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God of love and peace,
During this Lenten time before Holy Week, where we come together for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday
Help us continue to take the actions of praying, fasting and almsgiving
You care for us and all in our global family. You want for us all life in its fullness.
Help us see the challenges faced by so many.
Help us look for justice.
Fill our hearts with love and peace.
Turn our compassion to action.
Help us renew the world, now and for all future generations.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen
Dear Parents and Carers
As we journey through 2025 on the path of peace, it’s important to reflect on how we can foster peace in our own lives and, most importantly, in the lives of our children. The recent decision to keep school owned iPads at school, aims to support students' well-being by reducing screen time and promoting mindfulness and green time.
A parent recently recommended The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, which explores the rise of anxiety and depression among young people. Haidt connects these issues to technological and societal changes, emphasising the impact of social media, overprotective parenting, cultural shifts, academic pressure and declining social support. He highlights how excessive screen time fosters social comparison and loneliness, while helicopter parenting reduces resilience. Haidt advocates for fostering resilience, reducing overprotectiveness and encouraging young people to engage in face-to-face interactions to combat these challenges and help reverse the trend of rising anxiety.
Fortunately, our learning community values research-backed approaches to well-being. By setting healthy boundaries around technology use, fostering resilience, and encouraging real-world connections, we can support our children in developing stronger, healthier minds.
Please note and save the date for Monday 11th August 6.30-8pm for a parent information session on Strengthening children and teens against anxiety held here at school with Karen Young. Click Here for a link to her Hey Sigmund website with helpful resources for you as a parent or carer. Teachers will also be participating in Professional Learning on this day Strengthening Against Anxiety in Schools.
Enjoy these photos below of 3 JR enjoying some reading time in our peaceful gardens. A great contributor to peaceful minds.
International Women's Day Kylie Moore-Gilbert: Many thanks to our school leaders Innes Pasque and Nina Butters for joining me in this wonderful event at St Ignatius. The profound message from Kylie, who displays such strength and bravery, was the importance of connection and support from others, whatever is going on in your life, we all need others and connection to get through adversity and any life struggles.
Youth Pilgrimage: Well done to our Year 6 leaders who joined 200 Catholic Primary school leaders in a pigrimage of hope last Wednesday. A wonderful day celebrating our Catholic Identity, Indigenous spirituality , history of Catholic Education in Geelong, a Mass at St Mary's Basilica and call to action via the Geelong Mum's social justice group.
Family Maths Night: Our Family Maths night was a huge success with 52 families participating. Thank you to the following families for participating: Grant, Allen, Sheridan, La Terra, Currie, Collins, Hachem, Miller, Rollins, Darburn, Brown, Sinnott, Roberts, Piec, Reynolds, Panozzo, Skora, Richards, Butters, Dárcy, Swain, McLeish, Harry, Kerr, Pasque, Evans, Connolly, Franks, McKay, Hackwill, Keane, Finnigan, Donnelly, Packwood, McDonald, Abbott, Francis, Carr, Sherlock, Micallef, Leigh, McKerracher, Bucek, Stephens, Quinn, O'Neill, Connoley, Lacy, Salter, Ho, Carter, McDonald, McCalman, Richards, Tweddle, Mills, Rippon, Mackay, Toscano, Tuicolo, Watson, Montgomery, Gopani, Muldoon, Shopov, Patena, Jennings, Broughton, Dalton, Bonacci.
Many thanks to our Mathematics Leaders Pat Kennedy and Melissa Garvey for leading this night and all the staff in attendance. We encourage all families to further embrace the home learning by incorporating THESE fun games into your home. We also trust all is going well with our student's reading, some word work in juniors and tables Year 3-6.
Communication during the day: We've had a number of parents emailing teachers directly to ask them to pass on messages to their child about, who to go home with etc, which we don't see during teaching time.
This is a reminder call the office when or if you need a messages passed on to your child during the day. Teachers will often not see these emails during teaching time.
