Principal Message

Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready

Dear Families,

Last Friday, our school community came together to celebrate our Feast Day and mark the conclusion of Catholic Education Week. It was a wonderful day filled with joy, peace and community spirit. Students participated enthusiastically in a range of activities across multi-aged groups, demonstrating kindness, collaboration and inclusivity throughout the day. It was heartwarming to see students of all ages connecting so positively with one another, and their engagement helped make the celebration such a special occasion for everyone involved.

This week, we proudly celebrate National Reconciliation Week with the theme All In. Across the week, students will engage in learning experiences and activities that deepen their understanding of reconciliation and the important role we all play in building respectful relationships and a more just future for all Australians. Our FIRE Carriers have also organised a number of wonderful lunchtime activities, encouraging all students to participate and reflect together in meaningful ways.

On Tuesday, we were fortunate to welcome Mary from our local St Vincent de Paul Conference, who spoke to students about the important outreach work of St Vincent de Paul within our community and the many ways we can support those experiencing hardship, particularly during the colder Winter months. We thank Mary for sharing her time and insights with us. Stay tuned for information about our senior students’ Winter Appeal initiative, where we will once again have the opportunity as a school community to contribute generously to this important work.

Recently, I have also been speaking with students about the impact our words and actions can have on others. Sometimes we may unintentionally hurt someone through what we say or do, and at other times our choices may be more deliberate. Regardless of intent, hurtful behaviour can create feelings of exclusion and loneliness, leaving others feeling as though they do not belong. Perhaps one of the saddest experiences for any valued member of a community is to feel unseen, excluded or disconnected.

Importantly, in equal measure, I also see many beautiful moments of inclusion, friendship, care and compassion demonstrated by our children every day. Whether it is inviting someone to join a game, helping a classmate who is struggling, showing kindness in the playground, or simply noticing when someone needs support, these moments reflect the values we hope to nurture at Our Lady Star of the Sea. They remind us that our children are capable of great empathy, generosity and understanding.

At Our Lady Star of the Sea, we want every child to feel safe, valued and known. School is a place where children come not only to grow academically, but also socially, emotionally and spiritually. As we work together to nurture respectful relationships and positive behaviours, parent partnership is incredibly important. We ask families to support conversations at home that encourage children to consider situations from all perspectives, to listen with empathy, and to understand the impact their choices can have on others. By working together, we can continue to foster a community where every child feels a genuine sense of belonging.

Warm regards,

Pamela McKillop