Dear Parents and Carers

As you are aware, we have already had many extracurricular activities happening throughout this term. Last week was Family Week, following on from Mother’s Day which was a lovely celebration at school level. The theme “Circle of Inclusion” was fitting as we endeavour to nurture and embrace all as part of the Our Lady Star of the Sea family. We also participated in our annual athletics day and gathered in house and family groups for an activity on Friday to celebrate families. 

Next week is National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June. The first Monday on or after 27 May is Reconciliation Day. This date was chosen because on 27 May 1967, 90 percent of Australia's population voted in a referendum in favour of amending the national constitution in regard to indigenous peoples. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey- the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. As we know, the statement of the heart and the referendum on the voice is a high priority at present within the media and the community. We, as a catholic community, acknowledge that reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of us all and we endeavour in our daily lives to create an environment which is strengthened by respectful relationships between ourselves and the wider community: locally, nationally and globally.

A friend shared with me recently Noel Pearson’s Boyer lecture 2022 titled These three stories will make us one: Australians. In his delivery he states ‘Mutual recognition will enable us to acknowledge three stories: the Ancient Indigenous Heritage which is Australia’s foundation, the British Institutions built upon it, and the adorning Gift of Multicultural Migration.’

Our Fire Carriers and development of a Reconciliation Action Plan support the student’s learning and respect of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples histories, cultures and futures.

Our school Mural is one such partnership and learning opportunity provided to our students. During assembly Norm Stanley unveiled the mural and our Fire Carrier leaders gratefully acknowledged Norm, Elisha and Kristen from the Geelong Gallery who attended. Many thanks to our magnificent art teacher Rachael Thomas for her planning and organisation. The mural looks incredible and will be installed on the end of the portables in coming weeks.

Another partnership is the opportunity to attend a session or more with the parish unpacking the Uluru Statement of the Heart and what it means to us in our parish and school. See below in the RE section for dates and times. These sessions will be held at school in Purple Hub and you are warmly invited. 

With all students, as part of our  Reconciliation Week celebrations and, along with the school choir, we will be singing " From Little Things Big Things Grow". This is an action we are undertaking from Reconciliation Australia. The students will be learning the significance of this song and its meaning for First Nations people. We will share this special celebration and the meaning in the next newsletter. 

Whole School Sports Day: 

Congratulations to all on a successful School Sport day and many thanks to Sam Scott, Jess Mullen and Lisa Grigg for your organisation. The students were amazing.

Junior results

Senior Results 

Overall Results 

Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools: This government funded initiative is going really well with Marnie Hallam leading. New initiatives Our Lady Star of the Sea are embracing include: Tuning Into Kids for parents, Seasons Program for students, Lunch Time activities for students and Little Carers at Our Lady star of the Sea. Please see below for more information on Little Carers.  Please click here for our Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools presentation outlining all things we do at Our Lady Star of the Sea in promoting positive mental health and our new initiatives. 

COVID Update: Please look out for a new box of RAT tests in your child's bag as we ask you to test as required due to COVID cases circulating again. 

Tuesday 19 December: Our last day of school is Tuesday 19 December. Dismissal will be at 1 pm following the end of year mass.

Wishing you all a peaceful fortnight ahead.

Kerryn