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Dear Parents and Carers,
Over the last couple of weeks we have had fantastic examples of school spirit. I would like to extend my gratitude to all parents who were able to volunteer their time to assist at the swimming carnival. It was an incredibly successful day and the children and the community came together to celebrate what is great about our school.
Watching the children cheer each other on and show great sportsmanship was heartwarming and the enthusiasm of our parents who participated in the end of carnival swim off against teachers and students was spectacular. Thank you to Mrs Sablowski for her organisation and leadership of a successful carnival and to the staff who supported all day. Back at school the K-2 children held their own water carnival and it was a rounding success. They earned points for their house colours and this contributed to the final score tally for each house.
We followed this up with an amazing day on the Friday with the Colour explosion! Thank you to our community for being so flexible on the day and accommodating the late changes to times to avoid any weather interruptions. In the end the weather turned out to be wonderful. Thank you to all the parents and volunteers that assisted to set up and pack up the day. The children had a blast.
God Bless
Belinda
School News
Staffing - 2024
We are pleased to share the staffing arrangements for 2024. Children will meet their teacher on Thursday 14 December. Transition for some students has begun to assist in a smooth transition to the next grade. We congratulate Mr Jack Richardson who has accepted a position at Nowra and Miss Sarah Napier who has accepted a position at Picton.
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Kindergarten |
Grace Sullivan Christina Agius Large Instructional Group Support - Emma Morgan (Mon-Thurs) |
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Year 1 |
Annalise Daphne Lauren Mahar (ML2) Large Instructional Group Support - Krystle Caires (Mon-Tues) ML 2 Release - Krystle Caires (Wed) |
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Year 2 |
Amelia Birchall Chantelle Zuza Large Instructional Group Support - Anna Clori (1/2 day am Mon & Wed) |
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Year 3 |
Kelly Mang Shari Mayo (Instructional Coach) / Peta Wright SPLICED release - Jo Love (Friday) |
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Year 4 |
Eliza Treble (ML2) Jess Shelton ML 2 Release - Christina Porter (Thurs) |
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Year 5 |
Alicia Sanchez-Levine (REC) Kelly Young REC release - Cain Holgate (Tues; 1/2 day Wed) |
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Year 6 |
Emma Gallinar Chris Price ML 2 & IT release - Christina Porter (Mon-Tues; Every second Friday) |
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RR - Tarsh Hosking PE - Casey Sablowski (Tues-Thurs; every second Friday Sport Coordinator) Music - Sonia Sozio (Tues - Thurs) Diverse Learning Support Teacher - Elise Thompson Library - Jo Love (Wed-Thurs) |
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Key Dates for 2024
Please find below some key dates for your diaries in 2024. Any changes or any up to date information will always be represented on the Parent Calendar or via Compass.
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PUPIL FREE DAYS |
Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 January Monday 29 April Monday 22 July Monday 14 October Staff Spirituality Day in term 4 - TBC Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December |
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Key Events |
Thursday 22 February Opening School Mass @ All Saints
13 March - 25 March NAPLAN Testing period Monday 20 May Stella Maris Foundation Day Celebrations Tuesday 28 May School Photo Day Friday 26 July Grandparent’s Day Liturgy Tuesday 10 December Stella Maris End of Year Mass Thursday 12 December Year 6 Graduation Mass and Dinner Saturday 14 December Combined Schools Christmas Carols - All Saints |
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Carnival Dates |
Thursday 14 March Cross Country Thursday 30 May School Athletics Carnival Thursday 14 November - TBC Swimming Carnival - Can only be booked 6 months before |
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P&F Dates |
Monday 19 February AGM and General Meeting
Friday 22 March Easter Raffle & Welcome BBQ
Friday 3 May Mother’s Day Breakfast & Stall
Friday 30 August Father’s Day Breakfast & Stall
Friday 29 November Christmas Markets |
Uniform Expectations - Focus Hair Cuts
As we approach the end of year and the school holidays, many families will be looking at getting the hair cuts done before the return to school. 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 must be tied back.
