Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

WEEKLY FOCUS - National Reconciliation Week 2024

From the Principal - New Look Classrooms

Dear families

I have always been a big believer in the importance of valuing each other’s stories and this year’s National Reconciliation Week reminds us that we can achieve so much when we learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We need to think about creating classroom environments that give children the opportunity for wonder, mystery and discovery: an environment that speaks to young children’s inherent curiosity and innate yearning for exploration in a classroom where children are passionate about learning…
- Heard & McDonough 2009

I have started interviewing families who are hoping to join our 2025 Prep Cohort (Existing families will begin their interviews later this term and into next term.)

Many of these families have not been near a Primary School since they left and they are often amazed at how different it looks these days. We have learned a lot over the years about how children learn and the optimal environments to support their learning. Our School Review last year commended us on the brilliant classroom learning environments our teachers have created but we are looking to take this even further.

We know that learning doesn't just happen in the classroom. The outdoor learning environment can be an important place for learning across many areas of the curriculum. We received a grant last year to help enhance these areas while also providing an avenue for Parent Engagement.

We would love to have children excitedly share what they are doing with you and to create ways that you can show you value what they are doing at school. Please reach out if you are able to assist us with this next stage of our project with materials and/ or time.

The materials we are looking for include:
Natural wood logs (60cm-90cm long) Natural wood slices (10cm-15 cm height)
Hay bales

Items for our Mud Kitchen such as:
Wooden spoons
Stainless steel pots and pans, stainless steel teapots, stainless steel cups and ladles

Please do not just deliver these to the school. Mrs Gibbs-Jones and our Year One teachers are co ordinating the project and would love to hear from you with any way you can help.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

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

Important School Fee Information

Please find below Advice #2, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the new Federal Government Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on funding for Catholic Schools.

Advice #2 outlines State and Federal Government responsibility with Non-Government school funding and how parent community Capacity to Contribute (CTC) shapes School Fees.

Advice #2 illustrates the relationship between the three funding sources in funding 100% of the School Resource Standard (SRS), and importantly explains how the total funding to Catholic Schools operates.

School_Fee_Advice_2.pdf

From Our APRE

This week is National Reconciliation Week, a time for us to take some time to consider what reconciliation is all about.

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  

Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

Over the weekend I watched a few of the NRL games, it was the Indigenous Round and the highlight for me was listening to the acknowledgements and welcome to country at the beginning of the games. If only the message from this could spread across the nation for all.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

(taken from the National Reconciliation website. https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

John 20:21 Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you!”

God’s blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Our ‘Athletics Season’ is well underway – this gives us a chance to learn about the history behind our Sporting teams – Murlay, Marsden and Breslin.

Our School House Teams - All students are placed in a house team for events such as our Sports Carnivals. All family members are placed in the same colour team and are placed accordingly to equalise numbers in colour teams across the school. While final results have a certain importance, the emphasis is placed on participation as a team member and individual.

Our House Teams also recognise significant contributors to our school story as described below:

Breslin – YELLOW COLOUR

Breslin is named after Mrs Breslin who taught the children in her own home in Goondoon St after the Sisters of Saint Joseph left in 1879. She continued teaching the students until the Sisters of Mercy arrived in 1900.

Murlay – BLUE COLOUR

Murlay is named after Dean Charles Murlay who was a Marist priest born in France in 1855. He moved to Rockhampton in 1862 to care for the Diocese until the appointment of Rockhampton’s first bishop. On April 24 1901 he moved to Gladstone as Parish Priest. He invited the Sisters of Mercy to teach in Gladstone and by January 19, 1902, the Star of the Sea Church / School was opened and classes commenced. He died on October 6, 1908 and was buried in the Gladstone Cemetery.

Marsden – WHITE COLOUR

Marsden is named after Fr Lionel Marsden who was Parish Priest in Gladstone after the war. Soon after being ordained a Marist priest in 1940, he was appointed as AIF chaplain and experienced all the horrors of the Second World War, including working on the Thai-Burma railway. He constantly preached love and forgiveness to the soldiers he ministered to but was caught unawares by the anger he felt after he was treated roughly by a Japanese soldier. His anger turned to hatred and it took a lot of prayer before he found forgiveness in his heart. He pledged to work for reconciliation if he lived through the war and ended up being the founder of the Marist Mission Centre in Japan.

In Our Prayers

Let us pray...

• We pray for all those children who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation: May they be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

• 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 Port City’s favourite fun run is back, with Gladstone Ports Corporation's (GPC) iconic community event - The Port to Park FunD Run. Sunday 18th August, 2024.

I will share the link to registrations when entries become available.

Please mark this event in your calendars now so your family can be involved. Star of the Sea School supports this event every year and we hope 2024 becomes our record attendance!!!!

Representatives from GPC will attend our assembly on the 21^st June to get the children pumped for this event.

Have a great week everyone.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Athletics Carnival - Friday 31st May

Athletics_Carnival_2024_Information.pdf

Athletics Carnival - Program of Events

Athletics_Order_of_Events_2024.pdf

New School App Launches on Friday

We're excited to announce the launch of a new mobile app for Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School.

The App, Parent Orbit, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, check the school calendar, update details and permissions and much more.

Some of you may already be using the Parent Orbit App for Chanel College and you will simply add Star of the Sea as another school you can access.

The App uses your Parent Lounge log in to access and will be a great way to access Parent Lounge features as you will not have to log in every time.

To download the App to your mobile device you can click on the link https://parentorbit.page.link/sosg or visit your APP store.

The App will go live this Friday 31 May and more information will be sent via email to assist your access.

Celebrating Under 8's Week

Our Under 8's Event was full of all that we love most in learning - investigation, collaboration and fun! It was a wonderful morning and we especially loved all of the essential services who made a special visit to our school.

Our Year 6's were a wonderful help in running the activities and a special thank you to Mrs Gibbs-Jones for coordinating such an awesome experience for our students.

No_Excuses_Supervised_School_Crossings_003_.pdf

Swap It News for You

We are now a SWAP IT school! Here is this week's SWAP IT messages to help you 'swap' for healthier lunchboxes! Find tips on the SWAP IT website: www.swapit.net.au/tips