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Principals Message
This week I had the pleasure of meeting with the Director of Schools, Peter Hill, to sign off on the school cyclic inquiry report. The report is a celebration and acknowledgement of the wonderful things that are happening at Stella Maris and provides clear direction for the following four years.
As a leadership team and staff we will work through the report and we look forward to presenting the findings to the parent community. I envisage that at the next P&F meeting in Term 4 we will be able to share the findings and summary of the report with the parent community.
An immediate recommendation that was presented to the leadership team during the process was to closely interrogate how the school can maximise learning time in the classroom and prioritise learning time for our students by revising our structures, assemblies and procedures. In today’s newsletter I will share the small changes the school will implement from Term 4 onwards to maximise and prioritise learning time whilst maintaining and valuing community engagement and celebration of student achievement.
As we reach the end of the term I would like to thank the school community for their support and commitment to the learning and wellbeing of all of our children. It has been a busy, yet joyful and fulfilling term with plenty of opportunities for our students and community to come together. I wish all our families and staff are restful break with plenty of time for family and friends.
God Bless
Belinda Hughes
School News
Adjustments to School Structures and Procedures - Term 4 Onwards
As previously mentioned the school cyclic inquiry panel indicated that it was timely for the school to revise and possibly adjust some school structures to ensure that learning time was prioritised whilst balancing the value of celebrating students and coming together as a school community. The leadership team and the staff have carefully considered the following adjustments and will use Term 4 to refine procedures for 2024.
- Morning assembly will be on a Monday only. This will be used to come together in prayer; remind students of upcoming events for the week; celebrate extra curricular achievements; announce class of the week. Currently each class is using a slide show that is provided to revise announcements, the PB4L focus of the week, check in with how students are feeling and to act as a reminder for all students. This will continue to be used in each classroom each day.
- Birthday certificates will be presented in class. Each class currently also celebrates birthdays in their room. The presentation of the birthday certificate will now occur in the classroom along with the class celebration.
- Friday assemblies will be fortnightly from Term 4. This will mean that each fortnight a class will be able to celebrate their learning; all awards will continue to be presented; the Friday afternoon time will be used more effectively and parents will be able to plan in advance if they would like to attend.
- The same amount of awards will be given. All classes will continue to nominate awards weekly, they will just be given out fortnightly.
- Students will line up in front of their classes after recess and lunch and take their own lunch boxes and drink bottles back to class after each break time.
- Students will line up and place their bags in the morning in front of their classrooms from Tuesday-Friday morning. (This will be practised and explicitly taught in Week 10 of this term)
- Class of the week points will continue to be awarded by the leadership on duty for that day.
- The scheduling of future liturgies will be after lunch.
Stella Maris Award System
The student support leadership team in Year 6, gathered feedback from the students in regards to the award system in place at Stella Maris. The PB4L team are currently working through these suggestions and next term we will be able to share any developments in this space. The students had some great ideas on how we can increase the importance and value of the awards that are presented.
In line with this process the design of the awards has been updated. The awards are now able to be distinguished between and have a more contemporary look. These will be phased in as the ‘old’ design is exhausted.
Summer Uniform
The summer uniform will formally come in from the beginning of term 4.
Week 10 of this term can be used as a transition week if the weather is heating up. Please ensure that all children are wearing the correct summer uniform. A reminder that the second hand uniform shop is open each Monday morning if you require any extra items.
Staffing Update
Swimming Carnival News
The swimming carnival will be held on 23 November. Please find further clarification on the details of the carnival. Students who will be turning 8 years of age in 2024 will be eligible to be nominated to attend the carnival. This may include students from Year 1 and Year 2 that are able to competently swim 50m. Further information and details will be provided next term.
School News
Catholic Mission Launch - Socktober
Yesterday, two of our Year 6 Leaders of Liturgy, Jayda Tungai &
Kye Botica, travelled with Mrs Hughes in the Corpus Christi bus to the Diocesan Launch of Catholic Mission Month at Holy Spirit College Bellambi. Stella will once again support Catholic’s Mission Socktober fundraiser, which connects our students with people experiencing challenges in the developing world through education and the world game of soccer.
