From the Principal
Dear Parents,
Our Catholic Social Teaching sees us ensuring we have a preferential option for the poor. Caring for the poor is everyone’s responsibility. Preferential care should be shown to poor and vulnerable people, whose needs and rights are given special attention in God’s eyes. Jesus taught that God asks each of us what we are doing to help the poor and needy: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Reaching the poorest and most marginalised people often requires greater effort in discovering where they are to be found. This sometimes means additional resources of time and money.
Pope Francis' compassion statement, included in our last newsletter, shows Pope Francis recently invited the faithful to see reality clearly through the lens of compassion. He said that compassion enables us to open our hearts to see and understand the true situation of others so we can then act.
Mission Fete: This week sees us celebrate our Annual Mission Fete day. For many students this is a highlight of their Primary School years and, indeed, their favourite day of the year. I’m sure you have been having conversations with your children as we have at school, about the purpose of the Mission Fete and the money raised supporting the Bulbula community, Catholic Mission and Mercy Works. Mission Fete Day is made up of a liturgy (9.15am at the Church), compassion activity and Mission Fete which begin at 1.15pm. Each class and students from Year 5 & 6 prepare stalls. All are welcome to come along and be part of the day.
Stage One MasterPlan Building:
At our recent School Education Board Meeting we discussed the latest concept plan for our build next year and currently are having weekly meetings with the architect. Below is a concept plan. You can see the build includes a hub of 4 classrooms and a large 700 square metre multi purpose area which accommodates a full sized basketball court. At this stage we are hoping to begin building approximately April of next year, which is very exciting for us all as a learning community. Any feedback is welcomed from the community. Please email me directly.
Working Bee:
A very successful working bee was held two Sunday mornings ago. The turnout was amazing, enabling so much work to be done. The school looks terrific. We heard many say they enjoyed it and met some new parents which is wonderful as this is an intentional side aim of having the working bees. Not only will you notice nicer gardens but new outdoor mud kitchens (many thanks to the Ocean Grove Men’s Shed) and a 3 bay compost area built by some dads.
Thank you very much to everyone who attended including parents, students and staff. Many thanks to Tim Murphy, Liam Murphy, Rachael Simons, Hunter Simons, Flynn Simons, Amelie Simons, Hayley Bennett, Bodhi Bennett, Cain Pasque, Miller Pasque, Joe McCaffrey, Patrick McCaffrey, Hannah McCaffrey, Briony Darcy, Natalia Eyck, Riley Eyck, Leon Eyck, Pip Jankowski, Warren Jankowski, Henry Jankowski, Sophia Jankowski, Leah Cole, Isaac Geerings, Matt Wood, Spencer Wood, Kane Montgomery, Jackie King, Angus Montgomery Isabella Montgomery, Todd Wombwell, Kerrie Wombwell, Nate Wombwell, Wayne Tunks, Lily Tunks, Alison Healy, Ashlee Guiffrida, Jordan Wiltshire, Jeremy Fraser , Sarah Fraser, Mackenzie Fraser, Carly Norquay, Lewis Due, Sam Due, Rebecca Bellingham, Zara Bellingham, Jabez Bellingham, Mark Hardwick, Polly Hardwick, Arthur Hardwick, Chantelle, James Dalton, Matilda Dalton, Sue Constable, Eva Azzopardi, Dave Quinn, Natalie Skahill, Gemma Quinn, Rory Quinn, Letitia Dowling, April Dowling, Ella Dowling, David King, Emily King, Siena King, Ivy King, Billie King, Judi Everett, Amy Bonacci, Max Bonacci and Vinnie Bonacci. House points have been awarded to all these families.
This year, Mark Monahan, School Education Board member, has coordinated the working bees providing a fantastic service to our school. We are grateful for Mark’s faithful commitment and I am sure you will continue to support our future working bees with Mark as the coordinator. I remind you that the generosity of the families who attend working bees is an enormous support to our school. It enables us to enhance our school grounds thus providing a safer and aesthetically more pleasing environment for the children. If you didn’t get to one this year I encourage you to attend at least one in 2020. Our school needs your support.
ROTARY JUNIOR COMMUNITY AWARD
Congratulations to Jez Johnstone, Josie Leonard, Tilly Hughes, Alexie Murray, Charlie Coles, Molly Graham, Isobel Garner, Olivia Light, Riley Eyck, Gus McCartney, Alira Smith, Allegra Cook, Grace Azzopardi, Georgia Neicho, Grace Sadler, Bree Sampson, Scralett Sadler and Abbie Clark who all completed the Rotary Junior Leadership Award this year. These students gave a tremendous amount of their own time to completing activities which helped develop a greater understanding of community. This included ten weeks of community service, attending a community meeting and celebration, learning about another culture and religion, learning a new skill, improving upon physical activity as well as participating in an environmental activity. It took almost three terms to complete the project with a lot of support from parents, but the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt a lot from the experience.
World teachers day: We celebrated our wonderful teachers on the 25 October for World Teacher’s day. Our students did this by recognising a character strength in their teacher and presenting them with an award at assembly based on their strength. We are so blessed and grateful for our wonderful teachers Good teaching first and foremost establishes connections with students as the foundation for learning. Teachers work on strengthening social, emotional and intellectual skills in all students and ensuring they all flourish. We value our teachers at Our Lady Star of the Sea and the nurturing and care they show to their students.
A new addition to our foyer is a photo board of our teachers which enables you to identify who your children may be referring to when they talk about the wonderful teachers in our school. Another way to support relationships by putting faces to names.
Annual Open School Education Board Meeting: Our next board meeting is the Annual Open Meeting of the School Education Board and will be held in the school library on Wednesday 28 November at 7 pm. All members of our school community are welcome to attend.
Annual General Meeting of the PFA: The Annual General Meeting of the PFA is on Monday 25 November at 7 pm. If you are able to come along please do . All welcome.
Volunteer Thankyou Morning Tea: All are welcome to a morning tea provided by the staff on Thursday 5 December at 11 am. A small way we can say thankyou for all your efforts this year in supporting our learning community in the many ways you volunteer.
Warmest wishes for the fortnight ahead
Kerryn