Newsletter Term 1 Week 5

Dear Families,

Here we are at the halfway mark of the term already!  The school routines are very much established despite the challenges of Covid.  Last week there was a release of the new Covid rules from CESA and SA Health, these will apply from until 25 March 2022.  In case you missed it, please click the following link.

For parents you are generally being asked to refrain from coming onto the school site.  Of course, there will be exceptions to this, but if you come onto the school grounds, please wear your mask.  

A local, approved decision, to parents coming on-site, relates to Reception and Year 1 parents.  Due to the fact that our school is surrounded by busy roads we are allowing these parents to drop-off and pick up using the MDC asphalt area.  If you are doing this, please wear your mask and practice social distancing. 

We are asking all parents to refrain from entering classrooms/buildings at all times unless it is absolutely necessary.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR – BEACH CLUB

Last year we introduced a number of “lunch Time Clubs” for those children who are looking for something different to do at lunch time.  This year we have expanded this for Year 2-6 children, to include an opportunity to go to the beach (there is no going in the water).  As a trial we are allowing a Year level each day to experience this, but with duty of care, we can only take 20 children at one time.  There is a sign-up sheet for each year level, every week.  The year level teacher is also looking for a parent helper each week that could attend (1:05pm to 1:35pm). 

This term we will be running the Year 3-6 Clubs in the Sella Maris Club.  The activities are:

Monday – Games
Tuesday – Yoga
Wednesday - Dance/Meditation
Thursday – Canva
Friday – Games

For R-2 the Clubs run in the Atrium.  The activities are:

Monday – Drawing
Tuesday – Dance
Wellbeing - Wednesday
Thursday - Lego/Building
Friday - Construction

The library is also open every day at lunch time.

During the course of a year, you may find yourself in a situation where you are unsure or concerned about something involving the school.  Most matters can be resolved very simply and easily through an informal discussion with the appropriate person.  We appreciate parents/caregivers bringing their concerns to our attention, so please don’t hesitate to make a mutually convenient time to meet with your child’s Class Teacher if it is a class related matter, or the contacts listed below depending on the issue.

If, however you feel that a more formal approach is needed, the best course of action will be determined by the type of concern that you have.

1. If your concern is about an individual classroom, student or program issue, the first person to talk to is the Classroom Teacher.  Teachers appreciate parents bringing issues to their attention and matters can often be resolved quickly and easily by talking to the teacher.  If, however you are not satisfied with the outcome of this, the next thing to do is to make a time to discuss the matter with the Principal or Deputy.
2. If you have a concern about the day-to-day operations of the School, which is a matter that is not directly concerning individual staff members or classes, but rather with the overall well-being of the School, please speak to the Principal or Deputy.
3. Your query may be about a program run by one of our Specialist Areas.  If so please make a mutually convenient time to talk to any of the following:

     Jhovana Fenu (Acting APRIM)            RE/Sacramental Programs

     Geordi Caridi (Acting PE)                     Sport/PE

     Karen Andrews                                      Italian

     Helen Kolaczkos                                    Library

     Allison Sammut                                      STARS Literacy Support

     Matt Perry                                              Inclusive Education

     Jessica Stewart                                      Science

     Kaya Nicholls                                         Music

     Lisa Lata                                                 Art

      4.If you have a concern about an issue that is part of the School Board’s area of responsibility, which includes policy development, financial management, pastoral care of children, parents and staff and planning, you should speak to the Principal, the Deputy or a School Board Member.

      5.The Parents and Friends support social events.

If you are uncertain about whom to approach, you can seek clarification from the Principal, Deputy or a School Board Member.

The names of School Board and Parents and Friends Members are listed in the Newsletter from time to time.  They may be contacted by leaving a message at the School Office.  A Parent Committee Member may bring relevant or appropriate matters to the Parents meeting, subject to consultation with the Chairpersons of the Groups, and prior listing on the meeting’s agenda.

