2022 Week 8 Newsletter - Term 3

Weekly Focus

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr_gxGYM6DM 

2022 CBCA Book Week introducing the artist and her artwork .

From the Principal

Dear Families

Welcome to Week 8 everyone.

Thank you for all the work that went into making our Book Week Parade such a great celebration.  Everyone had lots of fun and we were all reminded of how important a good story is.

“Books are the most important of all my possessions.  They capture the thoughts, feelings, dreams and lives of their authors, welcoming us into their worlds and inspiring us to emulate their adventures”

– Fennel Hudson

Last week we discussed ways to create a love of reading within your family.  We continue this week sharing a few more ideas from the NY Times – these strategies focus on supporting children according to their reading level.

Emerging Readers

That magical breakthrough moment — when your child shows an interest in letters and begins to make out words on a page or in the world itself — happens at different ages for different children, even within the same family.

Mix it up. When children start to pick out words, allow them to read to you some of the time, but reading time shouldn’t be strained, exhausting or feel like a test.  At first, try pointing to words you know your child will recognize and have him or her read them. When your child knows more words, try reading alternating pages. 

Don’t abruptly withdraw your reading services. Being read to is an enormous comfort and part of your bond, and you don’t want to convey to your child that becoming an independent reader jeopardizes that together time. Continue reading aloud picture book favorites — and some more-sophisticated books they can’t read on their own yet.

Every child learns to read at a personal pace. There is no “correct” age for independent reading, and no special formula for getting every child to read by.

Don’t make reading work. Your child may already be feeling enough internal pressure without any external forces.

Reading at home should be beautiful, fun, curiosity-quenching and inspiring. It’s great if you can help support your child while learning to read, but your most important job is more profound: to foster a love of reading. Don’t put it on yourself to make your child hit particular targets.

Check in with the teacher. Talk with your child’s teachers, but don’t get nervous if your student is not reading at the same level as his or her peers. 

More Independent Readers

As your child begins to read independently, your role expands. Keep reading with your child, but also supply a steady stream of books that are appealing, and lots of positive vibes and good conversation about reading and books in general.

Ask, “what are you reading?” Make this question a big part of your life. When you’re with your child and a friend, ask what the friend reads, and start a conversation. Your child may want to read what friends are enthusiastic about. 

Tip: Ask other parents what their children are reading, and offer to swap books.

Make reading associated with maturity. Reading is a grown-up pastime, and can be done independently. 

Try it: If your child’s bedtime is 7 p.m., extend it to 7:30 p.m. if the child stays in bed and reads.

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

Last Sunday was Social Justice Sunday. This year’s Social Justice Statement focuses on how the power to control others stands in contrast to how God calls us to live and affirms the work being done by faith communities and organisations to support those in need who can be easily overlooked.

Father Andrew recommended the statement to everyone as a way of helping us be aware of those who can be easily forgotten or overlooked. To be aware of the demands of social justice in our world is part of the duty we each have as followers of Christ. You can read the statement here:

https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/

The social justice action group at school have been sharing the love of Christ and encouraging our community to pray using their 5 fingers and learning more about the Bible’s message using “Who am I” and “Would you Rather” conversation starters on assembly.

The group undertake a variety of projects throughout the year and recently made tags for school welcome packs.  They are currently working on connections with our local community through Art Matters who are growing produce to share with those in need. We felt that this project resonates well with our Caritas focus where we try to help communities both in Australia and overseas address the root causes of challenges so that communities can become self-sufficient.

Take action this week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Term 3 Liturgies and Assemblies

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.

School Feast Day Celebrations Friday 9th September

SCHOOL FEAST DAY

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Everyone is invited to join us for our Feast Day celebrations next Friday September 9^th.  The outline for the day is as follows (subject to slight changes on the day).

Star of the Sea Parish Feast Day Sunday 11th September

From the APC

Our School Swimming Lessons will be held in Term 4 this year for students in Years 1 to 6.

Lessons will be held on Monday the 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st of October and also on the 7th November.

If you haven’t already done so, can you please use this link which will take you to a form that has been set up by the Gladstone Aquatic Centre.  They are asking you to please fill in their form to enable children to be grouped according to swimming ability.

This needs to be completed by Friday 2 September so the groups can be sorted in time for the first lesson.

Swimming lessons will cost $8 per lesson and will be added to Term 4’s school fees. 

We really appreciate you taking the time to fill in this document to help us get our groups ready for swimming lessons.

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

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 

Year 6 Market Stall

Father's Day Stall

Pupil Free Day

Student of the Week Award

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. 

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 

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Helping your family stay safe online

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