2025 Week 1 Newsletter - Term 4

From the Principal - Important Information about our Caulfield Event

Dear families

Welcome to Term 4 everyone.
This term is one of my favourites – full of so many memorable moments.  It is jam packed though so make sure you check your Term Planner which will help you keep up.

Term Four is the culmination of this year’s journey and our students need home and school to encourage them to finish well, even when they are tired and busy with end of term events.  

Already they have achieved growth this year in some way – academically, personally and socially.  Together we can remind them of how far they have come and help them to keep their eye on finishing proud, giving their very best right until the end.  

Our Caulfield Event takes place in less than two weeks and this is the time when we need the whole school community to help us make it a success.

Lack of volunteers is proving a great risk to our ability to continue with events such as our Caulfield Fundraiser which contributes significant funds towards resources for the classroom and playground.

Please consider helping us in any (or all) of the following ways:

•    Donations of prizes to use on the day.  These need to be at least $20 please.
•    Assisting with set up on Friday 17 October
•    Assisting with set up the morning of Saturday 18 October.
•    Assisting with the running of the event on Saturday 18 October.
•   Assisting with pack up on the morning of Sunday 19 October – this is a day we get very few volunteers but really need the help.
•    Returning your book of 50/50 Tickets.  Thank you if you have managed to sell them – please send in the ticket stub and cash. Do not stress if you can’t sell them but PLEASE RETURN THE TICKETS TO SCHOOL ASAP AS WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE WAITING TO SELL THEM.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us via the School Office or directly to the Caulfield Team via their email: SOSCaulfield@outlook.com  

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

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

Star of the Sea Caulfield 50/50 Raffle Tickets

We ask your support in promoting and selling tickets in our 2025 major fundraiser.

Fifty percent of the funds raised will go directly to our school to support the provision of quality learning and play experiences for our students.  The other fifty percent will go to the one lucky winner with a minimum prize of at least $2,000.

The winning ticket will be drawn at our Caulfield Event on Saturday 18th October.

Tickets are now due back at school please.

If you are unable to sell your tickets, we kindly ask that you still return these as we can resell them. Alternatively, if you are in need of additional tickets to sell, please pop in/ contact the office and we can get them to you.

Thank you all for your assistance in your support of our Caulfield Cup event and fundraising for our school.

From Our APRE

Holidays can be a time to recharge after an action packed term – I know you don’t all get holidays at the same time, but I do hope the change of routine enables some sort of recharge for you.

Finishing with a long weekend was a bonus and watching the Broncos win the grand final made it a good time to be a Queenslander.  I was very proud while watching the game – I was very pleased for Kobe Hetherington (a past student).  He moves to Manly for next season, but what a way to finish his time with the Broncos.

Term Four is always a crazy, busy term – but so much fun. 

Our aim for Term Four is to remember to be grateful and have an attitude of gratitude, while practising the virtue of Determination. 

Traditionally October is the month of the Rosary. The Rosary is a prayer to remind us that Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us.

The Rosary tells the story of Jesus’ life in four parts:

The Joyful Mysteries

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Glorious Mysteries

The Luminous Mysteries

Catholics have been given a very special gift in the Rosary. Each time we pray the Rosary we should focus on Jesus’ life as well as a special person or intention that we want to pray for.

God bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

SOCKTOBER - Thursday 9th October

Get your crazy socks ready to wear to school.  Each year we hold this event to raise funds for Catholic Mission.  Please wear your crazy socks and bring a coin donation.

https://www.socktober.org.au/

https://www.catholicmission.org.au/about-catholic-mission/about-us

“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.”  John 10:10

In our Prayers

From the APC

I have really good news – our schools participation in the Port to Park Fun Run has been calculated and ……… WE CAME 2^ND!!!!

The number they used included students and families, as well as community members who nominated our school.  Thank you to everyone who made up our numbers.

This year, Gladstone Ports Corporation and sponsors proudly donated a total of $24,480 to 28 schools across the Gladstone region.

The top five schools, based on donations placings:  

• 1^st St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School
• 2^nd Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
• 3^rd Chanel College
• 4^th Gladstone State High School
• 5^th Trinity College

We will be spending our donated money on new sports equipment.  Thank you everyone who attended the race and were a part this awesome community event.

Have a good week everyone.

 Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum 

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Date Claimers

Parents are most welcome to attend all assembly presentations and our masses and liturgies (In the Church unless notified otherwise).

Week One

• Thursday 9th October - Crazy Sock Day (Wear your school uniform and some colourful socks and bring a Gold Coin Donation for Catholic Mission)
• Friday 10 October - Swimming Lessons - Year 1 to 6
• Friday 10 October - Year 3B Assembly @8:35am on the Courts

Week Two

• Tuesday 14 October - Parents & Friends Meeting @6:30pm in the Staff Room - All Welcome
• Wednesday 15 October - Year 5 Leadership Day @Wallabies Training Grounds
• Thursday 16th to Friday 17th October - Year 5 Camp
• Friday 17th October - Caulfield Set Up - Volunteers needed
• Saturday 18th October - Caulfield Fundraiser @SOS - Volunteers needed
• Sunday 19th October - Caulfield Pack Up Morning - Volunteers needed

Week Three 

• Monday 20 October - 2026 Prep Transition
  
• Friday 24 October - Swimming Lessons for Years 1 to 6
• Friday 24 October - Year 5 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
  

