At Our Lady Star of the Sea, our Catholic faith is woven through everyday school life. Guided by the example of Jesus and the care of Mary, Star of the Sea, we nurture each child’s spiritual, academic, social and emotional growth.
As a Catholic school community, we work in partnership with families and our parish to help students grow as confident learners, kind friends and people of faith who are ready to make a positive difference in the world.
Our mission is lived through our school values of Respect, Mission, Belonging, Learning and Faith. These values guide how we learn, pray, serve and care for one another each day.
At OLSS, our mission is to educate the whole child, mind, body and spirit.
We believe every child is created with unique gifts and talents. Through quality teaching, strong relationships and a welcoming Catholic community, we support students to discover these gifts and use them with confidence, compassion and purpose.
Our Catholic mission calls us to help children know the story of Jesus, put their faith into action and grow into people who are thoughtful, capable and other-centred.
Respect
We show respect for ourselves, for others and for the world around us.
Mission
We learn about Jesus and are encouraged to put our faith into action through kindness, service and care for others.
Belonging
We welcome each child and family into a community where everyone is known, valued and included.
Learning
We create a positive learning environment where children are supported to grow, participate and achieve their best.
Faith
We are proud to be an active Catholic community where students learn to pray, reflect, serve and grow in their relationship with God.
Our school is named in honour of Our Lady Star of the Sea, a title given to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. This title has special meaning for coastal Catholic communities like Terrigal.
Just as stars have guided travellers safely home, Mary reminds us to look to Jesus and to live with faith, hope and love. As a school community, we place ourselves in Mary’s care and ask her to guide our students, families and staff. The existing patron page explains this connection beautifully and notes that Mary Star of the Sea is also celebrated on 31 May.
Prayer is part of daily life at OLSS. Students have opportunities to pray, reflect and participate in liturgies, Masses and special celebrations throughout the school year.
Our students take part in whole-school Masses, class liturgies, prayer celebrations and important moments in the Church calendar. These experiences help children understand that faith is not separate from life, it is lived through gratitude, compassion, forgiveness and love.
Our school and parish share a rich liturgical calendar, with celebrations including whole-school Masses, class liturgies, the Beginning of Year Blessing Mass, Stations of the Cross, Rosary celebrations, Mother’s and Father’s Day liturgies, End of Year Mass, Graduation Liturgy and sacramental celebrations.
These experiences help students understand and participate in the Catholic tradition in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. Through prayer, Mass, liturgy, reflection and parish celebrations, children learn that faith is lived in community and are supported to grow in their relationship with God, others and the wider Church
Our school prayer was written by a Year 4 student in 1993 and continues to be prayed by our community today. The current prayer and song page includes both the school prayer and school song, so I would keep these together but present them in a more visual format.
At OLSS, students are encouraged to live their faith through kindness, service and care for others.
Our Mini Vinnies students and school choir regularly visit Terrigal House to spend time with elderly members of our local community. These visits give students the opportunity to share conversation, music, joy and companionship, while learning the importance of respect, compassion and service.
Through experiences like these, students come to understand that faith is not only something we learn about — it is something we live through our actions. Each visit helps our students see the difference they can make when they offer their time, talents and care to others.
OLSS has a close connection with the parish community. We are blessed to have the Terrigal Parish church and Parish hall located on the school grounds, helping students and families experience a strong connection between school, parish and faith life.
The school works with the parish to support liturgies, sacramental programs and opportunities for families to be part of the wider Catholic community. The current parish page names Fr Vince Casey as Parish Priest and explains that the school shares sacramental and liturgical programs with the parish.
