2023 Week 7 Newsletter - Term 3

WEEKLY FOCUS - The power of connection

From the Principal - What a difference you can make!

Dear Families

It’s another exciting week at Star of the Sea with our students engaged in lots of meaningful activities designed to enhance their learning.

We wish our School Choir the very best as they perform in the Eisteddfod this Thursday.  Our Drone Club have also been working hard in preparation for their competition this Wednesday.

Our week culminates with a dress up day in honour of one of my favourite subjects – Books!  Stories give the flavour and meaning to all we do and Book Week reminds us of the precious knowledge and inspiration that books offer us.  I look forward to seeing you all at our Book Week assembly that will showcase our favourite books and characters.

Our Prep Assembly on Friday was loads of fun and I was very impressed with what a confident performance they gave.

Getting up on stage can be a valuable experience for our children and allows them to gain important performing and communication skills.  These assemblies also allow the students to share a little of what they have been learning about in class.

For one of their assemblies they combine as a Year level to perform together and then they also have the opportunity to give a shorter presentation with just their own class.  This is usually a positive message to help us all have a great start to the day.

Both the Year Level and Class assemblies offer parents the opportunity to gather together and form valuable connections with each other.

Parents need other parents to support them and let them know they are not alone.  The Morning Teas we have after each assembly were begun primarily for the adults.

We encourage you to bring along a plate of food to share and stay for a cuppa and introduce yourself to each other.  We can feel a bit shy, but someone might really need that chat with you and the connections you build will most probably also be a valuable opportunity for you.

You might be surprised at the wisdom, humour and care waiting for you in the conversations you have with fellow parents.

Another great way to form connections and make a difference is by volunteering at our school events.  We would love your help for however long you can give us on Thursday 31 August at our Father's Day Stall.  Let us know if you can help.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

Jennett Mullane
Principal
jennett_omullane@rok.catholic.edu.au

2023 School Goals

WANTED - OSHC ASSISTANT

Please spread the word and help us find some a new OSHC Assistant. While the position is casual, there are plenty of hours of work usually available at the moment.

From Our APRE

This week we celebrate Book Week.  A book that features regularly in our curriculum at Star of the Sea is the Holy Bible.  We strive to make meaning and connections as we listen to the stories within the Bible. Here are a few fun facts about one of the most used books at our school.

The Bible is the best selling book in the world. 

The Bible is about 611,000 words long.

The Bible has 66 books all bound together in one literary masterpiece, written by over 40 authors.

 There are at least 185 songs in the Bible.

 There are 39 books in the Old Testament.

 There are 27 books in the New Testament.

 The very last word in the Bible is Amen in the book of  Revelation.

The Bible was written over a 1500year time span.

It is difficult to pick a favourite verse from the Bible, but I do like to remind myself of the following one regularly.

My commandment is this - to love one another just as I have loved you.  John 15:12

I look forward to Friday’s Book Character Parade. 

Dive into a good book this week.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

SHOUT OUT FOR HELP

Are you handy with a hammer and like working with timber?  Maybe you can help us out.

We are looking for someone who might be able to build us a large timber cross to go in our top play space.  The cross will need to be made of hard wood and will be out in the weather.  We have an artist in residence who will be painting a design on the cross.

If you think you can help us, please contact Kellie – kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 7

Everyone is invited to attend our Book Character Parade on Friday 25^th August at 8:35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 8

Year 3 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 29^th August at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.    

WEEK 9

Year 1 invite you to their Liturgy on Tuesday 5^th September at 9.30am in the Star of the Sea Church.    

6A invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 8^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

WEEK 10

Year 4 invite everyone to attend our Feast Day Mass on TUESDAY 12^TH SEPTEMBER at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church. 

Year 3 invite you to their assembly presentation on Friday 15^th September at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area

In Our Prayers

From the APC

PORT TO PARK

Congratulations to the Gladstone Ports Corporation for putting on another brilliant Port to Park community event for 2023.   The weather was perfect, the energy was high from everyone on the start lines and there was laughter everywhere.

This event is not only a fundraiser, but also a reminder to us all that we live in a wonderful place filled with awesome people.  There are so many volunteers involved in this event and their time and effort is appreciated by all who compete.

Congratulations to all children and families for getting out in the sunshine, exercising and having a good time.

Congratulations to Luke Powell who achieved 2nd place in his age group.  So many other students also did some impressive times and we are very proud of them all.

Have a great week.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Student of the Week Awards

"Growth, Mindset" Questions

AT THE END OF THE DAY

How often do you ask your child how their day was only to receive the answer ‘ok’, or ‘boring’?

Here are some suggested questions to help spark a conversation and avoid the one word answers you regularly get.

Developing a growth mindset can help children take on challenges and learn from them, helping them to increase their abilities and feel successful.

PUPIL FREE DAY

Star of the Sea P&F 50/50 Fundraiser Raffle Tickets

P&F 50/50 Fundraiser Raffle tickets have been sent home  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.

Year 6 Market Day

An Invitation to some Family Social Events

Real Talk Puberty Information Zoom Session for Parents - Tuesday 12th September

Real Talk are an organisation we have been collaborating with for a number of years to support the implementation of our Personal and Social Education Curriculum.  The team will be visiting our Year 5 and 6 classes in the last week of term and we strongly encourage all Year 5 and 6 parents to attend this Zoom Information Session if possible.  More information about student sessions will be sent home this week.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL PARENTS ARE MOST WELCOME TO ATTEND THS ZOOM INFORMATION SESSION NO MATTER WHAT GRADE YOUR CHILD IS IN.  

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Temporary Change to Uniform Shop Hours

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.

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).

Thank you to our Caulfield Sponsors