Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

Weekly Focus - Our Garden Project

From the Principal - Shoot for the moon

Dear Families

We welcome to Star of the Sea this week, a team of professionals who will help us take a focused look at what teaching and learning looks like at Star of the Sea. We look forward to hearing the commendations they will offer along with their recommendations that will assist us in setting goals for the future.

A huge thank you to the staff, parents and students who are taking part in this review with us. We really appreciate you contributing your voice to this process.

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." –Les Brown

Our Athletics events this year were a great collection of many different goals and achievements, disappointments, and celebrations, and we are proud of the many individual stories of huge effort that were witnessed. It can be hard to walk with our children when they are disappointed, frustrated, or struggling in any way. It is these times when they really need us to break open with them their feelings and find positive, practical ways forward.

I read a great quote from Angel Chernoff recently stating that “Decades from now when you’re getting closer to the end, you will not remember the days that were easy, you will cherish the moments when you rose above your difficulties and conquered challenges of magnitude. You will dream of the strength you found within yourself that allowed you to achieve what once seemed impossible.”

Our children face many challenges in their daily lives and depend heavily on home and school to help them understand the situation and practice positive ways of handling it. It is important that we continue to provide those spaces where they feel confident to seek our advice and practice new ways of thinking and interacting.

I mentioned last week our hope to create a Gardening Group and we really want your help in making this happen. We believe this Gardening Project will create these spaces and opportunities for our children to share their struggles and celebrate the growth that comes with investigation, practice and hard work.

Please let me know if you would like to be involved, know someone else who could help, or have any ideas to share.

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

POSITION VACANT: Outside Hours Care Assistant

We are seeking to expand our fabulous Outside Hours Care Team. To find details of the position and to apply, please visit the following link: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER662

Please share and help us find a suitable applicant.

2023 School Goals

From Our APRE

What is feeding your Spirit?

A reflection by Sr Kym Harris osb

A while ago, I went to a GP who had an interest in food allergies and intolerances. His best piece of advice was: Listen to your body. It will tell you what foods it wants and needs and what it doesn’t need. Since then I have realised that much of the advice we are given about food is really with the latest fad or the most recent piece of research that doesn’t take into account our own bodies peculiarities. We fail to be sensitive to what our own bodies are telling us.

The same advice could be applied to other parts of our lives. Over the years I have noticed that to be happy and balanced I need music, every day. I need nature, good conversation, laughter. None of these come about by happenstance. I have to be disciplined enough to make sure I get a regular feed on them. Most importantly, I need to worship and to rest. In fact, our need for these is so much a part of being human, that God calls for us to take a day of worship and rest each week.

The celebration of Sunday isn’t about God wanting to tie us down but rather to set us free. When we worship, we recognise that we have been wonderfully made in love and that we are being called into even greater love. We need to wallow in that reality, to waste time letting it sink in. And we need to rest, physical, mentally, spiritually. Resting isn’t just stopping. It is about appreciating what is good in our lives. If you feel overwhelmed in life, struggling with too much, stop, think, pray. What is feeding your spirit? Maybe it is time for a change of diet.

Loving God, I praise you for I am wonderfully made. Let me appreciate the uniqueness of my own self and show me what I need to do to grow in your love. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

God’s blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Statement of Religious School Character

The school takes its name from Our Blessed Mother, Mary and, as a result, has a distinctive Marian character. Mary is viewed as the shining star that guides us in our Christian journey. She is seen as the ultimate example of someone who let her light shine as a thanksgiving for all God had gifted her with.

Our two founding religious orders, who both look to Mary as their inspiration and guide, give us practical examples of how to use Mary as our guide to authentic Christian lives. The Mercy Sisters see Mary as the Mother of Mercy, seeking to bring God’s loving care and mercy to everyone, especially those who suffer the most. Marists try to act as Mary did, quietly undertaking great things for God, becoming useful instruments in God’s hands, seeking to humbly be of service wherever they are needed most.

In this way then, as Mary did, all members of the Star of the Sea community seek to make Jesus known through the example of our lives, demonstrating excellence in the way we show our core school virtues of courage, respect, determination and service.

THANK YOU

One of our core virtues at Star of the Sea is the virtue of service and this week we had 3 Year 5 students show the true meaning of Service.

Mechaella, Sithuki and Nethuli organised a bake sale on the weekend. The girls, with the support of their families baked an array of goodies and set up a stall. They managed to sell $149 worth of cakes, donuts, brownies and cookies.

Liturgies and Assemblies

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

• We pray for all of us that we may be open to opportunities for growth by taking time for reflection and seeking the voice of wisdom.

• 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

Friday’s Athletics carnival was another brilliant day for our students, staff and parents. The day cannot go ahead without the combined efforts of so many people. This is what makes a carnival so great. Working as a team to create the day makes it so worth the effort when you see our students trying so hard to achieve. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings are not the only achievements we see in the day. The determination on the faces of each competitor is an indication of success, regardless of placings. Congratulations to all of our competitors!!!!

Senior Field Events Winners: MURLAY

Winning Athletics Winner: BRESLIN

Spirit Award Winners: MARSDEN

Student vs Parents vs Staff Winners: STUDENTS