A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, 

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds, 

and worship of the wise men. 

Close the door of hatred and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. 

Deliver us from harm by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May we renew our faith through the joy of our children this Christmas.

We ask this prayer through Christ, the Saviour of the world,

AMEN

As this will be the last newsletter for 2021, I would like to wish all our students and their families a Christ-centred festive season and a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday. I look forward to welcoming Years 1-6 back to school on Tuesday, 1 February. Kindergarten students have been allocated Best Start Assessment times during Week 1 then they commence full-time attendance on Tuesday 8 February. I thank our wonderful students for their efforts in all aspects of school life and our parents for being so supportive and accepting of the many changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2022

After a period of voting involving students in Years 3-6 and staff, I am proud to announce that the School Captains for 2022 will be Mae Bremner and Nash Lewis. Our Vice-Captains will be Noemi Branchi and Peter Bryla. As well as these positions, the following students have been voted in as Sports Captains for next year:

SMYTH:  Isabella Clowes & Jesse Thompson.  

AIKENHEAD: Abbey Mansbridge & Kobi Lorkin

MACKILLOP: Milla Upton & Lennox Harvey. 

WEATHERALL: Mia Barrett & Mason Soligo

Well done to these students and we know that they will do an amazing job. Thank you to all children who nominated for these positions. Every student in Year Six will continue to be involved in leadership as members of various groups. These include Leaders of Liturgy, Fund-Raising, Hospitality, Technology, Student Support, Public Speaking, The Environment and Bus Travel.

SCHOOL REPORTS

The Semester 2 student reports will be available to parents via Compass at 3pm on Monday. The students will also be given an envelope to take home, containing a class resource list and each child’s class & teacher on the same day. As previously mentioned, it is a detailed exercise to form classes for the following year and the teachers spend a great deal of time considering a range of factors. I thank parents for their understanding in this matter and I can assure everyone that the students will be given support and commitment by all teachers here at Stella Maris.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our School Swimming Carnival will be held at Oak Flats Pool tomorrow. We hope for fine weather and a spirited carnival highlighted by strong performances in the water and lots of fun and participation for all students. Thank you to Mrs Wright and her team of staff and parents for organising the carnival.

    
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT SURVEY RESULTS

Thank you to the parents who completed the Annual School Report Survey for 2021. The responses were extremely positive and it is wonderful to know that the staff’s focus on learning at Stella Maris is greatly appreciated by our parent body. Around 45% of parents participated, the largest number so far, and as you can see below, we have maintained progress in most areas despite the impact of remote learning:

These results are extremely positive and it is great to know that the efforts of the staff of the school are being recognised and celebrated by our parent body. Although there is always room for improvement and we are constantly striving to develop areas where we are lacking, it is good to see that our parents, staff and students know that we are a very good school!

PRINCIPAL’S LUNCH

Due to restrictions around grades not mixing together at school, I will be unable to hold a final Principal’s lunch for 2021 for the  two highest Dojo Points winners in each class. The children will not miss out however as I will acknowledge their efforts by giving them a yummy treat next Tuesday.

YEAR SIX GRADUATION MASS and DINNER

The Year 6 Graduation Mass and Dinner will be held at All Saints Parish Church and Hall this evening commencing at 5pm. It will be an opportunity to publicly thank the students for being such effective leaders this year, as well as the chance to say goodbye and thank you to the families that are leaving Stella Maris this year.

CHRISTMAS VIDEO

To celebrate the season of Christmas Mrs Sanchez, Miss Steele, Miss Fry and Mrs Hogan have been working with a selection of  students to produce a Christmas video. This will be shown to the school community next Tuesday at 9am via Zoom.

HAIR AND UNIFORM 2022

I continue to be impressed with the high standard of uniform and neat appearance maintained by the majority of students at Stella Maris. I thank parents and carers for their ongoing support in this area as I know sometimes students may request haircuts that are not aligned with school policy. Before the new school year commences, I remind parents that black school shoes need to generally be leather and not jogger style, whilst the sports shoes are to be predominantly white (including laces). In terms of haircuts, alternate styles such as mohawks and mullets are not acceptable, nor are dramatically shaved heads with just a tuft of hair appropriate. I will contact parents early in Term 1 if students present with any of these styles.

SCHOOL REVIEW and IMPROVEMENT

Our school staff has worked together throughout the year to successfully address this year’s SRI goals as listed below: 

1.7: ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION: The school’s Environment Management Plan was fully implemented at Stella Maris. This included establishing an environmental team, conducting sustainable practices and educating students regarding caring for God’s creation.

2.1 MATHEMATICS COLLABORATIVE INQUIRY: Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 have been supported to specifically improve their confidence and learning in Mathematics, using a data wall.

2.7: STUDENT GOAL SETTING: Students in all grades have been encouraged to take responsibility for their learning through goal setting.

3.2 STUDENT WELLBEING: There has been a consistent focus on supporting the students’ social and emotional wellbeing. This will continue into 2022.

We have now identified the following areas for improvement next year:

Focus Area: Literacy and Numeracy

Goal: The incoming NSW K-Year 2 English and Mathematics Curriculum will be trialled in the school throughout 2022.

Focus Area: Student Wellbeing

Goal: The staff’s capacity to positively support the mental health of all students will be strengthened and developed.

Focus Area: Community Engagement

Goal: Parents and carers will be more actively engaged in their children’s learning and in other aspects of school life.

These goals allow us as a staff to keep the focus on continual school improvement and throughout the year we will endeavour to provide updates on how we are progressing in each of these areas. 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Lk 3:10-18

John announces the coming of the Messiah.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

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, 2m2 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 rehearsals and seating allocation will occur after masses this weekend December 11-12.  Please allow 40 minutes after mass.  A reminder that First Holy Communion masses are on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19th December at 11am.

The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)

Enrolment forms have now been distributed for the Reconciliation Program for 2022.  After Masses this weekend December 11-12, please return forms with the $20 fee for the booklet.  The Sacrament of Penance is open to all current Year 2 students (or above).  

If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au

Farewell Liturgy

On Friday 3 December we farewelled some of our amazing staff with an online Liturgy.  

You can view the Liturgy through this private link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nehmTAtRWqI

On behalf of all the teachers and students at the school, we would like to thank Mrs Mace, Mrs Fry, Mr O’Grady, Mrs Nieborak and Miss Nikolovski  for all their wonderful work at the school.  They have all been shining lights for us at Stella Maris and will surely be missed.  We wish them the very best on their new journeys.  A huge thank you also to all the students and teachers who assisted in the production of the clip, especially our talented Student Support Officer Niamh Carroll.

Year 6 Graduation Mass and Dinner

Tonight, Year 6 attend their Graduation Mass and DInner.  We hope they enjoy a marvellous celebration supported by staff, students and their families.  We would like to thank everyone who had a part to play in the organisation of this event, especially the Year 6 teachers for all their hard work into preparing this special occasion.

Christmas Concert

Unfortunately, due to restrictions this year, we were unable to have a live Christmas concert.  However, thanks to Mrs Steele, Mrs Fry and Mrs Hogan, Stella Maris have created a little clip just for you!  

Please join us via Zoom on Tuesday 14 December at 9am for this special Stella production!

Meeting Code: 955491655

Password: sms

All of us at Stella Maris would like to wish you all a very joyous Christmas filled with faith, hope and love.  Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.  We look forward to the new year ahead.

God Bless

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

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. From next term, at 8.30am each day, 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.

Cultural Government Grant

We are excited to announce that Stella Maris has been successful in receiving a government grant to purchase a new flagpole. This will proudly display the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and be used during many whole school celebrations and commemorations. We thank Anna Watson, Member for Shellharbour, for her ongoing support and generosity and look forward to proudly displaying these flags within our school grounds.

Bunnings Market Night Invitation - DEC 9

Our store is holding a community/family night in early December and we would love it if you could share this with you in support of our event.

The event is free for all ages and will run from 6pm – 8pm on Thursday 9 December. It should be a fun night with free Sausage Sizzle, fairy floss, games, giveaways, craft & more activities.

We hope to see you there!