Dear Parents and Carers,

Next week sees us celebrating Family Week from 10-15 May. Pope Francis says ‘the family is a community of love where each of us learns to relate to others and to the world around us.’ He also reminds us that family matters and the importance of family in all our lives. Here at Our Lady Star of the Sea, we are blessed with our learning community and the positive engagement of families in their child’s learning and life. All our efforts are based on knowing the child and the family and supporting the family to engage in their child’s school-based learning. By partnering with the school, families equally choose to commit to the highest standards possible for their child, and for every child in the school. This commitment is at the heart of the growth and strength of a flourishing Catholic school community.

Families as Partners in Catholic School Communities is a MACS Horizons of Hope document beautifully worded to help us understand and reflect on how important this partnership is for your children, our students.  Research tells us that Family engagement in learning contributes to children’s wellbeing, learning and life chances. As we partner with you, the sanctity of the family as primary educators of their child is honoured and we see our role and work with your child or children as a privilege and extension of your family. 

There are many opportunities available for parents and this Thursday night is another example where we have  invited you in for a special celebration for our mothers and carers.

Thank you also to the many parents who volunteer their time in many different ways such as classroom help, covering books, gardening, PFA, School Advisory Council, Mowing Roster. These wonderful, positive contributions also model for your children the importance of community whilst we continue to forge and build positive relationships. Your commitment to your children and indeed Our Lady Star of the Sea is truly valued.

There are  also opportunities for our students and families to be involved in the parish and attend Masses with school and for families to attend Mass on a Saturday night or a Sunday.

Mums and Carers Night: This Thursday sees us celebrate our mums and carers. These special occasions are always a special time together and we look forward to seeing you all any time between 4.30 pm- 6 pm on Thursday 6 May. Some finger food will be provided, generously donated by Ty and Rachael Simon from Driftwood Cafe. Many thanks for their extremely generous contribution again. During this time, you will also be welcome to go to your child's hub and have a "photo booth" style photo, and choose from the following: read a book together, draw a picture, play a game, perhaps receive a shoulder massage and look at your child's work. We are hoping that some families may have photo booth props they can donate to the hub for the night. If so, please send the named props into your child’ hub and we will ensure they are returned the following day.

Disco Friday 28 May: There is much excitement building for our up and coming annual disco. We thank the Parents and Friends Association for all their great efforts in the organising of this and Hayley Bennet for creating this Try Booking form to make it easy to register and pay the $5 per child https://www.trybooking.com/BQWVP

Care Boxes for Veterans: Last year The Driftwood and some of their suppliers got together to give out Care Boxes for Veterans as they had to stay home on Anzac Day. They contained milk, bread, eggs, butter, sausages, curry, soup, lasagne, pasta sauce, cookies, wine etc. They gave out 35 boxes and had Rotarians help deliver them across The Peninsula.

This year they did it again and delivered  51 boxes!  In addition to the above there was some fruit and vegetables, chocolate, bacon and a few other goodies.

Our students were invited to write a kind letter for every box to say thanks and show their appreciation for the sacrifices those that served have made for us. This  was very well received.  We even had veteran’s and families write back immediately so Monday morning some of the students had returned letters to open. This was such a heartwarming action that was greatly appreciated by all.

Letter from Isabelle H to Veteran and Letter from Veteran to Amelia

ANZAC Day Ceremony: Whilst we were unable to march as a school this year with the community we were able to lay a wreath on behalf of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Many thanks to Eva Azzopardi (Year 6 ) who represented the school at the Ocean Grove ANZAC ceremony.

Cross Country: A huge congratulations to all students who participated in the next stage of the Cross Country.  A big thankyou to Lisa Grigg our Sports Leader for her organisation and supporting all Cross Country participants. 

Naming of our Multi Purpose Hall Competition:

As you know, we are nearing the completion of our capital works building. We have 4 new Classrooms (Orange Hub) and a Multi Purpose Hall that has the capacity to hold 700 people.

As we have done in the past with naming our House Colours and creating our School Motto, "Setting the Right Course", we are inviting any members of our Learning Community to suggest a name for our new Multi Purpose Hall. You can discuss as a family and suggest as many possibilities as you like. Please suggest via this Google form

We will then shortlist with the Year 6 students and School Advisory Council and invite a consensual vote via a final Google form. 

There will be a mystery prize for the winning family.

We are in exciting times and look forward to enjoying our new facilities sometime this term. We will confirm dates of handover as soon as we know.

Finally, Paul Anderson will be taking medical leave from Monday 10 May until the end of term. We extend our best wishes to Paul during this time and look forward to his return in Term 3. Andrew Rayson, with the support of Marianne Caddy will replace Paul in the role of Deputy Principal and wellbeing during this time.

Blessings for a glorious, autumnal fortnight ahead.

Kerryn Sells