2023 Week 1 Newsletter - Term 1

Weekly Focus - Welcome to 2023

From the Principal -Who needs your welcome?

Dear Families

Welcome to our 2023 school year everyone and an extra special welcome to all of our new Prep families and all those families who are new to the Star of the Sea community.  It was fantastic to welcome you all yesterday.  There was a real sense of enthusiasm and anticipation of a great year ahead.  

I was asked recently to think about my favourite “stranger moment”: a time when I felt a connection with someone I didn’t even know.  It was hard to choose as I have a few favourite conversations, smiles, looks, kind acts etc. that have been exchanged on planes, shopping queues and so on over the years.  In particular, I remember the kindest smile a lady gave me one day as she saw me tired and overwhelmed with my two small children.  I felt very accepted and understood through that beautiful smile.

What is your favourite “stranger moment”?  Why?  What feelings did it evoke?

I wonder if you have ever been someone else’s favourite stranger?

Jesus calls His followers to love their neighbour as He loves us.  That means we need to go beyond the friends and community we are comfortable with and look for those who are  new, who are shy, who would dearly love a friendly stranger moment to make them feel welcome and empowered to belong and to join in our great community.

There are many ways for you to be a part of our school community and connect with each other.

Our Parents and Friends (P&F) Meeting takes place every month, beginning next Tuesday 31 January in the staffroom (entry via the Office Ramp).  It is a great way to meet others and connect with what is happening and get involved with volunteering if you are looking to do so.

Our P&F Welcome Back BBQ on Friday 10th February is a really fun way to get to gather with the school community, meet other families and get a feel for what we are about.

We are also looking for a Classroom Parent for each class.  This is a very simple role but plays an important part in keeping your class family connected.  More information is in this newsletter. 

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

We have a number of communication methods that aim to keep us connected as a community.

Email and Text Messaging are our primary means of communication.  Please check that we have your most current details.

Our School Newsletter is the primary source of information provided each week. This is delivered via email (usually a Tuesday) with an electronic version placed on our website.  

Parent Lounge is used for excursions and events as well as being an avenue for viewing report cards and paying school fee accounts.  

Our School Facebook account is another source of information about our school for those who use this medium.  A reminder that this is the only official Facebook page our school has.  

Finally, our School Website is another important source of information about our school and its various events and procedures.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.
Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

2023 School Goals

School Tuckshop Closed this Week

Our School Tuckshop will be closed this first week to allow for staff inductions and preparations.

Our first day of operation will be Wednesday 31st January.

From Our APRE

Welcome to 2023 at Star of the Sea.  I do hope your year has started well and you heard lots of great stories from the first 2 days of school.

We are blessed to belong to such a wonderful community and I would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone joining us for the first time.  It will not take long before you feel right at home.

We will gather as a community on Friday 3^rd February for our Opening School Mass and commissioning of our school leaders.  This will take place in the Star of the Sea church at 9am.

People very quickly learn our school motto – Let Your Light Shine, but it is also important that we understand our vison and mission also.

OUR VISION

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, inspired by the story of Jesus, is a faith-filled learning community which respects and nurtures the giftedness and dignity of all.

OUR MISSION

• Love God as Mary did.

• Respect ourselves, others and the world.

• Value life-long learning.

• Strive to achieve our potential.

• Live our faith in Jesus within our community.

As a community we have so much to work towards – thank goodness we are never alone as we strive for success.  Please reach out if ever you feel like you need help or a chat – my office door is always open.

Dig deep everyone – let’s make 2023 a good one!

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

In 2022 our school took part in the Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity and this year we aim to unpack the data from the surveys and look at ways we can enhance our Catholic Identity at Star of the Sea.

“A Recontextualising Catholic School is deliberately engaged in a search for being Catholic today.  Recontextualisation aims to interpret and promote the Christian faith in a contemprorary world through dialogue with surrounding cultures and voices.  The Catholic Christian tradition is promoted whilst recognising ‘the other’ in various contexts.”

Term 1 Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 2

Our Opening School Commissioning Mass takes place next Friday 3rd February at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church.  

At this mass we will ask God’s blessing on the year ahead and welcome our new students, parents and staff.  We will also commission our 2023 Year 6 School Leaders and present them with their leadership badges.

