God of our journey, God of hope, we give you thanks and

praise, as we gather to begin a new term together.

May all who are part of this community, find a welcome place

to grow and be.

Especially at this Easter time, give us the grace to continue

our journey with hope and joy.

This we pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers 

I hope you all had the opportunity for some down time with your children over the Easter break and enjoyed some of the peace, hope and joy that Easter brings. I acknowledge Fr Darien and the wonderful reflective and spiritual celebrations he led over the Easter period. We greatly appreciate Father Darien's faith leadership and service to us all.

Prior to Easter, as a school, we reflected on The Way of the Cross which tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth’s journey to the cross. It is a story that challenges us to think about injustice and its impacts on human dignity. Yet, even in its darkest moments, it is also a story that reminds us of compassion and the power of forgiveness, hope and love. The story of Jesus’s death is a sad story but, we know, it is not the end of the story. As the Christian scriptures say, three days after Jesus died, he rose again! And life began anew, for him, for us and all of creation. The Easter story is the biggest on the liturgical calendar and as we continue our journey of “Beacons of Hope”, we ensure the Easter message lives on some 2000 years later as We Follow the Way of Hope. 

We sadly saw the passing of Fr Bob Maguire last week. Archbishop Comensolli paid tribute by saying 'Bob was a faithful priest of the Catholic Church in Melbourne since his Ordination in 1960, and a fierce friend of the downhearted, the broken and the lost throughout his whole life'. His family's statement sums it up well "He has fought bravely for the underprivileged and homeless all his life. He represented the highest of principles, and he fought to actively live those principles." Across society, Fr Bob was a true “Beacon of Hope” to so many. His legacy lives on through his foundation, which  includes a  fleet of HopeMobiles which each year deliver and provide more than  24,000 healthy meals and food hampers. In their vision, this is much, much more than nutritious meals. Through welcoming service and good conversation they feed hearts, minds and tummies.

Continuing on the wonderful outreach in catholic communities, Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) have arranged for FareShare in Melbourne, who are having their kitchens renovated, to use the Catholic Leadership kitchen over the next 6 months. FareShare provide nutritious meals which are distributed to large and small charities and community groups who help people in need of nutritious food. Another example of taking action in faith, hope and love.

Anzac Day March: What a  wonderful turnout for the ANZAC Day parade. Yesterday we saw 52 students engage in this wonderful community event, marching and participating in the wreath laying ceremony. Thank you to the following students who represented our school so beautifully and respectfully: Jemma Geerings, Tom Rundle, Mia Rundle, Ellie Rundle, Ollie Yates, Harry Creak, Maeve Pemberton, Lottie Pemberton, Levi Knights, Zara Knights, Stella Knights, Ivy Williams, Jack McLeish, Oliver McLeish,  Finn Leighton, Hope Leighton, Audrey Morgan, Elsie Dalton, Edward Dalton, Matilda Dalton, Taigh McKerracher, Saoirse McKerracher, Winni Ward, Alfie Ward, Nina Butters, Peggy Butters, Mackenzie Wurfel, Evie Kerr, Charlie Dyer, Annabelle Dyer, Arlo Harry, Max Harry, Zayne Garner, Violet Molloy, Sadie Molloy, Ruby Ritchie, Eden Stanley, Ted Stanley, Maya Mackay, Eva Grant, Oliver McQuitty, Ella McQuitty, Sonni Williams, Emma Jacimovic, Milla Jacimovic, Ellie Murphy, Eliza Wood, Adelaide Wood, Elka Collins, Maggie Reynolds, Jack McDonald, Billy Garland. 

 Lest We Forget.

Easter Easter Egg Raffle: A huge thank you to the PFA led by Sam Ellis in the many prizes that were raffled. Money raised will go towards some new reading resources recently ordered for the students Prep- Year 6.

Congratulations to the following top 3 prize winners.

1. Jesse Jamieson 
2. Evie Monaghan
3. Max Schomacker

Principal for the Day: Congratulations and thank you to Sylvie Hardwick for being an amazing Principal for the Day last term. Sylvie displays character strengths of zest, optimism, wisdom and kindness. Terima kasih.

A Story of Beacons of Hope: Congratulations to these Year 6 boys. They were commended in a special shout out by another school in the Summer Lightning Premiership for their kindness and inclusivity during a basketball game with students from another school. So proud to receive these emails.

Wishing you all  a wonderful start to Term 2, where we continue to be a community of faith, hope and love.

Kerryn

Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

A six session parenting program for parents of school aged children

Would you like to learn how to:

• improve conversations with your child?
• have an improved understanding of your child?
• help your child learn to manage their emotions? 
• teach your child some strategies to handle conflict?

Tuning in to Kids shows you how to help your child develop emotional intelligence. Children with higher emotional intelligence:

• have greater success with making and keeping friends
• have better concentration at school
• are more able to calm down when upset or angry
• tend to have fewer childhood illnesses   

Emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ!

Where: Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School

Time: 1.30pm-3.30pm

When: Friday 28 April, Friday 12 May, Friday 19 May, Friday 26 May, Friday 9 June, Friday 16 June.

Contact: Marnie Hallam - mhallam@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Parent/Carers and Staff of OLSOS,

Athletics Day will take place on Thursday 18 May 2023 at Landy Field, corner of Barwon Terrace and Swanston Street, South Geelong. The students will leave school at 9am and return to school at approximately 3.00pm.

Time Table for the day:

8.30-8.45am - students assemble with belongings in class groups- Juniors on front basketball court & Middles/Seniors on back basketball court.

