WAKE UP · at work knew he could not read. When he attended sales conferences he would put his arm in a sling so that he didn't have to write. One day he parked his car in a street

Dear Parents,

I hope you and your family are well and coping with the ever-changing landscape created by the COVID-19 virus. As

we try to navigate our way through the unknown can I please ask you to support your children through this testing

time. They are very aware of what is going on through the media, your conversations and interactions and the fact

that they are not at school. We need to be aware of their safety and well being and proactive in

helping them understand what is going on in the world right now and reassure them that they are not alone in

feeling anxious. I encourage you to make sure they stay connected with their friends through appropriate social

media and telephone. This will help them to stay positive. Please listen to their concerns and acknowledge them.

By developing routines and structures in their daily life also gives comfort to the children. Stay connected to their

teacher and complete all of the schoolwork assigned in the School at Home program.

Our staff have been working extremely hard to prepare the School at Home program for this week and next week.

They are now working on the Term 2 School at Home program which will be quite different to what you have been

experiencing over the past few weeks. The Term 2 program will contain new material being taught using videos

and live online feeds. Please carefully read the document sent home on Monday, ‘School at Home Guidelines for

Online Learning’. It is important that your children have structure and routine in place and make daily connection

with their teacher. We have several families without devices for their children to connect to the online learning.

If you have a computer, laptop or iPad that you could loan or give to one of our families it would be greatly

appreciated.

Our Music Teacher , Mrs Jane King, has resigned from her position at Star of the Sea effective the end of Term 1.

Mrs King has secured a job much closer to home at Mater Christi. Mrs King has worked at Star of the Sea for the

past five years. She has put in an enormous amount of work to develop an amazing choir and band. Her

commitment to extra activities such as Once Big Voice, Catholic Performing Arts, Rockingham Fair and so many

more has been greatly appreciated by the students and their families. She will be greatly missed and I wish her all

the best for the future.

WAKE UP

Jesus loved Martha, her sister, Mary and Lazarus, yet he had heard that Lazarus

was ill he stayed where he was for two more days before saying to his disci-

ples, “Let us go to Judaea.” The disciples said, “Rabbi, is it not long since the

Jews wanted to stone you; are you going back again?” Jesus replied, “Are there

not twelve hours in the day? A man can walk in the daytime without stumbling

because he has the light of this world to see by; but if he walks at night he stum-

bles, because there is no light to guide him.” He said that and then added, “our

friend Lararus is resting, I am going to wake him.” John 11:1-45

Our building program is drawing to a close with most of the builder’s fencing removed and the lawn has been rolled

out. I will do a video walk around and post it late this week or early next week. You will be amazed with the

progress.

Travel restrictions

The newly imposed travel restrictions, added to the already extensive state-wide response to the COVID-19 pan-

demic, are certain to create some unease.

These restrictions, while confronting for some of us, are vital to our State’s efforts to prevent community transmis-

sion of COVID-19 and protect regional and remote communities, including those that are most vulnerable.

Look after your own wellbeing so you can support your children with their wellbeing.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Lead Us and Guide Us.

Steve Dowie

Principal

Fri 3/4 No Assembly (until further notice)

Mon 6/4 Pupil Free Day

Tues 7/4 Pupil Free Day

Wed 8/4 Pupil Free Day

Thur 9/4 Pupil Free Day

Fri 10/4 Easter Friday

IMPORTANT DATES

What kind of world do we want to leave to those who will come after us, to children who are

growing up? Pope Francis

St Jude, please shine your light upon my family.

Give us strength to overcome all of the difficulties

that we are dealing with now and protect us against

any and all problems we may encounter in the future.

Amen

The Reading Bug … and how to help your child catch it

A young father once approached me and asked me to teach him to read. He

was a successful business man who worked for a petrol company. It was his

job to take the monthly records from service stations and recommend sales

strategies. Every month, he would take the records home and his wife would

read them out to him. Then he would dictate his recommendations. No one

at work knew he could not read. When he attended sales conferences he

would put his arm in a sling so that he didn't have to write. One day he

parked his car in a street and came out to find a car parked up close behind

his rear bumper. He could not get out and had an urgent appointment to go

to. Finally after an hour, the car in front moved and he could jiggle his way

out. He was so furious. He wanted to leave a note on the windscreen behind.

But he could not spell. Now was the time to seek help. The fear of reading

can reach phobic proportions. Early failure can stay with a person for their

whole life. Not being able to read is a misery. The pain of it quickly leads to

avoidance behaviour and children will develop emotional responses like this

man if we give them tasks that are too hard. Choose books carefully. Every

unpleasant experience is a step on the road to reading failure.

Paul Jennings

WASTE WISE

FOOD

Save up any scraps

or wilted veg to

make broths,

stocks or even

chutney. Overripe

fruit can be turned

into jam or com-

pote for dessert

and porridge. Turn

stale bread into

crunchy garlic

breadcrumbs and

croutons for salads

and soups.

RECYCLABLES

Soap nuts, available

at most bulk and

health-food stores

are a compostable

and budget-friendly

alternative to laundry

powders and liquids.

Horse chestnuts can

also be collected and

turned into free

homemade soap.

