2022 Week 8 Newsletter - Term 4

Weekly Focus - What does our Christmas Concert look like?

From the Principal -Thank yous and Farewells

Dear Families

How proud I was last week to see our Year 5 students stand before us and share the individual leadership qualities that they will use to lead our school community next year.  It is no easy thing to share who you are in front of so many people and I was deeply inspired by the presentation each of them made.  The journey continues this Wednesday for our Year 5 Band and Choir students who seek to lead these cultural groups next year.  Please keep them in your prayers.

A huge thank you to all those who made our swimming carnival such a great day on Friday – especially Vicki, Cat, Erin and Ant who put it all together.  Thank you also to our amazing staff and the generous parent volunteers who made the day possible with their hard work.

My Dad always used to say to me that the most important things in our life are the people we are blessed with.  These words are very true for our school, especially one as old as Star of the Sea that has been blessed with so many great people in its time.  Looking back over our 120 years of existence we may not know the individual stories of everyone who has been a part of our story but we live with the essence of who they were and the traditions, values and beliefs that they held dear. 

Sadly this year we farewell a number of staff who have made great contributions to Star of the Sea.

Virginia Blake

Virginia Blake has been an integral part of the Star of the Sea community for nearly 30 years, joining our school family in 1993.  She worked in the Preschool Classroom with our beloved Miss Deb and then moved to teach many other year levels and also worked as Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum in 2003.  In 2011 Virginia began working in a Learning Support role which has been the perfect way for her to share her expertise and compassion with our staff, students and their families.  She has a passion for helping students experience as much learning growth as possible and is responsible for many a great idea such as our Reading Stars and Story Dogs Program.

One of Virginia’s greatest gifts to our school community is her deep faith and her desire to help those most in need. We are grateful for her generous service of so many over her years with Star of the Sea. We are also grateful that Virginia has agreed to work the occasional day in support of our Learning Support Team next year (when she can fit it around her holiday plans). We wish her every blessing as she begins this new chapter.

Kathryn Ure

We are also very sad to farewell Kathryn Ure who has worked with us for the past few years, assisting our PE team in 2020 and then moving to the classroom.  Kathryn has worked hard to care for the students in her care and has contributed to the life of Star of the Sea in a variety of ways, especially in her support of her beloved AFL. Kathryn started her teaching career with us in 2015 and it was wonderful to welcome her back to Star of the Sea. We wish her every blessing in the future.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Christmas Concert this Friday. For those who have not been before, the main car park is used as a dance stage, and we keep the students there with us. Families sit on the grassed hill area and watch from there. We keep a special spot for parents to come forward and get a good view while their child’s class is performing.

It has been a tradition to set up chairs on the hill during the day but this will not be permitted this year until after school as it is now a space for students.

Please note that the main school car park will be closed on Thursday and Friday to allow for rehearsals.

God bless you and Live Jesus in Your Hearts Forever!

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

URGENT - Please help us find a new Outside School Hours Care Coordinator

We are really in need of your help to find a new Coordinator for our OSHC Service.  Please spread the word and plant some seeds of interest.  People are more than welcome to call the school for a chat about the position. 

More information can be found here: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER453

From Our APRE -

As the end of the year fast approaches people become busy and there is a flurry of activity.  Amongst the chaos it is also important to STOP and reflect.  As a leadership team we have been reflecting on data and it has been wonderful to see the growth and development constantly occuring around us.

It is that time of the year again when we begin the ‘end’.  This week our Year 6 students present their last ever Primary School assembly.  They then prepare for their Primary School Graduation. 

Each year we present a number of awards at our final Mass.  This is a chance to recognise students who have stood out in our school community.

The awards recipients are carefully chosen and it is never an easy task.  The following criteria helps us with our selection process.

“LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE” AWARD

This Trophy was commissioned by the Marist Sisters in 1990 to be presented to the student in their final year of Primary School who had let his or her light shine most consistently throughout the year.

At Star of the Sea School, letting your light shine is an activity which is demonstrated in the true spirit of love and loyalty to the school community.

The recipient of this Award will have demonstrated qualities such as…..

• being positively active within the school
• using one’s gifts and talents in a productive way
• showing enterprise
• demonstrating true Christian qualities, and
• constantly striving to live our school’s motto.

