Heavenly Father,

We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the joy that you bring into our lives. In the midst of our learning, friendships, and daily challenges, we seek your presence and the light of your love.

Grant us the grace to find joy in the journey of learning, to appreciate the beauty of knowledge, and to approach each day with enthusiasm and a thirst for wisdom. May our classrooms be filled with the joy of discovery, and may we be inspired by the wonder of your creation.

Bless our teachers and fellow students, that together we may create an environment of support, kindness, and joy. Help us to share the joy of your Gospel with others, bringing a message of hope and love to the world.

In moments of difficulty, remind us that true joy comes from you and that we can find strength in your presence. May our lives be a reflection of your joy, spreading warmth and happiness to those around us.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers

As we embark on a brand-new school year, we extend to you a warm and heartfelt welcome. We hope this letter finds you well-rested, filled with joy and ready for the exciting journey that lies ahead.

This year, our primary school community has chosen the theme "With Grateful Hearts," a sentiment that embodies the spirit of appreciation and thankfulness. This year, we come together with grateful hearts. To live with gratitude and meet our God with gladness, is to live in a spirit of appreciation of what we have and of what comes our way. Being grateful opens us to receiving love and the fullness that life is offering.

It serves as a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and acknowledge through words and actions the countless blessings and opportunities that surround us each day.

Yesterday, Fr Darien celebrated a beautiful Mass with our staff and St Aloysius combined which was a wonderful way to start the year with our shared theme.

With grateful hearts, we express our deepest appreciation to our wonderful students, dedicated educators, supportive parents and the entire Our Lady Star of the Sea staff. Your commitment to creating a nurturing and inspiring environment plays a pivotal role in shaping the success and well-being of our students.

Here are some photos of the beautiful, inclusive spaces our staff have created to welcome your children.

As we navigate the coming months, let's approach each day with a grateful heart. Whether it's the warmth of a smile, the support of a friend, reaching out to those in need or the joy of a shared accomplishment, may we recognise and appreciate the moments that make our school community special.

Let us also embrace the challenges and triumphs that the new school year brings. With grateful hearts, we look forward to another year of growth, discovery, and shared success.

For our welcome newsletter we share again below our 2024 staff and the areas they are working in this year below. 

Prep 2023: We welcomed all our Prep students today and they were absolutely awesome. Welcome to Finn Abbott, Mila Abbott, Beau Brown, Ted Baldwinson, Sabine Broughton, Sylvie Bucek, Lola Connoley, Charlotte Carlon, Luca Cachia, William Carr, Kenley Dixon, Angus Duffield, Harrison D'Arcy, William Edwards, Leni Ellingsen, Hayley Farrell, Lennon Favazza, Poppy Finnigan, River Franks, Louie Ford, Arlia Gant, Juniper Gist, Gus Guyett, Toby Guyett, Isla Haber, Bobby Hinkley, Dylan Ho, Mia Howland, Paris Hunt, Ethan Jennings, Louis Keane, Darcie Kilkenny, Xander Lacy, Alexander LaTerra, Dawson Lewis, Billy Lister, Stephanie Martinelli, Louie Molloy, Connor McCaffrey, Aston Mills, Ella McEwen, Harvey McMinn, Sebastian Miller, Jonah Mills, Greer Monteleone, Charlie Muling, Henry Nancarrow, Tilly Occhipinti, Daisy Packwood, Isabelle Page, Elka Pasque, Floyd Piwonski, Ned Perkins, Mila Perus, Quinn Place, Imogen Pullford, Clementine Rankin, Mila Rogowski, Blake Royall, Lincoln Salter, Remy Searl, Charlie Smart, William Spolding, Cooper Swain, Leo Taylor, Arabella Ward, Jack Williams. 

