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- Kelly Sports term 2 Lunchtime and After School Activities
- Upcoming Important Dates on the Parent Calendar
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Heavenly Father,
We pray for the newly confirmed members of our community,
that they may be strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit
to live as faithful disciples of Christ.
Grant them the gift of Wisdom,
to seek and cherish the truths of the Gospel.
Grant them the gift of Understanding,
to grasp the mysteries of our faith with clarity.
Grant them the gift of Counsel,
to make decisions guided by Your Spirit.
Grant them the gift of Fortitude,
to courageously live out their faith in the face of challenges.
Grant them the gift of Knowledge,
to deepen their relationship with You and Your Church.
Grant them the gift of Piety,
to worship You with reverence and devotion.
Grant them the gift of Fear of the Lord,
to recognise Your majesty and obey Your commandments.
May they be shining lights in our community,
bearing witness to the love and mercy of Christ.
Fill them with Your grace and peace,
and guide them in their journey of discipleship.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you are all managing to enjoy this glorious, autumnal weather.
This week is family week with a theme of Building Compassionate Families and Communities. As you all are aware, this is very much part of Our Lady Star of the Sea and the vibrant, generous and out reaching community we are. Being faithful to our vision of respect and nurture, we are fortunate to be witnesses to this compassion daily.
Pope Francis, in his address to the United Nations, Clementine Hall, 2013 stated "Over and over again we see that family bonds are essential for the stability of relationships in society, for the work of education, and for integral human development, for they are inspired by love, responsible intergenerational solidarity, and mutual trust.” With grateful hearts, we acknowledge our 393 families and the love you give within your own family and extend to others, adding tremendous value to your children’s lives and our learning community.
Fittingly, as we recognise Family Week, we have certainly experienced the coming together of our families on numerous occasions over the last week. These include Year 6 Confirmation, Mother’s and Significant Females Night and assembly, Athletics day, Cross Country, Swimming, today’s Year 3 Sovereign Hill Excursion, Care and Concern roster, School Advisory Council and PFA Meetings to name a few. Our vibrant community is indeed something to be grateful for.
Year 6 Confirmation: On Saturday, 81 of our amazing Year 6 students were conferred by the Most Reverend Martin Ashe and supported by Fr Darien Sticklen, as they celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday 11 May. We congratulate the 81 Confirmation candidates.
We are also very thankful to Bishop Martin, Fr Darien, Rebecca Nancarrow and all of the Year 6 team for their wonderful preparation of the students and ensuring a beautiful, spiritual and reverent celebration.
Mother and Significant Females celebrations: We hope you all enjoyed the Mother’s Day celebrations last week. I know the students certainly were full of zest and enthusiasm to make you feel special. Many thanks also to the dad’s who got on board with cooking the sausages and Jess Bamfield for donating some sausages through her work. The teachers drew on their creative skills along with the students to ensure you received a lovely surprise on Sunday. Thank you also to 6BC for a heartwarming assembly and the distribution of the colourful flowers which were made with love.
Whole School Athletics Day: Many thanks again to Sam Scott for his brilliant organising of the sports day. Special mention to Kathryn and her brilliant support and all staff for yet again getting on board with passion and commitment to ensure a successful day was had by all. The students joy, persistence and participation was exemplary.
Science of Learning, Engagement and Student and Teacher Wellbeing: As we continue to explore evidence based practise for quality learning and teaching and build on the wonderful things we already do, we were grateful to have the recent professional learning day with Sarah Morgante “ The HeArt of the Matter.” Some of you may be aware of the direction all schools are taking in different ways when it comes to implementing Science of Learning strategies and explicit instruction. We were affirmed on this day as a whole staff for the evidence based explicit teaching we do bring to our students and our focus on valuing the ‘whole child’ as part of the Science Of Learning rather than just the rigidity and structure – hence, why the heart is included in the title of our Professional Learning. In line with our School Improvement Plan and Annual Action Plan, we are very much continuing our exploration of the Science of Learning to bring about further understanding in our context and have continued access to great professional learning. The day reinforced that together as a staff, we can shape the vision for instruction in our context while prioritising student-centreedness and maintaining high expectations and teaching practices. We will continue to further to develop our knowledge and implement evidence based, tailored practices, emphasising the need for continuous professional learning among teachers. We remain committed to continue to ensure relationships, engagement, voice and collaboration are important learning sciences for our students to fully flourish.
