2024 Week 1 Newsletter - Term 1

WEEKLY FOCUS - Welcome Back

From the Principal - Collaborating Together

Dear Families

Welcome to our 2024 school year.  An extra special welcome to all our new Prep families and all those families who are new to the Star of the Sea community.  We are enthusiastic about the great year ahead.  One of our core goals this year is to look for opportunities to increase collaboration across our staff and also with our families.  Contributing our own ideas and being open to the ideas and wisdom of others allows for a richer learning experience for our children both at school and home and we look forward to working closely with you all this year.

There are many ways for you to be a part of our school community and connect with each other and our Parents and Friends (P&F) Group is there to help you feel supported, listened to and engaged in your child's learning.  Our first meeting takes place next Tuesday 30 January in the staffroom (entry via the Office Ramp).  It is a great way to meet others and connect with what is happening and get involved with volunteering if you are looking to do so.

Our P&F Welcome Back BBQ on Friday 9th February is a really fun way to get to gather with the school community, meet other families and get a feel for what we are about.

Supporting your child’s teacher and getting to know the other parents helps you feel connected and allows for a rich sharing of ideas and support.  Come along to the Parent Information session in the coming weeks to learn more.

STAFF NEWS 
We welcome a number of new staff to Star of the Sea this year:
Mrs Ruth Kelly who is teaching Year 3
Ms Gemma McGlennon who is working in Prep as a Teacher Assistant
Ms Roselyn Lisle who is our new OSHC Coordinator

We say a huge thank you to Mrs Kylie Best who took on the OSHC Coordinator Role last year.  She took wonderful care of our Service and has worked very closely with Ms Ros to assist her transition to the new role.

We know you will all make our new staff feel very welcome.

We also say a sad farewell to our much loved Prep Teacher Assistant, Mrs Deb Mackay, who has decided to begin a well deserved semi-retirement.  Deb is the longest serving staff member at Star of the Sea whose experience and dedication has been a great gift to the school's students and staff.  Star of the Sea actually opened the first Preschool in the Diocese in 1990 with Deb as its foundation Assistant.  We are very pleased that Deb will not be leaving us entirely, working occasional days for us across other classes and supporting our various programs such as Reading Stars.

We will say a special thank you to Deb at our Opening School Mass next Friday.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

We have a number of communication methods that aim to keep us connected as a community.

Email and Text Messaging are our primary means of communication.  Please check that we have your most current details.

Our School Newsletter is the primary source of information provided each week. This is delivered via email (usually a Tuesday) with an electronic version placed on our website.  

Parent Lounge is used for excursions and events as well as being an avenue for viewing report cards and paying school fee accounts. 

Our School Facebook account is another source of information about our school for those who use this medium.  A reminder that this is the only official Facebook page our school has. 

Finally, our School Website is another important source of information about our school and its various events and procedures.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

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

2024 First Day

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 12

Next

School Tuckshop Closed this Week

Our School Tuckshop will be closed this first week to allow for staff inductions and preparations.

Our first day of operation will be Wednesday 31st January.

From Our APRE

Welcome to 2024 – I pray that your year is a fruitful one.

Star of the Sea Catholic School strives to be a welcoming community and I extend a warm welcome to anyone joining us for the first time.  Hopefully it won’t take long before you feel right at home.

We will gather on Friday 2^nd February for our Opening School Mass and commissioning of our school leaders.  This will take place in the Star of the Sea church at 9am.

People very quickly learn our school motto – Let Your Light Shine, but it is also important that we understand our vison and mission also.

OUR VISION

Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, inspired by the story of Jesus, is a faith-filled learning community which respects and nurtures the giftedness and dignity of all.

• Love God as Mary did.

• Respect ourselves, others and the world.

• Value life-long learning.

• Strive to achieve our potential.

• Live our faith in Jesus within our community.

As a community we have so much to work towards – thank goodness we are never alone as we strive for success.  Please reach out if ever you feel like you need help or a chat – my office door is always open.

In 2024 we are working together for the good of ALL!!

