Welcome to Term 1 Week 8 2022
Principals Report
Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle C
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Gospel Reading
Luke 13:1-9 Jesus preaches a lesson on repentance.
Family Connection
We may be unfamiliar with fig trees, but we might know about the growth of spring flowers. Perhaps we have looked at a dry, brown flower bulb and wondered how this produces the colourful tulip or daffodil blossom that we expect to bloom in the spring. Perhaps we've even thought about the patience and hope that are required to plant flower bulbs in October. We don't have to be gardeners, however, to know about patience and hopefulness. As parents, we practice these virtues each day with our children. We may become frustrated and even angered by their willfulness and lack of cooperation. Yet we continue to offer our attention and guidance in hope that one day our efforts will bear fruit. Sunday's parable suggests that God is like that with us, working with us in patience and in hope that one day we will show evidence that such work is not in vain. As parents, we know God's kindness when we find evidence for our hope for our children. Does God find such glimmers of hope as he works with us?
Gather your family and show a spring flower in bloom. Recall that in the fall this flower was a dry-bulb (if a flower bulb is available, show this as well). Talk about the hopefulness and patience shown by those who plant flower bulbs in the fall in the hope that they will bloom in the spring. Read aloud Sunday's Gospel, Luke 13:1-9. Compare the parable of the barren fig tree to your discussion about spring flowers. Consider the patience and hopefulness that God has with us as he works with us, calling us to return to Him when we sin. Offer prayers of thanks and praise to God for his patience and hopefulness towards us.
Excerpts from the Sunday Connection copyright © Loyola Press. Used with permission. Visit www.LoyolaPress.com for more information.
Uniform update
Please note that there are not going to be any immediate uniform changes until we have completed the Stella Maris log refresh process. This process takes time and we are continuing to work with Image Seven the educational consultancy company to ensure the process is thorough and consultative. Thank you to those families and staff members who responded to the survey that was sent out earlier in the year, we had a good response. We are in phase two of the consultancy process and we will update you in the coming weeks as to the next phase. Thanks for your patience.
Covid-19 update
As we have communicated over the past few weeks we have had to complete two school sweeps where RATs have been distributed to all students. This process is required when we reach a certain number of class clusters. At present, we do not have any class clusters. We continue to monitor our positive Covid numbers thoroughly each day. We would like to extend our appreciation for your prompt notification of positive cases within your families.
We are supported by Catholic Education Tasmania with regular Covid-19 Safety Management updates that align with current Public Health information. Whilst we have managed to have minimal staff affected, we are now seeing an increase in staff positive cases with the majority of cases appearing during a period of close contact isolation.
We still continue to have a limited supply of masks and RATs that we can draw on in a school cluster outbreak.
Once again, thank you for your patience, understanding and collaboration with us during these trying and dynamic times.
RE News
Sacramental Program 2022
The Sacramental Program for 2022 will commence on 4th May and conclude with the ceremonies of the Sacraments in the month of August. It is available to any baptised Catholic children in grades 4, 5 and 6 who wish to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation: Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation.
Please contact the school office to register your intention to enrol in the program by 1st April. Enrolment forms and dates of events will be sent home once we have been informed of your intention.
The venue will be in the MPR at Stella on Wednesday evenings starting 4th May.
If you have any queries please contact:
Claire Willis: Parish Sacramental Co-ordinator on 0439634844
School News
Stella Stars
We hope to be welcoming families back to Stella Stars in Term 2
Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for further updates.
School Photos - Postponed
School photos will be postponed until August due to covid.
Orders placed will be carrried over, please call the school office if you have any queries.
Just Like Jesus Award
Congratulations to the students that received the "Just Like Jesus" award in our recent assemblies. It means that they have been 'caught' treating others in an extra respectful manner.
SRC News...
Showing respect by being a good friend and choosing to be kind has been the behaviour focus for the last two weeks. Harmony Day was on March 21st and this especially highlighted the importance of being respectful and choosing to be kind. Respecting the individuality of all people and having conversations with those with different backgrounds and opinions makes our school, community, and nation a better place.
Sunflowers for Ukraine Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who bought a sunflower. Just over $200 was made and the money will go to Caritas Australia which is supporting Ukraine in the following ways:
ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES
Providing information, referral services (medical, legal, etc), free meals, water, and hygiene supplies for families as they flee to safer territories.
EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Regular meals and hygiene facilities for families with no other accommodation options.
TRANSPORTATION
To help displaced families move through conflict zones safely and reach friends, family and services providers and,
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
For families in need, including special child-friendly spaces for children who have experienced trauma during the conflict.
Upcoming Events
Old Towel collecting for Vinnies Tasmania
Now is the perfect time to clean out your laundry cupboards.
Vinnies are aiming to collect 100,000 clean towels to repurpose as rags for commercial, industrial and domestic use. Any donations can be kept in the classroom for members of the SRC to collect on a Friday.
Parents & Friends News
Annual Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle is one of P&F's major fundraisers each year. We will be sending tickets home soon for families. In the meantime, if you are in a position to donate goods for the raffle that would be greatly appreciated. Please drop donations into the school office.