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Dear Parents and Carers
The three major contexts in which children learn are the family, the school and the community. Being a community minded school and “outward facing” is something that we consciously endeavour to ensure we do, to maximise student learning and the building of positive relationships. Pope Francis, who I greatly appreciate for his wonderful connection with the people and wise, empathetic messages he shares, refers to the family being a community of love where each of us learns to relate to others and to the world around us. He also challenges us in regard to community by asking Do we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, so as to be an active part of our communities, or do we close in on ourselves, saying 'I have so many things to do, that's not my job'?
This also causes me to reflect as a Principal and my role of service to all in our learning community and beyond. As a Principal of a Catholic School Archbishop Peter Comensoli’s recent homily at a Principal Mass was inspiring and thought-provoking, as he reminded us that ‘a principal is someone who nourishes, in the image of the original Nourisher, for the sake of the lives of those for whom they are responsible. I value deeply the pleasure and privilege I have been given, to serve all of you.
At Our Lady Star of the Sea, we like to ensure our students learn about the value and importance of community and looking out for each other, learning from each other. Our family week casual clothes day of action saw us raise $745 for refugee families and asylum seekers. We thank all our families for your contribution.
Staff Professional Learning:
Our staff, on our recent closure day, also engaged in great learning in and about the community. As a staff we were taken through the process of Inquiry Learning and we began the day with an amazing race around Ocean Grove before having the privilege of engaging with a traditional owner, Melinda Watson, in Kingston Park with a smoking ceremony and sharing of knowledge that we can bring to our students. With the theme “Ignite the Spark” we reflected on what can we do to build flourishing, curious, inquisitive students, ensuring learning is authentic, meaningful and purposeful.
We also reflected on our vision and two of the key words- Respect and Engaging. Alongside this our School Improvement Plan Goal to provide learning opportunities that challenge, engage and empower all to be confident and successful learners in all environments.
This term already we have managed to engage and plan for our students excursions to the You Yangs, Barwon Coast, Barwon Heads, Kingston Park, Ocean Grove Beach, Begola Wetlands, Werribee park, Science Works and more. All these extra curricula opportunities link nicely with our Inquiry learning on Community and Geography.
Confirmation: Congratulations to our recently confirmed candidates last Thursday night and the remainder to be confirmed this coming Thursday night. Our newsletter Prayer this week reflects the importance of the Holy Spirit in all our lives. We thank Fr Darien and the teachers for preparing the students and enabling them to know the of gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and how to use these in their daily lives, recognising and understanding the importance of the faith/ life connection. May our students see the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit and ensuring they use these gifts to be positively active with each other and in their communities.
Eliza Ashton, Maggie Ashton, Eva Azzopardi, Zara Bellingham, Raimend Bernazzoli, Baxter Briggs, Alyssa Coghlan, Hamish Connell, Christian Cruz, Izabella Curtain, Maci Dean, Xavier Dean, Toby Duckett, Madeleine Gibbon, Isabelle Hachem, Finn Hughes, Isla James, Xavier Kiddle, Tessa Leen, Lincoln McCall, Xavier Monahan, Lillian O’Brien, Rhys O’Neil, Charlie Prout, Alice Sampson, Miller Wellard, Tess Wolfe, Spencer Wood, Izaak Peace, Noah Brooks, Bede Clarke, Harvey Connolly, Leon Connolly, Mitchell Cook, Natalia Eyck, Harry Farrell, Amelia Geracitano, Joshua Geracitano, Zavier Godfrey, Augie Graham, William Liston, Melissa McDonald , Mason McKnight, Blayke Mifsud, Emily Neicho, Christopher Nutt, Charlie Rae, Grace Van Maasdyk, Frankie Wilkins, Stella Williams
Our Year 6 students created a video around their understanding of Pentecost and you can click here to view. VIDEO Link
New Building:
It is with great excitement we opened our new building yesterday. We are very grateful to many for these wonderful facilities. Firstly the Victorian State Government for their 2 million dollar grant, MACS and particularly Mardi Butcher for overseeing this project and her great support, Morton Dunn architects, Tim and Nicole, for their amazing design and support with managing the project, Magellan Builders particularly Spencer Ryan and James for their incredible work ethic and achieving the completion in the set time frame. Finally our School Advisory Council, past and present, from the initial discussions and hard work with grant applications and planning that has been a number of years in the making. Rhonda Boyd, Michael Sheridan, Briony Darcy and Andrew Flanders and all on our council to name a few. It has been a real team effort and a truly amazing achievement where many years of benefit to our student’s learning will be enjoyed.
We are thrilled with the result but nothing warms our heart more than seeing our wonderful students benefiting from the facilities.
What do the children think of our new facilities?
The new Orange Hub is now finished being built and is very cool. To be honest, seeing the hub in first person and adapting to the classroom is quite fun and exciting to experience at this age. The new gymnasium is just breathtaking, although it is not available to play in at recess just yet. You can play basketball, volleyball, tennis and a lot more as teachers are able to book for their class to practice sports skills in the new space. Most specialist classes will be taught in the gymnasium and it will be extremely helpful on rainy days and such. We can’t wait to be all moved in and settled finally.
Frankie W, Xavier K, Alyssa C and Leon C
Naming of the Hall: We have received some great responses on the Google Form. Many thanks to those who have taken the time to offer suggestions. At present, we are seeking permission from Wathaurong to approve the possibility of naming the hall using a Wathaurong name. We will communicate with you when we have this permission.
