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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Next Monday, 15 August, we celebrate our School Feast Day, The Assumption. As Catholics we believe that Mary, the Mother of God, was taken up to heaven body and soul to be with Her Son Jesus and all the angels and saints.The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary’s body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.
Stella Maris School was started by The Sisters of Charity and their leader and foundress Sister Mary Aikenhead chose Mary’s Assumption as their feast day, so we celebrate it each year on 15 August. Mary Aikenhead believed that “no great work was ever done for God, except by persons of prayer.” In choosing Mary’s Assumption into heaven as the Sisters of Charity feast day, she asked that “we all pray daily to our blessed mother.” Although the feast day was officially acknowledged by Pope Pius XII in 1950, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times.
We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating our feast day next Monday by attending Mass at All Saints Church and participating in a Blue versus Gold Class Outdoor Games Competition at Keith Hockey Oval. It is a happy day when we give thanks to God for our school community as well as praying to Mary asking for help and protection in our lives.
PRAYER FOR THE ASSUMPTION
Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
Mary, the mother of Jesus
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
The next Staff Development Day will be held on Monday 12 September with the environmental focus of Caring for our Common Home. This will be a pupil free day for all students.
P & F PIE DRIVE
Our P and F Pie Drive was extremely well supported by our school community. There were so many orders, which meant funds were raised which will be put to good use for the benefit of our students. Thank you to the families who participated, those who volunteered to help last Friday and to the P and F Executive who coordinated this fund raiser. Well done everyone!
REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
On Tuesday, the Stella Maris Athletics team, competed against sixteen other primary schools at the regional carnival at Beaton Park. Although the conditions were extremely cold and wet, the students performed exceptionally well and were successful in winning the Overall Pointscore Trophy as well as the Girls’ Trophy, the first time this has been achieved in over fifteen years! It was a real team effort, with eighteen students now qualifying for next Tuesday’s Diocesan Selection Trials. Four students received medallions in the age champion categories including Chelsea Santana (3rd in the 10 years girls),Mason Soligo (3rd in Senior Boys), Sidney Bartle (2nd in the 11 year girls) and Isabella Clowes (1st in the senior girls). Thank you to the many parents who acted as officials or were present to encourage the children and to Mrs Flood and Mrs Sablowski for managing the team.
PARENT EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Yesterday we held our first Parent Education Committee Meeting, focusing on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Chris Price spoke on how we are supporting students to develop self awareness, self control and interpersonal skills that will enable them to cope with everyday challenges and gain benefit in their learning and relationships. The six parents who attended found it most beneficial and worthwhile, gaining an understanding of how important this focus area is in supporting our children.
YEAR 6 MASS
Today our Year 6 students, participated in the Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian at All Saints Parish. Joining students from other Diocesan Primary Schools, the children had the opportunity to reflect on their faith journey as they prepare to start High School in the coming months.
YEAR 3 EXCURSION
Our Year 3 students are eagerly looking forward to their Minnamurra Rainforest Excursion tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will be fine and will allow the students to learn lots about this form of vegetation.
WORKING BEE
The P & F Working Bee will be held next Friday 19 August after school from 3-5pm. for those who are able to help. A variety of jobs will be performed including gardening, tidying up, clearing drains and gutters. Parents are asked to bring their own gardening tools.
CYBER SAFETY: TOO MUCH TIME ONLINE
One of the ever-increasing issues at the moment for parents is the large amounts of time children are spending on devices. This is even more prevalent as the child gets older and many of their friends are encouraging them to catch up online. It is important to remember that in moderation, using devices can be a positive experience, however it should not take precedence over spending time with family and friends and speaking face-to-face. If their online activity is not always focussed on learning and appears to negatively impact on their behaviour or wellbeing, it may be time to discuss the matter. Some tips in this area include:
- The longer you wait to address the issue, the more difficult it can be to overcome.
- Talk to your child about the concerns you have and monitor what games, apps and devices are bought or used by your child.
- Install a program on the device your child is using which can be adjusted to limit the amount of time an internet connection will be available on that device.
- Implement family agreements about the amount of time your child can spend online. Set boundaries regarding where and when devices can be used and keep to them.
P & F GENERAL MEETING
The next P & F General Meeting will be held in the school library on Monday 15 August commencing at 6.30pm. Parents and Carers are warmly invited to attend.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
This Sunday’s Gospel
Jesus tells his disciples he has come for division.
All Saints Catholic Parish ShellharbourMass times: All Saints Church
19 College Ave, Shellharbour City
Saturday 5.00pm Vigil
Sunday 9.00am, 5.00pm
Mass at Stella Maris
Grade Masses take place 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 this Term.
Week 5 - 16 August, Kinder
Week 6 - 23 August, Year 1
Week 8 - 6 September, Year 6
Week 9 - 13 September, Year 4
Week 7 - 30 August, Year 2
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, Fr Joe and Sr Kerry for a 30 minute informal gathering.
