Dear Parents and Carers

This is the final newsletter for Term 1 and what a wonderful term it has been. We have all worked together in a respectful and nurturing way which has enabled us to have a term full of learning opportunities for the students both onsite and offsite. Together we truly are flourishing.

We have seen our community reengaging in various ways together including incursions, excursions, helping in the classroom, canteen, working bees and various sporting events. Friday’s Cross Country was a wonderful whole school event. Please refer to your Hub News for some great photos of the day. A huge thank you to Lisa Grigg, our Sports Leader, who always does an amazing job of organising such a successful event, with the support of all staff. We are truly grateful for your care and terrific work Lisa. 

Friday was also Ride to School Safely and here is a photo just of some of the bikes and scooters. A great effort by everyone and thank you to Matt Eales who leads the Travel Smart initiatives at Star of the Sea. 

This coming Friday is our epic Earth Fest event. There is much excitement amongst the students, parents and staff. Please come along as we gather to inspire, educate, share, listen, talk, walk, feel a joint sense of community and responsibility, to care and volunteer to make our Earth, and ourselves, healthier and more sustainable.  Everything we are, and care about most, depends on it.

Opening and Blessing of Stage One of the Masterplan: 

Yesterday we finally had our official opening of the Djila Tjarri and Orange Hub. There were many people thanked for their support in bringing this to fruition. The Victorian Government represented by Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville MP, who granted us $2 million dollars towards the project, attended as did Bishop Martin Ashe who blessed the building. Bishop Ashe also spoke about some Iraq students who had arrived at a school he attended recently and how grateful they were just to have the opportunity for an education. This was very profound in our setting where we are so grateful for what we have and show enormous empathy for those who don’t. We were able to show our appreciation through a wonderful ceremony where the students showed the utmost respect and sang the school song and National Anthem beautifully and with pride. We also thanked MACS staff and in particular our School Advisory Council, past and present, for their inspiration,collaboration, contribution and support in creating these wonderful learning facilities. The end result is truly remarkable and a dream which came to fruition. One which our students have embraced positively and are greatly benefiting from. Most of all thank you to all our families, as it is through your generosity via the Capital Levy, that we are able to have facilities to this quality and we truly value this contribution.

A special mention to our school leaders who read the acknowledgement of country and school prayer beautifully and also welcomed our distinguished guests so warmly and with pride: Abbey Walsh, Allister Hill, Lani Turner and Emma Robinson.

Special mention also to Kellie and Keith Clark for the beautiful Djilla Tjarri sign, seen in this photo.

Year 6 2021 Parting Gift: 

The Year 5 and 6 students worked together last year to produce this amazing art piece under the guidance of Rachael Thomas, our brilliant Year 5/ 6 Art teacher.

With great thanks and pride we have hung it in the front office area. 

BUNJIL 

Wedge Tail Eagle

Oil pastel, paper on Plywood

This collaborative artwork depicts Bunjil, a creator, deity, cultural hero and ancestral being. Bunjil is lovingly watching over, protecting and in relationship with his creation. It beckons our response to be in relationship with him as we live in connection with each other and the land.

Australian Catholics Subscription: We now have a digital link to Australian Catholics which have a large amount of religious education resources for both teachers, students and parents. The Australian Catholic magazine is now digital as well. Here is the access login for parents. 

Access for parents

parents@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Password: acparents

Minor Capital Works: We have continued to see more upgrades in the yard with the new sandpit, path and mud kitchens. Thank you to the Ocean Grove and District Mens Shed for providing us with 2 mud kitchens within a week to replace the other two that were damaged. 

Project Compassion: A reminder that all classes have a project compassion box and money raised will go to Caritas with a portion going towards the Ukranian refugees. Children are invited to bring coins any day to add to the box on their prayer table and we will have a crazy sock day on the last day with a gold coin donation. 

RAT testing: We will distribute another box of RAT tests this week to each student and ask that you test again also before the first day back as you should have left overs. We still have no future direction as to what will happen in Term 2 but we will let you know when we know.

ANZAC day March: We have been invited by Ocean Grove Barwon Heads RSL to take part in the ANZAC Day March at Ocean Grove Cenotaph in the Ocean Grove Park.  Students from across the school will be invited to take part in the march and the Wreath Laying Ceremony. We ask that you assemble at Coles in the main street in full summer uniform. The march commences at 9:45am and the wreath laying at 10:05am on Monday 25th April.

Wishing you all a safe and peaceful holiday and the great joy that Easter brings.

Kerryn