2023 Week 5 Newsletter - Term 3
- WEEKLY FOCUS - You don't have to know it all!
- From the Principal - Being curious about the Mystery
- 2023 School Goals
- From Our APRE
- First Holy Communion
- Liturgies and Assemblies
- In Our Prayers
- From the APC
- Star of the Sea P&F 50/50 Fundraiser Raffle Tickets
- P&F Meeting - August Meeting - Tuesday 8th August 2023
- Information Session about our Star of the Sea Garden Project
- Information Session about our Star of the Sea Garden Project
- Gladstone Homeless Connect 2023 Event
- Student of the Week Award
- Positions Vacant
- Temporary Change to Uniform Shop Hours
- School Safe Parking
- Have you wondered about the Catholic faith?
- Parish Feast Day Invitation
- Please Update Your Media Details
- Crisket Blast
- Tannum Sands Surf Lifesaving Club
- Student Absentee Line
- Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors
WEEKLY FOCUS - You don't have to know it all!
From the Principal - Being curious about the Mystery
Dear Families
Congratulations to all of our children who made their First Holy Communion on the weekend. It was lovely to see them celebrating this special day with the Parish and I hope it remains with them as a very special moment they can keep revisiting each time they return to the Mass to receive the Eucharist again.
The Eucharist is one of the big mysteries of the Catholic Religion. It has brought great sustenance to my faith over the years and I love that it is something I keep learning about as my faith journey brings new questions.
Faith is a mystery that people have pondered since humanity began. There are lots of things about the Catholic faith that people often wonder about and you are always welcome to talk to one of us or to Father Andrew if you have any questions. The Parish actually has an information Session for people interested in the Catholic faith next Wednesday 16th August. More information is included later in this newsletter.
“Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.”
― Albert Einstein
Curiosity is an essential part of who we are – it is why we enjoy Google and Chat GPT so much! Mystery is all around us and constantly calls us to search for understanding and connection. It is more important than ever that we raise children with the skills to question and think critically. Not all knowledge answers the questions correctly and we need to teach them to sift through bias and marketing and straight out lies. There are things you can do to help build these skills:
- Give your children time to think. Don’t jump in straight away. Give them a chance to reflect on their response and perhaps refine, rather than responding with their very first gut reaction.
- Help children develop hypotheses. Take time when playing, reading, hanging out to make predictions about what might happen next.
- Don’t give them all the answers – Don’t automatically answer their questions. Maybe ask questions in return: "What ideas do you have? What do you think is happening here?" Respect their responses whether you view them as correct or not. Invite them to explain why they think that way.
- Encourage them to think in new and different ways. Build their creative problem-solving skills. Ask questions like, "What other ideas could we try?" "Let’s think of all the possible solutions."
Most importantly is your modelling of how to think critically. Take time sometimes to verbalize what is happening inside your mind as you try to solve a problem.
A great place to get curious is in the garden. Don’t forget our information sessions this week about our Garden Project:
Tuesday 8th August @ 5:30pm (Please note this date has changed)
Friday 11th August @ 8:50am (after assembly)
It will be a great chance for a chat over some nibbles and a drink.
We have put together this Google Form where you can indicate your interest and/or ideas: https://forms.gle/rjugpx5cWtLqJmR96
Let me know if you would prefer to join us via a Zoom link instead and I can send through a link.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.
Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au
2023 School Goals
From Our APRE
On the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
A reflection from Sr Kym Harris osb
The next good thing.
I write this, on the Feast of St Mary MacKillop, from Miles on the Western Downs of Queensland. We travelled here yesterday from Toowoomba. As I enjoyed the drive across the flat plains in our comfortable air-conditioned car, I thought of the women who were inspired by Mary and followed her vision. She brought, often in a bullocky dray, groups of young sisters out to places like this, and left them in pairs in the towns that had so little, least of all teachers. But these women didn’t just teach. They would have cared for the mother whose husband was away shearing and who had just given birth, for the old blind person living on the river bank or for the grieving widow. Besides teaching religion and the 3 R’s, they would have done the next good thing that needed to be done.
When we honour Mary MacKillop, we also honour these women, whose lives were romantic only in the telling. Mary, herself, understood the isolation these women would have felt as she was a great letter writer. Imagine these women had no assured income but lived on the generosity of the people they so generously served. In other words, the good they did came back to them.
Doing the simple good things that needed to be done filled their lives and made them a cherished part of their communities. Most of us will never do anything dramatic that would make us famous, but each and every day, things come our way that need to be done. They seem so small but they are important. They are the places where God chooses to dance in our world, they are the gestures that make us connected with others, they are where we make community. No matter where we are, we can bring grace into our world, simply by doing the next good thing.
Loving Father, may I be inspired by the women who followed St Mary McKillop. May their lives of generous service in the small, often hidden, things of life, lead me to do the next good thing that comes my way this day. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me. Sr Kym Harris osb
May you be inspired by the next good thing that comes your way.
