Filter Content
Principal Message
Last Thursday I experienced my first Stella Maris Athletics Carnival and what a spectacular day it was. The weather turned on a perfect backdrop for everyone. A sincere thank you to all the parents who were able to join us and gave of their time to help and assist. We are unable to run these days and events without your help.I thoroughly enjoyed being the starter for the day. This role allowed me to see every single child in our school and what a privilege that was. Their positive sportsmanship and positive energy and spirit was to be commended. It warmed my heart and reinforced the kind and compassionate children we have at Stella Maris as I watched the children cheer and encourage each other on. Congratulations to all children who did their best and for those who were fortunate enough to make it to the next level.
Thank you to Mrs Sablowski for her organisation and coordination of the day, it ran smoothly and all events were able to be completed fully. Gratitude to the team of staff who supported and turned up nice and early to help set up.
I look forward to our next carnival!
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
Principal
SCHOOL NEWS
Winter Uniform Update and Expectations Reminder
Late last week, we shared that Lowes had notified the school that the outer jackets were in stock and available. A gentle reminder that this an OPTIONAL item and is to be worn on top of the current uniform jackets for extra warmth.
At school, teachers are monitoring and addressing uniform expectations to assist to maintain a high standard and pride in wearing the uniform. At home you can assist by supporting and reinforcing the following:
- Only wearing jewellery that is in line with the school uniform policy.
- Ensuring that all students have their tie on.
- Students arrive at school with their shirts tucked in. Teachers are asking students to ensure their shirt is tucked in before leaving the classroom in the afternoon.
- Students wear their hat to and from school.
Hair Cuts and Styles
As we approach the end of term and the school holidays, many families will be looking at getting the hair cuts done. When considering hair cuts and styles, all families are asked to follow the school uniform expectations of hair cuts and styles that do not invite comment or are outrageous. This includes no mullets, undercuts, mohawks, rats tails (or any tails), coloured braids, or coloured hair. All hair that is shoulder length or longer must be tied back.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in supporting the school to maintain a high standard of uniform.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 16 June
In Catholic churches and homes, one of the most popular images of Jesus is the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the image of God’s love revealed in the pierced heart of His Son. It is the symbol of a love that conquers sin and transcends death, the symbol of the One who loved us to the end.
Love has always been associated with the heart, so it was only natural that the love of God became represented by a heart, the heart of his Son Jesus. In him, God the Father revealed his infinite love for us. On the Friday after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
This Sunday’s Gospel
Whoever eats and drinks of the body and blood of Christ has eternal life.
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:
Kindergarten (ES1) Sunday 14 May 9am …Mother’s Day
Year 1 & 2 (Stage 1) Sunday 28 May 9am …including Pentecost Celebrations
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 - Kinder Week 8 13 June
Please find below a schedule of the Masses in Term 3.
Yr 2 Week 2 25 July
Yr 4 Week 3 1 August
Yr 6 Week 6 22 August
Yr 5 Week 7 29 August
Yr 3 Week 8 5 September
Yr 1 Week 9 12 September
Kinder Week 10 19 September
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, Mrs Sanchez-Levine or Mrs Hughes 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…
10/11 June: Last Week of Confirmation Workshops
Blessing & Distribution of Medals
16 June: Retreat Day 9am to 2pm All Saints Parish Hall for all students
17/18 June: Rehearsal Saturday 5pm for 18 July session
Rehearsal Sunday 9am for 19 July session
18/19 June: Celebration of Confirmation 7pm
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Grandparents Day 26 July - SAVE THE DATE!
Invitation to Grandparents
Each Grandparent is unique and irreplaceable. As society changes, the role of grandparents changes.
But some things about grandparents are constant. Join us in celebrating the gift they are in our lives!
Wednesday 26 July 2023 at 9:00am, followed by Open Classrooms & Morning Tea
Join your grandchildren for Recess on this day!
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Mr Chris Price in consultation with the school counsellor provides engaging Social And Emotional Learning (SEL) support for Years 3-6 students. This initiative involves building a strong rapport with the students and creating a safe environment for them to discuss and engage in activities that will enable them to thrive in our ever changing world. Learning experiences vary from week to week and involve different groups of children. These activities involve; developing and building resilience, strategies to manage emotions, having a growth mindset, expressing empathy and much more.
