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Welcome back to Term 4! I hope you all had a lovely holiday break with family and friends and are ready for the fullness that Term 4 often brings.
I find it is a term to give thanks for the opportunities of the year, give grace for the wonderful experiences our children have had with their classmates and to celebrate the fabulous achievements they have shared with their teachers. It is always a hard term for teachers as they begin to realise that the time they have left with the children in their care who they have built great relationships with is coming to an end. One thing we do know as teachers is that we will always have a connection with our students even when they are no longer in our class.
This term has some exciting events coming up, from Christmas markets, and Christmas carols to musical productions! We look forward to sharing these events with you and continuing to foster the positive and welcoming strong community at Stella Maris.
This week we saw the first round of Kindergarten 2025 Transition to School Playgroups. What a wonderful way to welcome our newest members of the Stella community. It is always a stark reminder of how little they are, how wide-eyed and curious they are, and how nervous the parents are. They were filled with enthusiasm and happiness as they got to meet the kindergarten teachers and the other children in their cohort. We look forward to the rest of the transition and orientation process for our 2025 students.
On Friday we celebrate World Teacher’s Day. This is a day to acknowledge, celebrate and recognise the wonderful work of teachers. At Stella Maris, we are truly blessed to have a dedicated, committed, and enthusiastic group of teachers who go above and beyond for all the students in their care. Thank you to the staff in our community who continually show why they became a teacher!
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
Socktober
Stella is proudly supporting Catholic’s Mission Socktober fundraiser, which connects our students with people experiencing challenges in the developing world through education and the world game of soccer.
This year, our collective fundraising efforts will contribute vital funds to Mongolia to help children like Otgonbayar who wants to be a superhero to help other homeless orphans like him. With your involvement, we can support Otgonbayar and his friends at the Caring Centre to:
- provide nutritious meals to help them grow up healthy and strong,
- purchase essential school supplies to support their education, and
- provide warm winter clothing for the cold Mongolian winters.
As a school, we can contribute in a special way, but only if all our stars jump on board. I’d like to invite you to take a moment to donate to Socktober and make a difference for children around the world.
This term, we’ll have a chance to come together at our school’s Socktober Event Day, where the children will be able to literally kick goals for good during a
Socktober Shootout. This is a fun and educational day, and you are invited to join us. We will keep you updated in school newsletters and emails throughout Term 4 as we continue to build momentum towards our Socktober Event Day on Monday 4 November. Students will be able to wear “Sensational Socks” on this day with a gold coin donation. Thank you for your support and for helping your child/ren kick goals for good. Let’s reverence the story of all people together!
Why is Socktober so important?
Socktober points to applicable Catholic Social Teaching, drawing on Human Dignity, Solidarity, Common Good, Preferential Option for the Poor, Stewardship of Creation, and Subsidiarity among others.
So what is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) offers a way of thinking, being, and seeing the world. It provides a vision for a just society in which the dignity of all people is recognised, and those who are vulnerable are cared for. It consists of an interrelated body of Catholic social thought and principles that can be used to reflect on and guide how we relate to one another in our local and global communities.
The perspective and principles of Catholic Social Teaching are a rich heritage, developed as the Church has engaged with key social issues throughout history. Catholic Social Teaching includes insight from the Scriptures, as well as understanding from the thinking, reflections, and lived experiences of people throughout the life of the Church.
https://cssa.org.au/resources/catholic-social-teaching/
“An authentic faith – which is never comfortable or completely personal – always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better than we found it.”
(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium)
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Preferential option for the poor – A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgement (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. (Source: UCCB) |
The Most Holy Rosary
The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7. Students in all classes at Stella Maris will have opportunities to pray the Rosary during this month.
Grade Masses at Stella Maris
The Stella Maris Church is currently closed for maintenance. However, Fr Hung has agreed to resume grade Masses in our Library for our children. Due to size constraints, the Masses will only be attended by students. We thank you for your understanding.
All Saints Day 1st November (Reflection by Greg Sunter)
Saints are sometimes regarded as ‘Catholic superheroes’. Stories of miraculous and remarkable deeds abound, though more in the vein of conversions and cures than speeding bullets and tall buildings. But to get caught up on the Saints of the stained glass windows is to overlook the vast majority of saints. You see, a saint is anybody whose soul is in heaven. The Church celebrates a certain number of Saints whose lives provide a glimpse of God for the rest of the Church. But there are many, many more saints whose glimpse of God was only ever experienced by their family, friends, and those with whom they worked. The feast of ALL Saints is an opportunity to remember and reflect on the lives of those saints who’ve been known and loved by just a few and whose sphere of influence was such that they will never be recognised as Saints by the universal Church.
What is the difference between All Saints & All Souls Day?
The feasts of All Saints (Nov 1) and All Souls (Nov 2) can be seen as something of a twin feast that celebrates all those who have died. With the feast of All Saints, we celebrate all those who have died and have entered into direct and immediate communion with God in heaven. With the feast of All Souls we celebrate and pray for those who have died but have not yet entered into that direct communion with God. These two different states revolve around the Church teaching on purgatory – a state or process of purification before entering into heaven.
All Saints Day at Stella!
As All Saints Day is also the feast day of our Parish, during the day on the 1st of November, students will have a chance to draw and/or research a saint. Additionally, the Year 6 Leaders of Vision and Mission will attend our All Saints Parish for a special feast day Mass with Nazareth at 9 am.
To celebrate All Saints Day, we will have a liturgy on 5 November at 2 pm, where all classes will have a chance to share what they have learned and celebrate the Saints together.
All Saints Catholic Parish NEWS
All Saints Church Mass Times: 19 College Ave, Shellharbour City
Saturday 5.00 pm Vigil
Sunday 9.00 am & 5.00 pm
Stage Masses: Celebrated at All Saints Church with Nazareth students.
Please join us on the following dates where students will be involved in participating and celebrating together:
Sunday 3 Nov 9 am Years 3 & 4 Ordinary Time
Programme for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion (Year 3 Students)
Vigil/Sunday |
Programme |
19/20 Oct |
Second Week of Workshops |
26/27 Oct |
Blessing & Distribution of Holy Communion Medals - Third Week of Workshops |
2 /3 Nov |
Instruction on how to receive Holy Communion - Last Week of Workshops |
16/17 Nov |
Rehearsals and Seating Allocations |
Sun 24 Nov |
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASS 11AM |
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Congratulations Mrs. Sablowski
We are pleased to share some wonderful news about our amazing PE teacher, Mrs Sablowksi. Just before the end of Term 3, Mrs Sablowski was inducted into the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame. This outstanding achievement is in recognition of her significant career achievements and contribution to Hockey Australia. Mrs Sablowski played an impressive 258 international matches, is a 3-time Olympian, 2 world cups, and 2 Commonwealth games. She represented her country with distinction throughout her career and we are so privileged to have her as a part of our community. Congratulations Casey Sablowski (nee Eastham)!






Attendance
Thank you for your understanding as we have implemented updated attendance monitoring procedures. Please find attached a reminder of the new procedures.
Summer Uniform
Please ensure that all children are wearing the correct summer uniform. A reminder that the second-hand uniform shop is open each Friday morning on odd weeks and Friday afternoons on even weeks if you require any extra items.
Uniform expectations - Focus hair cuts
Just a reminder when considering haircuts and styles, all families are asked to follow the school uniform expectations of haircuts and styles that do not invite comment or are outrageous. This includes no mullets, undercuts, mohawks, rats tails (or any tails), coloured braids, or coloured hair. All hair that is shoulder length must be tied back.
Any students who do not follow the school expectations the school procedures are:
- Class teacher will follow up with families
- If it is not rectified, it will be passed on to the stage leader to follow up with families
- If it continues to be an issue it will be referred to the Assistant Principal or Principal to follow up.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Classes 2025
As term 4 progresses we begin to plan for 2025. This includes classes for 2025. If you have any unique or extraordinary circumstances that you would like considered in class allocation we invite you to please email the school office. Many factors are taken into consideration for class allocation each year and it is a complex process. Please note that an email submission does not mean it will be able to be acted upon.
Key Dates for 2024
- 1.11 All Saint’s Day Mass Yrs 3-6
- 1.11 Music & Drama Presentation Yrs 1,2 & 3
- 4.11 P&F Meeting
- 4.11 Socktober Day Event
- 11.11 Remembrance Day Liturgy
- 13.11 Yr 5 Step Up to Corpus Day
- 15.11 Yr 6 Leadership Day
- 25.11 Pupil Free Day
- 28.11 Holy Communion Yr 3
- 6.12 Stella Maris Christmas Markets
- 10.12 End of Year Mass under the COLA
- 11.12 Yr 6 Graduation Mass
- 18.12 Students Last day of Term for 2024
PB4L News
As a school, we implement the Diocesan PB4L policies and procedures. To assist families to understand the procedures and to facilitate positive conversations at home we have developed an infographic that outlines the school’s procedures and practices. We anticipate this will provide clarity and a shared understanding across the Stella Maris community.
