Dear Families of Our Lady Star of the Sea,

As we come to the close of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect with deep gratitude on the past 15 months at Our Lady Star of the Sea.

It has truly been a wonderful time - one that I have enjoyed immensely. To be welcomed so warmly into this community and to be entrusted with a place in your children’s learning journeys and your family lives has been a great privilege. I am thankful for the support, kindness and partnership of our students, staff and families, which have made this time so rewarding and memorable.

Our Lady Star of the Sea is a special community, grounded in faith, care and a shared commitment to helping each child flourish. I feel very blessed to have been part of this journey with you.

As we now look ahead to the Christmas season, may it be a time of joy, rest and renewal for your families. I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, good health and many blessings.

Staff List 2026

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Principal:	Mr Marcel Arendse
Assistant Principal:	Mrs Louise Fairhall
Religious Education Coordinator:	Mr Lachlan Greer
Instructional Specialist:	Mrs Matilda Lennon
Leaders of Learning:	Mrs Alison Poole Kindergarten - Year 2
	Mrs Lucy Chigioni Years 3-6
	Miss Natalie Burland Gifted Ed

CLASS TEACHERS

Kindergarten	Mrs Sarah Smith	K Blue
	Mrs Kate Cooper	K Gold
Year 1	Miss Bronte Rams	1 Blue
	Miss Natalie Burland Mrs Gabrielle Bowmaker	1 Gold - Mon to Wed, Friday 1 Gold - Thurs
Year 2	Mrs Rebecca Munro Mrs Matilda Lennon	2 Blue - Mon and Tues 2 Blue - Wed to Fri
	Mrs Danielle Carr	2 Gold
Year 3	Mrs Cassandra Mead Mrs Alison Frost	3 Blue - Mon and Tues 3 Blue - Wed to Fri
	Mrs Sarah Taylor	3 Gold
Year 4	Mrs Renee Sauvonnet Mrs Liz Miller	4 Blue - Tue to Fri 4 Blue - Mon
	Mrs Louise Beattie	4 Gold
Year 5	Mrs Lucy Chigioni Mrs Bianca Edgar	5 Blue - Mon to Wed 5 Blue - Thurs and Fri
	Mrs Vanessa Petrovski	5 Gold
Year 6	Mr Matt Watson	6 Blue
	Mr Lachlan Greer Mrs Yasmine Caine	6 Gold - Mon to Wed, Friday 6 Gold - Thurs

DIVERSE LEARNING/LEARNING SUPPORT OFFICERS

Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Alison Poole - Mon to Wed AM
Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Rebecca Munro - Wed and Thurs
Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Trish Austin - Mon to Wed
Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Liz Miller - Tue to Thurs
Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Daniela Serbati - Thurs and Fri
Diverse Learning Teacher	Mrs Yasmine Caine - Mon to Wed
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Kassi Henniker - Wed to Fri
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Melanie Mead - Mon to Wed
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Janine Wilson
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Athena Papas - Mon to Thurs
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Michelle Debattista - Mon to Wed
Learning Support Officer	Mrs Sharlene Hartwell - Wed

SPECIALIST TEACHERS/SUPPORT STAFF

Literacy Intervention Teacher	Mrs Alison Poole - Mon to Fri PM
Lead Diverse Learning Teacher Years 3-6	Mrs Susan Antonelli - Mon to Wed
Lead Diverse Learning Teacher Kindy - Year 2	Mrs maria Boyd - Mon to Wed
Creative Arts	Mrs Jessica Trovato - Wed to Fri
EALD	Mrs Bianca Edgar Wed
Sport	Mr Reagan Sharpe - Wed to Fri
Gifted	Mrs Mrs Gabrielle Bowmaker Tue
School Counsellor	Miss Kate Riordan
Family Educator	Mrs Ellie Lindsay-Thus - Wed to Fri
ISO	Mr Ajay Khatri - Tue and Thurs
Administration	Mrs Kaye Palmano Mrs Sharlene Hartwell - Thurs and Fri Mrs Danielle Talland - Mon and Tue

End of Year Principal’s Address – Final Awards Assembly Our Lady Star of the Sea, Miranda

Good morning everyone - students, staff, parents, carers, and friends of Our Lady Star of the Sea.

Today is a very special moment in the life of our school community. It is a time to pause, to celebrate, and to give thanks - for a year filled with learning, growth, challenges, joy, and grace.

At the heart of our school stands Our Lady, Star of the Sea - a guiding light for sailors navigating uncertain waters. Throughout this year, she has been our reminder to trust, to persevere, and to keep our eyes fixed on what truly matters.

To our students - today we honour you. Each award presented this morning tells a story. A story of effort, resilience, kindness, creativity, leadership, and faith. While certificates and trophies recognise particular achievements, they represent something much deeper: the courage to try, the commitment to grow, and the willingness to live our school values each day.

To those receiving awards - congratulations. Be proud of what you have accomplished. You remind us that excellence takes many forms and that success is built through perseverance and a generous heart.

To those not receiving an award today - please remember this: your journey matters. Your efforts are seen. Your growth counts. Awards are moments in time, but character, kindness, and integrity are what truly endure.

To our Year 6 students - today marks a significant milestone. You have been leaders, role models, and big brothers and sisters to our younger students. You leave behind a legacy of service, laughter, and leadership. As you move forward to the next chapter, take with you the values you have learned here - to seek what is good, true, and beautiful, to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. You will always be part of the Our Lady Star of the Sea family.

To our parents and carers - thank you for your trust, partnership, and unwavering support. You are your children’s first educators, and together we have journeyed alongside them with shared purpose and hope.

To our dedicated staff - I offer my deepest gratitude. Your commitment, professionalism, and care shape the lives of our students in ways that extend far beyond the classroom. You have guided, encouraged, challenged, and inspired - often quietly, always faithfully.

As we come to the end of this school year, we give thanks to God for all we have shared. For the lessons learned, the friendships formed, the challenges overcome, and the many blessings received.

As we prepare for the Christmas season, may we carry with us a spirit of gratitude and joy. May we rest, renew, and return ready to continue our journey together in the year ahead.

Let us close by remembering that no matter where life takes us, we are never without a guiding star. May Our Lady Star of the Sea continue to watch over our school community and lead us safely forward.

Thank you, and congratulations to all.

God Bless,

Mrs Maria Rose

Principal

'Our love is not just words but something real and active'. Jn 3:18

Religious Education

From the Religious Leader of Learning