Dear Parents and Carers

On Sunday, leading up to Christmas day, the first Advent candle of hope was lit. Many churches will light a blue or purple candle as a symbol of hope. In the Catholic Church, the first candle, which is purple, symbolises hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second candle, also purple, represents love, the third, pink, is joy and the fourth, purple, peace.

Let this first candle remind us of the great hope we have in Christ the Messiah and in God's promises. As we light the candle of Preparation let it remind us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. 

Last Friday, as a staff, we valued the opportunity to plan together for the 2023 year. We have chosen the theme for the 2023 year “Beacons of Hope” in which we are excited to explore engaging ways we can grow each student academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally and shine our own lights out to others whilst continuing to enrich our world. Teachers had a wonderful day in their new teams preparing for an engaging start to the year and developed a curriculum plan for the year with calendar events. We are very fortunate with our team of teachers and the passion and care they show to bring the very best to our students, your children. 

This year our theme was “Together we Flourish'' and we are very grateful for the opportunity this year to have a full year of learning onsite whilst engaging in all the learning and extra curricula experiences brought to our students. These being, engaging learning, sports, excursion, incursions, camps, sacraments, parent/ carers/ student nights, school concert, Book Week, Indonesian day, Diversity Day, Mission Fete, I Sea I Care, community service, Junior Rotary,  PFA events and more. From a school perspective and feedback we receive from the students and families, we have indeed seen our students flourish and they are all to be congratulated on doing the very best they can on their individual learning journeys. You will also be able to access your child’s report on Monday 12 December. 

Choir: Congratulations to Miss Bella and the choir who performed on Pulse Radio recently: Jessica Counihan, Grace Miller, Eliza Wood, Winni Ward, Brydy Bakacs, Lucy Gallagher, Jaida Bapaume, Claire Francis, Nate Wombwell, April Dowling, Audrey Reid.  We are very proud of this achievement and the way they spoke so beautifully about the two songs sung at Diversity Day and Mission Fete respectively: Don’t you think it’s Time (Bob Evans) and Rise Up (Andra Day). Special thanks to the beautiful Loretta Hart for presenting us with this opportunity. One of our past mums.

Christmas Eve Mass: Children from Our Lady Star of the Sea including choir members are welcome to sing at Mass on Christmas Eve at 6pm.  They are encouraged to dress as Angels, or Shepherds or a Mary or a Joseph. If there are any families with a baby who would be happy to be baby Jesus” in the service please email Josephine Barnes: barnesjo2015@bigpond.com

Lilly Clark- I Sea I Care Ambassador of the Year: Congratulations to Lilly Clark on this amazing achievement. Here is Lilly’s reflection. 

This year I was lucky enough to get accepted into a program called i sea I care which is run by the dolphin research institute. There were 12 year six students from Star of the sea and many students from other schools in Geelong. My favourite thing was swimming with dolphins and seals. The program was focused on teaching students about the environment and how we can help protect it. I was chosen as ambassador of the year because of my interest of sustainability and the work I do in the community. I was honoured to be chosen and I’m grateful for being able to participate in the program.

Uniform: As we approach the end of the year we have been reminding our students of uniform requirements. This includes plain socks, no extra jewellery, coloured hair or painted or acrylic nails. We understand children are outgrowing  school shoes and ask that if your child is  requiring a new pair of school shoes you only purchase leather or runner styled school shoes. Children should not be wearing everyday runners or sports labelled shoes to school with their uniform. Below are some photos to help guide you with buying school shoes. Their everyday runners can be worn with their sports uniform.