We thank God for the gift of our faith education and we ask that we never take for granted the many privileges that we enjoy. 

We pray that we all can appreciate and recognise the many strengths of each other and show kindness and support to ensure, as a Catholic community, we can all flourish. 

We pray with our scripture reference in mind:

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

                                 Thought for the day:

                  Joy is a flower that blooms when you do.

                                - Author Unknown.

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been a very positive and hopeful start to Term 1. We thank you for your continued respect and cooperation with ensuring we remain open and stay safe. We have so much to be grateful for.

Our theme as shared previously is “Together We Flourish. ” 

Catholic Schools in Melbourne are guided by the Education Framework for the Archdiocese of Melbourne – Horizons of Hope. This document is designed to support school communities in their collaborative pursuit of excellence in learning and teaching within the central vision of Catholic education. Horizons of Hope supports:

…the mission, the privilege, of the Catholic school to build a community, where authentic relationships based on love provide the means and the support for all students to flourish and grow into the fullness of life. (Archbishop Denis Hart, Catholic Education Melbourne Strategic Plan 2015-2019. P.1)

At the very heart of each Catholic school and indeed Our Lady Star of the Sea,  is a desire for the full flourishing of each student, across religious, physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains. Here we support students to grow in virtue and to embrace a view of themselves and the world that leads to peace, justice, and the prospering of the whole of creation. It is a journey that is enlightened by faith, animated by love and leading to hope. (Horizons of Hope Vision and Context)

This is extremely important to us at Our Lady Star of the Sea and we refer to this wonderful document often in order to bring this vision to life.

School Review: 

As you are aware we are under review this term.  As a staff we have completed a day and staff meetings together, where we have taken the time to reflect, dive deeper into our data, engage in dialogue and gather evidence across the 5 spheres: Religious Dimension, Learning and Teaching, Leadership and Management, Student Wellbeing and School Community. This was an affirming process and we have much to celebrate. We will share this evidence and data with our reviewer Sheridan Coverdale. 

The next steps in the review process are on Thursday 24 February and Thursday 3 March, where Sheridan will come out and talk to focus groups, including students,parents and staff to learn even more about Our Lady Star of the Sea. This will then lead to a report with recommendations for moving forward which will enable us to develop a new strategic School Improvement Plan for 2023-2026. 

For now, below is our 2022 Annual Action Plan. 

You will note  we have two main priorities with actions below.

• Every student is engaged, challenged and connected. 

• Every Teacher provides high quality learning and teaching and leadership for school improvement.

Alongside this, all teachers have developed personal goals for professional learning and a professional learning hub goal. As we strive for improvement, Nationally and internationally, there is unequivocal evidence that the quality of teaching is most significant in school factor affecting student outcomes. Effective teachers can be a source of inspiration and, equally importantly, provide a dependable and consistent influence on young people as they make choices about further education , work and life. We thank all our teachers and leadership staff for striving to achieve these goals and working together collaboratively for the benefit of all students. 

Meet and Greets:

Tuesday 15 February and Wednesday 16 February. This is one of the two times throughout the year we formally meet with you. Of course there may be other times you yourself or the teachers request to meet with you. It is really important you take this opportunity whether face to face or online. This is a great opportunity to begin to build relationships and for you to meet your child’s teacher face to face,sharing what you would like the teacher to know about your child. 

Please respond to the Operoo that was sent out if you haven’t already.

Student Leadership: 

We take pride in our Year 6 Student Leadership Program at Our Lady Star of the Sea. This leadership opportunity certainly contributes to developing our students' skills and provides deeper learning of what it means to be a leader which in turn gives them all an extra opportunity to flourish. We congratulate all our Year 6 students for taking the step, delivering wonderful speeches as part of their application and we look forward to seeing these Stars shine brightly throughout 2022. 

Congratulations also to all the Year  2 students for their House leader applications. Please see below all the allocated positions of leadership and some beautiful photos.  

New Recess and Lunch Break Times. You may be aware that we have moved to 2x 40 minute break times rather than a 30 minute and 50 minute break. The reasons for this is that the recess break did not give much time to play and eat and the 50 minute lunch break is a long stretch for many students. Therefore consensus with staff was two 40 minute breaks. Please note:

Recess: 11-11.40 am

Lunch: 1.10-1.20 pm to eat lunch before playing from 1.20 pm -2 pm.

All in all the feedback to date is positive. Students are more settled after lunch break in particular and it is not impacting on the time allocation for all our key learning areas.

Reminder about start of the day: A gentle reminder that children should be arriving at school no earlier than 8.30 am. This is when teachers are rostered on to supervise in the yard. If you are needing care before 8.30 am Kelly Club is available. 

Wishing you many blessings and good health for the fortnight ahead.

Kerryn

WHAT IS WELLBEING?

Our Lady Star of the Sea is a learning community that promotes student wellbeing, safety and positive relationships so that students can reach their full potential. “Wellbeing is both practical and perception: action and awareness. It is a state of being well in body, mind and spirit. Drawing on the wellsprings of our values, sense of purpose and meaning, wellbeing enlivens what matters in our lives.” (Horizons of Hope,CEM 2017)  Wellbeing is integral to learning excellence and ultimately overall health and life success.  This holistic view recognises that the sacredness, dignity and giftedness of each person is grounded in the belief that each person is made in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:27)

HOW IS WELLBEING ENACTED AT OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA?

Within our community at Our Lady Star of the Sea, wellbeing incorporates all aspects of life and is illuminated by our catholic faith and the words of Jesus who said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)  

Wellbeing is enacted through our school’s vision and mission and fostered through our explicit Social and Emotional Learning and teaching practices.  Wellbeing is brought to life through respectful relationships, a safe, and inclusive learning environment , where the common good is honoured and authentic partnerships with families, parish and the broader community are nurtured.  

EXPLICIT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) LESSONS 

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) supports students to develop fundamental skills necessary for wellbeing and life effectiveness. SEL enables students to recognise and manage emotions, demonstrate care and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations effectively. The Personal and Social Capability within the Victorian Curriculum encompasses Social and Emotional Learning.  The Personal and Social Capability supports students in becoming creative and confident individuals with a sense of self-worth, self-awareness and personal identity that enables them to manage their emotional, mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing, with a sense of hope and optimism about their lives and the future. On a social level, it helps students to form and maintain healthy relationships and prepares them for their potential life roles as family, community and workforce members.

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Curriculum

As a Lead School for the Victorian Government, Respectful Relationships, Our Lady Star of the Sea School uses the Respectful Relationships learning materials developed for students Foundation to Year 6 to develop social, emotional and positive relationship skills. Efforts to promote social and emotional skills and positive gender norms in children and young people has been shown to improve health related outcomes and subjective wellbeing. It also reduces antisocial behaviours including engagement in gender-related violence. The learning materials help to develop students’ Emotional Literacy, Personal Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem Solving, Stress Management, Help Seeking, Gender and Identity and Positive Gender Relationships.

Student Wellbeing Handbook

The Our Lady Star of the Sea Handbook is available and further explores how Wellbeing is enacted at our school.  Click here to download the Student Wellbeing Handbook.

Paul Anderson

Student Wellbeing Leader

Term 1 Week 3 - Red Hub News (Prep)

Term 1 Week 3 - Green Hub News (Year 1)

Term 1 Week 3 - Blue Hub News (Year 2)

Term 1 Week 3 - Yellow Hub News (Year 3)

Term 1 week 3 - Purple Hub News (Year 4)

Term 1 Week 3 - Purple Hub News (Year 5)

Term 1 Week 3 - Orange Hub News (Year 6)

SHROVE TUESDAY

Traditionally Shrove Tuesday was the last day of feasting before fasting for Lent. Lent begins the following day, Ash Wednesday, and goes through until Easter Sunday.

On Tuesday 1st March classes will be making pancakes. We ask that the children donate a gold coin for pancakes and this money will go to Caritas, which is a Catholic organisation that assists communities around the world through Project Compassion. 

This year the teachers will be linking the history of Shrove Tuesday to why and how pancakes are made on this day. Ingredients for the pancakes will be provided by the teachers in each Hub. 

Keep an eye on your Hub News in coming weeks to see how you can assist.

2022 School Fee Statements were emailed to families last week. Please contact the office if you have not received your statement. If you are new to Our Lady Star of the Sea and you did not get the statement check your SPAM / Junk folder first. 

Direct Debit payments due this week have been delayed. They are currently being processed.

The school's preferred method of payment of fees is via a Direct Debit Payment Plan. If you have not yet completed this form and wish to do so click here to access the form.

2022 Fee Information was sent to families last term. Click here to access this information as a reminder of the fee structure, payment amounts and breakdown of monthly an term amounts. This information will assist you to set up your payments for 2022. 

If you are paying your school fees in full please complete this transaction by Friday 18 March. If you are not paying in full, and have chosen a regular monthly or term payment plan your school fee account is to be finalised by 14 November 2022.

If you make a payment to the school account at an ATM please remember to provide a name as reference at that point. If a payment comes through from this source with no reference it cannot be traced and will not be applied to your school fee account. All other Internet Transfer payments must also include a reference. 

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

If you have a child due to start school in 2025 we ask that Applications for Enrolment are lodged before the end of Term 1. As applications are received by the school, you will be contacted to make a time for you and your Prep 2025 child to meet with Kerryn. To access forms and further information click here.

Open Time and School Tours

The school will be open for student led tours on Tuesday 26 March between 9.15am and 10.30am. Parents and children welcome. No bookings are required. 

Information Session for Parents

Parents are invited to an information session on Tuesday 26 March at 6.30pm – 7.30pm. 

Pojok Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian corner)

Selamat datang kembali ke sekolah. 

Semoga kita semua dalam lindungan Tuhan dan tahun 2022 memberikan harapan yang lebih baik.

Fokus kita tahun ini adalah  Bahasa isyarat. Kita akan belajar AUSLAN untuk membantu belajar Bahasa Indonesia dan terus berlatih dengan kata dan frasa yang sudah kita pelajari.

Selamat belajar !“Bersama Kita Bertumbuh”

Welcome back to school.

May God bless us and the year 2022 bring us a lot of hope. 

Our focus this year is learning gestures. We will learn AUSLAN to help us learn Indonesian and continue practicing with words and phrases that we already learnt. 

Happy learning! Together we flourish.

Secondhand School Uniform sale this Friday 18 February from 230pm to 4pm.

Junior sizes will be available for purchase in the amphitheatre area
Senior sizes will be available for purchase on the front court area

Large range of sizes available, cash only.

Please remember to wear your mask, check in and maintain a safe social distance.

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