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WELCOME TO OLSOTS!

We welcome Caitlin (Year Three) and her family to our school community!  

SCHOOL UNIFORM – REMINDERS FOR 2025 

Our students have enjoyed having the option of wearing the sport uniform every day, as we phase out our formal uniform. Parents are reminded that the sport uniform will become our school uniform from the beginning of next year. Students will be required to wear their faction shirt instead of their regular shirt on a set day each week. This day will be advised in due course. 

As advised previously: 

• Our new school socks will become compulsory, with no other style of sock to be worn. These can be purchased from our uniform shop. 

• Students have the option of wearing shorts, trackpants, or a skort. These can be purchased from our uniform shop. 

• Students will be required to wear their faction shirt to school on a set day of the week, as well as on carnival days. This item can be purchased from our uniform shop. 

• Shoes are to be predominantly black or white. 

Uniform expectations, order forms and opening hours can be found on the school website at Uniforms. The uniform shop will be available on Thursday 30 January 2025 from 10am to 2pm, for back to school orders. Please email order forms by Tuesday 28 January to admin@olsots.wa.edu.au if you choose to pre-order and then pay and collect on the Thursday.

CHANGE OF START TIME IN 2025 

Our start time will be changing from 8:45am to 8:40am in 2025. Classrooms will continue to open at 8:30am, with formal instruction now beginning five minutes earlier. Students are encouraged to arrive at 8:30am to settle in for the school day. Please ensure your child arrives by 8:40am, at the latest, to begin their learning. Students are not to be on school grounds before 8:25am.

ASSEMBLY TIME 2025 

Our assembly time will be changing next year to maximise prime learning time in the morning. Assemblies will now be held on Monday afternoons, commencing at 2:15pm. This change ensures Friday morning literacy blocks are not interrupted and maximises the opportunities for our Education Assistants, some of which work in the mornings only, to better assist with student learning. 

ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETING 

Our Annual General Meeting (ACM) was held on Monday 25 November. After enjoying snacks and drinks, we heard a report from our School Advisory Council as well as my Principal’s Report. Our School Advisory Council and P & F Committee for 2025 were announced. I thank these parents for volunteering their time and expertise.  

School Advisory Council 2025 

Elected Members: Alyce Meldrum, Anna Holt, Genevieve Hull, Hilton Hardman, Nicolene Vallentgoed and Simone Bennie 

Ex-Officio Members: Fr Paul (Parish Priest), Luke Shaw (Principal) & Lorna Russell (Assistant Principal) 

It is great to have four current members nominate for a second term, as well as two new members. I thank Chantelle Hoffrichter, who steps down from the Council, for her service over the last four years.  

YEAR SIX GRADUATES 

We gathered as a school community on Thursday for our Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass. During this mass, we celebrated our achievements as a school community and said farewell to our Year Six students. I thank Mrs Erin Tyrrell for her organisation of this important occasion and Fr Paul for leading Mass. With our Year Six students leaving on Friday, we also say farewell to a number of OLSOTS families. To the Bradley, Carter-Robbins, Casey, Hayward-Johnston, Hoffrichter, Monegro, Mott, Rance, Rose, McMillan, Simpson, Thomas and Walton families, thank you for being a part of our school community.  

MOVE-UP MORNING & STAFFING 2025 

Our students engaged in Move-Up Morning on Friday 29 November. This provided a fantastic opportunity for students to become familiar with their 2025 teacher/s, in their 2025 classrooms. This is an important part of our end of year transition process and is always a highlight on the school calendar.  

I present our full staff list for 2025. Parents were advised of class teachers and education assistants after our recent move-up morning. 

Teaching Staff 

Education Assistants 

 Administration & Support Staff 

 Extended Leadership Team 

 Farewell 

Miss Janica Sell joined our staff in 2022. Janica is a dedicated teacher who has created a welcoming and positive classroom environment for her students over the last three years. Janica works diligently, building and maintaining genuine relationships with her students, approaching each interaction with kindness. In addition to being a wonderful classroom teacher, Janica’s highlights during her time with us include receiving the Australian Association of Special Education (AASE) WA Award in her first year of teaching and being selected as a Catholic Education Western Australia representative to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal in 2023. This year, Janica took on the extra responsibilities of HASS Coordinator and teacher leader of the Environmental Ministry. It has been an absolute joy working with you Janica. I wish you all the very best for the next adventure. 

