A PARENT'S PRAYER:

Dear Father,

We pray for our children, reach out and touch them with your love so that they will stop and see your presence and turn to you.

Take them and make them what you want, not what we want. Call them to adventures you have planned for them, not what we aspire for them. Draw them to you.

Help them to know themselves and enjoy the person you created them to be. Help them to use your gifts to serve you.

As for us, help us to love them without possessiveness.

Help us to be firm and protective.

Help us to be patient while they strive to find themselves.

Help us to guide them in wisdom and know when it’s time to let them make mistakes.

Above all Lord, help us to include you in our lives so we can raise our children to have a genuine love and care for others.

AMEN.                                                

Dear Parents and Carers,

I trust that all our families are safe and well. It has been a positive start to the school year with all students engaging in the classroom and thoroughly enjoying social interactions with their peers.

A highlight so far has been the extremely settled start of our Kindergarten cohort. This is a particularly mature group with many children turning six before Easter and that is evident in the way they have adapted to change and their readiness to be involved in all aspects of school life. A big thank you to the parents for your support and understanding, especially given the restrictions that are currently in place. 

YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP LITURGY

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who received their leadership badges at a special liturgy on Tuesday morning. It was great to be able to include their families via Zoom and we know that they will do an amazing job in their various roles. 

PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS

Thank you to the many parents who were able to participate in the Parent Information Sessions held earlier in the week via Zoom. I hope you had the chance to learn a little more about what the year has in store for your child. I would strongly encourage parents and carers to contact the class teacher if you have any concerns or worries. I would ask however that you respect the staff’s personal life and keep contact between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

PARENTS and FRIENDS’ AGM

A note went home via Compass promoting the AGM of our P & F Association, which will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday 22 February via Zoom - https://dowcatholic.zoom.us/j/68528132929?pwd=NlJzTnF0VDdJRlVOSE4zS0kyUS9DUT09  

Password - sms

I would strongly encourage parents to consider nominating for an executive position as we hope to  restore the partnership between home and school via the P & F.

RECONCILIATION (PENANCE) WORKSHOPS

In preparation for the Sacrament of Penance, Year Three students and those who have enrolled in the sacrament, commenced workshops this week at school, led by teachers. These workshops will continue for the next four weeks.

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS

The current drop off/pick up arrangements appear to be working quite well. It is particularly helpful if parents can follow the times provided as it spreads out the number of students arriving and departing, thus minimising risk of transmission.

SWIMMING TRAINING

Swimming training continues tomorrow for the students who have been trying out for the Stella Maris Swim squad at the Regional Carnival, which will be held at Corrimal Pool on Thursday 1 March. I would like to thank Mrs Wright for training the squad each Friday morning leading up to the carnival.

GOOD NEWS CALLS

This week we have re-introduced a positive behaviour initiative at Stella Maris, Good News Calls. This will involve teachers selecting a student from their class each week to call a parent. This will be someone who has displayed positive actions such as improved individual learning achievements, showing care and friendship to others, following the school rules. The Good News Call Days will be Tuesdays (Blue Classes) and Fridays (Gold Classes) at 10.40am for Years 3-6 and 11.10am for K-2. The aim of this initiative is to continue to be a school that focuses on the positive as together we strive to build up the children’s confidence and set them up for success. 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Lk 6:27-38

Love your enemy.

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.  

Mass at Stella Maris 

Unfortunately, due to restrictions we will not be celebrating class Masses with students this term.

The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation)

Workshops began at Stella Maris this week.  These workshops will continue for 4 consecutive weeks.  Thank you to the teachers who have volunteered their time to lead these important sessions.

This weekend the 19th and 20th February, the Holy Cards with the Act of Contrition will be distributed after Mass.  Please allow 10 minutes after each Mass.  Next weekend the 26th and 27th February, parents and children are invited to stay after mass to practise reciting the Act of Contrition.  The celebration of Reconciliation will take place the week commencing the 14th March.

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

Beginning of the Year & Leaders Induction Liturgy at School (Yrs1-6)

On Tuesday, we celebrated the opening of our school year and our Year 6 leaders for 2022. A warm thank you to Fr Joe, Seth Harsh and Sr Kerry for joining our beautiful liturgy.

May we open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings. Let us open our hearts and minds to new friends and teachers.  God, give us the courage to accept new opportunities and responsibilities. We ask God’s blessing on our school and our schoolwork, our students and teachers, our parents and friends, our sports and activities, and on everything that is part of our school, family and community.

Ash Wednesday 2 March

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, will gather together for a simple liturgy in our Church to receive the ashes.  Unfortunately, due to current restrictions, parents will be unable to join us.

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will attend an Ash Wednesday Mass under the COLA with Fr Joe from 1:30-2:30pm.  We will Zoom the Mass to families so that we may all celebrate this special occasion as one.  Once details become available, these will be sent through via Compass.

God Bless

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

As a parent, guardian or carer, what do I need to know?

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a yearly count of students by all Australian schools across the country. The aim of the NCCD is to provide the Australian Government with information about the number of students with disability in Australian schools and the type of adjustments they need in order to access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.

If you are a parent, guardian or carer of a child with disability who requires ongoing adjustments at school, a teacher or another school staff member will consult with you to understand your child’s needs. This collaborative approach ensures the most appropriate adjustments are chosen to support your child’s learning and participation at school. In some cases, an individual education plan (IEP) or personal learning plan (PLP) may be developed to document specific educational goals and to review your child’s progress over time.

For further information please click on the following link;

https://www.nccd.edu.au/for-parents-guardians-and-carers

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.