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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Last Sunday we commenced the liturgical season of Advent, a time of expectancy – where we prepare with joy in our hearts for the coming of Christ. The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting by Israelites for the birth of the Messiah, and the waiting by Christians for the return of Christ.
During Advent we recall the history of God's people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. The primary sanctuary colour of Advent is Purple. This is the colour of penitence and fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.
The first candle of the Advent wreath was lit last Sunday. This candle, called the Prophecy Candle, reminds us that Jesus’ coming was prophesied hundreds of years before He was born. I would encourage parents to take time to speak to their children about how they are preparing for Christmas in terms of prayer and acts of service. Perhaps a time could be set aside for family prayer or a family Advent calendar could be created.
Gracious God,
Send us your grace this Advent Season so that we can prepare for your coming.
Touch our hearts with longing so that we can better love and serve you and each other. Fill us with the hope that we can be transformed by your Spirit and so help transform the world.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus whose kingdom we seek.
Amen.
FAREWELL DINNER
A big thank you to all those who were able to attend my Farewell Dinner at Central Hotel last Saturday. It was a wonderful night where my family and friends mingled with many staff and parents in an atmosphere of fun, laughter, sharing of memories and great music provided by Mrs Hogan’s band “The Delusions”. A big thank you to Mrs Love for organising the event. It will be something I treasure for many years to come.
2023 STELLA MARIS TEACHING STAFF
I have included in today’s newsletter, a list of the teaching staff and grades for next year. 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.
PRINCIPAL: Mrs Belinda Hughes
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Miss Angela Crandell
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATORS- Mrs Alicia Sanchez-Levine
MIDDLE LEADERS: Mrs Vanessa Hanns, Mr Christopher Price
INSTRUCTIONAL COACH: Mrs Vanessa Hanns
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) COORDINATOR- Mr Christopher Price
KINDERGARTEN BLUE: Mrs Jessica Shelton
KINDERGARTEN GOLD: Miss Christina Agius
EARLY INTERVENTION TEACHER (KINDER BLUE): Mrs Tina Thickpenny (Porter)
EARLY INTERVENTION TEACHER (KINDER GOLD): Mrs Emma Morgan (Tory)
YEAR 1 BLUE: Ms Annalise Daphne
YEAR 1 GOLD: Miss Grace Sullivan
YEAR 2 BLUE: Mrs Amelia Birchall
YEAR 2 GOLD: Mr Jack Richardson
YEAR 3 BLUE: Mrs Kelly Mang (Tuesday-Friday),Mrs Krystle Caires (Monday).
GIFTED EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Mrs Kelly Mang (Monday)
YEAR 3 GOLD: Mrs Alicia Sanchez-Levine (Monday, Wednesday-Friday), Mrs Krystle Caires (Tuesday)
YEAR 4 BLUE: Miss Sarah Napier
YEAR 4 GOLD: Mrs Peta Wright
YEAR 5 BLUE: Miss Emma Steele, Mrs Kim Downing (Friday fortnights)
ICT LEADER: Miss Emma Steele
YEAR 5 GOLD: Ms Kelly Young
YEAR 6 BLUE: Mrs Lauren Mahar
YEAR 6 GOLD: Mrs Vanessa Hanns (Monday, Tuesday), Mr Chris Price (Wednesday-Friday)
READING RECOVERY: Mrs Tarsh Hosking
MUSIC: Miss Anna Clori: Mondays K-3G, Mrs Amy Moran: Thursdays: 3B-6.
PE: Kim Downing (Wednesday, Thursday)
DIVERSE LEARNING SUPPORT TEACHER: MRS Julie Hopkins
LITERACY SUPPORT: Julie Hopkins, Tarsh Hosking
LIBRARY: Mrs Jo Love- (Wednesday, Thursday)
PRINCIPAL’S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Mrs Jo Love
STAGE COORDINATORS: EARLY STAGE 1: Alicia Sanchez-Levine STAGE 1: Vanessa Hanns STAGE 2: Chris Price STAGE 3: Angela Crandell.
YEAR 6 END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES
Our Year 6 students are eagerly looking forward to two end-of-year events, their annual excursion to Jamberoo Recreation Park on Tuesday 6 December and
their Graduation Mass and presentations on Thursday 8 December. Thank you to their teachers, Miss Crandell, Mrs Hanns and Miss Napier for organising these important and exciting events.
PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY
Congratulations to Jai Lindsay, Elijah Cockcroft, Victoria Sayle and Malia Cunningham who were selected to be Principal for the Day. Jai, Elijah,Victoria and Malia will take over the “hot seat” on Friday 9 December. Their selection, out of a random draw, was a result of their fundraising efforts for the school’s Colour Explosion.
SPORTING NEWS
Congratulations to Reid Coelho (Touch Football) and Maya Heutter (Cricket) on their selection in 2023 Wollongong Diocesan teams. They were chosen after participating in selection trials. Heath Paulissen was chosen as a shadow player in touch as well. Well done children!
Congratulations to Maya who has now also been selected in the MacKillop Girls Cricket Team after trials at Wagga Wagga.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS 2023
Speeches for the 2023 Captains and Sports Captains will take place on Tuesday 6 December at 8.45am, in the school library. Parents are most welcome to attend. Voting will then take place for students in Years 3, 4 and 5 as well as staff. It is then hoped that an announcement will take place on Tuesday 13 December.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
This Sunday’s Gospel
John the Baptist begins to preach in the desert.
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 Term 1, 2023.
Yr 6 Week 3 - 7 February
Yr 5 Week 4 - 14 February
Yr 4 Week 5 - 21 February
Yr 3 Week 6 - 28 February
Yr 2 Week 7 - 7 March
Yr 1 Week 8 - 14 March
Kinder Week 9- 21 March
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 us for a 30 minute informal gathering.
The Sacraments
Reconciliation - Year 3 Students in 2023 (Current Year 2 Students)
3/4 December: Enrolment weekend after any of the Vigil/Sunday Masses. Enrolment forms to be distributed and names to be recorded. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
10/11 December: Enrolment forms and $20 fee collected. After counting the number of candidates, the required number of workshops will be determined and organised. Allow 10 minutes after Mass.
17/18 December: Group preference sheets will be distributed and parents will be required to provide preferences for the workshop days and times. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
4/5 February: The assignment of families to workshops will be distributed. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.a
Advent
The start of December marks the beginning of Advent. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming. The term is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming".
The Stella Maris Christmas Concert is back!
The Stella Maris Christmas Concert will take place on Tuesday 13 December at 1:20-
2:30 pm under the COLA. The students have been preparing their songs and actions and are looking forward to showcasing them with you.
All students can wear Christmas Clothes to school on the day with sensible closed shoes. We ask that the students in Years 1, 2 and 3 please bring outfits that they can wear over the top for their performance (people of the time, shepherds, angels). Additionally, children in Kinder are to bring antlers for their song.
A summary is below:
Kinder - Christmas Top and antlers
Year 1 - People of the time, Wise Men/Women, Shepherds, Angels
Year 2 - People of the time, Wise Men/Women, Shepherds, Angels
Year 3 - People of the time, Wise Men/Women, Shepherds, Angels
Year 4 - Christmas Clothes
Year 5 - Christmas Clothes
Year 6 - Christmas Clothes
We are looking forward to a fabulous concert, celebrating Christmas as a Catholic community.
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.
