Dear Parents and Caregivers,                                                                                                                                                                        

October is the month of the Rosary, a Catholic devotional prayer associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Rosary is the story of the New Testament. Each decade is recited in honour of a Mystery in Our Lord’s Life and that of His Blessed Mother. The Church asks us to regularly pray the Rosary, as our prayers made in union with Mary, can obtain the great gift of conversion of hearts and peace throughout the world. Next week, there will be opportunities for the whole school to stop and pray the Rosary together.

I would like to welcome back staff, students and parents to a brand new school term. It is amazing to think that we are only ten weeks away from the Christmas holidays. Where has this year gone? I trust that all the children enjoyed their holiday, despite the erratic weather we experienced. We can now look forward to a productive, yet extremely hectic Term Four. 

MISSION MONTH

Stella Maris has always been known as a generous community and over the years a great deal of money has been raised during October, which is the Month of the Missions. I would like to thank our families for supporting this year’s fundraiser, Socktober to raise funds for under-priveleged children in Ethiopia. Students are asked to have their parents sign them up on the Socktober site: https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stellamariscatholicprimaryschool. The children will be having their Soccer shoot out next Friday 28 October and they are free to wear different long socks for the occasion.

SENIOR SCHOOL SUPPORT OFFICER

It is with sadness that we say farewell to our senior School Support Officer, Claudia Stacey at the end of this term. Claudia is retiring after spending the last ten years at Stella Maris and she has always been most helpful, friendly and extremely efficient in her role. Her replacement Sacha Attenborough was announced last week and she brings a wealth of financial and administrative experience to the role.

STAFF NEWS

I am continuing to finalise staffing for next year and on Tuesday it was announced that Mrs Lauren Maher will be starting at Stella Maris in 2023. We are indeed fortunate to have such a quality teacher as Lauren and I know that she brings a range of talents and expertise to her role. Last week parents were informed that Casey Sablowski and Elise Thompson Frater are finishing at the school in the next week or two as they prepare for the arrival of the new additions to their family. We wish them well as we do their replacements Kim Downing and Maryanne Heddles. In addition to this, Mrs Jenna Hogan will finish as Primary Music Teacher at the end of the year and she will be replaced by Mrs Amy Moran. We thank Jenna for being an amazing music teacher and a much loved staff member at our school.

CLASS PLACEMENTS 2023

We are in the process of finalising class teachers for 2023 and I hope to be able to inform parents of our school staff in Week 8’s newsletter. As always I ask parents that unless there is an extenuating circumstance please do not request specific teachers or splits between children. The process of forming classes for the following year is done with due diligence and grade partners and I meet to consider factors including students’ academic, social, behavioural and other needs. 

CATHOLICCARE COUNSELOR

At the end of last term it was announced that Bree Lord, our Catholic Care counselor for the last four years has taken a position with the Shepherd Centre and has now finished up at Stella Maris. Many families have received support and guidance from Bree and she built a close rapport with lots of students across the school. An interim counselor Julia Grigg started in the role last week, and I know everyone will warmly welcome her. CatholicCare will continue to conduct a recruitment process this term in order to find a permanent school counselor at our school.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

I ask for your prayers for students who will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist (First Holy Communion) in our parish over the next few weeks. Parent workshops commenced this week. Thank you to Father Joe and the teachers who have assisted in the preparation for this Sacrament.

KINDERGARTEN 2023 TRANSITION TO SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Kindergarten Transition to school program started this week with the first of the playgroup sessions. These will continue on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings for the next month. At the conclusion of the Playgroup, two Orientation mornings will be held for the children on consecutive Fridays, 18 & 25 November from 8.40-10.20am. There will be a parent meeting during the first orientation morning.We look forward to welcoming the new students and their parents and hopefully this transition program significantly helps children to feel relaxed and looking forward to their Primary School years.  Please remember that the 5th playgroup session on 1 November, has been changed to Monday 31 October 1.45pm-2.30pm.

SPORTING SUCCESS

Congratulations to two Year 6 students Sidney Bartle and Isabella Clowes on their selection in the Mackillop Athletics Team for discuss. They will compete at 

the NSW All Schools Carnival at Homebush this Wednesday and Thursday.  Well done girls !     

CHRISTMAS STORY ART COMPETITION

Congratulations to Noemi Branchi (Year 6) on being shortlisted for her artwork for the Diocesan Christmas Story Art Competition. The judging took place last week at the Wollongong Art Gallery and the standard of art was truly amazing. Well done Noemi.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

Last Wednesday Years 5 and 6 participated in a school based public speaking competition in order to send school representatives to the Regional Final, which will be held at St John’s Dapto next Wednesday 26 October. Congratulations to Sianna Badger (Year 5) and Lucas Gregson (Year 6) who came first in their grade and have now been selected as our school’s representatives.

SCHOOL REWARDS

Congratulations to Year 3 Blue, who were the Class of Term 3 for the respect they showed at assemblies and moving to and from the classrooms. They enjoyed a Pizza Party on Tuesday.  On Monday the highest Dojo Point winners in each class enjoyed a Principal's Lunch !

THE ATHLETE’S FOOT

Leo from The Athlete’s Foot Stockland Shellharbour, presented the school with a cheque for $500 last week  as a thank you for our community’s patronage throughout the year. If parents mention Stella Maris whilst purchasing any item of footwear, the store will donate $5 back to the school. Leo also provided us with some vouchers which will be used at the P & F Trivia Night this Saturday. Leo expressed his appreciation for our valued support.

PLAY EQUIPMENT

In the interest of safety, Stella Maris students and their siblings are not to be using the play equipment, including the monkey bars, before or after school.

GIVING TREE APPEAL

If you wish to make any donations of gifts to the Shellharbour City Council Mayoress' Giving Tree Appeal, they can be left in the box located next to the tree in the foyer on the ground floor at the Shellharbour Civic Centre from 14 November 2022.  Please note that if you wish to donate a gift voucher please ensure that they cannot be used for alcohol (it is preferred for Target or Kmart, not Coles Myer).  Donations of gift vouchers should be marked to the attention of Joanne Frasca and left with customer services on the ground floor at the Shellharbour Civic Centre. 

Thank you

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS 

This Sunday’s Gospel

Lk 18:9-14

Those who humble themselves will be exalted.

All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour

Mass 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 for this Term.

Week 1 - Yr 3 - 11 October

Week 2 - Yr 5 - 18 October

Week 3 - Kinder - 25 October

Week 5 - Yr 1 - 8 November

Week 6 - Yr 2 - 15 November

Week 7 - Yr 4 - 22 November

Week 8 - Yr 6 - 29 November

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 

At the end of Masses on the 22/23 October, families will be advised of the Mass their child will be celebrating First Holy Communion.  During all Masses on the weekend of the 29/30 October, there will be the blessing and distribution of Holy Communion medals.

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

Socktober

PLEASE DONATE NOW https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stellamariscatholicprimaryschool

This term, our collective fundraising efforts will support vulnerable children in Ethiopia who are experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition. The students will be learning about these children in their classrooms and preparing for the school’s Socktober Event Day, where the children will be able to literally kick goals for good during a Socktober Shootout. This is a fun and educational day, and you are invited to join us if you are able. The event will take place on Friday 28 October and each class will shoot goals at an allocated time of their choice.  Please dojo your child’s teacher to find out their shootout time.

Thank you to those of you who have already donated, supporting our school in Socktober and for helping your child/ren kick goals for good. 

Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition

Thank you for the dedication and commitment the Year 5 and 6 students have shown to the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. We are grateful to staff members who have prepared students to participate in this process. Viewing the artworks and reading the student reflections has been a privilege that reminds us of the wonderful talents and depth of spirituality of students in our school.  We are very proud of all our Stage 3 students.

The shortlisted artworks are now exhibited in the Wollongong City Art Gallery until 30 October. We congratulate our own Noemi Branchie for receiving a Highly Commended award for her artwork ‘Full of Grace’.  We encourage all who are able to visit and enjoy these exceptional artworks by Stage 3 students.

The Most Holy Rosary

The month of October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. This is primarily due to the fact that the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated on October 7. Students in all classes at Stella Maris will pray the Rosary during this month.

God Bless You

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

Existing families in our school with instalments already in place

If you are currently paying by instalments, there is no need to complete another Request To Pay By Instalments form as your request carries over from year to year, unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments eg weekly to fortnightly etc.

Existing families in our school without instalments

If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2023 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalemnt form, which is available on the school's website or from the school's administration office.  On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office.  Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2023 school fees.  Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, monthly etc.

IMPORTANT

Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment.  The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, Fortnightly etc.

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.

2023 school travel applications are now open
Applications for student travel in 2023 opened from Monday 10 October 2022.

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2023 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted
if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new
shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from
Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4.
This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2023 school
year. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

If a student's distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will
automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria,
we will send an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising
them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their
Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2023.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from
their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some
R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they
do not receive a pass.

Trivia Night

Survey Results