Mrs Leia Brennand, or Mrs B, joined our staff in 2013. Leia has worked across the school as an Education Assistant, most recently with our youngest students in Pre-Kindy. Leia has shared her energy, kindness and a sense of humour with the students and staff she has worked with. Mrs B will not be a stranger next year, moving straight to our relief list. Leia, thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us over the years. We will see you when you come in for relief next year! 

Mrs Mary McCulloch, a longstanding member of staff, retires after 30 years of service to our school community. Mary’s time at our school has seen her in a variety of roles, including Kindergarten teacher, Drama teacher and Library teacher. We look forward to our continued association with Mary next year, when she is in for relief days. While Mary has been on leave for the last two years, she has brought positivity to all she has worked with and has built authentic relationships with students, staff and parents during her time here. Mary, thank you for your great contribution to our school community.  

We also farewell Charne Kirk and Linda Raynes, who finish their fixed-term contracts today. Thank you for working with our Year 4/5 students this term. 

Welcome 

We welcome Ella Fish to our school community next year. Ella is excited to be moving to Esperance and working with our Year 2/3 students. We also welcome Rosey Ryan, who will be working alongside Pippa in the Administration Officer role, as well as in the library.  

STUDENT LEADERS FOR 2025 

Our Year Five students recently presented their speeches for School Captain and/or Faction Captain roles in 2025. I congratulate our successful candidates, as well as all who spoke on the day. It is with great excitement that I share our student leadership structure for 2025 with you. 

School Captains: Pippa Bennie & Zohan Krishna 

MacKillop Faction Captain: Nate Dell’Agostino 

Xavier Faction Captain: Mitchell Sharp 

Salvator Faction Captain: Vivaan Raj 

Our remaining Year Six students, as well as our Year Five students, will have the opportunity to be involved in our Student Ministry groups next year – our MJR Ministry and Environmental Ministry.  

CHRISTMAS CONCERT & CORE AWARDS PRESENTATION 

We gathered as a school community on Tuesday evening for our Christmas Concert and CORE Awards Presentation – and what a night it was! A huge thank you to all involved in preparing for this event – I have already received a few positive comments regarding the event. To our class teachers, thank you for preparing our students. All students presented with confidence, joy and enthusiasm. A big thank you to Mrs Lorna Russell, Mrs Pippa Crane and Mrs Tammie Florisson for completing all the important behind the scenes work.  

As well as presenting our Christmas item, the presentation of our annual CORE Awards also took place. Classroom teachers are responsible for selecting one CORE Award recipient, from each year level. These recipients have shown our CORE Values – Courage, Optimism, Respect and Excellence – consistently throughout the school year. In addition to our class awards, our Specialist Teachers chose two students, one from junior primary and another from middle/upper primary, who has displayed CORE throughout the year. I congratulate our CORE Award recipients for 2025, listed below  

Pre-Primary: Manoli Karaterpos

Year One: Mila McLean

Year Two: Ned McCarthy

Year Three: Jax Dellahide 

Year Four: Liam Fletcher

Year Five: Abigail Butler

Year Six: Leah Carter-Robbins

Physical Education: Lani Dell’Agostino & Orla Hoffrichter

Visual Arts: Grace Meldrum & Mitchell Sharp 

Science: Mila McLean & Elliott McCarthy 

Performing Arts: Keza Kinyai & Meeka Pelly

Auslan: Isla Hoffrichter & Nate Dell’Agostino 

I also acknowledge, Ken Henderer, from Year Three, who was presented with the Esperance Library Friends (ELF) award.  