Any students who do not follow the school expectations the school procedures are:
- Class teacher will follow up with families
- If it is not rectified, it will be passed on to the stage leader to follow up with families
- If it continues to be an issue it will be referred to the Assistant Principal or Principal to follow up.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
Christmas Picnic
School News
Please join us on Saturday 9 December 5:00 - 7:30 pm for Mass & Christmas Carols presented by Stella Maris, Nazareth and Corpus Christi!
The students have been eagerly practising for you!
Kinder, Year 1 & 2 will present “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Years 3 and 4 will sing “Feliz Navidad.”
Years 5 and 6 will perform “The Twelve Days of Aussie Christmas”
Christmas attire/colours to be worn!
Please consent on COMPASS for catering purposes as there will be a BBQ thanks to a combined effort by our P & F!
Mass at All Saints
Please come and join us as we celebrate Mass together on the following days:
Thursday 7 Dec 5pm Year 6 Graduation Mass 
Saturday 9 Dec 5 - 7:30 pm Mass & Christmas Carols presented by each stage Christmas attire/colours to be worn
Please consent on COMPASS for catering purposes
Mass at Stella Maris
It’s back! We will be having our END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WHOLE SCHOOL MASS under the COLA on Tuesday 12 Dec 11am! Please come and join us as we celebrate the end of our year, and farewell those who have served us with their faith, hope and love over the years.
God Bless
Alicia Sanchez-Levine
Religious Education Coordinator
Parish News
This Sunday’s Gospel
We know not the hour the Lord will come.
All Saints Catholic Parish Shellharbour
Mass times: All Saints Church
19 College Ave, Shellharbour City
Saturday 5.00pm Vigil
Sunday 9.00am, 5.00pm
The Sacraments
Reconciliation - Year 3 Students in 2023 (Current Year 2 Students)
Timetable of Events after the Vigil/Sunday Masses:
3/4 December: Enrolment weekend after any of the Vigil/Sunday Masses. Enrolment forms to be distributed and names to be recorded. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
10/11 December: Enrolment forms and $20 fee collected. After counting the number of candidates, the required number of workshops will be determined and organised. Allow 10 minutes after Mass.
17/18 December: Group preference sheets will be distributed and parents will be required to provide preferences for the workshop days and times. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
4/5 February: The assignment of families to workshops will be distributed. Allow 15 minutes after Mass.
If there are any questions related to any of the Sacraments, please contact the parish office via email shellharbourcity@dow.org.au
Advent
The start of December marks the beginning of Advent.
It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas and the return of Jesus at the Second Coming.
CEDoW Awards:
- CCSI Award: Emotion Express
- Runner Up St Francis Care of Animals Award: Koala Safe House
National Awards:
- Winner - Wellbeing Award Primary: Emotion Express
Stella Maris Catholic School Swimming Carnival Report
On Thursday, 23 November, we held our annual school swimming carnival. We had 156 students competing across 82 events throughout the day. The carnival kicked off with an energetic opening, as our lively sports captains led the House War Cries. There were some impressive performances from both seasoned swimmers and those showcasing their talent for the first time. The relay races brought an extra level of excitement to the carnival to cap off a wonderful day. Smyth were the overall victors in the battle of the Houses, which saw the fastest male and female swimmers in each year group take to the pool to compete against one another. The much anticipated final event of the day saw our teachers take to the pool to battle it out against our Year 6 students and a handpicked group of parent representatives. The parents took an early lead after a strong first 50 metres, which proved far too difficult for our students and teachers to close down, resulting in a comfortable victory for the parent team.
Thank you to all of our parent helpers and staff who filled various roles throughout the day to ensure the smooth running of the event. Carnivals don’t just run themselves and we really value everybody’s contribution no matter how big or small.
Congratulations to the following students who received our age champions for their outstanding performances on the day.