If after taking action in accordance with the steps outlined above and you believe your concerns have not been addressed satisfactorily, you may approach the Catholic Education Office, either by phone or in writing.  The Catholic Education Office has advised that its practice is not to get involved in pursuing matters raised with them, unless the above procedure has already been followed.  They will suggest to people that they follow the above procedure with the school.

It is hoped that these procedures will be useful should you ever have the need to contact anyone here at Star of the Sea School.  It is sincerely hoped that we can work together should any issue arise as most are resolvable.

Current School Board Members include:

Hello Friends

A very warm welcome to the midway point of our school term. For those community members who are data orientated, there are only 29 days of the school term remaining. Wow, how time flies. To say what a busy start to the school year has been, would be an understatement.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes
A huge thank you to our many volunteers who came and helped us cook pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and for our equally wonderful volunteers who helped with toppings and serving. We also extend a huge thank you to our Year 4 families who provided pancake mixture and our Year 6 families who provided the delicious toppings.

A Traffic Thankyou
No doubt you would have received the information regarding road closures around our school and I write to say thank you for your cooperation in following the road signs and traffic directions set by the City of Charles Sturt Council. I still draw your attention to motorists who use Seaview Road as a drop off and pick up point and stress the importance of not queueing on the northern side of the pedestrian crossing. When this occurs, motorists are parking on a yellow line delineating a ‘clearway zone’ and this also makes it very challenging for our Road Crossing Monitors to see oncoming traffic. This action makes it hazardous for pedestrians to cross Seaview Rd as they cannot see oncoming traffic. Please pass this information on to any family members or friends who collect or drop your children to school.

Masks
If you need to enter our school buildings for any reason, then we have 1 simple ask and that is … wear a mask. Please help us to keep each other safe. We appreciate your cooperation in this area.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” ― W.B. Yeats

Thank you and Blessings
Matt Perry

The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish and Star of the Sea school would like to invite those who are interested in having their children receive the Sacrament of Fist Reconciliation in 2022. We thank you for your patience and cooperation in waiting for an update.

The Parent/Guardian Information Session is booked for Wednesday 4^th May 2022 at 7pm in the Parish Church. Preparations for the sacrament will occur in classes from the 23^rd May 2022. There will be a Retreat Day during school hours and a couple of written exercises for you to do with your child at home as part of the preparation.

The preparation is family centered, Parish based and school supported.  If you wish your child or children to participate please send a permission email stating your child’s name, parent names, class teacher and contact details including email to the email below by no later that Thursday 14^th April.

Jhovana Fenu (Acting APRIM)  jfenu@star.catholic.edu.au

Please note that due to the uncertainty regarding gatherings under SA Health regulations, the process will remain subject to change. We are committed to keeping you informed.

Go gently

Jhovana Fenu
Acting Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission

School fees 2022

All school fee statements were distributed early last week.

School fees are charged based on numbers of students in a family attending Star of the Sea School. For the first child, the annual fee is $3,775. For two children, the annual fee is $6,795 which is a saving for sibling discount of 10%. For three children, the annual fee is $9,060 which is a saving for sibling discount of 20%.  

Annual Fees are payable by -

            Minimum of one third to be paid on or before 14/4/2022      (end of Term 1)

            Minimum of two thirds to be paid on or before 8/7/2022      (end of Term 2)

            Fully paid by 30/9/20 22                                       (end of Term 3)

Unless a direct debit payment has been arranged.

The following payment options are available -

  Cash   -    Cheque      -     Visa     -     Mastercard     -   Direct Debit   -    BPAY   -  QKR                                            

Regular direct debits from either bank savings/cheque accounts or credit card is an easy and preferred option. Please see the School Office if you wish to arrange this option.

Irregular payments can also be paid via the QKR option.

The annual cost for the School Capital Levy is $300 per family.

Parents/Caregivers who have contributed $300 or more to the Planned Giving Programme of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Henley Beach for the 2022 calendar year may apply for a full rebate of the School Capital Levy.

Application forms are available from the School Office. You will need to take the form to the Parish Office for approval.

Financial assistance for low income earners via the Government scheme called, School Card will continue to be available for those families who qualify.