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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
In the coming days we will celebrate two important feast days on the Church's calendar, All Saints Day (Our Parish Feast Day)- November 1st and All Souls Day- November 2nd. It is good to consider why we say prayers to saints? Shouldn’t all our prayers be to God? Praying to the saints is praying to God, in a fundamental way. We're praying to those who can ask God to help us in our various needs in accordance with God's will.
In a way when we pray to a particular saint, we ask them to “put in a good word” for us with God in Heaven. They are not the focus of our worship, God is.
As people of faith we can relate to the saints because they too had their weaknesses and struggles just as we do. They are however, our models of witness to God as they also had a tremendous devotion to their faith. They became canonised (that is to say, officially recognised) as Catholic Saints after their deaths. This was usually done after a lengthy review of both the holiness of their lives and miracles associated with them.
What is comforting is that with the saints we have so many members of our Church in heaven to look out for us. On some days we need all the help we can get. We can ask one of many patron saints for their assistance. They’ve been “put in charge” of various causes, occupations and even countries, through popular traditions or by the Church. These saints are considered our protectors as well as our intercessors.
As we celebrate All Saints Day it is good to know that they are looking after our school community and taking our struggles, successes and thanks to God on our behalf.
ALL SAINTS MASS
This Sunday, 1 November, at the 9am Parish Mass, Bishop Brian Mascord will be installing Father Joe as our Parish Priest. The Stella Maris school and vice captains will be joining myself and Miss Crandell as we not only support Father Joe, but also come together to celebrate our Parish Feast Day, All Saints. At last Sunday’s Parish Mass, Father Joe asked those present to “spread the word” that Churches are open again and people can start returning to Mass. It would be wonderful to have many of our families present at the All Saints Mass. If you can attend, either email the parish office (shellharbourcity@dow.org.au) or give them a call (42963939) to register with the number of people attending. We are so excited to be able to formally welcome Father Joe as our Parish Priest and look forward to working together with him in the future to nurture and develop the faith of our students.
TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN 2021
The transition to school process for next year’s Kindergarten children and their families will officially commence on Friday 13 November, with a parent meeting being held via Zoom (9-00-10.15am). Relevant information will be shared with the parents and we hope that it will help them to better understand more about the school and the ways we will work in partnership with them to support and develop their children’s education. The meeting will then be followed by two orientation sessions (Friday 20 November and Friday 27 November), where the children will be dropped off by their parents at 8.45am and collected at 11am. The drop off/ collection point will be the top court next to the church. Whilst at school the children will be involved in activities with the 2021 Kindergarten teachers - Mrs Jessica Shelton and Miss Christina Agius and also Support Teacher, Krystle Caires. This is an important part of making them feel accepted and welcomed at Stella Maris.
BOOK WEEK
Last week, we celebrated Book Week. Each year, schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend a week celebrating books and Australian authors and illustrators. The theme for Book Week 2020 was ‘CURIOUS CREATURES WILD MINDS’.
To celebrate this wonderful occasion, we invited all students from Kinder to Year 6 to come to school wearing a crazy hat or wig around the theme of 'CURIOUS CREATURES WILD MINDS’’. It was wonderful to see the creative minds of students and parents/carers create some incredible designs.
Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions, we weren’t able to have our usual whole school parade however, Mrs Love and her trusty judges, the school captains Elizabeth Bryla and Jack McDonnell, visited each classroom and judged the hat parade. Congratulations to the following students:
Early Stage 1: Lily Harrington
Stage 1: Harper Beaton
Stage 2: Mason Benson
Stage 3: Bonnie Jennett
SEMESTER 2 REPORTS
Like everything else in 2020, our reports will be different to the norm. The teachers are currently reviewing assessment data whilst continuing to teach the curriculum, in preparation for completing the students’ reports. Due to COVID-19, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has permitted schools to select the content that will form the basis of educational programs for Kindergarten to Year 10 students during 2020. As a result, not all syllabus content will be reported upon in Semester 2. Information to be mindful of when you receive your child’s report in Week 10 Term 4:
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Features of the Semester 2 Report |
Why? |
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Omission of an overall grade for each Key Learning Area (KLA) |
In line with the flexible curriculum requirements as outlined by NESA, schools addressed all Key Learning Areas, however, not all outcomes and content were taught, assessed and reported upon. Therefore, the overall grades in each KLA have been omitted from the Semester 2 report for 2020. |
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5 Point scale for Effort Descriptors |
Previous Academic Reports contained Commitment to Learning Descriptors, these have been replaced with a 5 point scale outlining the effort demonstrated by the student during learning activities. |
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Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) Description |
The format used to report on PB4L has been modified to reflect a more comprehensive range of students’ social skills and behaviours. |
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Inclusion of descriptions for each Key Learning Area (KLA) and content strands |
Additional detail has been added to describe the knowledge and skills taught in each KLA. The purpose of this information is to provide parents with a clearer understanding of the teaching and learning taking place. |
MINI YOUTH INCUBATOR PROJECT
Last term, the Wollongong Catholic Diocese invited Year 6 girls to participate in a design challenge. This was run virtually by an organisation known as ‘Young Change Agents’. The girls worked in groups on the day to develop a prototype App around an environmental issue. It was clear that we have some very creative minds here at Stella Maris. There were several schools from the Diocese involved and a judging panel selected some groups to move to the next level. Congratulations to the following students who worked really well together to come up with the idea of a fish finder App, designed to track, identify and give statistics on overfishing of fish, leading to extinction.
Sadie Motbey, Flynn Beattie, Milly Dimovski and Eadie Fackender
The girls will now participate in a two-day Youth Incubator which will further advance their ideas that they worked on during the Wollongong Catholic Diocese Design Challenge. It will involve an exciting mix of masterclasses, activities, mentoring and opportunities for the students to communicate their ideas and their learnings. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this will be run virtually here at school. Miss Porter will be assisting the team for the two day workshop. Good luck girls!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
This Sunday’s Gospel is from the book of Matthew 5:1-12. This is one of the well known Gospel readings in Matthew, which is known as ‘The Beatitudes’ and calls on all followers of Jesus, to act in a Christ like way.
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Sacramental Programs
During Term 4, many of our children across the school are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Penance (First Reconciliation), Eucharist (First Holy Communion) and Confirmation. Their preparation will be done as part of a Parish and Parents Partnership with School Support. This is due to COVID restrictions which continue to change our normal operations. The students will be involved with lessons at school and they will be asked to take home their workbook and share their learnings with their parents/carers. During the course of the next few weeks, they will be learning about the importance of receiving these important Sacraments and will be preparing to do so.
2021 First Reconciliation for current Year 2 students
Enrolments for all children in Year 2 for the Sacrament of Reconciliation 2021 will take place at all Masses on the First Sunday of Advent (the weekend of 28/29 November). Children and their families may attend any one of the three Masses- Saturday 28 November- 5pm, Sunday 29 November- 9am or Sunday 29 November- 5pm. Parents are asked to contact the parish office on 42963939 before Friday 27 November to register attendance at one of the Masses. Enrolment forms will only be available at these Masses.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) will begin as the new school year commences in 2021.
Dates for receiving the Sacraments are:
First Reconciliation - Tuesday 17 November, 11am (at school)
Eucharist-: Saturday 21 November ~ 10am, 12pm & 3pm.
Sunday 23 November ~ 11am & 3pm.
Confirmation: Tuesday 24 November; Wednesday 25 November; Thursday 26 November and Friday 27 November. All liturgies will be at All Saints Church at 6pm.
Please note that all students preparing to receive any of the three Sacraments, must present their workbooks to Fr Joe at any Mass on the weekend of 14 and 15 November.
As a school community, please pray for all the candidates as they prepare to move forward with their faith journey.
Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Preparation - All three workbooks (Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation) are to be returned to Fr. Joe at Masses on the weekend of 14/15 November. Father promises to give them back to you.
Celebrations :
First Reconciliation - Tuesday 17 November at 11am (at school)
Holy Communion Masses - Saturday 21 November - 10am, 12noon, 3pm
Sunday 22 November - 11am and 3pm
Confirmation - 6pm - Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 and Friday 27
For the celebrationof First Holy Communion and Confirmation
Due to COVID restrictions, 190 allowed at each Mass. Parents must make sure that they register all guests at the Parish Office - 4296 3939.
October - Month of our Lady of the Rosary
As mentioned in our previous Newsletter, October is the Month of our Lady of the Rosary. During this month, you are encouraged as a family to pray the rosary. It doesn’t have to be done as a whole thing. You may decide to pray just one decade of the rosary at a set time each day. It is a powerful prayer that can add meaning to your life, strengthen your family and bring peace to the world.
Sunday Mass Times
All Saints Church
19 College Avenue, Shellharbour City
Sat Vigil 5:00pm
Sun 9.00am - including Children’s Liturgy
5.00pm
Weekday Mass Times
Tuesday: Stella Maris Church 9:45am
Wednesday: All Saints Church 9:00am
Thursday: All Saints Church 9:00am
Friday: All Saints Church 9:30am (Eucharistic Adoration 9:00am)
Saturday: All Saints Church 9:00am
Midweek Masses have resumed as normal.
Confession
By Appointment
Mass and Reconciliation times are subject to change.
Please confirm times with the Parish Office.
Please follow the link to the Parish Bulletin
Angela Crandell
Assistant Principal
Canteen News
We are a school run canteen and rely on volunteers to operate.
Canteen is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to make and prepare lunch orders and serve the children over the counter.
Online orders can be made via the My School Connect app - www.myschoolconnect.com.au/stellamarisps click on create account.