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Boys |
Girls |
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Junior - Oscar Creighton |
Junior - Lola Jimenez |
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U11’s - Mason Jimenez |
U11’s - Harper Beaton |
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Senior - Reid Coelho |
Senior - Georgia Mulligan |
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Year 6 - Harry Riddell |
Year 6 - Siair Paillas |
Following our end of year swimming carnival, a training squad has been selected to train leading up to the Diocesan carnival. In addition, if we have had some new students arrive in 2024, they too are invited to participate in the training squad if they are competitive 50m swimmers. The children will train throughout Term 1 during sport time under the guidance of Mrs Wright. During the training program, a final team will be selected to move through to the next level and if your child is successful, they will receive a permission note to attend. Further information regarding this event will be provided early Term 1 2024.
Mrs Sablowski
PE Teacher
Amendment to the digital form for student image consent
The safety and wellbeing of students is always our first priority. This includes protecting their privacy and respecting the wishes of parents and carers regarding the use of student photos, images, and works at all times.
At the start of each school year, you are asked to complete a form to provide your consent for images of your child to appear in various places (e.g., in school newsletters, social media, and promotional material).
In 2023, this form became digital, and you were asked to consent to an event in Compass.
In the same way that you provided consent for your child in 2023, you will still be able to simply reply in the Compass app; however, in 2024, this consent will be provided in a new app feature called Compass Insight. Compass’ Insights module is a tool for gathering information from staff, students and parents that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Example of how Compass Insights will look for parents;
What do you need to do?
During the Christmas vacation period, you will receive a new image consent Insight in the Compass app. Please click on the link provided and read the details of the Insight carefully, discuss it with your child, and once you have made your decision, answer the question to either provide or decline consent.
To ensure that no child misses out on having their photo taken as part of school life, we will occasionally send reminders to parents and carers who have yet to complete the Insight.
If you have any questions about this change or the image consent form in general, please contact the school, and we will be happy to discuss this further with you.
| 2024 FEE | AMOUNT | SUMMARY DETAILS |
| Tuition Fee | $1,843.00 | Charged per family |
| SEDSO Levy | $1,245.00 | Charged per family |
| Resource fee (kinder to year 6) | $150.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (kinder) | $59.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 1) | $56.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 2) | $58.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 3) | $60.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 4) | $69.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 5) | $77.00 | Charged per student |
| Camp (year 5) | $194.00 | Charged per student |
| Excursion fee (year 6) | $63.00 | Charged per student |
| Camp (year 6) | $383.00 | Charged per student |
| Graduation (year 6) | $132.00 | Charged per student |
| 2024 t-shirt (year 6) | $47.00 | Charged per student |
New Insurance provider for Student Injuries
Recently the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has engaged a new provider for student injury insurance. Students who suffer injury at school may be eligible to lodge a claim under a Student Accident policy, in place with Chubb Insurance. A summary of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong's Student Accident Plan can be found in the following Parent brochure: Parent brochure
Both the Student Accident Claim Form and Student Accident Medical Practitioners Statement are required to be fully completed for the successful lodgement of a claim.
You will see from the claim procedures included on the claim form that once downloaded and printed, all documents, including the Claim Form and Medical Practitioners Statement, should be forwarded directly to Chubb Insurance. This will streamline the claim process and alleviate additional administration.
If parents/carers have any questions regarding the policy coverage or the management of a claim, please contact Chubb Insurance, 1300 722 032.
Please note that in relation to coverage, the insurer is not permitted under Australian Law to reimburse medical expenses or any payment ‘gap’ for services which are eligible under Medicare. Only medical expenses that do not fall under Medicare are able to be assessed. All benefits, except for fee relief, are paid directly to the parents of the injured student.
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.
Colour Explosion
Uniform Shop - ADDITIONAL OPENING HOURS
2024
Go4Fun will be running a free children’s program at Wollongong and Warilla in term 1 2024.
It would be very helpful if you could please assist by promoting Go4Fun, a healthy lifestyle program offered by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
It would be great if you could please add the attached flyer into your school newsletter a few times before the end of term to encourage families to attend this valuable program.
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.