2024 Week 3 Newsletter - Term 1

WEEKLY FOCUS - Settling In

From the Principal -How can we help?

Dear Families

What a great week we had last week.  We loved welcoming some special visitors to the school – Bishop Michael and Father Andrew, along with Leesa Jeffcoat and Stephen Dale from the Catholic Education Office.  It is rare that guests get to visit every class in the school, so it was a real treat for each year level to spend some time with them.

We also gathered as a school community for our Opening School Mass on Friday and it was wonderful to have so many of our extended community with us.  We were all commissioned in our roles for 2024, including our Year 6 Leaders who we ask you to remember in your prayers as they commence their leadership journey this year.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Our Parents and Friends Meeting was well attended on Tuesday night and we are keen to have as many parents feel comfortable to join us every month if they can.  It is a great way to connect and have a voice.

Our Parent Information Sessions are another great way to get connect with other parents in your child’s year level, meet your child’s teacher and find out about the year ahead.  We hope to see you there if you can.

Our P&F Welcome BBQ will be another great way to get to know some of the other families and staff at school.  Building relationships and reaching out to help and reassure each other is one of the most valuable things you can do to help your child’s education – when you feel connected and confident in your role, it can filter through to the way you parent.

Don’t forget to fill in the google form to let us know what food to order and let us know if you can help on the night: https://forms.gle/4WacGeZQTN1KicDYA

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU

One of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is to be engaged in their education.  And by engaged I do not mean turning up to events and volunteering. Don’t get me wrong, those things are very valuable, but engagement goes deeper.

Parent engagement refers to being actively involved and interested in your child’s education.  It means showing your child that you and the school are working together and supporting each other.  It also means that you think learning is important and you look for ways to show that to your child.

We know that parent engagement in their child’s learning can have a really positive effect on their achievement and we would like to support you in doing this.  We have a super short survey where you can give us a few tips on how to help you.  One of our suggestions is to run some short Parent Cafe sessions where we can have a cuppa and share with you knowledge about what we do at school – how we teach Maths and English, how we help children with their friendships and other areas you might be interested in.

We would really appreciate you filling in the below survey – it is only short I promise:

https://forms.gle/BEmdiSuf3ywu6ggy6

2024 BOARD MEMBERS

Don’t forget our Board Information Session which takes place next Tuesday 13 February at 5:15pm in the Staffroom.  It should only take half an hour and is a great chance to find out about the work of the Board and whether this is a fit for you.   Please also feel free to talk to myself or our Board Chair, Marty Ross, with any queries you may have.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

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

From Our APRE

When the best isn’t good enough.

A reflection from Sr Kym

Some time ago, Sr Diana and I tried out the local fish and chip shops looking for ‘the best’. We found one that almost fitted the bill but when we went back again later, it wasn’t quite as good.  Recently, as we went for fish and chips at a shop we found fault with first time round, I said, ‘I am not looking for the best’.  She questioned this, ‘How so?’ ‘Well, if I want the best and it is only good, I’ll be disappointed but if I want something good, I can still enjoy it.’  Which we did.

I had been pondering recently on how often products and services, be they cruises or coffee, massages or mandarins are advertised to us as being ‘the best’.  And we are told to expect the best because we are worth it.  Really?  If our happiness is based on wanting the best, we will always be looking for something better.  We are setting ourselves up for disappointment and discontent.

But if we open ourselves to this world as it comes to us, looking for the good and being grateful when we get it, we open ourselves to contentment.  The smallest actions, like courtesy from the person at the petrol station or our child trying at their swimming lesson, can give us a spark of happiness.  And those sparks build up an attitude of contentment.  The more contented we are, the more we will notice the good people and things around us, the more we will grow into being the best person that we, and God, truly want us to be.

Loving God, let me appreciate the good people and things that are around me.  Give me a generous heart that is able to find wonder and happiness in the ordinary things of life.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me. 

Sr Kym Harris osb

I loved this reflection from Sr Kym this week. It reminded me of what we are on about here at Star of the Sea – working together for the good of all.  The little things definitely matter, and we try to instill in the students the importance of gratitude and looking for the good in all.

