Term 4 Week 3

Dear Parents and Carers

I hope this message finds you and your families in good health and high spirits. This term is certainly presenting us with another full calendar and many extra curricula opportunities for our students, alongside their engaging learning.

At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the First Nations people as they take  time in silence and to heal. We pray that the awareness raised over the past months, will enable us to find another, beneficial way to achieve better outcomes for our First Nations people, listening and consulting on the challenges within their communities., walking together with them. Miriam Rose reflects as she does so well through the spiritual practice of Dadirri (da-did-ee). She identifies, 'Our culture is different. We are asking our fellow Australians to take time to know us, to be still and to listen to us.' Education is key in supporting this understanding and knowledge and at Our Lady Star of the Sea we continue to facilitate the learning of Australian History, including our First Nations people and their culture, to  to our students.

Our Year 3 students are receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as the Sacrament of Penance or Confession, is an essential aspect of the Catholic faith for Year 3 students. This sacrament provides children with an opportunity to reflect on their actions, seek forgiveness, and strengthen their relationship with God. In Year 3, students typically start to understand the concept of right and wrong more deeply. This sacrament is relevant to the lives of students by helping them understand the concepts of forgiveness, personal responsibility, growth, and community within the context of their faith. It encourages them to develop a strong moral compass and build a deeper relationship with God, knowing, no matter what, God is there loving them unconditionally and as Mary Mackillop’s message was, “lean into God” who is always there.

Congratulations and warmest wishes to the following children who will receive this sacrament this coming week: Evelyn Bernazzoli, Asher Birrell, Gus Buhagiar, Sienna Clarke, Maxwel Cole, Elijah Dickeson, Jed Douglas, Jemma Geerings, Flynn Hall, Lenny Jeanes, Billie King, Airlie Learey, Ashton McKnight, Ruby Prout, Asher Riddle, Estelle Robins, Erin Scott, Alfie Ward, Sunny Williams, Jett Baker, Remy Bonde, Maisy Chapman, Harris Wood, Jesse Currie, Connor Durling, Annabelle Dyer, Stevie Ellingsen, Milla Jacimovic, Alex Knowles, Harper Marsh, River McCoy, Annabel Peace, Marley Raicevic, Tom Rundle, Scarlett Tyers, Thomas Van der Heyden, Taj Williamson, Harris Wood, Kenzie Andrews, Isabelle Batters, George Dickinson, Percy Evans, Sophie Foulsham, Henry Hackwill, Maddi Hodges, Zara Knights, Nate Liston, Indi Madden, Eli McKay, Oliver Mullen, Scarlett Palmer, Alira Preston, Fletcher Reid, Sonny Reynolds, Grace Riddle, Max Schomacker, Eden Stanley, Lucy Warren, Ivy Williams, Olive Bryan, Jamieson Burgoyne, Moby Campbell, Olivia de Zoete, Mitchell Dunn, Max Harry, Isla Kerr, Matthew Love, Evelynne Maloney, Millie McCormack, Malakai McLauchlan, Brody MacPherson, Bethany Mifsud, Saoirse McKerracher, Josh Paganini, Isla Pascoe, Samuel Perkins, Evie Sinnott, Ailani Songsaeng, Connor Murphy.

Mission Fete: In the spirit of our Catholic faith and, complementing our Beacons of Hope Theme, we strive to instill in our children the values of compassion, love, and service to others. We aim to nurture the hearts and minds of our students, helping them grow into faithful and compassionate individuals who are ready to take on the world with a spirit of mission.

Our annual Mission Fete on Friday 10 November is a wonderful opportunity to do this.

Please take the time to read your hub news for more specific details relevant to your child (ren) and further details in the tab below this message.

Alison Healy: It is with much nostalgia and a sense of sadness, we are farewelling Alison Healy at the end of the year from her classroom teaching role  after 36 years of teaching. Ironically, I had the pleasure of working with Alison, as a graduate at St Andrews Werribee, for a few years from 1990 and we found ourselves again as colleagues in the same school here at Our Lady Star of the Sea. Back then and now, Alison has been a totally committed and passionate teacher facilitating, nurturing and supporting the growth of so many students over the years. Teaching has always been a true vocation for Alison and we have gratefully benefited from her many strengths she has brought including kindness, compassion, integrity, love of learning, fun, commitment, persistence and love.  Alison is stepping into retirement and we warmly wish her many happy years enjoying this time. Fortunately, Alison may still be seen around in a casual relief teaching role so not fully leaving our learning community.

I am sure you will join us in celebrating, thanking  and wishing Alison the very best over the coming weeks.

Working Bee Thank You: What a wonderful turnout we had for the Working Bee on Sunday with at least 15 families and 50 volunteers. Teneille Pasque and Kellie Clark led the spring clean and mulching. We were thrilled at what was achieved by all. Many thanks to the following for giving of your time which is so gratefully appreciated; Leah Cole, Mark and Elsie Walter, Penny Freeman, Jimmy, Elsie and Edward Dalton, Sinnott family, Wheeler family, Furness family, Ryan/Harsley family, Fay family, Butters family, Hamm family, Salter family, McDonald family, Toscano family, Pasque family. 

It was fun and enjoyable to build more positive relationships across the school and for the students to experience how much joy you receive from volunteering and making a positive difference to the school grounds.

Principal for the Day: Congratulations and many thanks to Reuben Sheridan for stepping into the role of Principal so well and his Deputy Harry Miller. Reuben achieved so much in the role on Friday, including his personal Principal message at assembly, attending an enrolment meeting and a 2024 canteen meeting, handing out gotcha awards, reflecting on the current Masterplan for capital works, cooking lunch for his class and more. A great day’s work Reuben.

School Concert: Save the date for our upcoming School Concert Tuesday 5 December  which the students are currently beginning rehearsals for, after selecting their song. Helen Stephenson, our very talented Performing Arts Teacher, has been doing an amazing job behind the scenes to bring forth the theme for this year’s concert SHINE. 

Helen shares, 2023 has been our Beacons of Hope year. We have celebrated the shining lights our students bring to our community.  Our ‘Beacons’ burn bright, sharing Hope, Love and Understanding in an increasingly complex world. Now, it's  time for our students to become the stars, shining on the stage. Our students, our Beacons of Hope, are having their moment to truly shine!    

Bike shelters: Great news. Our bike shelters are finally coming along very nicely. A special thank you to Chad Ellis for sourcing some funding from Kingston Ocean Grove. We would like to acknowledge and thank Kingston Ocean Grove for their kind donation of $12,500 to go towards the bike shelters.

Canteen 2024: Kerry Street, our amazing canteen provider, has decided it is time to close her service to us. Kerrie has done a simply brilliant job in bringing such a great menu and hours of tireless work our way and we will miss her cheery disposition and amazing service over the last 10+ years.

In light of this news, we have decided to outsource moving forward in 2024, meaning the lunch orders will be made off site and delivered to the school. We are currently in chats with a couple of providers and have the wonderful Amy Hill working with us to enable a healthy menu to come our way in line with our healthy eating and oral health policy. Once we have more details we will communicate further.

Wishing you all a fabulous fortnight ahead.

Kerryn

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Friday 10 November is our Mission Fete Day. This is our major fundraiser of the year and for many students, their favourite day. The day includes:

• A Liturgy at the Church, which you are welcome to attend at 9:15am
• A sausage sizzle lunch
• Mission Fete from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
• Raffle

On this day we support Catholic Mission, but have also established a personal connection with the community of Bulbula in Ethiopia. Our aim is to provide life changing opportunities to those in need. We have done this in Bulbula by providing:

• Funding an irrigation system and spinach program to promote greater health for pregnant women
• Assisting with small business initiatives, so families can be self sufficient
• Medical assistance
• Education
• Provide food for the poor

Over the coming weeks, students will be exploring the Catholic Social Teaching: Preferential Option for the Poor, whilst also learning more about Bulbula and geographical impacts on lifestyles. Our scripture focus is The Good Samaritan. This teaches powerful lessons about compassion, love, and helping others in need. It encourages us to treat our neighbors with kindness and empathy, regardless of their background or circumstances. It seems so appropriate when you read Sr Abeba’s letters. 

