Since last year the staff have been working collaboratively to establish a Vision and Mission statement to make clear the shared vision that we have for St Marys Star of the Sea. The mission making clear the way forward to ensure that this vision becomes a reality. I am pleased to share these statements with you. 

Vision: St Mary's Star of the Sea, is a supportive community of learners, living Christ’s love through faith in action.

Mission:  By nurturing the head, the heart and the hands of every student we:

•  ensure quality learning

•  create a sense of joy and belonging 

•  contribute to a just and sustainable world.

In addition, we have also identified Gospel Values that guide our behaviours within our school and wider community:

 Compassion, Respect, Inclusion, Joy, Creativity, Community

These shared understandings and values underpin our school as uniquely Catholic, guiding us in our decision making and our working together to make this vision a reality. I would welcome any feedback on these statements as they are represent the future direction of our school community. 

The strong sense of community has been enhanced this week with the opening of the school gates to allow parents and families to return to our school grounds, it has been wonderful to see our families having a chance to get to know each other. This week we also celebrated the investiture of our Mini Vinnies team within the school, these students are taking up the challenge to give up their time and to turn their attention to making the lives of other people better is a credit to themselves, their parents and their school. 

This week we also held the Annual General meeting for our Parents and Friends, which is such an important part of our school community. I am so grateful to our outgoing President Jodie Lee, Vice President Anneliese Robinson, Secretary Tara Daly and Treasurer Anna Sim. This amazing leadership team have worked tirelessly for the greater good of our community. They have instigated so many events, going above and beyond for others over many challenging years. I would like to highlight the long and unwavering dedication of Jodie and Anneliese particularly who were the backbone of the P and F when I arrived and have worked tirelessly with a wonderful sense of joy in the service of others. They have both been a wonderful support to me as a strong parent voice in our decision making. Thank you! 

On Monday night we were blessed with a new wave of volunteers stepping up to carry the baton for our P and F; President Anna Sim, Vice President Rosie Spencer, Secretary Liz Woods and Treasurer Emma Wilson. I believe we are in very good hands with this team and I urge you to come along to our meetings, meet some other parents and step into our community. This team have launched their journey with our traditional Easter raffle of which the proceeds will be sent to flood devastated schools on the North Coast. So appropriate for us to lend a hand as we were so generously supported after the bushfires. 

Please send donations into the Office, sometimes it is a little safer to deliver Easter chocolate directly to the Office, the journey of any confectionary in children’s bags is a test of endurance! We thank you for your support. 

You may be aware that we are beginning to accept Enrolment Applications for 2023. We will be hosting an Open Day on Tuesday 5th April from 9:30-11:00 am. If you have children  who are ready for school next year please make sure you get your enrolment application in early. If you have friends who are hoping to send their children to St Mary’s let them know about the Open Day and Enrolments opening for all classes K-6. Application forms can be collected from the Office or are available online from our website. 

Next week the students in K-2 will be participating in an AFL Gala day at school and in a few weeks time, Years  3-6 will participate in an NRL Gala Day in Ulladulla. We are also well into training for our school Cross Country. These events have been organised by Mrs Katy Reid who is doing an exceptional job as our Sports Coordinator this year, we look forward to our students getting out and about after so many missed opportunities with restrictions easing. 

Have a great week, and I look forward to seeing you at school. 

Yours in partnership 

Laurinda Nelson 

Bishop Brian has established the Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese.

A message from Bishop Brian is provided below. Our CEDoW community is encouraged to support this appeal.

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ

My prayers and thoughts are with you all as this flood disaster continues. In recent days we have had towns in our diocese cut off; a number of our schools closed, non-operational or on alert; church buildings and agency offices affected by flooding and heavy rain; and clergy, staff, families, students and friends from our extended community experiencing another trauma. And while the rain is set to ease, authorities are warning it doesn’t mean the state’s flooding emergency is over.

In a heartfelt video message to his flock (see below), Greg Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore, said it had been “a very tragic few days”. To those who had “lost everything” in these floods, Bishop Greg said that everyone across the diocese was suffering with them. “This has all happened at a time when we were hoping that 2022 would be a year of hope, a good year,” he said.

As a diocese, I would like to provide practical support for the people of Lismore. I also want to provide pastoral and practical support for the people in our own diocese who have been, and will continue to be, impacted by these floods. I am inviting you to donate to my Flood Relief Appeal 2022 https://www.dow.org.au/giving/ so that, with your support, we can meet this goal

Yours in Christ

Most Rev Brian G Mascord DD

BISHOP OF WOLLONGONG

9 March 2022

Finally, if you are available to participate in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 10am, please contact me. We  are looking for volunteer students to take on acting roles and participate in this beautiful event.

Ann-Marie Wilson 

Today at our Whole-School Mass it was an exciting occasion when we commissioned our new Mini Vinnies members from Year 4, 5 & 6 who assist the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society in our local community. Thankyou to Sharlene Gill and Monica Marrison from St Vincent de Paul for attending todays Mass.

LOWES apologise for the issues parents have been having with online ordering. The below items from LOWES are in stock or shortly arriving.

Please see the Uniform Shop Winter Order Form for other stock available through the school office.

Thank you for your patience during this transition time to online ordering  and supply problems due to Covid.

Monday 21st March is Harmony Day. This is a day we celebrate all people, from different cultures and backgrounds, working and living together in Harmony. 

To celebrate this important day, we will be having a short morning presentation on Monday morning after the bell in the COLA (morning lines). Students will also receive an ice block through the day. Please contact the school office if you do not wish your child to receive an ice block and to organise an alternative.

All students are invited to wear or bring a traditional outfit/clothing to school on Monday instead of their uniform. If your family does not have traditional clothing, students may wear something orange to join in on the Harmony Day celebration.

WEAR ORANGE OR TRADITIONAL CLOTHES ON MONDAY 21ST MARCH

Students from St Mary's have been busy re potting plants for Conjola Recovery. The school has been working with Convoy of Hope and the wonderful Louise from Bunnings.