Today we commemorate Remembrance Day, a day to remember with thanksgiving those who made the supreme sacrifice for us. We give thanks for the peace and security we enjoy, which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in time of war. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. We also remember our present day troops who are involved in active service overseas. We ask O Lord that you hold them in your loving hands and offer them strength and protection. Grant blessings upon them and their families for the selfless acts they perform. This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I am writing to make you aware of some staff changes that will occur at Stella Maris next year:

- After working at Stella Maris in a variety of roles, Kate Mace has made the decision to resign from her full time teaching position at the end of this year. Our school community has indeed been so fortunate to have such a caring, friendly teacher working here and her dedication and professionalism will be sadly missed. 

- Kim Downing and Julie Hopkins will step down from full-time classroom teaching positions to assume part-time roles. We thank Kim and Julie for being hard-working, effective classroom teachers over a number of years and have made a huge difference to the lives of many students and their parents. 

- Adam and Jacqui O'Grady (Fry)  have decided to take some time away from teaching at Stella Maris in 2022 to be closer to family on the South Coast. We thank them both for being integral members of staff over the last few years and appreciate the difference they've made to the Stella students and their families.

- Kelly Mang will return to a four-day-a week classroom teacher position, as well as maintaining the Gifted Education Coordinator role.

After a recruitment process,  I am pleased to announce the following staffing  appointments for next year:

- Jack Richardson (full-time teacher). Jack is currently teaching Kindergarten at Oran Park Primary School. He is a member of All Saints Parish and he is looking forward to being a part of our school community.

- Annalise Flood will job share (2 days) with Emma Tory. Annalise completed her internship at Stella Maris on Kinder Gold last term and she is so excited to be back at our school.

- Mrs Casey Sablowski, will be taking up the PE teaching position (two days per week). Casey is currently a PE teacher at Albion Park High School as well as being employed as a mentor and coach at Hockey NSW.

- Anna Clori is returning to Stella Maris and will be working one day a week as the K-3 Music teacher.

- Elise Thompson will return to Stella Maris in 2022 in the part-time role of Kindergarten Early Intervention Support Teacher.

I know that everyone will make the new staff members most welcome in 2022.

I am also in the process of finalising teacher placements and roles for the 2022 school year. I am seeking assistance from parents by asking you to refrain from questioning staff about what classes they are on next year. I will include a final staffing list in the Stella Teller in Week 8’s newsletter.

CLASSES 2022

I wish to thank parents for not making specific requests regarding class placements in 2022. Our staff undertakes a careful process in formulating classes for the following year with academic, pastoral, social and behavioural factors taken into consideration. I also would like to think that it is important for students to experience a variety of teaching styles, strengths and personalities as they continue their primary school journey. Class placements for next year will be communicated to parents via letter, together with 2022 Booklists on Monday 13 December. Unless there is an extenuating circumstance that hasn’t been known, requests for changes will not be considered.

ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT SURVEYS

The Annual School Report surveys were sent home earlier this week. In order for the feedback to be a true reflection of the overall thoughts of our school community, I would encourage everyone to take two minutes to complete the survey and return to school by next Thursday 18 November. 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2022

The process for electing school captains, vice-captains and sports captain positions for the 2021 school year will commence next Wednesday 17 November. I will speak to Year 5 students about the concept of student leadership and will invite them 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 Monday 29 November at 9am, under the COLA, in front of an audience comprising of Year 3, 4 and 5 students. Unfortunately, we are not able to have parents attend these speeches this year.

TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN 2022

The transition to school process for next year’s Kindergarten children and their families will officially commence tomorrow, Friday 12 November, with a parent meeting being held via Zoom (9-10.15am). 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 19 November and Friday 26 November), where the children will be dropped off by their parents at 9.15am and collected at 11.15am. The three school gates will be used as the drop off/ collection points, where school staff will meet the children and a parent. Whilst at school the children will be involved in activities with the 2022 Kindergarten teachers and this is an important part of making them feel accepted and welcomed at Stella Maris.

WOLLONGONG CDF SPORTS AWARDS

On Friday 12 November, the Catholic Education Office will be hosting the CDF Annual Sports Awards. This is an opportunity to celebrate our distinguished athletes and acknowledge their sporting achievements. It is with pleasure that we congratulate Maya Hopkins from Stella Maris who will be receiving a WOLLONGONG DIOCESE SPORTS COUNCIL RED (MEDAL). In receiving such, Maya is being recognised for her selection in the Mackillop  and NSWPSSA State Basketball team for 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, this event will be livestreamed on 12 November at 6.45pm. The live link will be placed on Diocesan Sports Website-see link- https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/sports-awards/ Congratulations Maya. This is an incredible achievement.

   
COVID-19 CURRENT PRACTICES AT STELLA MARIS

We continue to follow Diocesan and NSW Health guidelines regarding COVID-19 safe practices at school. A combination of layered safety measures - vaccination, wearing masks, student cohorting, physical distancing, ventilation, hygiene and cleaning - allows the school to prioritise student and staff wellbeing while we keep schools operational.  The Level 3 settings aim to balance the risk of COVID-19 transmission with a layered approach to COVID safety on school sites and to meet expectations for closer alignment to community settings. 

A summary of the changes was provided in a letter on Friday 5 November 2021. The detailed Level 3 restrictions can be viewed at https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/covid-19-information-centre/

Some key points to keep in mind are:

• Students must not attend school if unwell, even with mild symptoms.  Get tested for COVID-19 and follow NSW Health directions.
• Schools will retain the existing cohort groupings.
• All staff on school sites must be fully vaccinated.
• All parents and carers, volunteers and providers who are permitted to come onto school sites must be fully vaccinated.
• Masks are required indoors for all staff and visitors, and strongly recommended indoors for primary students.  Masks can come off when eating or exercising.
• Adults must maintain 1.5m physical distancing from others wherever practicable.  Physical distance between students should be maximised as much as reasonably practicable.
• Ventilation - teaching and learning in indoor spaces will be well ventilated.  Outdoor setting for activities and events will be prioritised wherever practical.
• Hygiene and Cleaning - students and staff will continue to wash hands regularly.  Enhanced cleaning of high touch areas and other hard surfaces within the school will continue.
• Visitors and volunteers on school sites - fully vaccinated visitors - such as volunteers, allied health partners, other external providers, and non-school-based CEO staff - all allowed on site to support curriculum delivery, wellbeing programs and school operations.  These include programs such as reading support, canteen, uniform shops and gardening.
• Vaccinated workers supporting the maintenance of schools are permitted to work on site.
• All visitors must check in (using the CEDoW quick Sign-in iPad and Service NSW QR code) and show proof of vaccination status on entry to the school site.
• At this stage we will continue Friday morning Zoom Assemblies (9am) as we are unable to safely keep the various student cohorts separate in such a limited space as the COLA.
• Drop-off and pick-up - Parents and carers must follow the school's advice regarding drop-off and pick-up.  Parents and carers should follow the physical distancing advice and avoid gathering outside the school gates.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Mk 13:24-32

Watch for the signs of the coming of the kingdom.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour - OPEN 

Mass times: All Saints Church 

19 College Ave, Shellharbour City

Saturday 5.00pm Vigil 

Sunday    9.00am, 5.00pm 

* Please note that there is the compulsory QR code check in, 2sq meters rule and masks are compulsory.  Stella Maris Church and The Parish Office will remain closed until stage three (90+%vaccination).

First Holy Communion    

For all Yr 3 students and any other students Yrs 4-6 who wish to complete their First Holy Communion, Sacrament preferences will be communicated at masses this weekend November 13-14.

Mass at Stella Maris has been put on hold until we have further information.  Any missed masses will be rescheduled.

Socktober, Mission Month Fundraiser

A huge thank you to our wonderful Stella Maris community and friends.  As a school community we were able to raise $1,844 for World Mission Month.  The students have learned all about the children in Thailand and participated enthusiastically in the school Socktober shootout with the sockballs they have made throughout the Socktober Challenge.

The fundraising page will close shortly so if you haven’t had the opportunity to donate please head to 

https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stellamariscatholicprimaryschool

Thank you once again for supporting our school in Socktober!

Remembrance Day 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 will join together in prayer in their own classrooms, and listen to the Last Post. This will be followed by a minute's silence, the Rouse and our National Anthem.  The students will then  listen in silence to the hymn- “Prayer for peace”.

Confirmation | Shellharbour City Parish | Retreat and Sacrament

The rescheduled dates for the Retreat and Sacrament are as follows:

3 December 2021 Retreat/Preparation Day will now be held at Stella Maris during normal school hours.  Students are still able to wear mufti.

Sat 4 Dec 2021 Confirmation Mass at 11 am (Families that had previously nominated for the 29 Aug 2pm Mass) 

Sun 5 Dec 2021 Confirmation Mass 11 am (Families that previously nominated for the 29 Aug 11am Mass) 

Should the date/time not be suitable there is only room to move from Sunday to Saturday at the moment.

If there are to be any changes, please contact the parish office via email. shellharbourcity@dow.org.au

The parish office is closed to the public until Stage 3 in accordance with the Bishops Covid-19 Road Map.

God Bless and Keep Safe

 Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

Parent Communication Meeting

As mentioned in previous communications, Mr Sykes and Miss Crandell will be holding a Parent Communication Meeting via Zoom on Monday 15 November at 4pm. This is an opportunity to share information about upcoming events as well as, reflect on some things that have already occurred. We invite you to be part of this meeting and we look forward to seeing many faces on the Zoom platform on Monday.

Zoom Details:
Meeting Code: 294 688 7936
Password: sms1511

2021 P&F Donation

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.