Dear Parents and Carers

Today’s prayerful reflection prays for World Peace and is accompanied by Cat Stevens “Peace Train” song which has just been made into a beautifully illustrated picture story book. I encourage you to take the time with your children to enjoy this sung version together and pray for peace and inclusion of all. 

Pope Francis in his latest l Laudato Si' refers to The Principle of the Common Good (157).  Underlying the principle of the common good is respect for the human person.  The common good calls for social peace, the stability and security provided by a certain order which cannot be achieved without particular concern for distributive justice. Society as a whole are obliged to defend and promote the common good. 

This Friday sees us celebrate our annual Respect Day and December 3 our Mission Fete Day. Both of these events educate our students and create an awareness and sense of empathy. The Our Lady Star of the Sea learning community continues to educate and promote inclusion of all. We encourage our students to  find a way even in their small everyday ways of being and action, to make a difference for inclusion and peace in our world. The Catholic Archdiocese Horizons of Hope document has three characteristics which reinforce this and state that we should honour the sacred dignity of each person, embrace difference and diversity and make a difference in the world. 

COVID Update: You would have received the Principal Update on Friday last week which stated some easing of restrictions from today,  Monday 1 November and again around the 24 November. We look forward to opportunities to further engage with our wonderful community and see the 2022 year out with some events which will be planned and organised according to our COVID safe plan. 

School Concert: As communicated recently, we have decided as a staff that given the uncertainty of the times the School Concert in its traditional form will not go ahead this year. We have taken  into consideration:

• the learning which needs to take place when students return to school
• sacramental commitments some year levels have
• the need for assessment and reporting on return to school
• the uncertainty of parents on a whole school level being able to attend a concert 

All things considered, there will not be a school concert this year. However, each Hub will embrace Christmas and the end of year celebration in their own way. Some may prepare a Christmas song and perform for their Hub and families. Further to this we have  looked at ways in which we can celebrate the end of the year with families and create joyful experiences for the students. This is communicated via the hub news.  Please keep an eye on the parent calendar and the Hub news for specific dates and details of your children’s celebration. 

Click here for a copy of the current COVID Safe Plan.

Happy World Teacher’s Day to our amazing teachers! On Friday. they  received a beautiful personalised card from the students and a delicious cupcake. How blessed are we to have them and how fortunate are they to educate our wonderful students.

Staffing 2022: We have recently been through the interview process and are pleased to introduce some new teachers for 2022. We thank Chloe, Patrick, Bella, and Tessa for taking the time to introduce and tell you a bit more about themselves. Please read their bios below.

Warm wishes for the fortnight ahead

Kerryn