Dear Parents,

We are busily moving through the term and find ourselves already at the beginning of Week 5.  I trust the fortnightly newsletter is working well for you all. It certainly has been a positive step for us as a staff and we are very grateful for your positive feedback in moving forward. Here is the updated version of our Newsletter Policy

I would also like to respectfully reinforce that should you have a concern for your child that has happened at school, please follow the steps in the Complaints Policy Please note the steps of working through the school with your child’s classroom teacher being your first point of contact, depending on your concern.

WORKING BEE

You will notice we have begun some works at the front of the school with the new amenities block and yesterday’s Working Bee. As mentioned earlier this term, the Grounds Masterplan is completed and we are moving ahead with projects. I cannot thank enough the following families, including children, who gave their time on a glorious day yesterday. Led by Mark Monahan and Kellie Clark we thank the following families: Monahans, Wayne Tunks, Mark Hardwick, Chris Bryan, Leah Cole, Jay and Sue Azzopardi, Mary Spencer, Mark and Nicole Wood, Trish Bakacs, Brent Dean, Medlen and Brewster Hipik, Briony Darcy, Michael Sheridan, Paraska,Wynn and all the children of these families that helped out. It was heartwarming to see these families and their children working so positively for our school.A special thankyou to Danly Ocean Grove for donating the mulch free of charge, Kerrs hire for donating the rotary hoe free of charge and Bellarine Landcare Group for plans and planting for our LandCare project.

The sacrifice of your time not only adds value to our school physically but also in the following ways. Building more positive relationships, sending a clear message to your children that education is important and volunteering or giving to others is very important in our lives as well as having a sense of belonging to this community.

There are opportunities ongoing for those interested to assist with  small projects to enhance our school grounds and more play opportunities for our students. Please email Kellie Clark if you are able to assist kclark@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au . 

NAPLAN

Our students have almost completed their NAPLAN testing with only Numeracy left this week. Despite many of the media reports about the stresses of NAPLAN, our students have engaged positively, calmly and endeavoured to do ”better than their best.” We participated in all the tests online except for Year 3 pencil and paper. NAPLAN provides a snapshot of student learning at a point in time. It is one data/evidence source along with many others that inform schools and teachers about the learning of our students. I warmly thank Andrew Rayson and the teaching staff in Year 3 and 5 for ensuring this process was as seamless as possible.

SUSTAINABILITY

Earlier in the term I had the privilege of attending a Principal’s conference titled  “Leading a Sustainable Learning Community” with a guest speaker who works for the United Nations named Robert Steele. Compass Education is a framework he has developed and we are excited to continue to explore this as a Principal group in Geelong. We also learnt more about the SDG’s, United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals to transform our world. Working alongside the leadership team, the sustainability core team, Sustainability and Green Thumb Leaders and staff at Our Lady Star of the Sea, we will bring some of this learning through to our whole school approach to sustainability and our Inquiry Learning for our students.

CONFIRMATION

We wish all the Year 6 children who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday 2 June at 11.30am a beautiful celebration as they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These being wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Bishop Mark Edwards visited Friday and our teachers have been working well with the Year 6 students to prepare them for the sacrament. 

Best wishes for the fortnight ahead.