Dear God,  

This is our school. Let it be a place of love and hope.                                                        

As we come to learn and pray, surrounded by people who care for

us; friends, family and teachers may our actions make each day be

brighter for someone to whom we talk with and share our time.

Experiencing new and exciting things, may we approach new

challenges without fear, knowing others are there to guide and

support us.

May all teachers lead with example and in their teaching take students on a journey of discovery.

Let us remember our challenge; to be like Jesus and his mother Mary and may we make Our

Lady Star of the Sea School a place where people feel welcome.

We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Dear Parents and Carers

It was so wonderful to have our students back onsite today. The excitement, positivity and shared laughter is truly heartwarming. Thank you to you all for caring for your children so well and supporting their wellbeing. This ensured they were ready to begin the first day and be engaged in their learning. Thank you to all staff who have provided safe and supportive environments. The hubs and classrooms look amazing and so welcoming. As stated in the last email, our theme this year  is “Together We Flourish” and the positive and welcoming feeling today sees this already in action.

Here are some photos for you to enjoy.  

Prep 2022: We welcomed all our Prep students today and they were absolutely awesome. Welcome to Ava Bonacci, Billy Chapman, Connor Clark, Billy Counihan, Reggie Crapp, Asher Creak, Azarah Curnow, Georgiana D'Arcy, Elsie Dalton, Evie Dangerfield, Albert Dickinson, Alfie Douglas, Stella Duffield, Jasmine Dunn, Maddy Dunne, Zoe Edwards, Charlie Greenwood, Ted Guyett, Winnie Hinch, Mackenzie Hirsch, Lulu Jeanes, Indie Keenan, Jack Knowles, Harper Lancaster, Seb Learey, Griffin Lindsay, Eadie Lister, Leni Malouf, Lachlan Marr, Mason McCluskey, Jed McNamara, Sadie Molloy, Freddie Montgomery, Hamish Morrow, Daisy Mulcaire, Jack Muling, Isabelle Mussetti, Hudson Nancarrow, Charlie Osment, Jeremiah Perkins, Sophie Reid, Lily Rutherford, Bodhi Selig, Jack Sheather, Dyllan Simons, Harley Smith, Patrick Songsaeng, Campbell Sorace, Ted Stanley, Isabella Swain, Talei Tuicolo, Chelsea Tyers, Oscar Ward, Ivy Wellard, Indi Wheeler, Robyn Wilkin, Harry Young.

New Families: A warm welcome also to our new families:

Alex Knowles, Lenny Jeanes, Chase Scott, Spencer Scott, Sienna Scott, Louis Grantham,  Max Grantham, Ava Dupe, Percival Evans, Penelope Evans, Samuel La Terra, Charlie Howson, Xavier Butcher, Mila Butcher, Harry Lavars, Jack Lavars, Chaise Scanlon, Urija Edwards, Safira Talaue, Dantes Talaue, Ruby Ritchie, Peppe Sottile

COVID Information: Thank you all for your cooperation with the Covid requirements. Click Here for a copy of the Back to School update for you to refer back to as required. Just to let you know. One change from my letter has been made today and it involves the reporting of positive cases. Please phone the school if you have a positive case in your family and we will record it for you. We will also notify the school community via a letter.  Catholic schools are no longer using the Vic Ed Portal asmentioned in my first letter. You also have to record your case with Vic Health as per community expectations. 

Rapid Test Kits: Hopefully you are all going well with the testing and thank you for your cooperation with this. There will be another delivery prior to Week 3 and we will distribute those by placing in your child's bag to bring home. This will most likely be  Friday 11 February. 

Here is a concise visual copy also of our current COVID Safe Plan.

Home Learning for COVID cases and isolation reasons: If you inform us of a case in your family or your child will be home for Covid reasons, whilst your child will be noted as absent from school, we will provide learning activities in the areas of literacy and numeracy. You can make a decision as to whether or not your child completes the work, as we are aware some students may not be feeling well enough to do so. The activities are based on those being completed in class, so that your child will return to school feeling confident that they have not missed out on important learning. There will be an opportunity for your child to communicate with their class and classroom teacher, or Learning Support Teacher (via Google Meets) if your child would like this.

Grounds and Maintenance Thank You: As mentioned we have had quite a few families supporting the watering and garden maintenance over the break and again on the weekend. I’m sure you would all join me in recognising and thanking these wonderful volunteers who volunteered their time to ensure our students returned to clean and tidy spaces in their playground. A huge thank you to Pearce Fay, Jason and Amy Bonnacci, Todd Wombwell, Chantelle and Jimmy Dalton, Kellie Clark, Mark Monahan, Chantelle & Jimmy Dalton, Elise & Josh Miller, Mark Rattray-Wood, Cam Spolding, Suze McLeish, Mark & Kate McLean, Fiona & Xavier Cadorel, Mark & Regina Paganini and Courtney Said.

The grounds look amazing and from the students and staff a huge thank you.

There were also others who volunteered but were not required and we thank you for offering and will call on support in the future. At this stage we are still working towards a community Working Bee on Sunday 27 February 10 am -12 noon if guidelines allow. 

Student appointments during the day: Please email your classroom teacher regarding appointments during the day so they can ensure your child is ready at the office. Of course, in an ideal world, appointments will be made close to the start or end of day where possible but we know this cannot always happen. Therefore  an email to the teacher helps with the organisation at the office. 

Labelling: Lost property and unlabelled containers are a problem each year at school. Please ensure all is labelled and it will find its way home.

Meet and Greets: These will happen in Week 3 of this term and an Operoo will be sent out for you to select a time. You can also take the option of attending in person or online. Please ensure if attending in person you are double vaxed and are wearing your mask, hand sanitising and social distancing. 

Sports Uniform Days for all Year Levels: 

The following Days are when your child will wear their sports uniform.

Prep (Red Hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Year One (Green Hub)- Wednesday and Friday

Year 2 (Blue Hub)- Thursday and Friday

Year 3 (Yellow Hub)- Wednesday and Friday

Year 4 (Purple Hub)- - Thursday and Friday

Year 5 (Purple Hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Year 6 (Orange hub) - Tuesday and Friday

Thoughts and prayers: Please keep the entire Sacred Heart Community in your thoughts and prayers on the extremely sad passing of one of their beloved staff members, Belinda Matthews, who died peacefully from a brain aneurysm on Friday evening. Many of you will know Belinda if your older children attended Sacred Heart. I personally know she was an amazing, dedicated, passionate and caring teacher for my own daughters. Please also keep her family in your prayers. 
    

Finally, a huge thank you for your support and respect as our new year begins. It is truly a pleasure and privilege to work in service for you all. You are an amazing community. 

It is so important to all of us, that we have our students back onsite and with hope and optimism we look forward to a great year together. I will continue to update you of any communication that may come our way in the coming fortnight.

Wishing you a happy, safe and healthy fortnight ahead.

Kerryn

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

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.

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.

Principal: Kerryn Sells

Deputy Principal/Student Wellbeing Leader: Paul Anderson

Administration Staff: Sharon Lane, Kathleen Ingles and Bernadette Giblin

Technologies Leader: Andrew Rayson

Learning Diversity Leader:Kristen Leonard

Physical Education: Maree Croft / Andrew Gibson

Dance and Drama: Helen Stephensen 

Music and Drama / Environmental Science/Sustainability: Sue Constable

Prep - Red Hub  

Michelle Richards, Rebecca Notman, Georgia Cowling, Nicole Maier  LST Kylene Gray

Year 1 - Green Hub 

Alison Healy, Helen Stephensen, Alice McNamara, Melissa Garvey, Patrick Kennedy LST Sara De Jong 

Year 2 - Red Hub 2

Jacinta Ryan, Ashlee Guiffrida, Christine Lourie, Claire Toomey 

LST Marnie Hallam 

Year 3 - Yellow Hub 

Matt Eales, Bonnie Evers, Natalie Skahill, Chloe Grist LST Rebecca Nancarrow

Year 4 - Blue Hub 

Blair Vredenbregt, Carly O'Neil, Sharon Chirgwin, Bella Scaffidi LSTManni Caddy / Andrew Gibson

Year 5 - Purple Hub 

Michael Coldwell, Lizzie Conquit, Tessa Mellington LST Bree Russell

Year 6 - Orange Hub 

Brendan Casey, Corey Gallagher, Lisa Grigg, Emily Bissell-Barahona LST Bree Zivic 

Principal: Kerryn Sells

principal@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Deputy Principal/Student Wellbeing Leader: Paul Anderson

panderson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Administration Staff: Sharon Lane, Kathleen Ingles and Bernadette Giblin

secretary@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Technologies Leader: Coey Gallagher 

Learning Diversity Leader: Kristen Leonard

kleonard@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Specialist Teachers

Physical Education:  Maree Croft / Andrew Gibson

mcroft@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

agibson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Dance and Drama: Helen Stephensen / Sue Constable

hstephensen@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

sconstable@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Environmental Science/Sustainability: Sue Constable

sconstable@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Art teacher (Yr 5 & 6): Rachael Thomas 

rthomas@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Prep  Reb Hub 

Michelle Richards & Rebecca Notman, Georgia Cowling, Nicole Maier, 

Learning Support Teacher: Kylene Gray 

richards@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

rnotman@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

gcowling@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

nmaier@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

kgray@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 1  Green Hub 

Alison Healey & Helen Stephensen, Alice MacNamara, Melissa Garvey, Patrick Kennedy

Learning Support Teacher: Sara De Jong

ahealy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

hstephensen@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

amacnamara@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mgarvey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

pkennedy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

sdejong@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 2  Blue Hub

Jacinta Ryan, Ashlee Guiffrida, Christine Lourie, Claire Toomey, 

Learning Support Teacher: Marnie Hallam

jryan@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

aguiffrida@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

clourie@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

ctoomey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mhallam@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 3  Yellow Hub 

Matt Eales, Bonnie Evers, Natalie Skahill, Chloe Grist 

Learning Support Teacher: Rebecca Nancarrow

meales@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bevers@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

nskahill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

cgrist@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

rnancarrow@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 4  Purple Hub

Carly O'Neill, Blair Vredenbregt, Sharon Chirgwin, Isabella Scaffidi

Learning Support Teacher: Manni Caddy & Andrew Gibson 

coneill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bvredenbregt@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

schirgwin@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bscaffidi@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mcaddy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

agibson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 5  Purple Hub 

Michael Coldwell, Lizzie Conquit, Tessa Mellington

Learning Support Teacher: Bree Russell 

mcoldwell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

lconquit@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

tmellington@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

brussell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 6  Orange Hub 

Brendan Casey, Corey Gallagher, Lisa Grigg, Emily Bissell-Barahona

Learning Support Teacher: Bree  Zivic

bcasey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

cgallagher@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

lgrigg@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

ebissell-barahona@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bzivic@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

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

The canteen will reopen on Wednesday 9 February

The canteen will be open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays in 2022. 

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

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 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 work history, including any volunteer work, involving children. 

If you haven't already registered as a school volunteer and you would like to be a Parent/Carer Volunteer, 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

Staff Return: Friday 28 January

Term 1 Students return: Tuesday 1 February - Friday 8 April

Easter - Friday 15 April - Monday 18 April 

Term 2  Tuesday 26 April - Friday 24 June 

Term 3  Monday 11 July - Friday 16 September 

Term 4  Monday 3 October - TBA December