2022 Week 5 Newsletter - Term 3

Weekly Focus

This week's Weekly Focus can be accessed via the following link:

https://vimeo.com/273464907  

From the Principal -

Dear Families

We celebrate the feast of St Mary of the Cross this week.  Mary MacKillop is our first Australian Saint and an important part of the story of Catholic Education in Australia.  She was a faith filled woman who believed strongly in providing a quality education for children.  She was not afraid to fight the battles she believed in and is a great example to us all in having the courage to stand up for our beliefs even when it can make us feel very alone.

Good luck to our Star of the Sea Choir who compete in the Gladstone Eisteddfod this week.  We are very proud of you all and grateful for your commitment.  We are also very grateful to Mrs Sedgwick and Miss Erin who share their time and talent with us to help bring together such a wonderful group of performers.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." — Robert Collier

Catholic School Parents Qld recently shared this post on their Facebook page.  It is  a great read and a wonderful support to parents in determining priorities.

Parenting is hard. Parents have to choose their battles. Here are 8 fights worth picking with your kids (We will share 4 this week and 4 next week):

The Boredom Fight

Make your kids live with boredom. Don't show a DVD on each car ride. Kids need unscheduled time. And, odd as it sounds, boredom is a skill. It's hard as a parent to deal with the assault of boredom complaints. But if you give in and fill up their time with external stimuli, you'll raise an activity addict. Make them learn how to be.

The Reading Fight

Make your kids read. Because reading is tied to everything from cognitive development to the ability to focus. Make your kids read now.

The Work Fight

Make your kids work… There are priceless life principles you can only learn with a mop in your hand. Let sweat be their teacher.

The Meal Fight:

Make your kids eat as a family. Our lives are a blur of incessant activity. Meals together are a physical pause to recover a truth so easily sacrificed at the altar of busyness. Nothing's more important than family.

*Copied from David Morris on Twitter

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

Yesterday was the feast of Mary MacKillop – Australia’s very first saint and another shining example for us here at Star of the Sea.

Mary MacKillop had a real heart for educating poor children and spent time teaching not only her cousins but also many other children from her local area. In 1866, Fr Julian Tenison and herself co-foundered the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. It was the first religious order to be established by an Australian.

 PRAYER

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement 
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop 
We ask that you grant our request.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit 
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.

As you would already be aware, Mrs Mullane is now on long service leave.  She has made it safely to Ireland to spend quality time with family.  In her absence, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

We welcome Mrs Denise Conley this week as she officially takes over the role of Year 3B teacher.  Denise is a passionate and faith filled woman who is very excited to work with our beautiful Year 3B students.  We thank Denise for making a commitment to Catholic Education and Star of the Sea.

‘Find happiness in making others happy’ (Mary Mackillop)

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Term 3 Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 5

Year 3 invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 12^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 6

DATE CHANGED

Year 6 invite you to attend their Mass on Monday 15^th August @ 12 noon in the Star of the Sea Church.  This Mass is on the Feast of The Assumption – a Holy Day of Obligation for our Church.

Year 1A invite you to their MJR Assembly on Friday 19^th August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 7

Year 2 invite you to their assembly presentation on Thursday 25^th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 26^th August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 9

Year 1 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 6th September at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.   

Year 4 invite everyone to attend our Feast Day Mass on FRIDAY 9^TH SEPTEMBER at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church. 

WEEK 10

Year 6A invite you to their MJR assembly presentation on Friday 16^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

In Our Prayers

DATE CLAIMER

Book Week is just around the corner and our annual Book Week Dress Up Parade will be held on Friday August 26 @ 8:35am.

This year the Book Week theme is “Dreaming with eyes open…”

We encourage students to dress up as a character from their favourite book.  Staff have something special planned on the day as well.

From the APC

BOOK WEEK / BOOK FAIR

Each year since 1945 the Children’s Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together across Australia through the CBCA Book Week. During this time our school spends a week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. The theme for 2022 is “Dreaming with Eyes Wide Open”. 

Book week will begin on Monday 20^th August.  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.   Details of how to purchase will be sent home closer to the date.  From Tuesday – Thursday the library will be open for parents and students to look through the fair. 

Our annual Book Character Parade will be on   Friday 26th at 8:35am.  The purpose of this parade is to give the children an opportunity to share their love of reading by arriving to school dressed as their favourite book character.

Unfortunately I am not able to attend this year.   I can’t wait to see the photos!!!   

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL PICK UP ZONE

Thank you for the way in which people have been patiently using our school pick up area safely.  The safety of our students is our number one priority at pick up time.  We try to load four cars at a time and it is really helpful if cars are displaying their family name on the dash of the car or on the visor. 

In the past we have printed names for all families in our school – if you would like us to send home a label for your car to be used at pick up please email us and we will get one ready for you and send it home.

