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God of all creation,
We thank you for the wonderful gift of nature. Thank you for the green trees, the colorful flowers, and the busy bees. Thank you for the fresh air we breathe and the warm sun that helps everything grow.
As we plant these trees , we ask you to help them grow big and strong. May they provide homes for birds, shade for us, and clean air for everyone. Help us to be good caretakers of our earth, just as you are.
Bless our hands as we work and fill our hearts with joy and wonder for the world you have made.
Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers
I'm thrilled to be back after a truly wonderful and enriching trip to Italy, a journey filled with discovery, learning and unforgettable memories with close members of my family. This experience broadened my perspectives, reinforced the value of cultural immersion and highlighted the importance of global understanding. I'm energised and eager to resume our collective journey of learning and achievement this term. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who ensured everything ran smoothly in my absence.
MACS has released its new Vision for Engagement, which will sit alongside the Vision for Instruction. This new vision aims to "know young people deeply and to support excellent learning outcomes."
We're pleased that this new vision aligns well with our existing practices at Our Lady Star of the Sea, adding valuable resources to our efforts. We've always prioritised the well-being and engagement of our students, focusing on the positive relationships that are so crucial for a child's success.
To support this, our Student Wellbeing Team includes:
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Paul Anderson, our Student Wellbeing Leader
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Bree Jones, our Mental Health in Schools Leader
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Natalie Skahill, our Learning Diversity Leader
- Learning Support Teachers from each year level and myself.
Our Learning Support Officers also play a vital role and we highly value the relationships they build with all students, especially those needing extra support. The team-around-the-child approach, with the student at the centre, remains a core focus.
In other news, we are saying goodbye for 6 months at this stage, to Kristen Leonard, our Learning Diversity Leader, who has accepted a new position with MACS. Other schools will certainly benefit from the endless knowledge and skills Kristen brings and she will be missed. We wish her all the best and thank Natalie Skahill for extending her Learning Diversity Leader role and Amanda Durbridge, a current LSO, will now take on the Year 1 and Year 2 intervention groups.
Over the coming months, we'll be exploring the Vision for Engagement more deeply. It consists of six key practices that are intrinsically connected:
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Teaching respectful behavior
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Fostering belonging
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Focusing on attendance
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Promoting mental health and wellbeing
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Enabling motivation
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Targeting individual learning needs
You can learn more by CLICKING HERE on the attached poster which has a succinct visual. We look forward to auditing our current practices against this new framework and continuing to ensure the well-being and flourishing of every child.
The upcoming professional learning we have for teachers and parents is an example of one of our Engagement practices. A reminder that Monday 11 August is a school closure day. It will be an opportunity for our staff to participate in professional learning around staff well-being and Managing Anxiety at School for our students. Parents also have the opportunity that night from 6.30 pm - 8 pm to attend a parent session in Purple Hub , Strengthening Against Anxiety in our Young People with Karen Young from Hey Sigmund. Please look out for the Operoo today to indicate your interest in attending the event.
This term has had a busy start where we have already seen quite a few extracurricular activities. These include tree planting day, 100 days of prep, Inquiry Immersion in Year 1 and Year 2 and excursions in other year levels. We look forward to many more engaging learning experiences for our students this term and we ask you to keep an eye on the parent calendar and the newsletter to keep up to date with what is happening for your child.
Tree planting: We had another successful tree planting day this term. This annual event is such a beautiful time to see how Year 6 and Year Prep buddies come together as stewards of creation and make a positive difference to our environment. Many thanks to Kellie Clark and the team of teachers and parents for all their efforts.
This year we saw 160 students involved and 10 staff. A huge thank you to the prep parent volunteers: Katie, Tahlia, Amanda, Christie and Bridget. 130 indigenous plants were added to the front of the school.
A MASSIVE thank you and acknowledgement to Barwon Water for donating all of the plants this year and the GenU nursery for growing such healthy indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses for us. Also Bellarine Catchment Network for supporting us with tools and our 2024 Jnr Landcare grant provided funds for garden supplies.
Patrick & Liam, two of our media leaders, recounted the positive rewarding experience and reflected: ‘we dug up a hole, placed the tree in the hole and put some kind of like crystals that suck in water so the roots of the plant can drink..’ ‘overall both of the activities were really good and it was a great opportunity to do something with our buddies and everyone I think enjoyed it.’
During the holidays, many of you may have noticed, we were also able to give our “forest” area an uplift and solve the flooding issue at our Shell Road gate.
It is also wonderful to see our mural completed. Many thanks again to Rachael Thomas, Mural Nomad and all our Year 3-6 students for sharing their visual ideas. It looks great and brightens up the canteen area space beautifully for us all to appreciate.
Wishing you a joy filled fortnight ahead.
Kerryn
Bullying No Way Week is 11–15 August 2025.
Bullying No Way Week is Australia's key bullying prevention initiative for schools.
