2022 Week 4 Newsletter - Term 4

Weekly Focus - World Teachers' Day

From the Principal -Never forget the power of a 'Thank You'.

Dear Families

I remember standing in a queue at the servo one day while one poor woman tried to deal with a series of disasters happening all around her.  Most in the queue just smiled and felt sorry for her except for one bloke who loudly let everyone know how unhappy he was.  It was nice as I got close to the counter to hear the lady in front congratulate the woman for doing such a great job under stressful circumstances.

The lady reminded me how important it is to offer thanks and praise.  If no-one said anything positive, then only the guy with the negative comments would be heard. 

One of the things I am really proud of in my life is that I am a teacher.  It is a role I have thanked God for many times.  It is not an easy job. The demands and expectations and judgements have increased dramatically in the time it has been my vocation.  It is exhausting - Planning for everyone’s individual needs, extra study, extra-curricular demands,  sports carnivals, meetings and so on. The list is endless!  

Nothing can take away the joy that comes with this job though.  It is a special privilege to share with a child the excitement of ‘getting it’, to be allowed to get to know each of their unique personalities and walk with them on their journey of discovery of themselves and their world.  To share with them and their families their joys and their disappointments is something very precious that a teacher never takes for granted.

Every teacher is different and brings their own unique passions and expertise to the classroom. Often the fruit of our efforts is not shown for a long time afterwards.  We have a great team of teachers here at Star of the Sea who constantly inspire me with their compassion, commitment and passion for being the best teacher they can be.  As Catholic School Teachers we have a wonderful role model to follow, who didn’t always have it easy either:

“What about this new Religion teacher they’ve got now?”
“I don’t know.  They’re certainly not learning their Faith the way we used to.  The other day he had them outside again.  They didn’t seem to be doing much about Religion – more about the government and taxes and some young fellow who had run away from home.  They like and respect him – and want to do what he does – but what’s the use of that if they’re not learning anything?  I think he’s only taught them one prayer in the whole time he’s had them – and it was a new one on me.”
“Yes, it makes you wonder, doesn’t it?  What’s this new teacher’s name anyway?”
“Oh, I did hear it – he’s from Nazareth I think – yes, that’s right – his name is Jesus.”

This Friday is a great opportunity to acknowledge the important role that teachers play in our lives. Never forget the power of a Thank You.

God bless you and Live Jesus in Your Hearts Forever!

Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

From Our APRE - Thank you for your generosity.

On Friday our school pulled up their crazy socks for a very good cause.  Socktober is an initiative to help raise funds and awareness for Catholic Mission.  This year the focus is on Ethiopia – raising funds to help combat malnutrition and help with security.

Thank you for joining the campaign this year – our school raised a total of $363.85.

Greg Clair from Catholic Mission visited our school last week and spoke to Year 4B about the work they do and to say thank you to Star of the Sea for the continued support we give to this work.  Year 4B collect the Mission money each week at school and keep the rest of the school informed about what it is that our money is used for and the totals we collect.

I am continually blown away by the generosity of this school community.  It is another sign of the wonderful caring community we all belong to – a community of people who give selflessly.  Thank you so much everyone.

Have a wonderful week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 4

Year 1B invite you to their MJR message on assembly on Friday 28^th October at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 5

Year 4 invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 4^th November at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 7

Year 5 Leadership Speeches will take place this week – please keep an eye out for more details closer to the dates.

WEEK 8

Year 6 invite you to their FINAL assembly presentation on Thursday 24^th November at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Everyone is invited to attend our annual Christmas Concert on Friday 25^th November.

WEEK 9

Everyone is invited to attend our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy Monday night 28th November at 6pm in the Star of the Sea Church. 

Everyone is invited to attend our End of Year Mass on Friday 2nd December at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church. 

In Our Prayers

From the APC - Exciting news!

Port to Park Fun Run

Shannen Perry, the GPC Corporate and Community Relations Officer visited the school on Friday to present our School Leaders with our $1910.00 cheque.  This money was raised from our school's participation in the Port to Park fun run. Thank you to our students who participated in the event and to the many families and community members who also supported our school with their nomination.

