Newsletter Term 2 Week 3

Welcome to Week 3!   We are well into Term 2 and there’s already so much to celebrate at Star of the Sea! Last week, our Reception students led a beautiful Mother’s Day Liturgy to honour their mums and the special women in their lives. It was a heartfelt celebration and a lovely way to acknowledge the love and care of our Reception families. Thank you to all who joined us.

We also warmly welcome Father Mark Sexton, who has recently joined the Henley Beach Parish. Father Mark has already visited our school several times and is genuinely eager to build strong, meaningful relationships with our staff, students and families. We look forward to journeying together in faith and partnership. 

We also welcome our Little Stars students this term as they get to know our school community prior to officially starting school as Mid Year Receptions in July.

Walk Safely to School Day
This Friday is Walk Safely to School Day, a great initiative promoting health, road safety and community spirit. We encourage families to join one of our “walking buses” leaving at 8.00am from the following locations:

• Grange Kiosk – led by Kelly Manera
• St Michael’s College (Mitton Ave) – led by Annette Diassinas and Kirsty Crouch. This group will meet near St Michael’s, walk along Lawrie Street and then to school via Marlborough Street.
• Joe’s Kiosk (Henley Square) – led by Anthony Pigliacelli and Nicci Dixon

It’s a wonderful way to start the day and we’d love to see as many students and families take part as possible!

All students who have walked to school can head to the canteen on arrival to get their delicious cup of hot chocolate as a treat.

Grow Your Mind – Wellbeing at Star of the Sea School
You may have recently heard your child talking about a guard dog, sifting sooty, a sensitive octopus, an elephant who tries to remember, or a wise owl. These curious characters are part of our whole-school wellbeing program called Grow Your Mind, which we are excited to be exploring across all year levels.

This program uses engaging animal characters to help students understand different parts of the brain and how they relate to emotions, behaviour, and wellbeing. By making complex ideas accessible and fun, Grow Your Mind helps children develop skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, empathy, gratitude, and positive thinking all vital tools for navigating everyday life.

As part of our parent feedback earlier this year, many families identified wellbeing as a key priority. In response, we are committed to placing student (and staff) wellbeing at the heart of all we do. To support us in this important work, we are fortunate to be working alongside Courtney Quigley, a leading expert in wellbeing. Over the next year, Courtney will help guide and strengthen our approach to ensure wellbeing is meaningfully embedded across our curriculum, culture, and daily practices.

What Is Grow Your Mind And Why Are We Using It?
Grow Your Mind is a positive mental health and wellbeing curriculum aligned with the Australian Curriculum. It’s built on the belief that mental health is something we all have, and something we can all learn to care for just like our physical health.

The program uses storytelling, music, drama, reflection, and evidence-based practices to promote healthy habits and support lifelong wellbeing. We’ve chosen it because it offers:

• A playful and engaging way to talk about mental health
• A whole-school approach, supporting students, staff, and families
• Age-appropriate learning activities that build over time
• Practical, everyday strategies that children can use at school and at home

As part of this initiative, students participate in weekly lessons and short, responsive wellbeing check-ins throughout the school day. These might include mindful breathing, positive affirmations, acts of kindness, or moments of quiet reflection.

How can you support at home?
We know that when school and home work together, wellbeing grows stronger. You might notice your child using new language or sharing insights they have learned such as talking about their “guard dog” (the amygdala) when they feel worried or their “wise owl” (the prefrontal cortex) when making thoughtful decisions.

We will continue to share resources and tips across the year, and we are excited about the positive impact this work is already having in our classrooms, and we look forward to keeping you informed as it continues to grow.

Around the School
You may have noticed some exciting new additions around our school!

We are pleased to share that the under-croft area has been enhanced with fresh greenery and new aluminium tables. This space has quickly become popular with students, providing inviting areas for drawing, crafting, playing games, or simply enjoying the outdoor in a shaded and seated area. 

In response to student feedback, we have made a small but important update to the toilet lighting, removing the motion sensors so lights remain on continuously ensuring a greater sense of comfort and security for our students.

Parent Reminders
We kindly remind families that if you have concerns involving students other than your own, please speak with your child’s class teacher as the first point of contact. This ensures that any concerns are addressed calmly and appropriately and helps maintain a safe and supportive environment for all students.

Also, a friendly reminder to ensure you have both the Audiri app (for whole-school communications) and the Seesaw app (for class-specific updates) downloaded and active. While our Class Parent Reps play a valued role in our community, they are volunteers and not expected to be the primary source of school information.

P&F Update
We are incredibly grateful for our dedicated Parents & Friends (P&F) committee and the wonderful support they continue to offer our school.

Do not forget to purchase your tickets for the upcoming Blanc Soirée in August a highlight of our social calendar with some exciting auction items on offer.

We would also like to acknowledge the generous contributions the P&F have made so far this year, including:

• A new pie warmer for the canteen
• Financial contributes toward our new aluminium tables
• Several new gazebos for school events, which came just in time for Sports Day!

We are truly thankful for their ongoing commitment and look forward to the continued partnership in enhancing our school environment.

Go gently, 

Annette Diassinas and Kelly Manera
Co-Principals 

Habemus Papam - Pope Leo XIV
As we continue to mourn the passing of our beloved Pope Francis, we look to the future with hope as we welcome the new leader of our Church, Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, brings with him a vision of peace, unity, and compassion for all people. With a rich background in missionary work and a global perspective, he has already begun to speak out on important issues affecting our world, such as the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. He calls for dialogue and reconciliation, encouraging us all to work towards peace.