New Families: A warm welcome also to our new families: Niamh McCalman, Oliver Sparks, Madison Sparks, Angus Monteleone, Ilya Ross, Fraser Wallis, Genevieve Broughton, Quinn Garwood, Riley Garwood, Priya Sood, Arjun Sood, Indiana Brown, Phoenix Brown, Beau Brown, Finn Mulcahy, Christian McCarthy and Indi McCarthy 

Welcome back to: Maya Searl 

PFA: A reminder there will be a PFA meeting this coming Monday night, 5 February, 7-8 pm in the staff room. All are welcome to support the planning of fun filled family events throughout the year. 

Wishing you all a wonderful school year filled with joy, learning and gratitude.

Kerryn

Principal: Kerryn Sells, Deputy Principal/Student Wellbeing Leader: Paul Anderson, Learning and Teaching Leader: Marianne Caddy, Digital Technologies Leader: Corey Gallagher, Learning Diversity Leader: Kristen Leonard, RE Leader: Rebecca Nancarrow, Sports Leader: Sam Scott, Indonesian Leader: Bree Jones

Administration Staff: Sharon Lane, Kathleen Ingles and Bernadette Giblin

Mental Health in Primary School role and Learning Diversity Year 4-6:

Natalie Skahill

Physical Education: Kathryn Vickers 

Performing Arts - Music, Dance and Drama: Helen Stephensen and Taliah deBeer

STEM: Leah Cole and Bec Notman 

Digital Technologies Teacher: Jane Laidler

Art Teacher: Rachael Thomas 

Prep Red Hub Michelle Richards, Taliah de Beer, Chloe Grist, Bryony Musarra LST Kylene Gray 

Year 1 Green Hub Melissa Garvey, Zac Stankiewicz, Charlotte Monahan, Georgia Cowling LST Sarah de Jong 

Year 2 Blue Hub Jacinta Ryan, Bella Scaffidi, Ryan Prest LST Miranda Kelly

Year 3 Purple Hub Bree Russell, Nicole Maier, Christine Lourie, Miranda McCluskey, Laura Grey LST Pat Kennedy 

Year 4 Purple Hub Marnie Hallam, Alyce Knight, Matt Eales, Alice MacNamara LST Bree Jones 

Year 5 Yellow Hub Ashlee Guifrida, Sharon Chirgwin, Lizzie Conquit, Sam Scott LST Jess Mullen  

Year 6 Orange Hub Brendan Casey, Lisa Grigg, Emily Bissell-Barahona, Caz Taylor LST Rebecca Nancarrow

Learning Support Staff (LSO)

Annelie, Millie, Jody, Byron

Robyn, Danielle, Kellie, Linda

Rachel, Emily, Catherine, Carly 

Jane, Luke, Michelle,Bridget, Erika

Priscilla, Sam, Leanne,Aurora,

Ryan Prest Classroom Teacher - Yr 2PR

Hi my name is Ryan, I am excited to join the Our Lady Star of the Sea community in 2024. I have just completed my Bachelor of Primary Education at Australian Catholic University, where I majored in inclusive education, and have worked in many areas of education such as surf lifesaving education and multicultural education. 

I live locally in Ocean Grove and in my free time enjoy diving, surfing and walking my dog on the beach as well as getting away in my 4WD for camping trips. 

I can’t wait to join the teaching staff at OLSOS and look forward to meeting members of the community in the coming terms. 

Kathryn Vickers - Physical Education Teacher 

2024 School Fee Invoices have been emailed to families. 

Fee statements are sent out each term. Fee payment by Direct Debit is the school preferred option. Please return your Direct debit authority form by Monday 5 February. 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.

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 Fee Policy for MACS primary schools and Application Form.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors. Excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works while sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership.  All are a part of a healthy curriculum.

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

 The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $150 for primary school students

HOW TO APPLY

New applicants should Click here for CSEF Application Form  or contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form. 

If you applied for CSEF  last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

• new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools this year.
• changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing this year.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about CSEF visit:
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx

The Conveyance Allowance is a form of government financial assistance to help families in rural and regional Victoria with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest appropriate school/campus.  The allowance is available to eligible students  providing the eligibility criteria is met.

