you choose.  Other students said they cannot leave their room in the mornings until their bed is made.  I absolutely loved listening to students justify their opinion. 

Whilst they were discussing pros and cons to making their bed, it reminded me of a speech I saw on the Internet a few years ago.  I have shared it with you all in my newsletter article before but for those of you who are new, I wanted to share it again.

I must admit, until I listened to this speech and watched this short clip, I was a no bed maker.  I am happy to report though, I have changed and I truly believe it makes a difference to your day if you do complete this first task.  It sets you up for the rest of the day.

MAKE YOUR BED EVERY DAY – speech by Admirable McRaven with a video showing the importance of making your bed.

I hope this may inspire just one of you to trial this and see if it makes a difference for you.

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant: Principal Curriculum

Under Eights Week Activities

Under 8's Week at Star of the Sea was a huge celebration of the curiosity, investigation, fun and collaboration that are at the heart of learning in these early years.  The children had a brilliant time exploring lots of different activities which were led by our Year 6 Leaders and our P-3 teachers.  A special thank you to Mrs Gibbs-Jones and Mrs Churchill for their vision and energy and for the essential services which supported our school in this important way.

Book Club News Issue #4

We are currently accepting orders for Scholastic Book Club Issue #4. Orders are to be placed via LOOP: www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP

Please see ‘How to Pay’ inside the back cover of the brochure for instructions. Ordering will close on the evening of Thursday 2^nd June.

Please note that there will be no Book Club offered in Term 3, due to the Book Fair.

2022 Gladstone Independent Schools Music Association - GISMA

GISMA is proud to present the 2022 Annual GISMA Music Workshops.  This is a great opportunity for music students of all abilities to come together with students from other independent schools.

The workshops provide an opportunity for all students to work with experienced tutors and a guest conductor.  The students recieve intensive music tuition from local and visiting tutors, coming together to work with the conductor.  

The workshop will be held from 20th to 23 June 2022.  Mrs Mallett has provided Instrumental Music students with a GISMA registration form - the forms were distributed to the children following their music lesson today.

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.

Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

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.

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors