Dear Parents and Carers,

THE FEAST of CHRIST THE KING- NOVEMBER 25

Christ the King Sunday celebrates the full authority of Christ as King and Lord of the universe. Officially called "The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King," it is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Sunday before Advent. In 2019, the feast falls on November 24th. In All Saints Parish, as is the case in many other parishes, the feast of Christ the King is appropriately chosen to culminate sacramental preparation for students receiving the blessed sacrament, by holding First Communion Masses. At this time we pray for all the children of our school who will be receiving Jesus for the first time.

KINDER 2020 ORIENTATION

Tomorrow will be the first Kinder 2020 Orientation session after four weeks of playgroup. The day will commence with the families gathering in the Kindergarten classrooms at 8.45am before the parents will attend an information session in the school library at 9am. All children have enjoyed getting to know their teachers and classmates during the playgroup sessions and they show signs of being a wonderful cohort.

PARENT-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Next year the Wollongong Diocese is releasing the Parent-School Partnership Framework. This important policy has been developed to support and enhance the partnership between parents and school so that everyone is committed to working together for the benefit of all students. The framework outlines five key areas- Authentic Catholicity, Respectful Relationships, Supportive Environment, Connected Community and Active Engagement, which will provide all stakeholders with clarity around maintaining positive, respectful relationships. At Stella Maris, we aspire to create and sustain a community that welcomes and is deeply connected to parents, carers, parishioners and the local community.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY                       

The Diocesan Social Media Policy will also be implemented in the new year and is designed to ensure that students are supported both at home and at school to be responsible users of technology whilst enjoying the educational benefits involved.

MOBILE PHONES

Parents are reminded that if children are bringing a mobile phone to school, they are to hand it into the school office when arriving and collect it on the first dismissal bell. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

BUS BEHAVIOUR

Unfortunately there has been consistent reports of misbehavior by some students whilst travelling by bus especially in the afternoon. I would appreciate parents finding time to discuss our bus rules with their children as it is crucial that safety is maintained and the drivers are not distracted by children doing the wrong thing.  Our current bus rules state:

• DO NOT DISTRACT THE DRIVER
• AVOID SWINGING OR LEANING OUT ON THE SEATS
• REMAIN SEATED WHILST THE BUS IS MOVING
• TWO PEOPLE ONLY TO SIT ON EACH SEAT
• FACE THE FRONT OF THE BUS WHILST SEATED
• PUT SEAT BELTS ON IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE
• FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE BUS MONITORS AND DRIVER
• USE QUIET VOICES
• KEEP TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND TOYS IN YOUR BAGS
• NO EATING OR DRINKING ON THE BUS

I thank all parents for your support and understanding in this matter.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2020

The process for electing school captains, vice-captains and sports captain positions for the 2020 school year commenced this week. I invited the students to nominate for these positions as well as a number of other leadership groups. Those interested will be asked to present a short speech on why they would like to nominate for a position and what qualities they possess that would make them ideal candidates. These speeches will take place on the morning of Monday 2^nd December in the school library.

TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL DAY

Tomorrow our Year 6 students are involved in their Transition to High School Day. The Corpus-Christi bound students will be going to Nazareth, with all of other students going to St Paul’s Albion Park. They will be travelling by bus and we wish them well.

ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT SURVEY

Thank you to the parents who have completed these surveys. The results will be summarised in this year’s Annual School Report, but will also be used for staff to explore areas of strength and areas requiring further attention. The survey can be accessed at https://forms.gle/kF51vwu7Du2MBALr8

6 December Oak Flats Pool.   ENTER ONLINE VIA COMPASS
Our School swimming carnival is a compulsory event for Yrs 2-6, with the option given to Kindergarten and Year 1 to join us if they can swim either 25m or 50 m in any stroke.  Novelty  events on land, as well as in the pool (if time allows) are also offered for non-swimmers.

All parents have received a note via COMPASS, where the opportunity is given to give consent, enter events and pay online.  It is important that your online consent and entries be received as soon as possible as all entries need to be input into the computer and printed prior to the day.  This is a very time consuming job and as such, it would be appreciated if you could complete this ASAP.  We appreciate that some families are experiencing difficulties, however, we can assist you if you are having issues.

We will also require support on the day.  If you are able to assist as a timekeeper, judge, in pool support or life saver, please email or see Mrs Downing or Mrs Wright.

We thank you in  assisting us to organise this carnival as quickly as possible in such a busy time of the year.

Peta Wright and Kim Downing 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel,

Lk 23:35-43

The Crucifixion.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

Mass times: All Saints Church

19 College Ave, Shellharbour City

Saturday  6.00pm Vigil 

Sunday    9.00am inc. Children’s Liturgy

               5 .00pm (6.00pm daylight saving)

Mass at Stella Maris 

We would like to welcome all friends and families to the following School Masses this Term at Stella Maris.

Stage 2 Mass 26 November 

Kinder & Yr 1 Mass 10 December

Remembrance Day Prayer 11 November 11am

Remembrance Day is a nationally recognised day of commemoration held each year on the 11th November, when we pause for one minute of silence at 11am to remember in faith, the service and sacrifice of all who gave their lives in wars, conflicts and peace operations, and those who continue serving in our armed forces.   We also pray for healing and peace; that one day, all people will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family.

In unity, on this day, Stella Maris joined together in prayer, and listened to the Last Post. This was followed by a minute's silence, the Rouse and our National Anthem.  The students then moved in silence back to their classroom as they listened to the hymn- “Prayer for peace”.

First Holy Communion

During Reflective Prayer after Recess from Monday 11 November, we began Prayer Partners, where students who will be celebrating their First Holy Communion join with siblings  in other years to share their journey towards this special sacrament. We pray that the first time that they receive Jesus may be a joyous and memorable experience.

Important Dates for First Holy Communion

• Reconciliation for Reconciliation

        20 November at All Saints

• Practise for First Holy Communion

        22 November at All Saints 4pm

• First Holy Communion

        23 November 6pm or

        24 November 9am or 6pm

• Post First Holy Communion Mass

        27 November at All Saints from 9:30am

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

Recently, several children from Stages 2 and 3 participated in the ICAS Competitions run by
the University of NSW. These competitions are offered to children all over Australasia and
really challenge the thinking of those involved. I congratulate all children who participated
and pushed their learning boundaries. Overall, the children involved did extremely well and
are to be congratulated for their efforts. The results are as follows:

Digital Technologies
Participation – Flavio De, Alan K
Merit – Dustyn K
Credit- Milly D, Charlotte G
Science
Participation – Jacob W, Ruby-Anne W, Mason B, Egan L, Elizabeth B, Corey W
Merit – Caiden J
Credit- Milly D, Dustyn K,

Mathematics
Participation- Tane T, Kobi H-S, Campbell K, Charlotte G, Jacob W, Aidan s, Egan L, Ryan B,
Elizabeth B, Corey W, Flavio De, Aleighsha R
Merit- Milly D, Caiden J
Credit- Mae B, Karolyn K, Dustyn K, Kye L

English
Participation- Jacob W, Egan L, Elizabeth B, Corey W, Anabelle M
Credit- Milly D, Mae B
Distinction- Karolyn K

These children will be receiving their awards at Friday’s assembly.
Miss Crandell

GOLD AWARDS