Principal Message

Welcome back to term 2, 2023. I sincerely hope you all were able to enjoy some quality time with family and friends and celebrate the true meaning of Easter. It has been wonderful to see all the students return with enthusiasm and ready to tackle the term ahead.

ANZAC Day

On Tuesday we commemorated Anzac Day. It is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealander service men and women who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Anzac Day originally honoured the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War.

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of joining the School Captains to commemorate the memory of our soldiers. It was a touching ceremony and it was wonderful to see so many other Stella Maris students at the Shellharbour City Memorial service. A true example of reverencing the story of others. As a school we will commemorate ANZAC day next week on Tuesday at 2pm. We hope you are able to join us as Year 5 lead us in this service.

ANZAC day is a day when we remember the strength, the courage and the commitment of such service men and women and acknowledge those currently serving. 

God Bless

Principal

Belinda Hughes

School News

Farewell Ms Crandell

This week is a sad week for the Stella Maris community. We congratulate Ms Crandell as she takes on a new role at Catholic Education Office in supporting schools with Pastoral care and behaviour management. We know Ms Crandell will be a great asset to the team at the CEO and will be greatly missed by staff, students and families. We sincerely thank Ms Crandell for the years of service and commitment she has given to the Stella Maris community. Please join us for a farewell liturgy on Thursday and afternoon tea for parents and carers after school.

Thank you!

The children have returned to a colourful and brighter school grounds. A HUGE thank you to the P&F and families who have contributed to the professional line marking in the playground. The children have loved it and have embraced the new activities available to them. The school crest is a great statement piece as you enter the school and the introduction of snakes and ladders, hop scotch, activity track, alphabet caterpillar just to name a few have been amazing. It is a joy to see the children’s faces as they see something new and exciting.

At the end of last term we held our annual Easter raffle and the Welcome BBQ. Both of these events were an outstanding success. The extraordinary amount of eggs generously donated by our families was phenomenal and I know they made many families happy over the Easter break. My first welcome BBQ was indeed impressive. The support from our school community, coming together to welcome new families, catch up with friends and celebrate our wonderful school was truly heartwarming. I appreciate and thank all parents who gave up their time and resources to make both of these events such a special experience for our children. The hours of work and the significant commitment of time does not go unnoticed and I would like to express my gratitude to you all.

Winter Uniform

A reminder that Term 2 is the start of the winter uniform. There is a transition period of 2 weeks if the weather is warm. All students must wear their full winter uniform from Monday 8 May.

Hair Expectations

During school holidays it is understandable that children may wish to have slightly different hair. A reminder that when students return to school they must return in line with the school’s uniform and hair policy. All students hair should be neat and tidy, not to invite comment. If it is shoulder length it must be tied back off the face, no rats' tails, mullets or skullets, shaved artwork in the hair or coloured braids. If your child has come back to school with coloured braids, coloured hair or any of the above please ensure that by the end of next week their hair is returned to be in line with school expectations. Thank you for your cooperation with keeping in line with school policy and maintaining a high standard with our uniform and presentation. 

Upcoming Important Dates - Term 2

27-28 April - Year 5 to Zoo Snooze

27 April - Class of Term 1 - Pizza Lunch

2 May - Diocesan Cross-Country

5 May - Year 4 Excursion to The Rocks

12 May - Mothers' Day Breakfast

Learning Labs - University of Wollongong

The UOW Outreach & Widening Participation Team invites students to Learning Labs, an academic and creative arts enrichment holiday program. We are targeting students from Year 1 to 6 who are passionate, self-motivated, and curious learners.

Dates: Little Learning Labs (Years 1 and 2): 3rd – 5th July 2023

Early Learning Labs (Years 3 to 6): 11th – 13th July 2023

Venue: University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus only)

Applications close: Wednesday, 10th May 2023

•     LITTLE AND EARLY LEARNING LABS program brochure

     APPLICATION PROCESS

• Parents/Guardians visit our website and read the full list of workshops available by scrolling to the “Workshop Descriptions” section.
• Students apply for workshops that are within their current year (ie. Year 6 students in 2023 will apply for the Year 5 & 6 workshops). In exceptional circumstances, we are willing to review applicants who would like to try a more challenging workshop.
• Parents/Guardians (or school if parent/guardian is unable to) fill out the online application form.
• This is an academic and creative arts enrichment program designed for students who are motivated and passionate learners and performing excellently in their area of interest. First-time applicants are required to demonstrate their suitability for the program. One piece of supporting documentation is required (see 'Supporting Documentation' section on website).

Please know that applications are now open, and workshops fill very quickly.

We will also have several sponsorship places available for students who identify as Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or students experiencing financial difficulty. 

For further information about workshops and the application process please visit the website, or contact the Learning Labs team via email at learning-labs@uow.edu.au.

We hope our Stella community enjoyed the Easter break and we welcome everyone to Term 2.  

We rejoiced with the risen Christ yesterday with an Easter Liturgy performed by Years 3-6.  It was a beautiful celebration of our most important Church season.  Thank you to all the teachers and support staff who make these special events so memorable and to our amazing community who shared it with us.

God Bless

Alicia Sanchez-Levine

Religious Education Coordinator

This Sunday’s Gospel

Jn 10:1-10

Jesus the sheepgate.

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 All Saints

Beginning this term, we will also be participating in weekend stage Masses at All Saints Catholic Parish.  Please come and join us as we celebrate Mass together on the following weekend dates:

Year 1 & 2 (Stage 1) Sunday 28 May 9am

Teachers Saturday 15 July 5pm

Year 5 & 6 (Stage 3) Saturday 26 August 5pm

Year 3 & 4 (Stage 2) Sunday 12 November 9am

Mass at Stella Maris 

Grade Masses also 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 }   Communion Service4 Only

Yr 5 Week 3,  9 May  }  Communion Service Only

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 Confirmation - Year 6 Students

After weekend Masses on the corresponding dates, the following events will occur… 

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

13/14 May: Families advised of group allocations

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

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.   

Project Compassion

Our whole school lenten fundraiser has officially concluded.  

Could all Project Compassion boxes please be returned to school so that we may finalise the fundraiser for this year.  

Thank you!

Mary Aikenhead Award Nominations

Every year we celebrate Foundation Day with the Mary Aikenhead Award.  This award is in recognition of the ministry of Sisters of Charity at Stella Maris Catholic School 1958-2009.

We are now calling for nominations from Parents/Teachers/Students.  You may only nominate one student using the following Criteria:

1. Exhibits qualities that reach out to those in need e.g. regularly contributes to missions, regularly prays petitions for others, helps other children in the classroom or playground, helpful to teachers
2. Excellent application during RE lessons.
3. Knowledge of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity.
4. Displays reverence during Mass and liturgies and shows a willingness to always play a key role in these, for example reading at Mass/liturgies, offertory procession, role play, choir.

Please return all nomination forms to the office by 10 May. Using the criteria, a panel will decide on the winners of this award.  The Awards Ceremony will be on Friday 19 May at 11am preceded by the Year 2 presentation of the Story of Mary Aikenhead.

A nomination form follows or one can be picked up from the school office.

Mary Aikenhead Award Nomination - For Parents & Students

This award is in recognition of the ministry of Sisters of Charity at Stella Maris Catholic School 1958-2009.

Nominations due to Mrs Sanchez-Levine (or school office) by 10 May

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.