Principal Message

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

Dear Families,

Last night, Natalie Owens and I had the pleasure of representing Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School at the annual Cowes RSL Dinner. It was a wonderful evening celebrating our local community, and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with so many people who care deeply about our region.

One of the highlights of the evening was hearing community members speak so positively about our school. Whether through their own firsthand experiences or through what they had heard from others, it was heartening to hear Our Lady Star of the Sea described as such a welcoming, caring and special place. It is a testament to our students, staff and families who make our school community so special.

We were also privileged to hear from the guest speaker, Commodore Peter Scott, CSC, RAN (Retired), former Head of the Royal Australian Navy's Submarine Arm. His reflections on leadership, service and resilience were both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Seated at our table were several leading members of the local Cadets program. They shared the many opportunities the program provides for young people to develop confidence, leadership skills, resilience and strong character. While the minimum joining age is 13, it may be something some of our families would like to keep in mind as a future opportunity for their children. The Cadets representatives have kindly offered to provide information to the school, and we will make this available to families once it arrives.

It was a wonderful evening that highlighted the strength of our local community and the important role our school plays within it. We are grateful for the opportunity to represent Our Lady Star of the Sea and to continue building the strong relationships that enrich our school and our community.

Tomorrow morning, we look forward to welcoming our fathers and the special father figures in our students' lives as we celebrate Father's Day together. It is always a joyful occasion and a wonderful opportunity to thank them for the many ways they love, guide, support, and encourage our children every day.

The morning will begin with a Father's Day Breakfast at 8.00 am, followed by a Prayer Service at 9.00 am. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the Father's Day Stall to purchase a special gift for Dad or another important father figure in their lives.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our wonderful parent volunteers: Sam, Jess, Cassie and Bec, who generously gave their time to create, pack, price, and beautifully wrap the gifts for our Father's Day Stall. Your generosity and willingness to help behind the scenes are so greatly appreciated and help make these special experiences possible for our students.

A very special thank you also goes to Michelle in our Administration team. So much of what happens at our school simply would not be possible without the countless hours of organisation and preparation she undertakes behind the scenes. Michelle's dedication, attention to detail and willingness to help in every aspect of school life are truly invaluable. Thank you, Michelle, and thank you to all of our amazing volunteers for everything you do to make Our Lady Star of the Sea such a wonderful community.

As a reminder, this Friday is a scheduled school closure day. We understand that this may have caught some families by surprise, so we are very grateful to Elysium, our Before and After School Care provider, who has kindly offered to run a Vacation Care program for the day. If the school closure has created a challenge for your family, please know that this service is available. Be sure to book your child's place directly with Elysium.

Finally, this week we say farewell to our wonderful Madeleine Evens, who has been teaching in Foundation this year while replacing a staff member on leave. It is difficult to put into words just how much Madeleine has contributed to our school community. She has been an exceptional teacher, a valued colleague and a wonderful friend to so many of us.

Madeleine heads off on a well-deserved family holiday next week, meaning her time with us finishes a little earlier than the end of the term. Throughout her time at Our Lady Star of the Sea, she has brought a beautiful sense of calm, kindness and warmth to our Foundation classroom. She has nurtured our youngest learners with such care and compassion, helping them build confidence and laying the foundations for a positive and successful start to their educational journey.

While we are incredibly sad to see Madeleine leave, we are deeply grateful for the care, dedication, and joy she has shared with our students, families, and staff throughout the year. We sincerely thank her for all she has given to our school community and wish her every happiness as she embarks on her next adventure. 

As we head into the Father's Day weekend, I wish all of our fathers, grandfathers and the many special father figures in our community a very happy Father's Day. Thank you for the love, guidance, and support you give so generously. May you enjoy a weekend filled with love, laughter, and precious time with your families.

Warm regards,

Pamela McKillop