This year, our collective fundraising efforts will contribute vital funds to projects around the world, including Timor-Leste, where a medical clinic and a children's home are providing hope for generations of young people.
As a school, we can contribute in a special way, but only if all our stars jump onboard. I’d like to invite you to take a moment to donate for Socktober and make a difference for children around the world. DONATE NOW! https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stellamariscatholicprimaryschool
In Term 4, we’ll have a chance to come together at our school’s Socktober Event Day, where the children will be able to literally kick goals for good during a Socktober Shootout. This is a fun and educational day, and you are invited to join us if you are able. We will keep you updated in school newsletters and emails throughout Term 4 as we continue to build momentum towards our Socktober Event Day. Thank you for your support and for helping your child/ren kick goals for good.
Season of Creation
We are in the Season of Creation and there are some wonderful activities and resources for families to delve into at https://seasonofcreation.orgTake the time as we move into Spring to pray, to plant, to recycle and enter into the awe and wonder we find in dwelling on and being in God’s creation.
Watch the sun rise and set
- step outside and look at the stars
- Have a digital device free day
- Read an article addressing environmental concerns
- Purchase less of what you need
- Be conscious of the water you use
- Pray for people who are victims and survivors of extreme weather events
- Take your family for a picnic
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
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 left in Term 3.
Kinder Week 10 19 September
Proposed Mass dates for Term 4 are as follows:
Week 1 - Yr 3 - 10 October
Week 2 - Yr 5 - 17 October
Week 3 - Kinder - 24 October
Week 4 - Yr 2 - 31 October
Week 5 - Yr 1 - 7 November
Week 6 - Yr 4 - 14 November
Week 7 - Yr 6 - 21 November
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 Christmas Art Exhibition and Competition
Thank you for the dedication and commitment the Year 5 and 6 students have shown to the Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. We are grateful to staff members who have prepared students to participate in this process. Viewing the artworks and reading the student reflections has been a privilege that reminds us of the wonderful talents and depth of spirituality of students in our school. We are very proud of all our Stage 3 students.
Congratulations and the best of luck to the following students whose artworks have been entered into the competition this year:
- Olivia Povea Purcell
- Aerin Ling
- Lucy Grove
- Grace Griffiths
The shortlisted artworks will be exhibited in the Wollongong City Art Gallery from 6-29 October.
Parish News
This Sunday’s Gospel
Parable of the official who, receiving mercy, does not show it to others.
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
Please come and join us as we celebrate Mass together on the following weekend dates:
Year 3-6 (Stage 2 & 3) Saturday 28 October 5pm
The Sacraments
First Holy Communion - Year 3 or Older
Please note that anyone who has not completed their Reconciliation and would like to do so can have workshops tailored for both Sacraments (Penance & Holy Communion).
Timetable of Events after the Vigil/Sunday Masses:
7 September - Information Night in the Parish Hall 7pm - Contact the Parish if you missed it!
16/17 September - Workshop times available for selection
23/24 September - Commitment Mass; compulsory attendance; prayer card distributed
7/8 October - Parents advised of workshop allocations. See the parish office requesting a change
14/15 October - Workshop books distributed & selection of preferred Mass time
16-19 October - First Week of Workshops
21/22 October - Mass time shared for the Sacrament
23-26 October - Second Week of Workshops
28/29 October - Blessing & Distribution of Holy Communion Medals
30-2 October - Third Week of Workshops
4 /5 November - Instruction on how to receive Holy Communion
6-9 November - Last Week of Workshops
18 November - Rehearsals and Seating Allocations for 11am Communion Mass
19 November - Rehearsals and Seating Allocations for 2pm Communion Mass
26 November - FIRST HOLY COMMUNION MASSES 11AM & 2PM
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
All Saints Day 1 November
DID YOU KNOW IF STUDENTS MISS AS LITTLE AS EIGHT DAYS IN A SCHOOL TERM, BY THE END OF PRIMARY SCHOOL THEY WILL HAVE MISSED A YEAR OF EDUCATION?