All are welcome but we particularly invite new families and the families of our Year 6 students.

In Our Prayers

From the APC

For those of you who will be reading this newsletter for the first time I would like to warmly welcome you to Star of the Sea school.  I am the Assistant Principal: Curriculum. I teach Year 4A with my teaching partner Renae Alletag and I am also part of the Learning Support team.  I have been at Star of the Sea for many, many years and look forward to yet another one.

Yesterday was such a great day.  The energy in the morning was electric, filled with nervous and excited energy of the returning students to our school, especially the Prep students.  Parents were buzzing, possibly with sheer excitement to have their children back with us at school, the holidays can be long, but also because they are proud of their kids, and so they should be.   There were smiles and hugs and high fives…… I even had some parents telling me they were told by their little Year 1 and 2 children not to walk them into school, they didn’t need them anymore!!! 

Not only were the parents and students buzzing, so too were all our staff.  Our school is filled with committed and passionate staff members who work hard to ensure your children are cared for and made to feel safe and welcomed.  I have included in the photos below a snapshot of the wonderful learning environments the teachers have created in their classrooms.  2023 is set to be an awesome year…. Bring it on!

Have a great week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

CLASS PARENTS - WE NEED YOU

As an important way to keep our class families connected, we ask that at least one parent from each class volunteer to be a Class Parent.  It can even be a shared role and Class Parents from previous years can be there to support you.

Our Class Parents play an important role in our school community.  It is not meant to be a particularly demanding job but it does provide an important bridge between the parent body and the teacher.

The role of the Class Parent has a few main duties:
•    Class Morning Teas (Held in the Outside Hours Care Room): This involves making sure the urn is filled and turned on ready before the Class Assembly item or whenever there is a Year Level Cuppa.  (You can even get someone else to turn on the urn if needed).  It also involves an invitation to parents to bring along a plate of food to share with the cuppa..
•    Sending an email as a reminder for class events etc.  This just involves writing what you would like said and then emailing it to the office and your child’s teacher for us to send out for you.   This also sometimes involves a Facebook reminder if your year level has set up an unofficial group (without the school's name).
•    Helping serve food and drink to the students in your class at events such as the Christmas Concert (or organizing someone else to do it).  

There are other optional things you can do such as organize class get togethers for parents etc. but this is not a mandatory part of the role.  

Please contact your child's teacher or the front office if you can assist us.

Please also let us know if you are an administrator for a Facebook Group for your class/year level.  Whilst these groups are not officially connected to the school, we recognise the connection that is provided for many parents and would like to help get information to other parents about them.  

Family Name Labels to use in your car for drive through pick up in the afternoon

Having your child's surname clearly printed and placed where it can be seen on the sunvisor or dash helps us find your child quickly and speed up the collection process in the afternoons.

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.

School Drop Off /Pick Up Procedures

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.

Students arriving at school in the morning are to wait on the steps in front of the Music Room please.  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.

In the afternoon, there is only one designated Pick Up area for parents - The Car Park near the Herbert Street Cul-de-Sac.  Students are supervised in this area until 3.15pm.

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

• The Drop Off Lane is for short drop off and pick up only please.  You cannot hop out of your car to help your child, say goodbye, watch them walk in etc.
• 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.  
  
• 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.
  

Use of School Toilets

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning space for our students we have strict rules surrounding the use of our school toilets.  

Only students who are currently enrolled at Star of the Sea School are permitted to use the student toilets, including the PWD Toilet.  

Parents, volunteers, toddlers and high school students are asked to go to the School Office to be directed to suitable toilets if required. 

Parents & Friends Meeting - All welcome

We invite all of our Parent Community to our P and F Meeting next  Tuesday 30 January at 6:30pm in the staff room (entry via the front office).

Although the meeting starts at 6:30pm you are welcome to join us a little earlier for a chat and a glass of something if you can.

Parents & Friends Welcome Back BBQ

We are looking forward to seeing you all at our Welcome Back BBQ on Friday 10th February at 6pm.

This event is kindly organized by our P and F and is a great chance to meet new members of our Star of the Sea family and to reconnect with others.

Parents should please be aware that this is a Parent run event and therefore no formal supervision of the children is being provided by the school.  Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children during this social gathering. Students should not attend this function without being accompanied by a supervising adult. 