Email kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au if you make the subject SCHOOL PICK UP SIGN we will know to make one and send it home for your use.

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.

https://forms.gle/ASzpknjCSa6EXgU77 

This week we introduce you to two of our Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipients.

2015 – Elinor West

Elinor was our school secretary for 19 years with a passionate love for Star of the Sea.  She showed a true love and commitment to the Mission and values of our school and took pride in noting things that needed doing or people who needed caring for.  Elinor generously donated her time in lots of ways, including as secretary of our School Board for many years. 

2016 – Rob and Maryanne Shaw

Rob and Maryanne had a long connection with the school with Maryanne being a past student in the 70’s and all of their children attending Star of the Sea.  They were incredibly generous with sharing their time, services and talents, actively involving themselves in school projects such as  preparing the school terrace in preparation for the new turf, digging out the Prep sand pit and our long jump pit and levelling the school car park, to name but a few.  They also assisted with many class and school activities such as our Reading Support program.  They actively helped school families in need with practical support, encouragement and friendship and faithfully involved themselves in the prayer and worship life of the school, attending all class and school liturgies and special events.

Star of the Sea at the Port City Athletics Trial Results

Congratulations to Emily McConnell who represented Star of the Sea at the Port Curtis Athletics trials recently.  Emily placed 3rd in Shotput and will travel to Mackay later this month to represent the district in the Capricornia Trials.  Congratulations Emily.

STAR OF THE SEA FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT SOCIAL EVENING

Come along and join us for a fun filled family trivia night. You can come as a team or come by yourself and find one there. There is no limit to the number of players on a team. Trivia will be held in the bottom Courts area where assemblies are held. Just bring a mat, or chairs and something to eat. The bar will be operating for drink purchases. Please remember this is a social event and staff will not be supervising children so parents will be responsible for caring for them please. 

When:  Friday 9th September 2022

Time:   6:15pm gates open for a 6:30pm Start approx. 8:30pm finish

Where:  Star of the Sea School Basketball Courts

What to bring:    Picnic mat or chairs, any food you’d like (Bar will be operating)

Employment Opportunity - OSHC Assistants needed - closing date extended

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School is currently seeking qualified and unqualified educators to join their Outside Schools Hours Care (OSHC). These are casual positions, comprising of before and after school care as well as vacation care, with the possibility to increase to a part-time position. For an immediate commencement, or as negotiated with the successful applicants.

Please note that the closing date has been extended to Monday 15th August - Please spread the word.

We encourage anyone interested in joining our beautiful Star of the Sea family to visit the following link to apply:
https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER375

Position Vacant - Parish Faith Co-ordinator

Our parish is seeking to employ a Parish Faith Co-ordinator and is calling for applications.

The role of Parish Faith Co-ordinator includes responsibility for our sacramental preparation program and the provision of opportunities for adult faith education in the parish.

The position is part-time, with working hours negotiable, and would be suitable for a committed member of the Catholic Church with a knowledge of basic Catholic sacramental teaching, or an ability to develop this knowledge base.

A copy of the position description can be obtained by contacting the parish office.
Please submit applications, including a cover letter and resume, to Fr Andrew Chase by mail (PO Box 5062, Gladstone 4680), email (ppgladstone@rok.catholic.net.au), or in person at the parish office.
Applications should be submitted by 12th August 2022.

Pupil Free Day

Caulfield Fundraiser - 50/50 Tickets

Star of the Sea Caulfield Event - Date Claimers

Our Caulfield Event is an important part of our school year, being our one major fundraiser for the year.  It is run by a sub-committee of our Parents & Friends group and raises significant funds for the year as well as providing a great day out and a wonderful showcase of our school. 

The event takes place on Saturday 15th October.

Tickets for the event go on sale on Thursday 11th August at 6:30pm.

Magic 123 Emotion Coaching for Parents

Little Athletics Sign On

IMPORTANT COVID SAFE UPDATE

As you may be aware, the Queensland Government issued advice recommending face masks be worn while indoors (where social distancing is not possible) to assist with preventing the further spread of the current wave of COVID-19.   The Queensland Premier encouraged all people, including school staff and students, to wear a face mask indoors except where they can physically distance.  Please be aware that the Queensland Department of Education has subsequently advised its schools and staff that, while wearing a face mask is encouraged, this remains a personal decision for individuals.

Students who wish to wear a mask at school will be supported and are encouraged to bring their masks to school if required. 

Please also remember that the requirements for wearing a face mask for 7 days after having COVID-19, or when a close contact are still in place. Additionally, there are ongoing public health requirements to wear a face mask when travelling on public transport (including in taxis and ride-shares).

With the current escalation in Covid infections, we ask that you continue to follow the Qld Health Covid Safe Practices please: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/how-you-can-help-keep-queensland-covid-safe 

Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic?

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.

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 teacher and  SOSG_Absentee@rok.catholic.edu.au).

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors