Our Lady Star of the Sea learning community comes together at the beginning of a new year as a believing community, ready to embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ, to be people of love and peace, people of justice and compassion, people of mercy and forgiveness ready to live and learn.

Dear God,

Let us pray that the light and love of Jesus Christ shines out through our words and deeds and our students experience love, peace, justice and compassion, mercy and forgiveness as they live and learn, guided and support by the home and the school working together.

May God, the giver of life, Jesus, the eternal Word, and the Spirit who inspires us, bless us now and forever.

Amen.

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the new school year and our new look newsletter. A year where many quality opportunities will be provided for all children and high expectation for success will be paramount.

A very significant and important event is our “EarthFest”. We are blessed to begin the year with educating our students with a huge focus on sustainability and looking after ourselves and our world. Details are included in this newsletter. Please come along and get involved. Building positive relationships, working alongside each other and modelling this to our children is a great gift we can give them. It will be our initial Beginning of Year get together as a learning conmmunity and also has so many valuable life lessons for our children in wellbeing, spirituality and the importance of caring for our world.

David Attenborough says this is the one thing everyone should to do help the planet

We have a number of students and families joining Our Lady Star of the Sea learning community this year, either in Prep, or in other classes throughout the school.

Welcome to Preps: Tom Annand, Scarlett Aquilina, Vin Bonacci, Isla Briggs, Leroy Bright, Bonnie Brooks, Olivia Burchell, Nina Butters, Maple Campbell, Poppy Cirillo, Jessica Counihan, Winni Crapp, Allegra Currie, Poppy Darburn, Archie Dean, Sam Due, Murphy Dunne, Olivia Ellis, Stevie Emond, Ava Fairway, Lachy Fay, Isabella Flanders, Avah Fletcher, Dougie Flynn, Samuel Fragapane, Max Fraser, Ella Gauld, Sutton-Jaye Grant, Ella Hamm, Polly Hardwick, Billy Heenan, Xavier Hill, Lennie Hinch, Chelsea Hipik, Riley Horner, Lyla Jackson, Stella Jarman, Eden Keen, Maycee Kemp, Liam Kirs Diaz, Bailey Kissane, Jordan Leigh, Kealan Lester, Macy McCall, Ivy McCluskey, Stevie McCoy, Joe McKinnon, Jack McLeish, Max Micallef, Grace Miller, Harry Miller, Ivy Mitchell, Evie Monahan, Matilda Morgan, Astrid Mulcaire, Harrison Nicol, Oliver O'Brien, Ava Occhipinti, Mitch Paganini, Innes Pasque, Louis Patena, Koko Piec, Liliana Preston , Jack Radley, Samuel Rae, Bess Reynolds, Maggie Reynolds, Sammy Reynolds, Mia Rundle, Jack Said, Reuben Sheridan, Amélie Simons, James Snowden, Madeleine Stafford, Maya Steele, Ella Toscano, Lily Van Maasdyk, Patrick Vanderkley, Molly Warlond, Madelyn Warren, Harper Whitten, Oliver Williams, Will Wolfe, Maya Wurfel, Amelia Young.

Welcome also to the following students: Kirra Chalmers, Oscar Creak, Harrison Creak, Mischa Grant, Annabelle Hipik, Skye Partridge, Evie Smith, Ava Stonehouse, August Wood and Spencer Wood. 

Our newest staff members to be welcomed for 2019 are Paul Anderson- Deputy Principal, Georgia Cowling-Year Prep, Rebecca Notman - Year 1, Natalie Skahill-Year 5, Ashlee Giuffrida-Year 4, as well as Rejeana Turner, Jody Madden, Dannie Hoiles, Georgie Bowes, Robyn Walton, Tammie Butters, Novy Sunarto - Learning Support Officers.

Best wishes for a great start to the year.

Kerryn Sells, Principal

Every day counts

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind. If for any reason your child must miss school, there are things you can do with your school to ensure they don’t fall behind:

• Speak with your classroom teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up.
• Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan.

Extended Absence

Please be reminded that parents are to request permission from the principal if your child will be absent for an extended period of time, such as a family holiday. To make a request please email principal@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Student Absences Procedures

Teachers need to know where children are every school day and it is an expectation that you notify your child’s teacher to inform of student absences and the reason for absence. The preferred way for doing so is for you to directly email the child’s teacher before 9.30am on the day of absence.

