Dear Parents and Friends
Thank you for the many sympathy messages and condolences I have received from families and the children on my return to school last week. My family and in particular my mum, are very appreciative of your prayers and well wishes for the loss of my dad, Cosimo. I have been quite surprised at the number of Star of the Sea grandparents who knew him.
Dad had been quite sick for some time and recently fell and broke his hip and never really recovered. We were blessed to have had him for 91 wonderful years. As Steve Jobs once said, "You are loved when you are born and you'll be loved when you die. In between you have to manage." My dad had a great 'in between' and has left with lots of love and great memories.
School Ball
Last Saturday evening we held the bi-annual Star of the Sea Ball - 'Bright Nights, City Nights'. I would like to thank everyone involved with the night held at the Pullman Hotel in the city. It was a great night to be proudly associated with Star of the Sea School and the evening was a resounding success; both as a social event and as a fundraiser. Calculations are still ongoing but initial figures would indicate that approximately $19,000 was raised and will be a healthy contribution to the new Play and Exercise Equipment for the children to enjoy.
I would like to thank the two hundred plus ball-goers, those who donated to the class baskets, the wine wall raffle and for those who approached sponsors. To all those who contacted businesses for auction items and to all of the bidders at the live and silent auctions, thank you. You all helped to make the night successful. My thanks also go to the Class Reps who wrapped and delivered such magnificent class baskets, they all fetched good prices at the silent auction.
On behalf of the school community I would like to sincerely thank Janine Vella who was once again this year the driving force behind the Ball Committee as our convenor and motivator. This is Janine's last year as Damien heads off to high school next year. Thank you Janine for the many hours of planning, coordinating and liaising with the Pullman Hotel.
Behind every great Ball Convenor is a wonderful committee and a well drilled group of workers. I would like to extend my appreciation to the 2018 Committee -Libby Luey, Ros Stevens, Ryan Scott, Andrew McEgan, Elyshia Mutton, Emma Denehy, Robyne Leaney, Nuala Stanton, Olivia Scheuffele and Deanne Stephanos . Matt Perry and I are most grateful for all that this group has accomplished and achieved. It is wonderful to see that the many hours meeting and the committed planning all paid off with a fantastic night enjoyed by all. Everyone is to be commended for an outstanding job well done.
At Star of the Sea we are truly blessed to have such generous and supportive parents.
Mission Week
Congratulations to everyone associated with Mission Week. At Assembly Mrs Foley announced that the mission effort and activities this year has raised $1500. What an amazing effort!
Sometimes we need to ask ourselves "What have I done to make the world a better place today?" Over the last few weeks, our children have done an outstanding job answering this question and many Catholic Charities in Adelaide will benefit from our generosity.
Thanks to Stella Foley, the SRC students and the Staff Mission Committee for driving this initiative. Well done to all.
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