For our young students, Pope Leo XIV’s message is one of inspiration and action. He invites them to live out their faith through acts of kindness, community service, and a commitment to justice. Pope Leo XIV's vision encourages us to look beyond our differences and work together for a brighter, more compassionate future. In this year of Jubilee, we are filled with hope for the path Pope Leo XIV will lead us on.

Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week is a special time for us to celebrate and reflect on the values that make our school community unique. Being part of a Catholic community means we are called to live with kindness, respect, and compassion, following the teachings of Jesus.  It reminds us that education is not just about learning facts, but about growing in faith, caring for others, and making a positive difference in the world. Today, a Catholic education continues to be important as it helps us build strong moral foundations, encourages a deep sense of social justice, and inspires us to live out our faith in all we do.

Welcome Fr Mark
We are delighted to warmly welcome our new parish priest, Fr. Mark, to our school community. It has been such a joy to see him visiting the school regularly, taking the time to connect with both our staff and students. His genuine kindness and willingness to engage with everyone have already made a positive impact on our community. As we begin this new chapter together, we look forward to building a deeper relationship with Fr. Mark and having him more involved in the life of our school. His presence brings a sense of warmth and spiritual guidance, and we are excited for the many ways he will help nurture and inspire us in our faith journey. We feel truly blessed to have him with us and look forward to walking together in faith and community.

Walking Together in Reconciliation: RAP Published and Awards Application Underway
We are proud to share that our school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has recently been finalised and will soon be available for the whole community to view on our school website once the site revamp is complete. This document outlines our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and provides a roadmap for how we are actively fostering stronger relationships, deeper respect, and greater opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our school.

As part of our RAP journey, we have recently submitted an application for the Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education Awards—a national initiative that celebrates exceptional commitment to reconciliation in schools and early learning settings. These prestigious awards are run by Reconciliation Australia, and acknowledge whole-school efforts that advance meaningful reconciliation through classroom teaching, school culture, and community partnerships.

In preparing our application, we reflected on the incredible work that has already taken place within our school this year. Highlights include:

• Development of Personalised Plans for Learning (PPLs) for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, incorporating both educational adjustments and cultural identity, including language groups and Connection to Country.
• Participation in CESA’s Thriving Peoples event, which brought together Indigenous students from across South Australia to celebrate culture through art and connection.
• Launch of the Ngutu Yarlu Cultural Program, led by Aboriginal Cultural Educator Karno Martin, which engages all students in storytelling, language, dance, and traditional knowledge.
• A school-wide Acknowledgement of Country video, featuring voices of our Aboriginal staff and students, and symbolising our connection to land and sea.
• Ongoing collaborations with Aboriginal artists such as Connor McLeod and his family at McLeod Mob Art to co-create a meaningful school artwork that represents our cultural journey together.
• Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in classroom learning, including Year 1 investigations into Kaurna seasonal calendars.
• Planning of a bush medicine garden, in collaboration with our Sustainability Committee and Aboriginal community partners, to provide an outdoor learning space grounded in traditional plant knowledge.

We believe that reconciliation is a shared journey that involves listening, learning, and acting together. Publishing our RAP and participating in the Narragunnawali Awards affirms our school’s commitment to this journey and acknowledges the work we are doing to make reconciliation a lived reality within our community.

We encourage all families to explore the Narragunnawali website: https://www.narragunnawali.org.au It provides valuable resources and guidance for parents and caregivers who wish to learn more about reconciliation and support their children in understanding and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions.

We thank our RAP Working Group, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families, and our community partners for their continued support and leadership. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken and look forward to walking further together on the path of reconciliation.

Parent Teacher Interviews and NCCD Update
We have recently completed our Parent Teacher Interviews, which provided a valuable opportunity for teachers and families to discuss each student’s progress, strengths, and learning needs. As part of these conversations, teachers also shared the accommodations and adjustments in place for students with a disability, or those currently being monitored to ensure equitable access to the curriculum and opportunities for success.

These adjustments are documented through each student’s Personalised Plan for Learning (PPL), which outlines not only the supports provided but also highlights each learner’s strengths, learning preferences, and goals. These plans play a vital role in ensuring all students are supported to thrive in their learning journey.

The next phase of our Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) process involves moderation of these adjustments by our Leadership Team. This ensures consistency and accuracy in identifying the level of support students are receiving. Once finalised, this data will be submitted as part of our school’s annual NCCD reporting. The NCCD informs future planning and plays an important role in securing resourcing and funding to support inclusive practices and the success of all students in our care.

Upholding Our School Identity Through Uniform Expectations
As we transition from Summer to Winter uniform, we remind all families of the importance of adhering to our school’s uniform expectations. Wearing the correct school uniform is not just about dressing appropriately for the season – it is a reflection of our school values, our high expectations for student growth, and the pride we take in representing our school community.

Lately, we have noticed an increasing number of students attending school in variations of the uniform, or continuing to wear summer items as the weather cools. While we understand the changeover can be a busy time for families, we ask for your support in ensuring students arrive in full and correct Winter uniform, in line with our school’s Uniform Policy.

The school uniform is a visible symbol of our shared identity and the standards we uphold. Encouraging students to take pride in their personal presentation fosters a sense of responsibility, belonging, and readiness for learning. It also supports equity and a unified school culture.

We are proud of the way our students represent our school both on and off campus, and we thank you for working with us to maintain these standards. A copy of our Uniform Policy, including details of the Winter uniform requirements, can be accessed on our school website.

If you have any concerns or require support in meeting uniform expectations, please don’t hesitate to contact the school for assistance.

Together, let’s continue to support our students in showing pride, respect, and responsibility in all areas of school life.

Kind regards,
Nick Ryan