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Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to 2025! I sincerely hope that the holiday break was a time of renewal and precious time spent with family and friends.
I am excited about what 2025 may bring and continuing to work with you and our community to foster and develop the children of Stella Maris. The children have settled in very well and it is such a joy to see them in the playground and their classrooms embracing the new opportunities presented to them. I am so proud of how each and every one of the students has begun the new year.
I extend a warm welcome to new families to our community and I am confident that you too will see the pastoral, compassionate, and inclusive community that is Stella Maris. A special mention to our new Kindergarten cohort of 2025! They have settled in beautifully and are very quickly learning the routines of school and navigating the school grounds. Their smiles light up the school. I know that there are some very tired little heads going home each afternoon.
Pope Francis has declared this the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. “Help each other discover this encounter with Christ who gives us life, and let’s set out on a journey as pilgrims of hope to celebrate that life. . . . Day by day, let us fill our lives with the gift of hope that God gives us, and through us, let us allow it to reach everyone who is looking for it.” (Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, 12.12.2024)
In “Pilgrims of Hope”, Pope Francis reminds us that “hope does not disappoint”. He urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and to work for peace and justice. As bearers of Christ’s love, this has always been our calling, and let us keep this focus central to who we are and the work we accomplish together here at Stella Maris. As a community, we provide a place that nurtures faith, fosters learning, and empowers students to thrive in a community where they are known, valued, and loved both as a person and a learner.
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
Principal
Welcome to a new year at Stella Maris. As we reverence the story of all people, may we work together as a community, to fill our hearts, and those of others, with faith, hope, and love.
This year as Roman Catholic tradition, we celebrate a Jubilee (Holy Year) in the Church.
The 2025 Jubilee is centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” As His Holiness Pope Francis so beautifully expressed it: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision." During the Jubilee Year, the Pope invites every one of us to embark on a pilgrimage of hope, so that, "Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it."
God Bless, in Faith, Hope and Love
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
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Catholic vocabulary term of the week: Jubilee (Holy Year) – In the Roman Catholic tradition, a Holy Year, or Jubilee is a great religious event. It is a year of forgiveness of sins and also the punishment due to sin, it is a year of reconciliation between adversaries, of conversion and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and consequently of solidarity, hope, justice, commitment to serve God with joy and in peace with our brothers and sisters. A Jubilee year is above all the year of Christ, who brings life and grace to humanity. |
Opening School Year & Commissioning of Leaders Mass
Stella Maris would like to invite all parents and carers to attend the school’s Opening School Mass at All Saints Parish Church on Tuesday 18 February 9:30 am. This will be the first time we gather as a community to celebrate the new school year, as well as an opportunity to formally present the Year 6 leaders with their badges. All students will be travelling to and from school by bus for the event.
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
Programme for the Sacrament of Penance (Year 3 Students)
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Vigil/Sunday |
Programme |
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8/9 February |
Group preference sheets will be distributed & parents will be required to provide preferences for the workshop days and times. |
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22/23 Feb |
The books for workshops will be distributed after Mass. |
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1 /2 March |
Examination of the children’s ability to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary. Parents, please teach and pray with the children. |
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8/9 March |
Distribution of Holy Cards with Act of Contrition. Workshops begin at Stella and Nazareth. These workshops will continue for 4 consecutive weeks. |
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15/16 March |
Examination of the children’s ability to recite the Act of Contrition. Parents are also asked to recite the Act. |
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29/30 March |
Parents advised of ceremonies for First Reconciliation. |
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Sat 5 April |
Celebration of Reconciliation 11 am Mementos for First Penance distributed to the children at 5 pm Vigil Mass and 9 am Sunday Mass |
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Enrolment News 2026
Click on the link to ENROL NOW
Stella Maris Open Day
Click on the link to register your attendance
Meet and Greet 2025
Last year we conducted a review of the parent information sessions that are held early in Term 1. The overwhelming response from both staff and parents was to offer one on one parent meetings instead of a general parent information night. The information that is presented at a parent information evening is also shared in the termly Curriculum Newsletter. This will continue to be shared with parents each term.
From Monday 3 March - Friday 7 March, meet and greet opportunities will be offered. It is important to note and remember the meet and greets are not a progress report on how your child is doing academically, you may receive some information on how they have settled into the new year. The meet and greets are a chance for you to spend some time with your child’s teacher, get to know their teacher, and share any relevant information about your child that you feel is important for the teacher to know.
A notification will be sent through Compass for you to book a time with your child’s teacher. The meet and greets are not compulsory, however they are a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and talk about your child and how you see them learning.
Staffing Updates
At the end of the school holidays, the school was notified by Catholic Care that our school counsellor Paige Smith had resigned from Catholic Care to move to QLD to be closer to her family. I would like to thank Paige for the positive impact she had on our students, she will be missed.
I am pleased to share that Emma Aleksovska is our new school counsellor. She comes with a wealth of experience in supporting young people. We welcome Emma to Stella Maris.
Uniform Expectations - Hair
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:
- The 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.
PB4L News - Riding to School
Students will continue to have the opportunity to ride their bikes and scooters to school, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle while encouraging independence. Riding to school is a great way for students to stay active and helps reduce traffic congestion around the school. To ensure student safety, parents are required to provide permission. A Compass online permission form will be sent out shortly, so please check your notifications and complete the form as soon as possible. The form contains important information about the types of scooters and the safety features that are suitable for travelling to school. We look forward to seeing our students enjoying the benefits of riding to school each day!
Key Dates 2025
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Term 1 |
Tuesday 4 February - Students (Yrs 1-6) first day Wednesday 5 February - Kindergarten first day Monday 17 February - Swimming Carnival Yrs 2-6 Tuesday 18 February - Stella Maris Opening School Mass, 9.30 am @ All Saints 12-24 March - NAPLAN Thursday 20 March - Cross Country Carnival Friday 11 April - Last day of term |
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Term 2 |
Monday 28 April - Pupil Free Day Tuesday 29 April - Students first day Thursday 29 May - Athletics Carnival Friday 4 July - Pupil Free Day |
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Term 3 |
Monday 21 July - Pupil Free Day Tuesday 22 July - Students first day Friday 26 September - Last day of term |
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Term 4 |
Monday 13 October - Pupil Free Day Tuesday 21 October - School Photo Day Tuesday 9 December - End of Year School Mass Friday 12 December - Year 6 Graduation Wednesday 17 December - Last Day of term Another Pupil Free Day - TBA |
Contact details on Compass
As we begin the new school year it is important that your contact details are up to date. It would be appreciated if you could log onto the Compass Parent Portal and check that your mobile number and email address are correct.
If they are incorrect, you may update them in the portal or email the school office with the correct details.
Thank you for your assistance.
New School Reward Certificates
From 2025, we have decided that we will more formally recognise the diocesan achievements of students. At present, we acknowledge them at an assembly, but this year, students will receive a certificate of achievement.
This reward will be for any diocesan level achievement, which are mainly things like diocesan teams, but will also include any area where a student is selected by the diocese to participate in an event. For example, a Diocesan STEM project or Diocesan finals in Public Speaking.
Please note, these certificates will not go towards a Gold Award or Principal’s Medallion. Students who are selected to represent at a school level, will continue to be recognised at school assemblies, as they are now.
Term 1 2025 Key Sport Dates:
Week 2
- Friday 7th February - 2025 Stella Maris Swimming Carnival nominations due - Online Permission
Week 4
- Monday 17th February - School Swimming Carnival 2025 - Oak Flats Swimming Pool
Week 6
- Tuesday 4th March - South Coast Region Swimming - Corrimal Swimming Pool
- Friday 7th March - Swimming (Wollongong) Selection Trials - Corrimal Swimming Pool
Week 8
- Thursday 20th March - School Cross Country Carnival - Keith Hockey Oval
Welcome back! I hope all our families had a lovely break over the Christmas and New Year period.
The Term 1 calendar is already jam-packed with sporting events, so please be sure to place the key dates in your calendar. Most events have been confirmed, however, like many things, these are subject to change due to unforeseen clashes or adverse weather conditions. Please see the school calendar for all other dates.
Diocesan Representative Sport
We begin the year with trials kicking off for Touch Football in Week 3 and AFL in Week 4. Later in the term trials for Hockey, Swimming, Netball, Football/Soccer, and Rugby League get underway. We will keep you updated on whether your children have been successful in their nominations as soon as this information becomes available. This is subject to convenors confirming team lists, so please be patient and check with Mrs Sablowski if you have any questions/concerns.
Carnivals
Swimming
Our 2025 Swimming Carnival is scheduled for Monday the 17th of February. This date has changed from the original planned date so please take note of this new date. We need all permissions by Friday the 7th of February (Friday Week 2) to ensure there is enough time to send all names to the staff at Oak Flats Swimming Club (OFSC) and prepare the race lists. This is COMPULSORY for all Year 3-6 students and open to COMPETENT swimmers in Year 2 (Year 2 participants need to be able to swim 50m and must enter a 50m race). We will again be having the toddler pool available for water-based novelty events, which was a hit at last year’s carnival. The program will be the same as the end of year carnival in 2024. We are fortunate to have OFSC organising the digital timing system to streamline this process, however, we will still require parent volunteers for timekeeping duties to ‘stop’ the timer once the students touch the wall. We will have two time slots throughout the day and would appreciate your support in helping us to fulfill these roles.
Students from this carnival will be selected to represent Stella Maris in the South Coast Region Swimming Championships on the 4th of March at Corrimal Pool. Successful students will be notified at school the following week.
The remaining Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students will again be competing in school water-based activities where they can gain points for their Houses as has been done in the past. If you are able to assist with these activities, please contact the school office.
Cross Country
Our 2025 Cross Country Carnival is scheduled for Thursday the 20th of March (Week 8). This will be held at Keith Hockey Oval again this year. More details in the coming weeks.
Gala Days
Gala days will commence in Term 2 and are for students in Years 3-6 only. We will be sending out communication around this later this term.
SPORT PATHWAY FOR MULTICLASS STUDENTS
Please view the following website for further information on Multiclass sporting opportunities.
https://csnsw.sport/students-with-disability/student-with-disabilities-links/multi-class
The Multiclass Pathway is for students with a physical or intellectual disability. Athletics, Swimming, and Cross Country provide Multiclass events and provide a pathway for students in the school system. Students will need to have a classification to progress through the sports pathway as a multiclass athlete. This can take some time to organise so if you are considering this option for your child please act as soon as possible. If you have any questions please see Mrs Sablowski.
* NEW CEODoW Website
CEODoW has released a new website. You can access this new website via the following link. To navigate to the sport section please follow the below process:
- Go to the CEODoW website: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/
- Click on the three lines in the yellow box at the top right-hand side of the page
- Click on ‘Student Experience’
- Click on ‘Sport’
- Click on ‘Primary Sport’
- Navigate through the options
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.
I will be at school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Friday on the even weeks. Please direct any questions to the office and if they are unable to assist I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Casey Sablowski
Sports Coordinator
The canteen is now open Monday to Friday.
The canteen menu is also on our website.
Online orders can be made via the My School Connect app - www.myschoolconnect.com.au/stellamarisps
Click on Create account.
