Dear Parents,

As a Catholic Community and in line with our vision of being a respectful, engaging and nurturing learning community, we saw a wonderful effort by the 86 Our Lady Star of the Sea students participating in the ANZAC Day March. The students represented the school with much respect and we are grateful for their effort in acknowledging and remembering  the sacrifice of the men and women who died fighting for the freedoms we still enjoy today as Australians.

Our Grounds Master Plan has been completed, click here to view the plans. Some of the upcoming grounds projects will include a dry creek bed, outdoor kitchen, rejuvenation of the indigenous garden/amphitheatre, new chicken house area at the front of the school and bench seating outside classrooms.

As a learning community, we are endeavouring to create more classroom outdoor learning opportunities which comes with many benefits for our students. These include helping their motor, sensory, social and cognitive development while also being great for their general health and wellbeing. We are currently looking at beginning some of the grounds work and are accessing quotes from contractors as well as calling on any parents who may be able to complete some of the smaller projects. Please see the project list and further information in the sustainability section of this newsletter.

The next working Bee will be the Sunday 19 May 10-12noon with a focus of Blue and Yellow Hub attending. Of course other families outside of these hubs are welcome.

This coming Sunday we celebrate our Mothers and/ or women who are like mothers to us. We encourage all to get involved wherever possible with the Mother’s day breakfast Thursday morning in and around the library or the Mass on Friday at 12 noon It is a wonderful opportunity for your children to show their love and gratitude for you and I wish you all a beautiful day Sunday as a family.

As a whole staff, we completed our first day of Berry Street Training on Friday 3 May. The feedback from staff has been very positive. Teachers are already implementing some of the strategies. It is refreshing to have a Professional Learning with so many take aways that can be immediately introduced to enhance our student’s learning and wellbeing.

Naplan Testing for Years 3 and 5 will be happening in Week 4. Please see more information below about the testing online and the timetable for the week's testing.

Best wishes for the fortnight ahead

Kerryn