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Loving God, may we always be grateful for our fathers, grandfathers and significant males in our lives
May we express our gratitude to them for all that they are to us.
May they give us strength when we waver, may they support
us when we fall and may they call us back when we turn away
from the good path.
We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen
Dear Parents and Carers
We continue to have an extremely busy term with rich learning experiences happening for all our students. We also thank you greatly for your support of the extras this term, particularly wear a touch of colour or dress up is suggested.
Last week was Science week and Bruce, Simon and Graham From The Men’s Shed for another year.
The students had a ball experimenting and learning from these wonderful role models who kindly volunteered their time, knowledge, wisdom and humour. We greatly appreciate these community connections and the relationship we have formed over time. The Mens Shed have supported many things for our community including the mud kitchens and the installation of the boat as well as Science in the Shed in past years.
Next Wednesday 30 August, the students will be celebrating our dad’s and significant males in our lives ahead of Father’s Day. I trust you will also plan something special with your family to celebrate your dad’s or a significant adult. In Scripture, St. Joseph is known as Jesus’ father and the husband of Mary. Matthew 1:19 states that Joseph was “a just man.” It has been mentioned he showed holiness through the ordinary events of daily life. St Joseph wasn’t a man who did miracles, or raised people from the dead; he was a humble servant of God who was considered worthy enough to be Jesus Christ’s father in the flesh. Joseph lived his life in fulfilment of his duty as a father and husband. He supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of his hands. He knew their aspirations, their hardships and their hopes. We pray the prayer of gratitude above for all our dad’s and significant others as they make a positive difference to our lives. Please join us for a sausage sizzle, activity in the hub or with Kelly Club sports in the grounds. Feel free to come along anytime between 4.30pm -6pm.
Managing Big Emotions: Next week on Tuesday 29 August from 6.30 pm - 8pm we welcome Dane Barclay from Bellarine Psychology. His presentation is titled Managing Big Emotions. It is great to see so many people signed up via the Operoo communication. Please feel free to register and join what should be a very informative and practical session.
State Football Winners: Congratulations to the following Our Lady Star of the Sea boys who won the State finals. 480 teams across the state from Independent, Catholic and public sectors and we incredibly took out the big award. What was most impressive, alongside the skills shown, was the wonderful sportsmanship, humility, respect and teamwork. So very proud of these boys on many levels. Many thanks to Mr Scott, Miss Emily and Steve Cruischank for supporting this team to victory along with all the parents and other family members. Angus Montgomery,
First Eucharist: Congratulations to the following students who received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. Another beautiful, reverant celebration. Lyla Jackson, Eden Keen, Cleo Kelso, Liam Kirs Diaz, Xavier Hill, Hannah McCaffrey, Stevie McCoy, Grace Miller, Evie Monahan, Harrison Nicol, Ava Occhipinti, Jacinta Parton, Koko Piec, Liliana Preston, Jack Radley, Elizabeth Reynolds, Margaret Reynolds, Mia Rundle, Maya Steele, Lily Van Maasdyk, Rose Wilkin, William Wolfe.
Reminders: A reminder Book Week is this Friday with more fun and important learning, supporting engagement and a further love and appreciation of books and reading for the students.
Please advise in advance if you are going on a family holiday via an email to myself and the classsroom teacher as an agreed absent learning plan needs to be developed in line with Every Day Counts and our attendance policy.
If you know your child is not returning in 2024 please let me or the office know as soon as possible.
Even more joyous baby news: Congratulations to Sarah and Pat on the safe arrival of William Michael Kennedy born 17 August weighing 3.4kg and 51cm long. All are doing well.
Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Kerryn
Parent Information Evening
We have had a very good response from parents indicating that they will be attending our Parent Information Evening - Helping Your Child Regulate BIG Emotions next Tuesday 29 August, 6:30 - 8pm.
The evening will be facilitated by Dane Barclay from Bellarine Psychology. This workshop will cover:
- Understanding the Developing Brain.
- Helpful approaches to co-regulate.
- Tweaking our language.
- Parenting challenges with children.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATS) Kits
We will be sending home additional RAT kits to families in the coming days so that you can continue to protect those vulnerable in our community from COVID.
Our Lady Star of the Sea is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
One of the main goals of the family survey is to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school. MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. Our school believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
Invitations to complete the survey will be emailed to each family at the start of next week. Surveys can be accessed online from Monday 28 August and needs to be completed by Friday 15 September 2023.
On Friday 11 August, students and staff enjoyed our annual Indonesian Celebration Day. Every year, we come together to participate in cultural and language festivities to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. Starting us off this year was an engaging 5LG assembly followed by a day of cooking, creating, playing traditional games and making kites for our Layang Layang festival across the school. We also popped together a little video for the day to help us celebrate! https://youtu.be/G-8CShsU53Y
Well done to all the students who have been busy skipping and raising money for the Heart Foundation as part of our Jump Rope for Heart program. The students will come together as a hub in the last two weeks of the term to have some fun skipping and to share and celebrate their new skills. The last day of Term 3, Friday 15 September, will be the final opportunity for registered students to access the portal and collect any final donations. Prizes and certificates will be awarded early next term to the registered students. If you would still like to participate and help raise funds, please register your child online at jumprope.org.au/parents
Cancer Education Program
When: Monday 9 October
Time: 10.30am (Prep - Yr 2), 11.45am (Yr 3 -6) Show duration 60minutes
Where: Djila Tjarri (School Gym)
Parents and carers welcome to attend. Please sign in at the school office .
You can find additional details on the Camp Quality website, which hosts activities and videos designed to familiarise students with our programs before we arrive.
Students will need to wear their school hat from Monday 2 September.
Please ensure your child’s hat is in good condition and named. Hats are available to purchase from Bellarine Uniforms, Moorabool Street, Geelong.
Bellarine Uniforms
162 Moorabool Street
Ph: 5221 9199
Staff return: Monday 29 January
Tuesday 30 January : Staff Professional day
Term 1
Students First day: Wednesday 31 January - Thursday 28 March
Term 2
Monday 15 April - Friday 28 June
Term 3
Monday 15 July - Friday 20 September
Term 4
Monday 7 October - TBC December
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
Calling all STEM professionals…. our school community needs you!
Are you interested in helping to bring STEM to life in innovative ways and engage our students?
Have your contribution counted through the CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program, Australia’s leading volunteer science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education program. It creates and supports partnerships between teachers and STEM professionals to bring real-world STEM experience into the classroom.
The program currently has more than 1200 partnerships around Australia, assisting teachers and STEM professionals to inspire the next generation of problem solvers and innovators.
If you are interested in becoming part of the program, they’d love to hear from you and our teachers would love to have you involved in their classroom! More information, including how to apply is available at STEM Professionals in Schools - CSIRO or by contacting one of the CSIROteam at STEMProfessionalsinSchools@