Celidh

Thanks to all

Naomi Booth :: Monday 13th November 2023 :: This Story

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Ocean Stars Celidh on Saturday 12 November.

Over 80 people attended and danced the evening away to the music provided by the Hogs Back Band. There was a raffle as well as an Ocean Stars stall selling craft items from Sri Lanka. A special thanks to Denise and Kim the organisers.

Our next fundraising event is our annual quiz which will take place on Saturday 13 January 2024. For more information please email us: oceanstarstrust@gmail.com

Happy Dawali

Naomi Booth :: Saturday 11th November 2023 :: This Story

We would like to wish all our Ocean Stars Communities in the UK, Sri Lanka and around the world a Happy Diwali.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights with its variations which are celebrated by Hinuds all over the world. It symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". It marks the return of Lord Rama after defeating the demon king Ravana, signifying the victory of righteousness.

Our 7 Trustees

Find out what they do with Ocean Stars

Naomi Booth :: Thursday 9th November 2023 :: This Story

Our 7 Trustees along with our co-opted Trustees, Head of Operations and Minutes Secretary attend formal meetings in person 6 times per year, but with two of the above abroad, and one or two living some distance away in the UK, Zoom also plays a role in getting us together.

Our Trustees fulfil their roles as set out by the UK Charities Commission, acting within the guidelines of our Mission: "...to identify and overcome the barriers to equal opportunity for children in Sri Lanka through education and social enrichment, supporting their families and communities, sharing friendship, hope and joy."

Once again a huge thank you to our Trustee Board for all their hard work, support and dedication to the work of Ocean Stars Trust.

Trustees week

Huge Thank You

Naomi Booth :: Tuesday 7th November 2023 :: This Story

As this is Trustees Week we would like to say a Huge Thank you to our OST Trustees for all their hard work and dedication to the work of Ocean Stars Trust.

The theme of this year's week is:

Many voices. Working together. With purpose.

Charities make a huge and positive impact on society and are dedicated to an enormous variety of good causes. This year we celebrate the individual talents, viewpoints and experiences each trustee brings to their board and their collective decision-making and how diversity can help make a charity stronger. We also highlight the wealth of guidance and support that charities can draw on, to survive and thrive.

More later in the week...

Exploring colour

In our pre-schools

Naomi Booth :: Wednesday 4th October 2023 :: This Story

Our preschools were awash with colour recently as our students explored colour and textures in objects around them. They used recycled fabric and coloured paper to make flowers. They chose their own colours when making their flowers. Working in groups they developed their social skills as they talked about what they were doing.

We would like to say a huge thank you to our 66 preschool teachers who work tirelessly to make sure our 800+ preschool students have a rich and inspiring early years educational experience.

If you would like to sponsor a teacher's wages, please visit our webpage to find out more: https://oceanstars.org.uk/sponsor-a-child-sri-lanka

Ready to go...

excited students share their thoughts...

Naomi Booth :: Friday 29th September 2023 :: This Story

The 21 students from Calthorpe Park School, Fleet, travelling out to Sri Lanka on the 17th of October, received their trip clothing during their final group meeting. Everyone was so excited as the trip seems more real now.

Here are some comments from the excited students:

"I am very excited"
"I can't believe it has come round so quickly"
"I am really looking forward to going"
"I am super excited"
"Great to have our trip uniforms"

The students will be visiting their link schools in Batticaloa and spend the time doing activities with the Sri Lankan students. If you would like your school to get involved with Ocean Stars Trust, you can find out more about our cultural links via our website: https://oceanstars.org.uk/school-cultural-links-sri-lanka

Learning Tamil alphabet

Naomi Booth :: Monday 25th September 2023 :: This Story

Our preschool students recently learnt some letters of the Tamil alphabet. The Tamil alphabet has 12 vowels, 18 consonants, and 1 unique character ? but totals 247 letters!!

The Tamil script is syllabic not alphabetic so the complete script has the basic letters and 216 combinatory letters consisting of a consonant and a vowel, a mute consonant or a vowel alone. The combinatory letters are formed by adding a vowel marker to the consonant. Some vowels require the basic shape of the consonant to be altered in a way that is specific to that vowel. Others are written by adding a vowel-specific suffix to the consonant.

Our young students learn the Tamil alphabet alongside the English alphabet and switch from one to another effortlessly!

Ongoing professional development

for our teachers

Naomi Booth :: Friday 15th September 2023 :: This Story

The ongoing professional development of all the teachers who work at our preschools is embedded in our Child Development Programme.

We were delighted that Unitha recently gained her NVQ Level 4 in General Child Care.

Unitha works at our preschool in Chenkallady, and she really values all the support and training given to her by Ocean Stars Trust. Congratulations to Unitha for gaining this qualification which will enable her to provide a high standard of Early Years education for the children who attend her preschool.

Sponsorship success

Diploma completed and on to a degree in Software engineering

Naomi Booth :: Friday 8th September 2023 :: This Story

Sanoos was sponsored by Ocean stars Trust from the age of 5 to 18. He contacted us recently and asked us to thank his sponsor for helping him with his studies when he was at school. The sponsorship money meant he could access extra classes and buy resources for his learning. Sanoos went on to gain a Higher National Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering).

He is currently studying for a BSc Hons Degree in Software Engineering at the International College of Business and Technology, which is affiliated to Cardiff Metropolitan University and based in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka.

Sanoos is the first member of his family to go to University and his family are very proud of him. His father is a fisherman, and his mum is a housewife. Sanoos says his success is due to his sponsorship, so we would like to thank his sponsor as well as all our sponsors, who make a huge impact on so many children in Sri Lanka. If you would like to sponsor a child, then please have a look at our website www.oceanstars.org.uk

Musical Evening!

Come and listen to a Saxophone Quartet and raise funds for Ocean Stars

Naomi Booth :: Friday 8th September 2023 :: This Story

Ocean Stars Saxophone Quartet Music Evening
Monday 25th September
Venue: Calthorpe Park School Drama Hall
Time: 7.00 pm
Cost: Per Person £10 ( suggested)
Per Family (4 People): £30
Students in CPS SL Teams 2023/ 2024 are free.

• Please bring your own food and drink
• Tea, Coffee, Water and Sri Lanka snacks are included.
• Raffle.
• A Quiz on Sri Lanka whilst you listen to the music.
• Please email oceanstarstrust@gmail.com to secure your place. Please provide your name and how many tickets your require.

Payment can be made on the door or in advance.
REF: SAXOPHONE BACS details:
Bank: Lloyds Bank, Fleet Branch
Sort Code: 30-93-32
Account Name: Ocean Stars Trust
Account Number: 02662990
IBAN: GB27LOYD30933202662990