Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

WEEKLY FOCUS - Lighting the lamp

From the Principal - Get ready

Dear Families

I invite you all to join us for our Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting tonight at 6:30pm. It will be a great opportunity to celebrate the successful year we have had together.

I am very grateful to this year’s Parents and Friends Executive and all those who have supported them at meetings and in our various sub-committees. Their passion for Star of the Sea and the way they have contributed to enriching our classrooms and supporting our families are a great gift to our school community and I look forward to another great year together in 2024.

“To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.”

—Mother Teresa

At this stage of the school year the readings at Mass always seem to be fitting for the thoughts and emotions being experienced at school. This week’s readings tell the story about the bridesmaids who fell asleep and did not have enough oil in their lamps to be ready for the bridegroom. The reading urges us to stay alert and watchful.

This is such a useful reminder at this time of the year when life is so crazy. If we are not careful, we can get dragged along without really pausing to appreciate the moments we are living.

Staying awake does not mean to have our eyes physically open, but to have our hearts free and facing the right direction: To be attentive to our neighbour in difficulty, caring for the needs of others without waiting to be asked, sharing our gifts, spreading kindness and looking for the ways God seeks us out each day.

Pope Francis tells us that the essential ingredient in keeping our lamps lit and our hearts open is prayer.
“This is especially true when we feel that our enthusiasm has cooled down. Prayer re-lights it, because it brings us back to God, to the centre of things. Prayer reawakens the soul from sleep and focuses it on what matters, on the purpose of existence. Even during our busiest days, we must not neglect prayer. The prayer of the heart can be helpful for us, repeating even brief phrases such as, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Let us pray particularly this week for our Year 5 leaders who present their Leadership Speeches. These speeches are not just about selecting next year’s Captains. They allow our students to identify the gifts God has given them and to envisage themselves as a 2024 School Leader. It is an important step in their school journey and we are proud of each of them and the individual strengths they contribute.

I wish all of our sporting teams a wonderful day at our swimming carnival this Friday. Hopefully there will be plenty of BLUE sky!

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

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

Position Vacant

Please help us find a new OSHC Coordinator.

Our Outside Hours School team provide such an important service to our families and we would appreciate your help in helping us find a new Coordinator to join this awesome group.

From Our APRE

Yesterday was World Kindness Day.

World Kindness Day is an annual event that encourages individuals to practice kindness in their daily lives. It highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and cooperation to create a more harmonious and caring world.

A wonderful reminder for us all as we enter a busy time of the year, when people are getting tired and emotions are running high.

I remember reading an article about everyone having so much on their plates and the importance of realising that everyone’s plate is different. Some have bigger plates than others, some have fancy plates, while others have broken plates. I guess World Kindness Day reminds us that no matter what, a simple smile can make all the difference for someone.

Dr Justin Coulson (Parenting Expert)

“Please, Please, Please, PLEASE be kind. Be Compassionate. Be Gentle. Be inclusive. Be supportive and Forgive. Be less critical and judgemental and more of a cheerleader. Don’t be on your kid’s back (or your partner/spouse’s back). Instead make sure you’ve got their back. Love them and make sure they know it. They have to know they matter.”

This small piece of advice was shared at our Monday morning meeting this week and it is so powerful.

Dear Lord, Give me strength today to show kindness in all that I do. Help me to open my arms to those less fortunate and extend my hand to those who may need it, so that they may see You in my kind words and actions. Amen.

Choose kind.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Free Dress Day In Support of St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal

Each year our school supports the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. Please see attached flyer for details. This year we will hold a free dress day as part of the campaign and students are asked to donate something toward this appeal if they choose to come to school in free dress on the day.

THIS THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Students are invited to wear sun safe free dress to school on this day and donate an item of food for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.

St_Vincent_de_Paul_Christmas_Hampers.pdf

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 7

House Captain Speeches – Wednesday 15th November at 9am in the following areas:
• Murlay – 3A classroom (bottom floor)

• Marsden – 6B classroom (middle floor)

• Breslin – 5A classroom (top floor)

Band Captain (Cultural) Speeches – Wednesday 15th November at 1:30pm in the Music Room

Choir Captain (Cultural) Speeches – Thursday 16th November at 9am in the Music Room

WEEK 8

Year 6 invite you to their FINAL assembly presentation on Thursday 23^rd November at 8.35am in the Covered Courts Area.

Everyone is invited to attend our annual Christmas Concert on Friday 24^th November.

WEEK 9

Everyone is invited to attend our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy on Monday night @ 6pm in the Star of the Sea Church.

Everyone is invited to attend our End of Year Mass on Friday 1^st December in the Star of the Sea Church. Time, yet to be confirmed.

Christmas Concert Friday 24th November 2023

Christmas_Concert_2023.pdf

In Our Prayers

Let us pray...

• We pray for our Year 12 students as they finish their final week of high school: May they experience pride in their achievements and be kept safe in their celebrations.

• We pray for peace in our world: In particular, we pray that leaders will lead with wisdom and love in a world facing conflict and distrust.

• We pray for all in our world and in our community who suffer in any way because of illness, disaster, war or injustice: May they always know they are not alone.