Staff email addresses

Prep:

Michelle Richards: mrichards@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Blair Vredenbregt: bvredenbregt@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Georgia Cowling: gcowling@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Claire Toomey: ctoomey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Kylene Gray: kgray@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 1:

Alison Healy: ahealy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Rebecca Notman rnotman@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Natalie Skahill: nskahill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Nicole Maier: nmaier@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 2:

Jacinta Ryan: jryan@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Bonnie Evers: bevers@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Taliah Plumb: tplumb@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Sue Constable: sconstable@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Sarah DeJong: sdejong@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 3:

Sharon Chirgwin: schirgwin@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Brendan Casey: bcasey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Lib Macpherson: emacpherson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Maree Croft: mcroft@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Bree Russell: brussell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 4:

Carly O'Neill: coneill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Matt Eales: meales@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Maddy Fenton: mfenton@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Ashlee Giuffrida: agiuffrida@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Manni Caddy: mcaddy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 5:

Lizzie Conquit: lconquit@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Melissa Garvey: mgarvey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Rebecca Nancarrow: rnancarrow@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 6:

Corey Gallagher: cgallagher@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Trish French: tfrench@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Lisa Grigg: lgrigg@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Michael Coldwell: mcoldwell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Support Teacher:

Marnie Hallam: mhallam@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

It is an expectation that children dress in the approved school uniform. Regular uniform including correct socks and shoes is to be worn on days that are not sports days.

Please ensure that your child’s school hat is in good condition.

Recycled uniform pieces can be sourced and sold through our OLSOS Recycled Uniforms Facebook page. New uniform items can be purchased from Bellarine Uniform Shop, 162 Moorabool St, Geelong.

Parents/Carers are invited to volunteer to be included on the canteen roster. Volunteers are asked to help Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays just before and during lunchtime for approximately 2 hours. To be on the roster please text Kerry on 0414 926 144.

If you haven't already registered as a school volunteer and you would like to volunteer in the school canteen, 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

Thank you for your support.

Kerry Street, Canteen Manager

All student medication is kept at the school office. If your child requires a short term dosage of medication or has an ongoing condition requiring regular medication please complete a Medication Request Form which is available to be downloaded from the school website, or from the school office. The form and medication, in its original packaging is required to be left at the office.

Opt in (or out) of the mowing roster by emailing Travis Sampson: travsamp95@gmail.com  A roster will be sent out early in the new year.  

Mark Monahan

Earth Fest is almost here! Friday Feb 15th, 4-8:30pm @ Ocean Grove Park. 

The Earth Fest Team   

A huge thankyou to the following families who came along and helped clean up our grounds for the beginning of the school year. Clark, Mark Monahan, Sheridan Family, Bonacci Family, Giuffrida family, Partridge Family, Wombwell Family. Currie family. Geerings Family, Sampson Family.

Children’s Liturgy

First Sunday of the month during the 9am Mass. Next Children’s Liturgy is Sunday 4 February.

Geelong Deanery Masses http://geelongdeanery.cam.org.au

Term 4 2020

Friday 16 October: Respectful Relationships "Gratitude Day"

Monday 19 October: Book Week Dress Up Day 

Thursday 22 October: Footy colours casual clothes day and Gold Coin donation for Cherished Pets Ocean Grove.

Friday 23 October: AFL Grand Final Public Holiday, school closed 

Sunday 25 October: School working bee 10am - 12pm - Purple Hub TBC

Tuesday 3 November: Melbourne Cup Public Holiday, school Closed 

Friday 6 November: Mission Fete Day 

Monday 9 November: School Photo Day Individual and Class Photos

Tuesday 10 November: School Photo Day Family Portraits

Monday 23 November  - Tuesday 24 November: Year 6 Camp Wyuna

Tuesday 24 November: Prep 2021 Parent Information Session 6 - 7pm TBC

Thursday 26 November: Prep 2021 Parent Information Session 6 - 7pm TBC

Friday 27 November: Staff 2021 Planning Day, student free day 

Monday 30 November: Year 3 Camp Wyuna

Tuesday 1 December: Year 4 Camp Wyuna

Wednesday 2 December: Year 5 Camp Wyuna

Wednesday 2 December: Prep 2021 Orientation Day 9.30am - 11am TBC

Tuesday 8 December: Prep 2021 Orientation Day 9.30am - 11am TBC

Thursday 17 December: End of Term 4

Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates

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

Students will need to wear their school hat from Monday 2 September.

Please ensure your child’s hat is in good condition and named. Hats are available to purchase from Bellarine Uniforms, Moorabool Street, Geelong.

Bellarine Uniforms

162 Moorabool Street

Ph: 5221 9199

bellarine@noone.com.au