Dear Parents and Caregivers,

On Sunday we commence the liturgical season of Advent. This is a time of expectancy – where we prepare with joy in our hearts for the coming of Christ. The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting by Israelites for the birth of the Messiah, and the waiting by Christians for the return of Christ.

During Advent we recall the history of God's people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. The primary sanctuary colour of Advent is Purple. This is the colour of penitence and fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.

The first candle of the Advent wreath will be lit on Sunday. This candle, called the Prophecy Candle, reminds us that Jesus’ coming was prophesied hundreds of years before He was born. I would encourage parents to take time to speak to their children about how they are preparing for Christmas in terms of prayer and acts of service. Perhaps a time could be set aside for family prayer or a family Advent calendar could be created.

2022 STELLA MARIS TEACHING STAFF

I have included in today’s newsletter, a list of the teaching staff and grades for next year. As always I ask parents that unless there is an extenuating circumstance please do not request specific teachers or splits between children. The process of forming classes for the following year is done with due diligence and grade partners and I meet to consider factors including students’ academic, social, behavioural and other needs. 

PRINCIPAL: Mr Danny Sykes 

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Miss Angela Crandell 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR- Mrs Alicia Sanchez-Levine 

MIDDLE LEADERS: Mrs Vanessa Hanns, Mr Christopher Price 

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)  COORDINATOR- Mr Christopher Price 

KINDERGARTEN BLUE: Mrs Jessica Shelton

KINDERGARTEN GOLD: Miss Christina Agius 

EARLY INTERVENTION TEACHER (KINDER): Mrs Elise Thompson 

YEAR 1 BLUE: Mrs Amelia Birchall 

YEAR 1 GOLD: Miss Grace Sullivan

EARLY INTERVENTION TEACHER (YEAR 1): Mrs Krystle Caires

YEAR 2 BLUE: Miss Annalise Flood (Mondays, Tuesdays), Mrs Emma Tory (Wednesdays-Fridays)

YEAR 2 GOLD: Mr Jack Richardson 

YEAR 3 BLUE: Mrs Kelly Mang (Tuesdays-Fridays), Mrs Jess Ridley (Mondays)

YEAR 3 GOLD: Mrs Alicia Sanchez-Levine (Mondays, Wednesdays-Fridays),

Mrs Jess Ridley (Tuesdays) 

YEAR 4 BLUE: Mrs Kim Downing (Mondays, Tuesdays), Mr Christopher Price             (Wednesdays-Fridays)

YEAR 4 GOLD: Mrs Peta Wright 

YEAR 5 BLUE: Miss Emma Steele, Mrs Kim Downing (Friday fortnights)

YEAR 5 GOLD: Ms Kelly Young 

YEAR 6 BLUE: Mrs Tina Porter 

YEAR 6 GOLD: Miss Angela Crandell (Tuesdays, -Thursdays), Mrs Vanessa Hanns      (Mondays, Fridays)

READING RECOVERY & LITERACY SUPPORT: Mrs Tarsh Hosking 

GIFTED EDUCATION: Mrs Kelly Mang (Mondays)

MUSIC: Mrs Anna Clori: Wednesdays (K-3G); Mrs Jenna Hogan: Thursdays:( 3B-6)

PE: Mrs Casey Sablowski (Wednesdays, Thursdays)

DIVERSE LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER & LITERACY SUPPORT: Mrs Julie Hopkins (0.3)

LIBRARY: Mrs Jo Love (Wednesdays, Thursdays)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR: Miss Emma Steele

PRINCIPAL’S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Mrs Jo Love (Tuesdays)

STAGE COORDINATORS: EARLY STAGE 1: Mrs Alicia Sanchez-Levine   

STAGE 1: Mrs Vanessa Hanns   STAGE 2: Mr Chris Price    STAGE 3: Miss Angela Crandell

LEAVING STAFF

UPCOMING PARISH SACRAMENTS

I ask for your prayers for students who will be receiving the Sacraments of the Eucharist (First Holy Communion) and Confirmation in our parish over the next few weeks. Thank you to Father Joe and the teachers who have assisted in the preparation for these Sacraments of Initiation.

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

There will be no school assembly this week, due to the Swimming Carnival.

All Gold Awards will be given out on 10 December. 

YEAR 6 END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES

Our Year 6 students are eagerly looking forward to two end-of-year events, their annual excursion to Jamberoo Recreation Park on Tuesday 30 November and their Graduation Mass and presentations on Thursday 9 December. Thank you to their teachers, Miss Crandell, Mrs Hanns and Mrs Porter for organising these important and exciting events.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2022

Speeches for the 2022 Captains and Sports Captains 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. Voting will then take place for students in Years 3, 4 and 5 as well as staff. It is then hoped that an announcement will take place in Week 10.

TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN 2022

We will be holding the second orientation session for next year’s Kindergarten at school tomorrow between 9.15-11.15am. The first orientation morning went extremely well, with the majority of the sixty students being really settled a

nd eager to start their Primary School years at Stella Maris. My gratitude is extended to the parents for being understanding of the procedures we have had to put in place, as well as the wonderful staff who are assisting with orientation.

MORNING ARRIVAL

Since remote learning concluded in Week 3, there continues to be many students being dropped off in vehicles after 8.30am. Could I please remind parents that all students should arrive before the 8.27am first morning bell. At 8.30am all gates are locked and if parents are running late they are asked to park their vehicle and sign their children in at the office. We have been extremely lenient enforcing this, however, the problem is increasing. I thank the vast number of parents who support this school policy. 

   
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT

Thank you to all those who completed the 2021 Annual School Report Surveys. I will summarise the results in the last newsletter for the year in Week 10. On reading the students’ responses to their first question, “Do you like being at Stella Maris, why/why not?”, I thought it was worth sharing the following:

• I like being at Stella Maris because the teachers are kind and make sure we did our best
• Yes because it doesn’t matter if I’m Catholic or not. It feels good to actually have some friends here because at my other school I didn’t have many friends

• Yes because it has great teachers

• Yes because there are friends to always have my back, and teachers to guide me along the way

• I like Stella Maris because I feel safe and I like playing with my friends. I also like seeing my teachers. We also have fun ways to learn

• Yes because every teacher congratulates me when I accomplish something

• Yes because the teachers treat us well and look after us when needed

• I like being at Stella Maris because the school community (children and staff) are really kind, welcoming and fun to be around and I love coming to school every morning to see everyone. The playground activities are really enjoyable to do and the learning activities are easy to follow. The teachers are always around to help you if you need it.

• Yes because we have very good teachers and a great principal and they all help us with learning

• The teachers help me a lot with my feelings and my work

• Yes because the teachers are really funny. 

With such positive responses, it is no wonder that the school is held in such high regard throughout the local community. Thank you to all students, staff, parents, carers and grandparents.    

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Lk 21:25-28. 34-36

Be ready for the second coming.

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).  Mass at Stella Maris has been put on hold until we have further information.  

First Holy Communion

For all Yr 3 students and any other students Yrs 4-6 who wish to complete their First Holy Communion, Sacrament dates will be communicated at masses this weekend November 27-28.  All students should now have obtained their booklets, which will be completed at school next week.

The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)

An information timetable will be distributed for the Reconciliation Program for 2022 and names will be recorded after Masses this weekend November 27-28.  The Sacrament of Penance is open to all current Year 2 students (or above). 

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

December 3, 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 29th Aug 2pm Mass) 

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

Advent

The start of December marks the beginning of Advent.  It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming".

God Bless and Keep Safe

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

There are a few parking spaces around the school that are reserved for disabled drivers.  Could we please ask that parents or carers do not park in these spots unless they hold a disabled sticker.

Thank you for your consideration.

Canteen News

Canteen is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

The canteen menu is on our website. 

Online orders can be made via the My School Connect app - www.myschoolconnect.com.au/stellamarisps and click on create account.

The Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is offering primary school children the opportunity to join a children’s choir for 2022, and to sing new Australian works inspired by the place we live in.

The Flame Tree Project returns with Kate Whitwhorth at the helm and will perform new Australian music such as ‘Oola Boola Woo – The Story of Five Islands’. Auditions will run through until Monday 6 December 2021 with workshops scheduled for 19/20 February and 19/20 March 2022, and performances throughout the year.

The new Children’s Choir also be managed by Kate Whitworth is part of the ensemble program at WollCon, and will involve weekly rehearsals for each school term. Auditions and applications also closing by 6^th Dec.

Please Note: Children are welcome to apply for both choirs

Read More at: https://www.wollcon.com.au/flame-tree-project-childrens-choir

Administration and Enrolments

Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Gleniffer Brae, Murphys Avenue,

Keiraville 2500 PO Box 62, Keiraville 2500

E: enquiries@wollcon.com.au| W www.wollcon.com.au P 02 4228 1122