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

From the APC

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Year 6 camp. We left early on the bus and headed straight to the Capricorn Caves. Whilst there we did rock wall climbing, adventure caving and a Cathedral cave tour. It was so great to see the students step out of their comfort zones to manoeuvre through the very dark tight spaces. At one stage through the Cathedral caves tour we sat in complete darkness and listened to the song “Alleluia” by Kd Lang. The caves provide a perfect place to listen to perfect pitch. I was not alone in enjoying this experience. Many of our students have listed this as their highlight.

After our caves visit, we headed to Cool Waters Caravan Park and moved into our cabins and dorm rooms. The students were excited to choose their beds and set up their rooms before heading to the beach for the afternoon.

The next few days provided time for us to learn from and have fun with a drum percussionist, compete in an escape room, participate in a training session by a PT and use the water slide and pool facilities. Any free time the students were given, you could find them all on the jumping pillow.

Our final day was filled with a visit to the Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary. There were many animals to feed or look at but the favourite by most of our students was Guinea Pig island.

Thank you to our Year 6 teachers for organising the 4 days away and for Luke King, Matthew Stonely and Amy Prest for also attending camp with us.

Have a great week.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Star of the Sea Swimming Carnival

Swimming Carnival Program of Events

17^th November 2023

Year 2 – Year 6

Event

100m Freestyle

50m Freestyle

25m Freestyle

Freestyle Width

Breaststroke Width

Noodle Races

50m Breaststroke

25m Breaststroke

25m Backstroke

50m Backstroke

50m Butterfly

Flying Squadron

Student vs Staff vs Parent Relay

Clean up and return to school

Swimming Carnival Presentations

Parents, please join us in a short assembly to celebrate the winning house and the age champions from our school Swimming Carnival.

Monday 20^th November, Star of the Sea Shed (where assembly usually takes place) commencing at 8.35am.

P&F Meeting & AGM

Nov

14

Tue

14 Nov 2023
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Our Parents and Friends Committee is open to ALL parents in our school. Its primary purpose is to provide support and empowerment for parents in their vital parenting role. They do this in many ways – Organising school events, inviting guest speakers and, most importantly, providing parents with the opportunity to have a voice. They also assist in providing resources that enhance the learning environment for our students. Once again, our P&F have had a huge year working in all these ways for the betterment of our school and the benefit of our children.

Our final General Meeting and our Annual General Meeting takes place tonight - Tuesday 14 November at 6:30pm. We would love to have you join us for the final meeting of the year.

We love our new Playground -Thank you to our P&F!

Are you interested in learning an instrument and playing in the school band next year?

As part of our Instrumental Music recruiting process for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion for 2024 all Year 2, 3, 4, and 5 students have watched our Star of the Sea Intermediate Band perform at assembly this week.

Students have seen and heard demonstrations on instruments from the Woodwind family (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone and Tenor Saxophone); the Brass family (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Euphonium and Tuba); the Percussion family.

All Year 2, 3, 4 and 5 students who are not already in the Instrumental Music Program have been given Expression of Interest forms to join the Instrumental Music program in 2024. Forms are also available from the school office, or you can complete the form online at this link: https://bit.ly/sosginstrumental Expression of interest forms need to be completed and returned no later than Wednesday 15th November.

Instrument suitability testing will be carried out in Week 6. All students will be tested on all instruments. Offers will be made according to student preferences, the need to retain balance within the band, and matching the most suitable student to the vacant instrument positions within the program.

We have a limited supply of instruments available for hire through the school ($225 per year) or parents can purchase new or second-hand instruments for their child. School instrument hire is first in, best dressed; with preference given to students hiring for the first time.

Current Year 4 and 5 students (next Year’s 5 and 6) will also have the opportunity to learn the Oboe, Tenoroon (mini bassoon), French Horn and Tuba. These instruments are available for hire ($50 per term) through GISMA (Gladstone Independent Schools Music Association) and they do require extra support from parents.

Many thanks for your support and encouragement of our future musicians!

Mrs Carmen Tankard - Instrumental Music Teacher

You can contact me directly (details below) or through the school office 4972 1305.

Email: tankardc@gmail.com or Mobile: 0409 985 501

*The Woodwind family - Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone and*
*Tenor Saxophone*

*The Brass Family - Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Euphonium and Tuba*

Class Lists

2024 Class lists are currently being prepared by the school and we have traditionally sent home a class list with each student in the last week of school. Before we continue this tradition it is important to gauge the community’s wishes in light of privacy laws.

If you would prefer not to have your child’s name included on the class lists please contact the school office by Friday 17 November please.

Departing Families

At this stage of the year, work and personal circumstances sometimes mean that we have families moving from Star of the Sea. If you have not already done so, please send us an email or a note to let us know.

This allows us to make accurate preparations for 2024. It also allows other families on our wait lists for certain year levels to be considered for a place with us next year.

We hope that you can join us for our End of Year Mass so that we can pray a special blessing for you and your family.

Student of the Week Award

Lost Property

Please make sure you check the lost property that has collected on the table outside the OSHC Room (near the student toilets).

All unclaimed items will be removed in the last week and donated to the school second hand uniform shop or the St Vincent de Paul Shop.

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.

Media_Consent_UD_Areas_How_To_Guide_docx.docx