Newsletter Term 2 Week 10 2021

From our Acting Deputy Principal

The final days of term 2 have provided rich and diverse opportunities for learning, right to the end! Just as we reminded students at our informal assemblies in week 8, ‘We play hard until the final siren!’ Translated into primary school learner talk, this means, ‘We keep learning and doing our best, until the last bell, on the last day of term!’ There may have been a few references to some sporting teams in South Australia, that don’t always do this (play right until the end that is…… and interestingly, Mr Weeks did not disagree with me), but none the less, the Star of the Sea learning community well and truly got the message; Be your best always and keep finding new opportunities to grow and learn!

Learners across our school, this week, have visited the Adelaide Zoo, attended ‘Kerboom Percussion’ incursions, welcomed Sr Cynthia and her Old Scholar friends for a visit and sing-along, represented the school at the annual Catholic Primary Schools Netball Carnival and commenced the journey to Confirmation and First Communion. Our Little Stars officially graduated this week, too! They completed two Mid-Year Reception orientation mornings with their new teachers in their new classrooms recently and will be joining our community in Term 3.

At the final staff meeting for the term, the Star of the Sea staff shared with one another, in celebration of another successful school term, their professional ‘Specks of Gold’ from across the 10-week term. It is a privilege to work in education and there is nothing better than seeing a child’s face light up because they have realized they have learnt something new! These are the ‘Specks of Gold’ we work hard for, celebrating the triumphs and tribulations with all our learners at Star of the Sea. Whether that learning is independently organising themselves for the day, resolving problems in the playground or mastering specific curriculum related concepts, knowing that you have helped another to help themselves, is faith filled! Saint Catherine of Sienna says, ‘Be who God intended you to be and you will set the world on fire.’ I am most grateful for having the opportunity to share in the learning journey with students, staff and families at Star of the Sea School. Next term we welcome back, Deputy Principal, Matt Perry. Thank you again to everyone and I wish you all the very best!

Sincere thanks
Narelle Sandercock

29.06.21

New School Board

Each year at the AGM there is the opportunity for some Board members to retire and new Board members to join. This year we welcomed two new members Liz Sarris and Nathan Foulis. We thank retiring members Phillip Reichelt and Chris Flaherty.

The New School Board for the next 12 months are:

President: Father Peter Hearn
Executive Officer (Principal): Damian Weeks
Chairperson: Dave Slovinec
P&F Rep: Nat Canova
Teacher Rep: Louise Santillo
Chair of Finance: Justin Gargula
Members: Liz Sarris, Nathan Foulis, Emma Nicholas, Deanne Stephanos, Brad Dunstan

Below is an introduction to our parent members:

Dave Slovinec - Chairman of the Board
This is my second year on the School Board, I have two children at Star of the Sea School. I have joined the Board to understand the direction of the school in regards to education and development, both for the students and the school itself.

Justin Gargula – Chair of Finance
I have been on the Board for three years and I have one child here. I expressed and interest to join because I thought I could offer something on the finance side of the school. I am interested in how a school works behind the scenes.

Nathan Foulis
I am new to the School Board and have two children currently at Star of the Sea School and two more starting in 2023. I am really keen to help guide and shape the direction of the school in a way that is beneficial to current and future students and the broader school community. I feel my skills and experience as a Development and Project Manager might be of value to the Board.

Brad Dunstan
This is my second year on the School Board and I have two children that attend Star of the Sea School. When the nominations came up for the Board, I decided it would be a great way to volunteer, bringing different perspectives and insights to the Board and school community.

Elizabeth Sarris
I am new to the Board this year and I have one child here at Star of the Sea. I wanted to become more involved in the school by joining the School Board and hopefully support making changes to the school that will be beneficial for the students, teachers and parents of the school.

Natalie Canova
I am new to the School Board this year and currently have 3 children at the school. I am on the Board as the P&F representative. Its my way of getting involved in decisions that affect the school’s direction.

Emma Nicholas
This is my second year on the School Board, I have a child in Year 3 my Year 7 child recently graduated.

I was asked to nominate by our previous Principal and decided it was a good fit. I wanted to give back to our school community, understand some of the challenges the school faces and offer my assistance and guidance where possible. My field of employment is Human Resources, where I run strategic people and capability projects.

Deanne Stephanos
This is my third year on the School Board and I have a child here at the school. I have chosen to be a part of the School Board as I have a passion to support the leaders of our school to improve the multiple aspects of school life at Star of the Sea School.

Louise Santillo – Teacher Representative
I am lucky enough to be a teacher at the Star of the Sea School, teaching Year 6 this year – this is now my sixth year working here and I have enjoyed it thoroughly.

I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved on the School Board to see how other aspects of school life work come into fruition.