2022 Week 6 Newsletter - Term 3
- Weekly Focus
- From the Principal -
- From Our APRE
- Term 3 Liturgies and Assemblies
- DATE CLAIMER
- From the APC
- Port Curtis Cricket
- SCHOOL PICK UP ZONE
- Spirit of Star of the Sea Award - Nominations called for now.
- This week we introduce you to two of our Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipients.
- STAR OF THE SEA FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT SOCIAL EVENING
- Pupil Free Day
- Caulfield Fundraiser - 50/50 Tickets
- Magic 123 Emotion Coaching for Parents
- IMPORTANT COVID SAFE UPDATE
- Have you ever thought of becoming a Catholic?
- PREP 2023
- Student Absentee Line
- Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors
Weekly Focus
This week's Weekly Focus can be accessed via the following link:
Science Week celebrates the gift of curiosity.
From the Principal -
Dear Families
It is Science Week which is a great opportunity to reflect in gratitude for the achievements and improved way of life that scientific discoveries have gifted to us all. Science also gifts us with a reminder of the value of curiosity and always having an open mind.
Good luck to our Star of the Sea School Band and Bell Ensemble who compete in the Gladstone Eisteddfod this week.
“The children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”
– Whitney Houston
Last week we shared a post from Catholic School Parents Qld. Here are the rest of the battles they recommend us parents keep fighting.
The Outside Fight
Make your kids go outside. The natural world teaches us things. Plus, outside there's sunshine, fresh air, and exercise waiting for them. Most importantly, nature is full of things in short supply in our world: Discovery, wonder, peace, joy.
The "Me First" Fight
Make your kids go last. Not every time for everything. But enough to remember that the world doesn't revolve around them. Take the smallest piece. Give up the remote. Do someone else's chores. Get their least favorite choice. They won't like it, but they need it.
The Awkward Conversation Fight
Make your kids have uncomfortable conversations with you. Sex, dating, body image, values...Your kids will roll their eyes and resist. You will stumble and stutter. They need and want your perspective, lessons learned, and wisdom.
The Limitation Fight
Learning to live within limits is a valuable life skill. In fact, many adult problems arise from an inability to accept them. Screen time limits, dietary limits, activity limits, and schedule limits are all good.
As a parent, you have to pick your battles. They're not easy, but they're worth the fight.
*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
‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my saviour;’ Luke 1:46
Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption. Some of our classes attended a Parish Mass and it was suggested by Fr Paul (a visiting priest on the day) that we could have the rest of the day off to celebrate this special feast. Of course that didn’t happen.
We often receive positive feedback from people who visit our school about the respect our students show in various situations. After the Mass, one of our parishioners hopped up and spoke to the students, just to let them know that she was very impressed with the way they took part in the Mass and the wonderful behaviour they displayed.
My go to response to this positive feedback about student behaviour is often around how lucky we are to have such wonderful students, but it was pointed out to me that it is not about luck. It is, in fact, a result of careful planning and teaching. This is not only from us here at school, but also from you at home. We do have a wonderful partnership and it is times like Monday that we can see the rewards of our hard work. Thank you for your continued support and the wonderful job you are all doing as parents – the very first teachers for your children.
Have a wonderful week.
Kellie Richardson
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au
Weekly Wondering….
I wonder if you take time to give thanks?
Term 3 Liturgies and Assemblies
WEEK 6
Year 1A invite you to their MJR Assembly on Friday 19th August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.
WEEK 7
Year 2 invite you to their assembly presentation on Thursday 25th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.
Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 26th 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 9TH SEPTEMBER at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church.
WEEK 10
Year 6A invite you to their MJR assembly presentation on Friday 16th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.
DATE CLAIMER
NOT LONG NOW!!
Get your costumes ready for our Book Week Dress Up Parade to be held next Friday August 26 @8.35am.
This year the Book Week theme is "Dreaming with eyes open..."
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING STUDENTS DRESSED AS THEIR FAVOURITE BOOK CHARACTERS.
I wonder what the teachers have in stall for us this year??
From the APC
National Science Week is an annual celebration of all that is Science in order to increase the public understanding and public appreciation of science, innovation, mathematics, engineering and technology, and their role in maintaining and improving our society, economy and environment.
In order to acknowledge Science Week for 2022, I have listed below all the Key Inquiry Questions our classes are addressing within the Science Learning Area.
- If it was ‘once living’ it is considered a living thing?
- How do different places meet the needs of living things.
- How can we investigate the observable changes that occur in the sky and on the land?
- How can everyday materials be physically changed?
- How do materials change when heated or cooled?
- How do you decide on which material to use for a particular purpose?
- How can light from a source be absorbed, reflected, refracted and form shadows?
- What are the various forms of energy and how are they transformed?
- How is electricity generated and what happens to this electricity when we turn something on?
Learning through Science enables students to explore, explain and predict phenomena, use a range of scientific inquiry methods, make informed, evidence-based decisions evaluate and debate scientific decisions.
It is my favourite subject to teach!!!
Have a good week everyone.
Anthony King
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au
Port Curtis Cricket
Congratulations to Emily McConnell on being selected in the Port Curtis 10-12 Years Girls Cricket Team. Emily will attend the Capricornia Trials to be held in Rockhampton on Monday 5th September.
Congratulations to Lincoln Drane and Kaelan Gott on being selected in the Port Curtis 10-12 Years Boys Cricket Team. Lincoln and Kaelan will attend the Capricornia Trials to be held in Rockhampton Monday 5th September.
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.
This week we introduce you to two of our Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipients.
This week we introduce you to two more of our Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipients.
2017 – Jamie Emerick
Jamie had a long association with Star of the Sea as a student in the 70’s as well as educating his children here and serving the school as Principal for 9 years. He showed a true love and commitment to the Mission and values of our school, working hard to care for the needs of his school community and supporting many improvements throughout his time at Star of the Sea. Jamie particularly shone his light with the example of his deep faith in Jesus and love of Mary his mother. His genuine care and interest in others was a gift that his school community very much appreciated.
2018 – No recipient
2019 – Fr Kevin Redmond sm
Fr Kevin was connected to our school for over 20 years. During that time he actively involved himself in the life of the school and volunteered to help in many different ways, often being at our working bees and playing a big part in helping to returf the terrace. Nothing was ever too much trouble and he would always go out of his way to support someone in need. He had a great devotion to Our Lady and used her as an example of how to quietly follow Jesus and shine our lights. He was a great teacher who loved telling stories and making us laugh.
2020 – No recipient
Jamie Emerick
2017 Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipient
Fr Kevin Redmond
2019 Spirit of Star of the Sea Award Recipient
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)
Pupil Free Day
Caulfield Fundraiser - 50/50 Tickets
Magic 123 Emotion Coaching for Parents
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 1st July 2017 and 30th 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).