2025 Week 5 Newsletter - Term 3
- From the Principal - Building Friendship Skills
- Spirit of Star of the Sea Award - Nominations called for now.
- Pupil Free Day
- From Our APRE
- Grandparents Day
- In our Prayers
- From the APC
- Real Talk Personal Education Parent Talk - Monday 1st September at 6:30pm (ONLINE)
- Term 3 Date Claimers
- Important Information about Changes to our Parent Orbit APP
- Sports Vouchers available for families
- Wearitto Uniform Shop Opening Hours - Extended Trading Hours
- Student Absentee Line
- Caulfield 2024 Sponsors
From the Principal - Building Friendship Skills
Dear families
Our Grandparents Day was a very special way to end our Catholic Education Week celebrations and I offer a huge thank you to all who were able to join us for this awesome event. An extra special thank you to Kellie Richardson for putting together such a wonderful celebration and to all her helpers - Our classrooms beautifully showcased student learning and our Choir and Bells provided brilliant entertainment.
As a school we often see first hand the incredible support and inspiration our grandparents play in the lives of our students. Grandparenting looks different for every family and is not always biological, but the role of our older generations in passing on wisdom, stability, love and encouragement is a precious gift to us all.
“Blessed are those who spoil and snuggle, hug and hope, pray and pamper, for they shall be called grandparents.”
Our Working Together Wednesday Assemblies are an opportunity for us to gather with our students and discuss topics that are important for our whole school. It also allows our teachers the opportunity to collaborate and learn together as a team.
Our Assembly this week focused on the National Week of Action Against Bullying.
In particular, we discussed the important role of bystanders in helping to speak out and take action to stop bullying. This is not an easy thing to do and requires courage to encourage others to be kind and respectful of difference.
We also discussed tips for developing healthy relationships with others. Many of these are also covered in class during our UR Strong lessons:
No friendship (relationship) is perfect.
Every friendship is different.
Trust and respect are the two most important qualities of a friendship.
Friendships change …and that’s okay!
Healthy friendships are full of respect, happiness, fun and trust.
Unhealthy relationships have a lot of sadness, loneliness, anger and hopelessness.
We explain that friendship fires happen in healthy relationships and that’s okay. We just need to learn how to confront the issue, talk it out and forgive and forget. Doing this helps our relationships to grow closer and stronger.
As you know, we are still working on many of these things as adults. They are not easy skills to learn but form an important part of the curriculum we teach.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.
Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au
Spirit of Star of the Sea Award - Nominations called for now.
The Spirit of Star of the Sea Award was first presented in 2014 to a past student, Mitchell Luders, who inspired our school community and taught us all important lessons about the way we should live. In doing so he exemplified the motto of letting your light shine in many simple ways throughout his short life.
This award is presented as part of our School Feast Day celebrations in years when a member of the school community has demonstrated a significant contribution to building up the spirit of Star of the Sea. They will have demonstrated endurance and compassion in their efforts and worked as a unifying force within the school, encouraging and inspiring others and truly letting their light shine.
The recipient can be a parent, staff member, student or member of the wider community and your recommendations for possible recipients is now invited. We encourage you to click on the link below to share with us your recommendation for this year's Spirit of Star of the Sea Award recipient.
Pupil Free Day
From Our APRE
So much has happened in two weeks. After our Catholic Education Week Liturgy and Blessing of the Cross we also celebrated Grandparents Day. This year we made the decision to hold our Prayer Celebration on the courts area as our numbers last year were so large it made fitting in the church quite difficult.
Lucky we made the move as we had so many special visitors join us for Grandparents Day – it was amazing to see. Staff and students busily prepared their classrooms for the day and it was wonderful to see how proud everyone was to showcase our amazing school.
Thank you for joining us on the day if you were able to – Grandparents truly are a gift from God and a blessing to each and every family.
What a busy week we have again this week with preparation for Book Week, more talented people taking part in the Eisteddfod and a significant feast day in the Catholic Church – The Feast of the Assumption.
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exalts in God my saviour;’ Luke 1:46
On the 15th August each year the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.
Students in Years 4 – 6 will attend the Parish Mass on Friday at 9am to mark this Solemnity.
We also acknowledge and take part in the national week of action against bullying this week.
The theme for 2025 is 'Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.'
It takes courage to spark change.
Bullying is everyone's responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate.
Students can be bold, kind and take a stand to support others being bullied. While parents and teachers are there to support children and young people learn how to behave in a positive way.
In our community and in our school, we want a place where everyone can belong, a place that celebrates everyone, and where bullying is never accepted.
https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-week-of-action
At our working together Wednesday meetings one of the recurring messages we try to give students is about being kind. The hardest part about showing kindness is to do so with everyone, not just our friends.
