Star of the Sea DEEDS DS NOT WORDS MEET THE PRINCIPAL. A Catholic Girls Secondary College in Gardenvale founded by the Presentation Sisters in 1883

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1 MEET THE PRINCIPAL DEEDS DS NOT WORDS Star of the Sea Welcome to the Star of the Sea prospectus and to our College. I hope it provides you with an insight into all that makes this an outstanding and vibrant learning community. Founded in 1883, Star of the Sea College has a long history of delivering Catholic education of the highest quality to young women from Brighton and the surrounding areas. The vision and mission of Nano Nagle, under the mantle of Kildare Ministries, forms the basis of the Mission of the College. We use this lens for the decision making and action in and accross every facet of Star. That tradition continues to flourish, encouraging each young woman to strive to be her best, not just for herself, but also for the world in which she lives. A Star woman is one who uses her learning to make an impact, to change the world and the lives of those around her. We look forward to welcoming your daughter to our community and to the continuing story of Star. Be assured that she will be a very precious gift to us and that we will do all we can to ensure she is successful, secure and grows into a woman who will do great things. Mary O Connor Principal Star of the Sea College educates young women spiritually, academically, physically and creatively in a compassionate Catholic context. We strive to empower young women to engage in critical reflection leading to positive action for our world. Guiding Principles Fostering Faith Teaching and Learning with passion and excellence Nurturing compassion and community Being energised by change Striving for justice Celebrating the Presentation Mission A Catholic Girls Secondary College in Gardenvale founded by the Presentation Sisters in 1883

2 The compassion of our loving God, the challenge of Jesus Christ, the inspiration of Nano Nagle and two hundred years of Presentation tradition animate our students at Star of the Sea College. Our classroom Religious Education Programme comprises the study of Scripture, Church History, the Sacraments, local and global expressions of Church and investigation into aspects of ethics, morality and social justice. This is complemented by opportunities for prayer, House and College liturgies and critical reflection on the pressing needs of our times. All students participate in a sequential Reflection Day and Retreat Programme aimed at strengthening the faith response of each student. Star s long-standing and creative commitment to outreach and social justice is integral to our understanding of education for leadership, service and transformation. Each member of our community is invited to reflect upon our world, discern where the need might be and take action to transform our world into a place of justice and peace for all. RELIGIOUS DIMENSION At Star our eyes are opened to the inequalities in our world. Through immersion trips, experiences on the Soup Van and at Sacred Heart Mission we come to realise how fortunate we are for all we have.

3 Star of the Sea offers a broad, comprehensive and progressive academic program that seeks to engage every student. The curriculum provides a wealth of rich learning opportunities and a focus on the whole student. There is a dedicated commitment from teachers towards the girls and a tangible sense of collegial support exists in all faculty areas. This allows the development of strong and meaningful relationships between students and teachers and is a major factor in the achievement of excellent results. A particularly extensive range of subjects is offered at VCE level. Whether your daughter s passion is in the area of maths, science, languages, literature, humanities, media, theatre, art, technology, business, food or textiles, she will have ample opportunity to put together a VCE program that addresses her gifts and aspirations. Star of the Sea provides its students with outstanding learning experiences from Year 7 through to the end of Year 12. In the first two years of their secondary education, girls have the opportunity to experience a range of core subjects covering all Domains within each of the three strands of learning. They are introduced to three LOTE studies: German, Italian and Japanese and will maintain at least one of these until the completion of Year 9. Mixed ability classes ensure that each student has the opportunity to reach her potential through a curriculum that is sufficiently differentiated to cater for the needs of each individual student. A wide selection of elective subjects offered at Years 9 and 10 allows students to specialise in particular areas of interest and expertise. Girls are encouraged to develop their gifts and talents while maintaining breadth and variety in their choices. TEACHING & LEARNING In aiming for excellence, Star exhibits a strong learning culture that is dynamic, innovative and responsive to the needs of all students.

4 Star s focus on student wellbeing is designed to ensure that the spiritual, physical, social and emotional needs of all students are met. The College provides a pastoral care framework which allows each student to develop an understanding of self and the responsibilities that come with community membership. The core of this framework is the Homeroom/ House system in which a wide range of student services is delivered. This system provides each student with a strong and stable connection to other students and particular staff members and becomes an avenue for dealing with any school and social issues which might impact on student wellbeing. At Star of the Sea College students are encouraged to lead through service to others rather than through self-promotion so that the links to social justice both within and outside the College are palpable. The innate leadership ability of each student has an opportunity to develop through the structure of elected positions of responsibility throughout the year levels and the Houses as well as a formal Leadership Training program. The student voice is heard through the Student Representative Council; Social Justice Leadership is provided through Lantern Leaders, while Ballygriffin Leaders have environmental leadership responsibilities. Through these positions, the students learn that the exercise of power and control carries with it, a responsibility for the whole community. WELLBEING & LEADERSHIP We are proud of our school; it is a very friendly community there is a Star of the Sea bond...it is easy to belong.