We are encouraging students to use their own money at Mission Fete, or to complete jobs at home to earn money. 

Procedure for Mission Fete

Students are to wear casual clothes, with closed in shoes.

Raffle tickets will be sent home this week. There will be 10 prizes in total. They are $2 a ticket and the major prizes, donated by Ms Lib and staff, include:

• 4 x Family Passes to Adventure Park 
• Combination packs with other major prizes including; sporting goods, arts and crafts, books
• Musical instruments

Please return one side of each ticket with a name and contact number by Wednesday 8 November. More tickets are available at the office. 

There will be a sausage sizzle. Children can order sausages for $1 each. They can pay their money on the day.

This year we will be returning to the use of  cash for our Mission Fete. We encourage students to use their own money, or complete tasks around the home, to earn money for Mission Fete activities. We hope this will help students appreciate the value of money. Most students usually spend around $10. Coins are great, in a bag or purse with the child’s name on it.

Volunteers Required

We  need some volunteers to help cook the sausages at 10:45am. The PFA are looking for volunteers.

This year we also require volunteers to count and bag the cash from the fete, between the hours of 1:30 - 3:15 (not the whole time. Just when you can)

Please email rnancarrow@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au and let me know what you are able to assist with or add your name to the PFA roster they will share.

Some stalls will also be looking for volunteers. Please check your Hub News.

Mission Fete Stalls

Below are the Mission Fete stalls. Please check your class for the required donations to the stalls. 

The fee structure for 2024 has been finalised. The structure consists of a Family Fee, Capital Levy, Student Levy, Technology Levy Years Prep - 4, and Camp for Years 3-6.

The 2024 fees will be:

Family Fee

The Family Fee for 2024 is $2,350. The Family Fee is used for recurrent expenses, including the cost of running and maintaining the school, associated curriculum requirements, infrastructure and capital expenses.

Student Levy

The Student Levy for 2024 is $405 per child.

The Student Levy is used to purchase student requirements necessary for the learning and teaching program, including the required book list items and curriculum expenses for all areas. These requirements and curriculum expenses include licenses and subscriptions we use for our learning and teaching, all classroom supplies, Sacramental Program, art supplies, sports equipment and programs, music, science, Environmental and Sustainability programs, Digital Technology resources, library stock, Indonesian, swimming, excursions and Staff Professional Learning.

Technology Levy Prep - Year 4

The Technology Levy for 2024 is $75 per student Prep - Year 2 and $150 per student Years 3 – 4.

To enable the school to provide up to date, and sufficient technology devices to students in Prep - Year 4 the Technology Levy provides funding to upgrade and increase the iPads available to students. This will support individual access and the learning of our students. The levy will cover lease costs for new devices. Students in Years 5 and 6 continue to participate in the Bring Your Own Device program in 2024.

Camp

Camp charges will be included on your School Fee account at the beginning of the year. 2024 camp fees have not been finalised. It is expected that costs will be: Year 3/4 camp $210 and Year 5/6 camp $330.

Capital Levy

$200 per family. This levy covers loan funding for the 2020/2021 building project of learning areas and a Multi-Purpose area.

FEE PAYMENT

Fee statements are sent out each term. Fee payment by Direct Debit is the school preferred option. The first instalment for Monthly and Quarterly instalments is on 16 February 2024. Following due dates are:

Monthly: Beginning 16 February for 10 payments, finishing 16 November. 

Quarterly: 16 February, 16 May, 16 August, 16 November.

Families choosing to pay in full are asked to do so by Friday 23 February.

Fees can be paid by the following methods:

• Direct Debit (school managed)
• Internet Transfer (account details are included on Term Fee Statement)
• Pay in Full by Friday 23 February. Please contact the school office to discuss an optional date.
• Cash (change is not carried on the premises)
• Cheque

Please find attached a Direct Debit 2024 If you wish to arrange a school managed Direct Debit please complete this form and email it to secretary@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

To break down your Direct debit instalment amount please consider the amount to be billed for 2024 in reference to your child’s / children’s year level/s. Refer to the examples below to assist you determining the fees owed for 2024. The billed amount will be itemised when you are invoiced at the beginning of 2024. 

