Dear Parents and Carers,

National Child Protection Week runs from Fathers’ Day, Sunday 4 September until Saturday 10 September. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the community to think about how we can work together to keep all children safe. It is timely to remind parents and carers that there is a need to have age appropriate conversations with your children about personal safety and what to do if they find themselves in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. The theme this year, “Every Child in Every Community Needs a Fair Go” highlights the need for every family and every community to provide children with what they need to be healthy and thrive. Parents can access further information and helpful resources at https://www.napcan.org.au/ncpw-theme/  I have also included with this newsletter a Tipsheet for parents to use whilst discussing the importance of keeping safe at all times.

SEE ME, HEAR ME

FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST & STALL

Last Friday many parents attended our Fathers’ Day Breakfast, organised by the P & F. It was a tremendous success with everyone having lots of fun playing cricket, handball and basketball, whilst eating perfect bacon and egg rolls. A big thank you to Woolworths Shell Cove for providing the food and to the parents who volunteered to cook and serve.

STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY

Parents are reminded that next Monday, 12 September, is a pupil free day. The staff will be participating in an environment-focused workshop, Care for our Common Home.

SUMMER UNIFORM

The official changeover to summer uniform is the first day of next term, Monday 10 October. If however, the weather warms up sooner, children can start to wear their summer uniform from next Tuesday, 13 September.

SPORTS UNIFORM

There has been an increasing trend of some older students not wearing predominantly white joggers as part of their sports uniform. It is important that 

we work together to uphold high standards of uniform that are consistent with school policy. If for some reason, students need to wear different coloured joggers for a short period of time, parents need to send in an explanation in writing. 

I thank parents for their ongoing support in this area.     

NAPLAN RESULTS 2022

Students in Years 3 and 5 were given their NAPLAN results in a sealed envelope to take home last week. Overall the children did quite well considering the fifteen weeks of remote learning in Terms 3 and 4 last year. Reading and Writing were the best areas in Year 3 with Reading and Spelling, the best in Year 5.

TRADING CARDS

There has been a growing number of students over the last few weeks bringing into school various types of trading cards such as NRL and Pokemon. In the past this has caused significant disruptions to learning and problems on the playground such as cards being traded, lost or stolen. Could I please ask that these cards are left at home so these issues can be avoided.

WORLD MISSION LAUNCH

Next Tuesday, Nash Lewis and Mae Bremner, our school captains, will represent Stella Maris at the World Mission Launch at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School Ruse. Bishop Brian will speak about how schools can support the less fortunate during October, which is Mission Month.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Lk 15:1-32

Parable of the prodigal son.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

Mass times: All Saints Church 

19 College Ave, Shellharbour City

Saturday  5.00pm Vigil 

Sunday    9.00am, 5.00pm 

Father’s Day Vigil Mass

Thank you to the amazing Stella Maris Choir for their wonderful performance at the Father’s Day Vigil Mass.  Congratulations to Mrs Birchall, Ms Steele and Ms Agius for preparing the choir at lunch times.

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 remaining this Term.

Week 9 - 13 September, Year 4

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 

The information session and name recording for First Holy Communion will occur today Thursday 8 September in the Parish Hall from 7-8pm.

Enrolment forms will be distributed on the 10 and 11 September after Mass.

Workshop times will become available and preferences will be recorded 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

Season of Creation

September has been designated the Season of Creation. It is an annual worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our Common Home, running from 1 September – the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation – to 4 October – the feast of St Francis of Assisi. 

Pope Francis launched this season at the Vatican, saying, ‘We should be united in showing mercy to the earth as our common home and cherishing the world in which we live as a place for sharing and communion’.  Now,..every member of the Christian world is called to engage in this season prayerfully and courageously.  So, let us join our individual and collective efforts to protect this Common Home we love.

God Bless You

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

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.

Each year the parish of All Saints gives people who would like to know more, or who are interested in becoming a Catholic, the opportunity to walk with us through a period of discernment and preparation. If you’d like to find out more information or have questions, ask for Paul, Tony or Damien after the Sunday 9am Mass and one of us can provide you with more details. You can also phone the parish office (42963939), leave your contact details and one of us will return the call. Come join our Christian community and learn what it means to be Catholic.