2022 Week 9 Newsletter - Term 2

Weekly Focus

Each week we provide you with a short video supplying our key messages for the week.  This week's video provides an excellent explanation about the Trinity.

From the Principal

Dear Families

I have been meeting lots of people interested in our 2023 Prep Cohort lately and love all the questions I get asked.  One family recently asked me what extra they receive at a Catholic School compared to other systems.   My immediate answer was that it is about the relationships we build.  We believe in the dignity of each human being, and we are called to solidarity and a fraternal love that seeks a flourishing life for each person.  The Feast of the Holy Trinity reminds us we have a God that is relational at its very core and who calls us to a deep relationship with Him and each other.  As a Catholic School I believe this should be an area that we absolutely shine. 

Growing up we had a poster on our wall that stated: Home should be clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy! I still live by that motto, although lean too much towards the happiness side of the equation I fear!

There is something very humbling and special about visiting someone’s home.  The home is the place we get to truly be ourselves with our family and inviting others into that family invites them to know us a little more.  The photos on the wall, magnets on the fridge, kid’s paintings, teasing of family members all reveal a little about you and your story.

The feast of the Holy Trinity which we celebrated on Sunday reminds us that God makes a similar invitation to us.  We sometimes find the concept of God too huge to contemplate and put it in the too hard basket.  Doing that keeps God distant and unknown.  Instead he invites us into his family – to contemplate the Father and the Son and the love of the Holy Spirit between them – and get to know the mystery of this great God who desires us to be close to Him.  

Sr Kym Harris warns us that diving into this mystery requires us to let go and let our hearts guide us.  She also explains that it is through the loving relationships in our life that we receive some sort of understanding of the “passionate divine love” that is our God.   Personally speaking, it is through my relationships with others that I have learnt the most about God and felt Him closer to me.  It is definitely a divine mystery that requires much contemplation.

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

2022 School Goals

From Our APRE

I joined with students from our Parish on Saturday to help them celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.  We welcomed Bishop Michael to our parish to help us celebrate this wonderful Sacrament. On Friday he joined us at school to talk to our Year Four students.

Bishop Michael has so much wisdom to share with us and it was wonderful to be part of the celebrations on Saturday.  During the Liturgy for the Sacrament of Reconciliation the children renew their Baptismal Promises, as most of them had their parents do this for them when they were baptised. It was a good opportunity for the adults to reflect on these promises also.

Bishop Michael talked about the things we do in our lives and how they should be reflecting a Christian life.  Simple ideas, such as the music we listen to – does it give us a good Christian message.  It is difficult to find music these days that does not contain explicit content and it can often take me by surprise.

A special mention to Serafina Jinto and Adora Selbin who have also been preparing with us for this Sacrament. They will join with their families later in the year to receive the Sacrament.

Once Confirmed, we are not the same as when we walked into the church. Our lives after Confirmation should also be different. We have allowed ourselves to be permanently marked, the Holy Spirit is right there waiting to get to work, helping us witness Christ to everyone we meet. Are we going to be satisfied looking like a person of Faith, or are we going to BE a person of Faith?

By Chris Rogers, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Sunday was the Feast of the Holy Trinity. Every time we make the sign of the cross we reaffirm our belief in a God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God invites us into the compassionate embrace of the Trinity where we are and as we are, so that we can become all that God knows we can be. We don't have to get good to get God. We have to get God before we can get good.

Richard Leonard SJ

May the gifts of the Spirit be with you.

Have a wonderful week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Liturgies and Assemblies

In Our Prayers

Bishop Michael and Leesa Jeffcoat visit Star of the Sea.

We welcomed some extra special visitors to Star of the Sea recently.  Our day began with our Year 4 and Year 6 Classes accompanying our Diocesan Director, Leesa Jeffcoat, to a mass with Most Reverend Michael McCarthy.  

On a very cold morning, our Prep classes then took Miss Jeffcoat to their favourite outdoor play space in the sun.  A couple of very enthusiastic Prep tour guides shared some of their current projects, including their construction of Jesus' house and a book all about what they love about Prep.  Our talented Choir then entertained Miss Jeffcoat before we shared with her our beautiful new art piece by local Byellee artist, Patricia Coleman.

Bishop Michael paid a special visit to our Year 4 Classes who had prepared some great questions for him.  Bishop Michael finished with a special message for those children being confirmed on the weekend.

We thank Bishop Michael and Miss Jeffcoat for their visit to Star of the Sea and wish them both God's every blessing.

From the APC

Our school’s favourite fun run is back for 2022!

Gladstone Ports Corporation’s (GPC) Port to Park FunD Run can help us raise important funds for our school community and we’d love as many of our students and families to participate on Sunday 21 August.

The event will run in GPC's beautiful parklands, highlighting all three areas - East Shores, The Gladstone Marina and Spinnaker Park.

There will be two race events for participants to choose from including the 9 kilometre Koongo Dash and the 3 kilometre Yallarm Family Run. Both race names recognise the language of the Traditional Owners of the land - the Bailai and Gooreng Gooreng nations, with Koongo meaning place of water and Yallarm meaning place of shells. 

Students can register to participate in Port to Park as individuals or with their family for the 3km and/or 9km events and their registration fee will be directed back to our school. Make sure you nominate Star of the Sea as your school when registering!

​If you register before Sunday 19 June using the code P2PEARLY you can receive a 10% discount.

So get your runners ready and start limbering up so you are ready to participate.  

You can register here at www.gpcl.com.au      

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

2022 School Officer's day

School Officers Day was a great opportunity to say a special thank you to all of the amazing people who do so much for our school in their many different roles. We are very grateful for the care, good humour and commitment they bring to us each day. They also showed us on Wednesday that everyone’s opinions and point of view should be respected. It is our differences that can bring colour to our lives and help us to grow in understanding of Gods beautiful creation. Who knew Footy Colours Day could teach us so much😊

PROCEDURES FOR DROP OFF/ COLLECTION OF STUDENTS

For the safety of our school community we ask that you familiarise yourself with the following procedures please.

2022 Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to everyone who participated so brilliantly and worked together to make our carnival such a great day.  Breslin was overall House Champion and Marsden won Spirit Award.  The Staff won the Student/Staff/Parent Race (with lots of help from our Work Experience students!).  What a fantastic day.

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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.

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 

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.

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.

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors