Dear Parents and Carers

We welcome you with anticipation and excitement to our 2023 school year. The students have settled in extremely well today and we thank you for preparing them so well for the first day back. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season with family and friends. As a catholic community, we also celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, who brought light and hope to the world. The Christmas message from Archbishop Peter Comensoli was ‘Let us welcome God’s love in the Christ Child, and let us commit ourselves to making our world a more human and worthy place for our children today and tomorrow.’

This year, Our Lady Star of the Sea’s theme is “Beacons of Hope. ” Hope is what will help us to see the world that we want – a kinder, healthier, happier, more resilient world. Hope keeps us resilient; if we want to create a resilient world, we should aim to inject as much hope into society as possible. Hope also is dependable and can help you through even the toughest, most challenging experiences. Hope is the belief that, together, we can make the world better. 

This aligns beautifully with the Archbishop's  message as we strive, in all we do, to bring hope and make good things happen including making a positive difference in the world.  Research shows that more hopeful individuals are more likely to find success and achieve higher. As a staff, for our students, we commit to high expectations as we endeavour to provide optimum learning opportunities for the whole child- academically, psychologically, physically, spiritually and  socially and emotionally. We look forward as a learning community,  throughout 2023, to shine our lights outward and create positive opportunities for all in our community and beyond as we embrace and enact our theme, Beacons of Hope. 

MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World: Ironically our theme also aligns incredibly well with the new MACS vision and strategy. This new strategy was launched in August 2022, and  outlines MACS’ purpose: Forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Jesus Christ. MACS seek to honour the great legacy of those who have gone before us and build towards the bright future inherent in their strategy and purpose. Collectively this purpose and vision of our Catholic education system will be brought  to life.  MACS is incredibly proud of the new brand, and what it symbolises and our mission. To find out more about the new brand, please visit the MACS website www.macs.vic.edu.au/rebrand.

Year 6 Graduates 2022: What a wonderful final graduation ceremony we held. We are so very proud of our Year 6 graduates and sent them on their way with every blessing. We also thank the Buddies from 2016 who returned to wish them well in high numbers. Congratulations to the following students on the scholarships and the organisations who provided them. 

Lions Award (John Claringbold): Sonni Andrews, Ivy Winchester 

Cosmopolitan Lodge (Richard Clarke): Eilidh Sheridan Cooper Levis

Corangamite Award (Libby Coker):  Lilly Clark

Knights of the Southern Cross (Dan): Kai Russell, Annie Leonard 

Rotary Award (Tony Haines): Memphis Allen, Lonni Kerr, Safira Talaue, Jude De Jong

Leadership Bellarine MP Office (Alison Marchant): Khai Trinh 

Prep 2023: We welcomed all our Prep students today and they were absolutely awesome. Welcome to Layla Allbutt, Rafael Bampfield, Cleo Bapaume, Darcy Bennett,  Charlie Bennett, Rory Beshara, Willow Bonde, Sidney Bruce, Lottie Butcher, Kiara Campbell, Poppy Carter, Leonardo Coffetti, Elka Collins, Mila Cook, Goldie Crapp, Harriet Cross, Winter Cunningham, Edward Dalton, Maggie Daniher, Lyla Daniher, Zeb Darburn, Nash Darburn, Byron Davis, Cody Dunn, Oliver Edwards, Walter Evans, Jackson Finemore, Anastasia Fletcher, Sonny Ford, Billy Garland, Eva Grant, Easton-Reid Grant, Cooper Hachem, Isaac Hamm, Jack Harrington, Arlo Harry, Isabella Hedditch, Arlo Hernan, Willow Hill, Emma Jacimovic, Jesse Jamieson, Royston Kelly, Arlo Kelsall-Ralph, Evie Kerr, Emma Kerr, Alice Kerr, Jesse Kilkenny, Stella Knights, William Ladner, Alfie Laidler, Evie Lester, George Lucas, Elijah  Macumber, Harry Maloney, Noah  McCluskey, Jack McDonald, Taigh McKerracher, Ella McQuitty, Penelope Moody, Imogen Mullen, Arlo Osment, Jack Palmer, Tahj Pascoe, Lottie Pemberton, Andy Place, Ryder Reid, Oakey Reid, Edward Reynolds, Bodhi Reynolds, Evie Roberts, Arlo Rogowski, Sunny Rollins, Noah Rundell, Harry Said, Sophia Scholte, Wyatt Schomacker, Zoe Sherlock, Livinia Sinnott, Lenny Spencer, Darcy Stafford, Ted Stevens, Julia Waleed, Elsie Walter, Sophia Wettenhall, Oscar Wheeler, Tyler Wood, Sophia Zivic.

New Families: A warm welcome also to our new families: Oliver Taylor, Scarlett Palmer, Max Johnson, Ashton Ramsay, Oliver Parton, Jacinta Parton, Esma Tek, Claire Bennett, Albie Hanna, Isabella White, Xavier White, Ellie Murphy.

Welcome back to: Maya Mackay

We trust you appreciate the staff photos below and email addresses. This will support the importance of working together in partnership and we welcome communication as required, as together we shine our lights outwards to each other.

Staff Mass and Indigenous Perspectives Professional Learning: On Friday we really valued joining with our other Holy Trinity Parish school St Aloysius' staff to engage in a welcome to country and smoking ceremony and Mass based on the theme Beacons of Hope. The welcome ceremony led by Danae Coots was a perfect opportunity to start the year. A chance to engage in welcome, hospitality and reflection whilst paying our  respects to our First Nations people. The smoking ceremony enabled us to call on  renewal and healing as we begin the school year.  We were also called to care for this wonderful land and environment we are so privileged and blessed to live on- our country. Yesterday we also benefited from some great learning with Ahsleigh Skinner from Waddawarung. As part of our annual action plan we are building teacher capacity in their knowledge and confidence in bringing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learning opportunities  to our students. Further to this we embrace more sustainable actions and care for the land we live on.

Working Bee: Many thanks to the following  families who were able to come along and enjoy working alongside each other in a general tidy up of our grounds. It was a great turn out and what was achieved is greatly appreciated. Your generosity of spirit is truly valued. 

Milly Dickinson, Freddy Dickinson, George Dickinson, Albie Dickinson, Rachel Larmour, Airlie learey, Seb Learey, Clint Miller, Jack Miller, Emma Hamm, Ella Hamm, Liam Hamm, Isaac Hamm, Leonie Cole, Lenny Cole, Max Cole, Leah Cole, Isaac Geerings, Jemma Geerings, Ebony Knights, Jarrod Knights, Zara Knights, Stella Knights, Levi Knights,  Ivy Williams, Laura Grantham, Max Grantham, Louis Grantham, Penny Freemanb, Zach Zarro, louise Bryan, Olive Bryan, Tristian Cross, Catherine Cross, Harriet Cross, Kevin Mitchell, Ivy Mitchell, Josh Wheeler, Indi Wheeler, Oscar Wheeler, Kylie Morgan, Matilda Morgan, Josh Salter, Harvey Salter, Mary Spencer, Tex Spencer, Lenny Spencer, Trent Spencer, Lenny Spencer, Cam Ward, Bec Ward, Winni Ward, Alfie Ward. 

Sports Uniform Days for all Year Levels: The following Days are when your child will wear their sports uniform.

Bike Safety: Please have a chat with your children about riding safely and the importance of helmets on properly and worn at all times. We will be reinfiorcing this at school. 

Some of our spaces ready for learning:

Wishing you all a hope filled fortnight ahead.

Kerryn

Student Medical Management 

As part of a school’s registration, student medical conditions, medications and management plans must be monitored and updates maintained. Recent Medical Management Policy and procedure updates have been implemented. No medication can be administered without the completed authority. 

Ongoing medication for any diagnosed condition

For students who require ongoing medication for any diagnosed condition to be administered at school, a medically approved Medical Management Plan and a Medication Authority form will need to be completed by a registered AHPRA Medical Practitioner (this is not a pharmacist). Eg ADHD, Epilepsy, ASD, Eczema, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy. Both forms will need to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA Medical Practitioner as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. 

Medical Management Plan 

Medication Authority Form

Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Allergic Reaction Action Plan, Diabetes Plan or Condition Specific Medical Plan

If your child has a current Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Allergic Reaction Action Plan or Diabetes Plan or Condition Specific Medical Plan in place and it has been provided to school, only the Medication Authority Form needs to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA Medical Practitioner (this is not a pharmacist) as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. All plans must be updated annually, or earlier if there are changes to the condition. 

Asthma Action Plan 

Anaphylaxis Action Plan 

Allergic Reaction Action Plan 

Medication Authority Form

Short term or ad hoc medication

If a student requires short term or ad hoc medication including but not limited to paracetamol, hayfever medication or soothing creams and ointments a Medical Management Plan and a Medication Authority form needs to be fully completed, signed and dated by a AHPRA registered Health Practitioner (including a Medical Practitioner, Pharmacist, Nurse, Dentist), as well as the parent/guardian, then provided to school. No medication can be administered without the completed authority. Alternatively parents may attend school to administer medication to their child if necessary. 

Medical Management Plan 

Medication Authority Form

All  Medical Management Plans and Medication Authority forms are required to be reviewed by the family and health practitioner annually or if the student’s health care needs change, and provided to school. 

It is advised when you attend a health practitioner for any illness your child is suffering which may require medication to be administered at school, you take a Medical Management Plan form and a Medication Authority form with you to your appointment and get them completed and signed on the day (forms can be found on our school website). The school cannot administer any medication without these forms being completed. 

All medication provided to the school is to be in the original packaging showing the expiry date. If the required forms are not provided to the school no medication will be held at school or dispensed to your child and parents will need to attend school and administer medications. No verbal or written/email consent will be accepted. 

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

Digital Technologies Leader: Corey Gallagher

cgallagher@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Learning Diversity Leader: Kristen Leonard

kleonard@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Specialist Teachers

Physical Education:  Andrew Gibson

agibson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Performing Arts - Music, 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 Green Hub  

Michelle Richards & Rebecca Notman, Nicole Maier, Chloe Grist, Bryony Jackson

Learning Support Teacher: Kylene Gray 

richards@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

rnotman@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

nmaier@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

cgrist@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bjackson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

kgray@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 1 Reb Hub

Alison Healy & Miranda Kelly, Alice MacNamara, Melissa Garvey

Learning Support Teacher: Miranda Kelly

ahealy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

amacnamara@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mgarvey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mkelly@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Year 2  Blue Hub

Jacinta Ryan, Patrick Kennedy, Christine Lourie, Charlotte Monaghan

Learning Support Teacher: Sara De Jong 

jryan@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

pkennedy@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

clourie@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

cmonaghan@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

sdejong@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 3  Yellow Hub 

Ashlee Guiffrida, Natalie Skahill, Carolyn Taylor, Zac Stankiewicz

Learning Support Teacher: Marnie Hallam

agiuffrida@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

nskahill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

ctaylor@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

zstankiewicz@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mhallam@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 4  Purple Hub

Lizzie Conquit, Michael Coldwell, Alyce Knight, Isabella Scaffidi

Learning Support Teacher: Bree Russell 

lconquit@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

mcoldwell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

aknight@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bscaffidi@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

brussell@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 5  Purple Hub 

Miranda McCluskey, Sharon Chirgwin,  Matt Eales, Carly O'Neill

Learning Support Teacher: Bree Jones

mmccluskey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

schirgwin@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

meales@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

coneill@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

bzivic@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

Yr 6  Orange Hub 

Brendan Casey, Lisa Grigg, Emily Bissell-Barahona, Sam Scott

Learning Support Teacher: Rebecca Nancarrow

bcasey@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

lgrigg@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

ebissell-barahona@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

sscott@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

rnancarrow@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au

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. 

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

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

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