Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

WEEKLY FOCUS - Saying Thank You

From the Principal - What is Holy Week?

Dear families

This week we enter one of the most important weeks for Christians. We call it Holy Week and it takes us on a journey that explains what Christian faith is all about.

Meg Bucher explains that “Each day of Holy Week allows us to peek into the heart of our Savior at intently close proximity. His love for us is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, every breath up to the last, and His resurrection.

Holy Week shouldn’t be observed out of religious obligation but out of hearts seeking the opportunity to journey with Jesus ... For those curious about Jesus, observing Holy Week is a good opportunity to ask questions and seek answers about who He is, what His sacrifice means, and how His gift affects humanity.”

Our Parish Holy Week and Easter Liturgies are as follows:
Thursday 28 March: Mass of the Lord’s Supper—6:30pm
Friday 29 March: Service of the Lord’s Passion—3:00pm
Saturday 30 March: Easter Vigil—6:30pm
Sunday 31 March: Easter Sunday Mass—8:00am

"Holy Week reminds us that miracles happen when love is boundless and forgiveness is limitless."

This week we say an official farewell to a number of dearly loved staff members:

Deb Mackay joined the Star of the Sea family as a staff member in February 1990. She had already become a much-loved part of the community during her years with us as a student, but her time as a Teacher Assistant solidified her significant contribution to our Star of the Sea story.

Deb began her working role at Star of the Sea as a Teacher Assistant in one of the first Preschools built in the Diocese. She has worked across all the year levels but her time in Preschool and Prep is what she is most known and loved for.

Deb was never one to just do the job she was employed to do – she always went far and above what was expected, donating significant personal time and talent to support the staff, students and their families. Even as she heads into retirement, she is generously offering her time to volunteer for reading support, Confirmation Retreats and doing relief work wherever she can.

She also was a strong leader in the wider life and mission of the school and Parish, helping with projects such as returfing, donation appeals, Relay for Life and our Confirmation Retreats. She was always keen for a dress up day or talent show performance and I think it is safe to say that she will go down in history as one of the longest serving and most loved staff members of all time.

Speaking of much-loved staff members, in 2018 we were blessed to have Paul Ahern join our Star of the Sea family as our Groundsman. To say we hit the jackpot with Paul is an understatement. The school has undergone significant change and growth since he first joined us, and we would not have coped without the dedication and wisdom of Paul.

His duties have steadily increased, and he faced it all with a calm nod and a cheeky laugh. Paul is not only a hard worker but a true gentleman. He is another staff member who constantly goes the extra mile to care for our school and all of us.

Paul’s other gift to Star of the Sea is his strong faith, demonstrated with a quiet reverence and service that has acted as an inspiration to us all.

Both Paul and Deb will be greatly missed by everyone at Star of the Sea and we wish them every blessing as they begin their respective retirements. We will say an official farewell on behalf of the school, the students and all of the Parents and Friends, to Deb and Paul this Wednesday 27 March at 11am.

We would love you to join us if you are free.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
God bless you.

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

Position Vacant - Facilities Officer (Groundsperson)

We have extended the closing date - please spread the word and help us find our new Groundsperson.

Applications can be made via this link:

https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER926

From Our APRE

Welcome to the last week of Term One, where has the time gone? Last week our Year One students kicked off with the very first class assembly for the year. This gave us a glimpse into the world of a Year One classroom and it was obvious that they have been very busy.

Friday was also the final day of Harmony Week and we celebrated with our first Pastoral Care Group for the year. This is an opportunity for students to gather with a different teacher with students across all year levels. Each group focused on what Harmony Week is all about.

Every person is made in the image of God and has an important part to play in our world. We took some time to recognise that each individual has unique gifts to share with the world around them.

How blessed we are at Star of the Sea to be part of a wonderful community which celebrates diversity.

Easter blessings to you all.

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Catholic Identity

Catholic Social Teaching – Preferential Option for the Poor

Caring for those who are struggling is everyone’s responsibility. Preferential care should be shown to vulnerable and marginalised people, whose needs and rights are given special attention in God’s eyes.

In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need us.

“How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” 1 John 3:17

Charity / Missions (From the Parent Handbook)

Children are encouraged to show mercy and compassion for those less fortunate than themselves by supporting the poor and suffering of our world (traditionally known in Catholic schools as the Missions) through their prayers, good works and financial support.

Whilst the focus of our charitable efforts are through prayer and leading merciful lives, we do engage in various fundraising activities to provide monetary support to those most in need.

Each term we support a particular charity:

Term One – Caritas Project Compassion

Term Two – St Vincent De Paul Assist a Student

Term Three – Vinnies Winter Appeal and Marist Mission Centre

Term Four – Catholic Mission and Vinnies Christmas Hampers

Throughout the year we may also respond to appeals focused on current issues or events such as floods etc and particular causes that are meaningful to our community such as Story Dogs, Go Blue for Autism or Childhood Cancer.

In Term One we support Project Compassion and through the Pancake Day which Year 6 ran on Shrove Tuesday, weekly collection from Mission boxes and our Containers for Change Program we have managed to collect over $600 as a school community. Thank you for your generosity.

https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/

In Our Prayers

Let us pray...

• We pray for all of us as we enter this final week of the Season of Lent: May we engage with this opportunity to experience the fullness of God’s mercy and love through the events of Holy Week.

• We pray for our Star of the Sea community: As we journey into the holiday period may we be kept safe in our travels and appreciate the blessing of family and friends.

• We pray for all who seek to ease the suffering of others, especially charities such as Caritas: May we do all we can to support their generous work.

• We pray for all who live with war, sickness and suffering, that we will all be moved by the Holy Spirit to look for opportunities to bring justice, compassion and peace.

• We pray that, through the Holy Trinity, those who have died will find their home with the Lord.

From the APC

The 2024 Cross Country at Star of the Sea was a brilliant event. I enjoyed every moment!! Setting up in the drizzle, listening to the cheers of the students and parents encouraging our runners and the best part is that it was here at our school. Although we still have a couple of days left, the cross country is a great way to finish the term. I have seen the students training for the event at PE lessons and watched them all pushing themselves. Congratulations to all runners!!

Have a wonderful Easter break!

Anthony King: Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Number_Talks_Week_10.pdf

Thank you Miss Deb and Mr Ahern

Uniform Shop - School Holiday Opening Hours

The Weareco Uniform shop will be closed the first week of the school holidays and will re-open on Monday 8th April.

Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday 8am to 11am

Wednesday and Thursday 2pm to 5pm

Friday - closed

Caulfield 2024

Our Caulfield Team is looking for helpers and there are lots of different ways you can assist us.

Please contact soscaulfield@outlook.com for more information.

2024 School Priorities

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.

Media_Consent_UD_Areas_How_To_Guide_docx.docx

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

2023_Caulfield_Sponsors.pdf

2024 Week 10 Newsletter - Term 1