END OF YEAR REPORTS 

End of Year Reports will be available via SEQTA Engage on Friday 6 December. Please take the time to read your child’s report, celebrating their achievements and acknowledging areas for growth. I thank our teachers for preparing End of Year Reports. I enjoyed reading each child’s report. Year Six parents are reminded to download reports from SEQTA, as required, with access to SEQTA Engage for our current Year Six students ceasing as they exit our school.

SCHOOL FEES 

We have needed to increase our school fees for 2025 following Catholic Education Western Australia’s recommendation of a 5.5% fee increase. This follows a 0% fee increase in 2024, a 5% decrease in 2023 and a 0% increase in 2022. 

Our school fee structure for 2025 was shared with our school community at our ACM and is now available on our website at School Fees. 

CHANGE OF DETAILS 

As we are preparing for 2025, please ensure the school is provided with any updated details e.g., change of address, email address, medical information, Baptism information. This information can be emailed to admin@olsots.wa.edu.au

TERM DATES 2025 

Term Dates for 2025 are now listed on our website . Should these need to be changed, parents will be notified accordingly.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

Thank you to all members of our school community for their contributions during 2024. It is an honour and a privilege to lead this wonderful community. Thank you for working in partnership with staff, in the best interest of our students. I wish you a happy and Holy Christmas. 

Advent is an excellent way to prepare your mind and heart for Christmas.   

The Advent candles remind us of the light of Christ.  

The 1st Sunday of Advent symbolises Hope with the “Prophet’s Candle” reminding us that Jesus is coming. 

The 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolises Faith with the “Bethlehem Candle” reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. 

The 3rd Sunday of Advent symbolises Joy with the “Shepherd’s Candle” reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the coming birth of Jesus. 

The 4th Sunday of Advent symbolises Peace with the “Angel’s Candle” reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.” 

PARISH AND SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TREE APPEAL

A big thank you to everyone who has supported this year’s school and parish Christmas appeal. We have collected many food items that will be distributed to the local charity Esperance Care Services.  Thank you for helping to Make Jesus Real in our school community. 

SOCKTOBER – THANK YOU 

A big thank you to everyone who supported our silly socks and soccer day last term we raised $102 to support Catholic missions. 

SCHOOL REPORTS

On Friday, the 6 December, your child’s report will be available through SEQTA Engage. Please take the time to look through the report with your child and praise their wonderful achievements and effort over the course of the year. We always encourage all students to apply their best effort, regardless of the outcome. Not everyone can be a talented academic, gifted artist or super athlete; however, every student should aim to give his/her best effort. 

Please see information below.  

END OF YEAR REPORT  

This report provides parents with an overview of how their child has progressed, across the entire year, in relation to the end of year Achievement Standard for each learning area for their year level. The grade provided is based on the curriculum which has been taught and assessed across the entire year, not just Semester Two.  

Understanding the Grading System: Pre-Primary 

ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS  

The student demonstrates excellent achievement of what is expected for this year level.  

The student demonstrates high achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

 The student demonstrates satisfactory achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

 The student demonstrates limited achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

The student demonstrates very low achievement of what is expected for this year level.  

The descriptors summarise the standard (or quality) of achievement associated with each level. The scale describes the depth of knowledge and understanding and the range of skills that students typically show.  

Maintaining a level in a learning area from one semester to the next is an indication of positive achievement and expected development. 

 A child who is on an Individual Education Plan will have progress reported against learning outcomes outlined in the Individual Education Plan. 

Understanding the Grading System: Years 1 – 6 

GRADE DESCRIPTION  

A The student demonstrates excellent achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

B The student demonstrates high achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

C The student demonstrates satisfactory achievement of what is expected for this year level. 

D The student demonstrates limited achievement of what is expected for this year level.  

E The student demonstrates very low achievement of what is expected for this year level.  

The A – E grade scale summarises the standard of achievement associated with each learning area. The scale describes the depth of knowledge, understandings and skills that children working at that standard typically show. If your child receives a ‘C’ grade, they are achieving at the required level for their year. 

Maintaining a grade in a learning area from one semester to the next is an indication of positive achievement and expected development.  