The theme for 2025 is 'Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.'
It takes courage to spark change.
Bullying is everyone's responsibility. It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate.
Students can be bold, kind and take a stand to support others being bullied. While parents and teachers are there to support children and young people learn how to behave in a positive way.
In our community and in our school, we want a place where everyone can belong, a place that celebrates everyone, and where bullying is never accepted.
This Bullying No Way Week, we're asking students, schools, families and communities to be bold and say something, be kind and support someone, and be proud to take a stand against bullying.
If your child talks to you about bullying:
- Listen calmly and get the full story. Your calm response is important to allow your child to tell you all about the situation. After they’ve told you their story, ask questions to get more details if you need: who, what, where, when. Although you may feel some strong emotions about your child’s experience, try to keep calm to avoid more distress to your child.
- Reassure your child they are not to blame. Many children blame themselves and this may make them feel even worse. You could say things like, ‘That sounds really hard to deal with. No one should have to put up with that.’ or ‘I’m so glad you told me. You should be able to feel safe at school; that’s not fair at all’.
- Ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do. A critical part of your response is to avoid jumping in to solve the problem. While it is natural to want to protect your child, helping them to find their own solution is a better option. It helps them feel they have some power in the situation.
- Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au to find some strategies. The website has tips and ideas for different bullying situations. One idea is to practise strategies at home to help your child feel more confident.
- Contact the school. Your child may be reluctant for you to do this, so discuss the idea and reassure them that the school would want to know and is able to help. Students from Years 3 - 6 are encouraged to use the Student Safety Concern Forms. Contact the school immediately if you have a concern about your child’s safety.
- Check in regularly with your child. Keep the conversation going. It can take time to resolve issues, so check in regularly with your child about their experiences and their feelings. Your ongoing support is important.
Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety
You are invited to attend a free Parent/Carers Information evening, facilitated by Karen Young : ’Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety’
When: Monday 11 August, 6:20-8.00pm.
Where: Purple Hub - Our Lady Star of the Sea School
Karen Young is a psychologist and internationally renowned expert in child and adolescent anxiety. She is the founder of Hey Sigmund, a trusted online resource that attracts millions of readers each year, offering research-driven insights on mental wellness, emotional regulation, resilience, and children’s development.
Karen is the author of several bestselling children’s books, including Hey Warrior and Hey Awesome, which teach kids to understand and manage anxiety with warmth, humour, and neuroscience-based activities—together selling over 200,000 copies globally.
Join us for a parent information evening where Karen will guide you through:
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Understanding anxiety in childhood and adolescence
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Nurturing emotional resilience and courage
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Setting firm yet loving boundaries
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Building connection and influence during big emotions
Perfect for parents and carers, who want to learn research-grounded and accessible tools to support young people.
Link to Karen’s Hey Sigmund Anxiety Resources for Kids
Please note, this event will be an in-person event only and will not be streamed.
Please complete the Operoo sent out earlier today.
Paul Anderson
Student Wellbeing Leader
Term 3 2025
20th August: Yr 4 rest day
22nd August: Book week parade
26th August: District Athletics
27th August: First Eucharist Sacrament Information Night 6.00-7.00pm
29th August: Assembly Yr 2AG
31st August: First Eucharist (session 1 9.00-10.00am)
1st-3rd September: Yr 6 camp
4th September: Yr 6 rest day
5th September: Assembly Prep JC
7th September: First Eucharist (session 2 9.00-10.00am)
8th September: School Feast Day
8th-19th September: Prep & Yr 6 swimming lessons 12.30pm
9th September: Fathers night 4.30pm-6pm
9th September: Division athletics (year level qualifiers)
10th September: Yr 3 rest day
11th- 12th September: Yr 3 camp
12th September: Assembly Yr 1NM
14th September: First Eucharist (session 3 9.00-10.00am)
15th-17th September: Yr 5 camp
18th September: Yr 5 rest day
19th September: Assembly, Footy colours day, End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Term 4 2025
6th October: Term 4 begins
10th October: Assembly Prep MR
16th October: Arts Trail 4-7pm
17th October: Assembly Yr 2RP
24th October: Assembly Yr 6EB
31st October: Assembly Yr 3CL
3rd November: Student Free day
4th November: Melbourne Cup Public holiday
7th November: Mission Fete/Mass
14th November: Assembly Yr 2MG
21st November: Assembly Yr 5 BC
24th November: PFA AGM 7.00-8.30pm
28th November: Assembly Yr 4 TBC
2nd December: 9-1.30pm Prep Orientation in small groups
2nd December: School concert 5-7.30pm
3rd December: 9-1.30pm Prep Orientation in small groups
5th December: Student free day
9th December: Whole school orientation 9-10am, Prep orientation 9.30-11am
12th December: Assembly Yr 6PK Farewell and Thank you
17th December: Assembly Yr 6 Graduation, End of term (early finish 2.30pm)
Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates
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