OTHER

Millions of ink

cartridges are

thrown into land-

fill each year. Save

money and the

environment by

refilling them

through stores like

Cartridge World.

BEYOND

Beware green wash-

ing! This is when

companies claim

their products are

good for the

environment by us-

ing words like ‘eco’,

‘green’ and ‘natural’

Its always good to

double check that

the company walks

the talk.

And the world came together as the people stayed apart

Over the last few weeks, the ELC children have been assisting Miss Wendy in caring for our vegetable and herb gardens. They have been watering them on a daily basis and have been practicing their cutting skills to trim back our herbs. They have been displaying respect and care towards other living things along with the process and human impact they have on their environment.

We have created some new beautiful displays within the ELC room along with new learning areas for the children to engage with and ex-plore. We have set up a small Easter exploration table where the chil-dren have been sorting through the use of colour grouping and counting. We have also created an "Our World" display which shares with us where everyone is from, sharing each other’s backgrounds and families’ nationalities. This supports the children to develop a sense of belonging and agency within their environment.

All of the ELC Educators would also like to say a huge thank you to all of the ELC families who have supported us and have been so understand-ing throughout this current time.

A friendly reminder to all families that a Family Suggestion Box has been placed in the front foyer of the OSHC and by the entrance of the ELC

for any suggestions and feedback regarding the Centre. We are always looking at how we can improve and we value your input.

Early Learning Centre News

2nd April 2020

This Month’s Community Networks

Lego Building—Connect and Create

family Lego sessions will run every Sunday from 1pm-3pm. Free Event

Website: https://rockingham.wa.gov.au/events-culture-and-tourism/events/what-s-on-calendar/2020/march/connect-and-create-family-lego-1

Relationships Australia

Provides resources to couples, individuals and families to help enhance and support relationships.

Website: www.relationships.com.au

Weekly Tai Chi Classes Join qualified instructor Peter Balde every Tuesday morning for free weekly Tai Chi classes from 5 November 2019 to 24 March 2020. The classes

are suitable for all ages and skill levels - no experience necessary. BYO towel and mat. No registrations required. Website: https://rockingham.wa.gov.au/events-culture-and-tourism/events/what-s-on-calendar/2020/march/weekly-tai-chi-class-2

If you would like further information regarding local services that assist, please see the Parent/Families Community Link folder kept in the OSHC Foyer and ELC This folder is update Monthly and we welcome families input in services that may be of assistance to add to this folder.

https://rockingham.wa.gov.au/events-culture-and-tourism/events/what-s-on-calendar/2020/march/connect-and-create-family-lego-1

http://www.relationships.com.au/

https://rockingham.wa.gov.au/events-culture-and-tourism/events/what-s-on-calendar/2020/march/weekly-tai-chi-class-2

A friendly reminder to all families that a Family Suggestion Box has been placed in the front foyer of the OSHC and by the entrance of the ELC

for any suggestions and feedback regarding the Centre. We are always looking at how we can improve and we value your input.

Early Learning Centre News

2nd April 2020










If you would like further information regarding local services that assist, please see the Parent/Families Community Link folder kept in the OSHC Foyer and ELC This folder is update Monthly and we welcome families input in services that may be of assistance to add to this folder.




Outside School Hours Care News

2nd April 2020










OSHC: CHILDREN FEEL SAFE, SECURE & SUPPORTED

As you are all aware we are currently living through a global health crisis, unseen for the better part of 100 years. It is so easy for us,

as adults to feel vulnerable and overwhelmed by the constant discussion, media overload, and visions of empty shelves in super-

markets. We can only imagine what stress this puts on the children in our lives.

As it is currently very quiet in OSHC we are taking the time to engage meaningfully with the children whilst maintaining their safety

and that of the educators who are working daily, creating an inviting space that still allows for child lead learning opportunities

whilst adhering to stringent hygiene practices.

1. Educators ensure children’s, as well as their own, temperature is checked on arrival and

that children wash their hands upon arrival and regularly throughout the care session, particularly before and after eating.

2. Practising social; distancing, we have discovered is not easy but we are working hard to encourage the children to maintain

appropriate space between each other.

3.All toys are washed and sanitised after use. All doors, taps, IPads and door keypads are regularly sanitised for optimum safety.

4. If the children ask questions about the subject, we answer them. Keeping to the facts and asking open ended questions as well

as listening to their thoughts aids in giving the children a sense of security. Educators acknowledge the children’s concerns by being

honest and explain the truth in a child-friendly way, Children have a right to truthful information about what’s going on in the world,

but adults also have a responsibility to keep them safe from distress. We use age-appropriate language, choose our words wisely,

watch the children’s reactions, and are sensitive to the children’s level of anxiety.

5.Educators are champions in the art of distraction! OSHC educators are resourceful and suitably clever at artfully moving children

on to engaging activities that encourage their learning when they demonstrate that they may be feeling a little overwhelmed.

OSHC is open for ESSENTIAL CARE. Please contact the Nominated Supervisor on 9553-9540 or email [email protected] for your

copy of the OSHC Essential Care Planner.




mailto:[email protected]

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WAKE UP · at work knew he could not read. When he attended sales conferences he would put his arm in a sling so that he didn't have to write. One day he parked his car in a street