2023 Week 9 Newsletter - Term 1

Weekly Focus - The gift of a common language

From the Principal - School Expectations

Dear Families

This year we have been working hard to develop a shared understanding of our key expectations at Star of the Sea:

• Greet and Treat others and our world with kindness and respect.
• Move Like a Star – moving safely and wearing our uniform correctly.
• Dig Deep – Think hard to find a solution both in and out of the classroom.

I am loving visiting our classes to discuss these expectations and to clarify what they look like in practice.  Together, students and staff are writing a document that will make it very clear how we learn and interact at Star of the Sea.  I look forward to also receiving some parent input later in the year.

DROP OFF/PICK UP EXPECTATIONS

It is essential as a school community that we have a shared understanding of expectations and routines that protect everyone’s safety and wellbeing.  Our Drop Off /Pick Up Routines are an essential component of this shared understanding.

• Students /families are not allowed to walk across Central Lane at any time as it is dangerous and interrupts the flow of traffic.
• Cars cannot move out of the line of traffic to overtake or perform a U-Turn as it puts others at risk.
• The gate near the park has been unlocked but is only to be used if you have a car parked along Central Lane.  Please ensure the gate is closed again after you have walked through.
• No child is allowed to cross the pedestrian crossing without the supervision of an adult.
• Students walking to the pool etc. still need to come to the Pickup area and cross the pedestrian crossing with the assistance of the teacher on duty.
• Please turn left at the bottom of Central Lane rather than holding up the traffic behind you.  It is easy to then do a turn back at the roundabout.

We appreciate your support in helping us provide our children with the consistency and safe routines they need.

SCHOOL HATS

Our school uniform is another way we show unity and shared expectations and I tell the students it is a special privilege to wear our Star of the Sea Uniform.  

We have been very disappointed in the way our School Hats have been worn.  Some students do not like the look of the new hat and deliberately destroy them to make them look worn out.  Others are still using the hat they started Prep with.

Our school hat is an important part of our uniform that must be worn properly.  It is designed to provide suitable shelter from the sun while looking respectable.

We have informed all students that, from Term 2 onwards, we will no longer accept the damaged hats that some are wearing.  They should be able to see clearly without the hat obstructing their view and the hat should fit their head properly with the trim of the hat still attached.  If they do not have the correct school hat, they will be unable to play unfortunately.  

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need help in assisting your child with the correct wearing of our school uniform.

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

2023 School Goals

From Our APRE

This week we celebrate Harmony Week.

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.

It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

On Friday we will celebrate our diversity in our Pastoral Care Groups.  These groups meet once or twice a term and give students a chance to mix with students from across the school to discuss various topics.  This week we look at being peacemakers.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

I wonder why Jesus wants us to be peacemakers?  Can you remember a time when you saw someone being a peacemaker?

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Catholic Identity

Catholic Social Teaching – Subsidiarity and Participation

All people have the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Subsidiarity requires that decisions are made by the people closest and most affected by the issues and concerns of the community.

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially poor and vulnerable people.

Caritas Australia works with local communities to support, promote and develop their capacity in decision-making so they can better respond to their own needs.

Sacramental Information

Enrolments are now open for the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  Catholic children who have already celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation are invited to begin the journey for the Sacraments. Enrolments are due by Wednesday 22^nd March. If you would like an enrolment form please contact the Parish or School office.

Parish Faith Coordinator

Hayley Lanzon

adfaithsos@rok.catholic.net.au

Phone: (07) 4972 1025

In Our Prayers

From the APC

The 2023 CROSS COUNTRY was another awesome whole school event.  It is one of the days I look forward to as it is an opportunity for all students to be involved.  The event takes many people to organise and the day itself also requires a large team to work together to provide a great event for not only the students but also our parents and extended family members.

The course is flat, but it is still a tough race.  It is so wonderful to see the students pushing themselves to try as hard as they can.  The cheers they get when they cross the line makes the pain they go through worth it.

Thank you to the staff and parents who assisted with set up, pack up or the running of the day.  The highlight of the day, for most of us is the PREP race.  They PREP classes look forward to the bus ride and the much talked about RACE.  They get to run past their Year 5 buddies, who are cheering for them all the way around the track.   Again, seeing the faces of these students, the pride in themselves, makes the hard work worth it.  

Have a good week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Cross Country Training

Cross Country training will be held for students who have qualified for Port Curtis.  Training will commence at 8am on Tuesday and Thursday of Week 10 (28th and 30th March) and Week 1 of Term 2 (18th and 20th April).  

Port Curtis Sports

• Congratulations to Mi-Kayla Tanoitiaola on being selected in the Port Curtis 10-11Years Netball team.  Mi-Kayla will travel to Emerald to attend the Capricornia Trials.
• Congratulations to Emily McConnell on being selected in the Port Curtis 10-12Years Netball team.  Emily will travel to Emerald to attend the Capricornia Trials.
• Congratulations to Kurt Taylor on being selected in the Port Curtis 10Years Rugby League team.  Kurt will travel to Rockhampton to participate in the Quad Series.
• Congratulations to Cory Ahern on being selected in the Port Curtis Under 11Years Rugby League team.  Cory will travel to Mackay to attend the Capricornia Trials.
• Congratulations to Emily McConnell on being selected in the Port Curtis 11-12Years Girls Rugby League team.  Emily will travel to Mackay to attend the Capricornia Trials.  Emily will participate in the Quad Series to be held in Rockhampton. 
• Congratulations to Evie Hughes, Myeisha Medina, Mackenzie Johnson, Annalise Ginn and Sienna Dykstra on being selected in the Port Curtis 10-12Years Girls Hockey Team.  These students will travel to Rockhampton to attend the Capricornia Trials.

Position Vacant - Casual Groundsperson

Student of the Week Award

Free Webinar on the topic of Vaping

Catholic School Parents Queensland warmly invite all Catholic School Parents, Carers, Principals & School Staff to join us on a Zoom Webinar with Tony Parsons from National Drug Awareness

Tony has a keen interest in the relevancy of vaping amongst todays youth and works to deliver a down-to-earth approach of the harm associated with vaping. Tony regularly speaks to school communities across Australia and overseas to ensure they have relevant and timely drug, alcohol and vaping information.

This is a FREE WEBINAR hosted by CSPQ to support our families in Catholic Schools.

REGISTER HERE

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).

Emmaus College 30Year Anniversary

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors