Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

Weekly Focus

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

This year the Book Week theme is "Dreaming with eyes open....."

https://www.youtube.com/c/scholastic

From the Principal

Dear Families

This week is Book Week where we get the chance to highlight how much we love books. Our Book Week Parade is going to be lots of fun and the staff have a great story to share with you all!

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.”

– Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Book Week is a wonderful opportunity for all of us parents to explore ways we can build a love of books in our children and a recent article by the NY Times shared a few great ideas:

First, Reacquaint Yourself With Reading

If you’ve let reading slide to the margins of your life, now is the time to bring it back. Make the space, and time, for books you read for yourself, and books you read with your child. If you want your child to be excited about reading, you should be, too. These precious years when your child is living at home, observing your approach to life, are a great time to nurture your own reading habits.

Make reading a group activity.

Just as younger children parallel play, older children parallel read. And reading together — separately — is a wonderful way to spend time in each other’s company. Try it: Instead of organizing family leisure time around TV, movies or video games, schedule a regular family reading time... you might be surprised at the great conversations and memories it sparks.

Books belong everywhere.

Even a devoted anticlutter person should make an exception for books. Create impromptu reading opportunities for your child by leaving books in places where they may be picked up in an idle moment. Discovered on a coffee table, a great photography book or a book about lizards may occupy children for long stretches. A big, visual, information-rich book can be an ongoing temptation for children of all ages. But don’t stop there. Leave paperbacks and magazines piled in the bathroom (yes, everyone reads on the toilet, even children), or anywhere they could catch a young reader’s eye.

Choose diverse books. All children need to see themselves reflected in the picture books around them. Children also benefit from books that show children with different skin tones and ethnicities. All children need to encounter books that present the variety of cultural traditions and family structures that coexist in our communities. Exposing children to diversity in books will prepare them for life in a diverse world.

God bless you and Live Jesus in Your Hearts Forever!

Jennett Mullane

Principal

jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

2022 School Goals

CSPA_2022_Parent_Survey_flyer.pdf

From Our APRE

This week we celebrate Book Week. One of the books we refer to constantly at Star of the Sea is the Bible. Here are a few fun facts about one of the most used books at our school.

Fun Facts

The Bible is about 611,000 words long.
The Bible has 66 books by 40 authors.
There are at least 185 songs in the Bible
There are 39 books in the Old Testament.
There are 27 books in the New Testament.
The very last word in the Bible is Amen in the book of Revelation.

I look forward to Friday’s Book Character Parade. I wonder what the teachers will come up with this year?

The following students have been preparing to receive their First Holy Communion.

Congratulations and may God’s blessings be upon you all as you join in the special gift of the Eucharist.

Kirra Hammond
Armani Thetford
Ellie Lamberton
Mackenzie Johnson
Logan Smyth
Nethuli Peiris
Mechaella Rameriz

See if you can get lost in a good book this week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Weekly Wondering

I wonder if your faith gives you strength?

Term 3 Liturgies and Assemblies

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.

"Growth, Mindset" Questions

AT THE END OF THE DAY

How often do you ask your child how their day was only to receive the answer ‘ok’, or ‘boring’?

Here are some suggested questions to help spark a conversation and avoid the one word answers you regularly get.

Developing a growth mindset can help children take on challenges and learn from them, helping them to increase their abilities and feel successful.

From the APC

Congratulations to our 2022 Star of the Sea Port to Park Fun Run competitors. There were many sore legs Monday morning but the smiles on the faces tells us that they enjoyed every minute of it. I have had many parents and students telling me that Sunday was another huge success. This is one of the first I have been unable to attend. I have seen many photos and heard many stories and it seems I missed a fantastic morning.

Parents must be very proud of their children and I also think some children are proud of their parents for the effort they put in too.

I will let you know what the final count of Star of the Sea students competing on Sunday was when the results are sent to me. We will get a photo of all who ran then.

To celebrate Book Week, Jen Casey – our school Librarian challenged each class to a Recycling Project. Classes were left with an open-ended project and were asked to produce something using old books that were no longer needed in the school.

These wonderful re-purposed projects are on display until the end of the year for all to view and enjoy.

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Book Week Recycling Projects

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/E61uSnceLWmQ997J7

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

2021 – Rosemary Weilharter

Rosie Weilharter had a long connection with the school beginning when she was a student here quite a few years ago. She sent her beloved daughter to Star of the Sea and then came back and worked in a number of roles throughout the school, including as our School Librarian where she enjoyed having the children visit and working with her library monitors. She also had a special love of music, leading our School and Parish Choirs for many years and helping with our Bell Ensemble.

No one could have loved Star of the Sea more than this special lady and her faith was a huge example to us all. She had a huge heart and a great belief in the love of God and she constantly challenged us all to let our light shine and be kind to each other.

Year 6 Market Stall

Father's Day Stall

Pupil Free Day

Student of the Week Award

SCHOOL PICK UP ZONE

As we start the new year it is a good idea to refresh ourselves with the rules and procedures surrounding the safe arrival and collection of our students.

No child is to be on site before 8am unless they are enrolled in Before School Care. Teachers are on duty from 8:10am. Failure to comply with this rule puts your child at risk and may incur fines as the area is licensed for Before School Care only.

When using the Car Park we urge you to remember the following:

· Please do not block the exits to the properties along the road. Keep your eye out and make room for them. This is especially important near the ambulance at the bottom of Central Lane.

· PLEASE TURN LEFT at the bottom of Central Lane.

· It is a wide turn for some vehicles to enter the car park and we ask you to be aware of this as you are travelling in the opposite direction and give way as necessary.

· You are not permitted to exit the car in the Drive Through area. Students may only enter the car from the fence side. If this does not work for your family, please park your car and collect them. Students will not be allowed to cross the pedestrian Crossing to their car without you present.

· Please watch out and give way to others entering and exiting the drive through area.

· Feel free to come a little later to pick up if you can.

· Smile…and breathe…we are doing all we can to keep your children safe.

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)

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).

Caulfield Fundraiser - 50/50 Tickets

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?

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors

Caulfield_logos.pdf

2022 Week 7 Newsletter - Term 3