Filter Content
Last week we welcomed our newest members to the Stella Maris community. Our amazing Kindergarten students have had a seamless start to their school year. Each day we see their bright smiling faces and they are ready for the day ahead. Welcome to our new families across our school this year, it is a pleasure to have you join our community and we look forward to working with you as your child journeys through Stella Maris.
On Monday we saw the commemoration of National Apology Day it encourages remembrance of -and apology to – the Stolen Generations and those whose lives have been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.
On 13th February 2008, the first sitting of the new parliamentary year, then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally acknowledged the immense suffering experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to past government policies of forced child removal and decades of mistreatment of Indigenous Australians.
The National Apology to the Stolen Generations remains a momentous turning point that demonstrates the importance of historical acceptance in paving the road to reconciliation.
National Apology Day is a day to remember and pray for the children who were taken away from their families and homes. It is a step on the path to reconciliation. It is a commitment to right the wrongs of past injustices and is about building a bridge of respect between all people.
At Stella Maris we said a prayer as a community and classes marked this day with learning experiences.
Loving God, Creator Spirit, God of the Dreaming,
You who created all people in your image and likeness,
May we listen with care to all people of this land and treat all with respect.
Source of all creation and unity, bless us in our endeavours to live as one in Christ.
Amen.
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
Principal
Returning to school with an injury
Parents are reminded that in accordance with updated regulations, any child who comes to school with an injury must have clearance from a doctor that clearly states the nature of the injury and what the student can and can not do at school, this includes them being on the playground at recess and lunch times. We understand that this can be difficult to obtain at some times, we have found that if you are able to ask for this information at the time of consultation it will save you the challenge of following up. We anticipate this will be helpful if you unfortunately find yourself in this situation. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the school office.
Staffing Updates
Ms Angela Crandell has been seconded to be Acting Principal at St Paul’s Albion Park from Monday 20 February to Friday 10 March. Mr Chris Price will be Acting Assistant Principal for that time at Stella Maris and Miss Christina Agius will step into the Middle Leader 2 role. I congratulate Ms Crandell on her secondment and thank Mr Chris Price and Miss Christina Agius for taking on the extra responsibilities.
Congratulations! It is a Boy!
Congratulations to Mr Jack Richardson and his wife Jess who welcomed a bouncing baby boy Rafael Richardson. All are doing well.
P&F Executive 2023
Thank you and congratulations to the following parents who have taken on the executive positions for the 2023 Stella Maris P&F.
President - Kim Nowakowski
Vice President - Lucy Timpano
Treasurer - Karla Atley
Secretary - Kate Mace & Sarah Pike
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the many other parents at the meeting who accepted parent liaison roles and volunteered to coordinate various events throughout the year. Your support is much appreciated and valued by the school community.
Parent Information Sessions
This year our parent information sessions will be held on:
|
Monday 20/2/2023 |
Tuesday 21/2/2023 |
|
5.30-6.30- Kinder and Year 5 6.30-7.30- Years 1 and 2 |
5.30-6.30- Years 3 and 4 6.30-7.30- Year 6 |
These are an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and learn about classroom routines and how best you can support your child at school. We look forward to seeing you all next week for these nights.
Pupil Free Days 2023
The CEO have granted schools across the diocese extra staff development days to be used in line with the school's improvement priorities and to be allocated to the end of the year.
To support parents in planning and childcare arrangements please find below the dates that are confirmed for this year.
Thursday 6 April - Last day of Term 1 (Students’ last day of school will be Wednesday 5 April)
Monday 17 July - First day of Term 3 (Students’ first day of school Term 3 will be Tuesday 18 July)
Monday & Tuesday 18 & 19 December - Last 2 days of the year (Student’s last day of school for the year will be Friday 15 December)
There is another day yet to be determined for Term 4.
Upcoming Dates
17 Feb - St Joseph's visiting Years 5 and 6
20/21 Feb - Parent Information Sessions
21 Feb Caritas Project Compassion Launch
21 Feb - Year 3 Drama Incursion
22 Feb - Ash Wednesday Mass Yeas 3-6
22 Feb - St Mary's and Edmund Rice visiting
7 Mar - Primary South Coast Swimming Carnival
9 Mar - Prospective Parents Open Morning 8.45am-10am (please book)
15-17 March - Naplan
20 March - P & F Meeting
28 March - Year 5 Step Up to Corpus Day
30 Mar - The Big Veggie Crunch
31 March - P & F Easter Raffle
2 April - Holy Week Begins
7 April - School Holidays begin
Thankyou
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
What a wonderful start to the school year!
It is absolutely amazing to see smiling faces all over the school as we settle into our new classes with old and new friends. Grade Masses began last week at our church with Fr Joe and this week we enjoyed our Liturgy for the Beginning of the Year with the Induction of Leaders. We are very proud of Year 6 who will lead the school this year reverencing the story of all people in faith, hope and love.
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
This Sunday’s Gospel
Turn the other cheek.
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 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 (5 April at 7pm) - Year 3 Students
After weekend Masses on the corresponding dates, the following events will occur…
18/19 February
Examination of the children’s ability to recite the Our Father and Hail Mary. Please assist the children to learn these prayers before this weekend.
20 February
Workshops begin at Stella and Nazareth. These workshops will continue for 4 consecutive weeks.
25/26 February
Distribution of Holy Cards with the Act of Contrition
4/6 March
Examination of the children’s ability to recite the Act of Contrition. Parents are also encouraged to learn the prayer.
11/12 March
Details for the ceremonies for First Reconciliation will be shared.
19/20 March
Families will be advised of the day and time of their ceremony.
26/27 March
Mementos for First Reconciliation distributed.
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.a
Beginning of the Year & Leaders Induction Liturgy
On Tuesday, we celebrated the opening of our school year and our Year 6 leaders for 2023. May we open our eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings. Let us open our hearts and minds to new friends and teachers. God, give us the courage to accept new opportunities and responsibilities. We ask God’s blessing on our school and our schoolwork, our students and teachers, our parents and friends, our sports and activities, and on everything that is part of our school, family and community. Amen.
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.