Important Health Notice

In order to make sure all of our children are kept as safe as possible we need to let you know that we have a number of students in our school with severe allergies to nuts.

We are not a ‘nut free’ school but we do encourage you to be mindful of these allergies as you pack your child’s lunch and talk with them about disposing of rubbish carefully and cleaning hands carefully afterwards please.

If your child has any form of Health Action Plan we ask you to bring a copy to the School Office.  Also, any medication to be administered must be taken to the Office where the necessary paperwork can be completed.

League Stars Program

League Stars is coming to Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School! League Stars is a before school non-contact program with no experience needed. League Stars introduces kids to the fun and skills of Rugby League. Boys and girls aged 8-12 are welcome.

Sessions run for an hour from 7:20am each Thursday morning for 6 weeks beginning on Thursday 9th February.

Registration is via the following link:

https://profile.mysideline.com.au/register/clubsearch?criteria=435923&entity=true&entitytype=program&source=rugby-league 

Please note that this is not a school run event and therefore no supervision will be provided by the school.  

School Uniform Guidelines

Fun on the First Day

Our first day back was full of smiles and excitement for the year ahead.

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2023 School Staff

Principal        Mrs Jennett O’Mullane

Assistant to the Principal Religious Education (APRE)   Mrs Kellie Richardson

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum (APC)                   Mr Anthony King
 
Administration and Finance Officer       Mrs Katherine Dawe                                   

Administration and Enrolment Officer        Mrs Louise Hanrahan
 
Teachers

Prep    -     Mrs Fiona Adamson (PA) & Miss Leigh Chapman (PB)
Year 1     - Mrs Catherine Melrose / Mrs Jenna Gibbs (1A) & Mrs Lana Kammholz (1B)
Year 2     - Mrs Brenda Emerick (2A) & Mrs Ange Jenner (2B)
Year 3     - Mrs Genelle Little (3A) & Mrs Lauren Churchill/ Mrs Prudence Tate (3B)
Year 4     - Mrs Renee Alletag / Mr Anthony King (4A) & Mrs Lorrie Columbus (4B)
Year 5     - Mrs Melissa McBride (5A) & Mrs Suzanne Smyth (5B)
Year 6     - Mrs Kaylee Cleary/ Mrs Denise Conley (6A) & Mrs Kathryn Murray (6B)

IT /Drama /Music Specialist   - Mrs Helena Sedgwick 
PE Specialist   - Mrs Vicki Blake / Mrs Kim Hooley
Inclusive Curriculum - Miss Renae Richards, Mrs Louise Sisley & Mrs Susan Pacheco

Support Staff

School Counsellor - Melissa Davey 
Library Assistant - Miss Jen Casey
IT Assistant - Miss Erin Moynihan 
Teacher Assistants - Mrs Amanda Sydes, Mrs Deb Mackay, Mrs Linda Smith, Mrs Christine Wright, Mrs Jodie Sharp, Ms Skye Alberts, Miss Lauren Jaenke, Mrs Deepa Saxena, Mr Jace Arnold, Mrs Steph Murray and Mrs Anita Spearing.
Facilities Officer - Mr Paul Ahern
Tuckshop - Mrs Julie Cook & Mrs Witney-Bre Robson
Acting OSHC Coordinator - Mrs Kylie Best
OSHC Assistants - Miss Jen Casey, Miss Bridie Stevens. 
Parish Priest - Father Andrew Chase
Associate Priest - Father Ashwin Acharya
 

We all look forward to working with you this year.  

Back to School - Safety in School Zones

Key Messages

When driving or riding in Queensland, you must:

• give way to pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders on or entering a children’s, pedestrian or marked foot crossings.
• give way to pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders on or entering a road you’re turning into.
• give way to pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders on a slip lane.
• give way to pedestrians in a share zone.
• travel at a speed allowing you to stop safely at a crossing if needed.

When driving near and around schools, you must:

• be aware that some school crossings are also pedestrian crossings, and you must give way to pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders on or entering the crossing and not proceed until theyhave fully left the crossing.
• give way to pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders on or entering the crossing
• wait until all pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders have crossed the road and the crossing supervisor has returned to the footpath.

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