From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Over two weekends, a number of students from our Year 4 classes at Our Lady Star of the Sea have made or are making their First Holy Communion. Fr Darien speaks so well about the faith and life connection and the importance of nourishing our spirits. We can do this in many ways including through prayer, receiving the Eucharist, listening to the words in scripture and being spirit filled people and taking action to support those around us in our daily lives.
The Church has been described as people called together in order to share Jesus’ love. There is no better way for this to occur than through sharing the Eucharist. Like Baptism, the reception of the Eucharist brings us into a closer association with God. Each time we receive the Eucharist we become continually formed to the likeness of Christ. Nourished with Christ, we become Christ for others. We become Eucharistic people whose lives are centered on and flow from Christ. Through this ritual, a distinct message is conveyed about why we gather, who we are and what we are for. We proclaim that Jesus, who is always with us, is present to us in an intensified manner when we gather in His name. The proclamation that, “We are the Body of Christ” reminds us that we are the ones who are to take Christ to the world in which we live our life. On First Communion Day, we see our children take a new step in faith, as they share Communion with us for the first time. We are their first teachers in the ways of faith. The faith we hand on will be their strength through life. I invite us all to continue to take advantage of the journey our First Communicants are undertaking; a life-long adventure of being Christ’s hands and feet and heart and mind, to renew our own enthusiasm for doing the same. This can be achieved whether we are catholic or christian people. There are many ways we already see this happening as a Catholic community, including when we take the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through generosity, care, compassion and kindness, as Beacons of Hope.
Congratulations to the following children who received their First Eucahrist on Friday night and Sunday just gone. Many thanks to Fr Darien, Rebecca Nancarrow, our Religious Education Leader, and the Year 4 teachers for the wonderful work preparing the children and the beautiful, reverent celebration.
Flynn Allen, Tom Annand, Vincent, Bonacci, Xavier Butcher, Nina Butters, Winifred Crapp, Evie Davis, Avah Fletcher, Sutton-Jaye Grant, Ella Hamm, Billy Heenan, Harrison Lawry, Eva Leonidou, Macy McCall, Joseph McKinnon, Jack McLeish, Ella Mifsud, Matilda Morgan, Astrid Mulcaire, Oliver O’Brien, Samuel Rae, Ashton Ramsay, Samantha Reynolds, Reuben Sheridan, James Snowden, Madeleine Stafford, Patrick Vanderkley, Maya Wurfel, Scarlett Aquilina Isla Bateup, Isla Briggs, Bonnie Brooks, Olivia Burchell, Maple Campbell, Allegra Currie, Olivia Ellis, Ava Fairway, Lachlan Fay, Isabella Flanders, Ella Gauld, Polly Hardwick, Leonard Hinch, Zoe Hodges, Riley Horner, Maycee Kemp, Jordan Leigh, Kealan Lester, Ivy McCluskey, Max Micallef, Ivy Mitchell, Mitchell Paganini, Louis Patena, Saffron Reid, Lily Robinson, Jack Said, Spencer Scott, Amelie Simons, Molly Warlond, Madelyn Warren, Oliver Williams, Amelia Young.
Indonesian Day: This Friday we will be celebrating our Indonesian Day. Bu Bree along with Bu Novy continue to lead us beautifully as a learning community in our immersion program. The Immersion Program approach we undertake Prep-6, ensures across the school we are learning and using functional language daily. We thank Bu Bree for enabling Year Prep-6 students and staff to be learning Indonesian in such a meaningful, supported way.
Learning languages, in addition to English, extends student’s literacy repertoires, including comprehension and their capacity to communicate. It strengthens student’s understanding of the nature of language, culture, and the processes of communication. On Friday the children will be able to wear a touch of red and white if able and this is optional.
Indonesian Speaking Competition: Congratulations to the following children who went to the next stage of the Indonesian speaking competition: Campbell Sorace, Sylvie Hardwick, Lucy Francis, Henry Micaleff, Jess Counihan, Henry Hackwill, Stevie Emond, Alfie Ward, Ailani Songsaeng, Rose Wilkins, Olivia De Zoete, Scarlett Tyers, Winni Ward. Congratulations to Campbell Sorace who came second.
School Disco: What a wonderful success we had at our school disco. It was great to see the students come together and enjoy the community spirit at night in a space of fun and music and dancing, all of which is very good for the soul. These experiences help our students grow in their personal and social capabilities as it is something that may be out of the comfort zone for some. We kept the cost low, including having a family ticket, as we want all to enjoy the opportunity and still managed to raise The total fundraising amount was $2,139.40. 197 single tickets sold and 121 family tickets. Many thanks to the PFA an in particular Rachael Simons and Hayley Bennett and all the staff who attended to help with supervision and being there for the students.
Tree planting: We had another successful tree planting day at the end of July with 200 plus more trees planted in our school grounds. Many thanks to Kellie Clark yet again for her organisation and the parents that helped prepare the ground along with Louise. A big thank you to the Year 6 and Year prep students who each year support this as a buddy activity.
Regional and state sport: Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 football team who have made it for the second year running to the States. We wish them all the best on Wednesday 16 August.
Congratulations to the mixed netball team who participated in the next stage of regionals today. They were undefeated and are off to the State Championships in September.
Wishing you a joyful fortnight ahead.
Kerryn