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD FOR CONSISTENT EFFORT

This annual award is presented to a student who has consistently demonstrated the following qualities…

• showing a responsible, helpful and caring attitude towards themselves, fellow students and staff
• always putting 100% of their effort into school work and activities
• consistently achieving well in all areas of the school curriculum
• showing a true Christian spirit
• and always letting their light shine.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award goes to a student in Year Six who has worked hard and consistently shown excellent results in all areas of the curriculum.  One student from each Year Six class will receive this award.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is presented to a student in each Year Six class who has demonstrated not only an improvement in effort and results in the academic areas but also growth in confidence and character.

MARIST SISTER’S BURSARY AWARD

This award was established in memory of the valuable educational work undertaken in Gladstone by the Marist Sisters from 1971 to 1999.

This deserving student has demonstrated a sense of relationship, openness, community spirit, leadership, prayer, worship, social justice, participation, reconciliation and parish.

MERCY SISTER’S BURSARY AWARD

The Mercy Sisters established Catholic Education for Primary Students at Star of the Sea School on 12 July 1900 continuing until early December 1971.  To celebrate this lifelong commitment, this bursary is presented to a conscientious, hardworking, committed student who shows an encompassing attitude toward faith and school work while reaching out to members of the school community. 

CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award was commissioned by Mrs Norma Tanna to be presented to a student who has demonstrated a level of commitment across the areas of the Arts. The student will have participated in school and community based Arts or Cultural activities. These may include:

• Music
• Drama
• Dance
• Visual Arts
• Media

AWARD FOR SPORTING EXCELLENCE

The recipient of this award has excelled in school sport and shown an active dedication to their chosen fields, achievement at a high level, commitment to their sporting endeavors as well as their academic pursuits.

I pray for strength and determination for everyone as we head into the final stages of the year.

Have a wonderful week,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Our school has always been a great supporter of those less fortunate than ourselves.  We appreciate your assistance in helping St Vincent de Paul bring some joy to families as per the flyer details below.

Free Dress Day - Tuesday 29th November - Support our Christmas Appeal

All students are invited to participate in our Christmas Free Dress Day next Tuesday 29th November in support of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.   Wear your sun safe Christmas clothes (school hat and closed in shoes suitable for running) and bring along your donation for the Christmas hamper.  If you have already donated we do not expect you to supply more donations.  Please read this newsletter for information about what items are needed.

Term 4 Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 8

Leadership Speeches continue.

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 - Mindset Shift

HAVE TO vs GET TO

I heard something on the weekend that I am hoping will completely change the way I am living.   It went like this…

Think about all the tasks that you do every single day. Instead of approaching these tasks like you HAVE to do them, approach them as you GET to do them.  

Most of us wake up every single day and I HAVE  to go to work.  I HAVE to get up and organise my kids for school.  I HAVE to get up put the bins out, walk the dog, do more of the endless washing.

INSTEAD – Shift your mindset and try and think about it like….. I GET TO.  

I GET  the opportunity today to go to work.   I GET the opportunity today to spend time with my kids when getting ready for school.  I GET  the opportunity to walk the dog, clear the house of rubbish and provide clean clothes for my family. 

This simple shift in Mindset will allow you to approach life through the lens of GRATITUDE VS the lens of Negativity.  

On a personal note,  I Get to come to work and spend time with your children and I am very grateful for this.  It is hard to believe that the end of the year is one week away.   Try this mindset shift for one week and see how it goes.   Good luck.

Have a good week everyone. 

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Year 5 Captains and Leadership Speeches

Our Year 5 Students continue presenting their Leadership Speeches this week.  Parents are more than welcome to attend but please make sure you sign in through the office.  Please note the following dates and locations:

Band and Choir Captain Speeches - Wednesday 23rd November as follows:

- Band Captain Speeches - 8:45am in the Music Room

- Choir Captain Speeches - 9:15am in the Library

Please keep all of these children in your prayers.

We wish all the candidates the very best of luck, as we know they have worked hard and all of them will make us proud as leaders in 2023.