These small group guided sessions require permission from parents, so if you have not already done so, please click on the link below and provide consent for your child to be involved in these effective learning experiences.
https://smsdow-nsw.compass.education/Organise/Activities/Events/
CONGRATULATIONS!
Last Week, Maya Huetter represented Mackillop at the NSW PSSA Hockey competition in Tamworth. She performed incredibly well across the four day competition with her team coming a respectable 4th place overall. Maya’s impressive skill and sportsmanship provided her with the privilege of being voted the ‘Players Player’ award for her team.
Remarkably, the accolades don't stop there, with Maya being selected in the NSW State Team. She will now travel to Hobart on 30 July - 4 August to compete in the Schools Sport Australia National Hockey Championships.
Congratulations Maya on this significant achievement, we are so proud of you.
CONGRATULATIONS !
Congratulations also to Allegra Fosteris in Year 6, who competed in Las Vegas in the Acro Vegas Cup. They came away with a gold and a sliver medal. An amazing achievement! In addition Allegra competed at the Australian National Gymnastics Championships, achieving a Gold, Silver and and Silver overall. Representing NSW with pride. Congratulations Allegra on your wonderful achievements.
Chess Club
The Stella Maris 2023 Athletics Carnival was hosted at Myimbarr Community Park on Thursday 1 June.
The field was lit up by the colourful costumes worn by the students representing their respective Houses.
The first track event was the 800m, a competitors only event, which began at 8:00am. This was shortly followed by the official welcoming. Mr Price opened the event with a Sports Prayer, followed by a reading of the Athlete’s Oath, delivered by our Year 6 Captains. It was then time for our lively Sports Captains to lead a crowd favourite, the House War Cries. Smyth took away the honours, delivering a creative and energetic performance that wowed our judge and school principal, Mrs Hughes.
The students participated in a range of track and field activities over the course of the day, earning points for their house through participation and placement in each event. The students displayed a great sense of community spirit in representing their respective Houses, and demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship as they cheered on their fellow peers.
Smyth House were crowned the overall winning House, taking away the prestigious trophy.
Congratulations to all the students for their efforts on the day and a huge thank you to all the staff involved, along with the army of volunteers who gave up their time to assist in the delivery of the carnival.
Congratulations to all the students who progressed through to the South Coast Athletics Carnival, we wish you every success.
Age Champions for 2023
- used across all classes to send out private messages to parents.
- used as a student reward system (Dojo Points).
- class story posts will be used to celebrate student/class achievements and provide general information about events your child is involved in (e.g. photos from excursions, invitations to open classrooms, assembly performance reminders, etc).
- teachers will reply to messages in a timely manner
- Please note: any confidential or sensitive information about your child should only be communicated to the class teacher via email or phone call.
- used in all ES1 (K) and Stage 1 (Yr 1 & 2) classrooms to assign tasks for students to complete (e.g. taskboard rotations). No longer used for parent communication.
- used in all Stage 2 and 3 classrooms to assign tasks for students to complete. Not used for parent communication.
- used by the school office/leadership to make announcements for the whole school, and manage events and attendance.
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.
Upcoming events
Information notes will be sent home shortly. We are aware this may seem early, however with the holidays nearly upon us we would like to give families extra time to be aware and organised.
Disco
This years disco will be held on Thursday 10 August.
We will hold two sessions:
5 - 6:15pm Infant (K-Yr2)
6:30 - 8pm Primary (Yr3 - Yr6)
We will be requesting volunteers to help on the night for each session, so please mark your diary if you can assist, more information to be provided to parents before the end of term.
Pie Drive
We are holding another Pie Drive due to overwhelming response from last year.
Pie order forms will be sent out before the end of term with pies due back early term 3.
Father's Day
Our Father's Day festivities will be held on Friday 1 September.
We will hold a breakfast starting from 7:30am with a lucky door prize available.
A note will be sent home with cost and volunteer request for assistance on the day.
Meeting Dates
Reminder of meeting dates for the remainder of the year, the next meeting has been bought forward to allow for planning of the disco and Father's Day.
Term 3 - Monday 31 July Week 3.
Term 4 - Monday 6 November Week 5
Go4Fun is a FREE healthy lifestyle program for kids 7-13 years who are above a healthy weight.
Visit www.go4fun.com.au to register.
To find out about your rights and responsibilities as a patient, client, consumer, carer, family member or visitor, visit