Sustainability Through Your Own Lens Photography Finalist: Congratulations to Amara Gauld who is finalist in the Sustainability Through Your Own Lens Photography Competition. This is a wonderful achievement and something to celebrate!
Title: Shine the Light by Amara Gauld, Grade 6, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Ocean Grove
Answer to prompt: We need to keep our planet healthy and clean for future generations. The sun comes up and sets every day we have a responsibility to keep the planet liveable for all the creatures. This photo was taken from the point of view of a creature not a human and shows how the earth is important for everyone.
Baptisms: Any parents and carers wishing to baptise their children, please submit a baptism request form. This needs to be done receiving Sacraments. Once the baptism request form is received from the family, the baptism team will contact each family. Non-Catholic families must meet with Fr Darien first to discuss why they would like their child/children baptised. Each family must attend a baptism preparation session and Welcoming Mass before their Baptism Service. Here is the link for baptism enquiries and requests: Baptism – Holy Trinity Parish Queenscliff (holytrinityqueenscliff.org.au).
Wishing all families much love and peace.
Kerryn
The Sacrament of Confirmation
On Saturday, 81 of our Year 6 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation. We were blessed to welcome Most Reverend Bishop Martin who, supported by Father Darien, wore red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the apostles at Pentecost. Now is an opportune time to reflect on our understanding of this sacrament.
The Sacrament of Confirmation builds on the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and completes the process of initiation into the Catholic community. It establishes young adults as full members of the faith. This sacrament is called Confirmation because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong.
During Baptism, parents and godparents make promises to believe in God and the Church on a child’s behalf. At Confirmation, the candidates renew those same promises, this time speaking for themself. During Confirmation, the focus is on the Holy Spirit, who confirmed the apostles at Pentecost and gave them courage to practice their faith. Catholics believe that the same Holy Spirit confirms during the Sacrament of Confirmation and gives them the same gifts.
Congratulations to the newly confirmed; Willow Armitstead, Betty-Byrd Bakacs, Bodhi Bennett, Daisy Bianco, Jed Burchell, Evie Davis, Frederick Dickinson, Oscar Falconer, Claire Francis, Amara Gauld, Isaac Geerings, Sophia Jankowski, Isla Jobling, Billy Levis, Jethro Mansell, Kaleb Marr, Travis Martinelli, Maddison Mifsud, Oscar Paraskavas, Queenie Patterson, Flynn Rippon, Savannah Selig, Beau Walsh, Lilah Bennett, Gracie Cook, Amelia Harrington, Ahli James, Cleo Kelso, Harvey Mansell, Hannah McCaffrey, Patrick McCartney, Connor Mckay, Ella Mifsud, Charlie Perkins, Ashton Ramsay, Harrison Stubs, Maya Taverna, Winni Ward, Reeve Wellard, Noah White, Eliza Wood, William Baker, Sophie Batters, Lola Carr, Lucas de Zoete, Ace Dupe, Iyah Durling, Sebastian Gee, Zoe Hodges, Caleb Horner, Jasper Lindsay, Gus Morgan, Cruz Pascoe, Jett Piec, Gemma Quinn, Keely Russell, Gabriel Stefankowski, Nikita Turner, Nate Wombwell, Nicholas Wright, Willow Annand, Emoke-Lou Bakacs, Ted Banks, Jaida Bapaume, Isla Bateup, Max Bonacci, Chance Cruickshank, April Dee, Harry Dooling, Lucy Gallagher, Chase Garrard, Noah Jennings, Joshua Maud, Buddy McGregor, Thomas Rattray-Wood, Sebastian Sorace, Estella Sorace, Dantès Talaue, Isabella Van Der Heyden, Maggie Wallace, Jordan Wiltshire.