Each year, the organisers work out a percentage of attendance by working with the total number of students who participated and the total number of enrolments.   They compare this number with the other schools and this year we came 1^st.  We were the highest percentage of participation out of all the schools.  You may remember leading up to the Port to Park fun run I was encouraging you all to enter to try to get to first place and you all did it!!

Have a good week everyone. 

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Star of the Sea Swimming Carnival Nominations 2022

The Star of the Sea Swimming Carnival for 2022 will be held on Friday 18th November for Years 2 – 6.

The program will be compiled from the information entered in the google form at link below.

Swimming Carnival Nominations 2022 (google.com) 

All Parents from Years 2 to 6 are asked to visit this link and nominate their children as soon as possible please.

Children must swim a minimum of 3 individual races.  Children will be eligible for Age Champion 9 years and under, 10 years, 11 years and Open.  Competent swimmers also have the option to swim the 50m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle.  

This nomination form must be submitted by Sunday 4th November.

Please note that Prep and Year One students do not take part in the Swimming Carnival.  Only students in Years 2 to 6 are to be nominated please. 

Please note the school Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 18th November.

Instrumental Music News

Recruitment for 2023 is commencing!

Are you interested in learning an instrument and playing in the school band next year?

Expression of Interests forms are available via the following link

2023 Expression of Interest (google.com)   

Tuition is available on trumpet, trombone, euphonium, percussion, flute, clarinet and saxophone.  All of these instruments are available to hire through the school.

Our band members will be demonstrating all of the instruments over the next few weeks.

Dates for the diary

• Week 7 - Instrument try-outs for new students 
• Week 7 - Band Recital - Wednesday 16th November at 6pm in the undercover area
• Week 8 - Letters of offer for places in the music program and instrument hire finalised
• Week 8 - Christmas Concert - Friday 25th November

Kerrie Mallett

Instrumental Music - Woodwind/Brass/Percussion

Star of the Sea - Tuesday/Wednesday

Mobile 0438 165 552

Student of the Week Award

Departing Families

At this stage of the year, work and personal circumstances sometimes mean that we have families moving from Star of the Sea.  If you have not already done so, please send us an email or a note to let us know.

We hope that you can join us for our End of Year Mass so that we can pray a special blessing for you and your family.

2023 CLASS ARRANGEMENTS

As we prepare for our 2023 Class arrangements we invite you to notify us of any important information that should be considered for our class composition by completing a 2023 Student Information Form.

These forms are available from the school office and are designed for parents to formally communicate any important information in relation to their own child, for class placements in 2023 in regards to social, emotional, physical or learning concerns.

Please be aware that these forms are not to request a specific class, nor teacher, but rather to inform the Principal formally of any relevant concerns that pertain directly to your child.

All information included in the 2023 Student Information Form will be treated confidentially.  As always, requests will be considered by the Principal but, as you are aware, many factors are well-considered when forming classes, and teachers’ professional judgement is vital in this process also.

Please also know that classroom teachers are not the only professionals involved in finalising classes for the following year.  Teachers also meet with Learning Support staff and the Leadership team to finalise these lists.  

Please do not put requests to teachers directly.  Only those submissions made to the Principal will be formally considered.

2023 Student Information Forms must be returned to school in an envelope addressed to the Principal by Wednesday 9th November.

St Vincent de Paul Society - Did you know?

Did you know? St Vincent de Paul Members enjoy helping where they see a need. The lonely, the desperate, the homeless. Want to help? Email or QR Code: olss4680@svdpqld.org.au

Student Travel Rebates

Trial of new Roadways Behaviour Monitoring System

In a world-first road safety initiative, new speed camera technology will soon target speeding
drivers at selected school zones across Queensland.

Everyone has a role in keeping our roads safe. It is imperative drivers reduce their speed to the
signed 40 km/h speed limit and be aware of activity by students on or near the road.
Speed cameras will only operate during school zone times at the selected schools.
Parents, and carers dropping off or picking up students are urged to comply with school zone
speed limits. Those who slow down will not be penalised.

Gladstone Region 2023 Australia Day Award Nominations

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