Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

Weekly Focus - What being a mum really means...

It doesn't cover Dads who act as Mums and those who long to be a mum and those who have lost a mum and so many more ..... but.... it does a good job of trying to describe what being a Mum really means...

From the Principal - Supporting our parents

Dear Families

Happy Mother’s Day to all who play a mothering role for our children. I hope you had a wonderful day and felt the love of your family.

I heard a great story from one mother whose child came straight home from our Mother’s Day Stall on Thursday and wanted to share the special present they bought which was a tool box full of all sorts of cool things. Our children love shopping at the Mother’s Day Stall each year and we are very grateful to everyone who volunteered to help throughout the day. Special thanks to Leanne, Kristy and Anne-Maree for their work in putting it all together and to the Frost family for feeding our wonderful volunteers.

One of my greatest beliefs is that parents need parents. I encourage each new family that joins us to make connections with other families. It is an opportunity to receive support, encouragement and reassurance in the immense role that parents have. We can be very hard on ourselves as parents – always thinking we haven’t done enough or second guessing ourselves. To hear that others also struggle and to gain their advice and reassurance is a great gift.

Our recent visit by Professor Janet Goodall offered some reassuring messages for all parents:
- It’s okay for parents not to know all the answers.
- Parents can make a huge difference in the lives of their children – just one 15 minute chat with your child each week is valuable.

I love seeing you all together before and after school and after assemblies. Look out for those who may not know how to join in. They might be in need of the smile and reassurance you can offer.

Thank you very much for the great response we received to our call for more helpers on our Caulfield Committee. There will be a need for more assistance as we grow closer to the event.

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

2023 School Goals

Casual Groundsperson Position

Please spread the word and help us find a casual groundsperson to help around the school.

From Our APRE

I spent some time over the weekend reflecting on how blessed I am to have the most amazing Mum ever. She has been by my side throughout life’s celebrations and challenges. Her support never wavers. Not only have I been blessed with an awesome Mum, I had a special Mother-in-law and I also have many mother figures who have influenced me throughout my life. My Grandmothers taught me so much and played a major role in my life as well.

Over the years I have taken time with students to reflect on the gift that their mothers or mother figures are. I love it when they connect the character strengths of Mary, the mother of Jesus, to their own mothers. The list usually includes – kind, caring, courageous, thoughtful, a peacemaker, faithful, loving, protective - the list could go on. What a blessing it is to be bestowed with the gift of motherhood.

I hope you felt loved on Mother’s Day this year.

A Mother's Love
There are times when only a mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappoints
And calm all of our fears.
There are times when only a mother's love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.
There are times when only a mother's faith
Can help us on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.
For a mother's heart and a mother's faith
And a mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the angels
And sent from God above.

- Author Unknown

God’s blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Being Mum to these three is a privilege.

30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, because God is pleased with you. 31 Listen! You will become pregnant. You will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and people will call him the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor. 33 He will rule over the people of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-33

Catholic Identity

Laudato Si’ is an encyclical letter from Pope Francis on care for our common home. This was an urgent challenge for us to come together to protect each other and our Earth. It is our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork.

During Laudato Si’ Week we are called to action.

Pope Francis’ 7 Laudato Si’ Goals:

1. Response to the cry of the Earth – a call to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all.
2. Response to the cry of the poor – a call to defend all human life and all forms of life on Earth.
3. Ecological Economics – acknowledges that our economy relies on the biosphere and it should serve people and respect creation.
4. Adoption of sustainable lifestyles – calls us to sobriety in our use of resources and energy.
5. Ecological Education – calls us to re-think and re-design curricular to foster ecological awareness and transformative action.
6. Ecological Spirituality – helps us discover God in all things, from the beauty of creation to the sighs of the sick
7. Community resilience and empowerment – calls for inclusive and synodal decision making to care for creation at all levels.

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 5

Year 4A invite you to their Assembly on Friday 19^th May at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area. Parents are welcome to grab a cuppa together afterwards in the Reading Room.