A huge thank you to our dedicated team of Year 6 teachers and learning support teachers for preparing our students, their families and friends for their support and our wider community for your prayers.
This week, from the 13th to the 19th of May, we celebrate National Family Week. It is a time to celebrate with your family, connect with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. The aim of National Families Week is to not only celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society, but to also reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children as they grow. During National Family Week 2024 we encourage you to celebrate the diversity within your family. And, to celebrate the commonalities and differences between your family and other families.
This year’s theme is ‘Building Compassionate Families and Communities’. Families are crucial to our wellbeing. When families are compassionate, healthy, safe, and nurturing, our overall wellbeing improves and that of our wider community.
Suggestions for activities at home:
Interview or have a conversation with a parent, uncle, aunty, or grandparent to learn about their childhood. Ask them to share stories about what their life was like when they were young. Here are some example questions:
- What did they do as a family when they were younger?
- How did they spend their free time?
- What were their hobbies?
- What were their friends or family like?
- What were some of the challenges they faced and how did they overcome them or cope with them?
- Who showed them compassion in their challenging times? What did they do? How did it help them?
- What lessons have they learnt from those experiences?
Pick a family activity to try during Family Week.
- Have an all-of-family cooking night
- Have a family movie marathon
- Have a family games night
- Catch up with extended family and friends
- Have a special family breakfast before work and/or school
- Let the children make dinner for the adults – and choose the entertainment!
- Take some family photos or create a family album or book
- Organize a family bushwalk or walkathon
- Or come up with your own idea!
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.
Please label your child's beanie with their name or initials.
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
| Schoolzine App |
School app, used for sending reminders, notifications and for providing access to PAM, Parent Calendar, newsletters, School website. Additionally, you can find the newsletter and information, including the canteen menu.  |
| Staff email address | first initial and surname@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au |
| School newsletter |
Our main form of communication is the fortnightly newsletter, emailed on Tuesdays. Group emails from the school office will also be sent through the Schoolzine platform. |
| School website |
www.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au Access to policies/procedures, school information and parent calendar. |
| Parent calendar | Link to calendar can be found on our website Home Page and school app. |
| PAM Parent access module | A platform for lodging student absences and gaining access to student digital school reports. Past years' reports are also stored on this platform.
Please click the link here: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au . This will take you to the PAM login page. Your username is the email address you have provided to school. For new families please sign up now 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. * Use the School App for a quick access to PAM |
| Permission notes |
 Operoo is an electronic version of permission forms and information for excursions, camps and parent/student meetings. It also provides you the opportunity to update medical information promptly while providing the school with instant access to the emergency information provided by you.
* Use the School App for a quick access to Operoo
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| Seesaw |
 Student digital learning journal and providing an additional means of reminders for the entire parent group.
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Our Lady Star of the Sea Ocean Grove School Facebook Page: Sharing of learning experiences and events hosted by the school. OLSOS Parents Ocean Grove Vic Parent Chatter Facebook: A platform for parent reminders and queries. OLSOS Ocean Grove Recycled Uniforms Families may post here to purchasing, sell or give away of school uniforms.
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| Canteen Online Ordering |
The canteen service is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays operated offsite by Kylie Taylor.
Ordering cut off time is 8.30am.
Fresh Salad boxes are available on Wednesdays only.
Sushi is for Fridays only, these MUST be pre ordered by Thursday. To cancel an order:
Before cut-off time (8.30am): Login to your account and select ACTIVE/CANCEL ORDERS. Locate your order and select CANCEL on the right-hand side of the order (you may need to scroll across to see the cancel link).
Orders are processed through www.quickcliq.com.au You can order up to 30 days in advance.
* Use the School App for a quick access to our canteen online ordering platform
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| Student Medical Forms |
Students who require ANY medication at school must have their medication stored at the office, accompanied by the relevant forms, as below. No medication will be dispensed without these being completed and up to date.
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| School Assembly |
School assemblies are held every Friday morning 9am in our school gym, known as Djila Tjarri. All welcome.
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