Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Gladstone eNewsletter

WEEKLY FOCUS -What can we all do?

It was World Environment Day last week and we watched this video with the whole school. It generated lots of conversations about what we can do as a school and what our responsibilities are. I wonder what you can do at home?

Many classes also read this story which generated even more discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2PvXbVvqCc&t=287s

From the Principal - We need each other.

Dear families

Have you installed the Parent Orbit App on your phone yet? I guarantee you will find it a much easier way to use our Parent Lounge features without having to log in every time.

It also has all of our upcoming important dates in the calendar. More than half our parents have already installed it and we can’t wait to have you join us also, ready for Report Cards next week. Please let us know if you have any problems following the instructions that were emailed on Friday 31 May.

When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other.
- Margaret J. Wheatley

There is so much to celebrate about our recent Athletics Events – the achievements of our students, the meticulous preparation by our amazing staff and the generous support of our volunteers to name a few.

My stand out celebration this year is the number of people who noticed the encouragement and good sportsmanship our children showed to each other. Our Junior and Senior Field Events were full of children congratulating, encouraging and comforting each other and I was so proud. And then my favourite memory was during the Ball Games when one parent was so proud of the encouragement her child was giving to her teammates.

There is a strong culture in our world at present that pushes you only have to worry about yourself and what makes you happy. Self love is important but we do not live in isolation from each other.

Father Andrew emphasized this recently when he talked about God’s love and the Eucharist. It is not something we just receive as a gift but are actively involved in – invited into a loving relationship we both contribute to and we get closer to each other as a result.

It is the same for us. Our relationships need work and we can’t expect to receive love, respect, encouragement, friendship, forgiveness and help without us actively giving the same to others.

Life isn’t to be lived on the edges, waiting to be served what we want. It calls us to connection and to giving freely to each other without counting the cost. It’s messy sometimes but it leads to far deeper and satisfying relationships which is the greatest achievement our children can make.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

God bless you.

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

Position Vacant - OSHC Assistant

Please spread the word - We are looking for new OSHC Assistants to join our awesome team.

Important School Fee Information

Please find below Advice #3, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the new Federal Government Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on School Fees for Catholic Schools.

Advice #3 outlines the direct nexus between the Federal Government means-tested Capacity to Contribute of each school and School Fees. It also provides the CEDR School Funding Guiding Principles that inform the development of the new CEDR Adapted Cluster School Fee model, that will commence from 2025.

Circular2024_101Att1SchoolFeeAdvice3_003_.pdf

From Our APRE

Difference

In last Sunday’s Gospel, two sets of people are not happy with Jesus’ behaviour. He had just begun his public ministry and the crowds were flocking to hear his preaching and have him heal their sick.

His family came shocked at this new behaviour on his part and wanted to take him home, thinking he was mad. The religious authorities came shocked that he was preaching and healing without reference and deference to them and declared he was bad.

Neither group had spent time with Jesus, talking to him, asking him questions, being with the people he had helped. They had made their decisions based on their own experience and judgment…and they were wrong.

I am slow to condemn either his family or the authorities because I know how easily I, and we, do the same. When someone is different for whatever reason, we, too often, don’t take time to find out the reason, especially when they challenge the way we live or the values we embrace.

We need to take time, preferably with them, to discover why they act the way they do. Then change can really take place – both in the person and in ourselves.

Maybe someone is mad or bad…and needs help. It is only after we have done our best to understand them that we will be able to give realistic help, or agree to disagree, or leave them to their beliefs and get on with our lives with quiet minds. It is only our prejudices that we can truly change. But with curious conversations and prayerful reflection, the Holy Spirit can lead us into true, loving ways of living with differences.

Loving God, send your wise Spirit to guide me when I have to live with people who are different. Let the Spirit open my mind and heart to listen and to truly love them through and, sometimes in spite of, our differences. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me. Sr Kym Harris osb

God’s blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Catholic Identity

This week we welcome Bishop Michael to our Parish to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation to a number of candidates within our community.

The following students have been preparing to receive their Confirmation for a number of months. Congratulations and may the Spirit be with you as you journey through life.

Liam Alletag

Arabella Columbus

Avery Frost

Theo Hughes

Michael Ross

Ari Schultz

Arlo Thetford

Aspen Thetford

Mechaella Ramirez

God blessings,

Kellie Richardson

Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Kellie_richardson@rok.catholic.edu.au

PNG Landslide Appeal

Caritas_Australia_PNG_Appeal_Bulletin_Notice_June_2024.pdf

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

During the Senior Athletics Fields event, I had the pleasure of running the discus event. Every group of students that competed displayed excellent sportsmanship values. They were encouraging and supportive of each other. I was so impressed, at the end of each session I congratulated them all for displaying such care and respect to each other. They were all striving to win and being competitive with each other but never losing sight of the importance of being kind.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case during lunch times. We are finding that more and more often teachers are having to step in and settle some very competitive games where some students are forgetting about fun and focusing on winning. In order to change this approach to our lunch times, I am asking you all to talk to your children about the GOOD SPORTS CODE.

Please spend time with your children to talk through the code and discuss ways they can work towards lunch times being about friends and fun!!

THE GOOD SPORTS CODE

I am a good sport and respect my classmates.

I give my 100% best and I will never give up.

Win or lose…. I have fun and play hard.

I congratulate my opponent when they win.

I love to win, but I do not brag.

After all…...It is just a game.

Anthony King

Assistant to the Principal Curriculum

Anthony_king@rok.catholic.edu.au

Have you downloaded our new App yet?

We already have way over half our parent community who've downloaded our new mobile App.

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.

Most of our Term Dates for the rest of the year are already installed on the App so it really is a good resource for you.

Senior Field Events

Congratulations to Mia C on being selected to represent in the Football 10-12 Years Girls. Well done Mia!

School Photos

Our School Photos take place on Tuesday 9th July.

Students will need to wear their formal school uniform please - striped polo and skorts or star of the sea shorts.

Caulfield Sponsorship Opportunities

The annual Star of the Sea Caulfield event is on again on 19 October 2024!

This event involves transforming our school into an amazing venue that hosts over 250 people to enjoy an afternoon of fun whilst raising funds for our school. These funds have continued to help the P and F Association to develop a supportive and caring learning environment for our school and have contributed to the building of play equipment and learning areas, classroom resources and travel bursaries.

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the event this year, there are a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available. Our Platinum and Gold Sponsors also receive exclusive access to Early Bird Tickets. Please contact SOSCaulfield@outlook.com to request a sponsorship prospectus.

An Opportunity for our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples

School Crossing Safety

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