9.00 am - buses begin to depart school for Landy Field.

Juniors (Prep-2) Timetable

Tabloid sports (10 minute rotations) 9.45am - 12pm

Seniors (Year 3-6) Children will take their bags with them to events

Field Events (20 min rotations) 9.45am -12.25pm

Children are to wear their school sports uniform, which must include a school hat. Each child will also be required to pack their snack, lunch & water bottles. Depending on the weather, it may be advisable for students to bring a coat. Please attach a small safety pin to their sports top for ribbons.

Athletics day requires large volunteer numbers in order to run the events smoothly and within the time constraints of the day. Volunteers who are registered with the school are asked to nominate which area they would prefer to assist in - Junior or Middle/Seniors, along with a time estimate for when you are available on the day. Volunteers wishing to help with the Juniors will assist directly with modified athletic events their child is involved with on the day. They can meet their child's teacher in the infield. Parent volunteers of middle/senior students will be given a specific job on the day and emailed directly by Sam Scott.

Parents are encouraged to take their child/ren home from Landy Field at the conclusion of the day. This will assist in the coordination of buses that are returning to school. If you plan to take your child/ren home from Landy Field at the conclusion of the day, please email your child's classroom teacher so we can confirm numbers with the bus company. Any parents wishing to take children home from Landy Field, will need to sign them out with their classroom teacher at Landy Field on the day. 

Any queries can be directed to Sam Scott sscott@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au or to your classroom teacher.

Sam Scott

Sport Coordinator

Girls Lightning Premiership Footy 

On Tuesday 4 April some girls from year 6 headed over to South Barwon Reserve in Belmont to participate in the Girls Football Lightning Premiership. Over 18 schools competed on the day and they were divided into 3 pools. We were in pool A.

We won 5 games in a row and finished first in our pool. We then competed in the finals against Surfside Primary School and Saint Therese. We unfortunately lost both games and ended up finishing 3rd out of 18 teams.

We had so much fun and everyone contributed to the team and all did their best! We were complimented by other schools about our sportsmanship, which was really great to hear.

Thank you to Jane who came along and supported us on the day. Thank you Jackie King who scored for us and gave us great advice. And one more big thank you to the Western Heights kids for umpiring. We hope everyone had a great day! 

By Willow Stephenson and Lila Butcher

Summer Lightning Premiership

On Friday 31 March the year 5 and 6 students competed in the Summer Lightning Premiership. The sports that they competed in were cricket, hotshots tennis, volleyball and basketball.

A special congratulations to the girls cricket team who went through to the next stage and competed in week 10 of term one (see write up below).

Girls Cricket

Nine spectacular girls represented our school during Week 10 of Term One. A fabulous effort by all to defeat all the teams in our local area to then move onto divisions against all schools in the Geelong area. There were some thumping hits from Ruby, Zoe and Millie. Some skillful bowling by Willow, Heidi and Keely and some excellent fielding from Issy, Lola and Sophia. 

We had lots of positive feedback from teachers and schools about the positive sportsmanship, encouragement shown by the girls and their skills. Thank you to our super star coach Scott for supporting our girls. 

Bree Russell

Yr 4 Learning Support Teacher 

For the first two weeks of Term 2 children can choose to continue to wear their summer uniform, or, if more appropriate, their winter uniform. By Week 3, students wear their winter uniform.

School hats must be worn in Term 2, until 30 April.

Please ensure that all items of clothing are labelled with your child's name so that if items are lost they can be returned promptly.

If have purchased uniform second hand could you please remove the old name and update it to your family name. 

Our annual school photos have been taken and are now ready to order.

Arthur Reed Photos uses an online ordering system where you can view your photos prior to ordering.

On photo day all students received a flyer which includes a code unique to them.

You will require this 2023 code to register online and view your photos.

If you have already registered, you will receive an email or SMS from Arthur Reed Photos with a link to view your photos.

If you have not yet registered, please go to order.arphotos.com.au and enter your code to complete your order.

If you have misplaced your registration code, please contact the Arthur Reed Photos customer service team directly on 5243 4390 (option 1) or customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Please note that you will need to register online with your 2023 photo code to gain access to this year’s images.

All photo packages will be sent directly to your nominated address, so please ensure that you enter the correct details and nominated shipping address upon checkout.

If you require any assistance ordering your photos, please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly on 5243 4390 (option 1) or email customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Term 4 2024

Thursday 21 November: Yr 5 Parish Mass/Year 1 MOPA Excursion

Friday 22 November: Yr 5BC assembly

Thursday 28 November: Yr 3 Parish Mass

Friday 29 November: Staff Professional Learning Day - Student Free Day 

Staff Planning Day for 2025

Tuesday 3 December: School Concert 5:30pm-7:30pm

Wednesday 4 December: Prep orientation

Thursday 5 December: Prep orientation

Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation/Prep orientation

Wednesday 11 December: Future leaders days 2025

Friday 6 December: Diversity Day 2pm assembly 

Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation day 9.15am - 11am

Wednesday 12 December: Yr 6 end of year excursion

Friday 13 December: Yr 6EB assembly/End of year Mass

Monday 16 December: Whole school Beach Day (students are welcome to bring plastic shovels and buckets. Ensure they remember to bring sunscreen and hats).

Wednesday 18 December: Yr 6 Graduation Assembly/Last day of school Students finish at 1pm 

Term1 2025

Tuesday 28 January: Staff return

Wednesday 29 January: Staff professional Learning day

Thursday 30 January:  Students return 

Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates