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- Prayer
- From the Principal
- 2022 New Staff
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- Recording your child's absence from school
- Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting
- Engaging volunteers at Our Lady Star of the Sea
- Yr 5 and Yr 3 Naplan
- Maths - Capacity
- Kid's Safety Club News
- Scholastics Book Club
- Canteen - Parent Registration Information
- Wanted: Used Plastic Bread tags for Art Project
Let there be Peace on Earth
and
let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace
that was meant to be
With God as Creator
Family all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect
Harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.
With every breath I take,
let this be my joyous vow:
To take each moment
and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Dear Parents and Carers
Today’s prayerful reflection prays for World Peace and is accompanied by Cat Stevens “Peace Train” song which has just been made into a beautifully illustrated picture story book. I encourage you to take the time with your children to enjoy this sung version together and pray for peace and inclusion of all.
Pope Francis in his latest l Laudato Si' refers to The Principle of the Common Good (157). Underlying the principle of the common good is respect for the human person. The common good calls for social peace, the stability and security provided by a certain order which cannot be achieved without particular concern for distributive justice. Society as a whole are obliged to defend and promote the common good.
This Friday sees us celebrate our annual Respect Day and December 3 our Mission Fete Day. Both of these events educate our students and create an awareness and sense of empathy. The Our Lady Star of the Sea learning community continues to educate and promote inclusion of all. We encourage our students to find a way even in their small everyday ways of being and action, to make a difference for inclusion and peace in our world. The Catholic Archdiocese Horizons of Hope document has three characteristics which reinforce this and state that we should honour the sacred dignity of each person, embrace difference and diversity and make a difference in the world.
COVID Update: You would have received the Principal Update on Friday last week which stated some easing of restrictions from today, Monday 1 November and again around the 24 November. We look forward to opportunities to further engage with our wonderful community and see the 2022 year out with some events which will be planned and organised according to our COVID safe plan.
School Concert: As communicated recently, we have decided as a staff that given the uncertainty of the times the School Concert in its traditional form will not go ahead this year. We have taken into consideration:
- the learning which needs to take place when students return to school
- sacramental commitments some year levels have
- the need for assessment and reporting on return to school
- the uncertainty of parents on a whole school level being able to attend a concert
All things considered, there will not be a school concert this year. However, each Hub will embrace Christmas and the end of year celebration in their own way. Some may prepare a Christmas song and perform for their Hub and families. Further to this we have looked at ways in which we can celebrate the end of the year with families and create joyful experiences for the students. This is communicated via the hub news. Please keep an eye on the parent calendar and the Hub news for specific dates and details of your children’s celebration.
Click here for a copy of the current COVID Safe Plan.
Happy World Teacher’s Day to our amazing teachers! On Friday. they received a beautiful personalised card from the students and a delicious cupcake. How blessed are we to have them and how fortunate are they to educate our wonderful students.
Staffing 2022: We have recently been through the interview process and are pleased to introduce some new teachers for 2022. We thank Chloe, Patrick, Bella, and Tessa for taking the time to introduce and tell you a bit more about themselves. Please read their bios below.
Warm wishes for the fortnight ahead
Kerryn
Hi! My name is Emily Bissell-Barahona and I am thrilled to be joining Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School as a grade six teacher in 2022. I have been teaching for the past seven years in schools in Canada, Costa Rica, the UK and most recently Australia. I have enjoyed the opportunity to become part of various school communities and build lasting relationships, something I greatly look forward to doing at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada where I grew up in a big family with three younger brothers and more aunts, uncles and cousins than I can count! In 2014 I moved to London, England where I spent two wonderful years living, travelling and teaching. I moved to Australia five years ago and feel very lucky to call the surf coast home.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking with my dog Roy, camping, and spending time with my family and friends. I am so looking forward to joining the Our Lady Star of the Sea school community and can’t wait to meet you all!
Tess Mellingham
I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the school community the past 2 years as an LSO, while completing my Teaching degree at university. I am extremely excited to join the team as a classroom teacher in 2022. I developed a love for teaching through a range of overseas experiences including teaching English in Tanzania and Cambodia as well as other community based projects in India, Turkey and Fiji. I grew up in Echuca and love getting back to the Murray river during holidays. I love camping and spending time with my partner and our dog, Billie. We are always off exploring along the coast and going on little adventures with our friends. I am an extremely passionate teacher and am looking forward to providing highly positive, supportive and engaging learning next year. I can't wait for 2022!
Miss Tess
Patrick Kennedy
My name is Patrick Kennedy and I am really excited to join the Our Lady Star of the Sea community in 2022. I have been teaching for the past six years at St Thomas Primary School in Drysdale where I have enjoyed teaching many different age groups and building positive relationships with the school community. I am really looking forward to bringing my experience, knowledge and passion for teaching to Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Growing up on the Bellarine Peninsula and living in Ocean Grove, most of my interests are all based around the ocean. I love to surf, fish and spend hot Summer days at the local beaches with my family and friends. I also love football, basketball, golf and traveling with my wife, Sarah.
I cannot wait to begin my time at Our Lady Star of the Sea and am looking forward to meeting the greater school community. Please make sure you say hello if you see me around the school.
Chloe Grist
My name is Chloe Grist, I am extremely excited to be joining the ‘Star of the Sea’ school community in 2022. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work in a positive, supportive, and inclusive school environment.
I currently work at St. Mary’s Primary School in Geelong as a graduate teacher, teaching years 3/4. Over the course of this year, I have learnt many valuable skills to ensure students are provided with effective learning experiences. I have encouraged my students to become critical thinkers and to explore authentic and intriguing possibilities to allow them to learn new content and engage in valuable experiences across various curriculum areas.
I grew up in Coragulac, where I completed my primary education at St. Brendan’s Primary School and my secondary education at Trinity College Colac. I am the eldest of three children and enjoyed growing up in a small country town, surrounded by my immediate and extended family. I love spending time with my family, particularly my two younger siblings who I am very close to. My interests include playing tennis, cooking, reading and socialising with friends.
After completing my secondary education, I moved to Ballarat to study a Bachelor of Primary Education at Australian Catholic University, with the accreditation to teach Religious Education. I completed my teaching degree in November 2020 and graduated from ACU in April this year. I appreciated going to Australian Catholic University in Ballarat as the small facility ensured everyone was well catered for in a nurturing environment.
I enjoy creating opportunities for students to develop their creativity and identity whilst fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all. I have a strong focus on developing relationships by building rapport with the school community including students, staff and parents.
I am very grateful to be a part of the ‘Star of the Sea’ school community and look forward to meeting you all in 2022!
I have lived in Geelong my whole life with my family and travelled to Ballarat to complete my degree. I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. In particular, I treasure spending time with my extended Italian family, sharing a home cooked meal. My favourite meal is my grandmother’s pasta and Bolognese sauce. I thoroughly enjoy going for long walks along the beach, discovering waterfalls and watching the sunset. I enjoy playing sports and have played soccer over the years. Some of my other hobbies include travelling, going fishing, painting, listening to music, dancing and singing. I have a background in performing arts and musical theatre where I have performed in shows locally during my schooling years.
I have a great passion for working with children and making a difference in their lives. I look forward to meeting and getting to know all the students, families and wider community at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
The PFA Annual General Meeting is to be held on Monday 15 November at 7pm, at the school. Please find attached the agenda for the AGM, along with the minutes of last year's meeting and the nomination form for positions in 2022. If you would like to nominate
All people in attendance will need to be able to provide proof of vaccination status. Masks will also need to be worn and social distancing guidelines will apply.
Kim Williams
PFA Secretary
If you haven't already registered as a school volunteer and you would like to be a Parent/Carer Volunteer in the future when restrictions ease, 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
Engaging volunteers at Our Lady Star of the Sea school is integral to the experience for our students. It provides an important link to the community and the home. Parents / Carers are welcome and encouraged to volunteer, especially to work with children in class or on excursions. Volunteering is also encouraged at Working Bees, school functions, mowing roster, canteen and other non classroom based environments. The Child Safe Standards require schools to gather, verify and record a person’s history of work involving children. Our Lady Star of the Sea school takes child safety very seriously and for this reason, volunteers are required to complete an application form, listing entire work history, including any volunteer work, involving children.
A reminder that you are welcome to collect a hard copy of your child's Naplan results from the school office, signed on collection.
You can also access these results by please clicking the link here: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au . This will take you to the Parent Access Module (PAM) login page. Your username is the email address you have provided to school. Once logged in, to access your child’s NAPLAN results, click on the ‘NAPLAN’ tab on the left hand side and this will present your child's 2021 NAPLAN results summary page. 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.
Children learn to compare containers by their capacities. Sometimes children think that a tall skinny glass holds more than a short fat one. Playing with containers and water helps. Children can use water or rice to compare the capacity of containers. They also learn about litres, then about milliliters. You can:
- Talk about the size of the containers such as dishwashing detergent bottles and medicine glasses
- Describe objects in terms of their capacity such as the 375ml bottle of coke, or the 5ml spoon
- Talk about the appropriate containers that you might choose to store ‘leftovers’ in.
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This week Bu Bree organised some new safety covers for some poles in our Junior playground. They are designed to keep us safe in case we accidentally run into a pole. It is important that we do not try to climb on these new covers or pull them off because we need them to stay safe.
Child’s name and class needs to be on the order form and a parents number would be ideal just in case I need to get in contact with you.
The canteen will reopen on Wednesday 9 February
The canteen will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays in 2022.