Congratulations to all of the Year 5 students who presented their speeches for School Captain and House Captain last week.  We were incredibly proud of the courage they showed and the honesty and insight they shared with us.  Special congratulations to our 2023 School Captains - Abi King and Cory Ahern; 2023 Breslin House Captains - Evie Hughes and Sam Beahan; 2023 Marsden House Captains - Brooke Skinner and Preston Kendrick; and 2023 Murlay House Captains - Evelyn Hughes and Blake Asher.

Best of luck to our Cultural Captain candidates who present their speeches this Wednesday.

End of Year Mass and arrangements for the final day of school.

9am - Whole School End of Year Mass

Our End of Year Mass will take place on Friday 2nd December at 9am in the Covered Courts area of the school.  

At this mass we will present our Star of the Sea Awards, farewell our departing students and families, hand over leadership roles to our 2023 leaders and thank the Lord for our blessings this year.

12:30pm Final assembly and farewell

We will have a final assembly in the Covered Courts area where we will especially farewell our Year 6 students.  Parents may take children home after this.  All children left at school will be supervised in the library.

Children will not be permitted to walk or ride home until 2:55pm unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult.

PLEASE NOTE: 

There will be NO TUCKSHOP in the last week of school.

2023 Swimming Carnival

We had a fantastic day at our Swimming Carnival on Friday.  It was great to see so many children giving their all in the pool and being such brilliant supporters on the sidelines.

There was plenty of Team Spirit but Marsden took the trophy from them all.

Congratulations to Breslin who ended up winning overall House Points.

Special congratulations also to the staff who worked hard to win the Staff/ Student / Parent race.

A huge thank you to all the hard working parent volunteers and staff, and to Mrs Blake, Mrs Melrose, Mr King and Miss Erin who pulled it all together.

Instrumental Music News

Recruitment for 2023

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

Our Star of the Sea Band and some of our band members have recently demonstrated all of the instruments available to hire and learn. Please fill out the expression of interest so your child can take part in the instrument tryouts. Forms are available from the school office or follow this link: https://forms.gle/Hft6yvsFu15oPsNMA

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

2023 Band Captain

Current year 5 band members are invited to apply for Band Captain. Speeches will take place on Wednesday 23rd November at 8.45am in the music room. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Dates for the diary

• 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 - Week 8

Chanel College Transition day for 2023 Year 7 Students

Our Year 6 students who will be attending Chanel College in 2023 are invited to a Transition Day at the College on Wednesday 30 November.

Students are to go directly to Chanel College in the morning and are collected by parents from Chanel at the end of the day.  There will be no staff from Star of the Sea present at this event.

The day begins at 8.40am in the Marian Centre.  

Parents/caregivers are invited to the information session from 8.40am to 10.30 am.  Following this, morning tea will be offered to parents/caregivers.  

Parents are asked to collect their students from Chanel at 3pm.

Students are to wear their Star of the Sea school uniform.  Please ensure you have your school hat and water bottle.

Students will also need to provide their own morning tea and lunch.  The Chanel Tuckshop will be available to purchase food and drinks.

Pens and pencils may be required for student participation in some activities.

Cricket Competition

Recently, a team of 8 boys and a team of 9 girls travelled to Rockhampton to compete in the WWCB Cricket Regional Final.  The teams participated in 5 games over the course of a very busy day.  With every game the skills of the students and their confidence grew.  The music blared across the fields and there may have been a little dancing when the Village People’s YMCA song played.  

At the finish of the day our boy's team finished in 3rd place and our girls in 5th.  The students are to be commended on their sportsmanship and camaraderie.  Thankyou also to the parents who drove their children to Rockhampton for the day and an extra big cheer to 3 of our parents who took a few extra in their vehicles.  Without their support it would not have been possible for us to take up the invitation to attend.  

Class Lists

2024 Class lists are currently being prepared by the school and we have traditionally sent home a class list with each student in the last week of school.  Before we continue this tradition it is important to gauge the community’s wishes in light of privacy laws.  

If you would prefer not to have your child’s name included on the class lists please contact the school office by Friday 17 November please.

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.

Lost Property

Please make sure you check the lost property that has collected on the table outside the OSHC Room (near the student toilets).

All unclaimed items will be removed in the last week and donated to the school second hand uniform shop or the St Vincent de Paul Shop.

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