2023 Week 10 Newsletter - Term 3

WEEKLY FOCUS - Happy Feast Day

From the Principal - We need you!

Dear Families

Happy Feast Day everyone!
Once again we pause on the Holy Name of Mary as a school and as a Parish to celebrate all that is great about Star of the Sea and to give thanks for God’s blessings in all we do.

We gather together on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, our namesake, who shows us how to live a life of Christian faith and who loves us with all the love of a mother who wants the best for her children.

Many thanks to Mrs Richardson and all her helpers for a truly wonderful celebration.

A big part of our Star of the Sea story is our Caulfield event.  It has been running for approximately 30 years, playing a huge part in the support our Parents and Friends Association gives to the school.

This P&F Event has not only raised significant funds for the school every year, but they have consistently delivered a quality event that is respected and sought after across the Gladstone community.  This has been achieved in no small part through the relationships they have built with our local industry and businesses whose amazing support and sponsorship is greatly appreciated.

The Event takes place early next term and our Caulfield Team cannot run this event alone.  We are now reaching out to you to help us in any (or all) of the following ways please:

•    Donations of prizes to use on the day.  These need to be at least $20 please.
•    Assisting with set up on Friday 20 October
•    Assisting with set up the morning of Saturday 21st October.
•    Assisting with the running of the event on Saturday 21st October.
•   Assisting with pack up on the morning of Sunday 22nd October – this is a day we get very few         volunteers but really need the help.
•   Returning your book of 50/50 Tickets.  Thank you if you have managed to sell them – please          send in the ticket stub and cash. Do not stress if you can’t sell them but PLEASE RETURN THE TICKETS TO SCHOOL ASAP AS WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE WAITING TO SELL THEM.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us via the School Office or directly to the Caulfield Team via their email: SOSCaulfield@outlook.com 

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
God bless you.

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

50/50 Fundraiser

Our 50/50 Fundraiser contributes significant funds to our school each year with the winner receiving around the $13 000 in past years.

Please help us by returning your ticket stubs and cash this week please.

If you cannot sell them, please return the unsold tickets as we have people waiting to sell more.

2023 School Goals

From Our APRE

On Sunday I joined with our Parish community to celebrate the Feast Day.  It was a wonderful day full of prayer, community spirit and love.  Like all great celebrations there was plenty of fun, lots of laughs, entertainment and food.

It is important to recognize the community that we belong to.  Our school Feast Day today was another opportunity for us to gather together to give thanks for our guiding light – Mary, Star of the Sea.

The amazing story of our school is one to be proud of – the Marist and Mercy influence is strong. 

Our Defining Features

Our 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.

Let your light shine for all the world to see.

God bless,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 10

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

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Children in Year 3 or above and baptised Catholic are invited to join the Sacramental Program of Star of the Sea Parish. Preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation begins in October. For more information contact Kellie Richardson or Hayley from the Parish Office at adfaithsos@rok.catholic.net.au.

Enrolments are due by 15 September 2023

Who is eligible to receive this Sacrament?

Children who are baptised Catholic and in Year 3 or above can enroll to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God grants us forgiveness and we receive his infinite mercy. This Sacrament is also called Penance or Confession. Because God loves us so much and desires a fruitful relationship with us, we are given a lifetime of second chances and can receive this Sacrament many times.

Please note that reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is required before your child can begin preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

In Our Prayers

From the APC

In 2018, in my first year as the Assistant Principal: Curriculum of Star of the Sea, I was tasked with creating a whole school curriculum framework.   This framework was developed over the year through consultation with the staff.  This year we are reviewing our framework to ensure it is relevant to our current staff, for our students and school community.  

As we gather today to celebrate our school Feast Day I wanted to share with you a part of the framework that reflects on our School Vision and Motto. 

All members of Star of the Sea Catholic School Community endeavour to shine their light in the following ways…

• Recognise and share our gifts and talents and in so doing let our lights shine for all to see.
• We endeavour to encourage the contributions of all.
• Promote the vision and mission of our school by regularly discussing it, displaying and constantly living it.
• Our school culture will continue to be one of hospitality, compassion and a commitment to learning.
• Value and share the story of our school and respect the traditions and history at its core.
• Work together as a community demonstrating our commitment to respect and love for one another.
• Gather regularly together as a faith community to listen to the Good News of Jesus.
• Strive for excellence as life long learners and take responsibility for continual growth in all areas.

I am sure you will all agree with me that our school and all who are a part of it in 2023 is still striving to “Let their lights shine” in the ways we listed above back in 2018.   What a wonderful community to be a part of.   Thank you to all our staff, students, parents and community members who help to create a wonderful STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL.

Happy Feast Day!!!

Have a great week.

Anthony King

Assistant Principal: Curriculum

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.

Netball Gala Carnival

The Port Curtis Primary Interschool Netball Competition was held last Friday at Dennis Park Boyne Island. Many schools from across the region participated in this competition. Star of the Sea participated in Division 1 Girls Netball.  They had some very tough competition on the day!

They came 1^st in their pool and then went on the win their grand final against St John’s Catholic Primary School. They showed great determination and sportsmanship and should be very proud of their efforts. 

Congratulations to the girls! 

Uniform Shop Update

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.

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