Dear Parents, 

Welcome back after what I hope was a restful and enjoyable break. I’m sure your children are feeling refreshed and are ready to embrace the many learning opportunities this term will bring.

Previously, I have shared the 8 Characteristics of Learners in Catholic School Communities from the Horizons of Hope document which is an Education Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I draw your attention to one of these characteristics which is "to make a difference in the world.”

At Our Lady Star of the Sea, with our catholic values at the core, we endeavour in our everyday words and actions to be making a difference in the world and, indeed, in our learning community, where we reach out to others in times of need. This is evident in many ways and most evident in the wonderful efforts of our Care and Concern group. Many thanks to those who have prepared meals for families in our community experiencing difficult times. Another example where it is gratefully appreciated is our mowing team who were here again yesterday volunteering their time to support the grounds being ready for the students today. We are extremely grateful.

There are two significant days your children will be celebrating this term that further bring this characteristic to life.  

The first day is this Friday which is our Respect Day. The theme this year is “Connecting our Community.” With our scripture reference at the forefront, Ï have come that you may have life and have it to the full." (Jn10:10).

We all know the importance of positive relationships and people needing people in their lives, who show care and support towards them. The phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’  is very powerful as we all come together in so many ways to ensure all are loved and have the opportunity to flourish. As we journey with you and your children through their primary school years, we continue to reach out and create opportunities to build on our positive, respectful relationships and support and care for one another. If you are able, please come along on Friday and be part of this great day. Details of the day are outlined below. You may choose to come to one part if you are time poor but we would love to see as many of our community as possible taking part in this day.

Our second day is Mission Fete day on Friday 8 November. In our lives we have so much to be grateful for and this day enables us to reach out to those who do not have as much as we do. In the past, with one of our students having a connection to the Bulbula community in Ethiopia, we have established a positive, ongoing relationship. Money raised over previous years saw us purchasing a cow, buying a prosthetic leg and last year sending 7 children to school who would have otherwise not had the opportunity. This year Sr Abeba has requested, with much gratitude, that we again focus on Education as their priority in the community. After all, Learning brings Hope.

Please read her letter below. 

Dearest  Marianne 

Thank u very much  for your email I am so happy  to here from u thank you for all support what you are doing  and what you did at this time it is a time of taking new children  for school .the place we have in our school is only one class for 65 children you know how many children for kindergarten  came to our school 400 children imagine .the reason is the only school in this area is our school. I am sharing this honestly  all people in our compound for two days shouted say open more classes where will go for our children we will not go with out registered our children to  home . it painful when u see children who are longing for school so all the sisters were really worried so my dearest we need big support to have more classes  for the poor children who are no chances to go to school as we all know that to reduce poverty is main way is education so as much as you can help us to add for more classes   in bulbula in our school compound please about the money have received I will send you details soon sorry for that and thank you for all your support with prayer  

sr abeba kidane

Drive in Movie: Many thanks to all involved in the Drive In movie night. What a wonderful community event that would not happen for our children without the dedication and commitment of our PFA and parents who volunteered. Special mention to Kate Every and Alanna Mills for the many hours you put in to see this to fruition. This is their last year of running the event and over time they have made  many respectful, community connections. Kate recently shared with me that over the years, they have hired the dunk tank 6 times from a lovely man who  comes from Ballarat every time. He is a real gentleman and he always says he loves coming to our event. Another community connection is Joan, who was thanked with flowers for allowing the use of the site for the Drive In. With emotion, she told Kate she watches from her kitchen window the transformation over the day. In two years time we will hopefully run the Drive In Movie again and will need many volunteers to support the continuation of this wonderful event. Thank you so much again to all who worked so hard and gave their time. 

Principal of the day

Congratulations to Clara Cass who was an awesome Principal for the day.

2020 enrolments: Looking towards next year and beginning to plan class structures and staffing for 2020, may I please ask if you are not returning in 2020 that you let us know as soon as you are able.

Warm wishes for the fortnight ahead

Kerryn