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Dear Parents and Carers,
Today we have commenced National Reconciliation Week. It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to contribute to building a reconciled Australia. Every year it is celebrated between May 27 and June 3. May 27 is the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90% of Australians voted “Yes” to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census. June 3 marks the historic Mabo decision in the high Court of Australia recognizing native title, the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonization. The theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week is “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.” It reminds us to be brave and to take action to enable true reconciliation to occur.
Dear Lord,We pray that reconciliation truly lives in our hearts, minds and actions. Help us to practise fairness for all so that we accept everyone no matter their race, background or status. May diversity make us richer and we grow stronger together. We ask this prayer through Jesus Your Son.
AMEN.
FOUNDATION DAY
On Tuesday we celebrated Foundation Day, an event which commemorates the opening of Stella Maris on 20 May 1958. Past staff and students spoke to the children, including Sister Margaret and Sister Genni. We were also fortunate to have Father Joe celebrate an outdoor Mass under the COLA.
MARY AIKENHEAD AWARDS
Congratulations to Eve Piccirillo (K-2) & Mia Iacono (3-6) on being the recipients of the 2021 Mary Aikenhead Award at Tuesday’s Foundation Day Liturgy.
These students were recognised by staff and parents for exhibiting qualities that reach out to others as well as being heavily interested and involved in class and whole-school prayer and liturgies. These awards are significant at Stella Maris as they acknowledge and celebrate the charism of the Sisters of Charity in developing the wonderful school that we all currently enjoy. Well done girls!
RECONCILIATION FLAG WALK
Seventeen students will represent Stella Maris at the Shellharbour City Council’s Flag Walk on Monday. It is an opportunity for the children to walk as one with members of our local Aboriginal Community and students from other schools. The children will also participate in a variety of Aboriginal cultural workshops, which enable them to develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal heritage. They will be joined by Mr Price and our school’s Aboriginal Education Assistants Jo Ball and Mark Mongta.
WORKING BEE
Pascot, Hodgson, Nowakowski, Waters, Roecken, Shillito, Randall, Roche, De Hosson, Huetter, Moran, Grogan, Thompson (Greg), Thompson (Karen), Grogan, Badger, Price, Nieborak, Hanns, Sykes.
BICENTENARY MASS
On Monday, all Diocesan Schools were represented at the Bicentenary of Catholic Education Mass, which was held at the Co-Cathedral, St John Vianney’s at Fairy Meadow. Principals and School Captains attended the Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Brian. Bronte and Lucas, our captains, represented Stella Maris and looked wonderful in their school blazers.
STUDENT REPORTS
The teachers are currently finalising their assessments in readiness for the students’ half-yearly reports (Years 1-6), which will be sent home to parents on Friday 11 June (Week 8). Our staff spends countless hours collaborating with their grade partners to compile these reports and I know that parents truly appreciate their efforts. Parent-Teacher interviews will be held between 14- 25 June (Weeks 9 & 10). Parents will soon be able to book a time online.
FRIDAY 28 MAY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
This Friday, 28 May, both myself and the Assistant Principal, Miss Angela Crandell, will be out of school. We welcome Mr Ken Bryant, as the Acting Principal for the day.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
This Sunday’s Gospel
Jesus sends forth the Apostles with the promise to be with them always
All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour
Mass times: All Saints Church
19 College Ave, Shellharbour City
Saturday 5.00pm Vigil
Sunday 9.00am
5.00pm
Mass at Stella Maris
This Term
Year 2 Blue Week 7 - 1 June
Year 1 Gold Week 8 - 8 June
Year 1 Blue Week 9 - 15 June
Year 3 Gold Week 10 - 22 June
Class Masses in Term 3
KIndergarten Gold Week 1 - 13 July
Year 3 Blue Week 2 - 20 July
Kindergarten Blue Week 3 - 27 July
Sacramental News
Confirmation workshops began on Monday 24 May in the Stella Maris Library and at Nazareth. Please contact the Parish office if you are yet to enrol. Parish 02 4296 3939
After Mass this weekend, please indicate a preferred time to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. On the 5 and 6 June, leaflets will be distributed containing information that advises families of the Mass/Liturgy in which your child will be confirmed.
Foundation Day Liturgy
On Tuesday, we celebrated our Foundation Day celebrations. It was 63 years ago on the 20 May 1958, that Stella Maris Catholic School began with 46 children and two sisters of Charity.
In tradition, we celebrate each year with the story of Mary Aikenhead, the foundress of the Sisters of Charity and present a special award in her name. We congratulate Eve Piccirillo (Infants) and Mia Iacono (Primary) for exhibiting qualities that reach out to those in need, applying themselves in Religious Education and displaying reverence during Mass and liturgies.
A special thank you to Sr Genny and Sr Margaret from the Sisters of Charity who talked to the students, Sr Kerry for presenting the Mary Aikenhead Award and for her presence at our school throughout the years, Fr Jo for celebrating Mass with us under the COLA and the past students who shared their Stella experiences with the students. We also thank all the Parents, Grandparents, family and friends that joined us on this special day for the Liturgy and Mass.
It is a blessing to have such a wonderful community share with us such an amazing school. THANK YOU!
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
Mini Vinnies 2021
Here at Mini Vinnies we have had a busy start to the year. In the season of Lent at the start of Mini Vinnies Term 1, we had a water bucket challenge. We had lots of buckets which we filled with water one by one from the biggest bucket (a classroom bin) to the smallest plastic cup. We pretended we were taking water home to our families. It was really fun and hilarious as most of us struggled to hold the big buckets full of water while some of us were holding a little full cup of water and still spilt some. We realised that we are very lucky to have all our supplies like water from a tap and shops full of clothes and food close by to help us survive.
We have also successfully raised over $900 with our Project Compassion mufti day. Our veggie garden is blooming fantastically, you can take a peek at it down near the Kindergarten play area. We have also been busy creating a tasty recipe book and at the beginning of May we made Mother’s Day Mugs of Love and cards to donate to the Charles Gordon O’Neill House.
We have some fun things coming up including a cake stall and our very own Mini Vinnies Choir! Mini Vinnies will be going up to Sydney in term 3 to a Refugee Camp. We have been preparing for our Mini Vinnies Badge Ceremony where our Mini Vinnies Leaders for 2021 will be receiving their badges. Congratulations to:
President - Evie Chinnock
Vice President - Gemma O’Donnell
Treasurer- Charlotte Gelfius
Secretary- Milla Upton
Faith Leader- Isaac McAlister
Everyone has been contributing to our brainstorms for ways we are going to present this amazing ceremony to the rest of the school. It’s been really fun and a huge success.
Everyone has been on their best behaviour having a good and happy time at Mini Vinnies.
Milla Upton
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.
This Sunday, 30 May, the Stella Maris P & F Committee will be holding a BBQ at Bunnings in Albion Park. Your support of this fundraising event would be much appreciated by the school and the P & F Committee.
Thank you for your generosity.