5 In her third year of secondary education, your daughter has the wonderful opportunity of engaging in a unique academic and pastoral program. Designed specifically to meet the needs of Year 9 students, girls spend this year at the ANZAC campus of Star of the Sea. Since 1997, this forty-room mansion located on North Road, Brighton, has provided the ideal setting for students to experience a year of change, maturation and challenge. The focus of the ANZAC program is on personal growth. This is facilitated through a greater opportunity to experience leadership, decision-making, team building and independent learning. Students are proud of and enjoy the opportunity to connect to the local community through activities such as the Companions Program. They build relationships with each other, enjoy hands on learning and begin to think more deeply about their role in the world and their futures. The ANZAC year is one in which both the individual and the year level experience growth towards independence and interdependence. The students are cared for in a climate that promotes trust, forgiveness and unconditional acceptance. ANZAC allows girls to experience a challenging, forward-looking curriculum within structures that are liberating rather than constraining. It helps us to get ready for the coming years of hard study and we learn how to relate and get along with each other. THE ANZAC EXPERIENCE

6 Star of the Sea has a strong tradition of fostering creativity in visual art, music, drama and dance. Performances in drama, music and dance are an important feature of the life of the school. The opportunities for students to develop their talents extend from music-making, acting and dancing to areas of stagecraft, set design, lighting, costuming and stage management. FAYBYRNE Centre, a state of the art facility designed to reinforce excellence in these areas of the Arts also makes teaching and learning a pleasure. The Visual Arts curriculum offers girls the opportunity to work in a wide range of media. Emphasis is placed on encouraging students to be imaginative, confident and skilful in discussing and producing art works. To be a Star girl means that you are expected to do your best and make a contribution to the world. VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

7 Sport and Physical Education at Star of the Sea work closely together to provide students with a very challenging and comprehensive program. The Physical Education Program aims to develop in students, self-confidence, mutual respect and recognition of the importance of health and fitness. During all Physical Education classes, students are encouraged to participate fully to explore and realise their potential. These classes provide students with the opportunity to experience a wide range of traditional and recreational sports, as well as new developments and trends in the sporting world. Our sporting program then looks to build on the skills that students have learnt in their Physical Education classes. GSV is our main source of competition and a wide variety of co-curricular sporting activities are on offer. Our girls are encouraged to take on something that gives them life. PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT

8 When your daughter is educated at Star she will receive a total Star Experience. The broad and far-reaching program offered at Star of the Sea College provides a wonderful opportunity for all girls to participate in a large and diverse range of curricular and co-curricular activities. Students are actively encouraged to broaden their interests and extend their abilities through engaging in these opportunities. The provision of such a program also recognises the importance of students across different year levels coming together to support each other as they recognise, share and foster the gifts each has to offer. I love the opportunities we have to do just about anything we want in terms of our learning. We are encouraged to participate in everything - music, debating, sport and all the other community focused activities; we are very fortunate to have these experiences. THE STAR EXPERIENCE

9 As a Presentation school we seek to re-imagine the founding story of the early sisters, led by Mothers Paul Fay and John Byrne, who established Star in We seek inspiration from their courage and conviction to educate young women in the spirit of their founder, Nano Nagle. We enjoy a lively partnership with the Presentation Sisters here and abroad, working on joint projects in the areas of sustainability, national reconciliation, human trafficking and the spirituality of young people. Presentation students and staff gather for national conferences on a bi-annual basis, sharing resources, strategies and dreams. Presentation Sisters are often facilitators at these events. This wider sense of family and community is a benefit that your daughter will share as a Star girl. Any woman I have met who has been educated at Star has been a woman whom I admire - they are strong, empowered women. PRESENTATION PEOPLE

10 Your daughter will be educated within structures which are liberating rather than constraining. She will be challenged to be responsible for her own life and the decisions she makes. She will be helped to see that her growth towards maturity, independence and interdependence includes understanding failure, rejoicing in success and knowing how to forgive. STAR OF THE SEA COLLEGE Martin Street, Gardenvale 3186 PO Box 7001 Gardenvale LPO Brighton 3186 Phone : (613) Facsimile : (613) star@starmelb.catholic.edu.au Web : Produced by college profile Ph