Filter Content
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are currently celebrating 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 this year is Be Brave, Make Change.
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 may we grow stronger together. We ask this prayer through Jesus Your Son.
AMEN.
RECONCILIATION FLAG WALK
Twenty students represented Stella Maris at the Shellharbour City Council’s Flag Walk on Monday. It was an opportunity for the children to walk as one with members of our local Aboriginal Community and students from other schools. The children also participated in a variety of Aboriginal cultural workshops, which enabled them to develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal heritage.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS
We have scheduled the following Staff Development Days:
Friday 17 June (Term 2 Week 8): Professional Development for Staff Wellbeing.
Monday 12 September (Term 3 Week 9): Care for our Common Home (Laudato Si)
Both these days are strictly Pupil Free days so parents are able to make arrangements well in advance.
DIOCESAN CROSS COUNTRY TRIALS
Fifteen students participated in the Diocesan Cross Country Selection Trials, which were held at Narellan Sports Hub last Tuesday. Each event had approximately forty competitors and our children fared extremely well, achieving the following results:
Mason Jiminez 23rd in 9 Year Boys; Reid Coelho 1st in 10 Year Boys; Harry Thomson 14th in 10 Year Boys; Blake Langendam 22nd in 10 Year Boys; Max Chinnock 16th in 11 Year Boys; Campbell Knox 23rd in 12 Year Boys; Alani Waters 3rd in 9 Year Girls; Harper Beaton 8th in 9 Year Girls; Ivy Paillas 11th in 9 Year Boys; Siair Paillas 8th in 10 Year Girls; Sianna Zammit 6th in 11 Year Girls; Maya Heutter 10th in 11 Year Girls; Lily Griggs 7th in 12 Year Girls; Abbey Mansbridge 11th in 12 Year Girls.
Reid, Alani, Harper, Sianna and Lily have now been selected in the Wollongong Team. Well done children!
MINI VINNIES CAKE STALL
Congratulations to our Mini Vinnies students for organising such a successful cake stall in Week 4. $1200 was raised thanks to the generous families who baked or donated cakes, slices or biscuits. This money will be split between Bishop Brian’s Flood Appeal and the st Vincent De Paul’s Winter Appeal.
FOUNDATION DAY
In Week 4, we also held a most successful Foundation Day with Year 2 presenting the Story of the Sisters of Charity. Many parents, carers and grandparents in attendance, who were also able to visit the classrooms and stay for lunch. The highlight of the day was the awarding of the Sister Mary Aikenhead awards and congratulations to our two winners: Mia McKenna (Year 1) and Jacinta Jaksic (Year 6).
STUDENT REPORTS
The students’ half-yearly reports (Years 1-6), which will be available on Compass on Friday 17 June (Week 8). These will be followed by Parent-Teacher interviews for all grades. These will be held between 20 June and 1 July (Weeks 9 & 10). Bookings for interviews will be on Compass next Monday 6 June until Friday 10 June. It is an expectation that all families make an appointment and participate in these interviews.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Our postponed School Athletics Carnival will now be held on Thursday 30 June. Further details will be published on Compass in the near future.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation Workshops commenced on Monday. Thank you to the staff who are conducting these workshops.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
This Sunday’s Gospel
PENTECOST SUNDAY
Jesus promises the disciples the Paraclete.
All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour
Mass times: All Saints Church
19 College Ave, Shellharbour City
Saturday 5.00pm Vigil
Sunday 9.00am, 5.00pm
Special 9am Mass: 5 June Feast of Pentecost - Multicultural Day Luncheon 11:30am
On Pentecost Sunday we give thanks for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and followers of Jesus (Acts 2:1- 31). Pentecost marks the official end of the Easter season and the liturgical colour of Pentecost is red. The word itself means the fiftieth day.
Prior to Pentecost, we also celebrate the feast of The Visitation on May 31. During this event, a young Mary called upon her older cousin, Elizabeth, to relish the news of their miraculous pregnancies.
Mass at Stella Maris
Grade Masses have begun this term at our Stella Maris church on Tuesdays at 9:30am. Parents, Grandparents and carers are most welcome to attend. Please find below a schedule of the Masses.
Week 7 - 7 June, Yr 1
Week 8 - 14 June, Kinder
Join us for a Cuppa!
Additionally, we would like to invite parents, grandparents and carers to please join us for a cup of tea or coffee after Mass in the school staffroom. Simply follow the students and Mrs Sanchez-Levine through the gates after Mass to join her, Mr Sykes and Sr Kerry for a 30 minute informal gathering.
The Sacraments
Confirmation - Year 6 or Older
After Mass this weekend, please indicate a preferred time to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. On the 11th and 12th June, leaflets will be distributed containing information that advises families of the Mass/Liturgy in which your child will be confirmed.
The first week of workshops began on Monday 30 May in the Year 6 Blue Classroom. Please contact the Parish office if you are yet to enroll on Parish 02 4296 3939.
Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Sunday 3 July 2022 11.00am and 2.00pm. There is the possibility that there may only be one Mass to celebrate the Sacrament.
Communion - Year 3 or Older
Enrolment for First Holy Communion will occur on the weekend of 17 and 18 September 2022.
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Foundation Day Liturgy
On Friday, we celebrated our Foundation Day celebrations. It was 64 years ago on the 20th 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 Mia McKenna (Infants) and Jacinta Jaksic (Primary) for exhibiting qualities that reach out to those in need, applying themselves in Religious Education and displaying reverence during Mass and liturgies.
We would like to thank all the parents, grandparents, family and friends that joined us on this special day for the Liturgy and Open Classrooms.
It is a blessing to have such a wonderful community share with us such an amazing school. THANK YOU!
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2022
Stella Maris is once again participating in the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC). The PRC is an initiative of the NSW State Government.It aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. Years 3-6 need to read 20 PRC books and K-2 will have 30 books read to them during their Library sessions to complete the challenge.
Congratulations to the following students from Years 3-6 who have completed the PRC, so far, are: Oscar C, Olly L, Ivy P, Harper B, Reid C, Sophia C, Alaina C, Declan E, Evie G, Mason G, Max H, Mia I, Emilia L, Hugo M, Molly M, Alyra M, Liam N, Brax O, Cooper R, Rishani S, Jessica V, Ava A, Isabel C, Allegar F, Peyton G, Eli G, Lucy G, Aerin L, Lincoln M, Alexia M, Siair P, Elijah S, Jayden T, Leila V, Isabella Y, Kaimika W and Charlotte W.
We look forward to acknowledging all students who are participating in the challenge this year.
Mrs Jo Love
Librarian.
|
Parish Cleaner (16.5 hours per week) A position for a person responsible for the cleaning of the Parish is currently available. This role requires the cleaning of All Saints church, Presbytery house and office as well as Stella Maris Church. Applications available from Parish Office, Thursdays and Fridays. Further enquiries please contact the office on 42963939. |