Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

From the Principal - A Mother With Courage

Dear Families

I send very special Happy Mother’s Day wishes for this weekend 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 play in caring for our present and 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 Friday. If you are free to help at our Mother’s Day stall (even for a short time) please let the office know.

May is a month where Catholics traditionally reflect on what we can learn from Mary, Jesus’ Mother. The courage Mary showed in her life is a huge inspiration for me. It is one of our school virtues and it is a virtue that allowed Mary to help reveal God’s love to the world.

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/

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

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

From Our APRE

The Conclave to elect the 267^th Pope will begin today (7^th May). Cardinals from around the world will gather in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

During the election process the Vatican remains closed to the public and the Cardinals are cut off from all communications with the outside world.

As the cardinals gather in conclave, let us pray:

Holy Spirit, enlighten the Church at this time, especially all the cardinals you call to take part in the conclave. Grant them wisdom and holiness so that all may cooperate with your inspiration and guidance to elect the next Vicar of Christ, your chosen servant. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word Vatican May 5, 2025

In 2020 Pope Francis approved the canonization of a new saint. Blessed Carlo Acutis – the first millennial to be canonized.

The young layman was born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, and died on October 12, 2006, in Monza, Italy, succumbing to leukemia at the age of 15. Throughout his short life he was devoted to the Eucharist and was a friend to all. Carlo was skilled in all things to do with information technology.

An Exhibition showcasing the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be hosted by our parish on Thursday 15 May 2025 along with a Liturgical Reception of a relic at 5:30pm.

The exhibition will be in the Parish Hall, Herbert Street from 9am – 9pm and all are welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Have a great week.

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Kellie Richardson - Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

What are Sacraments?

In the coming weeks a group of students from our school will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. For some it may spark the question – what is a Sacrament and when can we be involved?

One Sacrament and Seven Sacraments

The central and original sacrament is Jesus. He is the revelation of God par excellence. Through Jesus we have other sacraments. The Church defines seven key sacraments, grouped into 3 categories.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist

Sacraments of Healing

4. Reconciliation

5. Anointing of the Sick

Sacraments in the Service of the Community

6. Marriage

7. Holy Orders

Symbols and Rituals

Life is full of rituals and symbols. These can be powerful and engage our imagination. Some rituals and symbols are particular and speak to us as individuals or particular groups; others are universal and transcend culture and time.

As in life, we use symbols and rituals in the celebration of sacraments. Rituals and symbols give us concrete ways of experiencing the mystery of a loving God.

(Information taken from Echoing the Word Vol. 15 No. 4, 2016)

Sacraments are received throughout ones life, depending on when the person is ready for them. As a rule of thumb, Baptism is the first Sacrament, followed by Reconciliation (generally around Year 3 age). After Reconciliation comes Confirmation and Eucharist or First Holy Communion (both received generally around Year 4 age). The last 3 Sacraments – Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Holy Orders are received when the need arises.

In Our Prayers

We pray for all Christians: May we always remember that our Baptism calls us to say yes as Mary said yes to bringing Christ to the world.
We pray for our students who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation: May their hearts be always open to the promptings of the Spirit.
We pray for all who live with war and suffering: May the leaders of our world govern with wisdom and concern for all.
We pray that our world may come to respect and cherish the precious gift of life that we are given to share in.
We pray that, through the Holy Trinity, those who have died will find their home with the Lord.

From the APC

May is the National Scholastic Reading Month and we will be hosting a BOOK FAIR in Week 5.

It’s a fun reading event that brings the books our students want to read into our school. It’s a wonderful selection of engaging and affordable books for every reading level. Please make plans to visit our Book Fair and be involved in shaping your child’s reading habits.

During school time children will visit the library and look through the array of books on display for purchase. They will write out a wish list and take their forms home to discuss with parents if buying them is an option. All books will be purchased online, no cash required.

If you would like to attend the fair with your children, the library will be open during the week.

Book Fair dates: Tuesday 20^th – Friday 23^rd May.

Morning hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:15am – 8:35am

Afternoon hours: Tuesday – Friday 2:55pm - 3:20pm

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair and thank you in advance for supporting this fair.

Please note – this is not the annual dress up event. That will take place in Book Week during term 3.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL DISCO

Important Dates For Term 2

WEEK 3

Mother's Day Stall - Friday 9th May
School Disco - Friday 9th May, 6pm to 7:30pm

WEEK 4

Year 5A Assembly - Friday 16 May 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

WEEK 5

Band Performance - Wednesday 21 May
Confirmation Retreat - Thursday 22 May
Year 2B Assembly - Friday 23 May @ 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area
Year 5 Mass - Friday 23 May @ 9am in the Church

WEEK 6

National Reconciliation Week
Book Fair
Junior Jumps Day (Prep to Year 3) - Friday 30 May

WEEK 7

Senior Jumps Day - Tuesday 3rd June
Athletics Carnival - Thursday 5th June
Chanel Music - Friday 6th June & Saturday 7th June

WEEK 8

Parents & Friends Meeting - Tuesday 10th June @ 6:30pm
Year 6 Mass - Friday 13th June @ 9am in the Church
Prep Assembly - Friday 13th June @ 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area

WEEK 9

Year 2A Assembly - Friday 20 June @ 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

WEEK 10

Year 3 Assembly - Friday 27 June @ 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

Star of the Sea Cross Country 2025

Last Monday, in glorious conditions, we held our 2025 Star of the Sea cross country. It was wonderful to see so many of our students turn up to run their best, cheer on their friends and cross the finish line with smiles on their faces. Special mention to the Gingerbread man and the fox who made a special appearance during the Prep race. We saw some cracking races run, some excellent participation efforts and many students surprising themselves with how well they competed.

A big congratulations to Breslin on taking out the Cross Country this year and to all of the students who placed in their events. A huge thank you to all of the parent volunteers who also ensured the event ran smoothly and to Mrs Blake for all of her organising in the lead up and on the day.

Cross Country 2025

Congratulations to Tahara H on being selected in the Port Curtis 11-12 Years Girls Rugby League team. The Rugby League Capricornia Trials will be held in Emerald next month.

2026 Prep Enrolments

We have begun to interview our prospective Prep students for 2026. These interviews will continue this term and into Term Three. Please spread the word to anyone you know who is hoping to enrol their child in our Prep 2026 cohort.

Mother's Day Stall - Friday 9th May

Our Mother's Day Stall is kindly organised by our Parents and Friends Committee and gives every student the chance to go shopping at school on Friday 9th May to buy a Mother's Day present for someone special.

Each child will need to bring their money in a purse or sealable bag /envelope marked with their name. Prices range from $1 to $10 per gift. Raffle tickets are 50cents each with a $5 limit per student. All students receive a free raffle ticket with their purchase.

Please send a bag for your child to put their purchases into afterwards.

We are also in need of parent helpers who can donate all or some of their day (anytime between 9am and 2.30pm) to help the children with their shopping. Please contact the school office if you are able to assist. Thank you.

Caulfield Committee 2025

We would love your help. Please email soscaulfield@outlook.com if you are able to assist in any way.

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.

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.

Wearitto Uniform Shop Opening 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).

2025 Week 3 Newsletter - Term 2