Whole School Athletics – Monday, 31st March
A reminder that on Monday, 31st March, our school community will come together for our Whole School Athletics at Landy Field. This is always a fantastic day filled with participation, encouragement, and school spirit!
We sincerely appreciate all parents who have volunteered to assist on the day. If you haven’t yet signed up via Operoo and would like to help, please contact Sam Scott at sscott@staroceangrove.
For junior parent helpers, thank you to those who have already put their names down to volunteer. As we can only accommodate three parent helpers at a time, your child’s classroom teacher will reach out to you if your assistance is required.
For all other parents and those who do not need to assist on the day, we warmly invite you to come along and cheer from outside the designated areas. Please note that only official class helpers wearing a vest may be inside the coned-off sections. This is important for student safety and ensures teachers can effectively supervise the events without additional crowding.
We look forward to a fantastic day of participation, encouragement, and school spirit! And for those who need a caffeine boost, a coffee van will be on-site!
Holy Week Activities: On the last day in place of assembly, our Year 1-6 students will be walking the path of the Stations of the Cross and celebrating Holy week. Parents and Carers welcome. Please read Hub News for more detail.
Anzac Day March: On Friday 25 April we invite students from Year Prep-Year 6 to attend the march wearing full school uniform. We will also lay a wreath as in previous years. Please meet at the Coles supermarket on the main street by 9.30 am.
Wishing you a peaceful fortnight ahead before heading into a well deseved break.
Kerryn
Families are asked to donate as follows
Year 3-6: Easter Eggs
Prep - Year 2: Bags/Baskets
Please send tickets and eggs in no later than Friday 28 March 2025.
(Child's full name and class must be included to be considered a valid entry)
If tickets could be separated and folded upon return,we would be grateful.
Parent workshop to draw the raffle 2nd April 2025 9-11am
Let’s all do our best and try not using snap lock bags/plastic.
Raffle winners to be annonced on 2nd April.
Term 1 2025
28th March: Fire Carriers Assembly
31st March: Whole school athletics
1st April: Girls division football
4th April: Stations of the Cross 9.15am Yr 1-6. End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Term 2 2025
22nd April: Term 2 begins
25th April: ANZAC Day public holiday, ANZAC Day March 9.30am from Coles
7th May: Mothers night 4.30pm-6pm
5th-16th May: Yr 1 swimming lessons 12.30pm
19th-30th May: Yr 3 & 4 swimming lessons 12.30pm
28th May: Yr 6 confirmation 6.00-7.00pm
9th-20th June: Yr 5 & 6 swimming lessons 12.30pm
9th June: Kings Birthday public holiday
10th June: Reconciliation session (class 1 10.00-11.00am) (class 2 11.45-12.45pm)
4th July: End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Term 3 2025
21st July: Term 3 begins
11th August: Student free day
18th-19th August: Yr 4 camp
20th August: Yr 4 rest day
27th August: First Eucharist Sacrament Information Night 6.00-7.00pm
31st August: First Eucharist (session 1 9.00-10.00am) (session 2 1.00-2.00pm)
1st-3rd September: Yr 6 camp
4th September: Yr 6 rest day
8th September: School Feast Day
8th-19th September: Prep swimming lessons 12.30pm
9th September: Fathers night 4.30pm-6pm
9th September: Division athletics (year level qualifiers)
10th-11th September: Yr 3 camp
12th September: Yr 3 rest day
15th-17th September: Yr 5 camp
18th September: Yr 5 rest day
19th September: 19th September Footy colours day, End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Term 4 2025
6th October: Term 4 begins
3rd November: Student Free day
4th November: Melbourne Cup Public holiday
7th November: Mission Fete:
24th November: PFA AGM 7.00-8.30pm
5th December: Student free day
17th December: End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
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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Term 1
Thursday 30 January: Students return - Friday 4 April
Easter: Friday 18 April - Monday 21 April 2025
Term 2
Tuesday 22 April - Friday 4 July
Term 3
Monday 21 July - Friday 19 September
Term 4
Monday 6 October - Wednesday 17 December 2.30 pm 2025
