Dear Parents and Carers

All schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne are undertaking a strategic journey, ‘Forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Jesus Christ’ (MACS 2022). As we begin this journey, may all members of our school community embrace the theme of World Mission Sunday and go forth to the ends of the earth ‘inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world’ (MACS 2022).

On Sunday 23 October, we celebrated World Mission Sunday which is the one Sunday in the liturgical year when the Mass is celebrated exclusively for missionary activity, and donations are collected to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor.

Here at our Lady Star of the Sea, our missionary activity this week sees us donating the proceeds to Bulbula and the flood victims. We have reached out to St Joseph's Catholic Primary school in Rochester where it is believed students may not be able to return to onsite learning until the beginning of Term 2 2023. This Friday is not only the most favourite day of our students on the calendar year but also an occasion for reaffirming how prayer, reflection and offerings of material support enable us to participate actively in the mission of Jesus in his Church.

We look forward to Friday where we enact all the great work the teacher’s have been facilitating around coming from a place of gratitude as we honour the sacred dignity of each person. It is truly in giving that we receive.

Working Bee: Many thanks to the following families who made positive contributions to our school grounds last Sunday and enjoyed building further relationships.

Mark Hardwick, Arthur Hardwick, Polly Hardwick, Sylvie Hardwick, Michael Sheridan, Reuben Sheridan, Eilidh Sheridan, Mary Spencer, Tex Spencer, James Dalton, Matilda Dalton, Elsie Dalton, Tom Hill, Oscar Hill, Todd Wombwell, Nate Wombwell, Penny Freeman, Zach Zarro, Amy Bonacci, Jason Bonacci, Max Bonacci, Vin Bonacci, Ava Bonacci, Cam Spolding, Lilian Spolding, Henry Spolding, Mark Monahan, Evie Monahan, Cain Pasque, Teneille Pasque, Innes Pasque, Miller Pasque, Vivien Bapaume, Celio Bapaume, Jaida Bapaume, Charlise Bapaume, Letitia Dowling, April Dowling 

We achieved the following tasks: complete planting along Boorai, mulch garden along Boorai, installation of the irrigation along the front of the Gym, general tidy up around rear of building from rain, clearing  rocks and soil around rear bridge, slashing of  grass behind preps and some weeding around the front and back. 

I would like to express deep gratitude and acknowledge Mark Monahan who has brilliantly  led our grounds maintenance for the last 5 years and been a member of the School Council.  We cannot thank him enough for the many voluntary hours and passion and care he has shown. We wish Mark all the best and as he has expressed, he will still be around as a support with his youngest  Evie in Year 3. We thank Teneille Pasque, currently in her first year on School Council who is going to step into the role. We thank Mark and Teneille for their generosity of spirit in supporting the school in this way. 

With school starting on Monday 30th January, we will be having a general tidy up on  Sunday 30th Jan from 10am - 12pm and have added this date to the parent calendar. All are welcome.

Barwon Water Grant and sprinkler system: We would like to say a special THANK YOU to Fernando from Barwon Water. They have been fantastic long time supporters of our school by providing education sessions and continuing to help us improve our school grounds as we strive to use our water efficiently. Over the past 5 years they have donated over 350 indigenous plants and have come along and assisted us with our planting on National Tree days. Recently Barwon Water generously provided our school with $2,500 so we could purchase a Watering system for our Vegetable and indigenous gardens to help keep the gardens thriving and be as water efficient as possible. We also wish to thank Anthony and Ashley from Bunnings Leopold for their time and expertise on Tuesday when they spent the day installing our new veggie garden watering system. We can't wait to see the difference it makes to the gardens as the weather is starting to warm up. We must also mention Mackenzie Fraser from Year 4CO who wrote to Miss Kerryn earlier this year about getting some watering systems for our school. Mackenzie followed this up by also writing to Barwon Water with her ideas and designs. Barwon Water loved her idea and now her dream of a whole school irrigation system is almost complete. Mackenzie is now living in Queensland but will be watching a replay of today's assembly where we are celebrating her water saving idea. (Lilly Clark and Mercedes Collier)

National Water week competition: Congratulations to Isla Pascoe and mackenzie Wurfel who both came third in the Poster competition held Australia wide each year in the Geelong Region. It is hosted by Barwon Water. The theme this year was  "Our Water Stories"  The Posters were displayed at the recent Geelong Show and will be projected throughout Water Week on the Barwon Water Building in Geelong after dark.

Rotary Leadership Initiative: The following students are to be commended and congratulations to Nate Donovan, Tilly Dooling, Ruby McLean, Ivy King, Annabelle Hipik, Eilidh Sheridan, Alana Atkinson, Livian Kelso, Annie Leonard, Grace Edwards, Kai Russell, Lilly Clark, Caitlin Maud, Estella Sorace, Memphis Allen, Molly Armitstead and Rommy Stefankowski for completing the Rotary Leadership Initiative and receiving their certificates. What an achievement where they have put in hours of work, upskilled, engaged in cultural awareness learning and voluntarily added value to the broader community. We are very proud of you all. Many thanks to Judy Greer, Tony Haines and Bree Jones for leading and enabling this opportunity.

2022 Corangamite Schools Climate Challenge.

We are very excited to announce that we are the winners for 2022 in the Primary category. Many thanks to the Sustainability leaders, Sue Constable and Kellie Clark for your great work. Another example of student agency to make a difference for our planet. Libby Coker will present this award at our final assembly of the year Friday 16 December.

This is Libby Coker’s feedback.

Thankyou for participating in my 2022 Corangamite Schools Climate Challenge. The aim of the climate challenge was to raise awareness and educate students about the impact we all have on climate emissions and the environment. It was also about encouraging new positive habits within our daily lives, which will last a lifetime. Your challenge project was fantastic. The collaboration between your group and the Ocean Grove Men’s Shed was wonderful to see. The bird boxes were an excellent idea. I was especially pleased to see that you were able to put your bird boxes up for sale, which was an incredible initiative on your part. Due to the high standard of your submission, I am pleased to inform you that you have won the Primary School category. As a result, your school will receive $500 in prize money and a young tree to commemorate your efforts. I would like to present this award to you at an upcoming school assembly. My office will be in touch to discuss arrangements. Once again, congratulations to everyone involved on a wonderful team effort.

Christmas Tree: Thank you Rachael Thomas for leading our students and creatively decorating the Christmas tree again. This can be seen in Little Malop street over the Christmas period. 

Victorian Soccer Champ: Congratulations to Eilidh Sheridan who represented Victoria in the state soccer competition in Perth recently.  An amazing achievement which we are all very proud of Eilidh. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Mission Fete celebration as we all join in the spirit of making a difference and enriching our world.

Kerryn