Week Four

• Monday 27 October - Year 6 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Tuesday 28 October - Board Meeting
• Wednesday 29 October - Band Recruitment Performance @ 8:35am
• Friday 31 October - Swimming Lessons
• Friday 31 October - Year 4 Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Friday 31 October - World Teachers Day

Week Five

• Wednesday 5 November - 2026 Prep Transition & Information Session
• Friday 7 November - Year 5B Assembly @8:35am on the Courts

Week Six - Book Week

• Monday 10 November - Googabinj Show -  Indigenous Cultural Music Incursion 
• Tuesday 11 November - Parents & Friends AGM Meeting @6:30pm in the Staff Room - All Welcome
• Tuesday 11 November - Remembrance Day Prayer Service
• Tuesday 11 November to Friday 14 November - Year 6 Camp

Week Seven

• Tuesday 18 November - Year 5 Leadership Speeches
• Wednesday 19 November - Year 5 Leadership Speeches
• Wednesday 19 November - Band Recital @6pm
• Thursday 20 November - St Vinnies Appeal Free Dress Day Fundraiser (Wear sun safe clothes and closed in shoes and bring a Gold Coin Donation)
• Friday 21 November - Swimming Carnival

Week Eight

• Tuesday 25 November - Board Meeting 
• Thursday 27 November - Year 6 Final Assembly @8:35am on the Courts
• Friday 28 November - School Christmas Concert @SOS

Week Nine 

• Monday 1 December - Year 6 Graduation Liturgy & Dinner
• Thursday 4 December - Year 6 Pool Party
• Friday 5 December - End of Year Mass, Farewells & Award Presentations @9am
• Friday 5 December - Mayor's Carols

2025 Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons begin this Friday 10th October.  Other lessons will take place on Friday 24th October and Friday 31st October.

All classes will have their lessons in the outdoor pool so it is essential that your child has their swimming shirt/ rashie etc to keep them sun safe while swimming and appropriate footwear for walking to the pool.

Lesson times are outlined below:

• Year 6:            9:15am - 10:00am
• Year 5:          10:00am - 10:45am 
  
• Year 4:          10:45am - 11:30am 
  
• Year 3:          11:45am - 12:30pm 
  
• Year 2:          12:30pm - 1:15pm 
  
• Year 1:            1:15pm - 2:00pm  

Please have the following items packed in a suitable bag for your child:
* togs and swim shirt
* towel
* thongs / crocs to walk to the pool (wear school shoes and socks to school please)
* goggles if needed
* School hat

If your child has their lesson at the start of the day, they can wear their togs under their uniform (but don't forget to pack underwear in their swimming bag).

If you can assist with walking with your child/ren’s class to and from the pool, please let your classroom teacher know the days you are available to help.  A volunteer induction will need to be completed at the office.

2025 Swimming Carnival

Dear Families,

This term we are in the process of organising our 2025 Swimming Carnival which will take place on the 21^st November.

Every year our nomination process is reviewed and we have made the decision that this year we will be completing nominations with the students at school, instead of families completing the Google Form from previous years. Mrs Blake and Mrs Hooley will oversee all the nominations to ensure that students are in the correct races and all students who wish to be eligible for Age Champion will be included in the required races. For students in the lower grades, we will also be confirming with swimming teachers that they are able to swim in the races they nominate in.

If you have not yet given permission for swimming lessons and Swimming Carnival on Parent Lounge, can you please make sure this is also completed.

Term 4 School Fees

Farewell Mrs Sedgwick

Term Three ended with a very sad farewell to Helena Sedgwick.  Helena has worked at Star of the Sea since 2020 teaching Music and Digital Technology to our students.  Her contribution to Star of the Sea went far beyond the classroom though with Helena generously going above and beyond to lead our School Choir, Dance Choir, Drone Club and Robotics Club. 

Additionally, her lived example of our school virtues of service, determination, courage and respect were constantly on display as an inspiration to us all.  To say she will be missed is a huge understatement but we wish her and all the family the very best in their new adventure.

125 School Anniversary Committee

In 2027 our school celebrates 125 years of learning and growth as a school.  This may sound like a long time away but it is not when you are planning for a significant event such as this.  We have such a rich story that so many people have been a part of. 

We are calling for interest from those who may like to assist with the preparations for this event, in particular, we are hoping to put together a steering committee that will work together to get a few ideas into a plan.  Please let us know if you are interested.  The committee can be made up of past and present community members.

Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

COMMUNITY NOTICES

ROSES IN THE OCEAN

My name is Jemma and I’m the Gladstone coordinator for the Peer CARE Companion in Community (PCCiC) program with Roses in the Ocean. We are a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to suicide prevention and lived experience-led support.

The PCCiC program connects people with trained volunteers who have a lived experience of suicide, offering safe, compassionate peer support. We’re currently recruiting volunteers with lived experience to become Peer CARE Companions. To register your interest, please click here. If you would like to talk to me more about this, please send me an email jemma.manwaring@rosesintheocean.com.au 

We also operate the Peer CARE Companion Warmline. A free, non-crisis call-back service where individuals can request a call from someone who understands their journey. The Warmline can be accessed on 1800 77 7337 or via the request form on our website. 

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.

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).