Students attending a government or non-government school must:

• attend their nearest government or non-government school/campus appropriate to their year level at which admission is permissible.
• be enrolled at a school/campus outside Melbourne’s metropolitan conveyance boundary.
• reside 4.8km or more by the shortest practicable route from that school/campus attended.
• be of school age (5 to 18 years old at time of application) and reside in Victoria.

Click here to access the Student Conveyance Allowance Form for Private Car Travellers This form must be returned to the school office no later than Friday 8 March 2023.

Student Medical Management 

As part of a school’s registration, student medical conditions, medications and management plans must be monitored and updates maintained. Recent Medical Management Policy and procedure updates have been implemented. No medication can be administered without the completed authority. 

Ongoing medication for any diagnosed condition

For students who require ongoing medication for any diagnosed condition to be administered at school, a medically approved Medical Management Plan and a Medication Authority form will need to be completed by a registered AHPRA Medical Practitioner (this is not a pharmacist). Eg ADHD, Epilepsy, ASD, Eczema, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy. Both forms will need to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA Medical Practitioner as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. 

Medical Management Plan 

Medication Authority Form

Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Allergic Reaction Action Plan, Diabetes Plan or Condition Specific Medical Plan

If your child has a current Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Allergic Reaction Action Plan or Diabetes Plan or Condition Specific Medical Plan in place and it has been provided to school, only the Medication Authority Form needs to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA Medical Practitioner (this is not a pharmacist) as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. All plans must be updated annually, or earlier if there are changes to the condition. 

Asthma Action Plan 

Anaphylaxis Action Plan 

Allergic Reaction Action Plan 

Medication Authority Form

Short term or ad hoc medication

If a student requires short term or ad hoc medication including but not limited to paracetamol, hayfever medication or soothing creams and ointments a Medical Management Plan and a Medication Authority form needs to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA registered Health Practitioner (including a Medical Practitioner, Pharmacist, Nurse, Dentist), as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. No medication can be administered without the completed authority. Alternatively parents may attend school to administer medication to their child if necessary. 

Medical Management Plan 

Medication Authority Form

All  Medical Management Plans and Medication Authority forms are required to be reviewed by the family and health practitioner annually or if the student’s health care needs change, and provided to school. 

It is advised when you attend a health practitioner for any illness your child is suffering which may require medication to be administered at school, you take a Medical Management Plan form and a Medication Authority form with you to your appointment and get them completed and signed on the day (forms can be found on our school website). The school cannot administer any medication without these forms being completed. 

All medication provided to the school is to be in the original packaging showing the expiry date. If the required forms are not provided to the school no medication will be held at school or dispensed to your child and parents will need to attend school and administer medications. No verbal or written/email consent will be accepted. 

Engaging volunteers at Our Lady Star of the Sea school is integral to the experience for our students. It provides an important link to the community and the home. Parents / Carers are welcome and encouraged to volunteer, especially to work with children in class or on excursions. Volunteering is also encouraged at working bees, school functions and other non classroom based environments. The Child Safe Standards require schools to gather, verify and record a person’s history of work involving children. Our Lady Star of the Sea school takes child safety very seriously and for this reason, volunteers are required to complete an application form, listing work history, including any volunteer work, involving children. 

If you haven't already registered as a school volunteer and you would like to be a Parent/Carer Volunteer, log on to Operoo and complete the Engaging Volunteers at Our Lady Star of the Sea School form. You will also need a current WWCC (Working with Childen Check). You can apply for a WWCC at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

If your child's late arrival (after 9am) has not be lodged on Parent Access Module PAM please ensure they come via the school office and sign in. 

To report a late arrival via PAM, follow the instructions outlined below.

Access the PAM login page by clicking on the following link: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au. Your username is the email address you have provided to school. 

Click on Parent Notified Absences button

 

For new families please sign up to PAM (Parent Access Module) by clicking the link here: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au  This will take you to the PAM login page. Click on the 'Forgot Password?' link and follow the prompts. You will be asked to enter your email address, then you will need to access the link sent to your email address. You can then create a password and this, along with your email address will be your login to PAM.

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