Thank you - Mother’s Night: What a great success. Thank you to everyone for your extra commitment with this. The mums were truly grateful for the opportunity to come back to the school and we were delighted to hear you appreciated your gifts and cards which were made with great love and care by your children. Well done also to our teachers for enabling this.
School Athletics Day Wednesday May 26: Please ensure you read the details below. We have registered this event on the COVID safe website and ask, if you come along to spectate, you sign in upon entry with the QR Code and view from behind the fence around the field. Many thanks for your respect with the COVID safe practices in advance. I am sure it will be a wonderful whole school event for our community.
Working Bee Sunday 23 May:
Another great way to get involved in our community is the upcoming Working Bee this Sunday 23 May 10am -12 noon.
We have a list of projects including planting around the new building. A sausage will be provided at the end of the Working Bee. We thank you in advance for coming along with your gloves and shovels even if it is for part of the time. Many hands make light work and House points will be given for those who attend.
Wishing you all many blessings for the fortnight ahead
Our Lady Star of the Sea Athletics Day will take place on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at Landy Field, corner of Barwon Terrace and Swanston Street, South Geelong. The students will leave school at 9am and return to school at approximately 3.10pm.
Time Table for the day:
8.30-8.45am - students assemble with belongings in class groups- Juniors on front basketball court & Middles/Seniors on back basketball court.
8.50 am - buses begin to depart school for Landy Field.
Juniors (Prep-2) Timetable
Tabloid sports (10 minute rotations) 9.45 - 11.43
9.45 - 9:55 EVENT 1
9:58 - 10:08 EVENT 2
10:10 - 10:20 EVENT 3
10:23 - 10:33 EVENT 4
10:35 - 10.45 EVENT 5
10:45 - 11:00 Snack
11:00 - 11:10 EVENT 6
11:12 - 11:22 EVENT 7
11:24 - 11:34 EVENT 8
11:36 - 11:45 EVENT 9
11.45 - 12.10 pm Lunch
12.20 -1.40 pm Junior Sprints/Junior Relays (Far track)
1.45 pm House Cheering centred grass area.
1.55 pm Teacher/Parent sprint / Toddler 20 metre dash
2.10 pm Presentation winner/ trophies presented
2.30 pm Buses leave to return to school
Seniors (Year 3-6) Children will take their bags with them to events
Field Events (20 min rotations) 9.45 -12.25 pm
9.45 - 10:05 EVENT 1
10:05 - 10:25 EVENT 2
10:25 - 10:45 EVENT 3
10:45 - 11:05 EVENT 4
11:05 - 11:25 EVENT 5
11:25 - 11:45 EVENT 6
11:45 - 12:05 EVENT 7
12:05 - 12:25 EVENT 8
12.30-12.45 pm Lunch (Years 3-6)
12.45- 1.45 pm Senior Sprints- 9/10 years, 11 years, 12/13 years
1.45 pm House cheering centred grass area.
1.55 pm Teacher/Parent sprint / Toddler 20 metre dash
2.15 pm Presentation winner/ trophies presented
2.30 pm Buses leave to return to school
Children are to wear their school sports uniform, which may include school hat. Each child will also require to pack their snack, lunch & water bottles in a bag that is clearly labelled. Depending on the weather, it may be advisable for students to bring a coat. Please attach a small safety pin to their sports top for ribbons.
Athletics day requires large volunteer numbers in order to run the events smoothly and within the time constraints of the day. Volunteers who are registered with the school are asked to nominate which area they would prefer to assist in - Junior, Middle/Seniors, along with a time estimate for when you are available on the day. Volunteers will be given a job for the time that you allocate.
Any parents wishing to take children home directly from Landy Field, will need to inform the class teacher and sign them out at Landy Field.
Covid safe guidelines will require parents/carers to scan the QR code upon entry and if spectating to do so from outside the surrounding fence not on the infield. Please ensure social distancing is followed. This event has also been registered on the Government Covid Safe Website.
Any queries can be directed to Lisa Grigg lgrigg@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au or to your classroom teacher.
Lisa Grigg
Sport Coordinator
Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools, requested us to share this with you. Caritas India COVID-19 emergency appeal
India’s COVID-19 infections have surged past 20 million, nearly doubling in the past four months – marking the biggest increase in infections globally.
Caritas India, Caritas Australia’s partner in India, seeks to provide food, hygiene materials and psychosocial support to the most vulnerable. The organisation is currently working to set up COVID-19 information and treatment centres to reach marginalised communities.
Through the India COVID-19 Emergency Appeal, we can provide immediate assistance to vulnerable communities impacted by this crisis. Please feel free to donate if you wish.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
All canteen orders are now to be ordered through the online platform hosted by School24. Parents must register online before purchasing. Go to OLSOTS_Reg_Guide.pdf to access the Registration Guide.
A few tips:
*All orders will need to be in by 9.00am of the day that you want the lunch order.
*You will only see what items are available to purchase on the day you are ordering for example you will only see pies & sausage rolls on a Wednesday.
*Once you send an item to your cart, options will come up for that item for example if you order a pie the tomato sauce option will pop up.
Payments are made with a credit card. You will not need to send an order with your child. They will receive their lunch to their classroom, as previously.
Kerry Street
Canteen Manager
