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Inspired by the Spirit of Christmas, we pray for the needs of our community and for one another:
We pray for Ailani Songsaeng (2 JR) and Patrick Songsaeng (P MR) on the passing of their beloved dad Anan. Please keep Alison, Ailani and Patrick in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
We pray that during this season of Advent and Christmas the hearts of all people are warmed by Jesus’ birth so that every hand is compelled to make peace on earth.
We pray that the homeless and refugees are welcomed and sheltered within our community.
We pray that humankind walks tenderly as stewards upon this earth in all its beauty, making wise and ethical choices regarding the sustainability of our planet.
We pray the least, the lost, and the lonely ones find comfort through companionship and are valued in the belief that they belong as a part of the community.
We pray that we find contentment not in the material things we receive but in the gift of loving and giving where there is a need.
We pray that indifferences that divide people are overcome and unity is established. We pray that the wounds of injustice are healed through reconciliation.
May all people take time to revel in the gift of Christmas, allowing it to last longer than one day. May it endure in the hearts of all people inspiring each day to be lived the Christmas way - each day filled with joy, hope, love, and generosity. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Dear Parents and Carers
It is surreal to think this is our final newsletter for the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for an amazing year as “Together We Have flourished.”
We have valued staff and students to say farewell to.
Staff Leaving: We wish the following staff: Blair Vredenbregt, Georgia Cowling, Tess Mellington, Bonnie Evers, Claire Toomey, Anne Gallo, Julie Elstone all the best with their new ventures and sincerely thank each and every one of you for the many positive contributions you have made to Our Lady Star of the Sea. You all hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of Our Lady Star of the Sea, as a valued member of the community.
Year 6 Families who have their youngest child moving on to Year 7. It is with a sense of sadness and hope and optimism that we send off our amazing families who are leaving at the end of 2022. We wish you all the very best and look forward to hearing of your successes moving forward. We cannot thank you enough for the positivity you have shared with us and the value you have added as part of our learning community. You also hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of Our Lady Star of the Sea, as a valued member of the community.
Farewell to the following families: Atkinson, Briggs, Brydges, Clark, Collier, Cunningham, Day, DeJong, Donovan, Finch, Grant, Hambleton, Hammond, Hately, Hillman, Janezic, Kerr, Kopec-Teague, Leonard, McDonough, McLean, Moran, Poirier, Pope, Reid, Reilly, Rolfs, Seddon, Stonehouse, Tunks, Van Uijtert, Wakefield, Wall, Walsh, Wardley, Winchester.
Other families: We also thank and warmly wish our existing families, who are moving onto other locations and journeys, all the very best. You also hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of Our Lady Star of the Sea, as a valued member of the community. Farewell to the following families: Cadorel, Cirillo, Kissane, Fillis
School Advisory Council farewells and new members 2023: Many thanks to Andrew Flanders and Mark Monahan for your commitment and dedication over the last 5 years. We have seen many improvements during your time and appreciate your extra, voluntary efforts.
PFA Farewells: Many thanks to Alison Dove who is finishing up on the PFA and contributed so positively over the years particularly with the Easter Raffle and the Drive In Movie. Also to Kim Williams who is stepping back as secretary but will remain in the group. We look forward to more members joining the PFA in 2023. We meet in Week 2 and Week 8 of each term in the staff room at 7pm. The meeting takes 45 minutes to 1 hour and is a great opportunity to meet new people.
School Concert: What an amazing whole school concert we celebrated recently. It was wonderful to have the whole community back together and see our students flourish and shine on stage. So many highlights. We are so proud of all the students. Thank you to the teachers. Much of the success is due to their care and extra work to make this happen. To Helen Stephenson, our Performing Arts Leader, you have such amazing vision and organisation skills. We are truly grateful for your outstanding leadership and talent in this space. To all the staff that did extra voluntary work and took on special roles to help the night flow, many thanks. Thank you also Fr Darien for your attendance in your busy schedule. It was wonderful to have you there in support. We are so grateful for you, your faith leadership and all you bring to our catholic community, especially our students and staff. It was great to enjoy this night as "together we flourished."
Annual Action Plan: Please see below our Annual Action Plan for 2023 and our 3 priority areas with goals. We are very excited by the opportunities these actions will bring for continued, improved student learning outcomes and experiences.
Creative Arts Exhibition 2023: We are delighted to announce that Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) has selected the following artworks submitted by our school for the Creative Arts Exhibition 2023. Congratulations to our incredibly talented artists and a special thanks to Rachael Thomas.
Audrey Morgan - Leaves of the World
Henry Jankowski - Koi Fish
Year 5 and 6 students - Our Lady Star of the Sea Mosaic
This is also our Year 6 parting gift to the community.
Our school mosaic has a cross as a central motif illustrating how our faith is central to Our Lady Star Of the Sea. The stars represent Mary who guides us on our spiritual journey. The yellow gum is indigenous to our area and is used for smoking ceremonies. The dragonfly represents hope and resilience in our forever changing world. The Barwon River runs through the mosaic. Important to Wathaurong people, the river represents life, freedom and the passage of time.
Carols in the Park: Many thanks to the school choir who performed in the Ocean Grove park on Sunday night. We are very proud of you all. Special mention also to Miss Natalie, Miss Bella and Miss Sue for supporting the students.
Principal of the Day: Many thanks to Xavier Hill for his great work as Principal of the day and the respect and kindness he shows to others.
Wishing you many blessings for the Christmas and holiday period as you spend precious time with your loved ones.
Kerryn
With money which has been generously donated this year, we were again able to buy Christmas Hampers for families in the Ocean Grove area. Year Five were allocated families, given a budget and then had to plan a Christmas meal for their allocated family. The students then shopped at Woolworths for their family. This is always an activity which students enjoy from the planning, budgeting and buying. It is also another action in which we are living out the scripture: “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” John: 10, 10.
Not only were the students doing a wonderful thing but their actions and behaviour were commended by other shoppers at Woolworths.
What wonderful Christmas spirit this activity brings!
Hot Dog Days
Hot dog and fruit box drink - $5
Wednesday 14 Dec - Prep & Grade 1
Thursday 15 Dec - Grade 4, 5 & 6.
$5.00 hot dog & juice box or $3.00 hot dog no drink.
Order online via schools24
Just a reminder if you are finishing your journey at Our Lady Star of the Sea or just need to have a clean out of uniforms, that Recycled Uniforms are advertised through the Parent Facebook - OLSOS Ocean Grove Recycled Uniforms page. The school is unable to manage a large amount of Recycled Uniforms and as we rely on parent volunteers the school tries to minimise donations to a stock for emergency purposes only.
Families appreciate being able to purchase, sell or swap uniform items and this practice supports the sustainability practises of the school.
Each year parent volunteers take a turn at mowing the school grounds, keeping them looking presentable and ensuring the children have a nice place to play. 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. As not all parents are able to volunteer during the school day, the Mowing Roster is a way to support the school, meet other parents and build on the home - school connection.
Parents who volunteer are awarded House Points for their childrens' house colour, which are collated to go towards the Citizenship Award, presented at the end of each year to the House with the most points collected through participation in activities such as Working Bees, mowing, community events.
If you would like to join the 2023 mowing roster please email Pearce Fay pearse.fay@deakin.edu.au. Alternatively email secretary@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au or phone the school office on 5255 4308.
All equipment is supplied and an induction session and welcome will be held at the beginning of 2023.
Dear Families, Carers and Friends, if you are interested in baptising your child/ren in 2023, particularly your school-aged child/ren, please complete the online baptism request form available on the parish website as soon as possible. Baptism availability is limited and filling fast! For the baptism request form and all information, please visit: www.holytrinityqueenscliff.org.au/sacraments/baptism/
Kind Regards,
the Baptism Team at Holy Trinity Parish
Staff Return: Friday 27 January
Term 1 Students return: Tuesday 31 January - Thursday 6 April
Easter: Friday 7 April - Monday 10 April
Term 2 Monday 24 April - Friday 23 June
Term 3 Monday 10 July - Friday 15 September
Term 4 Monday 2 October - TBA December
We had a near miss recently at the pedestrian crossing over here near our parking and the Bellarine Aquatic & Sports Centre parking, where a student has stepped out to cross the crossing and a car didn’t see them due to so many cars parking up on the nature strip blocking the view of cars driving on the road. We are going to put out a post asking families from our school to not park up on the nature strip as it is dangerous. I will also be forwarding this to the COGG for their records.
Shae Dunstan
Administration Leader and Bussing Coordinator
Bellarine Secondary College
Jump on board and join in all the fun by registering NOW ?? https://www.registernow.com.
- 10km Classic Run Start time 9.00am Pt Lonsdale Beach below the lighthouse.
- 10km Walk Start time 8.30am Pt Lonsdale Beach below the lighthouse.
- 5km Beach Run Start time 8.30am Ocean Grove Main Beach.
- 1.4km Ripper Nipper Start time 9.00am Ocean Grove Main Beach.
Adult entries: $50 Junior entries: $20 - $45
When you register for this event you are helping to raise vital funds for Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club which is an amazing volunteer led community organisation that gives back to the community in so many ways ??
For more information click on the Register Now for Rip to River 2022 Link in our Bio ??
#R2R #riptoriver #funrun #fun #run #fundraiser #registernow #walk
Big thanks to our amazing R2R Sponsors RT Edgar Bellarine & Live Green Homes and Supporters Active Feet Ocean Grove & Geelong & Move Beyond