The Sacraments
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
Refugee Camp in My Neighbourhood
On Monday 1st August, as part of the Mini Vinnies program,students in the group followed the footsteps of refugees and people seeking asylum in a simulated experience. They encountered the journey of a refugee and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges they face as they arrive in Australia. It was an amazing experience that Mr Dodds, Mrs Sanchez-Levine and the students will always remember.
Please find below a beautiful recount of the day by the Mini Vinnies President Lily Griggs.
Last Monday on the 1st of August, The Minnie Vinnie’s Group visited Western Sydney University to learn about refugees and what their experiences were like fleeing their country.
To start off the day, all of the team met up at the Shellharbour train station where we caught a train to Redfern. We then proceeded to catch another train into Parramatta where a shuttle bus picked us up and dropped us off at the Western Sydney University.
After half an hour of finding our way to the destination, we arrived at the refugee camp. We then sat down and had two tour guides explain what the day was going to be like.
Our first stations involved all of the challenges of leaving their unsafe country. What they encountered and what they went through to escape.
The second lot of stations were all about what the lifestyles were like living in the camps. They explained how the refugees collected food and water supplies, how the children were educated and what the houses and the living conditions were like.
Our third station was about the detention centres the refugees had to go into for a period of time. Two refugees that had to stay in a detention centre shared their experiences with what it was like.
The very last part of the tour was all about debriefing. We wrote down our feelings and opinions about the day. What our emotions were like learning about refugees and questions we wanted to know.
After taking the tour we caught two trains back to Shellharbour and arrived home.
After this experience I felt very fortunate and grateful for what I have. I just can’t believe what horrible things refugees had to go through just to try and live a normal and comfortable life.
Lily Griggs
Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Monday 8 August marked the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint who was born in Australia to poor Scottish immigrants. When she was 14, MacKillop began working, and she was often her family’s main source of support. In 1860, she moved to the small rural town of Penola to serve as governess for the children of her aunt and uncle. There MacKillop provided her cousins with a basic education and soon extended this to the poor children of the town.
A young priest, Father Julian Tenison Woods, encouraged her to continue this work, assuring her that educating the poor would be an ideal way to serve God. In 1866, MacKillop and Woods founded Australia’s first order of nuns, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, and also established St. Joseph’s School in a converted stable in Penola, providing free education to children from the area. In 1867, MacKillop took vows and became the first mother superior of the sisters. The following year, the sisters opened schools in other Australian cities, as well as an orphanage and a refuge for women.
Let us pray to Saint Mary MacKillop,
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in
bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence and through the
intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our request to keep safe at these times.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so
that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Mary MacKillop
Amen.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
On the 9th August each year we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. We give thanks for the sacredness of the traditions and cultures of our Indigenous sisters and brothers, who through their example have enlightened our way to walk gently upon this earth which our Creator has gifted us.
As we go forth with grateful hearts thanking God for the blessings we enjoy we pray together…
Religious Literacy Assessment
Last week, our Year 4 students completed the Religious Literacy Assessment. This assessment provides a systematic Diocesan approach to the documentation and reporting of students’ learning in the key learning area of Religious Education across the diocese and in particular, aspects of religious literacy. It is a means of celebrating and sharing the good news about students’ learning in Religious Education and enables the story to be told on a continuing basis.
Year 6 Mass with the Bishop
Today, the Year 6 students from Stella Maris will be joining with students from other schools in our southern cluster for Mass with Bishop Brian Mascord at All Saints Catholic Church, Shellharbour City. This will be a memorable experience for the children to meet with our Bishop. It is also an excellent opportunity to mix with children from our neighbouring schools prior to high school.
Children will travel by bus, leaving school at 9.30am and returning by 2pm. They are asked to bring their own recess, lunch and drink in lunch boxes rather than bags. The children are required to wear their full school uniform (including school hat) on the day. They are able to arrive at school at their normal time and will be back at school in time for buses.
Stella Maris’ Feast Day - The Assumption 15 August
On Monday the 15 August, Stella Maris will celebrate our feast day, ‘The Assumption’. On this day, we pay our respect to Mary, the Mother of Jesus who was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. The students will begin the day with Mass at All Saints, followed by classroom activities focused on Mary when they return to school. Weather permitting, we invite parents and carers to attend a picnic lunch at the oval at 1:10pm, where we will enjoy some competitive games amongst the classes.
Due to the early start of the Mass and the need to shuttle students on buses, we ask if students can please arrive at school by 8:15am so that we can begin boarding buses at 8:30am.
God Bless You
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
On Tuesday 2 August, the Year 6 netball team travelled to the Eurobodalla Netball Association in Broulee to compete in the Netball NSW Schools Cup. The girls played exceptionally well, coming away with 2 great wins. Unfortunately we do not continue onto the next round but the girls should be incredibly proud of their team spirit and determination throughout the day. Thank you to the families for making the effort to travel to Broulee who support the girls. A big thank you to Mrs Downing who represented our school as an umpire on the day.
On August 18, Stella Maris will be celebrating National Science Week. National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, aiming to encourage an interest in science and a fascination of the world we live in. Students will participate in a variety of exciting science activities, ranging from building catapults and parachutes to chemical reactions and eruptions.
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.