I am sure you have come across this THINK acronym before – we share it with students often. Putting it into action is the hard part.
God bless
Be kind to everyone you meet this week.
Kellie Richardson
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au
Grandparents Day
In our Prayers
- We pray that we will work together to build places of belonging: May we create a community for all to share their gifts and to know that each of us is loved.
- We pray for all who live with war and suffering, that leaders who impact society will be moved by the Holy Spirit to bring about justice and peace.
- We pray that, through the Holy Trinity, those who have died will find their home with the Lord.
From the APC
Children's Book Week turns 80 in 2025!
Children’s Book Week is The Children’s Book Council of Australia’s key highlight national event of the year. This 2025 theme is Book an Adventure!
2025 is also a milestone year as we celebrate 80 years of Children’s Book Week! For eight decades, CBCA has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless worlds that books offer.
Our school library has been transformed into an environment of adventure which is inspiring all our students to continue to develop their imaginations by reading.
We look forward to our annual Book Character Parade on Thursday 21st August in week 6.
Have a great week!
Anthony King
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au
Real Talk Personal Education Parent Talk - Monday 1st September at 6:30pm (ONLINE)
Parents are invited to attend the Real Talk Parent Information Session on Monday 1st September at 6:30pm.
This session is presented via Zoom and is primarily aimed at parents of our Year 5 and 6 parents.
Other parents (especially Year 4) are most welcome to also join as it will cover quality information about supporting your child through puberty and tips for helping them with online safety and personal and social development.
Term 3 Date Claimers
Parents are most welcome to attend all assembly presentations and our masses and liturgies (In the Church unless notified otherwise).
Week Five
- Monday 11th August - Gladstone Show Holiday
- Thursday 14th August - Year 6A Assembly Presentation @8:35am
- Friday 15th August - 9am Mass of the Assumption
Week Six - Book Week -
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
- Tuesday 19 August - P&F Meeting @ 6:30pm - All most welcome
- Wednesday 20 August - Year 2 Excursion to the Historical Village
- Thursday 21 August @ 8:35am - Book Character Parade - All students are invited to turn up dressed as their favourite book characters.
- Friday 22 August - School Choir compete at Eisteddfod
Week Seven
- Tuesday 26 August - School Photo Days - All students to wear formal school uniform
- Tuesday 26th August @ 9:30am - Prep Liturgy
- Thursday 28th August - Year 4 Quoin Island Excursion
- Friday 29th August - World Science Day GEC Excursion for Years 4 to 6
Week Eight
- Monday 1st September - Real Talk Online Parent Session
- Tuesday 2nd September @ 9:30am - Year 1 Liturgy
- Tuesday 2nd September - Andrew Chinn Choir Workshop and whole school Concert.
- Wednesday 3rd September - Year 5 and 6 Real Talk Personal & Social Development Talks
- Wednesday 3rd September - Prep Father's Day Celebration at approximately 5:30pm
- Thursday 4th September - Father's Day Stall
- Friday 5th September - PUPIL FREE DAY - School Closed
Week Nine - Child Protection Week
- Tuesday 9th September - Prep Vision Screening
- Thursday 11th September - Year 1 Incursion
- Friday 12th September - School Feast Day celebrations beginning with Mass at 9am
Week Ten
- Friday 19 September - Year 1B Assembly Presentation @ 8:35am
Important Information about Changes to our Parent Orbit APP
Due to recent changes with TASS, the URL for our Parent Orbit app has been changed.
Unfortunately this means that parents will need to update the App currently used.
The new link to download our school’s app via a mobile device is https://parent.tassorbit.com.au/sosg
Please not that this link is only accessible via a mobile device, you cannot access this on your pc.
It can also be found by using the QR Code below.
Sports Vouchers available for families
Our Star of the Sea Parents & Friends have asked us to share the following information with all families - ensuring you are aware of this valuable opportunity.
The Queensland Government is delivering cost of living relief for Queensland families and helping keep kids active, with $200 Play On! sport vouchers.
From Monday 4th August, Queensland families can claim a $200 Play On! voucher per child aged between five and 17.
Here’s what you need to know:
- each voucher is worth $200;
- the vouchers will be provided over two rounds, for summer or winter sports;
- there is a dedicated allocation for kids in regional and country Queensland;
- there will be more accessible sports to give children of all abilities the chance play sport.
Visit the below link for more information:
Wearitto Uniform Shop Opening Hours - Extended Trading Hours
The Wearitto Gladstone Uniform Shop trading hours have extended for Term 3 and Term 4. The new hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4.30pm.
The shop is located at Shop 1/90 Goondoon Street for all school fittings and uniform needs.
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).
Caulfield 2024 Sponsors