WEEK 6

Year 5B invite you to their Assembly on Thursday 25^th May at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 8

Year 6B invite you to their Assembly on Friday 9^th June at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 9

Year 2A invite you to their Assembly on Friday 16^th June at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 10

Year 5A invite you to their Assembly on Friday 23^rd June at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

In Our Prayers

Let us pray...

• We pray for all of us during this Easter season: May we proclaim the message of our risen Christ with hope and joy and conviction.

• We pray for our children who prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation: May they feel the life giving guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

• We pray for all those who have died: May God grant them the peace and joy and hope of the resurrection.

• We pray for those members of our school community who are battling sickness and suffering in their life: May they find healing and comfort.

From the APC

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 23nd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

This year NSS takes place on Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 11:00am. The book chosen for this year is “The Speedy Sloth” written by Rebecca Young and Illustrated by Heath McKenzie.

Rebecca Young is an award-winning author from Sydney. Her first book, Button Boy, illustrated by Sue deGennaro, was a Notable Book for the 2012 CBCA Awards and has been published internationally. In 2016, Teacup, illustrated by Matt Ottley, won the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature in the NSW Premier’s Literacy Awards.

Heath McKenzie is an award-winning children’s book illustrator who has written and illustrated countless books for children. Heath lives in Melbourne with his wife, two kids, dog, and a fish that he considers more of a lodger than a family member.

Don't forget our Book Fair which takes place in the library next week: 22^nd May – 26^th May

Morning hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:15am – 8:35am

Afternoon hours: Tuesday – Thursday 2:55pm - 3:20pm

We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair and thank you in advance for supporting this fair.

Have a great week!

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal: Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Junior Field Events

May

26

Fri

26 May 2023
8:45 AM to 10:30 AM

Our Junior Field Events Day will be held on Friday 26th May starting at 8:50am. This day gives our younger students an opportunity to compete in activities that develop the skills used in Upper School Athletics events. We take part in Obstacle Throw, Shot put, Team Jump and Frog Jump.

The morning will conclude with the Prep Sprint at approx 10:00am.

All students will need: sunscreen applied, school hat and a water bottle. Their sports uniform or school uniform should be worn on the day.

To enable Junior Field Events Day to run smoothly, we require some parents to be event assistants or scorers.

If you have not completed your Volunteer Induction this can be done by calling in to the school office to read and sign the Induction document, noting in particular our WHS, sun safety and student protection requirements. These Volunteer Inductions must be completed every year please.

If you can help on the day please complete the form via the link below asap.

https://forms.gle/CHiWHtDm18MNS8YMA

A short presentation ceremony will take place that afternoon at 2:40pm.

Athletics Carnival

Jun

2

Fri

02 Jun 2023

Our 2023 Sports Carnival takes place on Friday 02 June and children must travel by bus to Chanel College unless they are competing in the 800m races (and have nominated via the link). Students are not allowed to be dropped at Chanel to wait with older siblings or to meet their class.

The buses will depart Star of the Sea at 8.35am sharp, so it is vital that children arrive in time for school. Please note that our PREP CLASSES DO NOT ATTEND THIS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL. A reminder to our Prep families there will NO TUCKSHOP on Friday 2nd June.

At the completion of the carnival, students not travelling home with their parents in the afternoon will return to Star of the Sea by bus. Please ensure you notify your child’s class teacher at the end of the Carnival if you are taking your child home. Children are not permitted to wait behind at Chanel College for older siblings.

Students are asked to bring the following items:

Sports uniform, including school hat. (No spray colour in hair).
Closed in running shoes + thongs to walk to toilets in. (Students are permitted to run in bare feet).
Sunscreen and plenty of water.
Towel to sit on.
Book to read, colouring in, cards etc. (NO ELECTRONICS or SPORT EQUIPMENT).
Lunch box with lots of snacks for the day as there are no designated lunch times (NO PACKETS OF LOLLIES TO SHARE). Please note that students are not permitted to use the Chanel Tuckshop or have items bought for them from there.

