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Principal's Message
At the last P&F meeting I invited the parent community to provide constructive feedback on what the school was doing well and where we could enhance our practices and procedures in the following areas:
Student Wellbeing; Learning; Faith and RE Life; Communication and Facilities.
I would like to sincerely thank the parents who were able to attend, for the way they engaged with the process and provided valuable feedback for myself and for the school. If you were unable to attend and would like to contribute to the feedback please feel free to email the school with your comments.
I have begun to present some of the feedback to the leadership team and we are working through some of the suggestions and using them to inform future directions and decision making. One immediate example is the reinstating of the parent calendar. You will find further information about this in the school news. I look forward to continuing to work with you as the parent community to further grow and support our school moving forward.
As we come to the end of the term, I reflect on the graces that this term has brought. Starting my journey with the Stella Maris community has been a privilege and a blessing. I am sincerely grateful for the relationships I beginning to develop with the staff, students and parents. I am excited for what the year may bring.
Easter is fast approaching. The holidays is an opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Easter. How have we been the face of Jesus in those challenging times? How have we put others before ourselves? How have we connected with our Faith and acted with compassion, forgiveness and love? I pray that all of you have a Holy Easter and have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and I look forward to welcoming you all back in Term 2.
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
Principal
Staffing Update
This term we farewell Mrs Cherie Richards. Mrs Richards has completed her studies to be a Speech Pathologist and is moving on to a practice in Nowra. We thank Mrs Richards for the years of service she has provided the Stella Maris community and wish her well in her new adventures.
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2024
Parents and carers are advised that the enrolment application period for 2024 Kindergarten enrolments will close on 5 April, please ensure that your enrolment is with the school office by this time.
Thank you
The winter uniform will be worn from the beginning of Term 2 until the end of Term 3. Please ensure that your child has the correct Stella Maris winter uniform.
The school has approved the introduction of an outer wear jacket to the school uniform for winter. This is an OPTIONAL extra for families who would like to add it to their uniform. Please note that the school jumper and or jacket still remain the required uniform and the outer wear jacket will be used for when the students are outside only and need extra warmth on top of their jumper or jacket. Lowes will supply the optional item.
Communication Update - Parent Calendar
If parents have a concern or would like to discuss their child’s learning or wellbeing, the class teacher is the first point of contact. If further exploration or discussion is
required the stage leader is the next person to contact. Once these communication channels are exhausted the Assistant Principal and or the Principal would be the next point of contact. The school is here to support all families and children in their learning and wellbeing. The communication chain exists to provide a wholistic and comprehensive approach to support for all students and their family.
It is with pleasure that we share that the parent calendar has been updated and reinstated. The calendar should be linked to the newsletter and be able to be added to your own personal google calendar. It is titled SMS Parent Calendar.
If you have any issues with linking or finding the calendar please contact the school office.
PRIME Hydration Energy Drinks
Children have begun to bring PRIME Hydration Energy Drinks to school. These are not suitable for consumption for children under the age of 18. These drinks are prohibited at school and children will not be allowed to consume these at school. If children bring them to school they will be asked to put it back in their bag and take it home. The caffeine and sugar levels in these drinks is extraordinarily high and detrimental to a students health, ability to concentrate and their capability to make safe choices and decisions.
Cake Stall Update
The cake stall was a fabulous success last week. A HUGE thank you to all families who donated cakes, slices and cookies in support of others less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you to Mr Dodds who coordinated the stall and the Mini Vinnies team, who raised $1,418.80 for the people of Turkey and Syria.
Pupil Free days - 2023
As advertised earlier this year please find below the pupil free days for 2023. Please note that the Term 4 date has now been confirmed.
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)
Friday 1 December - Pupil Free Day (Staff Spirituality Day)
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)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is a commemoration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, coming in peace and riding on a donkey. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem coincided with the Jewish festival of the Passover. He was met by crowds of followers and supporters who lined the road into the city and waved branches cut from palm trees. They laid palm fronds on the road and even laid down cloaks for Jesus to ride over. This entry into Jerusalem fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, promising that God's Messiah would enter the holy city and go to the temple.Holy Thursday, a holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
Good Friday, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a day of mourning for all Christians.
On Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the risen Christ!
Everyone at Stella Maris would like to wish all our readers a blessed Easter, and a safe and relaxing holiday.
Holy Week Remembrance This MONDAY 3 April & WEDNESDAY 26 April at 2pm
We would like to invite parents, grandparents and friends to a Holy Week Remembrance under the COLA. The liturgies will be presented by the Leaders of Liturgy and each grade. On 3 April we have Kindergarten, Year 1 and 2 performing with Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 on 26 April.
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
This Sunday’s Gospel
The Passion and death of Jesus
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 2, 2023.
Yr 4 Week 2 2 May
Yr 5 Week 3 9 May
Yr 3 Week 4 16 May
Yr 6 Week 5 23 May
Yr 2 Week 6 30 May
Yr 1 Week 7 6 June
Kinder Week 8 13 June
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
The Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) 5 April at 7pm - Year 3 Students
Last week we concluded the Reconciliation Workshops at Stella Maris and the Grealy Centre. Thank you to the teachers who volunteered their time to lead these important sessions and the parents who continue to support their children in faith development.
The ceremony for First Reconciliation will occur on 5 April at 7pm. Let us pray for the children and their families at this special time:
Loving God, help us to teach our children that you love us totally and unconditionally. Help us to encourage our children to grow in love and to learn how to say sorry, knowing that you always forgive. Give us the courage to pray with our children and to share our faith with them as we journey together. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
The Sacrament of Confirmation - Year 6 Students
An information session will be held THIS Thursday 30 March 7-8pm for information and name recording at the All Saints Parish Hall.
After weekend Masses on the corresponding dates, the following events will occur…
22/23 April: Information forms will be distributed and names recorded
29/30 April: Distribution of Enrolment forms and names recorded
6/7 May: Commitment Mass for Parents and Candidates
Enrolment forms will be collected with the $25 program cost
Preferences collected for workshop groups
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Project Compassion
Your generous support can help change lives today - and For All Future Generations.
Each child at school should now have brought a box home to assist with fundraising. Please encourage family members to give generously. Once your box is full, bring it back to school and we will add the funds to the on-going total. Together, we can make a difference!
Please help our school raise funds for those less fortunate than ourselves. Help us to ‘Reverence the Story of all People’.
Donate now at:
https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/t/stella-maris-catholic-primary-school-shellharbour
Harmony Day
Thank you to those who came to the Year 4 Harmony Day 
Liturgy celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. It was a wonderful example of how we reverence the story of all people.
Anzac Day Liturgy 2 May 2pm
Due to our Holy Week Remembrance in Week 1 of Term 2, parents, grandparents and friends are warmly invited to attend a special Anzac Day Liturgy presented by Year 5 on the 2 May at 2pm.
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.