Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome back to a very unusual start of Term 2 as we get used a different way of 'being school' together. Delivering learning and teaching online to students at school and at home has certainly been perplexing for teachers and students and has presented its own technical challenges. Thank you for the overwhelming support we have received from families as we manage this new learning and living environment. My best wishes go out to all families as you manage home and work life and especially those with elderly family members.

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Star of the Sea who have adapted and modified their planned online lessons due to last minute changes by the Government. It only goes to show that you always need a Plan B. In all of this the teachers still managed to keep smiling. Our children, staff and parents are to be commended for the way you have all taken everything on board, for your commitment, understanding and patience. I am very proud of you all.

As per my recent communication, the Government and health officials have deemed schools to be safe places for learning and this week 'student return to school rates' have gradually increased as parents become more confident with the latest positive news of reductions of COVID-19 cases. If this trend continues then I believe we can look to a gradual return of normality for students and a return to face to face teaching. I will definitely keep you updated, however, if we have learnt anything during this time it’s that news, advice and information changes by the day. Without bombarding you with constant developments I want to keep the lines of communication open and current. Please contact the school with any concerns. We will continue to keep doing all the small things really well at Star of the Sea like practising hygiene, ensuring we limit outside contact within the school, cleaning toilets, high traffic surfaces and playground equipment regularly and ensuring our children are positive, resilient and happy at school.

This week I received the following words of wisdom from a friend and thought it worth sharing with you. The words are from a School Principal. I can’t love it enough. I hope you enjoy the message.

COVID-19 Kids – what if?

When people say kids are going to be ‘behind’ I say, behind what?? Not each other- they’re all in the same boat. Only ‘behind’ the age expectations of a curriculum that currently has limited context due to these extraordinary circumstances. They are ahead on so many other more important fronts I say.

What if instead of “behind” this group of kids is advanced because of this?

What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, and they love to express themselves in writing.

What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet?

What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?

What if this generation is the one to learn to cook, organise their rooms, do their laundry, and keep a well-run home?

What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?

What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home?

What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?

What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers, health professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cleaners, aged care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered at home?

What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life, who has a fine sense of empathy and care and concern for fellow humans.

What if he or she truly learns what really matters in all this…

This week I received the following words of wisdom from a friend and thought it worth sharing with you. The words are from a School Principal. I can’t love it enough. I hope you enjoy the message.

COVID-19 Kids – what if?

When people say kids are going to be ‘behind’ I say, behind what?? Not each other- they’re all in the same boat. Only ‘behind’ the age expectations of a curriculum that currently has limited context due to these extraordinary circumstances. They are ahead on so many other more important fronts I say.

What if instead of “behind” this group of kids is advanced because of this?

What if they have more empathy, they enjoy family connection, they can be more creative and entertain themselves, they love to read, and they love to express themselves in writing.

What if they enjoy the simple things, like their own backyard and sitting near a window in the quiet?

What if they notice the birds and the dates the different flowers emerge, and the calming renewal of a gentle rain shower?

What if this generation is the one to learn to cook, organise their rooms, do their laundry, and keep a well-run home?

What if they learn to stretch a dollar and to live with less?

What if they learn to plan shopping trips and meals at home?

What if they learn the value of eating together as a family and finding the good to share in the small delights of the everyday?

What if they are the ones to place great value on our teachers, health professionals, librarians, public servants and the previously invisible essential support workers like truck drivers, grocers, cleaners, aged care workers and their supporting staff, just to name a few of the millions taking care of us right now while we are sheltered at home?

What if among these children, a great leader emerges who had the benefit of a slower pace and a simpler life, who has a fine sense of empathy and care and concern for fellow humans.

What if he or she truly learns what really matters in all this…

Star of the Sea School has been full of joy and smiles this week, even if a few mums had tears in their eyes as their children skipped into school. It has also been exciting catching up with our friends and families who are still home. However, things are different, and I hope that you are faring well at this time.

Vinnies has reached out to us as the food bunker at our church is EMPTY. There are many people in need, some who have never found themselves in this situation before. That must be very daunting indeed. So over the next couple of weeks we will join with our Parish to make hampers to acknowledge Catholic Education Week and ‘Love in a Bag.’ I know that I could share some items from my pantry that might be useful to others, although my home made self-raising flour was not a success.

If you have Project Compassion Boxes or Small Change for Big Change bottles please send them back to the front office. Do not worry if you have misplaced yours or it only has a small amount; every thought counts.

 “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of mothers.” St Therese. Happy Mother’s Day next week,

Stella Foley

APRIM

It was wonderful to see the nation supporting ANZAC Day on Saturday albeit very differently this year. There were moving stories of street memorials and online tributes. I have heard many stories of Star of the Sea students who have a proud reputation of supporting the local Henley Beach RSL ANZAC service.

This is one worth sharing. Riley Wakely-Young from Year 2BR held an ANZAC Day fundraiser on Saturday. She raised $234.15 for the Semaphore and Port Adelaide RSL Club by holding a bake sale. She invited neighbours and some of her friends to drop by (social distancing of course!) via some flyers and posters in her street, to buy ANZAC biscuits and cupcakes.

Chloe Reid dropped by and donated a batch of cookies to sell. April Daniels and Lexi Perry also came to support Riley.

The girls had so much support, everyone they invited came by, some donating up to $20 each for a few bickies. Riley shared a picture of the stall with the RSL Club and received a call from the Club President on Sunday. He has invited Riley for dinner when the RSL reopens so she can then present her donation to the club.

The donation will cover 3 months of internet for the club, and this will support local veterans with their government affairs.

What a heart-warming story of kind actions and a reflection of the amazing little humans being taught the value of service to others at Star of the Sea!

Welcome back to a very quiet Term 2 with regard to Sport.  At this point in time we are still unsure of what sporting programs will take place this term.  Refunds will be made as we become informed of what is happening.  Should there be refunds for your child’s sport, I will inform families by email how this will occur.  Please do not contact the office for refunds at this time, as the policy is still the same, once registered there are no refunds.  However, in this unprecedented situation, all refunds will occur once we receive official notification from the particular sporting organisations.

SPORT DATES FOR Term 1, 2020

SACPSSA Swimming Carnival – Reschedule date TBA

Metro SAPSASA Swimming Carnival –Reschedule date TBA

Star of the Sea School Sports Day – Reschedule TBA

Term 2, 2020

SACPSSA Netball Carnival  -  TBC

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

Please note Athletics carnivals will be held in Terms 3 & 4.

Kristen Victory
Sports Coordinator / Teacher