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Liturgies and Assemblies

WEEK 2

Our Opening School Commissioning Mass takes place next Friday 2nd February at 9am in the Star of the Sea Church.  

At this mass we will ask God’s blessing on the year ahead and welcome our new students, parents and staff.  We will also commission our 2024 Year 6 School Leaders and present them with their leadership badges.

All are welcome but we particularly invite new families and the families of our Year 6 students.

In Our Prayers

From the APC

WELCOME TO 2024

Welcome back to all returning families and a warm “Welcome to our School” to all new families.  It was so exciting Monday morning watching everyone arrive for Day 1.  Especially our new Prep students and their parents.   I saw some very tired faces leaving the school Monday afternoon as some of them had been awake early, in anticipation for the day ahead.   I reminded them all as they were leaving that they had to come back tomorrow too!!!   The years go past so quickly.  I have my son Carter, starting Year 12 and my daughter Abi beginning Year 7.   It doesn’t seem that long ago they were little Prep students. 

I travelled around the school to visit each room and say hello to the students to see how they were all going.   The classrooms were buzzing with laughter, fun and a positive energy.  Our teachers and teacher assistants are passionate and caring educators who work hard to provide engaging and interactive learning opportunities.  

Star of the Sea school is a place that thrives on community involvement and I look forward to the many opportunities this year where our community of students and their families get together to make great things happen. 

Have a great week.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum 

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Parents & Friends Meeting - All welcome

We invite all of our Parent Community to our P and F Meeting next  Tuesday 30 January at 6:30pm in the staff room (entry via the front office).

Although the 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.

Volunteer Inductions

ARE YOU PLANNING ON HELPING IN THE CLASSROOM OR AT SCHOOL EVENTS SUCH AS OUR CROSS COUNTRY?

You will need to join us for a Volunteer Induction first please!
 
These inductions do not take long but serve a very important purpose in helping us to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.

Please note that this is an Annual Induction that must be completed each year.

Join us if you can in the staffroom at the following times:

Tuesday 30 January @ 6pm (Before the P&F Meeting)

Friday 2 February @ 2:30pm

Monday 5 February @ 8:50am (After Assembly)

Tuesday 6 February @ 5pm

Parents & Friends Welcome Back BBQ

We are looking forward to seeing you all at our Welcome Back BBQ next Friday 9th February at 6pm.

This event is kindly organized by our P and F and is a great chance to meet new members of our Star of the Sea family and to reconnect with others.

Our P&F will kindly be operating the BBQ and drinks will be on sale.

Parents should please be aware that this is a Parent run event and therefore no formal supervision of the children is being provided by the school.  Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children during this social gathering. Students should not attend this function without being accompanied by a supervising adult. 

2024 Term Dates

Please note that 2024 has an extra week, making it a 40 week school year.

2024 Date Claimers

Use of School Toilets

As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning space for our students we have strict rules surrounding the use of our school toilets.  

Only students who are currently enrolled at Star of the Sea School are permitted to use the student toilets, including the PWD Toilet.  

Parents, volunteers, toddlers and high school students are asked to go to the School Office to be directed to suitable toilets if required. 

2024 Staff

Principal        Mrs Jennett O’Mullane

Assistant to the Principal Religious Education (APRE)   Mrs Kellie Richardson

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum (APC)           Mr Anthony King
 
Administration and Financial Officer                          Mrs Katherine Dawe                                   

Administration and Enrolment Officer                       Mrs Louise Hanrahan
 
Teachers
Prep        - Mrs Fiona Adamson (PA) & Miss Leigh Chapman (PB)
Year 1     - Mrs Catherine Melrose / Jenna Gibbs (1A) & Mrs Lana Kammholz (1B)
Year 2     - Mrs Brenda Emerick (2A) & Mrs Ange Jenner (2B)
Year 3     - Mrs Ruth Kelly (3A) & Mrs Genelle Little (3B)
Year 4     - Mrs Lorrie Columbus (4A) and Mrs Suzanne Smyth (4B)
Year 5     - Mrs Melissa McBride (5A) & Mrs Kaylee Cleary/ Mrs Prudence Tate (5B)
Year 6     - Mrs Renee Alletag (6A) & Mrs Kathryn Murray (6B)

