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Lord Jesus Christ, in the Sacrament of the Eucharist
You left us the outstanding manifestation of your limitless love for us.
Thank You for giving our children the opportunity to experience this love in receiving the Sacrament for the first time.
May your Eucharist presence keep them fortified in faith and surrounded by love for God and neighbour.
Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope, through the excitement and joy your children are sharing, you are enjoying the many extra curricula activities happening across the school. This week there are so many wonderful activities happening to celebrate Book Week and the endless benefits of reading are being experienced. If you get a chance come in and see the wonderful displays the students have worked so creatively on in the hubs and ask your children about the adventure story they are sharing as they tour through the displays.
Last Monday we had an amazing Professional Learning Day on staff wellbeing and Strengthening against anxiety in schools with Karen Young from Hey Sigmund. Staff have been excited in their feedback and grateful for the learning and many practical strategies to support all children. The parent session that evening also had an amazing turnout with at least 80 parents attending. As we know, when partnerships are strong and consistent between families, the flourishing and improved outcomes for our students are greater. The parent feedback has also been very positive and grateful. I have captured below some key messages we all were able to take way. You can also visit the Hey Sigmund website for more resources.
Reframe Anxiety as a "Brave" Feeling: Teach children that anxiety and courage go hand-in-hand. When they feel uncomfortable or nervous, they are in a "brave space." Encourage them to see these feelings as "super body fuel" from their amygdala, a part of the brain that acts as a smoke alarm to keep them safe. Ask questions like, "Is this a time to be safe or brave?" and help them focus on the positive outcome of overcoming the challenge, a "treasure" instead of a "dragon."
Empowerment Through Understanding: Introduce simple neuroscience concepts. Explain that their amygdala can't always tell the difference between "scary dangerous" and "scary safe." This helps them understand that their physical symptoms (fast heart rate, "butterflies" in their stomach) are not a sign that something is wrong, but just their body preparing for action. This knowledge gives them the power to "be the boss of their amygdala."
Practical Coping Strategies: Emphasise that strong, steady breathing is the best way to calm the amygdala. Encourage practicing this skill when they are calm so they can use it during moments of distress. Other co-regulating techniques include rhythm, music, rocking, gentle touch, or using cold water.
Avoidance is the Enemy: The single worst thing for anxiety is avoidance. It reinforces the idea that the threat is real and overwhelming. Instead of accommodating every anxious feeling, parents and staff should hold firm on expectations while providing support. Play a leader along with a caretaker role. Many times as adults we need to make the decision for our children. By moving through the discomfort, children build their "brave muscles" and learn they can handle challenges.
Camps Year 3-6: We have all four camps this term from Year 3 to 6. Camps continue to be a significant commitment at Our Lady Star of the Sea. We value all our camps for Year 3-6 students knowing it also takes a significant commitment from staff in the planning and implementation.
Research shows there are many benefits of school camps. Some of these include Peer bonding, being physically active because even just being in an outdoor environment will often inspire children to become more physically active in their day-to-day. Freedom to be responsible and make conscious and positive decisions for themselves, Screen-free time which brings them back down to earth and present in their surroundings. New experiences which become cherished memories for students. Spending time in nature which we know that consistent exposure to nature can be a defining factor in mental health. Spending time outside in the natural environment can decrease stress and anxiety, help us sleep better and regulate emotions in adults and children alike. Not only that, but increased time in nature can stimulate a greater sense of responsibility for the environment and living things. These experiences and skills don’t have to be limited to school camps though. At home, you can follow up on your child’s camp experience by chatting to them about what they learned and enjoyed and try to integrate some of this into your day-to-day. Encourage your children to put down their screens and go for a walk. Support their desire to try new sports or activities. Give them age-appropriate responsibilities within your household. These tools will help shape your child into a well-rounded young adult.
Today our Year 4’s returned from their one night camp to Anglesea. I enjoyed going down for the night last night and can vouch for how wonderfully respectful, safe and responsible your children have been. Credit to you all. We commend the staff and students on enjoying a great experience with exemplary participation and behaviour.
Wishing you all a week full of kindness on the back of our acknowledgement and inclusive activities around anti bullying week last week
Kerryn
Family School Improvement Survey
Dear Parents/Carers
In 2025, our school is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings that students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
One of the main goals of the family survey is to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school. MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. Our school believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
The survey is available online, can be accessed from Monday 1 September and needs to be completed by Friday 19 September 2025. This survey may only be completed once. Families will be emailed their unique pin to complete the survey on Monday 1 September.
Kind regards
Paul Anderson
In coming weeks our Year Four students will be receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist. We wish the following students many blessings on Sunday 31 August:
Rio Lincoln, Wes McNamara, Henry Micallef, Maddock Nicol, Oliver Rattray-Wood, Tilly Said, Maya Fairway, Mason Ford, Tex Spencer, Elsie Steele, Isabella Wettenhall, Stevie White, Hugo Cass, Damon Curnow, Liam Hamm, Max Hernan, Jack Laidler, Patrick Williams, Adelaide Wood, Mabel Abbot, Penelope Evans, Zoe Frazer, Isla Furness, Levi Knights, Harriet Lucas, Evelyn McKay, Patrick O'Neill, Lulu Winter, Cooper Wood, Nash Lincoln, Flynn Lacy.
Lodging an absence through PAM links the absence directly to the Attendance Roll helping us maintain accurate and up-to-date attendance records.
Term 3 2025
20th August: Yr 4 rest day
22nd August: Book week parade
26th August: District Athletics
27th August: First Eucharist Sacrament Information Night 6.00-7.00pm
29th August: Assembly Yr 2AG
31st August: First Eucharist (session 1 9.00-10.00am)
1st-3rd September: Yr 6 camp
4th September: Yr 6 rest day
5th September: Assembly Prep JC
7th September: First Eucharist (session 2 9.00-10.00am)
8th September: School Feast Day
8th-19th September: Prep & Yr 6 swimming lessons 12.30pm
9th September: Fathers night 4.30pm-6pm
9th September: Division athletics (year level qualifiers)
10th September: Yr 3 rest day
11th- 12th September: Yr 3 camp
12th September: Assembly Yr 1NM
14th September: First Eucharist (session 3 9.00-10.00am)
15th-17th September: Yr 5 camp
18th September: Yr 5 rest day
19th September: Assembly, Footy colours day, End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Term 4 2025
6th October: Term 4 begins
10th October: Assembly Prep MR
16th October: Arts Trail 4-7pm
17th October: Assembly Yr 2RP
24th October: Assembly Yr 6EB
31st October: Assembly Yr 3CL
3rd November: Student Free day
4th November: Melbourne Cup Public holiday
7th November: Mission Fete/Mass
14th November: Assembly Yr 2MG
21st November: Assembly Yr 5 BC
24th November: PFA AGM 7.00-8.30pm
28th November: Assembly Yr 4 TBC
2nd December: 9-1.30pm Prep Orientation in small groups
2nd December: School concert 5-7.30pm
3rd December: 9-1.30pm Prep Orientation in small groups
5th December: Student free day
9th December: Whole school orientation 9-10am, Prep orientation 9.30-11am
12th December: Assembly Yr 6PK Farewell and Thank you
17th December: Assembly Yr 6 Graduation, End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates
Term 1
Thursday 30 January: Students return - Friday 4 April
Easter: Friday 18 April - Monday 21 April 2025
Term 2
Tuesday 22 April - Friday 4 July
Term 3
Monday 21 July - Friday 19 September
Term 4
Monday 6 October - Wednesday 17 December 2.30 pm 2025
