Star of the Sea Cultural Awareness Workshop
7 June 2019

Dear Parents and Friends,

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a very special day in the life of our Parish and School. It is a  special day for our Priests and one of the charisms our school takes inspiration from - the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Many of you would be aware that each and every Friday our whole school stops at 9.10am for ‘Heart Moments’. This silent, reflective time is one of the ways we celebrate and live out Heart Spirituality at Star of the Sea.

Next Friday 28th June we celebrate the Feast of the Scared Heart of Jesus with a whole school Mass. Mass was to be celebrated at 11.15am and is advertised at that time on our Term Calendar. However, we have had to move Mass to 9.15am and it will be celebrated with the Parish. I warmly invite parents and friends to join us for what is always a joyous celebration. The Star Outreach will be serving morning tea and a cuppa after Mass.

Super Hero Friday

Next Friday the children are asked to dress up as a 'Super Hero' as an SRC fundraising initiative for overseas MSC Missions. The SRC are charging a gold coin donation. As usual I am sure families will enter into the spirit of the occasion and use the opportunity to challenge the creative juices. We are certainly not expecting families to go to any expense for costumes and to think of using the kids dress up box. Fr John is aware that we will be at Mass dressed as super heroes and is looking forward to seeing all 500+ of us. I wonder if there is a Guinness Book of Records for the most number of super heroes at Mass.

At Star of the Sea, we know learning happens in many situations, both at school and at home. We also recognise that many families are busy and for some children their school day does not end at 3 o'clock. Many children have sports training, dance lessons, swimming, Scout and Girl Guide meetings and more. For many, completing set work after school is a chore and an imposition. For other families completing homework is viewed as an important learning activity, a time to connect and so time is made to ensure homework is completed.

At Star of the Sea, our Homework Policy (Home Connections) aims to fit in with the busy lives of our families. Often students will be asked to complete tasks, to practise basic knowledge and skills, and to undertake specific activities at home to support their learning. This home learning relies on the partnership between families and school to support student achievement.

We believe that reading skills are important in connecting learners with the world around them, and we encourage students to engage in daily reading at home, both independently and with families.

We also encourage the achievement of students’ individual learning goals by asking students to either finish incomplete classroom tasks at home, or complete activities that support classroom programmes.

We believe that successful learning requires students to develop positive self-management and organisational skills in collaboration with school and families. To achieve this, we continue to work together with families to ensure students are supported in their learning.

A link to our Home Connections Guidelines (Homework Policy) can be found on the school's web site at www.star.catholic.edu.au The guidelines aim to recognise current research and to strike a balance between parent expectation and what is in the best interests of our students. Please take some time to have a read of our intent to make homework relevant, connected to current classroom learning and of benefit to the children. In all cases if set homework becomes an issue for families please contact your child's teacher to discuss your concerns and to negotiate a solution.

The School Board held its second and final meeting for Term 2. All reports from the various sub- committees were tabled, and reflected the busy nature of school life and the various quality programs that are happening in classrooms and around the school.

The Board is pleased to inform the school community that Partek Construction has been awarded the tender to build and renovate the facilities at Star of the Sea. The Stage 1 Buildings will consist of new classrooms, Atrium, Multi-Purpose area, Music Room, disability lift and other associated works.  The successful contract with Partek is based on the final tender offer of $3,961,653. Partek and the school have signed all contract documents, building approval has been received from CCS Council and Partek have commenced preparing to move on site in coming weeks.

Andrew McEgan reported on the first site meeting with Partek construction and described the meeting as most productive. Andrew indicated that the school community will see site fencing erected in coming days together with site buildings and temporary student toilets.

Andrew explained that the replacement of Convent gutters, the replacement of new ceilings in the MacKillop Building classrooms and the Imaginative Play area were components of the building works that could not be included in the tender. The Board agreed to proceed with these works as school administered projects with the help and support of the Parents and Friends Committee fundraising efforts and school contribution from recurrent budgets.

Congratulations Mackenzie Miller, Year 5T for taking part in the Port Lincoln International Gymnastics competitions.

Mackenzie won first place on Floor and Vault, third place on Bars, seventh place on Beam and was awarded overall Level 6 Champion in first place.

Well done Mackenzie, we are all proud of you.

During Term 3, the SANFL will be hosting the Auskick program on the SOS Oval, on Wednesday afternoons, starting 31st July and finishing 25 September 2019. Each session will go for an hour starting at 4pm.

The cost of the program is FREE, with use of government sports vouchers accessed via your Medicare card number (Sports Voucher code is your Medicare Card Number plus individual reference number, 11 digits) however there is a charge if you have already used this voucher.  For further information please see www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au Covering all coaching sessions, your very own benefits pack jammed full of awesome goodies, plus other great offers throughout the season!  Students will receive further information at the Auskick talk Friday afternoon.

Friday 21 June
School Disco
Term 3 Transition 9-10.40am

Tuesday 25 June
Year 1 Liturgy 9.30am

Friday 28 June
Term 3 Transition 9-11am
Sacred Heart Mass 11.15am

Monday 1 July
SACPSSA Netball Carnival

Wednesday 3 July
Year 5 and 6 Dance Concert 7.30pm
Assembly 1.50pm All Welcome

Join our Community on Facebook for a 'behind the scenes' look at what happens at Star of the Sea School.

Dear Parents

I came across an excellent article last week that I wanted to share with you all. I think it resonates for parents and teachers alike….. when we hear our kids say those complaining words………. “I CAN’T”. As parents and teachers we want to encourage, we want to build resilience and we want to build problem solving skills in our kids but often the “I can’t do it” statement continues relentlessly until we give in, walk away or do it for them. We hear the children start the negative self talk and then we say things like ‘yes you can or that looks okay or just try again’ but the article states that all that really does is make us feel better. The author, Lauren, a nurse, mum and blogger, shared the one genius line we can all use that helps guide the child to their own solution. She suggests we sit next to them at a heart level and gently say “Show me the hard part”. Once we know where the challenge is we can offer strategies to the specific issue rather than shutting the whole learning experience or difficulty down in its entirety. It really helps understand the especially hard part for the child and breaks it into a much more specific but achievable problem to solve. Rather than not even have a go or starting the task, we only need to focus on the one thing that is really bothering or blocking the child from them having a go themselves. I think it also helps with the child not having to get defensive and try to prove that they really can’t do it. We all know that sometimes kids will dig their heels in. ‘Show me the hard part’ questioning technique allows our kids to solve the problem in a way that is achievable and ultimately that is the best learning of all.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Whole School and Parish Mass on Friday 28 June at 9:15 am. “Jesus you’re my Superhero, you’re my star, my best friend.” Join with us to celebrate following Jesus’ lead as the ultimate superhero, by dressing up and bringing a gold coin donation, to support the missions and show how we can help others. Morning Tea and toddler play time will follow the Mass.

Believe in the whisperings of God in your own heart.’ St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

 It is with great pleasure that I welcome Sr Mary Jasmine to Australia and the Star of the Sea community. Jasmine is a young woman who certainly responded to her heart by becoming a Passionist sister of St Paul of the Cross and you will see Jasmine joining into school activities on a Monday and Tuesday. Here is her story.

“I am from the southern part of India, a beautiful state called Tamil Nadu. We are seven in my family. Mother, father, two older sisters and one younger sister and youngest brother and I have three nieces and one nephew. My qualification is a Bachelor Science of Computer Science and I have done a spiritual formation course.

As God gifted me a beautiful and gorgeous life to experience his love, the inspiration of my religious vocation is giving up my life to God without any expectations. The Passionist charism is to bear witness to the passion of the lord and sorrow of Mary. Part of our mission is to work with youth and the education of children. I hope that staff and students will welcome and support me throughout the journey of my life with them. Love, connection and kindness embraces us all. I know I will really enjoy my life in the Star of the Sea School community.”

Congratulations to Paige and Taylor who were selected to represent Airport Districts at the Netball Carnival this week.  The Girl’s team has won 6 out of 7 games which currently puts their team equal top with 2 games to go.  Congratulations Girls, you are great role models to all of us.

SACPSSA Athletics Carnival  -  Monday 24 June

SAPSASA Football / Netball Carnival  -  Week 8  (All week)

SACPSSA Netball Carnival  -  Monday 1 July

These are the dates that have been set so far so mark them in your diaries!

Order through QKR no later than Monday 1 July 2019

To view the  this term's Road Monitors Roster click on the link below.

Devon clothing uniform shop are pleased to announce that Star of the sea customers can now purchase uniform from:

84 daws Road, Edwardstown Ph: 83731776

Email: dcus@devonclothing.com.au

What does this mean for you?

You can now purchase your uniform Mon – Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-12pm during the school holidays* and school term, as well as during the usual opening times a the School Shop.
Your Online Orders will now be processed as we receive them, at Edwardstown, and you can still opt to have your order put in your child’s classroom box or have it sent to your Business or Home address or you can collect it from the school uniform shop on Tuesdays or anytime during regular trading hours at Edwardstown

To view the Tuck Shop roster and price list click on the link below.