IT /Drama /Music Specialist     - Mrs Helena Sedgwick 
PE / Health Specialist - Mrs Vicki Blake / Mrs Kim Hooley
Inclusive Curriculum – Mr Anthony King, Miss Renae Richards, Mrs Louise Sisley & Mrs Susan Pacheco

Support Staff

School Counsellor - Melissa Davey 
Library Assistant - Miss Jen Casey
IT Assistant - Miss Erin Moynihan 
Teacher Assistants - Mrs Amanda Sydes, Miss Anita Christensen, Mrs Christine Wright,  Mrs Jodie Sharp, Miss Lauren Jaenke, Mrs Linda Smith, Ms Skye Alberts, Mrs Stephanie Murray, Mrs Kylie Hamelink, Miss Gemma McGlennon
Facilities Officer - Mr Paul Ahern
Tuckshop - Mrs Julie Cook & Ms Witney-Bre Robson
OSHC Coordinator - Mrs Roselyn Lisle
OSHC Assistants - Mrs Kylie Best, Miss Jen Casey, Miss Lauren Jaenke, Miss Zarah Nash, Mr Matt Perkins, Mrs Tracey Oliver. 
Parish Priest     - Father Andrew Chase
Associate Priest - Father Ashwin Acharya
 

We all look forward to working with you this year.  
 

IMPORTANT: Please Update Your Media/ Information Sharing Details

Dear Parents

We are asking your assistance in updating media/information sharing 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.  

This is important information that affects our ability to collect data and obtain funding for our students.

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.

School Drop Off /Pick Up Procedures

As we start the new year it is a good idea to refresh ourselves with the rules and procedures surrounding the safe arrival and collection of our students.

Students arriving at school in the morning are to wait on the steps in front of the Music Room please.  No child is to be on site before 8am unless they are enrolled in Before School Care. Teachers are on duty from 8:10am.  Failure to comply with this rule puts your child at risk.

In the afternoon, there is only one designated Pick Up area for parents - The Car Park near the Herbert Street Cul-de-Sac.  Students are supervised in this area until 3.15pm.

When using the Car Park we urge you to remember the following

• The Drop Off Lane is for short drop off and pick up only please.  You cannot hop out of your car to help your child, say goodbye, watch them walk in etc.
• Please do not block the exits to the properties along the road.  Keep your eye out and make room for them.  This is especially important near the ambulance at the bottom of Central Lane.
• PLEASE TURN LEFT at the bottom of Central Lane.
• It is a wide turn for some vehicles to enter the car park and we ask you to be aware of this as you are travelling in the opposite direction and give way as necessary.
• You are not permitted to exit the car in the drive through area.  Students may only enter the car from the fence side.  If this does not work for your family, please park your car and collect them.  
  
• Please watch out and give way to others entering and exiting the drive through area.
  
• Feel free to come a little later to pick up if you can.
  
• Smile…and breathe…we are doing all we can to keep your children safe.
  

Important Health Notice

In order to make sure all of our children are kept as safe as possible we need to let you know that we have a number of students in our school with severe allergies to nuts.

We are not a ‘nut free’ school but we do encourage you to be mindful of these allergies as you pack your child’s lunch and talk with them about disposing of rubbish carefully and cleaning hands carefully afterwards please.

If your child has any form of Health Action Plan we ask you to bring a copy to the School Office.  Also, any medication to be administered must be taken to the Office where the necessary paperwork can be completed.

Position Vacant - Parish Administration Officer

Applications are invited for a part-time (20 hours a week) role providing assistance to the Parish Priest in the administrative tasks of the parish.

A copy of the full position description and instructions for applying can be obtained by contacting the parish office (sosgladstone@rok.catholic.net.au or 49721025).

Applications should be submitted no later than 16^th February 2024.

Position Vacant - Teacher Assistant

Please spread the word and help us find some new Teacher Assistants for our Star of the Sea family.
https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER875 

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).

St Joseph's Cathedral Appeal

Caulfield 2023 Sponsors