● go to a special religious ceremony;
● is required to attend to a serious and/or urgent family situation (e.g. a funeral);
● is too sick to go to school or has an infectious illness.
Do not keep your child away from school for the following:
● birthdays;
● shopping;
● minding other children;
● routine check-ups or care such as haircuts;
● minor family events; and
● sleeping in.
Medical and other health appointments for your child should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays.
WHY IS ARRIVING AT SCHOOL ON TIME IMPORTANT?
Arriving at school and class on time:
● ensures that your child doesn’t miss out on the important learning activities scheduled early in the day when they are most alert;
●helps your child to learn the importance of punctuality and routine
●gives your child time to greet their friends before class and therefore reduces the
opportunity for classroom disruption.
Lateness is recorded as a partial absence and must be explained to the school the same way as other forms of absence.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD HAS TO STAY AWAY FROM SCHOOL?
If your child has to be absent from school, it is important to tell the school and provide a reason for your child’s absence. To explain an absence, parents and carers may:
● send a note or email to the school
● notify via parent Compass portal
● telephone the school or visit the school.
Principals are legally responsible for keeping accurate records of student attendance. The Principal of the school has the right to question parents’ or carers’ requests for their child to be absent from school.
Principals are also responsible for deciding if the reason given for an absence is justified. For this reason, Principals may request medical certificates or other documentation for long or frequent absences explained by parents as being due to illness. If Principals don’t consider an explanation to be satisfactory, they will record the absence as unjustified. ALL ABSENCES MUST BE EXPLAINED TO THE SCHOOL WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE ABSENCE.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF OUR FAMILY IS GOING ON HOLIDAY IN SCHOOL TIME?
Parents and carers are encouraged not to withdraw their children from school for family holidays.
Families should try to arrange holidays during school vacations. If the family holiday is planned during school time, the family must speak with the Principal in advance and complete an Application for Exemption from Attendance at School. If permission is granted, the parents will need to carry the permission certificate with them whilst on holiday to prove that the child/ren have permission to be out of school.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Each year since 1945 the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) has brought
children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. The theme for Book Week this year is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’
At Stella Maris we will be having a special event dedicated to Book Week Thursday 21st September at 9am. Students may come to school dressed as their favourite book character or costume appropriate to the theme and take part in a whole school parade. Students will need to wear appropriate footwear, no open toed shoes as this is a safety issue.They may bring a change of clothes if their costume is too uncomfortable to wear for the entire school day.
Year 6 students will parade with their Kinder buddies. Students are discouraged from wearing costumes or masks that might frighten other students.
Areas will be marked for visitors to watch (behind seated classes) please stay in these areas. Feel free to bring a fold up chair as we will only have limited seating.
If you wish you may stay to have morning tea with your child/ren so feel free to bring something to eat. If you are bringing food it may only be shared with your child/ren due to food allergies.
Thank you
Mrs Love,
Teacher Librarian
There will be no Gold Awards this week. Please watch the Term 4 Newsletters for details of the next awards.
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.
Held at Guntawang Catholic Youth Centre - Woolgemai Campground near Picton, this weekend is growing in popularity and bringing Catholic families from around the Diocese together for food, fun and fellowship with camping and bunk room accommodation options. For more information and bookings follow this link: Compass: Catholic Family Camping Weekend.
One Giant Leap Australia Foundation has partnered with the Department of Regional NSW to present free school holiday workshops on space and aviation. The program is called Aerospace Academy and full details can be found on our website, https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/aerospace-academy/
The three workshops in the Kiama area will be held at Jamberoo School of Arts on 5–7 October. Students may attend both the space and aviation workshops, or they can elect to attend just one of the workshops. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. All costs for the workshops are being covered by the Department of Regional NSW.
Education Advisor
One Giant Leap Australia Foundation
https://onegiantleapfoundation.com.au/
