Gift Catalogue 2024/2025
Naomi Booth :: Wednesday 4th December 2024 :: This Story
As Christmas draws near, and we begin to think about gifts for family and friends why not have a look at our Ocean Stars Gift Catalogue? Purchasing a gift from our catalogue can transform the life of a child, a family, a preschool, a teacher and are gratefully received by all our recipients in Sri Lanka.
Here is the link to the Gift Catalogue on our website:
Online Gift Catalogue or download https://oceanstars.org.uk/files/gift-catalogue.pdf
Gifts distributed this year included bicycles, boats, sewing machines ,chickens and sports equipment. You can also choose to send a card to the recipient through our website.
Welcome Menuri from Sri Lanka to Fleet
Menuri is a distinguished Kandyan dancer
Naomi Booth :: Wednesday 27th November 2024 :: This Story
Ocean stars was delighted to welcome Menuri from Sri Lanka to Fleet. Menuri is a distinguished Kandyan dancer, and we were privileged to have her perform for us on two occasions.
Kandyan dancing is popularly known as Udarata Natum derived its name from the traditional dance forms peculiar to the central region of Sri Lanka. The origin of Kandyan dancing can be traced back to the time of the Nayakkar rulers who ascended the throne of the Kandyan Kingdom 300 years ago. Kandyan dancing is a refined art form that has been associated with religious rituals and state ceremonies for centuries. The dancers wear elaborate costumes including a headdress. This costume is known as the Ves costume. The headdress incorporates a metallic front which makes the dancer look taller than he is. The complete costume also includes anklets that produce a metallic rattle each.
Thank you Menuri for bringing Sri Lanka to us here in Fleet.
Welcome Gihan and Menuri from Beyond Boundaries Sri Lanka
Naomi Booth :: Monday 25th November 2024 :: This Story
Ocean Stars and Calthorpe Park School welcomed Gihan and Menuri from Beyond Boundaries Sri Lanka soon after their own return from Sri Lanka.
Gihan and Menuri met the headteacher Mr John and had a tour of the school as well as receiving lots of gifts. During their visit a celebration evening was held to get together after the trip. This was attended by parents and students from CPS Team 2024 and CPS Team 2025 who were able to listen to all the adventures from Team 2024 and watch a video of the trip highlights.
Students from the 2023 Team also attended the event as they wanted to meet up with Gihan and Menuri. We also had a student from our very first trip to Sri Lanka with Calthorpe Park School going back to 2013!!
It was a wonderful evening with lots of memories shared. The event ended with everyone sharing food and drink and more gifts were given and received.
A huge thank you
to our Ocean Stars Lanka and Beyond Boundaries Teams
Naomi Booth :: Monday 18th November 2024 :: This Story
The CPS Sri Lanka Team returned to the UK at the beginning of November after a successful trip visiting link schools, preschools and attending a sports day, variety show and sponsorship party.
Leaving Sri Lanka is always sad for our local staff as they have to say goodbye to friendships made over the visit. A huge thank you to our Ocean Stars Lanka and Beyond Boundaries Teams who worked so hard to make sure that all aspects of the trip ran smoothly.
Reflecting on their trip the students had this to say about their visit:
" The work that Ocean Stars does is incredible."
" A fabulous charity doing amazing work. I can't wait to volunteer again."
" OST is having a positive impact on the communities they work with."
" Seeing the smiles of so many children made it all worthwhile."
Planning has now begun for the October 2025 trip.
48 hours to go
After 18 months of preparing for their trip to Sri Lanka, the students and staff of Calthorpe Park School Ocean Stars Sri Lanka Team 2024 have begun their final countdown.
Naomi Booth :: Monday 21st October 2024 :: This Story
The team had their final packing evening last week. The session started with the Team and Headteacher Mr Kevan John handing over a cheque for £14,520 to John Bunter, Chair of Ocean Stars Trust. Since then the total has gone up as more donations have come in and now is at £15,100.
Congratulations and well done to all the students and families for all their effort and hard work in fundraising for Ocean Stars as well as preparing for the visit to their six link schools in Sri Lanka.
The students will be visiting projects on the ground and seeing first-hand the work of Ocean Stars Trust. We wish everyone safe travels.
If you would like to organise a school trip to Sri Lanka and experience a life-changing adventure then please contact us on oceanstarstrust@gmail.com.
O level exams passed
Naomi Booth :: Wednesday 16th October 2024 :: This Story
We would like to congratulate 5 of our sponsor children who recently passed their O Level exams in Sri Lanka with flying colours and are now going on to study for A Levels.
They visited our office recently and thanked Ocean Stars for the help they have had for their education through our sponsorship programmes. The scheme also supports the child's health and wellbeing, inspires hope and encourages students to go onto higher education. The students are able to access extra classes and purchase all the resources they needed for their studies.Their aspirations and dreams for the future include becoming teachers, doctors and engineers.
Well done and congratulations to our star students. If you would like to sponsor a child and transform a life then please visit our sponsorship page.
Celebrating Sarasvathi Pooja
a Hindu festival that worships the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, art, music, and culture
Naomi Booth :: Monday 14th October 2024 :: This Story
Last week several of our preschool communities celebrated Sarasvathi Pooja. This is a Hindu festival that worships the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, art, music, and culture. This year Saraswati Puja was observed on October 10, 2024, during Navratri, and is in honour of Maa Saraswati the symbol of wisdom and creativity. Devotees perform rituals in yellow attire, offer sweets, and present books and instruments before the deity.
Our preschool students arrived dressed in traditional clothing and said prayers and had a special meal. A huge thank you as always to our preschools for offering our students a rich and varied experience.
Teacher's Day
Our Ocean Stars preschools communities celebrated Teacher’s Day by organising special events at their preschools or going on outings.
Naomi Booth :: Wednesday 9th October 2024 :: This Story
Our Trinco preschool students visited Trino town and harbour and saw ships. Yatiyanthota preschool went out to a local park with amusements. We would like to thank all our preschool teachers who work tirelessly to give our students a quality early years education.
Trip countdown
The countdown to our October trip has well and truly started.
Naomi Booth :: Monday 7th October 2024 :: This Story
With departure day set for Tuesday 22 nd October everyone is now thinking about packing and making sure all our resources are within the luggage allowance.
The Calthorpe Park Team 2024 were busy talking about their upcoming trip at the school Open Evening recently. Potential Year 6 students, some of whom are supporting Ocean Stars through their Junior Schools were fascinated to hear from Team 2024 about all their plans. Some of the students reflect on their trip to Sri Lanka.
Space and Shape
In preschool learning this week...
Naomi Booth :: Friday 4th October 2024 :: This Story
Whilst October trips plans are ongoing our preschool students have been busy with their learning. Last week they were focusing on Mathematical Development looking at Space and shape.
They had great fun describing objects according to shape or size.
Our innovative Child Development Programme is highly regarded by the local government and is now being introduced to non-Ocean Stars preschools so that more children can access a high quality early years programme.
For more information about our CDP Programme please visit this page...
