Dear Parents and Carers

We have had our final dialogue and engagement session to report back from our Review. I thank all involved in the Review process. We have lots to celebrate. We are very pleased with our work pre-review as Sheridan Coverdale, the reviewer, was able to independently agree with our findings. Our feedback is that we are a high performing school. We have much to celebrate and  then make plans for ‘even better’ as we continue to cater for a high number and diversity of students. This result can only be from the entire learning community working together in a respectful, nurturing and engaging way. 

Sheridan Coverdale, the reviewer, stated that in her time reviewing our documented evidence and spending time in the school with focus groups across the entire learning community she learnt:

• The school has engaged respectfully in the School Review process
• Our Lady Star of the Sea School is open to offering and receiving feedback
• It is a dialogue School, engaging professionally, passionately, knowledgeable and competently, while supporting the growth and development of their students with a holistic and supportive approach to their learning 
• Partnering with school and home is fundamental with improved communication to support families, especially during COVID-19 lockdowns
• Staff are proud, hard working, collaborative and supportive and offer many programs beyond the eight key learning areas to support the needs of their students
• Leaders, teachers, learning support teachers and learning support officers are integral to the success in applying a differentiated curriculum at this school
• The school has a strong focus on wellbeing
• Students are proud of their school, the programs offered and the leadership opportunities provided, especially to the Year 6 students
• There are numerous signs of Catholic identity
• There is a strong sense of community, and an equally strong appreciation for their environment and the wider community.

The overall strengths identified were: 

• The school has a strong Catholic culture and identity, where all members are proud to belong and contribute to faith based community.

• The school’s organisational structure provides for collective and collaborative teacher planning teams that focus on offering a differentiated curriculum.
• There is a clear focus on the collection and collation of data, particularly in the areas of literacy and numeracy.
• There is a schoolwide approach to wellbeing with a continuous emphasis on supporting students through an embedded culture of positive education. This is reflected in the suite of wellbeing programs.
• There exists a strong sense of community with improved channels of communication, technological assistance, electronic devices and student support throughout remote learning. 

We are grateful for the opportunity every 4 years to deeply reflect and be reviewed. From here we take the 4 broad recommendations on board, for continued improvement and begin to work on a School Improvement Plan for 2023-2026 based on the recommendations put forward. We will communicate this plan with you in time.

Confirmation: Congratulations to the following candidates who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, which was a truly reverent and wonderful occasion. Thank you to Bishop Martin, Fr Darien, Rebecca Nancarrow, Lisa Grigg, Brendan Casey, Corey Gallagher, Emily Bissell-Barahona, Bree Zivic and Robyn Walton. Bishop Martin Ashe reminded us of the great work the Saints have done over time, coming from a place of love. Where we see love in action, God  is present. He called on our candidates and all in attendance, to ensure we recognise the Holy Spirit is with us in all we do, as we live our lives in witness to Jesus and make a difference in the world by our example and for the common good of all.

Tully Reynolds, Mason Poirer, Jude de Jong, Alana Atkinson, Georgia McDonough, Ebony Binion, Angus Carr, Matilda Dooling, Allister Hill, Jaxon Garrard, Jasper Day, Lani Turner, Elisa Macpherson, Patrick McMaffrey, Caitlin Maud, Kai Russell, Lily Tunks, Sonni Andrews, Eva Briggs, Ruby Brooks, Lola Brydges, Ted Cass,  Mercedes Collier, Frankie Cunningham, Adelaide Hammond, Xander Hateley, Archie Heenan, Lonni Kerr, Ivy King, Sibella Lehman, Teddy McCartney, Ruby McLean, Darcy Moran, Albie Reid, Hugh Rolfs, Ava Seddon, Eilidh Sheridan, Luke Snowden, Willem Van Uijtert, Finn Wallace, Reed Wardley, Ivy Winchester, Spencer Finch, Joshua Grant, Vincent Hambleton, Reilly Pope, Georgia Perkins, Miller Reilly, Matilda Wood, Rommy Stefankowski, Cooper Levis, Nash Pascoe, Abbey Walsh, Will Wakefield, Finn McCormack, Annabelle Hipik, Ava Stonehouse, August Wood, Skye Patridge, Leonard Reid, Nate Donovan, Lily Mckay, Amelia Leonidou, Billi Janezic, Charli Janezic, Lewis Modola, Emma Robinson, Safira Talaue, Zac Buhagiar.

COVID Important Messages: a reminder to wear masks and notify school if you have a COVID case at home. Volunteer work of any kind at school with children needs to ensure that the volunteer has a triple vaccination status. As of May 23, you are only required to RAT test should you be symptomatic and returning to school with someone in the home having COVID. You must RAT test daily in this scenario. RAT tests will continue to be supplied until the end of term. We also have ample supply of masks for you to access should you be wishing to do so.

Working Bee Thank you: Many thanks to the following families who attended the Working Bee on Sunday, cleared the area around the bridge, general tidy up  and enjoyed a  sausage at the end along with a House point each for your team. We really appreciate the time spent together and the improvements of the school grounds. Olga and Georgiana D’Arcy, Nick Burchell, Mark Monahan, Karen, Julian, Ella and Zoe Toscano,  Tara, John and Reuben Piazza, Tom, Maya and Ava Fairway, Sam Rae, Melissa and Bailey Kissane, Fausta Zanotti and Rose and Robyn Wilkin. Teneille, Miller, Innes, Elka Pasque.

Student voice in action: Congratulations and thank you to Mackenzie Fraser who saw a need and took action. Mackenzie wrote a letter with a detailed diagram to Barwon Water requesting funding for an automatic sprinkler system for the gardens. Fernando Garcia replied and visited last week with a grant for $500-$800 for a new Sprinkler system. Many thanks to Mackenzie for the care and initiative she has shown. 

In Recognition of Rhonda Boyd 1997-2018: It was wonderful to finally present Rhonda with a plaque which was added to the outdoor learning centre on Friday. Rhonda had a passion for creation and the outdoors and therefore we see this outdoor learning centre, classroom and barbecue enclosure, a fitting place to recognise her time at Our Lady Star of the Sea. The Year 6 children interviewed Rhonda and shared some memories finishing with a prayer and a school song. Rhonda thoroughly enjoyed the gesture and we also thank the PFA for their contributions.

Wishing you good health and happiness over the coming fortnight.

Kerryn