News from the Creative Arts
Last term, our students had a fantastic time immersing themselves in dance. They explored various elements such as shapes, levels, size, direction, and both locomotor and non-locomotor movements. It was wonderful to see their creativity in action!
Whole School Musical Update
This term, we’re excited to focus on our school musical. Students will be practicing in class and we encourage those with speaking lines to also rehearse at home. This extra practice will help boost their confidence in their performance.
Additionally, we will have a Music Assembly in Week 3, featuring performances from Year 1B, 1G, 2B, 2G, 3G, and 3B.
We would like to invite our choir students to sing at the Year 6 Graduation Mass on Wednesday, December 11th, at 5 pm at All Saints Parish Church. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be part of this special celebration and showcase their talent.
We encourage all choir members to participate in choir practice on Wednesdays during lunch to practice and help make this event memorable for our Year 6 graduates.
Important Dates to Remember:
-
- School Musical Dress Rehearsal: Thursday 12th December
- School Musical Performance: Friday 13th December
- School Musical Meetings to finalise props, and costumes and to organise stage set-up and behind-the-scenes organisation:
- Thursday 24th October Week 2
- Thursday 7th November Week 4
- Wednesday 20th November Week 6
- Wednesday 4th December Week 8
- Music Assembly: Friday 1 November
- Choir singing for End of Year Mass: Tuesday 10 December at school
- Choir invited to sing for Year 6 Graduation Mass: Wednesday 11 December
Thank you for supporting our talented choir students as they share their voices during these special occasions and for your ongoing support as we prepare for these exciting events.
Book Writing Competition Winners
Last term, on Thursday 26th September at our Book Week Parade, our annual Book Writing Competition winners were announced. Again we had a large number of books entered with the quality of books being very high and the decision very difficult. Congratulations to the following winners:
Early Stage One Winner- Adeline Bensley- "Violet and the Magical Puppy"
Early Stage One Runner Up- Max Warner- "Super Bolt"
Stage One Winner- Maggie Herbert- "The Magical Adventure"
Stage One Runner Up- Emelia Caires- "Lily and the Magic Gems"
Stage Two Winner- Willow Pascot- "Cora's Adventures"
Stage Two Runner Up- Amelia Goodes- "Abbie and Friends"
Stage Three Winner- Paige Genford & Grace Griffiths- "Unveiling the dark secrets of Hogwarts and the Inception of Magic"
Stage Three Runner Up- Harper Beaton, Gianna Jaksic & Charlotte McGoldrick- "The Food that Lost Their Pear"
Well done to all of our highly commended winners and all of the students who participated in the competition! We were so pleased to see the students' love of writing shine through and cannot wait for another successful competition next year!
Key Sport Dates:
Week 3 - Monday 28th October - 2025 Representative Sport School-based nominations due (TENNIS & BASKETBALL)
Week 3 - Tuesday 29th October - 2025 REPRESENTATIVE SPORT Cricket Trial - Wests Illawarra Cricket Ground, Figtree Oval
Week 5 - 12th November - Dragon Tag Catholic School Gala Day - Reed Park, Dapto
Week 5 - Thursday 14th November - School Swimming Carnival 2024 (2025 Carnival held on February 6th 2025) - Oak Flats Swimming Pool
Week 5 - Friday 15th November - 27th Annual CDF Sports Awards - St Mary Star of the Sea College
Week 7 - Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th November - Mackillop Cricket Trials - Wagga Wagga
Representative Sport
CFD Sports Awards 2024
The 2024 annual CDF Sports Awards, recognising the exceptional sporting achievements of students within the Wollongong Diocese is on the 15th of November at St Mary, Star of the Sea, Wollongong. Invitations for students receiving awards have now been sent and we are excited to have 8 students receiving awards on the night. The criteria for these awards are as follows:
WOLLONGONG DIOCESE SPORTS COUNCIL MEDALLION
- Students must be selected in a minimum of two Wollongong Diocesan teams (not just attended a diocesan carnival from school). Being selected in school-based swimming or athletics relay teams that go to MacKillop is NOT counted as a diocesan team.