God bless
Kellie Richardson
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au
First Holy Communion
A small number of students from Star of the Sea have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. On the weekend they were able to join in communion with our parishioners and received the gift of Jesus.
Congratulations to Bon, Lachlan, Sophie, Sienna and Mara. We pray that you will continue to be nourished by the Eucharist as you journey in Faith.
Liturgies and Assemblies
WEEK 5
Year 3B invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 11th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.
WEEK 6
Year 5 invite you to their Mass on Tuesday 15th August at 12.00pm in the Star of the Sea Church. This Mass will celebrate the Feast of The Assumption. (Please note the change of time for this Mass).
Prep invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 18th August at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.
WEEK 7
Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 25th August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.
WEEK 8
Year 3 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 29th August at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.
WEEK 9
Year 1 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 5th September at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.
6A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 8th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.
WEEK 10
Year 4 invite everyone to attend our Feast Day Mass on TUESDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church.
Year 3 invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 15th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area
In Our Prayers
Let us pray...
• We pray for all those children who have recently made their First Holy Communion: May they seek to regularly deepen their connection with God in this precious way.
• We pray for all taking part in the World Youth Day Pilgrimage: May they be surrounded by faith and joy and brought safely back at its end.
• 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
BOOK WEEK FOR 2023!!!
This year’s theme is……. READ, GROW, INSPIRE.
This theme focuses on how literature can offer insight into a child’s inner world and plant the seed for inspiration.
During the week of the 21st – 25th of August, students will explore the books that have made the shortlist. Our library has these ready to go and are on display.
Here is a link to the CBA website which has the detailed list of nominated books for 2023.
Our annual BOOK CHARACTER PARADE will be on the 25th August at 8:30am.
Each year students can turn up to school dressed as their favourite character from a book. This is not compulsory. For some though, it is the highlight of their year!!
Please talk to your child about their ideas for the dress up to see if they match your creative abilities!!!
Have a great week.
Anthony King
Assistant Principal: Curriculum
anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au
Star of the Sea P&F 50/50 Fundraiser Raffle Tickets
P&F 50/50 Fundraiser Raffle tickets will be sent home today for each family. Tickets are due back to school on Monday 11th September.
The winning ticket will be drawn at our Caulfield Event on Saturday 21st October.
P&F Meeting - August Meeting - Tuesday 8th August 2023
- 08 Aug 2023
- 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
We invite all of our Parent Community to our P and F Meeting on Tuesday 08 August at 6:30pm in the staff room (entry via the front office). Please note this date has changed from the Term Planner date.
Although the P&F 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.
Any agenda items can be forwarded to the P&F Secretary and President:
Information Session about our Star of the Sea Garden Project
- 08 Aug 2023
- 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
We invite all of our parent and extended community to join us on Tuesday 08 August at 5:30pm in the staff room (entry via the front office) to hear more about our Garden Project. (Please note this date has changed from the original).
There will be no commitment to volunteer. This is just a chance to hear a little about the project and share some ideas while relaxing with some light refreshments.
You can indicate your attendance here to help with catering:
Information Session about our Star of the Sea Garden Project
- 11 Aug 2023
- 8:50 AM to 9:30 AM
We invite all of our parent and extended community to join us on Friday 11 August at 8:50am (after the assembly) in the staff room (entry via the front office) to hear more about our Garden Project. (Please note this date has changed from the original).
There will be no commitment to volunteer. This is just a chance to hear a little about the project and share some ideas while relaxing with some light refreshments.
You can indicate your attendance here to help with catering:
Gladstone Homeless Connect 2023 Event
For Homeless Connect 2023 in Gladstone we are seeking:
Professionals to provide services in the following areas:
• Medical and allied health, including Podiatry, Chiropractic, and other therapies.
• Mental health clinicians
• Dental
• Optical
• Hairdressing and beauty
• Massage
• Veterinarian services
Donations of the following items or services:
• Non-perishable food items
• Fresh Fruit
• Toiletries
• Linen, Towels
• Clothing- shoes, socks
• Environmental Bags
• Bottled Water
• Fuel Cards for those sleeping rough in vehicles.
For further information about the homeless connect event please contact:
HomelessConnect@roseberry.org.au
Student of the Week Award
Positions Vacant
Temporary Change to Uniform Shop Hours
School Safe Parking
Have you wondered about the Catholic faith?
Parish Feast Day Invitation
Please Update Your Media Details
Dear Parents
We are asking your assistance in updating media consent for your child/ren.
Our system has been updated with more options that give us clarity with the myriad different ways your child's details can possibly be used. If you completed a paper copy of the enrolment form, you will definitely need to update these media consent details please. Parents who completed an online application are also asked to check their child's current media permissions to ensure it is correct.
This is a very quick task completed through Parent Lounge and below are some instructions to guide you with this task. You will need to complete this task for each child you have at Star of the Sea please.
We appreciate your help in ensuring we have the correct information for your child/ren.
Crisket Blast
Tannum Sands Surf Lifesaving Club
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 classroom teacher and SOSG_Absentee@rok.catholic.edu.au).