• You can complete the Direct Debit form to request the full fee account to be debited through Direct Debit on 23 February 2024. 

Families with a current Direct Debit arrangement are asked to complete a new form for 2024.  

Example 1:

Family A – 1 child Year 1 

Example 2:

Family B – 1 child Year 4 

Example 3:

Family C – 1 child Year 1 and 1 child Year 4 

Example 4:

Family D – 1 child Year 1, 1 child Year 4, 1 child Year 6 

Fee Assistance

At times families may experience financial hardship and therefore may have difficulties in paying the school fees. If you find yourself in this situation, then you are reminded that you can contact the school office to make an appointment to discuss your situation with the school principal.

Health Care Card

If you are a holder of a Health Care, Concession or Veterans Affairs Card please forward a copy of your card to secretary@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au  Eligible card holders are entitled to assistance through the Camp,  Sport and Excursion Fund. The amount received by the school on behalf of the eligible card holder is offset proportionally against your school account to cover camp, selected sport or excursions.

Concessional School Fees Program

Health Care, Concessional and Veterans Affairs (gold) card holders as well as students identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander may be eligible for Concessional School Fees.

The following families are strongly encouraged to apply for concessional school fees:

• Any family of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
• Any family holding an HCC and eligible for CSEF.
• Any family experiencing severe financial hardship.
• Any family holding a DVA Gold Card.
• Any family identified as refugees and holding an ImmiCard.
• Any family required to relocate their (Australian resident) child to St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School, North Melbourne, due to the child requiring long term medical treatment at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Pro-rata concession is provided for part-year attendance. An annual statutory declaration is required to confirm eligibility.
• HSS who attend a MACS primary school on a part time basis, who meet any of the criteria detailed above.

 For further information view the Concessional School Fees Policy and Application Form.

The Building Fund

Donations to the Building Fund can be claimed as a tax deduction. To make a voluntary donation to the Building Fund please use the account details listed below. All donations to the Building Fund account are used to further service the loans the school has to pay for building programs.

BSB - 083 347

ACCOUNT NO - 02547 1925

REF: 01399 (please quote your family name & initial)

https://aussiebirdcount.org.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

Barwon GCG Blast Centre

Barwon GCG Blast Centre 2.70 MB

Ascent Footwear

Ascent Footwear 623.79 KB

North Bellarine Aquatic Centre

This remarkable addition to our community is set to open to the public on Wednesday, 1 November, and we are excited to invite families and residents to join us in celebrating!

To showcase the centre to the public, we are hosting a free open day on Sunday, November 5th. On this day, visitors will have the chance to explore and enjoy the impressive features of the aquatic centre, including:

• A stunning eight-lane 50-metre pool.
• All abilities change facilities.
• A kiosk with outdoor seating.
• Shaded tiered seating and landscaped lawn areas.
• Parking for 60 cars and electric vehicle charging.
• Reciprocal access for all Swim Sport & Leisure members.

There will also be live entertainment, a sausage sizzle, free coffee, and giveaways on the day!

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority

NAPLAN moved from May to March this year, and changes were made to reporting in order to provide simpler, clearer, and more meaningful results.

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is keen to hear from principals and teachers, as well as parents and carers, on these changes. Feedback is currently being captured via a survey, which will be open until early December 2023. 

You can access a link to the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRTZCHN.

Please note that the survey is managed by ACARA, and the VCAA will not collect or have access to any of the survey responses or results. Participation is voluntary; however, the VCAA encourages you to provide your feedback and to distribute the survey within your school community to support the ongoing evaluation of NAPLAN testing.

Barwon Health 

Free parent webinars are being held on Wednesday 11^th, Thursday 19^th and Tuesday 24^th October at 7pm that address vaping.

Click this link to watch it: Vaping Decoded: Empowering parents in the vaping conversation - Blurred Minds