The foundress of the Mercy Sisters – Catherine McAuley is the perfect example of this and something we pride ourselves on here.  Hospitality was a fundamental part of Catherine’s sense of service.  Her instruction, “Be sure to give them a cup of tea” has become a symbol of Mercy hospitality and servant leadership.  This is part of the Charism of our school.

Our Mass on Friday gave our community the chance to meet the wonderful leaders we have at Star of the Sea this year.  I have already witnessed some great leadership taking place around our school from these students, especially before school – they see a need and try to do something about it.  The way they ‘Greet and Treat’ is awesome to witness. Keep shining bright for all to see.

Make someone a ‘cup of tea’ this week.

God Bless

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Sale

Ash Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the day Catholics begin their Lenten journey.

All are welcome to join our school community for a Prayer celebration at 10am on our school courts area, or Mass in our Church at 12 noon.

In Our Prayers

From the APC

The Department of Education has drawn our attention to their new website, which is a resource for parents to raise awareness of sexual abuse, and prevention activities. The website links to the recently released national campaign One Talk at a Time which was developed by the National Office for Child Safety, as well as a range of other resources.

Another great resource is “e-kidna group” which is a partnership that grew from the passion of three national child protection organisations – Act for Kids, Bravehearts and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation – collaborating in the fight against child sexual abuse.  The e-kidna hub is a platform for change, a place to loudly advocate to governments and those that can ensure change for our kids. With their collective knowledge, e-kidna offers resources for parents, carers, and those with children in their lives to understand how all adults can play a part in helping to keep kids safe.  https://e-kidna.com.au/  

Have a great week.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal - Curriculum 

anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Capricornia Swimming Team Nominations Reminder

CAPRICORNIA SWIMMING TEAM NOMINATIONS REMINDER

In Term 4, 2023 information regarding Capricornia 10-12yrs Swimming Team Nominations/Selection Procedures 2024 was sent home to eligible students.  Those forms are to be returned to Capricornia Sport by Tuesday 13^th February 2024.  

All nomination forms must have a printout copy from either Swimming Australia's 'Results Central' or 'Swim Central' ONLY, highlighting the child's name, Long course verified event and the nominated event/s times from 1^st Sept 2023.  If you have misplaced your forms there is a spare copy available in the front office.

Parent Information Sessions

Our Parent Information Sessions begin this week and we encourage you to attend if at all possible as these sessions provide a valuable opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn a little about routines and expectations for the year.  

WEEK THREE
Year 1 - Tuesday 6 February @ 5pm
Year 5 - Wednesday 7 February @ 4:30pm
Year 3 - Wednesday 7 February @5pm
Year 6 - Thursday 8 February @ 4:30pm

WEEK FOUR
Prep - Monday 12 February @ 5pm
Year 2 - Tuesday 13 February @ 5pm

Opening School Mass

Last week's Opening School Mass was a wonderful way to start the year, asking God to bless and guide all we do and commissioning our 2024 School Leaders.

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Special Visitors to Star of the Sea

Our school was very blessed to welcome a number of special visitors last week: our Bishop, Reverend Michael McCarthy; our Director, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat; our Assistant Director for the Southern Region, Mr Stephen Dale; and our Parish Priest, Fr Andrew Chase.  

It was a very special time for our school with every class getting the opportunity to spend some time with our visitors, finding out about the work they do to support our Catholic Schools, and getting the opportunity to share a little of what we do at Star of the Sea.  We are very grateful for their time and their wonderful support.

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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 6 February @ 5:30pm (Please note this time has changed)

Parents & Friends Welcome Back BBQ

We are looking forward to seeing you all at our Welcome Back BBQ this 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 be operating the BBQ and drinks will be on sale.

Don’t forget to fill in the google form to let us know what food to order and let us know if you can help on the night: https://forms.gle/4WacGeZQTN1KicDYA

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 Date Claimers

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.

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.

Responsible Use of Digital Devices - Valuable Opportunity

Catholic School Parents Qld is offering a valuable opportunity to attend an online webinar presentation by Susan McLean.  Please consider registering at this link: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/mobiles-webinar 

Community Notices

PLEASE NOTE - The advertised Auskick Sessions below will take place on the top play area.

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