PLEASE ENSURE ALL ITEMS ARE MARKED WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME.

Parents visiting on the day are asked to sit in the spectator area and refrain from sitting around the student tents please as this makes it difficult for teachers to arrange events.

Children will stay in their tents under the direction of the supervising teacher. They will not be permitted to sit away or visit with parents (not even when they are finished their events).

Parents may use the Chanel Tuckshop but are asked to avoid using it during lunch breaks (10.40 to 11.20am and 1.05 to 1.25pm).

Please note that parking in the Chanel College grounds is not permitted at any time as current construction projects have reduced parking capacity.

We will need the assistance of volunteers to help us on the day. Please complete this form if you can help: https://forms.gle/ifQ1wTkm8KqaW4XN7

We can’t wait to see you all there for a wonderful day! Make sure you bring your loudest cheering voice!

Presentations for this Event & our Senior Jumps Day will take place at 8:35am on Monday 5th June.

Senior Field Events

May

30

Tue

30 May 2023

The Star of the Sea Senior Field Events for 2023 will be held on Tuesday 30 May. This is an all day event that occurs in the Star of the Sea School grounds with students rotating in their age groups around a series of events: Long Jump, High Jump, Discus and Shot Put.

Participants will include students turning 9 years old up to Year 6 (All students from Years 4 to 6 and eligible students in Year 3).

As always, the assistance of parents to run these events is needed and we would appreciate any time you can give us.

If you have not completed your Volunteer Induction this can be done by calling in to the school office to read and sign the Induction document, noting in particular our WHS, sun safety and student protection requirements. These Volunteer Inductions must be completed every year please.

Please indicate your ability to volunteer via the following form:.

https://forms.gle/f4MyCaNS9N5aYEw17

Please note that no experience is required as we will discuss your role on the day.

Celebrating Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day in many different ways last week.

Our Parents and Friends put together a fantastic Mother's Day Stall for our children.
Our Prep classes had a special pampering morning for their Mums.
Our Year One's led us in a Mother's Day Liturgy

All our classes prepared special messages or gifts of love. We hope you had a wonderful day.

Mother's Day Stall

Prep Mother's Day Pampering Morning

Uniform Shop- Closed in readiness for new store opening on Monday 22 May

As many of you would be aware, our Uniform supplier, Weareco, supplies Uniforms to all Catholic Schools in Gladstone. The company has been seeking to find a shopfront to cater for more choice in availability to visit the store.

Weareco has now signed a lease across the road from us at 1/190 Goondoon Street and has confirmed they will open the store to the school community on the week of the 22nd of May. This means that the Uniform Shop will be closed on Wednesday 10th May to allow for their move to the new location.

Planned standard shop opening hours for the new shop are as follows:

Monday 8am-11am
Tuesday 8am - 11am
Wednesday 2pm - 5pm
Thursday 2pm - 5pm
Friday Closed

Diocesan Festival - An invitation for all

It is with great excitement that Bishop Michael and the Diocesan Pastoral Council will launch the Diocesan Pastoral Plan at the upcoming Diocesan Festival to be held at The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, Friday 26 May (12.30pm) until Saturday 27 May (12.30pm). We look forward to welcoming many from across our diocese to gather for the launch.

The Diocesan Festival will provide a great opportunity for us to come together as members of our faith community and hear firsthand of the plans for the future of our Diocese as expressed through the pastoral plan.

Registration can be made via the QR code below or by using the following link: https://app.tickets.org.au/CDOR/DioFest

Sponsorship is available for those who need to travel to attend and stay the night.

Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

Young Engineers Workshops for Students

YoungEngineers_T2_2023_Flyer_STG.pdf

Parenting: The Great Experiment Workshop

Parenting_Course.pdf

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

Caulfield_Newsletter.pdf

2023 Week 5 Newsletter - Term 2