A child who is on an Individual Education Plan will have progress reported against learning outcomes outlined in the Individual Education Plan – not using A-E grades. 

Is a ‘C’ grade good? 

Yes, you should celebrate C grades as this indicates that your child has progressed to the desired level of understanding for his/her year level. 

 Is a ‘C’ grade just a pass like when I was at school 

No, a C grade today, is the expected Achievement Standard for each year level and each learning area.  

Does an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade mean my child is working a year or two above their current grade? 

No, an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade means that your child is responding to the content taught to a deeper level. They may be thinking more critically about the content, which is a wonderful skill to demonstrate.  

How are final grades determined?  

Teachers collect numerous samples of work and assessments to determine the final grade. The grade is determined with the use of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority’s (SCSA) Judging Standards. 

Kindergarten Developmental Profile

Students in Kindergarten will receive a progress report based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

We hope this information assists you to understand the reporting process at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher. 

SEQTA ENGAGE

Parents new to our school and those that have not yet accessed SEQTA Engage, should have received a welcome email inviting you to create a login to SEQTA Engage. Please check your junk email as this email is from SEQTA not the school. You have a week to create and login to SEQTA Engage. On Friday 6 December the school reports will be available for you to view through SEQTA Engage. Please ensure you have followed the steps to login to your SEQTA account or you will be unable to view your child’s report. 

I wish all our families a Holy festive season. May each and everyone be safe, healthy and happy as I look forward to seeing you all well rested in 2024. God Bless.

This term, our Year 4/5 students have been diving into the art of persuasion, crafting and delivering compelling speeches. The Year 5 students worked hard to prepare their leadership speeches, which were presented last Friday, showcasing their dedication and unique qualities. Meanwhile, the Year 4 students explored topics of their choice, speaking with enthusiasm and creativity. It has been inspiring to see all students present their ideas with passion, confidence and growing public speaking skills. They should be incredibly proud of their efforts and the courage they’ve shown in sharing their voices with their peers!

What an exciting first year of Dance it has been at Our Lady Star of the Sea. I would like to congratulate all of the students in Pre-Primary to Year Six on the way that they have displayed the CORE values throughout their dance lessons. It has been fantastic to see how everyone has grown in their abilities and understanding of dance through the year.

After ending Term Three with a fantastic Dance Showcase, classes have been focussing on different areas in Term Four. Pre-Primary have been exploring how they can use their bodies to move like different animals. Year One/Two have been investigating how dance can be used to retell different events including a visit to the zoo and attending a birthday party. The Year Three class have been learning how dance can be used to tell stories and created their own dances sharing the story of Red Riding Hood. In Year Four/Five students have been working in small groups to create dances that communicate a safety message and research different types of dance from around the world. The Year Six class spent the term choreographing their own original dance routines, to a song of their choice. See the link below for some snippets of the wonderful Dance learning that has occurred this term.

This term students began our Containers for Change initiative which saw classes compete to see which class could collect the most amount of 10c containers raising funds for our school. Our Environmental Ministry worked extremely hard to collect and count each container brought to school. Overall, our school community collected 2014 containers, raising $188.86. Congratulations to our Year 3 class who won with a total count of over 700 containers collected. As their class reward, the Year 3’s joined the Environmental Ministry this week out in the bush park to place our animal habitat houses out into the bush environment. Well done to all involved this semester!

Although our competition has now finished up, we still welcome any 10c containers to be dropped directly into our collection bin to help with fundraising for our school community.

This months URSTRONG wellbeing theme is kindness. Through Friendology 101 we teach kids how to manage conflict, defining conflict into two categories: Friendship Fires and Mean-on-Purpose behaviour. By teaching kids how to respond to conflict in a healthy way and stand up to Mean-on-Purpose behaviour, we create cultures of kindness in schools. But, it doesn’t stop there! We can get even more intentional about creating kindness by introducing students to Kind-on-Purpose behaviour. This month we will further explore the importance of kind-on-purpose in our classrooms, looking at purposeful ways we can spread kindness.