- Students must compete in these Wollongong diocesan teams at MacKillop level, AND Must demonstrate a high level of sporting achievement and contribution as a Diocesan team member; AND
- Must demonstrate that they embrace the ethos of the School, Diocesan and MacKillop teams (including appropriate participation, behaviour and sportsmanship)
WOLLONGONG DIOCESE SPORTS COUNCIL RED (MEDAL)
- Students must be selected in a minimum of two MacKillop teams (not just attended the MacKillop carnival) and competed at the NSW PSSA state carnival OR
- Students have been selected in a NSWPSSA state team (where applicable)
- Students must demonstrate a high level of sporting achievement and contribution as a team member; AND
- Students must demonstrate that they embrace the ethos of the School, Diocesan MacKillop and PSSA teams (including appropriate participation, behaviour and sportsmanship)
While one year ends, another one begins…. Representative Sport trials for 2025 are about to kick off with the first of three sports trials for the 2025 season, trialling this term.
Cricket
Cricket trials are on Tuesday the 29th of October at Wests Illawarra Cricket Ground/Figtree Oval. Good luck to the following students for the trial, Karmichael F, Spencer G, Davey M, Olly L, Riley O and Harry K.
Basketball & Tennis
Nominations are due on Monday the 28th of October. Sports Coordinators and Convenors will sort through these nominations and students will receive a response in the coming weeks.
All other sports
The students will be notified next year whether they were successful with their nominations.
Gala Days
Cricket
On Thursday the 17th of October, the Catholic School Cricket Gala Day was held at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow. Although a little windy on the day, the students had a fantastic time, demonstrating great sportsmanship and camaraderie. A big thanks again to our parent volunteers Mrs Moncrief and Mr Henry for managing one of our teams each and another thanks to our teaching staff, Mr Allen, Mrs Young and Mrs Flood for your assistance on the day.
Carnivals
Swimming Carnival 2024
The school Swimming Carnival is on Thursday the 14th of November and will be held at Oak Flats Swimming Pool. There have been some upgrades to their facilities and now have single enclosed showers for members of the public to use. A Compass event will be created soon where you can nominate your children for the events. We will be accessing the toddler pool for novelty events for those students (Years 3-6) who want to cool off and have some fun but do not wish to participate in the swimming races. There will be an option to select the Novelty events in the Compass notice. Just a reminder that timed events are only for the Year 6 races in order to crown a Year 6 Boy and Girl Champion. The only 25m race will be freestyle. Students who are participating in the 50m Freestyle event CAN NOT nominate for the 25m races. Capable swimmers in Years 1 & 2 are invited to attend the event provided they can swim 50m.
School-Based Water Activities
We will again be running school-based activities for students in Kindergarten - Year 2 who are not attending the carnival. Plans are being finalised for this, however, it will run a similar format to last year where there will be an earlier and shortened lunch break with activities commencing around 1:15 pm/1:30 pm - 2:40 pm. More information to follow.
Community Sporting News
Congratulations to Lachlan Mackay who has been awarded the 2024 Keen Kids Scholarship. Along with financial assistance, Lachlan will receive mentoring from five-time Paralympian Matt Levy. He has also landed himself a 2024/2025 Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) scholarship.
No doubt both of these will assist in allowing Lachlan to continue to strive and achieve his future goals.
CEO DOW Sports Website
For more information on any of the upcoming Diocesan carnivals, or representative sports please visit the following website. For further information regarding Gala Days please click on the link ‘About Primary Sport’ link on the above website.
CEDOW Instagram
Don’t forget, the Sports Council at the CEO DOW has set up an Instagram account to help spread the news about sport in our Diocese. Please follow @cedow.sport to keep up to date with all the latest news and information.
Sports Co-ordinator
Casey Sablowski
Welcome back to Term 4. We hope everyone had a great break and are ready for the run into Christmas!!
Uniform shop
Please remember to donate any old uniforms to the school for the uniform shop. Donations can be made to the office at any time.
Christmas Market
A reminder that our Christmas Market will be on Friday 6th December. We already have close to 30 stalls confirmed for the night.
On the night, we will have a rehearsal of the Christmas carols from the students as well as some stalls to be hosted by Years 4, 5, and 6. Further information will be sent to each year group via class dojo in the next 2 weeks including a call for volunteers to manage the stalls on the night in short intervals
We hope this is a great event for all of the school as well as the extended community!
Reminder of Upcoming dates
6 December - Christmas Market
P&F Association
The canteen is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The canteen menu is on our website.
Online orders can be made via the My School Connect app - www.myschoolconnect.com.au/stellamarisps and click on Create account.
Sporting Achievements
Over the School holidays, Massimo competed in the Sydney International Cup.
He had two major achievements:
- Massimo came 1st in the Master touch juggling competition.
- His team representing the University of Wollongong came 1st out of 32 club representatives.
Massimo was also scouted to join the Elite Pre-Academy of Western Sydney Wanderers. Congratulations Massimo on your accomplishments!